Lately

A spot of period drama, a Withnail & I sampler I’m making for a good friend, wonderfully scented Hyacinths, the Heart Gallery girls sitting pretty, the tasty treats we gave out at the new exhibition launch, our lovely shoes (must wear my bow shoes more often!), babysitting for my nephew (peek-a-boo!), christening our new telly by watching Lord Of The Rings (obligatory), treating ourselves to a tasty Thai meal overlooking the marina at Hebden Bridge, afternoon walks and perusing my lovely gifted cake stand.

Bake, read and grow!

As per norm, at this time of year, many people have asked what resolutions I’ll be making for 2012. I like to think that you can make fresh starts, have new goals or change your life no matter the time of year. There is a lot of pressure in January to stop doing this or that when I think the focus should be more about the things you want to add to your life.

I have a few plans in mind for the year that I’m still pondering over (house, money, shop, blog and travel) but in the meantime I think it’s the small things that give me the sense of happiness I want to achieve in my life. It’s the lifestyle that I lead that maintains happiness – eating nice food, living in a comfortable and homely house in a pretty town, having love in my life, good health, enjoying time with friends and family and to read, write and create. That’s it really. That’s not to say I don’t have ambitions; there’s so much more I would like to do and achieve in my life. I think once you strip it all back though, it’s the small things.

So I thought it would be nice to list a few things that kept me in check last year that contributed to my happy lifestyle, followed by a couple of new things I’d like to add to it. As for the big stuff I’m still pondering…

Click on images for source.

Walking

We are so lucky to have the best countryside surrounding us. If I’m walking with friends/family or on my own it clears my mind of any stresses/anxieties, gives me chance to work off all that cake I eat and reminds me why I love living where I do. This year, I would like to attempt a walking routine. Once I’m walking I love it but getting me off the sofa and out into the cold takes a little persuasion!

Lighting candles

This sounds really silly but it’s a routine (trust me, I’m not a routine type of gal) that I’ve noticed I enjoy a lot. When the sun starts to set, I begin the process of popping round our tiny house lighting candles and oil burners and turning on our twinkle lights in the bedroom. It makes me feel happy, cosy and settled and welcomes the evening in gently – oh dear, I am silly.

Writing in notepad

Writing in my notepad(s) is a big deal to me. It not only keeps my dilly-dally brain free of clutter but I like the process of putting  pen to paper. I have 5 main notebooks that I use – one for blog ideas, for craft/design ideas, for thrifting and one for writing (play/character ideas). Then there’s a random one just for lists. I have a problem, I know.

Making tea

Oh tea. I cannot get over how it cheers me so. You know the deal already. Tea is awesome. The process of making tea is as comforting as a snuggly duvet.

Resolutions

As for resolutions, apart from making bread I already read and grow herbs – but not as much as I’d like. I want the following three resolutions to be a part of my daily life as much as checking emails and brushing my teeth!

Reading

We popped to the library the other day and have promised to go in each month to get our books and read, read, read. I tried last year to do the same but realised I need actual ‘reading time’ instead of trying to find time here and there. Ooh if you could recommend any books that you’ve enjoyed lately, I’d be grateful! Currently reading: The Great Gatsby by F.Scott Fitzgerald.

Bake bread

Reasons to bake bread – relaxing, fills the house with divine aromas and tastes goooood.


Grow!

I sowed a few seeds last Spring for our kitchen windowsill and didn’t do the best job at keeping up with them. I use herbs daily so it seems silly to keep buying them from the shop when I have plenty of seeds at my disposal (Mum has a stash!). I’d like our outside patch of grass to have a few nice pots and plants too. Must and WILL try better.

How about you? Have you made any resolutions this year?

Recently.

The weekend was jam-packed full of runny noses, tea, working at Heart Gallery, lazy lie-ins, reading magazines, tidying/decluttering bedroom, Jamaican rum truffles, prancing in my ankle boots, Prosecco treats from the OH, a friends 21st birthday celebration (I’m 10 years older – eep!), a tidy up of my ‘craft station’, listening to PJ Harvey and Arcade Fire, eating salted caramel cheesecake very slowly, writing Christmas lists (notice the empty Coco Mademoiselle bottle-a gentle reminder for Christmas!) and watching Pan Am on iplayer. Not bad, not bad…

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Bonfire weekend and too much biscotti.

Bonfire weekend for us, this year, was spent at home. We’re in a convenient position on top of the hill so can see the fireworks for miles! I’ve been a bit sniffly so didn’t want to brave the cold this year. Yes, I’m a sap. Instead, I pranced around the house in my new glasses, we wrapped blankets around ourselves as we watched the park fireworks, watched many episodes of Breaking Bad and felt lucky to be warm and snuggly!

20111107-213216.jpgPosing with my new glasses from Glasses Direct (1 pair free!)

20111107-213208.jpgI like how the smoke showed up in this picture, even if the firework is out of focus!

20111107-213227.jpgI’ve eaten way too much biscotti this weekend. It is my continental friend.

20111107-213236.jpgA morning stroll to town. You can just make out the bonfire smoke from the night before…

20111107-213243.jpgA little bit of crafting for Christmas…

20111107-213249.jpgLots of reading…no books mind.

20111107-213258.jpgAnd fabric bargains from the WI rag market.

Hope you all had a good one too!

Happy Tuesday!

Rainy days…

Ingredients to a perfect day indoors when sun doesn’t have his/her hat on: Tea, drunk out of a perfect mug (this one was bought from Jules in Hebden Bridge), a good DVD (preferably a classic), pretty flowers to gaze at, snuggles on the sofa with a favourite blanket and magazine, and browsing through family photos to cheer the heart. POP!

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What’s your recipe for a perfect rainy day?

Twitter Updates

  • Gin gin gin. Ginny gin gin. 1 day ago
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