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

This week my Word of the Week is:

I should rename these blog posts to this week my break of the week is... lol I am so done with things breaking, they say these things come in three's but we're well past that now. Over the past few weeks the kettle broke but was fixable but only after I bought a new one which is still sat in it's box ready for the next time it breaks, my mobile phone broke and I got a new one, the house phone broke and we haven't bothered to replace it as we don't use it and we've had a couple more breakages this week. Ugh!

On Monday evening our shower broke, well not the shower. The pull cord which switches it on, it snapped off. You would think it would be an easy fix, just tie the cord back up but no. Stu had a look and it snapped from inside the box. To fix it meant taking the box to bits and taking some of the wires out and Stu knows better than to mess with electrics. We had a workman out and it was all fixed within half an hour, he just replaced the bottom of the box and we got a new cord. 

The next break was the SD card in our security camera. I blame the electric being switched off and on from the fuse box thing while the shower cord was being fixed. Every time we have a power cut our camera plays up and I have been told it's from the power surge when the electricity comes back on. The card wasn't saving any recordings and when we tried to format it, it wasn't having it and we couldn't delete anything off it. Anyway, I ordered a couple of new SD cards off Amazon and thanks to Becky having a Prime account they arrived the next day so the camera is back up and running. After things that happened last year I can't imagine not having the security of a camera now.

Not all breaks are bad though, I had a lovely break from the housework on Sunday with it being Mother's Day. My family took over the chores. Over past years they would do the bare minimum and I would be left playing catch up on the Monday but not this year. I have learned from previous years and made sure they did the jobs properly and plenty of them. hehehe

Ellie has started her Easter break from college and she thinks she has a lot of plans. She is off for almost 3 weeks so has plenty of time to have some fun. Have you seen that meme it goes something like I love how teenagers are planning stuff. No money, no ride, no permission, no nothing. Just planning. She is like that. She has ideas of things to do but she's going to have to earn some money before anything happens. She has her college bus pass which she can use to get into town and back but anything after that she's going to have to do some jobs around the house to earn some pennies. There's things she wants to see at the cinema, she wants to go to the trampoline park, the arcade place and goodness knows where else.

How has your week been? I hope you have had a good one! I am of course linking up with Anne who blogs at Raisie Bay for her Word of the Week linky!

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!