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

This week my Word of the Week is:

I think it's a pretty obvious choice seeing as today is Halloween! Do you have anything planned?

Yesterday I found myself carving pumpkins and I had so much fun. I wasn't sure how much help I was going to get from the girls because they weren't interested in anything like that. Becky took herself off to bed after her night shift and I was left with Ellie. The girls are at an age now where carving pumpkins is not cool! I was quite happy getting stuck in and before long Ellie was hovering around giving me hints and tips on what to do and what not to do. She was dying to join in but didn't want to admit it. hehehe

Ellie had a Halloween party last night and got all dressed up. She went all out with her outfit and covered her face in face paint. She looked great but I am really hoping the face paint washes off without too much trouble because she's got another something to go to tonight and she's wearing a completely different costume. Tonight's look is full on glam so the last thing she needs is yesterday's face paint hanging around! We always say that Halloween is Ellie's time to shine. She usually wears goth and emo-style clothes, so this time of year suits her perfectly.

I'm still laughing at my attempt to sort out a Halloween costume this week. A last minute thing is happening and it was decided that I need a Halloween costume. I spent about two hours scrolling through costumes on Amazon looking at different styles and trying to find the perfect one. I found one I liked, placed my order and waited for it to arrive. The excitement didn't last long as when I tried it on, it was too big! Oops! I did think about returning it but thought I could fix it with a bit of sewing. hahaha I have plenty of skills but sewing is not one of them. It wasn't my finest moment. The costume has now been donated and I have decided that my sewing career is over. In the end, I went back to my wardrobe and decided to wear a dress that I've had for ages but have never been brave enough to wear. I always feel like you can dress completely different on Halloween and no one bats and eyelid. I've bought a couple of accessories to go with the dress and I'm really excited about wearing it. Of course, there will be photos coming soon!

What makes the whole costume situation even funnier is that Stu doesn't have a clue that I am dressing up. The people we're going out with are all dressing up in fancy dress and he thinks I'm just wearing a black dress with little skulls on. I'm keeping it a surprise because I think his reaction is going to be quite funny. I'm quite looking forward to seeing his face when I walk in. I think that's one of the things I like about Halloween. It's a chance to have a bit of fun, be a little silly and do things you wouldn't normally do.

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 44! #FridayFavourites

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

Becky's training!

Becky, my eldest had training at work this week and she wasn't happy at all. She's used to working permanent night shifts and wasn't looking forward to having to change things around. She had her Sunday night shift off but then had to go into work on Monday and Tuesday for six hours during the day. It wasn't as bad as she thought it was going to be and she actually enjoyed it! She got to meet some new people who work on the opposite shift and the training wasn't too bad. The thing I have loved was having Becky home for three evenings on the trot. We watched TV, had a good chat and made some plans. It's also given Becky something to think about. Having a taste of working during the day again has made her wonder whether she might fancy a change in her life. She's been doing permanent nights for years and it is sometimes so hard for her, especially in the darker months.

Darker evenings!

The clocks changed in the early hours of Sunday morning and the dark nights are well and truly here. At this time of year I love it! It's nice to shut the curtains, put my Pjs on early and get cosy. When it's dark out I don't feel guilty about doing nothing like I do in the summer, now I feel like everything can wait until tomorrow. In a month or so the novelty will wear off and I will be wishing for more daylight!

The Glee Reboot!

Glee is coming back! The reboot has been announced and I am very excited. The original series was one of my favourite shows at one time. I'm curious to see who is going to return and how it will work. Two things have to happen. You can't have Glee without Sue Sylvester and the first episode needs to be called "The Cheerleader" in honour of Naya Rivera who played Santana just like the episode to honour Cory Monteith! I'm trying not to get too carried away thinking about it because reboots are not always great but I will give it a chance!

It's almost November!

My favourite month of the year. Things start gearing up for Christmas, it's my birthday and I have a lot of plans.

Halloween costumes!

I'm still laughing at my attempt to sort out a Halloween costume this week. A last minute thing is happening and it was decided that I need a Halloween costume. It has been a whole drama which I am going to write more about tomorrow in my Word of the Week.

One Born Every Minute!

Another thing I've been pleased to see this week is that One Born Every Minute is back on TV with a new series, seven years after it was axed. If you've never watched it, it's a British documentary series that takes you inside a busy maternity ward, following parents as they prepare to have their babies. There is all the emotions and I often find myself reaching for the tissues! There are happy tears and some really heart breaking stories. I think what makes it so interesting is that no two births are the same. You never quite know what's going to happen. It's nice to have it back on my TV.

What have you loved this week?

My November goals & plans!

I’m carrying on with my monthly goals and plans. Writing things down really gives me that little kick up the behind 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 November and ticked a lot off my list. There was just one thing I never got around to doing and hopefully I can fit that before the month ends.

Make plans for my birthday - Yes! I have some great ones. Some with friends, some with family and some things just for me.

Make an apple crumble - Yes and a pie too!

Get back into a proper morning routine - Yes and it was easier than I though it would be. Going to bed earlier has really helped.

Work on my end of year blog post - Yes I got caught up with it.

Have a hot pumpkin spiced latte - Yes and it was so good. Hot drinks are so nice when it's cold out.

Light some candles - Yes! This one was easy. I think I have had one burning most days.

Make it through October without buying every seasonal food item I see - Almost! I did buy a few seasonal items but that was only because they were new and I wanted to see if I liked them.

Use the slow cooker at least once a week - Yes and I tried some new recipes. We got meals from Gousto and they were supposed to be cooked in the oven. I just threw everything in the slow cooker and it worked out well.

Start a new TV series - Yep, I started 2. I've almost finished The Gentleman off Netflix and I am halfway through Ted Lasso. That might be my favourite show of the year!

Have a pumpkin day - No but I have plans to over the next couple of days.

In November, I want to:

Have a great birthday!

This should be easy as I already have a few things planned. A night away with Stu and a family meal are what I am most looking forward to. I think you should always make a big fuss about birthdays, it's the one day of year just for you. I think my birthday is going to be a week long celebration which I am happy about.

Sort Christmas food!

I already have my Christmas grocery delivery booked. It's set to be delivered a couple of days before Christmas, so that's one less thing to worry about. Over the next month I want to get everything for the cupboards, chocolate, soft drinks and alcohol. Then I will start adding things to the online basket and make sure we have everything we need for the big day. Fresh food, all the veg for the Christmas dinner and anything else which takes our fancy.

Run the freezer down and get it defrosted!

I need to get this done before I go out shopping with my Dad for some of the Christmas food. Every year he takes me out shopping. We go to Home Bargains for a mooch around and get all the freezer food from Iceland (the frozen food shop). Now we need to use up everything inside of the freezer to create some space for all the goodies that I am going to buy. I think we are having New Year's Eve at home this year so I need to stock up on the party food too.

Try a couple of Christmas drinks from coffee shops!

I love all the seasonal drinks at this time of year. I'm hoping to get out and try a few Christmas drinks in November. Costa Coffee is my favourite at this time of year. I want a Black Forest Hot Chocolate and yule log in one sitting and the Terry's Chocolate Orange hot chocolate and muffin too. I also have my eye on the Candy Cane Mint Hot Chocolate from Greggs as well. Yum!

Deep clean and change the living room around!

I always want to and need to change the living room around this time of year to make room for the Christmas tree. I like to have a good deep clean too. Moving the furniture around makes it easier as I can get behind the sofa and cupboards. I think it's nice to put the decorations up in a sparkly clean room. I can't see much dusting getting done in December as the decorations take over.

Put up the Christmas tree and decorations!

We will put the decorations up the day after my birthday. My birthday falls on a weekend this year so it's perfect! It's a rule that we don't start celebrating Christmas until after my birthday. Once my birthday is out of the way, I'm ready to get the decorations out and make the house look all Christmassy. I don't think I need to buy any new decorations this year but it won't stop me buying some new things for the tree.

Watch lots of Marvel movies!

Avengers: Doomsday is being released in the cinemas in the middle of December and going to see it will be on my December list. This month I want to watch lots of Marvel films to get in the mood for it. Disney+ has been really helpful and has marked all the important films to watch so at least I know where to start.

Have a proper pamper evening!

I think I will need it towards the end of the month! November is going to be a busy one so I want to make sure I have some me time. My idea of a pamper evening is a nice soak in the bath while having a scroll through TikTok while I soak. I need lots of bubbles and a bath bomb of course. I want to dye my hair as it will need doing by then, do a facemask and paint my nails too.

Finish the present buying!

I'm getting there with the Christmas gift buying but I've still got a few more to buy. I do have things in mind, so at least I am not going in blind. Then I have the wrapping to do. Ugh! I hate wrapping presents so might get the girls to help.

Make a homemade soup that I've never made before!

It's soup weather and I want to try making something different this month. I love a good homemade soup when it's cold outside and it's a great way to use up vegetables that get thrown in the bin. I usually stick to the same recipes, so I'd like to try something new.

What do you have planned for November?

The Wednesday Hodgepodge #79

Happy Wednesday! I hope you're all having a lovely week so far. It’s time for another round of the Wednesday Hodgepodge hosted by Joyce who blogs at From This Side of the Pond. Joyce gives us six questions, we share our answers and everyone links up! Simple!

1. What most recently gave you goose bumps?

I was trying to think of something exciting or dramatic but I have nothing. lol. The only time I've been getting goose bumps lately is on a morning when I get out of bed. Leaving the cosy, warm duvet behind is a struggle. I have been hitting the snooze buttle quite a few times each morning. My bed is lovely and warm but the rest of the house not so much! We've not been putting the heating on in the morning yet as none of us would want to ever get out of bed.

2. What does Halloween look like in your home and/or neighborhood these days? Do you participate?

Over the years Halloween has become a bigger thing here in England but just not where I live. I don't decorate the house anymore, the kids are older and fake cobwebs are not cool. We don't get many trick or treaters calling here as we're a bit out of town so it doesn't seem worth the effort. I've only noticed one house with Halloween decorations up so far and it looks fantastic. I think most people wait until a couple of days before to put their decorations up.

3. Pumpkin, sunflower, sesame, poppy, chia...your favorite seed on the list? What's something you like to make/eat that calls for one of these seeds in the recipe?

My fella puts chai seeds in smoothies and on yoghurt but I am not a fan. If I had to pick, sesame seeds are the only ones I eat. I like them on burger buns, bagels and prawn toast when we order a Chinese takeaway! Yum! The last recipe I remember having with sesame seeds was the sticky sesame beef mince stir fry. It was one of the meals delivered from Gousto a while back.

4. What's the most (or one of the most) 'fall photos' you've ever taken? Share it here. Just one.

It was so hard to share just one photo. I had pretty sunsets, carved pumpkins, rain on the windows and the girls dressed up for Halloween. I decided to go with this. A big box of apples picked straight from my dad’s trees. They are a sign that the seasons are changing. I always get apples from my dad. Just over the weekend I got a bag full and made and apple pie and a crumble.

5. Somehow we're rolling in to November next week. If your October were a chapter in a book, what would the title of this chapter be?

My title would be, October: The month that lasted five minutes! October flew over. It doesn't seem five minutes since we were at the start of the month and now we're almost at the end. Can time just slow down a little. Christmas will be here before we know it and then the new year!

6. Insert your own random thought here.

I am writing this on Sunday afternoon and thinking about prawn toast from question 3. It has me craving a Chinese takeaway. We're not going to get one. No one wants to go out, they don't deliver and it's cold and it's really windy outside. Storm Boelo is supposed to ease off later tonight. It didn't really hit here in North Lincolnshire and I am thankful for that but people have been left without power, are flooded and there has been a lot of damage.

Easy pumpkin spice cake - Recipe!

I always get a feeling that I want to bake at this time of year. It's partly to warm the kitchen up and partly because the Great British Bake Off is back on TV. The Bake Off always makes me want to get in the kitchen and whip up something tasty and this is where this pumpkin spice cake comes in.

This pumpkin spice cake is soft and full of spices with the pumpkin adding a lovely texture without making the cake taste too much of pumpkin. If you've never baked with pumpkin before don't let it put you off, It really doesn't make your cake taste like a vegetable patch! If you like carrot cake you will probably like this! This cake looks like you've spent hours baking and really pushed the boat out but it is really simple to make!

Ingredients!

For the cake:

225g plain flour.

2 teaspoons baking powder.

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon.

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger.

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg.

1/4 teaspoon salt.

175g brown sugar.

2 large eggs.

120ml vegetable oil.

200g pumpkin puree.

1 teaspoon vanilla extract.

2 tablespoons milk.

For the optional icing:

100g cream cheese.

50g icing sugar.

1 teaspoon vanilla extract.

1 to 2 tablespoons milk if needed.

How to make!

Pop your oven on to preheat to 180°C / 160°C fan / Gas Mark 4 and grab a round cake tin or a loaf tin. I used to grease mine but after having too many stubborn cakes refusing to leave the tin I use some baking paper to line it!

In a large bowl mix together all the dry ingredients. The flour, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and salt. Give everything a good stir so the spices are well mixed through the flour. This is where it should start to smell like Autumn. The pumpkin spice smell is one of my favourite smells at this time of year.

For your wet mixture, in a separate bowl add the brown sugar, eggs and vegetable oil. Mix them together until everything looks smooth. It doesn't need to be perfect so don't worry about getting the electric mixer out, you don't want to over mix it! Next you add the pumpkin puree and vanilla extract and give it another good mix. Add the milk and give it another quick stir.

Now slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. I usually do this with a couple of additions rather than tipping the whole bowl of flour in at once as it just seems too hard to give it a good mix. Stir until everything is mixed so you don't see any rouge bits of flour. I love this part because the mixture starts to look a lot like a proper cake batter!

Pour the batter straight into the tin you have already prepared and give the top a quick smooth over with the back of a spoon or spatula. Pop it into the oven and let it bake for around 30 to 35 minutes. Keep a close eye on it towards the end since every oven acts a bit differently. You will know it's done when it looks darker and has risen! Poke a skewer into the centre of the cake and if it is done it should come out nice and clean. As long as there isn't any wet batter you're good to get it out of the oven!

When you have got it out of the oven let it sit in the tin for about 10 minutes. After that, move it to a wire rack so it can cool all the way through. It's very tempting to sneak a slice when it's still warm but if you're planning on adding the icing you will have to wait!

Making the optional icing!

If you fancy making the cream cheese icing it couldn't be easier and it's worth it! Chuck your cream cheese, icing sugar and a splash of vanilla into a bowl and beat it together until it's nice and smooth. If it's a bit thick loosen it up with a splash of milk. You're aiming for it to be soft enough to spread without dragging the cake but not so runny that it just slides right off the edges!

Make sure your cake is fully cooled before you put the icing on. Dollop it on top and spread it about and don't stress about making it look perfect. I think homemade cakes are not meant to look perfect Then all that's left to do is cut yourself a slice and enjoy it with a cup of tea!

A few quick tips before you get baking!

Make sure you grab plain pumpkin puree not pumpkin pie filling! They look very similar on the supermarket shelf but he pie filling has extra sugar and spices that we don't want.

If you're stuck and can't find any pumpkin puree, it can be hard to find here in England, you can easily make your own. Roast or boil some chunks of pumpkin until they're soft and blitz them in the blender until completely smooth. Just remember to let it cool down before it goes anywhere near your batter!

Don't panic about the colour. This cake is going to look a lot darker than a normal sponge thanks to the brown sugar and the pumpkin. So if it looks a bit golden brown don't worry it isn't burnt, it's meant to look like that!

If you fancy making individual cupcakes, just spoon your batter into some cupcake cases and check on them after about 18 to 22 minutes. They'll cook a lot faster than one big whole cake.

Don't stress too much if you're missing a spice. Cinnamon is the important one here that gives it that proper cosy autumn smell and taste so as long as you've got that covered, you're good to go!

What cakes do you like to bake at this time of year?

Our weekly meal plan! 26th Oct - 1st Nov! #MealPlanningMonday

Happy Monday! I hope you all had a lovely weekend! We had a great one here with a lot of staying inside where it was nice and warm. We had some rotten weather with lots of rain and wind from Storm Boelo but thankfully it wasn't too bad where we are. I've spent some time in the kitchen over the weekend doing a bit of baking and now it's time to get organised for another week of meals.

Last week's meal plan went great!! We ate everything and on the day I had planned too! The Oven Baked Normandy-Style Chicken Thigh & Apple Casserole worked well in the slow cooker and it was different from the usual gravy based casseroles that we usually have. The cheeseburger macaroni was the biggest hit of the week, it always is! My family go crazy for it and were fighting over leftovers.

I've had to change a few plans for this week because Becky has training at work. She isn't happy, she was given Sunday night off work and is in 6 hours today and 6 hours tomorrow. She doesn't usually mind doing the training but those are her only days off work this week. It's a good job she didn't have anything important planned. I'm hoping to get into town at some point this week. I've got a list of things I need to buy. Nothing exciting just random bits and pieces like hair dye, tights, a new candle lighter and spatulas as all but one of ours have gone missing!

On the menu this week we have:

Monday - Spaghetti Bolognese and garlic bread!

We're starting the week with a family favourite. This is one of those meals that I've made so many times over the years that I'm pretty sure I could make it with my eyes closed. It's easy, filling and always goes down well. We'll have it with garlic bread which comes straight out of the freezer. My family can't even agree on which type of garlic bread is best. Half of us prefer the slices, while the other half like the baguettes. I usually buy a mix so everyone can have what they like and it saves them complaining to me.

Tuesday - Gousto meal - All In One Hearty Beef & Mushroom Pie!

We've had this meal before from Gousto and it is delicious! I think the surprise ingredient of Marmite really adds to the flavour, usually I would never have anything with Marmite but in this dish it really works! The beef and mushroom filling makes this a proper hearty meal which is exactly what we need when the weather is cold out!

Wednesday - Gousto meal - One Tray Sticky Sweet & Sour Pork Meatball Tray Bake

This is another meal we have had before and really enjoyed! The sweet and sour sauce gives the pork meatballs plenty of flavour and I like that it's a tray bake. Anything that keeps the washing up to a minimum is a winner in my book!

Thursday - Gousto meal - Smoky Cheddar "Mummy" Sausage Rolls With Garlicky Wedges & Salad!

This sounded like a fun meal with Halloween coming up! Sausage rolls always go down well in our house and adding the smoky cheddar sounds like a tasty way to make them a bit different. I will be skipping the cheese as I don't eat cheddar, it gives me migraines.

Friday - Pizza!

It has been a while since we had pizza on a Friday so I think it's about time it made an appearance. They will be shop bought as I am always busy on a Friday. I got a pizza deal a few weeks ago and I think we might get that again. You get 2 pizzas, 2 sides or pack of drinks and a dip for £10 which I think is a great deal considering the pizzas alone would usually come to £10.80.

Saturday - Scampi, chips and peas!

This is another easy meal that doesn't need too much effort from me which is perfect for a Saturday. I have always said if I was to have a last meal, this would be it! 

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! 18th - 24th October Week 43 of #Project365

Happy Sunday!! I hope you've all had a lovely week and are enjoying your weekend. It has been a bit of a stormy one here in England. We've had plenty of wind and rain so it has been nice to have an excuse to stay inside and keep warm. I did a bit more baking yesterday, making apple crumble and chocolate chip cookies. Baking is such a cosy thing to do. It warms the kitchen up, makes the house smell lovely and gives us something nice to eat.

Today is supposed to be dry but still windy, so we'll have a little look outside to make sure there hasn't been any damage and once that's done the rest of the day will be spent chilling out. I am planning on watching the live action remake of Moana this afternoon and we have the United States Grand Prix on TV tonight. I'm looking forward to it. It will be different watching it in the evening instead of the afternoon but I'm not complaining.

Now for a photo every day!

291/365 18th October

It felt like a good time to start watching some Halloween films. Hocus Pocus was first on my list. It's such a great film and one I always enjoy watching at this time of year.

292/365 19th October

Tis the season for fluffy socks. It has been chilly here and I know if my feet are warm the rest of me is too. Fluffy socks are one of those little things that make the colder months more bearable.

293/365 20th October

A new plant in my garden. According to my plant app it is a Common borage also known as: Beeplant, Cover Crop, Starflower, Borage, Cool tankard and Beebread. The lovely Anca tells me it's edible and she uses it on salad and cakes, according to Google it tastes just like cucumber.

294/365 21st October

Ellie and her "friend" did some crafts and made a pumpkin hand print canvas. I thought it was so cute. Of course, I had to cover the names and dates with the little heart before sharing the photo. They have lots of plans for more crafty things that they are going to do in the run up to Christmas.

295/365 22nd October

I stocked one of the sweet boxes up this week. Sainsbury's had an offer on some of the bags of chocolate and sweets for Halloween, with a few being half price. It would have been stupid not to buy them. I like keeping the sweet boxes stocked up because it means there's usually something to choose from when we're watching TV or fancy a little treat.

296/365 23rd October

I made an apple pie with apples from my dad's trees. When my dad gave me the bag of apples, he told me to look out for wasps because there had been quite a few around the trees and in the apples. Eek! That's not the sort of thing you want to hear when you're given a bag full of apples. I was very careful and there were no wasps.

297/365 24th October

Pringles have brought out their new secret flavour for Christmas! I spotted these and had to give them a try. To me, they just taste like sage and onion stuffing. I couldn't really pick out anything else, so that's my guess for now.

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

This week my Word of the Week is:

This week has been a nice week with lots of good things that I wrote about in my Friday Favourite's post and I feel I have just been plodding along with life quite happily. There has been nothing big happening. I had this whole blog post almost finished and then my plans all yesterday. I had more time than I thought I did

I got a bag full of apples from my dad on Friday, he always has plenty as he has three big trees. I had planned on just baking today but had some spare time yesterday so made an apple pie and it was so good, we had it with custard after tea. There are still some apples left so might make a crumble this afternoon. Ellie has also requested that I make chocolate chip cookies too which will be a nice treat for her when she gets in.

This coming Tuesday I was supposed to be going for afternoon tea with Becky and a couple of friends. It would have would have been lovely but Becky has to do training at work. It's not all bad though, they gave her the Sunday 12 hour nightshift off and she's in 6 hours Monday and 6 hours on Tuesday We are going to have to arrange it for another time as it's been far too long since we were all together. The last time was back in April so it is well overdue. I was looking forward to spending time with friends, having a good catch up and probably putting the world to rights over a cup of tea. I just hope we can get in before the end of November because I really want to try the pumpkin pie, toffee apple crumble and cinnamon swirl cheesecake. Yum!

We will also have pumpkins to carve over the next week! I'm doing one myself and Ellie and her "friend" are going to as well. They are into doing crafty things at the moment. They made pumpkin hand print canvases during the week and I will be sharing a photo tomorrow. I thought it was such a cute thing to do together and they are already planning more things to do. Baking Christmas cookies, building a gingerbread house and making personalised Christmas baubles! I love that they are finding things they enjoy doing together especially when it involves getting creative rather than just sitting around scrolling on TikTok! I am quite tempted to join in with some of their Christmas crafts.

Ellie is planning on getting the last of her Christmas shopping done next week, she is so organised. She is going to town with her "friend" and will hopefully get some ideas of what to buy him too. I need to go to town sometime soon too, to buy some hair dye! My roots are coming through thick and fast and I have plenty of colour but none of the blonde lightening dye. Eek!

Then we have Halloween. The girls both have plans and they are very excited about dressing up and I will have to make a point of getting some photos! It has been years since they last dressed up for Halloween. Stu and I have plans too, we never usually do anything for Halloween but this year we are and that's all I will say about that for now.

November is going to be the busiest month by far. Stu and I have a night away planned, it's my birthday and of course we have Bonfire night. I will be hiding indoors, I am not a fan of fireworks at all but the girls have plans with their people. They will be going to a display, spending too much money on fairground rides and probably eating hot dogs and burgers. I would much rather stay home in the warm. hehehe I think one of the best things about getting older is realising that you do not have to enjoy everything everyone else enjoys.

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 44. #FridayFavourites

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

Taking surveys!

Since I got my photo ID last week, I've decided to put it to good use and sign back into Prolific. I'd not been on there for about a year because they'd asked me to verify my identity with photo ID, and at the time I couldn't do that. Now I've got that sorted, I thought I'd see what I'd been missing. Prolific is an online platform where you can take part in studies and surveys. These are created by all sorts of people and organisations and use the answers to their questions for research, so you're helping them out while earning a little bit of money. The payment varies depending on the study. Some might only pay a small amount, while others pay much more for your time. I've seen studies paying around 20p for a minute of your time, others offering £5 for ten minutes, and some paying even more depending on what's involved. I've been cashing out every day and so far I've made almost £60! Not bad for the little time I've spent sitting at my computer. It's not going to pay for a round-the world trip but it's a nice bit of extra pocket money.

One thing I will mention is I know all about tax and when it needs reporting to HMRC. Also, just to be clear, I'm not being paid to mention Prolific and I don't receive anything if anyone signs up because of this post. I'm just sharing something I've been enjoying this week.

Sunshine!

It's got so much colder here and we've even had the heating on. When the sun has been making an appearance, I've been trying to make the most of it. Even if it's cold outside, a bit of sunshine always makes me happy. I've managed to get some washing out on the line this week. I'm sticking to the towels and thicker things because I don't trust the weather. One minute it could be sunny the next we have rain. I've also been having the odd wander around the garden when I've had a spare moment. I'll take any excuse to get a bit of fresh air at this time of year. Before long it will be grey and too cold.

Yes Man!

I thought I'd seen pretty much every Jim Carrey film there was to see but apparently not! Netflix suggested Yes Man to me and it looked like the perfect film for a Sunday afternoon. The film follows Carl, played by Jim Carrey who has got himself into a bit of a rut. He's lonely, has a negative outlook on life and says no a lot! After meeting a friend who introduces him to a self-help programme, he makes a commitment to say yes to everything for an entire year. Of course, saying yes to everything leads to all sorts of funny situations!

More tomatoes!

While I was out in the garden having a little mooch about something orange caught my eye. I had a closer look and discovered even more tomatoes! I thought they had finished doing their thing but they had other ideas. I don't know how they'll do in the colder weather but we'll see.

Christmas music!

I know, I know. It's October but it happened, I was listening to Christmas music on Saturday! I was pottering around the house and realised I wasn't enjoying my usual music, so I decided to put the Christmas channel on. I'm not even sorry, I had a great time singing along and feeling festive. I always forget how much I love those songs. It was just a one time thing, no more Christmas music until the end of November.

Flowers!

The flowers in the garden are still doing their thing and it looks like there are more getting ready to bloom.

A quiet week!

Things have been so busy here but this week has seemed quieter, which is of course a good thing. My fella has had a week of early finishes from work, which has meant we've eaten earlier, Becky is back at work after her week off and Ellie has slightly less on her plate to deal with at the moment. It has been nice.

What have you loved this week?

20 things to do with that extra hour when the clocks go back!

One of my favourite things about this time of year is when the clocks go back! Here in the UK they go back on Sunday! I know, I know, the clocks going back also means the evenings suddenly become dark really early but there is a little bonus that comes with it and that is the extra hour! Instead of wasting it this year, I thought I'd put together 20 things you could do with that extra hour. Some are useful, some are things I've been meaning to do for ages and some are just excuses to sit down and do very little.

Have a proper lie in!

This is the most obvious one and the one that most people are probably going to choose anyway. Sleep! There is nothing wrong with using your extra hour to stay in bed. I think this is the best way to spend it and it's probably what I am going to do! If you've had a busy week, getting an extra hour in bed is such a treat. Turn the alarm off, stay under the duvet and don't feel guilty!!

Have a proper breakfast!

Breakfast can be a rush during the week just grabbing something while you are on the go. This Sunday, why don't you take the hour to sit down and have a proper breakfast? Make pancakes, have bacon and eggs or just make something you don't normally have time for. I would love a full English breakfast! 

Do some baking!

I have always thought an extra hour is a good excuse for baking. You don't have to make anything fancy either. A cake, some brownies, cookies or a banana loaf would be perfect! There's also the added bonus of getting something nice to eat at the end of it which is probably the main reason I like baking.

Watch a film you've been meaning to watch!

I have so many films on my list that I've been saying I will get around to eventually but I never get around to them. I could make use of the hour to start watching one. I know most films last more than an hour. Get some snacks and settle down on the sofa. I always find the hardest part is choosing what to watch. I could probably spend an hour trying to decide on something and then end up watching a film I've already seen about ten times!

Have a long bath!

There's a difference between having a bath because you need a wash and having a bath because you actually want to relax. I'm talking about the second one. Run the bath, put in your favourite bubble bath, get your phone somewhere you can't accidentally drop it in the water and just stay there for a while.

Do that job you've been ignoring!

We all have those jobs that we've been putting off, ones that we keep walking past and ignoring! A cupboard or drawer that needs sorting, a pile of paperwork that needs putting away or shredding or the clothes that have somehow ended up on a chair instead of in the wardrobe. Use the extra hour to pick one job and go and get it done.

Look through old photographs!

I love looking through old photos, especially ones I haven't seen for ages. You could spend your extra hour going through old albums, sorting out photos or even getting around to printing some out. Nowadays we take hundreds of photos and never look at them again. You might come across some that you've forgotten about.

Make a playlist!

Spend an hour making a playlist full of your favourite songs, one for autumn, one for cleaning the house, one for driving or just a playlist of songs that remind you of a special in your life. I might actually do some prepping for Christmas and make a list full of Christmas songs!

Make a proper Sunday dinner!

At this time of year I do love a Sunday dinner! The meat, roast potatoes, Yorkshire puddings, vegetables and loads of gravy. There is nothing better! Having an extra hour means you can have most of it cooked without wasting any of the day. You can take your time and actually enjoy making it!

Sort out your wardrobe!

This is one of those jobs that I always mean to do and then don't. When the clocks change, it is a good time to admit that summer is pretty much over and it's time to get the colder weather clothes out.

Start thinking about Christmas!

I know some people don't want to hear the word Christmas yet but once the clocks go back it doesn't feel that far away. You could start making a list of people you need to buy for, think about presents or even have a look at what you might want to add to your Christmas list. I've always found that getting a few things sorted before December makes Christmas feel much easier.

Go for a walk!

If the weather is OK, put your coat on and go for a walk. It doesn't have to be a long one, just get outside, have a wander and get some fresh air.

Phone someone you've not spoken to in ages!

We all have someone we keep saying we need to catch up with. Use that extra hour to actually pick up the phone and give them a call. Have a proper chat instead of sending each other messages saying we need to catch up. Sometimes a good old-fashioned phone call is just what you need.

Get the games out!

Board games, play cards or do a puzzle! It doesn't matter what you choose, the point is to do something fun instead of being productive. If you've got family around, get them involved too.

Tidy up your phone!

This is one of those jobs that I really should do more often. Delete apps you never use and have a look through your photos and delete all the rubbish. Screenshots you don't need, blurry photos, accidental photos and the 15 pictures you took of exactly the same thing because you couldn't decide which one was best.

Cook something you've never tried before!

Instead of making one of your usual meals, maybe find a recipe you've been meaning to try and make it. It doesn't have to be anything complicated, it is Sunday after all but sometimes just trying something different can make an ordinary Sunday feel a bit more exciting!

Have a little pamper session!

Treat yourself! Use the extra hour to give yourself a bit of a pamper. Not just a bath or shower, put a hair or face mask on, do your nails or just moisturise and put on your favourite pyjamas. It's amazing how much better you can feel after taking a bit of time for yourself.

Try something you've never done before!

It could be anything! Painting, drawing, baking, Lego, knitting, journaling, doing a puzzle or learning something new. You've got an extra hour to use so give it a go. You don't have to be good at it but it might become your new hobby.

Catch up on your favourite shows!

You could just make a cup of tea, get yourself comfortable and catch up on a programme you've been watching. If you've missed a few episodes, it's even better because you've got the time to sit down and watch them without feeling like you should be doing something else. I know I always have an episode or three of Eastenders to watch and random other things recorded!

Do absolutely nothing!

This might actually be the most important one on the list. You don't have to do anything with your extra hour. You can sit on the sofa, watch TV, scroll through your phone, have a cup of tea, eat something nice and just enjoy having nowhere you need to be. We're always trying to make better use of our time but sometimes doing nothing important can be good for us!

What will you do with your extra hour?