TEA.

This will probably seem like a very strange thing to write a blog post about or in fact take pictures of but if you didn't know - I don't drink tea, much to the confusion of my friends, family and colleagues. Shock horror! I've had the odd accidental sip (mistaking someone else's mug for my coffee), a cup or two (of ginger tea) out of politeness while travelling in Bangladesh and made cups for other people (while avoiding breathing through my nose). I'm not sure where this strong dislike came from but the fact is, I just don't like the stuff! 

However, seeing as SO many people do, I decided to give it a real chance. So, I asked Jeni, a big tea drinker, to take me out for a proper cup of tea and we found ourselves at Yumchaa for a pot of loose leaf English Breakfast.

THE EMPTY CUP!

Is this maturity? Trying new things? Hmmm, not sure. My verdict: I won't be drinking it again in a hurry but at least it's crossed off my list. 

Well here I am below, taking my first sip. That expression is surprise at not being disgusted but also uncertainty because I haven't had a whole cup of proper tea ever in my life and I'm still undecided. Next I need to conquer my dislike for bananas...

 

TODAY.

A few shots from today.

Not captured, choosing a jacket instead of my coat and getting rained on, spring blossoms and a cheese board and catch up. Hope it was a good one for you!

xx

 BLUE SKIES! UNFORTUNATELY THEY DID NOT LAST ALL DAY.

 A LITTLE REFRESH OF THE MANTLE PIECE.

 BREAKFAST DATE!

 CINNAMON BUNS, SO QUICK AND DELICIOUS. ADDING THESE INTO THE BREAKFAST ROTATION.

 HANDING OUT LEAFLETS FOR SUNDAY.

 THIS EVENING'S SOUNDTRACK.

SPINACH AND RICOTTA ENCHILADAS.

THE BEST CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE RECIPE.

As a big fan of chocolate chip cookies, I'm always keen to try different recipes and find the perfect one. When I discovered this recipe a few years back I thought I had better try it, especially as it was recommended by more than one blogger, but for some reason this is the first time I actually attempted to make it! I wonder if part of the reason for this is that it involves leaving the dough for at least 24hours before baking which seems like a long time to wait for cookies if you ask me...

Anyway, this past week I went for it and baked them.

Phase one involved a lot of elbow grease and far too many chocolate chips despite the fact that I bought less than the recipe asked for.

YES, THOSE ARE MY LEGS AND YES I'M WEARING PJS. CAN'T BEAT A BIT OF BEDTIME BAKING.

READY TO CREAM TOGETHER.

SO MANY CHOCOLATE CHIPS!!! THIS BOWL IS NOT SMALL EITHER.

Phase two, about 36hours later and I finally got some cookies.  Some of them turned out slightly squished and misshapen but they all taste pretty good!

It made 20 decent sized cookies with some dough still left over, now frozen for future cravings because 20 is more than enough to be getting on with even though I have a suspicion that these won't last very long. 

I can't say yet whether I would call them the best ever chocolate chip cookies but I would make them again for sure and I'm happy to keep on hunting for the perfect ones. 

READY FOR THE OVEN.

I RAN OUT OF ROOM ON MY COOLING RACK SO HAD TO START STACKING.

IN ALL THEIR GLORY...THE PERFECTLY ROUND AND NOT SO MUCH.

Have a lovely weekend, here's hoping it involves something delicious!

xx

MARCH'S FLOWERS.

Here we are with this month's offering. 

I managed to spot these beauties yesterday amongst the many daffodils in the supermarket so quickly grabbed the last bunch! I had actually been eyeing up hyacinths and anemones in the market while picking up some flowers for my Mum so I was especially happy to find these.

x

LAUSANNE PART TWO.

Here is my last Switzerland post! On my second day in Lausanne we headed down to the Lake to get a better view of the mountains and enjoy the sunshine. We decided to take the day slowly, especially as the next day we left the chalet at 3am so I could make my flight in time!

The day also involved church and getting to sit in on a YWAM teaching session. Jenna helps staff one of their discipleship course so I was lucky to be able to hear a lot of wisdom during my stay. It was such a treat to spend a bit of time out with a friend and have easy and honest conversations about life, future and what it means to follow Jesus alongside dancing in the kitchen and drinking lots of coffee. I feel very thankful to know Jenna. 

Here are a few final photos to round up my trip, compared to the hundreds of photos in my last post I managed to pick just a few. Considering they were all the same shot of the Alps from different angles, it was slightly easier to narrow down! Now to start planning the next adventure...

Have a lovely weekend (and give your Mum a hug if you can, Happy Mother's Day) xx

ONE LAST VIEW OF THE FOREST AS I WOKE UP.

LAKE GENEVA!

THESE MOUNTAINS ARE SERIOUSLY BEAUTIFUL.

THIS WOULD BE OUCHY, ON THE EDGE OF THE LAKE

NOT PRONOUNCED HOW IT LOOKS...IT SOUNDS A LOT BETTER IN A FRENCH ACCENT.

LAUSANNE PART ONE.

Lausanne is just on the edge of Lake Geneva, in the Swiss Alps. In preparation for going I bought myself some thermals which sounds pretty extreme as it wasn't much colder than Leeds but I actually even wore them before I went and was very grateful while I was there too! I loved being up in the mountains and got pretty excited when it snowed (for about five minutes) the fresh air, pine trees and views were beautiful. I hadn't ever heard of Lausanne before and expected a small quiet town but there was a lot more the see than expected.

We spent day one away from the mountains exploring the back streets and squares of Lausanne, drinking hot chocolate and eating bread. Although I took French at school and am aiming to re-learn it in the next few months, I speak hardly any. Jenna is a bit of a pro so the perfect person to show me around.

I wasn't away for very long but I took a lot of pictures so there will be another Lausanne post in a day or two. I also went a bit snap-happy on Instagram if you want to check that out.
xx

THE SNOW! THE TREES!

PALAIS DE RUMINE.

WE FOUND A MARKET WITH SOME INCREDIBLE LOOKING CHEESE - CHECK OUT THAT HANGING SMOKED STUFF.

I WANTED TO BUY ALL OF THESE FANCY MUSHROOMS.

PALAIS DE RUMINE AGAIN.

THESE SHUTTERS!

SWITZERLAND.

WE STUMBLED UPON A CASTLE! CHATEAU SAINT-MARIE.

CATHEDRALE DE LAUSANNE.

JUST AS IMPRESSIVE ON THE OUTSIDE...

AS THE INSIDE.

STAINED GLASS WINDOW LIGHT.

THESE VIEWS! 

I COULD HAVE STARED ALL DAY.

THE BEST HOT CHOCOLATE, IT ACTUALLY CAME IN A BOWL! WHICH WOULD HAVE COME HOME WITH ME IF IT COULD.

WE STAYED OUT TIL THE SUN WENT DOWN.

LAUSANNE, YOU ARE PRETTY GREAT! THANKS FOR SHOWING ME AROUND JENNA.

LOVING THIS...

music channel

shop I would love to have one closer 

jumper 

class 

song cover

tv show 

app an oldie but a goodie, I always rekindle my love for this when I have a bit of time away from work

Hope you've been having a lovely weekend so far. More Switzerland posts coming next week...
xx

GENEVA.

My lovely friend Jenna is living in Switzerland right now so recently I booked my flights and headed out to pay her visit. This was my first time visiting Switzerland and due to an early flight, I found myself with a whole day to explore Geneva before catching a train to meet Jenna in Lausanne. 

I've never actually spent a whole day alone abroad before but I filled the day with wandering the streets, reading, taking photos and dropping by the recommended tourist attractions. Despite not realising I was on the wrong side of the Rhone for maybe an hour and walking down some dodgy streets, suitcase in hand, I found my bearings and made it across to the old town. 
xx

GENEVA'S FAMOUS FOUNTAIN, JET D'EAU.

I STUMBLED UPON A BOOK MARKET AND DOWN SOME PRETTY LITTLE STREETS.

THE PRETTIEST FLOWERS IN AN OLD WELL.

A STREET OF FLAGS!

CAN'T RESIST A BIKE OR AN ARCHWAY.

THE CATHEDRALE SAINT-PIERRE.

THE SUN SETTING OVER THE CITY.