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

This week my Word of the Week is:

It has to be! I’ve grumbled about it all year but now I’m properly over it and need to have a full-on moan. It has been relentless. January 2026 was officially the wettest on record here in the UK and it seems like the rain just refuses to take a break. I read somewhere that some places have had rain every single day this year! I can’t remember the last time there was a day that didn’t involve some sort of drizzle or downpour and sunshine now feels like a long, lost memory!

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mind the rain sometimes. I love it in the evenings, especially when I don’t have to go outside. There’s something about the sound of rain tapping against the window that makes me want to grab a blanket, a mug of hot chocolate and light a candle. It feels peaceful but when it has been raining as much as it has, it stops being fun! Right now, the rain is ruining my days. I can’t get out into the garden to give it a tidy, I don’t feel like going for walks and my mood is about as damp as the weather itself.

When I do make the effort and pop out it's no fun! I’ll step out and it seems OK, just a fine drizzle and then five minutes later, it chucks it down so hard I’m soaked through to my bones by the time I reach the end of the street. On the plus side, it’s an excellent excuse to come home, throw on my PJs and settle in with a hot chocolate because something good has to come of this stupid weather!

It’s never the same kind of rain though. There’s the fine, misty rain, which doesn’t seem like much but somehow gets you drenched before you’ve even got to the end of the path. There’s the spitting rain which arrives just when you think the sun might make an appearance. Then there is the torrential rain which makes me go running around the house making sure the girls have shut their bedroom windows and somewhere in between all of that, there’s the grey drizzle that just goes on and on draining my energy.

Poor Stu always seems to get the worst of the rain, it always seems to come down heavier early in the morning and he gets soaked on his way to work. He’s a trooper, bless him and has a good coat with a big hood but that doesn’t stop him coming home in a coat that hasn’t dried and is cold and damp. I can’t help feeling sorry for him, though I do secretly enjoy teasing him for coming in soggy but don't you feel sorry for him, he pays me back by trying to give me a cuddle while he still has the cold, wet coat on.

It’s strange how rain can be both relaxing and exhausting at the same time. I find myself wanting it when I want a quiet moment and dreading it when I have things to do. It's making me lazy, I’ve noticed that on rainy days, all I want to do is curl up under a blanket and watch something mindless on TV and when the sun peeks out, even a little, it’s like a little boost pushing me to get moving, tidy up or go for a short walk but with this much rain lately, those little bursts of energy are few and far between.

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 to join in with her Word of the Week linky!

What I have loved this week! Week 7. #FridayFavourites

The weather here has been trying my patience. It has been rain, more rain and then just when you think it’s easing up, more rain! I’ve got a full-on moan brewing about that which I’ll save for tomorrow. Today I'm keeping things positive and as always, I’m linking up with Erika and Andrea to share the things that I have loved over the past week.

HBO Max!

It’s finally happening! HBO Max is coming to the UK next month and I feel like I’ve been waiting forever. I've been doing my research and it is being included in the TV package we already have through Sky at no extra cost and even better, on the same day, we’re getting Disney+ and Hayu content included too, alongside Netflix, all for the same price we’re paying now or that's what it sounds like at the moment. We'll be saving £14.99 a month as soon as I cancel my Disney+ subscription. The main reason I’m excited is for The Pitt. I’ve been reading about it and waiting and now I’ll actually be able to watch it. My TV watchlist is growing again and I’m happy about that!

Game of Thrones!

Before I found out HBO Max was being bundled in to our TV package, I had a mini panic. I thought that’s it, they'd remove Game of Thrones, put it on the HBO streaming service and I wouldn’t be able to rewatch it, so naturally, I did the only sensible thing. I started watching it again. Every single time I go back to it I forget just how good it is. Tyrion and Bronn will always be my favourites.

Lighter nights!

The days are stretching out a bit more. Earlier in the week, I noticed it wasn’t pitch black at 5pm. Even though the sky was grey and threatening more rain, it was still light. It makes such a difference to my mood and makes everything feel a bit more hopeful. It won't be long until I can get out into the garden to give it a tidy and get washing out drying on the line!

Uber Eats!

Uber Eats is still quite new to me. I think I’ve used it twice now and one of those times was last weekend. I don’t want it to become a regular thing because that could get dangerous for both my bank account and my waistline but as a treat, it was lovely. Ellie and I ordered McDonald’s and had it delivered. I even did a bit of girl maths to justify it. If I’d gone out to get it I would have spent £6 on bus fares. The delivery fee was just over £2 so technically, we saved money. That’s the story and I’m sticking to it!

Cool Runnings!

After watching so much of the Winter Olympics recently, I got the sudden urge to watch Cool Runnings so on Sunday afternoon I did. It is still such a good film. I realised about ten minutes in that I still knew it almost word for word. There’s something about those movies from years ago, there's no complicated plot, no dark twists, just a good story and characters you root for. Perfect Sunday afternoon viewing!

Being lucky with Audiobooks!

I’m currently on my 7th audiobook of the year and I feel like I’ve hit a good streak. Every single one so far has pulled me in from the start. I know that won’t always happen but at the moment I press play and I’m straight into the story. The only slight issue with the one I’m on at the moment is the narrator speaks so slowly with drawn-out words and long pauses. If I had to listen at normal speed I probably would have given up but thank goodness for the speed control. Double speed has saved it!

Plans for next week!

I love having something to look forward to and next week feels like it's going to be a good one. Stu is off work and Ellie is off college, so we’ve made some plans. There’s a mix of getting things done and doing fun stuff. Stu is painting the dining room white to freshen it up. We’ve got a shopping day planned, shelves to put up, and I’ve got a medical appointment to get sorted. We’re also planning lunch out at some point, which I’m already excited about. I need to dye Ellie’s hair too and Stu and I might sneak in a day out for just the two of us.

What have you loved over the last week?

A homemade Valentine’s Day meal for under £20!

Valentine’s Day is one of those days that sounds lovely in theory but it can be a bit much. Overpriced set menus, awkward tables too close together and food that looks nice but leaves you stopping for snacks on the way home. It isn't ideal so that's why I prefer to stay home, eat well and wear comfy clothes! Cooking at home feels more relaxed, more personal and you actually get to enjoy the evening instead of watching the clock and wondering how much the bill is going to be.

This meal is simple and feels like a treat without draining your bank account. It’s perfect for two, easy to scale up or down and you won’t be chained to the kitchen all night. Garlic mushrooms to start a proper hearty main of sausages and a dessert that looks impressive but is secretly easy!

Starter:

Garlic mushrooms with crusty bread which costs around £4 to £5.

Main:

Sticky Balsamic Sausage Traybake with Roast Potatoes which costs around £6.

Dessert:

Warm Chocolate Brownies with Ice Cream which costs around £4 to £5

That keeps the whole meal comfortably under £20, especially if you already have basics like oil, seasoning or honey in the cupboard.

Starter: Garlic Mushrooms with Crusty Bread!

This is one of those starters that instantly makes dinner feel special. You know the smell, the kind that has people wandering into the kitchen asking what’s that? What I love about this starter is that it is low fuss but still feels like a treat. You don’t need a dozen fancy ingredients or some Michelin-star technique, just mushrooms, garlic, butter and a bit of seasoning. The crispy, crusty bread is there for the dunking and soaking up all that buttery garlicky goodness.

You need:

300g chestnut mushrooms, sliced.

2 to 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped.

A knob of butter.

Salt and black pepper.

Optional: dried parsley or thyme.

1 Crusty baguette or similar

Heat a frying pan over medium heat and add the butter. Let it melt and start to sizzle. Add the mushrooms and leave them alone for 3 to 4 minutes so they start to brown. Toss in the garlic and stir well. Cook for another 2 to 3 minutes until mushrooms are glossy and soft. Season with salt, pepper and a sprinkle of herbs if you like. Slice and lightly toast the bread. Serve warm with the mushrooms on top or on the side for dunking.

Main: Sticky Balsamic Sausage Traybake with Roast Potatoes!

Sausages are underrated for Valentine’s Day. They’re easy to cook, flavourful and when roasted with a sticky balsamic and honey glaze they suddenly feel fancy without any stress. The roast potatoes are essential, golden and crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. They soak up a bit of the sausage glaze, making every bite delicious. The whole traybake approach is a win too. You throw everything in, let the oven do the work and by the time it’s done, your kitchen smells incredible and your plate is ready to go.

You need:

6 good quality pork sausages.

4 to 5 medium potatoes, peeled and chopped.

2 tbsp olive oil.

1 tbsp balsamic vinegar.

1 tbsp honey.

Salt and black pepper.

Preheat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan). Boil the potatoes in salted water for about 10 minutes until the edges are just tender. Drain, shake in the colander to rough up the edges (this helps them crisp up). Toss the potatoes in a roasting tin with a drizzle of olive oil, salt and pepper. Pop them in the oven for about 20 minutes to start roasting. Meanwhile, place the sausages in another roasting tray (or alongside the potatoes if your tray is big enough) and roast for 20 minutes. Mix the balsamic vinegar and honey together and pour over the sausages. Turn them so they’re coated, then roast for another 15 to 20 minutes until sticky and golden. Make sure the potatoes get a little turn halfway through so they roast evenly. Serve everything straight from the tray! Cosy, sticky and perfect!

Warm Chocolate Brownies with Ice Cream!

Brownies are one of those sweet treats that feel like a hug. Using ready made brownies keeps things simple but warming them in the oven gives them that gooey centre that makes them feel like a little luxury. Serving them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream adds the ultimate finishing touch. You can even add a few berries or a drizzle of chocolate sauce if you’re feeling extra fancy. Dessert is meant to feel special, and these brownies definitely are without any stress or mess.

Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be flashy to be lovely. A homemade meal, a relaxed atmosphere and food that actually fills you up beats a fancy restaurant every time.

What do you have planned for Valentine's Day?

The Wednesday Hodgepodge #42

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. What's something recent that had you 'tickled pink'?

This one’s easy, new pans! My dad recently gave us a set and I am properly tickled pink with them. Not just because they’re new but because they actually match. I was expecting my dad’s old, slightly battered ones that had seen a lot of meals but we ended up with these beauties. I don’t think I’ve ever owned matching pans before. When Stu and I got together 20 years ago, we did what everyone does and shoved our pan collections together. They were a random mix that did the job but looked like it had been gathered from several different households over several decades. Now, with matching pans, I feel so grown up and organised.

2. A bed of roses, everything's coming up roses, every rose has it's thorn, stop and smell the roses, rose-colored glasses, a rose among thorns...which rosy expression might currently be applied to your life in some way?

Everything’s coming up roses feels right for me at the moment. Life isn’t perfect, it never is but at the moment it does feel like things are clicking into place. My ducks feel like they’re finally in a row, that phrase does make me chuckle, plans feel doable and things seem to be moving in the right direction without me having to push, shove or overthink every single step.

3. What makes you feel loved and appreciated?

It's all the little things. Like my family doing things without me having to ask, being thanked for everyday stuff I usually do, being listened to properly, someone making me a cup of tea without me having to ask, being included, kept in the loop and not feeling like an afterthought, a proper hug, funny videos sent to me which means someone thought of me and someone taking an interest in my interests.

4. A box of chocolates or a bouquet of fresh flowers-what's your pleasure? Any special plans for Valentine's Day?

I like fresh flowers, give me a simple bunch of daffodils and I am happy! My favourite ever flowers I received were the rainbow roses from Stu. They were a total surprise. When we lived in the North East, there was a little stall in the middle of Newcastle selling flowers and they always had the rainbow ones and I always said I would get some on the way home but after a day shopping with the kids getting flowers was the last thing on my mind. Stu remembered this and bought me some one Valentine's Day.

We are planning to get a meal from M&S. A starter, main, side, dessert and drink for £25. Stu is going to do the cooking and our Valentine's Day will be spent shopping for DIY supplies. We're painting the dining room next week.

5. Share a favorite quote, scripture, or song lyric relating to love.

Love is not about how many days, months or years you’ve been together. Love is about how much you love each other every single day. - Unknown

6. Insert your own random thought here.

Last week I said I wasn't too bothered about watching much of the Winter Olympics but here I am a little obsessed with it. I keep putting the TV on and then getting suckered into watching the heats of various sports and then of course have to watch right up until the final of that event.