The Wednesday Hodgepodge #42

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 recent that had you 'tickled pink'?

This one’s easy, new pans! My dad recently gave us a set and I am properly tickled pink with them. Not just because they’re new but because they actually match. I was expecting my dad’s old, slightly battered ones that had seen a lot of meals but we ended up with these beauties. I don’t think I’ve ever owned matching pans before. When Stu and I got together 20 years ago, we did what everyone does and shoved our pan collections together. They were a random mix that did the job but looked like it had been gathered from several different households over several decades. Now, with matching pans, I feel so grown up and organised.

2. A bed of roses, everything's coming up roses, every rose has it's thorn, stop and smell the roses, rose-colored glasses, a rose among thorns...which rosy expression might currently be applied to your life in some way?

Everything’s coming up roses feels right for me at the moment. Life isn’t perfect, it never is but at the moment it does feel like things are clicking into place. My ducks feel like they’re finally in a row, that phrase does make me chuckle, plans feel doable and things seem to be moving in the right direction without me having to push, shove or overthink every single step.

3. What makes you feel loved and appreciated?

It's all the little things. Like my family doing things without me having to ask, being thanked for everyday stuff I usually do, being listened to properly, someone making me a cup of tea without me having to ask, being included, kept in the loop and not feeling like an afterthought, a proper hug, funny videos sent to me which means someone thought of me and someone taking an interest in my interests.

4. A box of chocolates or a bouquet of fresh flowers-what's your pleasure? Any special plans for Valentine's Day?

I like fresh flowers, give me a simple bunch of daffodils and I am happy! My favourite ever flowers I received were the rainbow roses from Stu. They were a total surprise. When we lived in the North East, there was a little stall in the middle of Newcastle selling flowers and they always had the rainbow ones and I always said I would get some on the way home but after a day shopping with the kids getting flowers was the last thing on my mind. Stu remembered this and bought me some one Valentine's Day.

We are planning to get a meal from M&S. A starter, main, side, dessert and drink for £25. Stu is going to do the cooking and our Valentine's Day will be spent shopping for DIY supplies. We're painting the dining room next week.

5. Share a favorite quote, scripture, or song lyric relating to love.

Love is not about how many days, months or years you’ve been together. Love is about how much you love each other every single day. - Unknown

6. Insert your own random thought here.

Last week I said I wasn't too bothered about watching much of the Winter Olympics but here I am a little obsessed with it. I keep putting the TV on and then getting suckered into watching the heats of various sports and then of course have to watch right up until the final of that event.