The Wednesday Hodgepodge #75

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 you think of autumn what sounds come to mind?

The crunchy leaves when you are walking on them, rain tapping against the windows, fireworks banging well before Bonfire Night, the kettle boiling because I drink more hot drinks at this time of year, radiators clicking and pinging as they heat up and me shouting shut the door, it's cold. I've just got everyone into a habit of leaving them open during the summer now I have to train them to shut the doors again.

2. Is a trip to the mountains something you enjoy? What's your favorite mountain?

A trip to the mountains is never been something I've particularly thought about doing. Where I live, we are more about the hills than the mountains. There are plenty of lovely hilly areas around us but there's no looking out of the window and seeing huge mountains in the distance. I do like looking at photos of mountains, sometimes when I start my laptop there are some on the logging on screen covered in snow which look pretty amazing.

I don't really have a favourite mountain but f I had to pick one I'd probably say Ben Nevis. It's the highest mountain in the UK and it seems right to pick that one.

3. What's something that once felt like a mountain, but is now just a molehill?

A lot of the things that has came with parenting my girls felt like mountains at the time but turned out to be nothing but molehills. When they were little everything felt important. A forgotten PE kit could feel like a disaster, someone not wanting to go to school could turn into a full morning of stress, a friendship problem could have me lying awake wondering how it was all going to work out and even things like homework, school letters and remembering what day they needed to wear something could feel like a full time job and don't even get me started on them being teenagers! There were arguments over clothes, phones, bedrooms, homework, going out, coming home and pretty much anything else you can think of. At the time those things felt massive.

Now that my girls are older I can see that most of those little mountains were just molehills. They grew up, they figured things out and we all survived the arguments over things that seemed so important at the time. Of course we are still dealing with mountains which I bet in about 6 months are nothing but molehills.

4. Let's play this or that-fall foods edition. Yes you have to choose.

Pumpkin spice latte or Chai latte - Pumpkin spice latte! I only found out what a Chai Latte was the other week when my youngest ordered one in Starbucks, it's her favourite hot drink at the moment. I tried it, it's quite nice but not for me.

Apple cider or Hot chocolate - Hot chocolate! I have never tried apple cider, well I have the alcoholic version but I don't think that is the one that is meant here.

Stew or Chili - Stew, a nice beef one would be nice right now, it's a bit of a grey and gloomy day.

Sweet potato casserole or Green bean casserole - Sweet potato casserole! I haven't tried either but I know I don't like green beans.

Butternut squash soup or Creamy mushroom soup - Butternut squash soup! It just seems right at this time of year.

Cranberry sauce or Gravy - Gravy every single time! We have gravy on everything here.

5. Sum up your September in a sentence or two.

September has been a busy month with a lot going on. We've had appointments, a birthday, nights out, lots to do and plenty filling up the calendar so it definitely flown by. There have also been some exciting new starts, including my youngest getting a job. It's been one of those months where I've always seemed to have somewhere to be or something to sort out but it's been a good kind of busy.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

I'm writing this on a Sunday and it feels like a proper autumn day here. I am sitting under a blanket while it's grey and chilly outside, I reckon it won’t be long before we cave in and finally put the heating on. It's funny how 16C/60F can feel like two completely different temperatures depending on the season. Back in the spring going outside into 16C weather felt wonderful after months of winter and cold weather. I didn't even bother with a jacket but now at the exact same temperature all I want to do is throw on a thick jumper and start hibernating.

My October 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 did pretty well with my goals in September and ticked a lot off my list. There were some things I never got around to but things have been so busy here!

Celebrate Becky's birthday - Yes! Easy, peasy! We had a lovely meal out and stopped off at the pub on the way home for a few drinks.

Get ahead with my blog posts - Yes but not as much as I would like. I will work on this again in October!

Go to TK Maxx - As of writing this blog post no but I am hoping I went yesterday.

Sort my wardrobe out - Yes, I did that last week!

Start shopping for Christmas - I might have bought a few things yesterday but I do have things in my online baskets to order.

Have a proper Sunday dinner - Yes! We had one in the middle of the month and I actually enjoyed cooking it. It was nice to have the leftovers too the next day in a pie.

Go to Hull Maritime Museum - No, we just couldn't find the time.

Watch the Harry Potter movies - Yes! I started them and I am limiting myself to one a week!

Sort out photos from the summer - I sorted them but didn't get any printed out!

Give the garden a good tidy - Yes but more work needs doing.

In October, I want to:

Make plans for my birthday!

It's my birthday in November and I always like to have a day out. The last couple of years I have been to York Christmas markets but this time I fancy something different. It will still have to be themed around Christmas as my birthday is at the end of November and it is a great way to kick off the festivities.

Make an apple crumble!

This feels like the perfect October goal. Apples, crumble topping and custard! What's not to like? I haven't made one for ages and October seems like the right time. I love proper old-fashioned puddings and apple crumble is one of those. What makes it even better is that I will get the apples from my dad's trees. Hand picked fruit is way better than stuff bought from the supermarket.

Get back into a proper morning routine!

When Ellie left college we both got a little lazy, sleeping until we woke up and not rushing around until about ten. There's nothing wrong with having a slow morning now and again but I feel like I've slipped out of my usual routine and I want to get back into it. Up by 8am, get my jobs done around the house, tea prepared if I can, a load of washing on and whatever else which needs doing by 11am. Maybe then I will have more time to get ahead with writing my blog posts.

Work on my end of year blog post!

The lovely Lindsay gave me the idea of writing an end-of-year blog post by updating it every month and I was mostly keeping up with it, writing about the big things which happened each month until the end of June and then I forgot. I need to get back to it and write about things while they are almost fresh in my head.

Have a hot pumpkin spiced latte!

I have had quite a few iced ones since they have been back in Starbucks and I bought the ready to mix sachets from the supermarket but they are not the same. I want to sit in the coffee shop and enjoy a hot one, preferably on a cold day!

Light some candles!

I love candles, it's no big secret! I need to work my way through some of the ones in the cupboard if I want to buy new ones. I have a whole cupboard full in the living room. Eek! I have a habit of buying candles because I like the smell or the jar and then keeping them because they are too nice to burn. October feels like the perfect time to start lighting them more often!

Make it through October without buying every seasonal food item I see!

This might be the hardest goal on the list! I am a sucker for new foods, especially at this time of year. It's not even just autumnal things, it's the Christmas things that are released into the supermarkets early too! I need to hold off for at least the next month.

Use the slow cooker at least once a week!

It's time to get the slow cooker back out properly! I always love using it because you can put everything in early in the day and then forget about it until tea time. It makes those busy evenings easier when you already know there's something cooking. I want to make more than just the usual stews too. Maybe October might be the month I try a few new recipes!

Start a new TV series!

Or one that is new to me! Stu said I should try Supernatural as it's a lot like Buffy the Vampire Slayer which I loved and it seems pretty good for this time of year. My brother says The Gentlemen is great and I keep meaning to watch The Witcher. So, hopefully by the end of the month I'll have started something new.

Have a pumpkin day!

I want to do something with pumpkins! Maybe pick up a couple of pumpkins, make something with them or just have a look at all the pumpkin displays that start appearing in the shops. I also want to try something pumpkin related that isn't a pumpkin spice latte. Although I'll probably have another one or two of those too!

What do you have planned for October?

Our weekly meal plan! 28th Sept - 4th October! #MealPlanningMonday

Happy Monday! I hope you all had a lovely weekend! We had a good one with lots of time spent in front of the TV. The Azerbaijan Grand Prix was on Saturday, which was very confusing as F1 is always a Sunday thing. Strictly Come Dancing is back on properly with everyone dancing for the first time and yesterday I watched another Harry Potter film. Sometimes I don't want to be rushing around doing things all weekend, so it was nice to just potter around and be a bit lazy!

Last week's meal plan went well. We ate everything and mostly on the day I had planned too. The only thing we changed was the meal from the fish and chip shop. We decided we fancied something different and ordered McDonald's. I wish we hadn't, it took almost 2 hours to be delivered. By the time it arrived I think we'd all forgotten what we'd ordered. lol. The delivery guy said they were stopping online orders as there were too many and not enough people to deliver. Eek!

This week I am determined to have a quiet week. My family all have places to be and things to do so that will leave me home alone, so I have a list of things that I want to catch up on. We don't have a Gousto box this week as I forgot all about ordering one. Oops. I am hoping to start the Christmas present shopping this week. Hopefully I can convince Stu to come out shopping with me to help carry the bags. hehehe

On the menu this week we have:

Monday - Chicken casserole, dumplings and mashed potato!

Today is supposed to be a chilly day. Not freezing but cooler than what we've had lately and it calls for a casserole. I will fill the slow cooker and let it do its thing. I'll be making a chicken casserole with plenty of vegetables and then we'll have dumplings and mashed potato with it.

Tuesday - Bacon, black pudding, mushrooms, tomatoes and onions.

My dad gave me a big pack of bacon and a roll of black pudding so I thought I would use it up this way. It is a made up meal. I will just fry everything up and we will either have it in a sandwich or with rice. I haven't decided yet. The tomatoes will come from my garden too. There are plenty ripe now, so I'm trying to use as many as I can.

Wednesday - Corned beef Crispbakes with homemade chips!

The crisp bakes are corned beef, potato and onion in a breadcrumb coating and we will have them with homemade chips and baked beans. This is such a simple meal but we all love it here.

Thursday - Vegetable fingers and pasta in BBQ sauce.

Once upon a time, vegetable fingers were one of the only ways I could get vegetables into my girls. I think it was because they looked like fish fingers. lol Sometimes I had to be a little bit sneaky! We are having veggie fingers with pasta and the easiest sauce ever. It is simply mayonnaise with a squirt of BBQ sauce mixed in.

Friday - A takeaway of some sort!

Friday night is an easy night for me. I don't cook and we order takeaway. It could be pizza, Chinese or Indian food or even ordering from the fish and chip shop. We will decide on the day what we fancy.

Saturday - Gousto meal - Peanut satay chicken burger with sesame chips and lime slaw!

This sounds so fancy. A fusion-style dish featuring pan-fried chicken coated in a rich, creamy peanut satay sauce, served on a soft brioche bun. It’s topped with zesty lime slaw for a bit of crunch and comes with crispy sesame chips on the side. To me, it's just a satay chicken burger with chips and a bit of salad. lol

Sunday - A help yourself evening!

I have no plans for Sunday at all. Everyone can help themselves to whatever they fancy and use up bits from the fridge, freezer and cupboards. There is always something that needs using up.

What are you eating this week?

A photo every day for a year! 20th - 26th September! Week 39 of #Project365

Happy Sunday!! I hope you've all had a lovely week and are enjoying your weekend. We have had a nice quiet one. Housework, the F1 race and Strictly Come Dancing yesterday and today we don't have any plans at all.

It's crazy to think this time next week we will be halfway through the first week in October. I don't know if it's just me but this year has flown over. Sometimes I wish time would just slow down a little, it will be Christmas before we know it and I am not ready for that. Hopefully I am going to start shopping for Christmas presents next week. I have quite a few ideas what to buy people so it should be easy!

Now for a photo every day!

263/365 20th September

I started watching Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story on Netflix this week and I finished it too. I still don't know if I loved or hated it. It was an interesting story but a bit too gory for my liking. I carried on watching because I wanted to know what happened.

264/365 21st September

Curlywurly's take me right back to my childhood! My grandad used to buy me one whenever we he went to the shop for his newspaper on a Sunday. They have of course shrunk in size now but they still taste almost the same which is the important bit.

265/365 22nd September

The Great British Bake Off was back on TV on Tuesday and it always makes it feel like proper Autumn. Nigella Lawson is one of the new judges and isn't she a stunner! I couldn't believe she is 66 years old. She looks fantastic!

266/365 23rd September

Stu brought home treats from work from Samsung! In this was a little bag of hot chocolate and another of marshmallows. I love little treats like this, especially when I wasn't expecting it.

267/365 24th September

This looks like a strange photo but it's the only one I took that day. I put my hairdressing skills to use, it turns out I must have some because this person trusted me to cut her hair. I cut about 8 inches off and it is straighter in real life than it looks in the photo! This was just a photo to show the person how much had been cut off.

268/365 25th September

On Wednesday in my Hodgepodge post, I mentioned conker shells and conkers and it turns out some people didn't know what I was talking about. I probably should have used their proper name, horse chestnuts! Ellie and I went hunting for some just so I could take a photo and share!

269/365 26th September

My dad was busy working on his new baby, otherwise known as the car that was last on the road in 1979! I don't know enough about cars to explain exactly what he was doing this time but I do know it involved the engine and it was causing him plenty of problems. He enjoys figuring how to fix things like this and it keeps him busy so it's a good thing.

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

This week my Word of the Week is: 

This past week has been chaotic but in the best way. There seems to have been something going on every day and even when we thought we'd made plans, those plans seemed to change within minutes.

Last Saturday was going to be a quiet night out at the pub at a country night but a few people turned up who I wasn't expecting and suddenly the night became much more fun than I thought it was going to be. Becky and I were getting the bus home just after 10pm when we decided that maybe we weren't quite ready for the night to finish, so we went into town. I rang Stu and asked if he or Ellie wanted to come. Stu said no but Ellie was up for it. She had to get herself ready and get down to the bus stop quickly. I gave her about half an hour to do what would normally take an hour! She got ready and ran to the bus stop and somehow made it with a minute to spare. Phew! I was impressed, I would probably have still been deciding what to wear when she was getting the bus. lol We headed into town and had a fantastic time. I always say the best nights out are the unplanned ones. We eventually got a taxi home and I was ready for bed by the time we got in.

Ellie's whole week has been mad! She started work, which is obviously a big thing but she still had a couple of appointments to go to during the week. Trying to fit everything around work and buses hasn't been easy and there have been a few changes along the way. One appointment was moved and then it was moved back to the original time. The problem was that this only happened after Ellie had already got the bus into town. She had a couple of hours to kill but wasn't too bothered as she got to see her "friend". Mid-week she had another appointment and then just a few hours later she had to be at work. There was no point in her coming all the way home, only to have about an hour before she needed to leave again, so she stayed in town, met up with friends and had lunch out and a look around the shops. I'm really pleased she's started work though even if I have spent most of my week tracking buses. It's been hard work getting to this point, so seeing her actually getting into a routine and having somewhere to go has been lovely.

Becky has been busy at work this week too. They had a big inspection which happens every year so everyone has been preparing for it and making sure everything was up to par. It's one of those times when everyone is on their best behaviour and making sure everything is done properly. There has been lots of checking, double-checking and making sure everything is where it should be. Thankfully it's all over now, so hopefully everyone can relax a little bit and get back to normal.

Last night I was supposed to be out at Bongo's Bingo event but I just couldn't be bothered after this week. It seemed like too much for my head to take! Bongo's Bingo isn't your usual bingo! The numbers are called out but in between games there are DJs, dancing, singalongs, cheesy music, competitions and ridiculous prizes. Normally I think it would be a lot of fun but after the week I've had, I just didn't have it in me.

I am loving watching Big Brother this year. It has been much more entertaining than previous years, there always seems to be something happening and there are definitely a few housemates who have made it interesting. Then there is Jedward, the celebrity guests who have brought the chaos. If you don't know who they are they are John and Edward, Irish twins who became famous by being a bit of a novelty act on The X Factor back in 2009. They are so annoying but I still love them! They caused a big argument and basically split the house but it sure did make good TV.

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 39. #FridayFavourites

Happy Friday! I hope you've all had a good week. We have had a really great week with lots going on. I have a few things that have made me smile this week and, of course, I am linking up with Erika and Andrea to share what I have loved this week!

Dolly Parton Day!

Today 9/25 is the day to honour the life and legacy of Dolly Parton and I couldn't not mention her on my Friday Favourites. You don't even have to be a big country music fan to know the words to songs like 9 to 5 or I will always love you but I think what made Dolly so special is everything she did outside of music! Her Imagination Library of course and helping people when they really needed it. Dolly may no longer be here, but her music, books, films, kindness and all the things she created are going nowhere. That's quite a legacy!

The Great British Bake Off!

It's back on TV and I do love it. The new series started here on Tuesday. Don't worry I won't be giving spoilers away apart from the first episode was very chaotic but Nigella Lawson has settled right in. She is so fancy though, especially when you hear her next to Alison Hammond.

A good start at work!

My youngest started work this week and she has got on great. It's been really lovely her coming home and telling us about her day, what she's been doing and the people she's met. The highlight of her week was getting a name badge which I had to give her a talking to about. She must remember to take it off when she comes out of work. I don't want any stranger knowing her name. She has made some new friends and thinks it's fantastic being treated like a real adult.

A country night!

I was out on Saturday night with friends at a local pub who had a country singer on. It was fantastic but so strange. Usually when singers are on at the pub most people are quite reserved and don't get up and dance until at least the second half of the performance but 2 songs in and we were up dancing and didn't really stop until the last song. It was such fun! In case you were wondering, it was Billy Ray Cyrus' Achy Breaky Heart which got us all up! lol

Samsung Galaxy AI Hot Chocolate!

Remember last week when Stu was given some Google Pixel socks from the reps who came to show off their new phones at his work, well this time it was Samsung's turn and they brought hot chocolate, reusable bags and water bottles for everyone. I claimed the hot chocolate and mini marshmallows. hehehe

Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story!

I finished watching Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story on Netflix yesterday and I can't decide how I felt about it. The acting was good, the story was interesting and it kept me watching but it is definitely not a show for the easily offended! I went into it knowing it was about Lizzie Borden and the murders so I was expecting some dark stuff. What I wasn't ready for was how rude and sweary it was. That song in I think the 2nd episode. Wow, it's not very often you hear the "C" word on TV and I don't think I've ever heard it in a song. Eek!

What have you loved this week?

The worst British snacks!

Late last year I wrote a blog post about my go-to snacks. You know the comforting ones you grab when you're peckish, bored, avoiding your responsibilities. Those snacks were the good ones but this post is dedicated to the British snacks that make you pause, squint and just wonder why they are even in existence.

Pickled Eggs!

Pickled eggs have been around forever. They're hard-boiled eggs that have been dunked in vinegar and left to marinate until they become pickled. You find them in old school pubs or behind chip shop counters but to me, they look like something from a science lab. Some people love them with a pint. They're rubbery, tangy and smell like they could strip paint!

Battered Mars bars!

Scotland's contribution to the dessert world! On paper, it sounds like a fun idea. A chocolate bar which is battered and deep fried but when you actually bite into one you realise the whole thing is an experience you weren't prepared for. The outside is hot and crispy and the chocolate inside is molten. The batter becomes strangely soggy, like it's confused about what it's meant to be and before you know it, you're drinking warm chocolate through the batter. The only time this snack makes sense is when you're drunk, freezing cold and standing outside a chippy at midnight.

Beef Jerky!

Beef jerky can be good in America but here is a gamble. Half the time it's so tough you feel like you're giving your jaw a workout. The other half is flavoured with something suspiciously labelled smoky BBQ that tastes like it was invented by someone who has never actually eaten BBQ. It's salty, chewy and it sticks in your teeth like it's trying to live there rent free!

Cheese Strings!

Cheese Strings is a childhood snack that tricks you into believing you're eating cheese. They're marketed as fun because you can pull them apart into strings, which is the most exciting part of the whole experience. They taste slightly cheesy, like rubber and bouncy enough to question what percentage is actually dairy. Kids love them but for grown adults, you're basically eating a cheese flavoured candle.

Marmite on toast!

This is the snack that divides the nation. People either love it, hate it and feel strongly about it. For those of us who are firmly on the absolutely not side, Marmite is a snack that can ruin your whole day with just one smear. It's salty, intense and tastes like misery. The smell alone can clear a room faster than a fire alarm!

Mini pots of trifle!

Trifle is lovely. Proper trifles but mini supermarket trifles are not good. The cream tastes like thick nothing, the jelly always feels warm, even when it's been in the fridge and the sponge is somehow both soggy and dry at the same time, which shouldn't be possible. Every layer feels like it belongs to a different dessert.

Cup a Soup (especially Tomato)!

I love a comforting soup but Cup a Soup is something else. The tomato flavour tastes like someone tried to liquefy ketchup and accidentally added dust. It's got that weird powdery aftertaste and it never mixes properly! You always end up with little clumps floating around. If you want soup, make soup.

Pork Scratchings!

A pub classic but also a dental hazard. When they're good, they’re crunchy, salty and satisfying. When they're not good, they’re rock hard, painfully salty and sharp enough to cause an injury. Some even have hair on them. Eww!

Rice Cakes (Especially Plain Ones!)

Rice cakes are one of those snacks people pretend to enjoy when they're being healthy but they taste like air. Flavoured ones are fine, but the plain ones just make me sad. You might as well chew on cardboard. At least cardboard has texture.

Twiglets!

I'm sorry if you love them, I really am but Twiglets taste like burnt Marmite on a stick. They're crunchy but they also taste like they were designed to test if you really are a snack lover. Marmite is already controversial enough, we didn't need a crunchy version trying to ruin our days too!

If you love any of these, no judgement, you're braver than me. I am sure some of these snacks were invented as a dare. Now I'm curious, what's the worst snack you've ever tried?

The Wednesday Hodgepodge #74

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. Fall arrives this week in the northern hemisphere. Does it look/feel like fall where you live? What's something you love to do this time of year that makes you feel its officially fall?

It is really starting to feel like autumn here in England. On Monday, when I was writing this, it was sunny but colder than it has been. Some days it feels like summer is still hanging on, when we have the odd warm day but you can feel the chill in the air, especially in the morning. I don't want to get up in the morning and would rather stay under the duvet and poor Stu leaves for work with a jacket and jumper on as it's cold and by the time he's coming home he's having to carry it as it still warms up later in the day. It's getting darker earlier in the evening and it won't be long until the clocks go back. The leaves are starting to change. Some are still green but I'm starting to see more yellow, orange and brown appearing! I have noticed Conker shells on the ground. I couldn't see any conkers but it won't be long until they start appearing too. I do like collecting them. Years ago my great aunt said that if you have conkers around the house it keeps the spiders away. I'm sure it's an old wives tale but it's something I still do.

Getting under a blanket is one of the things that make it feel like autumn has arrived. I always have a blanket next to my armchair so I can grab it whenever I want it. At the moment, it's not really cold enough for it all the time but it's nice to put over me when I am wanting that warm, tucked up feeling. It’s a brilliant blanket, it has a bit of weight to it so it doesn't fall off all the time, it is thick and it is very cosy. In a month or so, it will be over me all the time when I am sat here on my laptop or watching TV.

2. What's a small daily task or chore that always seems to fall through the cracks when your schedule gets busy?

For me, it's probably putting clothes away properly. I can keep on top of the laundry, getting it all washed and get it all dried but actually folding it and putting it away seems to be the bit that gets forgotten when I'm busy. I always think I'll do that later and later comes and there's still a pile of clean clothes sitting there!

3. What's something you're falling for lately?

I'm falling for hot chocolate again. I don't need much of an excuse to have one but the chillier and darker evenings somehow make it feel right. Now I am having a hot chocolate in an evening instead of my usual cup of tea. Over the summer, I didn't drink hot chocolate at all and I always forget how much I enjoy it. Mostly I just have plain hot chocolate but sometimes treat myself and top it with cream and marshmallows and when December comes around I will add a drop of Bailey's Irish Cream.

4. Pumpkin is a popular flavor this time of year. Are you a fan? What's your favorite pumpkin flavored food or beverage?

I am a fan of pumpkin but I like it more in sweet things rather than savoury dishes. Now is when you start seeing everything pumpkins in the shops and it's hard not to get tempted by it all. My favourite drink has to be a Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks. I love having an iced one while it's still warm outside and then switching to a hot one when the weather gets colder. If Autumn had a taste, that would be it. Food wise, I have just discovered a cranberry & pumpkin seed bread that is delicious. I just have it with butter spread on.

5. What's something you wish would never change? Explain.

I think it would be family time. Things have changed as my girls have got older but I never want to lose those times that we have together. Even when the girls move out, I hope we still have those moments. Enjoying a nice meal together, watching TV, random phone calls talking about nothing, going out somewhere or just having a laugh over something silly, usually the TikTok videos that they send me.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

Poor Ellie, my youngest had a midday appointment all sorted and then a couple of days before they went and moved it to 10am which actually worked out better for her day anyway. So she gets all the way into town, steps right off the bus and they ring and say it's been moved back to midday! When she told me, I asked why she didn't just tell them she was already there and see if they could squeeze her in early. She said she hadn't thought of doing that. Bless her. When I was her age, I was exactly the same, terrified of making a fuss, asking a question or being an inconvenience to anyone. It’s taken me a lot of life experience and years to gain the confidence to realise that sometimes you need to speak up and ask! The worst they can do is say no and then you're no worse off than you started. I gave Ellie a little pep talk and she promised me she'd try asking next time. It's hard being a grown up!

Parenting young adults - When their partner stays over!

Nobody really warns you about this stage of parenting. You get plenty of notice about sleepless nights, tantrums, slammed doors and teenagers who communicate entirely in sighs but nobody sits you down and says one day another adult will stay in your house and it will feel strange for reasons you can't quite explain! When your children are adults and have been in a solid relationship for a decent amount of time, it's bound to happen, they want their person to stay over. Eek! 

I thought I'd be relaxed about it. I told myself I'm modern, reasonable and there would be no stress over the partner of your adult child staying over and I said it all very confidently, right up until the first time it actually happened and that is a whole different story! Oh! and before anyone jumps to any conclusions, don't assume there are shenanigans happening and people are sharing beds.

The first stay is just weird! The house feels different. Everyone’s polite in an over-the-top way. My young adult keeps checking in with me using their eyes, like they’re asking permission but without words. Their partner is doing that careful guest behaviour where they’re trying not to take up too much space, even though their presence alone already feels quite big. That first night, I go to bed far more awake than usual. Not worried exactly, just aware. Aware of doors closing and of footsteps moving around. It is just weird!

Morning comes and immediately I remember someone else is here. I suddenly care about how I look when I leave my bedroom, even though this is the same house where I will happily wander around with no bra on, scruffy PJs and with my hair doing whatever it wants. I become oddly aware of my voice, my clothes and the general state of things. Then comes the first kitchen moment. That overly cheerful "good morning". Everyone is smiling a bit too hard. Breakfast is awkward. I don’t know whether to offer breakfast or pretend I was just grabbing something and will be back later. They don’t know whether to sit, stand, or hang around near the doorway. Your young adult goes to the bathroom, abandoning me and then I have to make small talk, it is just so awkward.

I notice me editing myself too. There is less muttering, less narrating what I'm doing and fewer random comments fired out there. I'm still me but a slightly toned down version. I'm the version I use around people you don’t know very well yet. Which feels odd, because this is my house and I usually don’t filter much at all. As the day goes on, things ease a little with conversations lasting longer and then nighttime rolls around again, bringing with it that same quietness. I don’t talk about it but you know everyone else is aware too.

What surprised me most was how grown up it all felt in a how did we get here so fast! One minute I was tying their shoelaces, the next I'm sharing a sofa with another adult who is part of my child’s life now. This person isn’t just passing through, they matter to my young adult and that adds some extra importance to everything. I want to be welcoming without putting on a show, I want to be myself and I want my home to feel safe for everyone.

By the second or third stay over, things become a lot less awkward but still not how they usually are. I've moved past the initial shock but I'm still getting used to things. I start noticing things more. The way the house sounds with an extra person in it and how conversations change slightly. It is different having another adult around, someone who isn’t your responsibility but is still there, someone who belongs to another family, another home and is now in mine for a short time. Somewhere in the middle of all this, I've had a few emotional moments and realised this isn’t really about the guest at all, it’s about my child growing up, about them building relationships that don’t revolve around me and I am no longer the centre of their world!

As time goes on, the awkwardness does fade. I've stopped overthinking everything, worrying about if I'm doing things right and I have gone back to being more myself. The house has settled down again, even with an extra person in it and sometimes, if I'm lucky, that extra adult starts to feel less like a guest and more like a member of the family. Someone I can chat to easily and who fits into the rhythm of the house without trying too hard. It doesn’t happen straight away and it doesn’t happen all the time but when it does, it takes the edge off those wobbly days.

If you’re in that stage now, feeling like your house has shifted slightly and you’re still adjusting, that’s normal. It doesn’t mean you’re not supportive or relaxed or handling it well. It just means you’re human and this is one of those quiet parenting milestones nobody really talks about and if nothing else, it’s proof that somehow, without much warning at all, you’ve raised someone old enough to bring another adult home and that’s both a lovely thing and a slightly surreal one all at the same time.

Our weekly meal plan! 21st - 27th September! #MealPlanningMonday

Happy Monday! I hope you all had a lovely weekend! We had a great one. I was out on Saturday night with friends. We went for a meal and then went to a country night at the pub where they had a singer on. It was a lot of fun! Yesterday we all had a lazy day. I spent most of it in front of the TV while doing some blogging, which is pretty much my idea of a perfect Sunday these days!

Last week's meal plan went well. I did swap a couple of meals around but we ate everything. Our favourite meal was of course the leftover roast dinner pie! I put all the leftovers from the Sunday dinner into a pie dish and pastry on top and it was so good! I love using leftovers to make a different meal. I really enjoyed using the Gousto boxes last week, so we have another one this week with some of our favourite meals!

This week is going to be a strange one with Ellie working! Eek! Everything is up in the air at the moment as she doesn't get her shift pattern until later today. I can see myself being on edge all day, until she is home and I can hear about how her first day went. It feels like such a big thing when your children start a new job, even when they are grown up. I am going to keep myself busy and have a big tidy up in the garden. There is always something that needs doing out there and I have been putting quite a few jobs off. Stu is talking about having a tidy in the garage but he can do that himself. I do not like all the creepy crawlies in there! I am quite happy to leave that job to him.

On the menu this week we have:

Monday - No idea!

Stu is doing the cooking tonight, so it will be a surprise. I don't think he knows what he's planning to cook either but I think it will be something out of the freezer. I quite like nights like this because I don't have to decide anything. I can just turn up and eat!

Tuesday - Gousto meal - Mushroom Wellington With Onion Gravy And Mash!

This is one of our favourite meals from Gousto which is surprising considering my family are meat lovers. I think the first time we ate this I didn't tell them there was no meat in it. Hehehe This is a plant-based Wellington and you almost forget that it's supposed to have meat in it. Puff pastry is stuffed with mushrooms, sage and walnuts and served with mashed potato and covered in delicious onion gravy. It is one of those meals that sounds a little fancy but is actually really easy to make!

Wednesday - Gousto meal - Crispy Chicken Katsu Curry Burritos!

This is a fun twist on chicken katsu. Crispy breaded chicken and shredded lettuce wrapped in tortillas and topped with the most amazing sauce. Wrapping it all up makes it feel fun and it is a nice change from having katsu curry served in the usual way.

Thursday - Gousto meal - Sausage Meatball & Tomato Sauce With Fresh Orecchiette!

This is another one of our favourites from Gousto. My family would eat this every week given the chance. This one is sausage meatballs cooked in a 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

Friday - Chip shop tea!

We are back to having a chip shop tea this week and I am looking forward to it. No cooking and no fuss. The biggest drama is deciding what we fancy. Fish and chips? Sausage and chips? A burger? Kebab? Maybe a pie? There are so many options. Last week Stu and I had fish and chips and Ellie had her usual Doner kebab wrap.

Saturday - Pizza!

I don't know if it will be home made, fresh from the shop or frozen but I know it will be enjoyed.

Sunday - A help yourself evening!

I have no plans for Sunday at all. Everyone can help themselves to whatever they fancy and use up bits from the fridge, freezer and cupboards. There is always something that needs using up.

What are you eating this week?

A photo every day for a year! 13th - 19th September! Week 38 of #Project365

Happy Sunday!! I hope you've all had a lovely week and are enjoying your weekend. I was glad for the weekend to roll around. It was a hectic week with sorting out Ellie and her new job! You can read more about it in my Word of the Week post yesterday. It's only for 4 weeks, a temporary job but at least it's something. I am hoping for a nice little lie in this morning after being out last night with Becky and some friends. Today I am going to plonk my behind in my armchair, do some blogging and watch another Harry Potter movie!

Now for a photo every day!

256/365 13th September

Cooking a roast dinner is brilliant until you realise just how many dishes there are to wash afterwards! This wasn't even all of them! We don't have a dishwasher, so in our house the kids are the dishwashers and dryers. Hehehe! As much as I would love a dishwasher, we don't have the room in our kitchen and sometimes I do actually like standing looking out of the window and washing the pots, just not on a Sunday.

257/365 14th September

This looks like vomit but it was actually the leftover roast dinner pie filling! It wasn't the nicest thing to look at but it tasted so good! It had chicken, carrots, stuffing, parsnips, pigs in blankets and gravy, all mixed together and then I just whacked some puff pastry on the top. It was one of the best pies I have ever eaten, again! I say that every time that I make it. lol

258/365 15th September

I know it's far too early for Christmas things but I love the Merry Munch from M&S and Becky was very kind and treated me to an early tin. I couldn't resist opening it either. Christmas food seems to start appearing earlier and earlier every year and I am not complaining! There are milk chocolate coated salted peanuts, milk and white chocolate coated popcorn, salted pretzels, sugar coated milk chocolate peanuts, almonds in a salted caramel flavour coating and dark chocolate coated salted pretzels!

259/365 16th September

Just when I think my garden is finished giving me flowers, another one appears. This time it was another California poppy and it was such a lovely bright colour. It was so bright it was practically glowing!

260/365 17th September

I spotted the Pumpkin Spice Latte instant coffee sachets in Asda and couldn't resist giving them a try. They were £1.50 for four, which I thought was a pretty good price, especially when you pay around £4.50 for one from the actual Starbucks store. If they taste as good as the ones from Starbucks, I will be saving myself quite a bit of money. I haven't got around to trying them yet, I want to have one when I can sit down and really enjoy it.

261/365 18th September

On Friday I shared a photo of the biggest tomato from my garden which hasn't yet turned red and on Friday I think I found the smallest tomatoes growing in my garden! They are about the same size as small grapes. It amazes me that even in the middle of September things are still growing.

262/365 19th September

I had a look outside and it looked very grey. I was sure it was starting to rain too but the weather forecast says it should only last until lunchtime and then it will be dry until mid-week!

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