The Wednesday Hodgepodge #31

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. Do you make an effort to see/hear live music? Last time you went somewhere for the live music?

I don’t really but I should! Every time I see someone post a video from a concert, I’m like next time I’m going and then I don’t.

I think the last time I watched live music was earlier this year when there was a singer on in our local pub. The last time I went to a proper concert was seeing The Bon Jovi Experience, a tribute band to Bon Jovi. I've actually seen them a couple of times. In 2020 and 2023. They are fantastic and a good substitute for the real Bon Jovi.

My girls on the other hand love going to see live music. Emo bands, Taylor Swift tributes and my eldest has just booked tickets to see Alex Warren. I had no idea who he was until I was played some of his music but both of my girls love him.

2. According to HGTV the colors of the year for 2026 are mostly decided. Top paint companies declare a color of the year, and decorators will incorporate that into their new year home and room designs. Here's what's on tap in terms of paint trends for 2026.

Sherwin Williams-universal khaki (inspired by heavy canvas and outdoor gear)

Behr-hidden gem (a confident shade of teal)

Valspar-warm eucylyptus (a warm sliver tinted green)

Dutch Boy-melodious ivory (a honey tinted beige)

Glidden-warm mahogany (a classic brick red)

Krylon-matte coffee bean

Clark and Kensington -Hazelnut Crunch (warm reddish-brown)

Graham and Brown-Divine Damson (cherry red with a subtle violet undertone)

Dunn and Edwards-midnight garden (the green that works everywhere)

First question - did you know there were so many different paint manufacturers? Which color on the list most appeals to you in terms of your own decorating style? Do you have plans to do any painting in your home in the coming year, and if so might you choose a color from this list? Now, forget painting walls, which color name appeals to you most?

I had no idea there were many paint manufacturers, I've only heard of Graham & Brown from the above list but when I think of paint I think of Crown, Dulux and Farrow & Ball too. I think those are the most popular here in the UK but I tend to go with the generic, shops own brand when buying paint. It always seems the same as the branded type but a lot cheaper!

I like dark reds / purples so I think the Graham and Brown Divine Damson is something that I would use and I like the sound of the name too.

I don't have any plans to do any painting this year but the bathroom will be getting painted early next year. At the moment it's looking a bit tatty and old. I think we're going to stick with the white on the walls and grey on all the woodwork.

3. What's something in your life you have to do-watch-or participate in that's about as exciting as 'watching paint dry'?

Waiting for my family to finish getting ready when I have told them we're going out and what time we're leaving. I sit there twiddling my thumbs, thinking will they just hurry up. Another thing is waiting for the kettle to boil, especially first thing on a morning when I want a cup of tea!

4 . Tuesday, October 14th is/was National Dessert day...did you/will you celebrate? Tell us how? What's your absolute favorite dessert. Yes, just one. I know!!

I didn't do anything to celebrate but feel like I should have, I do love desserts and to pick just one is really hard. It all depends on what time of year it is. In the summer I love a fruity trifle and in the colder months I love apple crumble and custard!

5. Perhaps today is the day I will __________________.

Treat myself to that dessert I should’ve had on National Dessert Day! hehehe At the moment I am loving the M&S Mandarin Dessert. It's whole mandarins in jelly, layered over soft sponge and topped with a creamy orange mousse. 

6. Insert your own random thought here.

There’s something satisfying about rearranging things that don’t actually need rearranging. A drawer, a shelf and even the fridge. It’s like I convince myself I’ve done something productive when really I’ve just moved stuff around for fun.

Share our Lives - My go to Snacks!

It's that time of the month again to share some of my life and join in with the other Share Our Lives bloggers. This month the prompt is: Go To Snacks!

We all have our go to snacks. The ones we grab when we’re feeling peckish, bored, needing a pick me up or just fancy something a bit naughty. Mine don’t involve kale, cucumber sticks or anything remotely green. I’m not here to pretend I’m reaching for a celery stick when a chocolate biscuit is right there whispering my name. hehehe These are my go to snacks, I know most of them are unhealthy but I don't actually snack that much, this is why I think of them as treats.

Crisps!

There is no mood that a bag of crisps can’t improve. I’m not loyal to just one flavour I love all of them apart from Cheese and Onion.

My favourite of all time is Walkers Tomato Ketchup one's. A few years ago I was so sad when the flavour was discontinued but they saw sense and brought it back earlier this year along with Worcester Sauce flavour too! I’m also a big fan of those old school snacky crisps that used to come in our packed lunches like Chipsticks, Wotsits or Bacon Fries.

Iced Buns and Pastries!

If I’m anywhere near a bakery I’m leaving with something iced and sugary. Iced buns remind me of birthday parties and after school treats. I also have a soft spot for pastries. Anything with custard, jam or a swirl of cinnamon are my favourites.

Fruity sweets like Haribo and Jelly Babies!

There’s something so cheerful about fruity sweets. I’m a sucker for Haribo Starmix. I even have my favourite shapes, the cola bottles and rings get eaten first. Jelly Babies are another weakness, they’re a bit of a retro treat and always remind me of my grandad, he loved them. If I have a bag nearby while watching TV it’s only a matter of time before I’ve eaten far more than I meant to.

Biscuits with a cuppa!

A cup of tea without a biscuit? I just can't imagine it! There’s something comforting about dunking a biscuit into a hot cuppa and catching it just before it falls in. Custard creams, bourbons, digestives, Hobnobs. It all depends on my mood.

Mini pork pies!

I will never get tired of mini pork pies! They are the perfect savoury treat. I always have some in my fridge and we call them thinking food. We stand looking in the fridge deciding what to eat while snacking on a pork pie. The best one's in my opinion are the pork and pickle one's.

Jaffa Cakes!

The cake vs biscuit debate! Jaffa Cakes are small, soft sponge circles with a layer of orange jelly and a coating of chocolate. They look like a biscuit but they're technically a cake. They are so moreish and it is impossible to eat just one.

Mr Kipling cakes!

They're Exceedingly Good! Mr Kipling is basically the king of the snack cake world. French Fancies, Viennese Whirls, Cherry Bakewells, Angel Slices! I love them all.

Toast with butter!

Is toast technically a snack? In my world it is, especially when it’s hot and loaded with butter. Sometimes I add a little jam, sometimes just plain. It’s the kind of comfort food I could eat any time of day or night and never get bored of it.

What is your favourite snack?

I am linking up with:

Adrienne from Mom Life with Adrienne.

Dara from Not In Jersey.

Jen from Show me & Sweet tea.

Joanne from Slices of Life.

Sarah from Toronto Sam.

Our weekly meal plan! 13th - 19th October! #MealPlanningMonday

We had a great weekend, it was mostly just Stu and I as Becky was at work and Ellie was busy living her best life with friends. Stu and I went wild and had a night out on Saturday and a lazy day on Sunday while Ellie had Pizza Hut for her Sunday lunch!

Last weeks meal plan went well, we ate almost everything just not on the day that I had planned. I cooked the Hearty Beef & Carrot Hotpot in the slow cooker and instead of adding sliced potatoes to the top I just chopped the potatoes into chunks and threw them in the slow cooker. Somehow I ended up making more than I'd planned so there was plenty of leftovers for the next day. This is the type of meal which always tastes better the next day and it was enjoyed!

It's back to normality today. There's the housework to do, blog posts to write and cooking to do. I don't have too much on this week or nothing I can remember anyway. I have been writing appointments and important things in my planner and it's looking pretty empty this week! Phew! This week we're skipping the Gousto Box but we're still having a couple of their meals that we have loved in the past.

On the menu this week we have:

Monday - Pea and Ham soup! I was going to buy the shredded ham to go in the soup but my dad was cooking ham while I was at his and it tasted amazing so I bought a joint of gammon and I am planning on boiling that. It will go in the soup and there'll be plenty left for sandwiches during the week too. It was the same price as the shredded ham so that's a bonus. 

Tuesday - Corned Beef Crispbakes which are Corned beef, potato and onion in a breadcrumb coating. We'll have them with baked beans.

Wednesday - Oven Baked Pork Belly & Winter Veg Pot Roast! A Gousto recipe that we love.

Thursday - Some sort of stir fry as I realised I have plenty of noodles in the cupboard.

Friday - Hot dogs in buns with onion rings.

Saturday - Pizza. Maybe home made again as we enjoyed it so much last time.

Sunday - A Sunday lunch of some sort.

What about you? What are you eating this week?

A photo every day for a year! 5th - 11th October! Week 41 of #Project365

Another week has flown over and it was a good one. I am betting the weekend flies over too as Stu and I have been busy doing our own thing while the girls are living their own lives. It’s such a strange mix of emotions. I absolutely love that they’re off being independent but at the same time it does tug at the heart a bit. So while poor Becky was at work on Saturday night and Ellie was out with friends Stu and I took ourselves for a night out. A nice meal out and a few drinks afterwards in a very lively bar.

Now for a photo every day!

278/365 - 5th October

Sunday means one thing in this house, carvery day!! I went for the chicken this time, piled high with all the veggies and just when I thought it couldn’t get any better they had pigs in blankets! In October! That’s basically a Christmas miracle. hehehe.

279/365 - 6th October

Socks and Crocs… it’s a look isn’t it? lol I had a quick tidy up in the garden and couldn’t be bothered to go back inside to find proper shoes so this happened. Not exactly a fashion statement but my feet were comfy and warm. Then I came inside and had to tip all the soil out of the Crocs that dropped in through the holes.

280/365 - 7th October

I spotted this mystery plant growing in the garden and I have no idea what it is. Every plant ID app I’ve tried has given me a different answer. One says African Daisy and another says Nigella damascena (Love in a Mist). At this point I’m just waiting for it to bloom so I can find out what it is!

281/365 - 8th October

So many sponges. Thirty six to be exact. My dad has a habit of buying everything in bulk it’s like living with my own personal Costco supplier and he always shares the haul around. I shouldn't get excited about things like sponges but these are good one's!

282/365 - 9th October

The fence saga continues! The men came round to fit a new panel after one blew down in the latest storm and while they were at it they replaced another old one that had seen better days.

283/365 - 10th October

Here’s the new fence, well, the photo I forgot to take yesterday, oops. Only three more panels to go and then the whole fence will be brand new.

284/365 - 11th October

Becky was up early and needed something to eat before she went back to bed to sleep for her night shift. She decided to order from Costa. A breakfast wrap and then went for something healthy, yoghurt and granola.

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