LEEDS, OUT AND ABOUT.

Way, way back when I was just starting out I did a post featuring some of the buildings in and around the city centre, focusing on the details in the architecture. I definitely feel spoilt for choice in this city because there really are some beautiful buildings to be found so I decided to head out and capture them again. These were taken one afternoon last month, trying to capture the last of the light.

FLOWERS.

Last year I had a monthly post featuring flowers. I still love flowers but in the spirit of no pressure to blog or to put expectations on myself, here are some tulips for your weekend, irrespective of the month. These beauties were in the market bargain bucket for only £1!! I think they might be the prettiest tulips I have ever seen, I mean look at those petals.

KJW.

Last week was this not so little lady's birthday and she came round to say hi. She is always smiling or has her tongue out and is always so much fun to be around. 

I love loads Katie J, Happy 1st Birthday!

x  

SIGNS OF SPRING.

Earlier this week we went for a very short walk armed with mittens and my camera. I feel like I'm slowly getting back into using it and the few flowers fighting the cold wind were the perfect thing to capture. I'm grateful for the reminder that the sun is still there and we'll hopefully be seeing a little bit more of it soon!

MY LEEDS/ NORTHERN MONK.

The Northern Monk is definitely a much loved and regularly visited place amongst my friends. From the day I heard it was opening, just a short walk from my house, I was interested to check it out and it did not disappoint. Tucked just off Marshall Street in the Old Flax Mill, it doesn't look like much from the outside (and the initial smell of the brewery downstairs takes some getting used to) but the simple decor with long wooden tables, exposed brick and concrete planters on each table with the low hanging lights above gives it such a good atmosphere. It is open early for breakfast and stays open til late for food and drinks, perfect for any time of day. It's where you can find us most Friday evenings and I even celebrated my birthday here!

I've probably been far to many times but I don't expect that to stop any time soon. Here are some photos from last weekend for a delicious brunch. I went for the vegetarian haggis with braised beans and a poached egg. Yum.

Thanks Northern Monk for being so great and so close by, see you on Friday!

x

SALTAIRE.

Last month we took an afternoon trip to explore Saltaire.

It was pretty chilly but we wandered around the church (which was unfortunately closed) guided by Kate and Google, then had a peek at the rows of houses built at the same time as the Mill before heading into the Mill itself. The floors are filled with art, books and homeware some of which was pretty pricey making it easier to resist!  We explored each level before finishing up at the cafe where we of course had coffee and cake before heading home in the dark and thankfully avoiding the rain! A perfect weekend day.

CINNAMON ROLLS WITH CARDAMOM AND WALNUTS.

I love cinnamon rolls. 

I remember spending HOURS making them a few years ago and they were delicious but it's hard to wait for them to rise..twice! A friend of mine put me onto a quick recipe that I use when I'm feeling impatient but the rolls to produces are not quite as bready and substantial as the real deal. While flicking through my cook books the other week I come across this recipe for cinnamon rolls with a bit of a difference. Despite having slightly not enough cinnamon I figured the cardamon would compensate and it meant I could use up the last of the Christmas nuts! Although there was still waiting involved, I managed to occupy myself and the result was delicious. Especially for breakfast with a friend later in the week.

NEW YEAR'S DAY.

Rewind a few weeks to a chilly walk around the woods to welcome in the New Year.

IN JOY.

2016. Here we go.

With a new year always comes reflection and resolution which has led me to have a bit of a rethink. Since I last posted two months ago (!) a lot seems to have been going on and changing. In all the busyness of life this blog as been a bit neglected but you know what? That's ok. I'm speaking to myself here because I have a tendency to put on pressure to meet goals, be disciplined, tick things off my list and then feel frustrated if I fail. This is in life, not just on this blog. All of these things have a place but I can cling onto them too much and measure my success and happiness by them. Not so good.

One major challenge amongst all the changes and goals has been to trust God and give over control, something that is definitely a work in progress. I have been trying to shift the way I go to Him; as a first point of call, prioritising Him and not as a second or third option when my own efforts have proved to be not enough. I know the truth that He is my sustainer and my provider of everything good which I have seen play out in my life so many times. However, my default seems to be try my way first and if I fail be disappointed, don't tell anyone and try again. This is a crazy way to do it! 

Something I really value in life is happiness which I find in exploring new places, spending time with people I love, my job, making memories, eating good food, building my home, but undoubtedly these things would be hollow without a life based on my salvation and living in the freedom that Jesus has given me. True happiness is through Him. This is so freeing because if I live trying, an inevitably failing, to do everything right, meet all of my self-inflicted goals and make everything fun and happy I will fail BUT if I seek God and do things His way, I find true joy no matter the outcome or failings.

I was referring to this blog as 'today' trying to capture the everyday, seemingly insignificant things but I wasn't really posting regularly or meeting my own expectations which was unnecessary pressure that I am letting go of, along with the name. I am choosing to live in joy, perusing the joy that comes from living for God. Part of that will be sharing things on this blog and might not look a whole lot different to before but this is the reality of what my life is really about. Living day to day for Him.

ROMANS 15v13 "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

NEHEMIAH 8v10 "Do not grieve for the joy of the Lord is your strength."