What I have loved this week! Week 44. #FridayFavourites

Happy Friday and Happy Halloween if you celebrate! I hope you have all had a good week? Mine has been great. My family have all been home and it has been the best us all being together. I’m here today sharing the little things I’ve loved from the past week and of course I’m linking up with Erika and Andrea to share them.

Sorting the bank account!

This week started strong with something very grown up, sorting out Ellie’s bank account. My baby turned 18 back in August and she's been in banking limbo ever since. Her child account was supposed to change to an adult one but the switch didn't happen automatically like it should. There were restrictions on a child account and she was getting frustrated with them and she’s wanted the cashback feature too, she likes the idea of earning a bit while spending and you can’t argue with that logic. So we popped into the bank and it was all sorted in a few minutes.

Bon Jovi!

Now for something that made me feel like an 18 year old again! Bon Jovi’s new album! I’ve been blasting it all week and I love it, it's proper feel good rock and then there was the tour tickets to buy! Wow! Buying concert tickets these days feels like you need a degree in patience and a spreadsheet to keep up. You could pre-order the album to get early access on Tuesday, use the O2 phone network to get access on Wednesday, sign up to a newsletter for Thursday and there's general sale today. Becky and I tried our luck on Wednesday. She got kicked out of the queue just as she hit number one (so close!) while I watched the seats vanish before my eyes when I reached to option to buy the tickets. As I am writing this we still had yesterday and this morning to try and get tickets.

Prawn cocktail!

I love a prawn cocktail as a starter or shrimp cocktail as it's called elsewhere! Our local pub used to have it on the menu but a few months back they cruelly removed it. I was gutted! Then I spotted that they now serve it as part of their pensioner special menu. As the chef was passing by we cheekily asked is there was any chance of making us one even though we’re not quite pensioners yet. He laughed and said no problem. I got my prawn cocktail fix and Ellie had one too. We were so happy!

Fresh hair dye!

It seems ages since I last dyed my hair but it was only at the end of August. My roots and greys had been staging a bold comeback ever since so it was definitely time for a refresh. I went for bright red. Depending on the light it’s either the bright red I wanted or red with a pinkish tint, I can't seem to get rid of that pink. It's fine though, I love having bright coloured hair even though some people say it's only for young people.

New boots!

If you saw my post about my go to boots you’ll know how much I love my boots. I've had them for 3 years and they're looking a bit worn and tatty now which is to be expected as I have worn them a lot!! During the week I re-bought the exact same pair, technically Becky did because she has got me them for my birthday! The only catch is that I’m not allowed to have them yet. My birthday’s not until the middle of November and apparently I’ve been too strict over the years about making my girls wait for their birthday presents. Now it’s come back to bite me! So they’re hidden away somewhere and I wait.

Being cosy!

The chill has definitely arrived here, mornings and evenings especially! We've had the heating on a few times already. I feel like it seems too soon to be complaining about the cold but here I am. I am just glad to be able to shut the curtains, put fleecy pj's on, light a candle and have lots of warm drinks to give me that cosy feeling. It's the first of November tomorrow which means that it is acceptable to start watching Christmas movies which will add to the cosy factor, especially the cheesy, predictable one's off Netflix.

What have you loved over the past week?

Halloween’s Tomorrow: How to throw a party when you’ve got zero time!

You know how life goes, one minute you’re enjoying that first pumpkin spice latte of the season and the next you’re staring at the calendar realising it is Halloween is tomorrow!! Between work, kids and trying to remember where you left your sanity it’s easy for plans to slip through the cracks but just because you didn’t spend weeks planning doesn’t mean you can’t throw a party that feels like you did.

Here’s how to pull together a fun, spooky and memorable Halloween party even when time and your energy are running low!

Pick a quick theme!

You don’t need a theme but it helps everything look a bit more intentional. Choose something you can pull together fast, like:

Classic Spooky: Ghosts, skeletons, bats and pumpkins.

Haunted House: Dim lighting, cobwebs, flickering candles.

Monster Mash: All the classic creatures like vampires, zombies, werewolves.

Witchy Vibes: Potions, black candles, spell books and cauldrons.

Retro Horror: Think old school slasher films and vintage decorations.

Glow in the Dark Party: Black lights, neon face paint, and bright drinks.

Once you’ve chosen a theme you can base your decorations, music and snacks around it without overthinking!

Raid your house for decorations!

Forget running to the shops, you can decorate with what’s already lying around. A few easy ideas:

Bedsheets = Ghosts. Drape them over furniture or hang them from the ceiling.

Black bin bags = Spooky drapes. Cut into strips and hang over doorways.

Toilet paper = Cobwebs. Stretch it out thin and stick it in corners.

Candles everywhere = Instant haunted house atmosphere.

Pumpkins or oranges = Draw faces on them if you don’t have carving tools.

String lights = Any colour will do, but orange or white look best.

Old bottles = Potion bottles. Add water with a drop of food colouring.

Easy lighting tricks!

Lighting sets the mood faster than any other decoration. Go for dim, eerie lighting using what you already have:

Replace normal bulbs with coloured ones if you’ve got them.

Cover lamps with thin scarves or tissue paper for a spooky glow, just not too close to the bulb!.

Use fairy lights and candles to keep things mysterious but visible.

Throw in a few flickering tealights for atmosphere, battery ones are safest.

Want extra drama? Stick a torch under a pumpkin or bottle for that campfire story mood.

Quick and fun snacks!

You don’t need fancy themed food, just a few clever touches make everything look festive.

Witch’s Fingers: Breadsticks dipped in green icing or melted chocolate with an almond nail.

Mummy Hot Dogs: Wrap sausages in strips of pastry and bake.

Bloody Popcorn: Drizzle melted red candy or syrup over plain popcorn.

Monster Eyes: Use mozzarella balls with an olive slice on top.

Graveyard Dip: Layer refried beans, guacamole, and salsa in a bowl. Add tortilla gravestones.

Spiderweb Pizza: Swirl sour cream or mayo in circles on top and drag with a knife to make a web shape.

Witch’s Brew Punch: Mix any bright-coloured drink like limeade or cherryade with ice and floating gummy sweets.

If you’re really in a rush just grab crisps, sweets and fizzy drinks, no one’s judging! Stick a sign that says Zombie Fuel on it and you’re done.

Costumes without the stress!

If your guests are scrambling too, keep it simple with DIY costumes. A few quick fixes:

Classic ghost: A bedsheet, scissors, done.

Cat: A black outfit and eyeliner whiskers.

Vampire: Any dark clothes, red lipstick, fake blood or ketchup in a pinch.

Zombie: An old T-shirt, rip it up and add some smudged makeup.

Scarecrow: A flannel shirt, straw hat, eyeliner stitching marks.

Witch or wizard: Any black clothes and a pointy hat.

Encourage everyone to just go with what they have, it’s half the fun.

Simple games and activities!

You don’t need any massive plans but a few quick games make things more fun:

Murder mystery: Make up a quick backstory and assign everyone roles.

Apple bobbing: Classic, easy and always hilarious.

Costume contest: Give silly awards like Best DIY, Most Likely to Scare a Toddler or Least Effort Made.

Halloween trivia: Google some quick questions or make your own.

Guess the gross thing: Fill bowls with weird feeling foods like spaghetti, jelly and grapes and make guests guess what they are while blindfolded.

Photo booth: Hang a sheet and add a few props like witch hats, fake moustaches and skeleton hands.

A dance off: Just put on Thriller and see who can do the best zombie moves.

Finishing touches!

The little details make all the difference. A few extra things you can do in minutes:

Scents: Light a candle or use incense, pumpkin spice or cinnamon smells perfect for Halloween.

Entrance: Hang a sheet with "Enter if you dare" written in fake blood, red paint or lipstick.

Sound effects: YouTube has hours of ambient spooky background noise.

Party favours: Wrap sweets in tissue paper, tie with string and draw little ghost faces on them.

Throwing a last minute Halloween party doesn’t have to be stressful or expensive. The key is to work with what you’ve already got, add a few clever touches and lean into the chaos. Halloween is meant to be fun and a little silly, nobody’s expecting a Pinterest perfect setup!

Do you have any plans for Halloween?

The Wednesday Hodgepodge #33

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. Are you a risk taker? To what degree?

No I am not a risk taker at all. I’m more of a let’s just think this through a bit more kind of person. If there’s even a slight chance something could go wrong my brain’s already thinking of all the possible disasters. I like plans, safety nets and knowing what’s coming next. I do like a little bit of adventure, I just prefer mine with a bit of control involved. Like trying a new recipe, booking a holiday but triple checking the reviews first. I guess my idea of living dangerously is going out to eat without reading the menu online first.

2. What's your favorite candy? Would you say you have a sweet tooth?

Here in England we don’t really say candy, over here it’s split into chocolate and sweets. Chocolate is anything creamy and cocoa based while sweets are the non-chocolate stuff like chewy, fruity or sugary treats like jelly babies, mints or boiled sweets.

My favourite chocolate has to be Galaxy. It’s just so smooth and creamy and basically melts in your mouth and for sweets I’ve got a real soft spot for Liquorice Allsorts. They’re colourful, a bit old school and I love the mix of the chewy liquorice with those little sugary layers.

I’ve definitely got a bit of a sweet tooth. I can resist most things but stick a box of chocolates, cake or sweets in front of me and I’ll just have one always turns into five.

3. Somewhere you've been recently that had you feeling 'like a kid in a candy store'?

That’s easy, B&M discount store! Every time I walk in there I’m like a kid in a candy store or a grown adult surrounded by ridiculously cheap homeware and snacks. For my American readers B&M is basically a British discount retailer that sells everything and I mean everything. You go in for washing up liquid and come out with a new rug, ten candles, three multipacks of crisps and a novelty mug you didn’t need but somehow had to buy. We have 3 in town all different sizes, my favourite is on the retail park and it's over 2 floors. Eek! I was there on Monday doing a bit of Christmas shopping and I wanted to buy so much, decorations, sweet treats and us all matching pj's for Christmas. I held back and only got a few things.

4. What do you think is the most effective way to make a positive change in the world?

I think the most effective way to make a positive change in the world starts small. You don’t have to be bringing about world peace or cure diseases, I think it’s more about how you are in everyday life. Being kind, patient and thoughtful with the people around you. Smiling at a stranger, helping someone without expecting anything back or just listening when someone’s having a rough day. You never really know how much a small moment can mean to someone else. Be a decent human and don’t be afraid to care about things. The world could use more of that.

5. Do you like surprises?

No!! I like to know what’s going on! If someone tells me they’ve got a surprise for me my brain immediately starts spinning. What kind of surprise? When? Why? Should I dress up? Bring snacks? It probably ties back to that whole not a risk taker thing I mentioned earlier. I like control, predictability and at least a rough idea of what’s coming next. It’s not that I don’t appreciate the thought, I really do but I just prefer to know what’s happening so I can actually enjoy it rather than panic about it.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

I might not be the adventurous, surprise loving type but I’ve realised there’s still plenty of joy in the familiar stuff like a quiet day, a favourite chocolate or a wander around B&M pretending I’ve got some self control. Maybe I don’t need to take big risks to feel happy, maybe it’s enough to just appreciate the little things that make life feel good, one Liquorice Allsort at a time.

Why background TV helps me get things done!

You know when you’re trying to get stuff done and the silence is just too much, I know some people swear by total quiet to concentrate but the silence drives me insane. My brain doesn’t work well in the peace and quite, instead it thinks of a million other things but not the job that I am focusing on. That’s where background TV comes in. I know it might sound like the last thing you’d want on if you’re trying to be productive but for me it works. I’ve realised I’m far better off having something on in the background than sitting in complete quiet.

Being home alone or just pottering about can get a bit lonely. The kids are older now so they’re off doing their own thing most of the time. My fella is at work so it's just me, the house and whatever jobs need doing. Without something in the background it sometimes feels like the walls are closing in. When I stick the TV on it feels like there’s someone else in the room with me. It’s not about watching it properly it’s more like having a bit of background chatter. A friendly voice keeping me company while I crack on.

The trick is it has to be the right kind of TV. I can’t put on a brand new drama that I’ve been dying to watch or I’ll be sat there with my cuppa completely forgetting about whatever job I was supposed to be doing. It has to be something familiar and easy to dip in and out of. Old sitcoms are my go to. Stuff like Friends or The Big Bang Theory. I know them so well that I don’t need to concentrate but every so often a line will make me laugh and it gives me a little boost to keep going. I’ve also got a soft spot for shows I’ve seen again and again even if they’re completely different in tone. The Walking Dead and Game of Thrones are perfect for this. I know every twist and every big moment so I don’t actually need to follow the story to enjoy it. I can just let it play in the background and sometimes I’ll catch a scene I hadn’t noticed before.

We all have those jobs we put off. Things like sorting paperwork, ironing and folding the mountain of laundry that never seems to end and those jobs are a hundred times worse for me in silence but when the TV’s on they don’t feel as dull. It even works with blogging. If I’m writing a post I’ll have something on in the background. It helps me focus, the TV sort of keeps part of my brain busy so the other part can get on with the words. If it’s too quiet I seem to overthink every sentence and end up stuck.

I know there are people who love total silence but I find it makes me restless. I start listening to every little sound the fridge humming, the postman walking past, someone cutting their grass and once I notice those things my brain goes wandering off in all directions. Music sometimes works but depending on the mood it can either pump me up too much or make me want to sing along and as much as I love belting out a good 90s power ballad it doesn’t exactly help me tick things off my to do list. TV is the happy medium.

It’s not for everyone. Some people would find it massively distracting but for me it’s the opposite. It stops me getting bored, it makes me feel less on my own and it somehow helps me get into the flow of whatever I’m doing.

What about you? Do you need some background noise to be productive?

Our weekly meal plan! 27th October - 2nd November! #MealPlanningMonday

Hello there and happy Monday! I am quite excited about this week which I will get to in a minute after I have talked about last weeks meal plan. It actually went pretty well. We ate just about everything but not on the day I’d planned it for but who’s counting! I’m still calling that a win because food was eaten and bellies were filled.

I feel like I am going into this week with no real plan. This week feels a little bit more chaotic but in a fun way. Stu and Becky are both off work and Ellie is off college for the half term break. I’m so looking forward to having everyone home even if it means the house will be a little louder. We had planned to have a few nights away but as usual real life had other ideas. I just didn’t feel totally comfortable being away from home for too long so the holiday plans have turned into a staycation instead. Not quite as fancy but I’m actually really happy about it. We’ll have some days out, eat some nice food and spend the money we would have spent on the little holiday but without the stress of packing or catching trains.

We haven’t had our usual Gousto box delivered this week and we didn’t even get the big food shop done over the weekend which has left me feeling a bit like I’m on a cooking game show where I have to make tea out of whatever’s in the fridge and freezer. We’re kind of winging it but I’m sure it’ll all come together somehow.

On the menu this week we have:

Stu has volunteered to cook one day because Ellie and I will be out running some errands. Running errands sounds so grown up and American. We'll be sorting Ellie’s bank account because they still think she’s a child, when she turned 18 it didn't move to the adult current account, picking up hair dye and grabbing a couple of birthday presents for a friend. It’ll be one of those days where we leave the house at 10am and somehow don’t get home until tea time.

We will be eating out at least twice this week, maybe three times if we decide to have a carvery at the pub on Sunday which is probably going to happen. lol We’re planning to go to the all you can eat place in Hull again at some point. It’s such a treat and everyone gets to eat exactly what they fancy without me trying to please everyone with one meal. Then there’s another meal out at Wetherspoons before we go for a round of golf. The fun, mini kind not the outside, fancy kind.

For the nights we’ll be eating at home, I’m keeping it simple. One night will definitely involve chips with something easy from the freezer. The other will probably be something comforting with mashed potatoes and a big helping of vegetables. The veg is mostly to make me feel better about all the eating out we’re doing this week and then maybe our usual pizza one night.

So that’s our plan for the week, what are you eating this week?

A photo every day for a year! 19th - 25th October! Week 43 of #Project365

I feel like I have had a really good week, there has been nothing to complain about and it was just one of those weeks where everything just came together and went to plan, it was quite pleasant. We haven't really done much over the weekend so far, it has been nice just to potter. Stu finished work yesterday and now has just over a week off, Ellie is off college for half term break and Becky finishes work tomorrow morning and has almost a week off. Our plans were to have a little break away but things happened a couple of weeks ago and I just didn't feel comfortable being away from home for an extended amount of time so it's just going to be days out and we have some fun one's planned.

Now for a photo every day!

292/365 - 19th October

We had our usual lunch out at the carvery. It was of course amazing! This weeks meat was turkey which seemed like a treat as we only seem to ever have it at Christmas and I am sure the Yorkshire Puddings are getting bigger!

293/365 - 20th October

Ellie’s officially in Halloween mode, it's one of her favourite days of the year! She treated herself to false lashes and nails from Claire’s. She usually avoids shopping there because it's usually quite expensive but they had a good discount on so she grabbed a bargain. She’s all ready to look spooky and fabulous!

294/365 - 21st October

I secured my Christmas food delivery slot! Hooray! All the supermarkets seem to have released their slots this week. That’s one Christmas job ticked off the list!

295/365 - 22nd October

I painted my nails. I went for a very dark red that just is just autumn. It’s one of those colours that seems to look good with everything that I wear at this time of year and I always feel a bit more put together when my nails are done even if I’m just pottering around the house.

296/365 - 23rd October

Tattoo day for Ellie and she was so excited, I was so nervous! She did great and didn't even flinch with the pain! She was so happy with end result, it was even better than she imagined. It's taking me some getting used to but she has been showing it off proudly ever since.

297/365 - 24th October

We had such a pretty sunset on Friday evening, all the pinks, oranges and purples.

298/365 - 25th October

Another sky photo but this one at lunchtime yesterday. The sun was shining and the sky was so blue. I was just ignoring the fact it was so cold and windy out there too. You can't have it all. lol

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

This week my Word of the Week is:

I’m sure I’ve heard the saying after a storm comes the calm or something like that and this week has been just that. Calm, relaxed and just pleasant after all the drama of last week. It felt like everything just slowed down a little and we could all breathe again which was needed.

We started by having the weekend together as a family and it was just what we all needed even though the girls were watching the Facebook videos coming from the local pub. It did look like a great night there but we still had a good night here even though all we did was watch TV and chat. It was nothing fancy or wild but one of those evenings where everyone’s in good moods and the house feels cosy.

Ellie’s had a brilliant week at college, I wish I could share all of the stories she tells me when she comes home. Her friends sound absolutely hilarious. I will give you one little story though as a taster. One of her friends has a parent who apparently doesn’t approve of what she wears so she takes a spare outfit in her bag and gets changed on the bus! On the bus! I had to laugh but told Ellie you can wear whatever you want but please don’t start getting changed on public transport. I can just imagine the looks from the other passengers!

Ellie got her first tattoo on Thursday and she handled it like a pro, she didn't flinch at the pain and sat there just chatting away like it was such a normal thing to do on a Thursday morning. The tattooist said he has seen older people make such a fuss about the pain and even faint. I sat there trying to look cool and not like the anxious mum I actually was but I’m proud of her for handling it so calmly. The tattoo is taking some getting used to, it's big and bold but she loves it and that is all that matters.

Hollyoaks has been fantastic this week! It was a big stunt week with a plane crashing, a few deaths, a late night episode and a crossover with the soap Brookside which hasn't been on TV for years! It made me feel a little nostalgic. I had to explain to the girls what Brookside even was and who all the characters were. They’d heard of it but didn’t realise how big of a deal it used to be back in the day.

Becky and I have found a new pub to play Bingo, well it's not new to her but is to me. We had a great time playing and it was surprisingly calm as the bingo caller read the numbers out very slowly which was just what I like. I can't be doing with whizzing through them. hehehe I won a game and got my money back so I was happy with that. It was such a fun evening and I will be going again.

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

What I have loved this week! Week 43. #FridayFavourites

I have had a nice week, it has been quite which after last week's drama is a good thing. I’m here today sharing the little things I’ve loved from the past week and of course I’m linking up with Erika and Andrea to share them.

A family weekend! 

I put my foot down and said everyone was staying home over the weekend, well mostly. Ellie nipped out Saturday afternoon and did some Christmas shopping while Becky slept after her night shift. We had good food, lots of snacks, watched TV on Saturday and went out for lunch and had a cosy afternoon in on Sunday when the rain started hammering down. It was perfect! Cosy and I love having all my family under one roof!

Pringles!

I picked up a tube of Santa’s Secret Flavour Pringles from a little shop in town, last year’s edition, but still in date until the end of next year. Which makes me wonder what do they put in them to make them last that long? To me they taste like a full on roast dinner with chicken, stuffing and gravy!

Too much on TV!

Every summer I complain that there’s nothing to watch, and then autumn arrives and suddenly there’s too much. My poor TV box can’t cope. At the minute I’m juggling Big Brother, Celebrity Traitors, The Great British Bake Off, Hunted and of course the soaps and wrestling that I always watch. Then there are the random one off shows that pop up, like the Pride of Britain Awards which I have to watch and cry my way through it every year.

A tattoo!

Not exactly my favourite but still a big moment. Ellie got a tattoo yesterday! My baby! I don’t hate tattoos at all but it just hit me that she’s properly growing up now. It’s one of those things that feels so permanent, like a milestone I didn’t quite see coming. The tattooist was lovely and Ellie said it didn’t hurt as much as she expected. I’m sure I’ll share a photo soon.

Shelf Sitters!

Last year we started collecting these Nightmare Before Christmas shelf sitters, they’re so quirky and fun but it took until this weekend to find the one we were missing: Jack Skellington, the regular version, not the Christmas one. Ellie was so happy! Now we’ve got the full set proudly sitting in the kitchen, looking like a slightly creepy but adorable little gang. 

Bingo! 

Becky and I used to play bingo at the local pub last year and absolutely loved it. We even won a few times. It stopped when not enough people were going but another nearby pub has started it up so of course we had to pay them a visit. We made a night of it: had a meal first then got our dabbers ready for eyes down. We didn't win but it was fun all the same.

The last sunflower!

This has been growing for the last few weeks, I didn't notice it for a while because it was nowhere near where the rest of my sunflowers were planted. It is the last one of the season, all the rest are long gone but this one is still thriving and it has been making me happy seeing it! 

Christmas delivery slot! 

Every year I get stressed about securing my Christmas food delivery slot, I’ve been that person setting an alarm clock for 6am before just to make sure I got one but this year was easy! I randomly checked the supermarket website and the slots were there, open and not even full. I nearly did a little happy dance. I booked my chosen date and time then made my annual announcement to the family that if anything happens to me, remember the shopping is coming two days before Christmas and to add more than the 4 bottles of Bailey's that I put in just to reach the minimum delivery amount. lol

What have you loved over the past week?

The best TV shows to binge in Autumn and why!

Autumn is my favourite time of year for TV. The nights draw in, it’s suddenly acceptable to put the heating on and staying home feels less like being boring and more like a lifestyle choice. There’s nothing better than grabbing a blanket, making a hot drink and losing yourself in a good binge. If you’re anything like me sometimes you waste half the night scrolling through Netflix, Prime, Disney+ trying to pick something, then before you know it, you’ve watched nothing except trailers and spent 40 minutes saying I'm not in the mood for that. So I thought I’d share my go to list of shows that feel perfect for autumn. Cosy, spooky, funny there’s a bit of everything here.

Gilmore Girls!

I couldn’t not start with Gilmore Girls. It’s the autumn show. The coffee, the jumpers, the leaves on the ground in Stars Hollow it just feels right for this time of year. It’s comfort TV at its finest with quirky characters, small town charm and witty banter. Even if you’ve already seen it, it’s the kind of show you can rewatch and still love. I don’t think autumn officially starts until I’ve watched at least one Gilmore Girls episode. At the moment I am on Season 4 and will watch the rest of it before Christmas.

Bridgerton!

Another good one for autumn nights. Romance, drama and more scandal than you can keep up with. Plus the costumes are amazing. It's very easy to get hooked and great to watch now before the new episodes in January!

Stranger Things!

If you’re in the mood for something with a bit of a spooky edge, Stranger Things is a winner. It’s got that proper Halloween feel with kids on bikes, eerie music, weird stuff happening in small towns. It’s creepy but also funny and full of heart. There's the nostalgia, the jump scares and enough suspense to keep you on edge of your seat. Perfect for October nights when you want something thrilling but not so terrifying you won’t sleep. I read last week that if you start watching from the first episode around now and watch one episode a day you will be ready for the new episodes on the 26th of November!

The Great British Bake Off!

Bake Off is autumn comfort TV at its best. There’s something magical about watching people stress over pastry while you’re sat on the sofa with a cup of tea and a packet of biscuits. It’s light, it’s funny and it makes you feel warm and cosy inside. You might even get the urge to bake afterwards.

Downton Abbey!

Autumn evenings were made for period dramas! When the nights are long and you just want to escape into another world, Downton is perfect. It’s all about the drama, the posh accents and those big country houses. Plus it’s one of those shows that pulls you in before you know it, suddenly it’s midnight and you’re fully invested in whether someone downstairs has messed up the silver polishing.

Call the Midwife!

Wholesome, emotional and just the right amount of drama. One minute you’re crying and the next you’re smiling. It’s perfect for those evenings when you want something heartfelt but not too heavy. Plus it’s got that cosy, nostalgic feel that just works in autumn.

Wednesday!

If you like your autumn TV with a darker twist Wednesday is a brilliant choice. It’s gothic, funny and has just the right amount of spookiness for this time of year. Perfect to watch in October but honestly it works all season long.

The Crown

If you fancy something a bit more serious, The Crown is worth a binge. It’s dramatic, beautifully filmed and has that just one more episode pull. You don’t have to be a massive royal fan to enjoy it either, the acting is so good it just draws you in. Definitely one for those longer autumn evenings when you want something to get stuck into.

Doctor Who!

Autumn always feels like the perfect time for Doctor Who. The mix of time travel, aliens and heart warming stories means it’s a show you can dip in and out of or fully binge. And because there are so many episodes, you’ll never run out.

What do you like watching on TV at this time of year?

The Wednesday Hodgepodge #32

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. What do you like most about your family?

I am going to go with my wider family and not just my fella and two girls. We're not the closest family, it has been like that since my brother and I left home and we all live our own lives but at the same time at the drop of a hat we are always there for each other when needed. Everyone rallies to help whoever needs the help out and go out of their way to do it. It’s the kind of support that makes me feel like no matter what life throws at us, we’ve got each other’s backs and it doesn’t matter if we haven’t spoken in a few days, a week or a month!

2. What's something nice that's happened to you recently?

Just over the last week my girls have made me happy and appreciated. They were at the fair they thought of me and bought me fudge. They are really stepping up around the house, like if they see a bin filling up they will empty it and they now bring their washing downstairs and put it in the washer without me having to ask. It's the little things like that which I find nice. They also include me in a group chat online and send me funny memes and videos throughout the day. It makes me feel so lucky to see them growing into thoughtful, caring humans.

3. Do you like the color orange? Besides a pumpkin and an actual orange, what's something orange you love?

I don't dislike it but I wouldn't say I loved it. I sat here a good couple of minutes trying to think of orange things that I love and it was hard. I came up with carrots, sunsets, orange fizzy pop and of course Terry’s Chocolate Orange!

4. What's something you have now you couldn't have imagined having five years ago? How does that make you feel? What's possible now because of it?

This time five years ago were in the middle of the Covid pandemic. We were all wearing masks, washing our hands obsessively and living in this weird, anxious bubble. We'd just came out of a lockdown and by 5 years ago next week we were going back into another. My dad became really ill with the virus and we lost friends. Back then I couldn't have imagined still having all of my loved one's and myself still being in good health.

Before the pandemic life felt like a constant rush but the lockdowns forced us to stop! It was strange but also gave us chance to reset. I wrote a blog post five years ago, Somebody That I Used to Know and much of it is still true today. I have less patience for nonsense, I love gardening even more and I really do appreciate the time we have together as a family. Because of the pandemic I find it easier to say no, to prioritise my mental health and to savour the small things. Life feels more intentional now which I never thought I’d say five years ago.

5. Let's wrap this one up with an October this or that...

Pumpkin bread or Apple cider donut - I have never eaten either but I really want to try an apple cider donut!

Cozy sweater or Cozy hoodie - Sweater! Hoodies are not my favourite, the hood annoys me.

Apple picking or Pumpkin picking - Apple picking!

Scary movie or Hallmark movie - Hallmark movie! I don't like scary movies at all.

Hay ride or Corn maze - I haven't done either but I do like the sound of a hay ride, the corn maze sounds stressful, I don't like the idea of being stuck in a maze.

Twinkle lights or Candles - Candles! Twinkly lights seem to give me a migraine.

Autumn hike or Autumn bonfire - Autumn bonfire, I love the smell.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

I’ve decided that this is my favourite time of year, temperature wise. Most days it’s sitting around 14C, which is about 57F and it’s perfect. It’s Goldilocks weather, not too hot, not too cold, just right! It’s the kind of weather where I can go outside and not feel like I'm melting in the heat or shivering in the cold. I can go out with just a cardigan with no coat on if the sun is shining and the best part is I can then come home and slip into my fleecy pj's and under a blanket without it feeling over the top. It’s far too early in the year to be putting the heating on all of the time so when it does get a little chilly it feels like a treat putting the heating on and not like a normal every day thing that we do.

Everyone in my house loves a nap except me!

I know I’m in the minority here but I hate naps. I really hate them. I’ve never understood the appeal of deliberately lying down in the middle of the day to have a little rest because every time I’ve ever given in and tried one I’ve woken up feeling like I’ve been hit by a bus.

I’ve listened to people talk about how refreshing naps are, how they boost your energy and make you feel brand new. I’ve really tried to like them but I just can't. I wake up from a nap with a headache, my mouth as dry as the Sahara and the feeling that I’ve missed out on an hour of my life I’ll never get back. Everyone else seems to wake up smiling, stretching and talking about how lovely it was to just switch off for a bit.

My fella loves nothing more than a Sunday afternoon snooze. After having a roast dinner with the football on low volume in the background, the next thing you know he’s out cold. He’ll wake up later looking like he’s had the best sleep in his life. Becky, my eldest is another one who treats naps like they’re an Olympic sport. If she’s going out later she’ll have a nap before she gets ready, like it’s part of some beauty routine. Curtains get closed, she has an alarm set, has a short power nap, then she wakes up looking bright eyed and ready to go like she’s had a full eight hours. I don’t get it! If I tried that, I’d either sleep through my alarm or wake up and be in no mood for a night out!

The worst part is that napping just makes me feel guilty. I can’t relax knowing there’s probably something else I could be doing. My brain won’t stop reminding me about all the tasks waiting for attention like the laundry, cooking tea or that cupboard that I was meant to sort out in 2019. Even if I’m genuinely tired, I can’t switch off properly because I feel like I’m wasting time. The idea of doing nothing in daylight hours feels wrong and when I do finally nap, it’s usually because I’m at death’s door with the flu or some vile bug. That’s the only time my body overrides the guilt but even then I have to be really, really ill. The kind of ill where even scrolling your phone feels like running a marathon.

Despite all of my complaints I envy the nap lovers in my house. They have this magical ability to just stop, say I’m tired  so I’m going to sleep and then actually sleep. No overthinking, no guilt, no resistance just blissful sleep. I wish I had that switch. Instead I lie there staring at the ceiling or wall thinking about what a waste of time this is and end up getting up again to fold laundry or scroll through social media.

I’ve heard all the supposed rules of napping. The 20 minute power nap, the mid afternoon sweet spot, don’t nap too late or you’ll mess up your sleep. I’ve tried every version and the result is always the same. Me groggy and moody, wandering around wondering why I didn’t just push through and go to bed early instead.

Do you like a nap? Have you got any tips about how I can switch off and nap?