The Wednesday Hodgepodge #43

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. The Hodgepodge lands on Ash Wednesday, which is the first day of Lent. Do you mark this season in some way? Will you be giving something up or adding something to your life in this Lenten season?

I don’t really do Lent in a traditional sense. It’s just not something I’ve grown up marking in a big way but I do like the idea behind it. The whole pause and reflecting is a little reset for your habits and mindset. If I were going to do Lent properly, I don’t think I’d give something up. I’d probably add something in instead: a short walk on days when I’d normally stay glued to the sofa, add in doing something productive like a craft instead of endless scrolling and add more proper catch-ups with my favourite people instead of the "we must meet soon" messages that never quite turn into plans.

2. Pancakes...are you a fan? Syrup or no syrup? Plain, blueberries, chocolate chips, bananas, or some other add in? Are pancakes on your menu this week?

Yesterday was Shrove Tuesday here in the UK so of course we had pancakes! It would have been rude not to and not just one polite pancake either, we went all in. We are not fans of savoury pancakes, to do pancake day properly you need sugar involved! Hehehe Mine were the classic lemon juice and golden syrup. The girls, on the other hand had Nutella, bananas, strawberries, syrup, lemon and sugar and possibly everything at once. It was worth it! I love that Shrove Tuesday gives us an excuse to eat dessert for tea and we call it tradition!

3. Tell us about a time recently when you felt 'spread too thin'.

I can’t pinpoint one exact moment but it’s usually when everything at home ramps up at once. The washing basket is overflowing, there are appointments to remember, everyone needs something, meals need planning, the house needs tidying, messages need replying to and suddenly I feel like I’m being pulled in about six different directions. Being a mum to two young adult daughters means I’m not running around after toddlers anymore but I’m still very much in the thick of it. I think the mental load is what does it. Keeping track of who needs to be where, who’s feeling what, what’s in the fridge and what’s coming up next week. It’s a lot sometimes. Right now, things feel calm and manageable and I’ve learned to recognise that spread too thin feeling earlier than I used to, so I can calm things down before it all gets too much!

4. What's your favorite jewel or gemstone? In terms of your wardrobe would we find more gem tones, pastels, black and white, or primary colors?

I don’t think I have a favourite gemstone in the traditional sense. I can’t tell you the difference between half of them if I’m being asked to identify them in a line up but my favourite jewel is absolutely my engagement ring.

Stu proposed when the girls were little and it feels like a lifetime ago now. Over the years, my weight has gone up and down and after a while the original ring didn’t fit properly, so I stopped wearing it. A few years ago he replaced it, and the new one fits perfectly. It’s not about how big or flashy it is, it’s about what it represents and the fact that, after all these years, we’re still here.

When it comes to my wardrobe I have a lot of black items. It goes with everything and when I do branch out into colour, it’s usually darker shades. Deep greens, burgundy, navy, plum. I like rich tones that still feel safe. Pastels and bright colours are not really me. Even my PJs are dark.

5. What responsibility do you think is hardest about being in charge?

Being the one who has to say no! Being a parent of two young adults means that I am mostly still in charge and I don't always get to be the fun one. Sometimes I'm the gatekeeper, the budget doesn’t stretch, the timing isn’t right and the idea isn’t workable. Even when I understand why one of my girls wants something, even when I’d love to say yes and be the fun one, sometimes I can’t and repeating no over and over can make me feel like the villain in my own house. Being in charge isn’t about being popular, it’s about making the decisions that keeps everything ticking along safely and sensibly.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

We’re mid-way through the week and it has been one of those nice but busy ones where everyone is home at the same time. Stu has just about finished painting the dining room and I can’t tell you how good it feels to see it nearly done. Having everyone at home makes the days louder and busier but in a good way. There are random chats in the kitchen and the background noise of life ticking along. I might moan when I trip over someone’s shoes or when I can’t find my favourite mug but secretly I love that they’re all here. The house feels full. It’s funny because when they’re all out I enjoy the quiet but when we get these stretches of time together, I’m reminded that this is the bit I’ll miss one day.