THANKFUL THURSDAY/ JUNE.

How is it the end of another month already? A bit of a rambley one this month so I apologise in advance...

one. The SUN! It made a proper appearance this month and I have been so thankful to have a few days of summer and a break from work.
two. The ballet. I managed to squeeze in a trip to see Northern Ballet's mixed programme last week. It was so great and inspired me more to take it up again....
three. ...it also made me equally grateful for parents who valued taking me to see dance, theatre and musicals from a young age.
four. Church. I don't say enough how grateful I am to be part of a group of people who truly love Jesus and try to live out what the Bible says.
five. Music, in particular a few 8tacks playlists from my little sister, she has excellent taste and it saves me having to do it! 
six. Facetime. 
seven. Wild flowers. They are surprisingly everywhere which makes me so happy, especially living in a city.
eight. Getting back into the kitchen.
nine. A God that is constant in all my inconsistency.

...and here is a bonus picture from earlier this month. No reason to share this but I think it's pretty.
Hope you've had a wonderful June
xx

BRUNCH.

During a recent week off I got to spend a few days with Jeni. My brief visit included an incredible brunch at Sunday where I had the most delicious Eggs Benedict (and a bite of blueberry pancakes). This was followed by wandering the streets of Islington in the sunshine and chatting to our hearts content. I am so grateful for friends like this who make me feel so loved and remind me of who I am in God.

GRAPEFRUIT OLIVE OIL POUND CAKE.

I've been wanting to bake again for awhile now but haven't managed to find the time until this week. I made this loaf which is very similar to a lemon drizzle cake but a little bit sweeter and subtler. It's in the smitten kitchen cookbook and the recipe can be found here (but without the icing for some reason). It is delicious and so nice to make something new. 
I don't have a squeezer so squeezed the grapefruits by hand which left tiny pink flecks in the juice and the icing, making it all the prettier in my eyes. 
Hope you have a lovely weekend!
x

CHESTER.

I met Jenna during my first month at University and by the last month (thanks to muesli and coffee breakfasts, French films and a few other friends) we would see each other every week. Since she no longer lives in Leeds and has been in Switzerland for the most part of this year, I made a trip across the country to see her as soon as I could!

Jenna, thank you for giving me an excuse to explore a new city. Thank you for your constant encouragement and honesty and thank you for a weekend full of lots of my favourite things!
 x

 ELEPHANTS! WE MADE A QUICK VISIT TO CHESTER ZOO BUT THE WEATHER WASN'T GREAT SO WE JUST STAYED JUST LONG ENOUGH TO CHECK THESE GUYS OUT...

 ...I HAD TO SHARE ANOTHER ONE. I GOT A BIT CARRIED AWAY, THERE ARE SO MANY MORE ON MY CAMERA.

 WE TOOK THE DOGS OUT INTO THE SUNSHINE THAT APPEARED DURING LUNCHTIME, SO PRETTY.

 EVENING LIGHT.

GORGEOUS JENNA AND DELICIOUS COCKTAILS AT THE BOTANIST.

 LOTS OF BEAUTIFUL BUILDINGS SO I WAS HAPPY.

I HAD TO.

 ONE OF MANY.

..AND ANOTHER BUILDING. SORRY FOR THE OVERLOAD!

DAD.

Happy Father's Day!

I was lucky enough to briefly see my Dad yesterday which was so good as it was kind of last minute. Can't wait to spend more time with him (and the rest of the family) soon. On Mother's Day I shared a few things my Mum has taught me and my parents are an amazing team so my Dad should get credit for them too.

I always have a lot of fun with him and learn a lot about being generous and giving amongst so many other things. Thanks for being so amazing Dad, I love you xx

DIRTY DANCING AT CAMP KATUR.

Last weekend my youngest sister came to Leeds to hang out. By chance my friend Kate suggested going to an outdoor screening of Dirty Dancing so of course that is how we spent our Saturday night- armed with snacks, blankets and a massive watermelon. We had the best time! This is something I've wanted to do in such a long time and it was worth the wait. It was so much fun to check out every else's costumes (I failed big time in that respect), have a dancing lesson, listen to some great music and then snuggle up and watch the film. 

Thanks for coming to stay Talitha. Definitely on the hunt for another outdoor screening soon!

TEEPEES FOR ANYONE STAYING THE NIGHT.

KATE AND FAYE GETTING INTO THE DANCING SPIRIT.

YES...WE TRIED THE LIFT. IT TOOK TWO PEOPLE AND NEEDS SOME WORK.

FREESTYLE.

ATTEMPTED SISTER PHOTO. THREE OUT OF FIVE. MISSED YOU MIA AND ASHA!

THE REMAINS OF THIS WATERMELON ARE STILL IN MY FRIDGE. IT'S HUGE TRUST ME.

 SUCH A BEAUTIFUL SETTING.

OF COURSE.

HERE WE GO!

DURING THE LAST SCENE BEARLY EVERYONE GOT UP TO JOIN IN, ACCOMPANIED BY A GIANT BEACH BALL AND A REINACTMENT OF THE DANCE BY SOME OF THE STAFF. BRILLIANT.

P.S. Lauren took some gorgeous photos, check them out

Xx

BURTON CONSTABLE.

While I visited home we spend a few hours at Burton Constable exploring the grounds and enjoying the sunshine. 

These kinds of days are the best.

Happy Friday! Hope you have a fun weekend. I have the next week off work so I'm looking forward to spending some time visiting friends.

x

FAMILY TIME.

Last weekend I managed to pop back to my parent's house and spend a bit of time with some of my favourite people. I feel very blessed to have the family I do, they are incredible and I definitely go on about them too much! The few days I was there were filled with a lot of familiar weekend activities but mainly just talking, laughing and cuddles. 

Perfect.

x

MY RAINING TRAIN JOURNEY.

BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS FROM MY GRANNY TO MY MUM, SO SUMMERY!

DELICIOUS CAKES BAKED BY MY BABY SISTER.

PLAYING WITH ASHA'S INCREDIBLE HAIR.

A JOINT EFFORT AS ALWAYS, SATURDAY CROSSWORD.