Week 47 of #Project366 - A photo every day for a year!

We have had a better week this week compared to last. My dad still isn't well because of Coronavirus, the chest and water infection he's had but he is so much better than he was. I spoke to him last night on the phone and for the first time in a couple of weeks he didn't sound severely ill. I cried, he called me a soppy sod but it was such a relief. I am worrying less now. My dad is on the mend and we have done our self isolation and got through it without showing any symptoms.

I did some more Christmas shopping yesterday. It is a good thing that you can do your food shop online and buy gifts for people too, not just food one's although I did buy a ton of selection boxes as the Cadbury one's were half price in Tesco. I also bought a couple of treats and a birthday cake for myself.

Now for a photo every day!

312/366 - 14th November

I was going to re-dye my hair blue but realised I didn't have enough blue left so I mixed some pink and it ended up like this! I am not going to recommend mixing colours but this time it worked out well. Purple is my favourite colour and there are still hints of the blue peeping through when I'm in the light.

313/366 - 15th November

The 4th series of The Crown was released on Netflix and I have already watched it all despite saying I would work through it slowly. It was so good. I did want to hate Camilla but didn't and I really feel for Princess Diana. 

314/366 - 16th November

Becky's girlfriend dropped a card off just to say she was thinking of her and missing her. I thought it was such a lovely thing to do and was very pleased she had the sense not to knock on the door.

315/366 - 17th November

Becky's advent calendar arrived. I bought it from Debenhams for £15. It is filled with things like pencils, notebooks, stickers and things like that. 

316/366 - 18th November

The kids wrapped my birthday presents and gave me strict orders to stay away from them. I have of course had a sneaky feel. hehehe

317/366 - 19th November

It's that time of the year where I go through the mince pies and an amazing pace. hehehe

318/366 - 20th November

My birthday cake arrived with the food shop. I can't wait to eat it! It's my birthday today. Hooray!

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

This week my Word of the Week is:

We have been isolating for most of this week after my dad tested positive for Coronavirus. I have felt stressed and worried about my family in case we caught it but we seem to have been lucky. None of us showed any symptoms and Ellie is now back at school.

My dad hasn't had a great week. It seems to be one thing after another hitting him. He got a chest infection of top of Covid, then had a bad reaction to the penicillin, he got some new antibiotics and then the doctor said he was showing signs of being a little dehydrated and might have a water infection. He needs to drink more which he is doing. 

Despite all of that my dad is better than he was. He is still sleeping lots but it moving around more and has got his appetite back so is obviously eating more which is giving him more strength to make himself better. The doctor isn't that worried so we're not. At the moment I can't imagine my dad being fully fit this year but he has turned a corner and is better than he was. He still isn't great but the thought of him being rushed into hospital or worse has passed.

The past week was better than I expected it to be, self isolating. All that was missing was tomato ketchup. I got a shopping delivery on Friday which brought everything we needed apart from the ketchup which I forgot! We ran out over the weekend and I didn't want to bother anyone to bring us some, it's not really essential but boy did we miss it! Bacon sandwiches are not the same with brown sauce. lol 

Ellie was OK with the home schooling. Some days were better than others but she worked hard. We of course argued, mostly about maths. Who thought finding the area of a triangle could cause so much drama. lol It's always maths where we disagree as Ellie has been taught different ways of working things out than I was at school.

I have a feeling this weekend will be better than last weekend. It's my birthday tomorrow! Hooray! The kids have wrapped my presents and cards have been bought. I'm getting a shopping delivery today with a birthday cake, fingers crossed for no substitute and I'm choosing the takeaway for tea tomorrow.

What have you been up to this week?

Top 10 greatest causes of morning stress!

Breakfast is the most stressful time of the day because of tantrums, queues for the bathroom and running out of milk for cereal a latest study shows!

A study of 1,000 parents and their children uncovered a never ending list of early morning responsibilities with more than two thirds feeling there are never enough minutes in the morning. Getting yourself and the kids out of bed on time, getting little ones to brush their teeth and making sure everyone eats well were found to be the top culprits behind morning stress!

As much as I have found ways to speed up the morning routine there is still stresses especially at this time of year when it's cold and seems so dark on a morning. My girls just don't have the motivation and I only have the motivation because I know I don't have to go out into the cold and don't have to do the school run anymore. lol

Top 10 greatest causes of morning stress:

1. Kids not getting out of bed,

Becky takes some nagging to get out of bed on a morning. She is only at college 1 day a week so she see's no reason to get up and rush about. I usually get her up when Ellie has gone to school at about half past eight. Ellie on the other hand is not so good at getting up now. In the summer she's great but if it's still dark and chilly she is very reluctant to move from under her duvet. I have to shout upstairs at least 3 times to get Ellie out of bed at the moment. I can't blame her, I'd rather stay in my warm bed most days. lol

2. Kids getting dressed

Becky is great at getting dressed, she will try to stay in her pj's all day and I do have to nag a little. Ellie is OK at getting dressed as long as her clothes are out ready for her. She get's them ready herself before she goes to bed which is a help but if they're not there in front of her she will faff around and walk around aimlessly unless they are handed to her.

3. Getting the kids to leave the house on time

Becky has to leave the house on time on a college day, if she doesn't she will miss her bus. Ellie is not so great at leaving on time, it feels like am constantly nagging to get her out the door on time. She's never late for school which amazes me but I do worry that she will be.

4. Kids brushing their teeth.

Yes! I have to nag both the kids to brush their teeth on a morning. On an evening they are brilliant but not on a morning.

5. Kids eating breakfast.

Both the girls often walk out of the door with their breakfast in their hands. Becky used to have it sussed, she would take a porridge pot or a cereal bar along with a cup of tea in a reusable cup to eat and drink on the bus but now she has to wear a mask on the bus, that isn't possible. She is now having to eat and drink on the way to the bus stop. Ellie always fights eating breakfast despite her being the one who usually eats the most. She usually has toast. I would rather they both eat a proper breakfast sitting at the table but at least if they have it on the go there is something in their stomach.

6. Finding misplaced items such as school uniforms, school bags or shoes.

My girls are pretty organised when it comes to keeping track of their belongings. I make sure they have got everything ready the night before.

7. Kids putting shoes on.

Ellie really winds me up when it comes to putting her shoes on. She faffs around so much and it can easily take her 10 minutes to put her socks and shoes on. She always finds something really important that she needs to talk about just as she needs to put her shoes on.

8. Getting yourself ready for the day.

I only get myself ready for the day once the kids have gone to school. I think it's easier that way. I know if I was to go and get washed, dressed and feed myself I wouldn't be there to encourage/nag the kids to get ready.

9. Kids having a tantrum.

I think we are past the stage of tantrums now. Hooray! The kids do have their moments when they haven't charged their phones or want extra money.

10. Setting alarm to snooze.

I am so guilty of setting the alarm to snooze. I wish I could stop myself doing it but I can't. I have started going to bed earlier on a school night but so far I am not quite ready to stop hitting snooze.

What are your biggest stresses on a morning?

(Ad - Gifted) Have an indulgent and tasty festive season with Opies!

Christmas is certainly going to be different this year but I am sure we're all going to make the best of it. One thing I always look forward to is the delicious food. There are certain things that I only buy at Christmas. The obvious things like Christmas cake and pudding but also things like Advocaat, Twiglets, salted peanuts, posh marmalade, fancy cheeses and treats for us all.

This year I have been sent a selection of products from Opies who are celebrating their 140th year in the food business! With families having experienced such an uncertain, challenging year Opies have come up with clever ways to ensure that this Christmas families can enjoy an indulgent and tasty festive season. I think we all deserve this Christmas to be a good one!

Opies Pickled Walnuts.

A great English delicacy these pickled walnuts are harvested before their shells form whilst they are still green. They are then cooked and pickled in spiced malt vinegar and hand-packed into jars.

On Christmas Day Opies Pickled Walnuts add depth of flavour to a Vegan Nut Loaf and can be mixed into stuffing to serve with turkey, duck or goose. On Boxing Day, serve with leftover cold cuts and a cheeseboard selection. There’s plenty of opportunities to finish off the jar once the festive event has passed pop them into a leftover Turkey Casserole, mix into some grated cheddar for a luxurious Welsh Rarebit or just enjoy with leftover cheese.

New Christmas Fruits with Alcohol!

Opies fruits steeped in syrup infused with alcohol have long been a popular festive treat or Christmas gift for a foodie friend. This year, three new luxury fruits have been added to their collection with each taking inspiration from popular and best-selling fruits and alcohol.

Opies Red Berries steeped in syrup infused with Pink Gin!

The finest combination of redcurrants, raspberries and sour cherries infused with a delicious yet delicate pink gin. With back notes of juniper, the red berries effortlessly enhance a Gin and Tonic and are absolutely sublime in a boozy ice-cream sundae.

Opies Figs steeped in syrup infused with Luxardo Dark Rum!

A classic combination! Juicy figs steeped in the finest dark rum which perfectly brings out rich, indulgent and slightly spicy tones.

Opies Apricots steeped in syrup infused with The Famous Grouse Blended Scotch Whisky!

When you combine carefully sourced, sweet juicy apricots with the UK’s best-selling blended whisky the result is sheer perfection.

The fruits infused with alcohol collection make great standby ingredients whether you decide to throw a last minute get together or have a simple need to satisfy your own sweet tooth. Simply top a meringue nest or cheesecake or just accompany a generous scoop of ice cream. Presented in globe jars the collection could also make wonderful gifts for foodie friends and neighbours, grandparents, stocking fillers, teacher ‘thank you’s and Secret Santa.

For the cocktails there is Opies Cocktail Cherries!

Simply put a cherry into a glass of Prosecco or use to make a simple Daiquiri! 

You can also use them to make succulent cherry scones, cover in chocolate for a homemade gift, chop and add to granola. use to create character noses on top of iced fairy cakes, cheer up home-made Christmas cakes and puddings and use the liquid as a substitute for cherry syrup in cocktails!

You can buy Opies products from selected Asda, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose and Morrisons stores and independent retailers and see a whole heap of recipes on their website.

I was sent these jars of Opies products free of charge in exchange for this blog post.