A photo every day for a year! 24th - 30th August! Week 35 of #Project365

What a week! I feel like I need a nap that lasts about three business days to recover from Ellie's 18th birthday. I don’t think I’ve sat down properly since last weekend and even when I have my brain has still been whizzing about all the things I needed to do. It’s been all go preparing for her birthday and then celebrating. I think she’s officially been spoiled! She got everything she wanted and then some! She had so many lovely messages from family and friends and it really felt like one of those milestone birthdays that she'll remember forever. We had a lovely family meal out Friday night which was really nice and spent the evening at the pubs karaoke and then Saturday she was off into town with her friends. I gave her a long list of rules to stay safe and I am sure she stuck to them.

It was so strange last night, it just being Becky, Stu and I at home when Ellie was out with friends and then sleeping out. The house felt so different, almost too quiet! We made the most of it though treating ourselves to an Indian takeaway.

Now for a photo every day!

236/365 - 24th August

These pretty pink flowers appear in my garden around the same time every year which is surprising as they seem to come from nowhere. My plant Identifier says they are Grape Leaf Anemone.

237/365 - 25th August

Bank holiday and we were all at home which doesn’t happen too often these days so we decided to go out for lunch. It turned into such a lovely afternoon with good food, plenty of laughs and even some sunshine which seems rare considering it was a Bank Holiday!

238/365 - 26th August

Present wrapping day! Becky helped me get Ellie’s gifts all sorted. She had more presents than I realised, but she’s worth it. You only turn 18 once!

239/365 - 27th August

False nails! A little peek at Ellie’s style. If it’s black it’s usually hers! These are definitely very Ellie.

240/365 - 28th August

Stu and I spent 2 hours putting up birthday decorations. This one was my favourite. Awesome Since 2007!

241/365 - 29th August

Just an 18 year old loving her balloons and loving life!

242/365 - 30th August

Ellie was very surprised with her dressing table and Stu put the seat together last night, so far so good and is putting the dressing table together today.

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This week my Word of the Week is: Eighteen! #WotW

This week my Word of the Week is:

It has to be Eighteen! I was originally going to go with preparations because that’s exactly what most of the week has been filled with, getting ready for Ellie's birthday today but when will I ever get to use Eighteen again? The next chance will probably be when I’ve been blogging for eighteen years and that’s still a good six years away so I thought I’d better grab this chance while I can!

I’m writing this on Thursday because I knew yesterday and today would be chaos, the good kind of chaos but chaos all the same. We’ve had a busy week! Deep cleaning the house because we have had guests staying. There’s nothing like having people round to make you notice every speck of dust. Presents have been wrapped, bags hidden away and we’ve all gone into full birthday prep mode that even included haircuts and a little beautifying with nails done and the works! The cake was delivered which is always a big moment. There’s something about seeing the cake that makes a birthday feel very real!

By now Ellie will have opened her presents and hopefully loved them all. One of the big surprises was a dressing table that we got for her. I did that sneaky parent thing where I printed out a photo of it and popped it in one of her cards so she knew what was coming even though the actual boxes have been sitting in the dining room for weeks hidden under a towel and she never even noticed! Hopefully it is getting put together today.

Now that Ellie’s officially 18 it’s like a whole new world has opened up for her. She’s already realised that she doesn’t need me to sign permission slips for college anymore. She can buy paracetamol from the shop, she can order her own drink at the pub, which makes me feel old and the biggest one of all she can go on a proper night out with her sister. Becky has been planning something really special for her. Along with a few bits for her dressing table she also bought tickets to an event and sorted a hotel for a night away.

The hotel and event were booked a bit last minute as Ellie had to wait for her new college timetable to be confirmed. She popped into college earlier this week to sort out her course details, fill in paperwork and finally got given her new timetable. She came home so happy with it. She’s got two half days and one full day with all her lessons nicely bunched together instead of those long gaps in between classes where she just had to hang around for hours. She said it’s the best timetable she’s ever had!

Ellie wasn't just having a birthday yesterday she is having a whole birthday weekend! She has plans today, tonight and tomorrow. I don’t think she’s going to know whether she’s coming or going but I am betting by Monday she’ll probably collapse in bed and spend most of the day recovering.

This week has been all about Ellie turning 18, the planning, the cleaning, the wrapping, the surprising and finally the celebrating. Eighteen feels like such a milestone, and I couldn’t let this week’s Word of the Week be anything else!

How has your week been? I hope you have had a good one! I am of course linking up with Anne who blogs at Raisie Bay for her Word of the Week linky!

My 18 favourite things about my daughter as she turns 18!

How is it even possible that my youngest daughter is 18 today? Eighteen! It feels like just yesterday I was holding her just as she had been born, feeding her solid food for the first time, holding her hand as she learned to walk, getting her dressed for her first day of school, watching her perform in school plays, sending her off by herself (walking with friends) to secondary school, applying for college and most recently accepting that she has a boyfriend. Somehow, those baby years feel like both a lifetime ago and just yesterday. She’s officially an adult now although she’ll always be my baby girl!!

Over the years, she’s made me laugh, cry and burst with pride more times than I can count. She’s got a fierce spirit, a kind heart and a wicked sense of humour that keeps us all on our toes. As she celebrates this big milestone, I wanted to take a moment to reflect. Not just on how far she’s come but on all the things I love most about who she is right now.

This is a bit of a different Friday Favourite post but I am still linking up with Erika and Andrea to share my 18 favourite things about my daughter Ellie as she turns 18!

1. Her strength!

She’s been through more than people realise and has handled it with courage and quiet resilience. Her heart surgery, problems with her eyes and feet, starting nursery school a week after her 3rd birthday and being the youngest in her year all the way through school and college, being deaf in one ear, other health problems, being bullied all through primary school, the Covid years which took over most of her time at secondary school, entering into a male dominated career (engingeering), struggles with friendships and so much more. She might not always feel strong but I see it in her every single day. She is a lot stronger than she gives herself credit for.

2. Her eye rolls

She’s got a signature eye roll full of sass, perfectly timed and sometimes hilarious. It drives me mad and makes me laugh at the same time. A true talent.

3. Her style!

She knows what she likes and wears it with confidence. Whether it’s a hoodie and tracksuit bottoms or something bold and unexpected, like a dress with questionable tights. She owns it and always looks effortlessly cool doing it. She loves chunky, goth looking boots and she has got the red and black one's for her birthday! They're surprisingly comfortable.

4. Her independence!

She’s not afraid to do things her way even if it’s not the expected way. All through her life we have joked and have said she's hit all her milestones in "Ellie time". She’s brave enough to make her own path and determined enough to stick to it. She has been determined about her engineering career even though it is make dominated. Last year there was a class of about 25 with only 3 girls.

5. Her sense of humour!

Dry, quick, sometimes sarcastic and sometimes daft. She makes me laugh constantly. Our shared in jokes are priceless and I’ll never get tired of her funny takes on life.

6. Her music taste!

Whether it’s something we both love or a band I’ve never heard of, I admire how she connects to music. She has multiple playlists on Spotify with all genres and music for all moods. She has always loved singing, she doesn't sing out loud as much as she used to but some times I will walk in a room when she is in full voice and I love it!

7. Her stubbornness!

Yes, it’s highly frustrating sometimes but it’s also a sign of her determination. She stands her ground, speaks her mind and doesn’t let people walk over her and I wouldn't want it any other way.

8. Her bond with her sister!

They wind each other up constantly but there’s a deep love and loyalty there that’s unshakeable. The in jokes, the teasing, the protectiveness is something special.

9. Her makeup skills!

Whether she’s glammed up for a night out or playing with bold colours just because, she’s got such talent. Half the time I ask her how she did her eyeliner so perfectly and her collection of make up is impressive, I am always borrowing it but don't tell her. hehehe

10. Her courage to speak up!

She isn't the most confident speaker until she needs to and doesn’t stay quiet, especially when something feels wrong. She’s not afraid to speak her mind even when it’s awkward or uncomfortable.

11. Her love of Sushi!

She has loved it since she knew what it was and I thought it would be something she would have grown out of but no, she is still obsessed and still stinks the house out when she is eating it!

12. Her dreams!

She’s got hopes and plans bubbling away even if she’s still figuring everything. I love hearing her talk about her future and knowing that whatever she chooses she’ll make it her own.

13. Her clumsiness!

She trips over flat surfaces, walks into doors and spills things constantly and we both laugh every time.

10. Her heart!

She cares deeply even if she doesn’t always show it with words. It’s in the small things she does for people in the way she listens, notices and just gives.

14. Her honesty

She doesn’t sugar coat things and I respect that. She’ll tell you if you’ve got something in your teeth, if you are wearing something that doesn't look right and if she thinks you’re being a bit over dramatic.

15. Her grumpy morning face!

She’s not a morning person and her "do not talk to me until I’ve eaten" energy is a whole personality trait. It never fails to amuse me.

16. Her way of making boring things fun!

A trip to the supermarket becomes a comedy show and folding laundry is somehow full of laughs. She’s got a way of turning mundane moments into special memorable moments.

17. The way she holds on to memories!

She remembers moments that I’ve forgotten things I said, trips we took, random little rituals from when she was small. Her sentimentality makes me so happy.

18. Her growing confidence!

Watching her step into herself slowly but surely has been beautiful. Each year she’s become more certain of who she is and what she wants and it’s been a joy to watch!

I could write far more than eighteen things I love about Ellie but I had to stop somewhere or we’d be here all day and I’d end up crying on my keyboard. For today, on this milestone birthday these are the ones that stood out!

The A to Z of Summer joys!

Ah! Summer, it feels like it's almost over with Ellie going back to college next week. We have had a good summer, plenty of sunshine and hot days even though I have complained a lot about the heat. As much as I have complained I will be sad to see the end of the season. 

Everything feels brighter, lighter and just a little bit more joyful in the summer so I have put together my personal A to Z list of summer joys!

A is for Alfresco dining!

Summer is made for eating outside. Eating outside. A BBQ, a picnic in the park or lunch at a cafe or dinner in the pub's beer garden. Food somehow tastes better when sat outside in the sunshine!

B is for Beach!

I love a trip to the beach especially in the summer as long as I don't have to go onto the sand, it gets everywhere. Hearing the sound of waves crashing and feeling the salty breeze on my face is just heaven! The kids used to love a trip to the beach when they were younger. Building sandcastles, paddling in the sea, exploring the rockpools, fish and chips wrapped in paper and playing in the arcades!

C is for Cold showers!

There’s nothing quite like the refreshing jolt of a cold shower on a hot summers day. We lived here for a few years without one and I don't know how we managed in the warmer months without it! I have loved having a cold shower after spending time in the garden.

D is for Day trips

Summer is perfect for adventures and day trips are a fantastic way to explore without too much planning. I actually prefer a day trip to a proper holiday. 

E is for Evening light!

I love those summer evenings, they seem to last forever. When the light softens and everything glows just before the sun starts setting. The world feels peaceful.

F is for Fresh fruit!

Summer is the season of juicy, ripe fruit. Strawberries, watermelon, raspberries and cherries are out favourites. Fresh fruit feels like a treat that’s good for you too!

G is for Gardening!

Summer is the time when everything seems to come to life and all the effort in the spring planting seems worthwhile. I love my garden. Watching seedlings grow into vibrant flowers or tasty vegetables is so rewarding!

H is for Holidays!

Holidays are a huge part of summer. There is of course the break from school and college, the chance to break free from routines, sleep in, eat ice cream for breakfast and fill your days with what you love. A bonus is of course a proper holiday even if it is only a few days. 

I is for Ice Cream!

Summer and ice cream go together like sun and sea. The classic vanilla, fruity sorbets or indulgent chocolate fudge. A real treat is one from the ice cream man but during the summer months I always have some in the freezer.

J is for Juice boxes!

These are a nostalgic thing for me. I always remember my mam getting them to take on day trips in the summer and I do the same now. They are so handy, just enough to quench your thirst, not too much to waste and light enough to carry around.

K is for Kids playing!

Barefoot in the grass, chalk drawings on the pavement, water balloons flying through the air. The sound of kids laughing and playing outside is one of the loveliest sounds of the of summer. I miss my girls being little.

L is for Lazy mornings!

Summer gives us the chance to slow down. No early starts or frosty mornings. We can wake up when our body is ready, sip a cuppa in your dressing gown and there is just a slower pace.

M is for Melon!

Nothing says summer quite like juicy, sweet melon slices. Watermelon, cantaloupe, or honeydew I am not fussy, I like them all! It is such a refreshing snack for hot days!

N is for Nectar from flowers!

The bees and butterflies have loved my garden over the summer months. All gathering nectar. Watching these tiny visitors flit from flower to flower is calming and so amazing to watch. 

O is for Outdoor games!

From classic croquet and frisbee to giant Jenga and Swingball outdoor games bring laughter and plenty of fun. We have had them all over the years and Swingball will always be our favourite.

P is for Picnics!

Packing a basket with sandwiches, snacks and treats then spreading out a blanket on the grass feels like the perfect summer day. Even just grabbing a meal deal from the supermarket and sitting outside feels like something special.

Q is for Quiet moments!

Summer is busy so it is nice to have those quiet moments. Early mornings with a cup of tea, sitting under a shady tree people watching or just looking at the clouds drift by.

R is for Road trips!

Packing up the car and hitting the road with no fixed plan is a true summer adventure. I especially like going off with my dad when he goes on an adventure, I never know where we'll end up.

S is for Stargazing!

Summer nights offer clear skies and warm air perfect conditions for lying back and watching the stars twinkle overhead.

T is for Thunderstorms!

I know, I know thunderstorms aren’t everyone’s idea of a summer joy, personally I can't stand them. I always get a headache and the thunder scares me but it does often mean that the air will be less heavy and it will feel less sticky and hot afterwards.

U is for Unplugging from screens!

I have definitely spent less time in front of a screen over the summer with the warmer weather and being able to get outside more. I have all winter to sit in front of a screen!

V is for Vino!

Summer and a chilled glass of vino and there's nothing better than sitting drinking it in the pubs beer garden. I love a fruity rose. 

W is for Water fights!

Nothing beats the sheer, silly fun of a spontaneous water fight on a hot summer day. Whether with water balloons, squirt guns or garden hoses. I still have some water balloons in the cupboard that the girls keep forgetting about.

X is for eXtra time outdoors!

I had to stretch a bit for X! Longer daylight hours in summer mean more time to get outside. Evening walks, sitting in the garden and just staying out longer.

Y is for Yellow!

Yellow is the colour of summer! Sunshine, happiness and energy! Bright sunflowers, lemonade sun dresses, butterflies and of course the sun's glow!

Z is for Zzzs in the Sun!

The ultimate summer joy: a lazy, dreamy nap in the sunshine.

What are your favourite joys of the summer?

The Wednesday Hodgepodge #25

I hope you are all having a good week? It's Wednesday which means it's time to join in with the Wednesday Hodgepodge with Joyce who blogs at From This Side of the Pond! Each week there are 6 questions, we answer and then link up. Simple!

1. When someone finds out what you do or where you're from, what's a question they always ask?

People are always curious when they find out I live in England and ask if I live near London like it’s just around the corner. Funny thing is I’ve never even been to London! I’ve always lived up North and while London is only about 170 miles away from me it’s not exactly a quick hop to the capital. To get there by train, it's about 3 of them and several hours of travel.

Another classic question is Does it rain all the time there? Yes it rains a lot but not every single day like people seem to think. We do love to chat about the weather here in England though, it’s practically a national pastime.

2. Did you participate in 'Greek Life' when you were in college, or have children who did? If so what was your experience like? Taking another tack...have you ever been to Greece? If not, is that a destination on your bucket list?

I had to Google what "Greek Life" actually is! If I’m right it’s all about fraternities, sororities and the whole social scene around them? I’ve only ever seen it on TV shows and in movies. At university here in the UK there are groups and clubs but nothing on that scale. So no I didn’t participate although it does look like a lot of fun!

Greece is definitely on my bucket list! I actually have a friend who is Greek and she is an amazing cook! She even wrote a cookbook a few years ago full of Greek recipes. The country looks beautiful and the food sounds amazing.

3. Do you like Greek food? If so what's your favorite dish?

I’ve tried quite a few recipes from my friend’s cookbook and I have to say my favourite is Souvlaki, those little skewers of marinated meat served with warm pita, fresh salad and creamy tzatziki!

4. What incredibly common thing have you never done?

I have a list. lol I have never eaten a Big Mac, I was allergic to cheese so never even thought about eating them. I have never been abroad or flown in a plane, the appeal just isn't there for me. I would much rather stay close to home. I have been to Scotland and Wales so it's not like I haven't been to other countries. I have never watched Star Wars, of course I've seen clips and bits over the years but it just doesn't interest me. As much as I want a tattoo I've never got one and I've never used an Uber. They're not a big thing in the small town where I live.

5. What is a tell tale sign that you're upset?

It's not the most obvious when I’m upset. I tend to go quiet and retreat into myself. If I do have to talk it’s short, sharp and a little snappy. I vanish into my own little world and hope everyone gives me space until I’ve processed things.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

My youngest went and did all the formalities for enrolling into her 3rd year in college yesterday, she got her timetable and it might be the most perfect one she's ever had! Last year she had a day where she'd start at 9am, had a lesson then had to hang around college for a few hours for another lesson in the afternoon. This time everything is all bunched together so she does one full day and two half days. She can do college, work and have a social life. I am so excited for her and now we can make plans for the rest of the year because lots of our plans depended on when Ellie was in college.

I thought we spoke the same language! Turns out not quite!

One of the best things about blogging is chatting to people from all over the world but one thing I’ve definitely learned along the way is that when we technically all speak English but we’re not always speaking the same language!

The inspiration for this post comes from the lovely Maria who sometimes says in her comments that she had to Google a word I’ve used in my posts or that she simply loves a particular British phrase or word that I’ve thrown into a blog post without thinking twice. It made me realise how often I use phrases or words that might make absolutely no sense to someone across the pond and truth be told I do the same when I read American blogs. Sometimes I’m scrolling along, nodding in agreement when suddenly I hit a sentence that makes me stop, blink and quietly mutter what on earth are they talking about? I mean that in the nicest way possible and don't mean to offend. It's just because words are just used differently depending on where you are from.

Let’s start with one of my favourite words ever: faff which was the word that inspired this blog post. I had no idea this wasn’t a global term until Maria pointed it out and now I feel oddly proud to be flying the faff flag! In the UK a faff is something unnecessarily fiddly, annoying or time consuming. Matching socks? Bit of a faff. Chopping garlic? Also a faff. When I say I’ve been faffing about all morning, I mean I’ve been wasting time in a fussy, ineffective way maybe moving the laundry from the washer to the basket and then forgetting it exists. I’m not sure if there’s a US equivalent?

Some of my other favourite British words and phrases are:

Knackered - meaning tired, not broken!

Chuffed - being pleased and happy about something.

Skint - broke, poor!

Bevvy - An alcoholic drink.

Throwing a wobbly - having a tantrum.

Gutted - Deeply disappointed.

Gobsmacked - completely shocked!

Taking the mick - joking or teasing, not something rude!

Dodgy - Suspicious or just plain off.

Calling everyone “love” or “pet” - even strangers!

Spend a penny - Pop to the loo!

Another classic area where things get muddled is the school system. I swear, trying to understand the American school stages has given me more headaches than my GCSE Maths revision ever did. When I read American blogs and someone says their daughter is a junior or a sophomore, I genuinely have to pause and mentally Google it (again). I think I am getting the hang of it now. In the UK it seems simple to me infants (ages 4 to 7), juniors (7 to 11), secondary school (11 to 16), and then either sixth form or college (16 to 18) and if you decide to pursue a degree, that’s university, not college. So when I say my daughter is at college, I mean she’s still living at home, doing further education and not living on campus. She has only just turned 18 years old and is in her 3rd year of further education.

Another area where things get hilariously lost in translation is food. Reading American recipes or food blogs sometimes feels like decoding a secret language. I once had to Google what a biscuit was because based on the photo it definitely wasn’t a Digestive or Hob Nob that you dunk into a cup of tea and don’t get me started on chips!

Over here chips are thick cut, fried potatoes what we eat with say battered cod, covered in salt and vinegar. In the US chips are our crisps and just to confuse things we sometimes eat crisps in sandwiches. Americans eat chips with dip. It’s chaos. lol The vegetable aisle in the supermarket brings more confusion. Aubergine? Eggplant. Courgette? Zucchini. Swede? Rutabaga. Then there’s coriander which becomes cilantro, spring onions are green onions and rocket is arugula which sounds like a Marvel character to me. lol

One of the funniest things I’ve ever had a comment about from an American blog reader was why is your washing machine in the kitchen and I didn't know what to say apart from that is just where it goes. Here in the UK, it’s completely normal for the washing machine to live in the kitchen. It’s just part of the kitchen. Some newer UK homes do have utility rooms but for a lot of us it’s kitchen or nothing

Another thing that tripped me up early on in my blogging journey was about holidays! In the UK when we say someone’s on holiday, we mean they’re away somewhere, sunbathing in Spain, camping in Cornwall. Holidays = vacation time but in the US holiday almost always means a specific calendar event like Thanksgiving, Christmas, the Fourth of July. There’s also the fact that the US has holidays we don’t celebrate here and vice versa. The whole concept of Thanksgiving is fascinating meanwhile, over here we have things like Boxing Day, Bank Holidays and Pancake Day (yes, a whole day devoted to pancakes!) which might sound completely random to someone in the US and don’t even get me started on Bonfire Night. We celebrate the failure of the Gunpowder Plot in 1605 with fireworks!

Sports is another massive area where the cultural and wordy differences between the UK and the US come into play. Football here is soccer there, our rugby is more like American football but a lot muddier and more violent and let’s not forget netball, a sport that’s absolutely huge in British schools for girls but is virtually unheard of in the US. It’s sort of like basketball but no dribbling, no running with the ball and very strict rules about where you can stand. We also don’t really do school spirit in the same way. You won’t find students here wearing school jerseys or chanting on the side lines unless they’re on a school trip. No pep rallies or mascots. I'm betting half the kids in a UK school probably can’t remember their school’s motto, never mind sing a chant about it.

Despite all the confusion I genuinely love these little differences. We’re all part of the same world, just with different dialects. I think it’s brilliant. There are so many more words and phrases which haven't come to mind when writing this blog post so there might be a 2nd part further down the line. If I ever say something that you don't understand feel free to ask me about it.

What British words or phrases do you really like?

Our weekly meal plan! 25th - 31st August! #MealPlanningMonday

Last weeks meal plan went well. I did end up swapping a couple of meals around because when do I ever stick to the plan exactly as written but the important thing is everything was eaten and that always feels like a win in my book!

This is going to be a busy but exciting week, my baby turns 18 on Friday! Eighteen!! Time really does fly when you are having fun and can you believe this is the last full week of the summer holidays! Ellie returns to college next week. We were there last week picking up her GCSE results, the English one that she had to resit and she will have to resit it again as she didn't get the pass. Ugh! I keep reminding myself and her that it’s not the end of the world. Last year wasn’t the easiest for her with everything going on personally but things are much more settled now. She’s in such a better place emotionally and that makes a huge difference. I know she’ll get there eventually and if nothing else I heard the government are on about scrapping the resits so they can't mean that much. lol

College on Thursday was crazy!! I've never seen so many people there, all the new starters were enrolling and most with their parents. The teachers looked frazzled and the new students looked terrified. Ellie and I were seemed like the most relaxed people there, just picking up the envelope with her results. We did stop for a chat with the head of Engineering and what a lovely guy! I can see why Ellie speaks so highly of him, he just came across as genuinely kind, approachable and passionate about what he does! I also met Ellie's wellbeing coach who I've spoken to plenty of times on the phone but she’s even lovelier face to face. You can just tell when someone really cares and it makes me feel so much better knowing Ellie has that support in college. That's the thing with college life, you never really get to speak to the tutors and teachers as a parent like you did when the kids were at school so I take every chance I get, to see who is teaching my girl.

On the menu this week we have:

Monday - To be decided! I'm not too sure yet. It depends on the weather, we might have plans.

Tuesday - Gousto meal - Sticky Honey Mustard Posh Dogs With Chips.

Wednesday -Gousto meal - Sticky Sweet & Sour Pork Meatball Tray Bake. I’m quite excited about this one, we've not had it before and sounds just like a takeaway but cooked from scratch.

Thursday - Gousto meal - Carrot & Coriander Soup With Chutney Twists. A favourite of ours! 

Friday - Ellie's birthday meal!!

Saturday - Gousto meal - Chicken Korma With Spinach Rice.

Sunday - A roast dinner of some sort.

What about you? Do you meal plan or do you just wing it each day depending on what you fancy? What's on your menu this week?

A photo every day for a year! 17th - 23rd August! Week 34 of #Project365

Just like that week 34 of the year has happened and it went by so quickly. The closer we get to Ellie going back to college the faster time seems go by or maybe it’s just me thinking that my baby is about to turn 18 in less than a week. Eek! I’m not ready for summer to be over but I am excited for the autumn months and I’m definitely not ready for my little girl to be officially an adult but I am excited for the next stage in her life.

It has been a strange weekend so far. I got to watch the Wrestling on Friday night with it being live from Ireland instead of having to wait until yesterday to watch it and Becky was off work again. We've worked out she has 7 Saturdays off on the trot. Her normal weekends off then last week she took Saturday off for Stu's birthday, next Saturday she's using another holiday and the fortnight after she's off again for her birthday week off work. lol I'm not complaining Saturday nights are always more fun when she's here and we have something to watch on TV. Saturday night TV has been rubbish for the last 6 weeks or so but last night we caught up on Reading and Leeds Festival watching Chappell Roan, The Kooks and whoever else is on and it won't be long until Strictly Come Dancing is back on.

Now for a photo every day!

229/365 - 17th August

I’ve officially given up weeding! At this point it’s almost impossible to tell what’s a flower and what is a weed. I had planned to pull the weeds last week but over the weekend they seemed to turn into flowers, the sneaky little things!

230/365 - 18th August

Just a Jaffa Cake. Of course I didn't just eat the one, they are so moreish. There’s something about that soft sponge, the tangy orange and the chocolate coating! Yum! You are lying if you say you stop at one. hehehe

231/365 - 19th August

Spam Fritters for tea with chips and baked beans. After mentioning Spam in my meal plan earlier this week I learned a lot about it! Did you know it was created in Minnesota? There are Spam festivals and Hawaiians eat more Spam per person than anywhere else in the U.S. Also contrary to popular belief it’s made from pork shoulder and ham, not leftover piggy parts. Who knew?

232/365 - 20th August

Most of my sunflowers have finally bloomed! They’re such a cheerful flower but I can’t help feeling a bit sad that they’re past their best now. I’ve read that it’s actually good to leave them be, they’ll naturally dry out, the birds will enjoy picking at the seeds and the stalks provide shelter for insects during the winter.

233/365 - 21st August

Christmas stuff is in the shops already. Just B&M so far, that I noticed. It feels too soon and wrong that there it was there next to the back to school stuff. At least let the kids get back to school before we have to start thinking about Christmas.

234/365 - 22nd August

This is one of the best brownies that I have had in a long time. I didn't order it with the food shop, the pack of 4 were a substution for something else. I waited all day to eat it, to enjoy with my evening cup of tea. It felt like such a treat. Yes, those are mini Rolos on the top. Yum!

235/365 - 23rd August

My overgrown back garden. We held off cutting it last week as it was so hot and Stu was going to cut it on Monday but it was raining on and off for most of the day. It will be a job for him today, he enjoys cutting it and complains when I do. He says I don't do it properly. Eesh. It looks wild but so pretty at the same time!

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This week my Word of the Week is: Fleeting! #WotW

This week my Word of the Week is:

I have had a really nice week, busy but nice all the same. It feels like I blinked and suddenly we’re at the tail end of the summer holidays. There are less than two weeks left before Ellie heads back to college and I don’t quite know how that’s happened. At the start of the holidays at the end of June the September seemed such a long while away but these past few weeks have absolutely flown by. 

It has been quite a different summer compared to past years. The girls have been off out and about, busy with their own plans leaving me at home holding the fort. It’s a real reminder of just how quickly they’re growing up which is far too fast for my liking! I miss the days when the holidays meant I had to organise entertainment with trips to the park, crafting afternoons, baking sessions and playdates. I never thought I’d say I miss the playdates but here I am feeling nostalgic about them. On the bright side we’ve had some exciting news. Ellie has got herself a job! I won’t go into too much detail because that’s her story but I can say she’s really happy about it and we are so proud of her.

It has been the theme for the week though, time going so fast. Saturday was over in a flash with it being Stu's birthday, he had a great day and the rest of the week seems to have flown over too. It feels like I’ve been chasing my tail. I can't even tell you what I’ve done with my week, It has been a blur of phone calls, sorting out endless bits of life admin, ploughing through housework and generally keeping track of the family. Oh and trying to wrap my head around the new bus service that’s being introduced in September. Why do bus timetables have to be so confusing? The changes are dramatic but there are positives with more buses at the beginning and end of the day, an improved Sunday service and the bus will go to the other side of town, a place we hardly visit as it always meant getting 2 buses.

This week has flown by partly because we’ve got so much going on in the run up to Ellie’s birthday on Friday. She needs her hair cut and dyed, nails done, she has to enroll at college and I need to wrap the rest of her presents, write her cards out and get her cake! I did the last of the birthday shopping on Thursday and finally remembered to get her an 18 birthday badge. hehehe Stu’s been working extra hard too, trying to hit a target at work so he can get her birthday off. His holiday request didn’t get approved as he put it in a little late but his manager has been brilliant and is really trying to make it work for him.

Fleeting sums up this week perfectly! The days have been full and busy but it feels like they’ve slipped through my fingers before I’ve even had the chance to catch my breath. I know next week will be just as busy but I’m hoping I can take a moment or two to enjoy it.

How has your week been? I hope you have had a good one! I am of course linking up with Anne who blogs at Raisie Bay for her Word of the Week linky!

What I have loved this week! Week 34. #FridayFavourites

Hello there and happy Friday! This past week has flown over, I feel like I am adding things to my to do list and not crossing enough off. It has been a good week though. I am here today with some of the things I have loved this week and of course I am linking up with Erika and Andrea to share them.

My fellas birthday!

He had a fantastic day on Saturday. We kept things low key, he isn't one for celebrating big on his birthday so we went out for lunch and watched the football on the big screen. The only thing that would have made him happier was if his team won. He loved all of his gifts, especially his new Newcastle United top off Becky.

An invitation.

My dad's partner invited me for a day out, a very exciting one. I am not going to say to where until I am back but it's somewhere that I have always wanted to visit and it's just a coach trip away. She could have invited anyone but chose me so it means a lot! It's not for another month but I am already counting down the days, it's good to have something to look forward to.

Autumn homeware!

I couldn't resist sneaking a couple of homeware bits into my basket while I was out shopping. TK Maxx had this adorable mug, I know I don't need any more mugs but I couldn't help myself and the Gonk was too cute to leave behind in Primark, it was the last one on the shelf.

My Oxford Year.

An ambitious American student travels to Oxford in England to fulfil her dream, but encounters a charming local who changes both their lives. I went into it knowing nothing about it apart from it was a book, people had mentioned it on blogs and they always seem to recommend good things so I watched it. I thought it would be a cute, easy watch but it turned into a heartfelt love story that reminds you to really make the most of the time you have!

Autumn feelings!

This week has been rather grey and gloomy, still warm enough to go out without a coat or jacket but it really made me think of Autumn. It's getting darker earlier on an evening and I have found myself shutting the curtains earlier, I've been thinking about getting the blankets back out and instead of my usual iced coffee I made myself a hot chocolate.

A family photo!

It's not often I get a photo of all of us together, looking at the camera and mostly smiling. hehehe

A new bank card!

This might sound like a silly little thing but my bank card started acting up late last week and I have been so nervous every time I've had to use it. Sometimes it would work perfectly, other times the contactless wouldn't work and then I had to use the chip & pin. I tried to use it in a cash machine and it wouldn't work, next time I did it would. Obviously I did have money in my bank, the card was the issue. A faulty chip in it. Stu had the same thing with his card early this year. Thankfully my new one arrived midweek. Phew!

Celebrating 16 years! 

At the start of the week it was 16th anniversary of my girls both had open heart surgery to fix holes in their hearts. People say my girls are so alike, it turns out their hearts were too! It stirred up a lot of emotions but now I am grateful and happy that my girls are fit and well and their hearts give them no trouble.

What have you loved over the past week?