The Wednesday Hodgepodge #80

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. Our November Hodgepodges always include a question related to gratitude. What is one small thing you're grateful for today?

I started writing this on Sunday afternoon and I am grateful for a lazy day at home. It's grey and damp outside, so it was nice to stay inside in the warm. It was extra cosy because we had the heating on. I didn't have much to do, so I spent my afternoon watching TV, blogging and the bonus was that I could stay in my Pjs. I do need to have a shower soon and change into a clean set. I love days like this when I can fully relax. It's not the most exciting thing to be grateful for but it's something I do appreciate.

2. Chrysanthemums-pansies-burning bush-ornamental cabbage-camellias...your favorite in an autumn garden? Would we find any of these in your yard/garden this year?

Out of those I'd probably choose chrysanthemums or pansies. They are such pretty flowers and come in so many colours. It's nice to see them at this time of year when it's so grey and gloomy outside. I am now thinking I should make more effort to have some in my garden during the autumn and winter. It would be nice to look out of the window and see some colour. I don't really have any flowers in my garden at this time of year, which seems like a shame considering I have so many in the spring and summer. At the moment I am thinking more about getting the garden tidied up for winter.

3. If you could clear out or organize one physical space or mental habit before the year ends, what would it be?

I'd like to stop saying yes to things when I would much rather say no. I'm terrible for this sometimes. I will agree to things because I don't want to disappoint people and don't want to cause a fuss. I have a little voice in my head saying just say no but rarely listen to it. I'd like to get better at putting myself first and not feeling guilty about saying no.

4. Brussel sprouts...love 'em or no thank you? If you said love 'em how do you like them prepared?

I love them now but hated them when I was a child. It's funny how our tastes change as we get older. I used to think it was a punishment if they were on my plate and I was convinced adults only pretended to like them. Now they're one of my favourite vegetables and I love them on a roast dinner. My family always complain when they find them on their plates at Christmas but it's tradition to have them. I know there are lots of different ways to cook them but I like them simple. I like them boiled until they're soft but not too mushy with a bit of butter, salt and pepper.

5. It's reassuring to know that____________________.

It's reassuring to know that I'm not the only one who struggles to find something to watch on TV. I have tons of channels, Disney+, Netflix and Amazon but can never find anything I want to watch. I'll scroll through the TV, complain that everything is rubbish and then put on an episode of something I've watched a million times before. My family all do the same too and don't get me started on choosing a film. By the time we've agreed on something to watch, we could have watched half of it! My fella has just gone upstairs to watch TV and I already know what will happen. He'll get comfy and spend the next half an hour scrolling through the channels trying to find something to watch. He'll probably end up watching something he's seen before too.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

While I was finishing writing this blog post, I had the Mexican Grand Prix on the TV. What a race it was! There were crashes, lots of overtaking, drama and Kimi Antonelli has become the youngest ever Formula 1 World Champion! How amazing is that! He's had a brilliant season. At just 20, he's already done something that so many drivers spend their entire careers trying to achieve. I cried hearing him cry as he finished the race! Bless him!