365 Days Of Gratitude. In April I was grateful for...

 I have seen many people on social media list something every day that they are grateful for and thought I would join in and have on my private Facebook account every day and I thought I would share here too.

I did this for the whole of last year and it has really made me realise that even on the bad day's I have something to be grateful for.

Day 91 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I was grateful that I had a girly shopping trip! I never thought I would have that with my tracky and hoodie loving girls. Ellie and I spent an hour and a half in Primark looking at girly clothes. 

Day 92 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I was grateful for a sunny, dry day! It seems ages since we last had one. We got washing out on the line and even got the grass in the back garden mowed.

Day 93 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I was grateful for getting lots of seeds planted and put in my little greenhouse.

Day 94 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I was grateful that Becky went upstairs when she did. When the gas man was here a cat sneaked in through the open front door. Becky found it laid there at the top of the stairs. 

Day 95 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I was grateful for a cosy afternoon at home with Ellie not doing much apart from watching TV. We watched the new Lewis Capaldi: How I'm Feeling Now documentary, it was really good!

Day 96 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful that Stu now has 4 days off work and Becky is off over the weekend too so we can have some time as a family.

Day 97 of #365DaysOfGratitude 

Today I am grateful for a walk out to see my dad. It is lovely spending time with him even if he was busy taking a tractor to bits.

Day 98 of #365DaysOfGratitude 

Today I am grateful for the farm shop just up the road. We went and got the bedding plants and a few extra treats.

Day 99 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful for Easter Eggs! Yum! Yum!

Day 100 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful that Stu has finally got the garage tidied and decluttered. He saw some gigantic spiders among all the wood and junk but thankfully no mice or rats! Phew!

Day 101 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful for a trip into town and treating myself. Got a couple of new tops for the summer and a big Mrs Potts teapot from Primark!

Day 102 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful for not getting soaked. We manged to miss every shower while we were out.

Day 103 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful that I can turn the volume up on the TV! The builders are hammering and banging, still! I am hoping that them are working this late means that they're nearly finished and just want to get the work done. (It's been going on since October). It's probably just wishful thinking but I can hope!

Day 104 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I was grateful that Becky took Ellie to the cinema and for a sneaky Wetherspoons breakfast. I was baffled to why they left the house so early. lol

Day 105 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful for sunshine!! I got so much washing done, it was so nice after having almost a week of rain.

Day 106 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful for a lazy afternoon in front of the TV.

Day 107 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful for one last day of fun before Ellie goes back to school. The countdown to the GCSE's start tomorrow. Less than a month until her first exam.

Day 108 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful for a new, working gas meter (finally) and a new electric one too. We now also have a working smart meter so I can see how much we're spending each day. It only took 3 visits by British Gas, about 8 phone calls and 4 online chats to get it done. lol

Day 109 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful a mid-week roast dinner. There's leftovers to make a pie tomorrow too. 

Day 110 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful for being out in the garden this afternoon just pottering about.

Day 111 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful that I managed to fit everything in the freezer from my Iceland food shop. I always worry that I will over order and not have room for everything.

Day 112 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful that I have done some more work in the garden with Ellie helping me. Weeding, digging and planting.

Day 113 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful for a day in my pj's. We did have plans but the rain put a stop to them so we just had a cosy day at home.

Day 114 of #365DaysOfGratitude 

Today I am grateful for breakfast out with Stu. We even managed to get home before the rain started.

Day 115 of #365DaysOfGratitude 

Today I am grateful for trying something new. I am now learning French using Duolingo. I remember a little bit from school so it's not totally new but Duolingo certainly makes more sense and teachers better than the French teacher I had. lol

Day 116 of #365DaysOfGratitude 

Today I was grateful that Becky has started to realise how much I do for her.

Day 117 of #365DaysOfGratitude 

Today I am grateful that I found an email from Sainsbury's which gave me £15 off an online food shop and free delivery. I ordered us some extra treats.

Day 118 of #365DaysOfGratitude 

Today I am grateful for a day at home with Becky. It was nice to do nothing and just spend some time together.

Day 119 of #365DaysOfGratitude 

Today I am grateful for a long soak in the bath after being out working in the garden!

Day 120 of #365DaysOfGratitude 

Today I am grateful for a Sunday lunch out, going to see my dad and a cheeky pint in the pub on our way home. It's not quite beer garden weather yet but it's getting there.

What were you grateful for in April?

Spring family adventures in Lincolnshire with the National Trust!

 From spring themed trails to outdoor games and activities to get closer to nature, there’s plenty to entertain your little explorers at National Trust places this May half term.

Make the most of the warmer weather and longer late spring days by planning a family visit to a National Trust place near you. Enjoy the simple pleasures of being outdoors together, whether you’re playing on lush green lawns, creating your own family adventure through woodlands and secret gardens, or settling into a picture perfect picnic spot for the afternoon.

Gunby Estate, Hall and Gardens, near Spilsby, (PE23 5SS)

A rainbow of colour will be returning to Gunby Hall and Gardens for May half term as Rose Week begins to bloom. Explore gardens filled with striking scents in this annual display running from Saturday 27th May until Sunday 4th June.

On Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th May (11am – 2pm) there is an opportunity to make a wild den with the Gunby Ranger team and on Monday 29th May there will be an array of craft stalls to discover.

Gunby is a perfect place for an outdoors picnic on the spacious lawns. Open seven days a week from 10am – 4pm, last admission 3pm. 

Tattershall Castle, near Sleaford (LN4 4LR)

Go on a journey through time at Tattershall Castle with an adventure up and down the great tower on the search for ancient graffiti. Take a graffiti trail and explore over 700 years of this fascinating history, helping paint a creative picture of what the castle looked like all those years ago. The grounds with its ancient ruins will also be open to explore. The castle is open 10.30am – 4.30pm, last admission 3.30pm. It is £2 per trail. Normal admission charges apply.

Belton House, near Grantham (Sat Nav: input Belton Village)

Enjoy Belton in bloom this spring as a kaleidoscope of colour returns to the gardens. Go on a spring adventure following the Pleasure Grounds walk or head out into the parkland to explore over 1300 acres while keeping an eye out for the resident deer. Become a Belton detective and help the mansion team to locate pesky pests hiding within the rooms before they can damage the collection! Pick up your trail sheet at the mansion entrance and learn all about the different pests the team look out for. Why not have a go at designing your own creature?

The mansion is open for free flow visits Thursday to Monday, 11am until 4pm (last entry at 3.30pm). There’s more fun to be had throughout the day with outdoor games available to enjoy in the Estate Yard. Take a train ride through the outdoor adventure playground, enjoy a refreshment in the indoor play area or get lost in the maze.

Woolsthorpe Manor, Woolsthorpe by Colsterworth (NG33 5PD)

Woolsthorpe Manor holds a special place within the history of science as this is the place where Sir Isaac Newton was born and where he made some of his important scientific discoveries. Most famously, the apple tree which inspired Newton to discover gravity still stands in the orchard at Woolsthorpe.

Embark on an adventure to discover the journey that an apple pip takes on a spring trail around Woolsthorpe Manor, running 27th May until the 4th of June. Follow the timeline of Newton’s apple tree from the very beginning, through to the incredible story of pips from Newton’s tree going into space with Tim Peake.

Complete your visit by getting hands on in the Science Centre and testing Newton’s theories, before refuelling in the coffee shop with a slice of cake. Woolsthorpe Manor is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. 

Do you have any plans for the May half term?

My obsession with Harry Potter.

I wasn't into Harry Potter when the books and the films were first released. I tried reading the first book when I was pregnant with Becky but couldn't get into it. I think I then watched Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone when Becky was a baby. I only watched it because I am sure it was one of the most hyped films to be shown one year at Christmas. I didn't get into Harry Potter until much, much later.

Did you know that today is Harry Potter Day? In 2012 the then prime minister, David Cameron, made a declaration that the day would be celebrated on May 2 of each year. It is also the day that the great Battle of Hogwarts was fought and it is when Lord Voldemort was finally defeated.

I don't remember what got me right into Harry Potter but once I had had a taste of it I was hooked. I hadn't read any of the books until I had seen the film version of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix and I needed to know what happened next so I pre-ordered the Half-Blood Prince and I remember being pregnant with Ellie reading The Deathly Hallows. Reading about the story made me feel I was getting massive spoilers for the films but I was quite gutted that lots of the books were skimmed over and even skipped. Hmmf.

I sleep with a Harry Potter cushion every night and have even sneaked a HP duvet set into the bedroom. Stu only agreed to it because it wasn't obvious to be Harry Potter related. He said if I want Harry Potter to be in our face at bedtime he can buy Star Wars bedding too. hehehe

Most days I wear something that involves Harry Potter. Every pair of socks that I own are Harry Potter one's, I have knickers, t-shirts and I have lost count of the pj sets that I have. Every year they seem to bring a new set out in Primark and I have to have them. I got a new set at Christmas and a snoodie just before too. 

My family have learned over the years if they want to buy me a gift anything Harry Potter related is a winner! I've had notebooks, mugs, cakes, pens (the best one's are the one's from Primark which look like a quill), books, posters, calendars, glasses, cooking equipment and even face masks. lol 

If you look around my living room you can see little Harry Potter things. The Funko's, a mandrake plant pot, little figures and of course my Hedwig Lego figure.

I am starting to sneak HP things into the kitchen. I have a measuring jug, mixing bowl and some spatulas. hehehe Stu has noticed but he hasn't disagreed with them yet. My next aim in life is to get a HP dining set, the plates and bowls without Stu complaining. hehehe

Are you a Harry Potter fan?

Our weekly meal plan! 1st - 7th May. #MealPlanningMonday

I do love it when a new month starts on a Monday, there is something really satisfying about it. Happy May! I am hoping this month brings some warmer weather although the weekend was nice.

Last weeks meal plan went well. We ate everything apart from the pizza on Saturday night, we all had a craving for burgers so had them in buns with fries and onion rings. I am putting it down to the fact that Ellie and I were out working in the garden, we cut the grass which was quite the work out and did some more weeding and digging. We felt like we needed a big meal and not just pizza and yesterday we decided to go out for lunch so the cottage pie is still in the freezer.

It's a bank holiday today and it's only Ellie which really benefits from it with a day off school, Becky is sleeping off a night shift and it's Stu's day off anyway. We might have a walk to the farm shop to see what new plants they have in and maybe get some salad to go with our meal tonight. Ellie has another visit to college on Wednesday, as far as I know her and her friend will be spending all day there. The school are trying to make the transition as easy as possible and giving those with extra needs (Ellie is deaf in one ear) a little more help. On Thursday Becky will be voting for the first time. It's the first chance she's had since the start of Covid, I'll of course be going along with her and voting too, she is very excited. It's the kings coronation on Saturday so I will be glued to the TV. I am not a massive fan of the royal family but I find big events like this really interesting.

On the menu this week we have:

Monday - Home made quiche and salad.

Tuesday - Meat free mince Sloppy Joes with creamy potato salad - It's a Gousto recipe which we absolutely love.

Wednesday - Pork and red onion sausages, roast potatoes, carrots, peas and onion gravy.

Thursday - Pea and ham soup - Ellie requested this, it's her favourite meal ever!.

Friday - Pizza.

Saturday - Pork noodle stir fry with spring rolls and prawn crackers.

Sunday - We are planning on going out for Sunday lunch.

What are you eating this week?