A photo every day for a year! 3rd - 9th May! Week 19 of #Project365

Happy Sunday and Mother's Day to those who read from across the pond. I hope you have a wonderful day! We have had a nice week. The weather hasn't been the best but we have made up for it, coming up with ideas for what we are going to do over the summer. We have days out planned, a night or two away and some projects to do at home.

It's a quiet weekend here with Becky working and the rest of us sleeping until late today because there was wrestling live on TV last night. It started at 11pm so it is just too tempting to stay up and watch and then not being able to tear myself away from the TV. It was much easier when it started later, at 1am and I just caught up the next day. lol We don't have anything planned for today. I think it will be a day of staying in our PJs and watching movies.

Now for a photo every day!

123/365 3rd May

We went out for lunch on Sunday and had the most delicious meal. The desserts were amazing. I already shared a photo of mine on Wednesday but this is the rhubarb crumble and custard that Stu and Becky had. It took them a good 10 minutes to even take a bite as it was so hot but so worth the wait!

124/365 4th May

It's tulip time! At the start of the year, I buy daffodils and now it's time for tulips! I got them with the weekly food shop. They came and looked so sorry for themselves but after a day or two they had a good drink, stood up tall and looked beautiful.

125/365 5th May

I planted these on the Monday, took this photo 8 days later and now they have almost doubled in size. Don't ask me what they are though I forgot to label them. I did put the photo into ChatGPT and it said, "They look a lot like something from the brassica family (the cabbage gang). Think along the lines of radish, broccoli, cabbage, or even cress". I am pretty sure I didn't plant any of those, so only time is going to tell. lol

126/365 6th May

Wednesday was a cosy day at home with mugs of tea, my blanket and thoughts about putting the heating on. It was so chilly and grey out. I took great pleasure in not moving around too much and caught up with things on my laptop.

127/365 7th May

I buy a couple of tubs of Pringles most weeks and spotted these in Sainsbury's. Two limited editions, Bacon Double Cheese XL and Chicken Royale so we had to try them. This is just down to my personal taste. The Bacon Double Cheese ones were not good. I can't even describe how they tasted, it was nothing like anything I had tasted before and not in a good way. Ellie said they would be OK with a dip to hide the taste. lol The Chicken Royale ones were weird, they smelled of mayonnaise and salad but just tasted like chicken crisps, which wasn't a bad thing.

128/365 8th May

My dad was given a ton of old photos by a family member that he went to visit and there were some fantastic ones. Lots of him when he was younger and of course my brother and I. I always forget how much my girls look like me. In this photo I have Becky's face but Ellie's smile. Oh, and the least said about my brother's haircut the better. It looks a little wonky. hehehe

129/365 9th May

Ellie got the Alpine F1 T-shirt a little while ago from Primark and wanted the hoodie too but I am sure it was around £24 which seemed a lot. I wasn't going to pay that and neither was she, so when Becky was in Primark and saw it reduced to £15 she asked me if she should get it. Of course!!

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

This week my Word of the Week is:

Last week my Word of the Week was Sunshiny but this week has been the opposite! The sun has shined a little but it has been quite chilly too. It has really messed with me getting the washing out on the line to dry. When it looks like rain and I choose not to hang it out and it stays dry and then when I do put it out, it gets really grey and looks like it will rain.

Our week has been a good one but there have been a few disruptions. Not big ones in the grand scheme of things but enough to put a few spanners in the works. Plans have changed and we have just had to roll with it.

The event we were going to on Sunday was cancelled because of the rain. It was fine. We had already decided we were going out somewhere no matter the weather and we went out for lunch. It has been decided next time we will book so we don't have to rush as much. There will be a next time as the food was so good.

Ellie is working hard at college, she has just over a month left until her school year ends and she leaves college. It doesn't seem that long since she started. Eek! I was expecting her home early one day but changed her plans and decided to stay back and do some extra work. As things stand, she has already passed her course based on the coursework she’s done so far, which is amazing but she’s not stopping there. She’s pushing herself to do even better, which makes me so proud. It hasn’t always been smooth sailing for her at college. There have been challenges along the way but she’s just kept going. She really is a little trooper.

I was sat here minding my own business mid-week and the Sky TV box randomly went off. I pressed the remote to turn it back on and it wasn't working. I don't know how or why but I switched it off and back on at the plug and the Sky TV box came back on but the remote had somehow unlinked itself. I got it working thanks to the help of Google but I have no idea why it did what it did. Hmmf.

There have been disruptions on the roads here. For what seems like months, they've been working on a road nearby. I think putting new gas pipes in and during the week something went wrong as people passing said there was a strong smell of gas. Then came the notice online that the road would be closed for a week and diversions would be in place. It's the main road into town, so everyone is going to be disrupted. Becky had plans during the week and had to change them just to make sure she got into town on time with the bus going another route and I hope the college bus drivers have got the memo about the diversion in place.

Becky's plans were also disrupted yesterday. She was supposed to be going to her Grandad's but the buses weren't running as one had set on fire and they closed the road! Eek! Thankfully, everyone got off the bus and there were no injuries but it did sound scary. You can guarantee if something is going to happen on the roads, it always happens near the Humber Bridge which stops traffic and there is no way to get over the river unless you drive right around and it is quite a long way. The buses would rather just stop than take that trip.

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 to join in with her Word of the Week linky!

What I have loved this week! Week 19. #FridayFavourites

Happy Friday! I hope you’ve had a good week. Last week seemed to be all about enjoying the spring weather and this past week has felt more like Autumn. A few bright and warm spells with more chilly time in between. Hmmf. I am not happy about it, I was getting used to the warm weather. As always, I’m linking up with Erika and Andrea to share the things that I have loved over the past week.

Cancelled plans!

On Sunday we had plans to go to a charity event but because of the bad weather it was rained off. We still decided to venture out and went to a pub for Sunday Lunch that we had heard good things about. They fitted us in even though they were busy and the food was amazing! We will be going back. If I had my way, it would be this coming Sunday but Stu has said no, we're not getting into a habit of going out every Sunday for lunch, which I suppose is a good thing but I could happily become one of those people who has a regular table somewhere. hehehe

A cosy day at home!

This sounds strange saying it, to have a cosy day at home but mid-week it was chilly so I got my blanket out, drank probably too many mugs of tea, wore comfy clothes and enjoyed being home. I caught up on writing some blog posts, did a bit of admin that I had been putting off and didn't really move much. It was nice to have a day like that.

This photo of my youngest!

It did make me laugh. I said to Ellie to give me a nice photo when we were waiting for lunch and I got this face. She was in a funny mood and there was no way I was getting a nice, smiley shot. I love photos like that though. They feel more real than the posed ones and it sums her up perfectly in that moment. You never quite know what you’re going to get with her.

The A Word!

I remember watching this on TV a good few years ago. The Hughes, like any other family, is a happy and close-knit one. However, everything changes when their youngest son Joe is diagnosed with autism. It came up on Netflix and thought I would rewatch. It's such a heart-warming show which portrays Autism really well and the challenges parents and the community face. Maurice, the grandfather played by Christopher Eccleston is priceless. He reminds me of my dad a lot, not always being politically correct, saying things he shouldn't and being a bit clumsy about how he handles some situations.

A Bank Holiday!

Bank Holidays don't usually mean much in my house as it's Stu's usual day off work anyway and they are usually during school holidays, so Ellie doesn't feel the benefit but this past one on Monday felt like a real Bank Holiday! After being out on Sunday it felt like we needed another day for us all to be home and we got it with Ellie having a bonus day off from college too. We have another at the end of the month but that is one which doesn't count as it's at the beginning of the half-term break from college.

Eating together!

We don't eat together as a family as much as we did. With a 23 and 18 year old who have their own lives, the meals where we are all together are few and far between, so when we get the chance I cherish it. We had a home cooked meal during the week, all sat together and ate! I always enjoy cooking more when I know everyone is going to be there, it feels worth the effort. I am dreading it when my girls leave home and it's just Stu and me! Eek!

What have you loved over the past week?

My 10 most controversial food opinions!

Food is one of those things everyone has very strong opinions about and people are not shy about sharing them. I have seen myself having full-on debates about what is right and wrong when it comes to food with my family. I can be sat there minding my own business, happily eating your tea and suddenly a whole drama is caused just by me saying I like pineapple on pizza. I thought I’d share some of my most controversial food opinions, the ones that tend to get a reaction and raise a few eyebrows. I stand by every single one and I’m not sorry.

1. Pineapple belongs on pizza!

Let’s just get this one out of the way because it always causes the biggest reaction. You’d think I’d confessed to dipping chips in custard with the way some folks react but the thing is pineapple on pizza just works. It goes so well with ham and mushrooms, obviously I wouldn't put it on all pizzas. I am not a savage. lol

2. Crisps belong in sandwiches.

If you’ve never put crisps in a sandwich, I don’t know what to tell you because you are missing out on a very simple joy in life. The crunch against the soft bread is something special and turns a basic sandwich into something exciting. It’s an experience we should all enjoy. Any flavour works too. My favourite is mixing prawn cocktail and roast chicken flavours.

3. Tinned fruit is underrated!

Tinned fruit does not get the appreciation it deserves. People act like it’s some kind of last resort but it's brilliant and requires no effort with peeling and chopping. Simply open a tin! Tinned peaches are my favourite. That syrup, if I could bottle it and drink it I would.

4. Ketchup belongs on more things than people admit!

People love to act like ketchup should only go on certain foods but I think it’s way more versatile than it gets credit for. Chips, obviously but also sandwiches, bits of a fry-up, random picky tea items, it just works.

5. Cold pizza is the best!

Fresh, hot pizza is great but cold pizza the next day is better. It's not just takeaway pizza either, the same goes for home-made. It’s like all the flavours somehow become even better overnight. There’s also something quite nice about standing in your pyjamas, fridge door open, just grabbing a slice and getting on with your day.

6. Jam first on scones is the right method!

This one is risky but jam should always go first on scones, before the cream. It just makes sense to spread the jam, then the cream sits on top like a little cloud. It looks better, tastes better and feels right.

7. Cereal tastes better late at night!

Breakfast cereal at breakfast time is OK. I am not a big breakfast eater, so I would never choose cereal but cereal at 10pm is different. There is no explanation for this, none at all. It’s like cereal becomes a whole different food after dark and I can enjoy it.

8. Salted caramel is overrated!

Salted caramel has been treated like something special for years now and I am so over it. It’s everywhere and yes, it tastes nice but people treat it like it’s the best thing ever invented and I just don’t get the hype. It’s too sweet and a bit much.

9. Pasta shapes taste different and fusilli is the best one!

Food scientists can argue with me all they like but pasta shapes do taste different. Fusilli is the champion because it holds onto sauce like its life depends on it. Every little spiral grabs flavour and refuses to let go.

10. Orange juice with pulp should be illegal!

I know some people love pulp and feel all fresh and natural drinking it but for me, no! I do not want to chew my drink. If I wanted bits, I’d eat an actual orange. Drinks should not have texture, it’s unsettling!

Do you agree or disagree with any of my opinions?

The Wednesday Hodgepodge #54

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's something you may do this month?

I’ve already written my list of goals and plans for the month and I hope to get all of those things done but to add to that list, I may keep on top of the weeding in the garden. It sounds easy, just go outside and pull them up but when I do 5 more appear, it is a never-ending job. At the moment it is hard to know what are weeds or what are flowers as they are just starting to grow. My plant identifier app is getting a lot of use. hehehe

2. Hola! Hodgepodge Day lands just after Cinco de Mayo... how do you feel about Mexican food? What's your favorite dish? Do you make it at home or is it a strictly dine out option?

I’m not a big fan of Mexican food. It’s never really been a big part of my life and it’s not something I grew up eating so I rarely choose to eat it now. I do make fajitas at home now and again and they’re always a hit. Everyone can build their own, choose what they want, pile on the toppings and there’s very little complaining. It has been ages since we last had them. I think I need to add them to our meal plan soon. We don’t really go to Mexican restaurants. There aren’t many local to me and it’s just not something we think to do.

3. When the children of today grow up what do you think they'll say about this time period? What do you most hope they remember?

I think they’ll say that everything was online. Their lives are so documented compared to what mine was when I was a teenager. I think I have about 10 photos of myself between the ages of 14 and 20 years old. Now there are photos, videos, messages and posts all online. Kids today have grown up with group chats constantly pinging, TikTok trends and being able to track friends and family online. I imagine they’ll look back and laugh at some of the trends, cringe at some of the things they posted and wonder how they kept up with it all. I do hope they remember the normal days, the ones that didn’t get photographed or shared. Those normal moments: eating as a family, sitting in the kitchen chatting about nothing, laughing over something daft and those random moments where everyone’s in a good mood.

4. What advice would you give a new mother?

Try not to compare. It is easier said than done, especially when it feels like everyone else has got it all sorted with perfect routines, calm babies, tidy homes and matching outfits but that’s not real life. What works for one baby won’t work for another. What works for one mum won’t work for you and that is fine! Some days will feel like you are winning at life other days will feel like chaos. You don’t need to do things the same way as anyone else. Trust yourself and go with your gut feeling. You know more than you think you do!

5. What's a phrase your mother often said to you? If you're a mom do you say it to your own children?

"Because I said so" I used to roll my eyes every single time I heard it from my mum. It felt like the most unfair, lazy, annoying answer in the world but as a mother now I get it! I always said I’d never say it when I had kids of my own but I say it at least a few times a week. It usually happens when I've explained something in three different ways, answered all the questions and the girls are still pushing back, asking and asking!

6. Insert your own random thought here.

On Sunday we went out for lunch! It has been ages since we had a Sunday dinner out. We used to go eat out most Sundays as it worked out cheaper and easier than cooking but then our local pub closed down and we didn't bother travelling further afield until this past weekend. We hadn't booked, it was quite busy but they fitted us in and it was one of the best roast dinners that I have had in such a long time! I cleared my plate and I am still thinking about the meal now.

I had roast ham, Becky had roast chicken, Stu had beef stew and dumplings and Ellie had mushroom stroganoff. There were plates of veggies to share and the Yorkshire Puddings were perfect! For dessert, I had sticky toffee pudding, Becky and Stu had rhubarb crumble and custard and Ellie had chocolate fudge cake and cream! We will make sure to book next time. I've already said we will be going back!

365 Days Of Gratitude. In April I was grateful for...

I have seen many people on social media list something every day that they are grateful for and thought I would join in. I have done this for the whole of the last few of years and it has really made me realise that even on bad days I have something to be grateful for.

April flew over, it was another blink and you miss it months. I think it was because things were so higgledy piggledy with Ellie having two weeks off college for her Easter break, Stu taking some time of work and Becky being all over the place with concerts, theatre shows and city breaks. It was been a fun month for us all. We've had nights out, lots of family time and lots of laughs.

Day 91 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful that Stu's holidays for the year have been accepted at work! Well, for now they have. They have been known to backtrack on days off when things are busy!

Day 92 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful for the moments in life that help me slow down and appreciate the people and time I have right now.

Day 93 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful for fish & chips from the chippy for tea! I'd like to say it was because it was Good Friday but we get chippy tea most Friday's.

Day 94 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful for a quiet night in front of the TV with my family!

Day 95 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful for Easter eggs!

Day 96 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful that I had time this afternoon to catch up with Grey's Anatomy!

Day 97 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful that an appointment I had today went well. I have stressed about it for days but the man I spoke with was lovely and made the whole ordeal almost fun!

Day 98 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful for tea out at the all you can eat place in Hull!

Day 99 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful Stu didn't ask me to help him out while he was tidying the garage. Ellie made the mistake of going out there and got roped into helping. I hate the garage, it's full of spiders!

Day 100 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful for a full day! Went to my dad's, ran some errands and had a meal out with Stu.

Day 101 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful that Stu did the cooking tonight! Food always tastes better when someone else makes it!

Day 102 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful for a day in front of the TV watching movies!

Day 103 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful that Ellie and Stu had a nice day out. I stayed home and caught up on some things here.

Day 104 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful for a Chocolate Fudge Frappe from Costa! Yum!

Day 105 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful for a good catch up and chat with a friend.

Day 106 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful for a fab delivery driver from Morrisons. He was very helpful and chatty.

Day 107 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful McDonalds for tea! I wasn't even that bothered about the food, all I wanted was a milkshake!

Day 108 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful I was dosed up on cold and flu tablets so I could stay up and watch night one of Wrestlemania!

Day 109 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful a little lie in this morning after going to bed at 3am after the wrestling. I'm doing it again tonight. Eek!

Day 110 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful that the water company finally figured out what keeps blocking our drains! Limescale! There's a build up in the pipes and drains! 

Day 111 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful for an extra mouth to feed tonight. Of course I made too much sausage casserole.

Day 112 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful she said yes! Becky got engaged to her girlfriend earlier tonight.

Day 113 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful for a bowl full of strawberries and cream after tea!

Day 114 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful that Becky got back from her travels and brought me 2 tubs of Pease Pudding.

Day 115 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful that I am the cold I had has gone!

Day 116 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful that Stu cut the grass.

Day 117 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful to get loads done in the garden. My back is aching now though.

Day 118 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful to spend the day with Becky. We have had some giggles.

Day 119 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful that my plants seem to be doing well after I moved them into bigger pots. Phew!

Day 120 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful that everything was delivered with the food shop! That rarely happens!

What were you grateful for in April?

Our weekly meal plan! 4th - 10th May #MealPlanningMonday

Happy Monday! I hope you have all had a good weekend. Ours was nice. It was a family weekend with us all home. I spent the weekend keeping an eye on the sport. It was the last day of the EFL Championship football league and I was interested as Hull is our local team, Middlesbrough was my local team when I was a child and Wrexham because the actor Ryan Reynolds owns them were all trying to get promoted into the Premiership League. Wrexham missed out but Middlesbrough and Hull are through to the playoffs but only one will go up to the Premier League. Eek!

Last week's meal plan went OK. Well, we ate 4 of the 7 meals that I had planned but not on the right night. Oops. We are back on the Gousto meals this week and I am so happy about it. I always feel my meal planning goes more to plan when I know I have to use the ingredients up from the Gousto boxes.

On the menu this week we have:

Monday - Gousto Meal - Baked Chicken Thigh & Almond Curry With Rice And Naan!

This one is a new one for us and Stu will be happy! Every time we get a curry from Gosuto he always asks if it comes with Naan bread and it never has, until now! Made with juicy thighs in a rich, nutty almond and garam masala sauce. Finished with creamy yoghurt and served with fluffy rice and warm mini naan.

Tuesday - Gousto Meal - Lamb Mince, Crushed Potatoes And Minty Peas!

This is proper comfort food! Lamb mince cooked with a bit of thyme and Henderson’s relish for flavour. Served with buttery crushed potatoes and minty peas on the side. Usually I won't eat peas as a side dish but minty peas are different. I love them!

Wednesday - Gousto Meal - Sausage Meatball & Tomato Sauce With Fresh Orecchiette!

This is one of our favourites from Gousto. My family would eat this every week given the chance. This one is sausage meatballs cooked in a rich, herby tomato sauce, served with fresh orecchiette. Those little bits of pasta are brilliant at holding onto sauce. Every time I tell the girls we're having this they look puzzled until I say the pasta, which is like the Skips crisps. lol

Thursday - Something and chips!

It will be something out of the freezer on Thursday with chips. We have the option of sausages, battered chicken, pies, turkey burgers and goodness knows what else. I will let my family choose what they want.

Friday - A takeaway of some sort!

Friday night is an easy night for me. I don't cook and we order takeaway. For the past few months it has been from the chip shop mostly but we fancy something different. The chip shop doesn't feel like a treat any more, we have overdone it. Hmmf. It could be pizza depending on what we have had for lunch.

Saturday - Burgers in buns with fries!

Simple beef burgers in brioche buns with fries and probably some salad. Burgers for us is such a Saturday meal.

Sunday - A help yourself evening!

I have no plan for today and everyone can just help themselves to whatever they fancy.

What are you eating this week?

A photo every day for a year! 26th April - 2nd May! Week 18 of #Project365

The new month started with some gorgeous weather and the hottest day of the year so far and today it's supposed to rain all day. Hmmf. I am not happy as we had plans which are not going to happen if the rain is as bad as it's predicted. I am writing this yesterday afternoon, so it's a case of wait and see. It's just typical that the weather is rubbish, it always is over a Bank Holiday weekend. Hopefully the weather will be better when we have another Bank Holiday at the end of the month.

I didn't get up to much yesterday, just the usual housework. It was nice to have all my family home last night. We plonked ourselves in front of the TV and watched Britain's Got Talent and of course caught up on the wrestling.

Now for a photo every day!

116/365 26th April

I didn't really think it through, painting my nails on Sunday when I knew I was going to be doing some gardening on Monday but the polish held up well and didn't chip or peel at all. It wasn't even a decent branded one, it was just one from the pound shop. It goes to show you don’t always need to spend a fortune on beauty bits.

117/365 27th April

I planted some more seeds. I found a packet of sunflower seeds from last year and popped them in some compost, not hoping for much but there are already shoots coming through. It is the magic of the kitchen windowsill, the plants love it there! I also have Brussels sprouts, more tomatoes and strawberries hopefully growing.

118/365 28th April

Once a fortnight when Becky is off work we treat ourselves to something nice for lunch and on Tuesday it was Costa Coffee again. I didn't get any coffee, just the chocolate fudge frappe, bacon bap and a chocolate twist pastry.

119/365 29th April

I finally got around to making the Thai-style pork patties. They had been planned for Monday but after gardening I just couldn't be bothered to stand in the kitchen. These went down a treat and we also had sweet potato fries and homemade coleslaw, well almost home made. I bought a bag of coleslaw mix and just added the mayonnaise.

120/365 30th April

I went outside just before 9am and I could just tell it was going to be a gorgeous day! The sun was shining, there wasn't a cloud in the sky and it was starting to warm up. By lunch time I had 2 loads of washing already out on the line and dried!

121/365 1st May

I didn't know Reese's Ice cream sticks were a thing until Friday. I bought a box with three in and had planned on keeping them for myself until the girls spotted them. I've not tried them yet, I am saving it as a treat for this afternoon.

122/365 2nd May

I was short of something to take a photo of, so you have me. Just a selfie in the bathroom mirror which I've now noticed needs a good clean. When I take selfies, I always wish I could take them as well as my girls. They are experts!

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This week my Word of the Week is: Sunshiny!! WotW

This week my Word of the Week is:

Hasn't the weather been lovely! Every day this week the sun has been shining. Even on Tuesday when it was grey for part of the day, the sun still made an appearance. I'd like to think this is the start of the good weather but after today it's going to get a little cooler than it has been and we're expecting some rain which of course isn't a bad thing for the garden.

On Monday, Stu and I made the most of the good weather and spent a few hours outside in the garden. Stu mowed the grass while I repotted some plants into bigger pots and then we both tackled the weeding. Why do weeds have to grow so quickly and why does there have to be so many? It was nice to be outside just pottering around. The garden is looking great at the moment and so far, so good with my repotted plants, they all survived the move.

Ellie loves going to college at this time of year when the sun is shining. She gets to wear all her summer clothes and has been surprising people. Since she got her tattoo in October, it has pretty much been hidden under hoodies and jumpers. This week, people saw her tattoo and have been shocked that someone, so sweet looking has such a big tattoo. hehehe One thing I never expected was Ellie being obsessed with putting sunscreen on. She read somewhere that it protects tattoos from fading and now she is the sunscreen queen. This is the same girl that a few years ago I had to practically pin her down to get sun cream on her. lol

As the week went on, each day got warmer and warmer and it was a nice kind of warm with heat from the sun but still a cool breeze. I saw it get up to 23C yesterday. I said to Ellie if it could stay at this temperature all summer I would be happy. I read online that parts of the UK yesterday were hotter than the proper hot places that you think of, like Hawaii and Egypt!

It has been nice to get the washing out drying on the line, having the windows open with a nice breeze coming inside and a freezer stocked with ice lollies and ice cream! The only downside to this lovely weather is the bugs and creatures which come inside, which definitely don't belong here. We had our first wasp of the year come in but thankfully it was when Stu was here so he could remove it. I had flashbacks from when we had the wasps nest in the bathroom a few years ago. One wasp and I convinced myself there's a nest somewhere. There isn't that I know of and I hope it stays that way!

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 to join in with her Word of the Week linky!

What I have loved this week! Week 18. #FridayFavourites

Happy Friday! I hope you’ve had a good week. We have had some lovely weather this week. Of course there have been chilly moments but it seems to be more warm than cold now and today is supposed to be 24C (75F), which is practically summer weather!! I think I need to start stocking the freezer with ice cream and ice lollies. As always, I’m linking up with Erika and Andrea to share the things that I have loved over the past week.

T-Shirts!

This week has been so warm that I haven't had to reach for a jumper or cardigan at all. I am getting to wear all of my favourite T-shirts and show them off. Ones with quotes, wrestling ones, funny ones and Harry Potter ones. It has been nice to get some sunshine on my pale arms but it did make me realise I think I am going to have to reach for some fake tan as I look so pale.

Garden time!

My fella went out into the garden on Monday and spent a good few hours out there. He cut the grass, we shared the weeding, I repotted the plants which were growing on my kitchen windowsill and I planted some more seeds. The repotted plants are now in my little greenhouses. They are spending the day outside and I move them into the little shed overnight. It's a bit of a chore but I want them to harden up a bit before they are left out all night.

A blackbird!

I have seen this bird hanging around, pecking around in the front garden and on Monday when Stu and I were out in the back garden, it was showing no fear and getting pretty close to us. It was living its best life, we were digging, it was collecting worms, disappearing with a beak full and then coming back for more. I did end up chasing it off, which felt very mean but I was going to be planting some seeds and didn't want it snacking on them. I guess we will see if it got them in a month or so when the flowers do or do not grow.

Drama shows!

Earlier in the week I wanted something on the TV, in the background while I was doing some things on my laptop. I started with the Teacher which led me to Missed Call and then The House Across the Street.

The Teacher! There were 3 seasons each with 4 episodes about a different teacher. One is accused of having a sexual relationship with a student, season two is about one who had an affair with a colleague and season 3 is about a respected teacher who struggles to keep up with modern social expectations. I caught up with the third season and found myself shouting at the TV a lot. One of the students was a real little madam.

Missed Call! When a British teenager vanishes during a school exchange in France, her mother Sarah rushes to investigate. With the help of a local detective, Sarah exposes buried secrets, corruption and trafficking within the tight-knit town. There were so many twists and turns, it was one of those shows where I kept thinking they did it, then someone else and then another person. I didn't guess and the big reveal was quite a surprise but it was a very clever final twist.

The House Across The Street! Claudia, overlooked by her community, and unable to get through to her son, longs for connection. Her opportunity comes when a young local child goes missing. Claudia becomes embroiled in the case, fixating on uncovering the truth herself. The main character was Moaning Myrtle from Harry Potter and came across as so meek and mild but she was so creepy. I did not know where this was going until right at the end.

Tuesday treats!

Once a fortnight when Becky is off work, we have been getting ourselves a little treat for lunch. We seem to be stuck on Costa Coffee. She loves the caramel, some sort of iced coffee and I always go for the Chocolate Fudge Frappe with whipped cream on the top! It tastes amazing!!

Britain's Got Talent!

Since it began, I have never missed an episode of Britain's Got Talent, it's the same as America's Got Talent. We still have Simon Cowell but some other judges too. Well, this year we missed all the audition shows. We just weren't that into it after the last couple of years not being that good but over the weekend we dipped back into it with the start of the live shows. The acts are still not as good as they used to be. I feel like we have seen it all now but it was a good show to watch as a family. I am glad the dog act won and the singer who went through to the final was good too.

What have you loved over the past week?

My May goals & plans!

I’m carrying on with my monthly goals and plans because writing things down really gives me that little kick up the bum to actually get things done. I always feel more motivated when I have a list to look at instead of just thinking I should probably do that at some point. When it’s written down it feels more official, like I’ve made a little promise to myself.

I ticked a lot of things off my April goals list but not as many as I would have liked. I don't want to make excuses but Ellie was off college for 2 weeks, there was Easter and Stu had some time off work too which left me all out of whack, I didn't get many days home alone.

Paint the doors in the living room - Nope, I wanted to do it while everyone was out

Use the washing line - Yes, apart from when the weather out wasn't great.

Wash the cushion covers and curtains in the living room - Yes!! I actually got sent a press release mid-month saying 1 in 5 British adults have never washed their curtains! Eek! Well I am not one of those 5 now. lol

Have a family day out - I had days out with my youngest, my fella but not my eldest. She was way too busy enjoying life seeing Mamma Mia in the theatre and seeing Alex Warren in concert.

Read more audiobooks - Yes, I listened to 4 and partly listened to another which I didn't finish.

Sit outside with a drink on sunny mornings - Sometimes but not as much as I would have liked.

Watch four more movies that are new to me - Yes! 2 of the Suicide Squad movies, A Man Called Otto, Anaconda and my favourite was I Swear about a young man with Tourette syndrome who eventually becomes a campaigner to increase public awareness. I laughed and cried all the way through. It was brilliant!

Get my little greenhouses out of the garage - Yes and I am thinking about putting plants in them but I am wanting it to warm up a little more.

Do some baking - No!

In May I want to:

Move the plants outside!

Hopefully this month warms up a bit and I can move my plants out of the kitchen outside into my little greenhouses. I will need to repot some of them into bigger pots and hopefully that goes well.

Get Becky to declutter her bedroom!

Becky's bedroom is cluttered and it's annoying me. I know I can just close the door and ignore it but I still know the clutter is there. Becky agreed it is time to have a good sort out in her room but I know what she is like and will put the job off and that is where I will step in and start the nagging. I will even help her if she wants. lol

Write a day in my life post!

It has been ages since I wrote a day in the life post and I think it's about time I wrote another, I might actually write two. An average stay at home day and a day when I am out and about doing things.

Read more audiobooks!

I am still loving them and two that I have been on the waiting list for a while will become available to me in May. This Book Made Me Think of You and The Astral Library. I am aiming again to listen to four again this month.

Watch four more movies that are new to me!

I am enjoying watching movies which are new to me, especially those that I wouldn't normally watch.

Do some baking!

I must do some baking this month because the baking supplies really do need using up now.

Spend more time outside!

I feel like I should spend more time outside. I have plenty to do in the garden, I am determined to go on more walks and I want to spend some more time at my dad's. He is always working outside so it would be fun to hang out with him more.

Make some plans for the summer!

We have no plans at all for the summer and I think that needs to change. It would be nice to have a couple of nights away but that depends on what the girls have got planned. Some days out would be nice too. I really want to go to the seaside. It's been too long since I was last at a beach.

Paint the doors in the living room!

This is going back on the list, May should be a quieter month at home so I should be able to get them done. The doors aren’t terrible but they are looking a bit worn and scuffed, so a fresh coat of paint will make a big difference.

What do you have planned for May?