What I have loved this week! Week 14. #FridayFavourites

The last couple of weeks have been busy for me. I had a week with appointments and lots of adulting to do but this past week has been less stressful and more about the fun things in life. I have quite a few favourites and I am of course linking up with Erika and Andrea to share them.

Friday night out!

We had a family night out at the pub, we had delicious food and listened to and sung along with a singer who was performing. She is local and such a fantastic singer, we saw her singing on New Years Eve so were keen to see her again. It was a late night but worth it.

Mother's Day!

It was Mother's Day here in the UK on Sunday and I had a lovely day. My girls waited on me hand and foot, they got me some fab cards and gifts and I was treated to an Indian takeaway. The biggest bonus was that I didn't have to do any housework, Stu and the girls took over! It felt like such a treat!

Mufasa and live action movies!

On Sunday I had a movie day! I started off the live action version of The Lion King and then watched Mufasa. I missed seeing it at the cinema so was keen to watch it. I really enjoyed it and that set the tone for the day. I watched the remake of The Little Mermaid, it was OK but not my favourite, Beauty and the Beast with Emma Watson which is one of my favourites and then the newest Mary Poppins movie with Emily Blunt because it came up as suggested and I thought why not.

The clocks changing!

I don't usually like the clocks changing, especially at this time of year. I usually struggle with losing an hour but this time I seem to have taken it all in my stride and I am loving the longer days. I looked out of the window and it was just coming in dark at 8pm. 

Planting!

I spent some time outside during the week and planted a lot of seeds. They are all in my little greenhouses hopefully starting to grow! The weather has been better this week and we've had more warmth so fingers crossed!

Visiting a new town!

I travelled to a new town and met up with someone for lunch. It was so nice to have a change of scene and be somewhere different. This little town is a short bus ride from me and I only ever pass through it so it was nice to explore a little and the pub that we went to for lunch was so cute. We even spent some time sat outside enjoying the sunshine and a drink. I have said to Stu we will have to go for a look around and visit their Saturday market where they sell produce and crafts.

A Minecraft Movie!

The Minecraft Movie was released yesterday at the cinema and I really want to see it. My girls grew up playing Minecraft and for a short time I played it too so I do actually know quite a bit about it. I love anything with Jack Black and Jason Momoa in so it's a no brainer and I am excited for a trip to the cinema. I just have to convince my girls to let me tag along with them.

What have you loved over the past week?

Easter treats that you can make in advance!

Easter is a time for family, fun and of course delicious treats but let’s be honest nobody wants to spend the entire Easter weekend stuck in the kitchen especially when there are Easter egg hunts to supervise and chocolate to eat. That’s why make ahead Easter treats are an absolute lifesaver. 

Here are some of the best Easter treats you can make ahead of time!

Hot Cross Buns

Hot cross buns are an Easter staple and the good news is they can be made in advance. You can bake them a few days before and store them in an airtight container or even freeze them for up to a month. Simply warm them in the oven or microwave before serving. If you’re feeling fancy brush them with a little honey or apricot jam for that freshly baked shine.

Easter Sugar Cookies

Decorated sugar cookies are a perfect Easter treat and they hold up well when made ahead of time. You can bake and decorate the Easter Sugar Cookies a week in advance and store them in an airtight container. For even longer storage, freeze the undecorated cookies and add the icing closer to Easter for a fresh look.

Chocolate Easter Nests

These adorable treats made with melted chocolate and cornflakes or Shredded Wheat are not only easy to make but also last for days. Easter nests were always my favourite treats to make and eat when I was a child. Simply mix the cereal with melted chocolate, shape into nests and pop them in the fridge to set. Once hardened add mini eggs for decoration. Store them in an airtight container for up to a week.

Simnel Cake

Simnel cake, a fruitcake with layers of marzipan is traditionally enjoyed at Easter and is perfect for making ahead. In fact like most fruitcakes it actually tastes better when given time to mature. Make it a week or two before Easter, wrap it well in parchment and foil and store in an airtight tin. You can add the final layer of marzipan decoration just before serving.

No Bake Mini Egg Cheesecake

A creamy, indulgent no bake cheesecake is a great Easter dessert that can be made in advance. Simply prepare the base and filling then let it chill in the fridge overnight or even up to two days. Add toppings such as fresh fruit, Easter eggs, or chocolate shavings just before serving.

Easter Rocky Road

Easter Rocky road is always a crowd pleaser and its make ahead nature makes it even better! Melt chocolate, mix in mini marshmallows, biscuits, and mini eggs, then let it set in the fridge. You can prepare it up to a week before and keep it in an airtight container for a fuss free Easter treat.

Carrot Cake

Carrot cake is a moist and flavourful cake that actually improves after a day or two. Bake it a few days before Easter, store it in the fridge and frost it with cream cheese icing just before serving. You can also freeze the unfrosted cake for longer storage.

Fudge or Chocolate Bark

Both fudge and chocolate bark are perfect for making ahead because they store well in the fridge or even at room temperature in an airtight container. Mix in some Easter themed sprinkles, mini eggs, or crushed biscuits for a festive touch. These also make lovely homemade gifts if you're visiting family and friends.

Tips for Storing Your Make Ahead Easter Treats!

Always let baked goods cool completely before storing to prevent sogginess.

Use airtight containers to keep treats fresh.

Freeze items like cakes, buns, and cookies if making them more than a few days in advance.

Add final decorations (like icing or fresh fruit) closer to serving time for the best appearance and texture.

Are you planning on making any Easter treats?

The Wednesday Hodgepodge! #10

It's Wednesday again which means it's time to join in with the Wednesday Hodgepodge with Joyce over at From This Side of the Pond! Each week there are 6 questions, we answer and then link up. Simple!

1. No foolin'! April is here. What's one fun thing on your April calendar?

I have lots of fun things planned for April but the one thing I am really looking forward to is a night away with my eldest. We're going to stay in a hotel and have a meal out before she's taking me to see a show/concert thing as a late Mother's Day treat. (It was Mother's Day here in the UK on Sunday). It will be the first time we've had a night away, just the two of us.

2. It's often said, 'A fool and his money are soon parted'...what's the last thing you wasted money on?

I have been trying not to waste money this year but I am a sucker for buying a hot or iced coffee when I am out. I know I could make it at home but somehow it just doesn't taste the same as one from Starbucks or Costa. I like to think of them as a treat but deep down I know it's a waste of money.

3. April 2nd is National DIY day. Are you a do-it yourself kind of person or maybe you're married to one? If so, what's the last thing you DIY-ed. If you're not a DIY-er what's the most recent job you had to hire someone to complete?

I am surrounded by DIY'ers. My dad is big into DIY, my brother and my fella. They would all rather had a go at fixing or doing something up themselves than pay someone else. I am not good at DIY and would rather someone else did the job for me.

I think the last small DIY job my fella did was take apart the planter at the front of the house and then used the wood to put sides around and down the side of the flower beds in the back garden and the latest big job he did was our kitchen last year, he totally transformed it and all it took was a few coats of paint and some new shelves. I still say the most impressive bit of DIY he did was making a sink unit for the bathroom a few years ago. He got a sink from my dad and then built around it with bits of wood my dad had lying around.

4. Do you eat lamb? If so do you have a favorite dish that calls for lamb?

If you asked me this a couple of years ago I would have said no, I love lamb but my family didn't so I would never make it but then I started getting lamb recipes in our Gousto box and they slowly came around to the idea. Admittedly I only used to tell them they had eaten lamb after they had said they loved the dish and had finished. I think they just didn't like the idea of eating adorable lambs that they see running around the fields at this time of year. I think our favourite lamb dish is one we had last week, the One Pot Minty Lamb & Potato Stew. On the instructions it says to cook in the oven but I just put all the ingredients in the slow cooker and let that do the work.

5. Do you fit a stereotype in some way? Explain.

If we go by the classic British stereotype, tea drinking, constantly talking about the weather, being overly polite, loving a Sunday roast and moaning about queues I would say I fit that stereotype. If you want to dig a bit deeper about the Northern stereotype I fit that too. I call everyone love or pet, I am overly friendly, I put gravy on everything, football is so important in life, I love a Greggs sausage roll, I think London is expensive and I love a good night out.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

The clocks changed here in the early hours of Sunday morning and I usually struggle with the time change but so far so good. I did the sensible thing for once and went to bed early on Saturday night so I felt refreshed on Sunday morning and I am glad I did, I was awoken by Becky coming in from work with some flowers for me. Bless her! 

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

March flew over and it was a really productive month for me. It was the month where I genuinely felt happy and worried less. It has been months since I felt like that. March was a good month!

I have seen many people on social media list something every day that they are grateful for and thought I would join in. I did this for the whole of last couple of years and it has really made me realise that even on the bad day's I have something to be grateful for.

Day 60 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful for a visit from a friend, a good chat and catch up!

Day 61 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful that Stu did the cooking tonight!

Day 62 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful for a lovely day. Went to my dad's, spent time with Stu, treated myself to some flowers and had a lovely tea which everyone loved!

Day 63 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful for pancakes and them turning out well!

Day 64 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful for home made soup!

Day 65 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful that I remembered to order the online food shop for tomorrow. I almost forgot.

Day 66 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful for cold and flu tablets! I am not grateful that Becky gave me her cold.

Day 67 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful that Ellie decided to bake cookies!

Day 68 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Yesterday I was grateful that the girls were out doing their own thing with friends and had a great day.

Day 69 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful that Stu got some of the heavy lifting jobs done in the garden.

Day 70 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful for a roast chicken dinner, I even made the Yorkshire puds myself.

Day 71 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful that I could put the heating on this afternoon. It was so chilly!

Day 72 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful that Stu now has a few days off work. He had holidays to use up before April.

Day 73 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful that the WWE is on tour in Europe and I get to watch the shows on Netflix as they are happening instead of watching the next day because of the time difference.

Day 74 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful for finding something to watch tonight, there's nothing on normal TV so we've watched Moana 2 and the Mario Bros film.

Day 75 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful that we got to watch Newcastle win the Carabao Cup. It was a fantastic match!! We were shouting at the TV so much.

Day 76 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful that we got some outside jobs done.

Day 77 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful that a couple of my parcels arrived. I hate it when you order things online and things get sent out separately.

Day 78 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful that I had a ton of seeds delivered so I can get planting and growing things!

Day 79 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful for a nice chat with the Sainsbury's delivery woman about the football. She used to live in Newcastle and picked up on my accent. hehehe

Day 80 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful that we timed it just right to catch my dad before he went out. He changed his plans and had lunch with us.

Day 81 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful I caught the Yodel delivery person throwing my parcel over the gate and I could give her a telling off. It's a good job there was nothing breakable in it!

Day 82 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful for a very, very lazy Sunday!

Day 83 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful for a new phone! Mine packed in working properly this morning no one could hear me on calls. Thank goodness for Argos and being able to get one straight away.

Day 84 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful for a chat with a friend. We had a good catch up.

Day 85 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful for a meal cooked in the slow cooker, I spent hardly any time putting it together.

Day 86 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful that I had time to dye my hair.

Day 87 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful for a fun night out!

Day 88 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful that Becky managed to get some sleep for work. Everyone around here decided to be extra noisy today.

Day 89 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful for my girls who gave me a fantastic Mother's Day! I've been spoilt rotten.

Day 90 of #365DaysOfGratitude

Today I am grateful that I got some planting done in the garden.

What were you grateful for in March?