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."

OCTOBER'S FLOWERS.

Playing a little bit of catch up right now, here are last month's flowers which were these cute little asters, reminding me a little of daisies and "You've Got Mail". 

DAILY OCTOBER.

...nearly.
I intended this month to try and post a photo on Instagram every day. I'm sure I've said before but I love looking back through old photos and this is such an easy way to do it. Although I missed a day or two here is a summary in photos of what my last month or so looked like. 

RECIPE/ AUTUMN GALETTE.

As usual I have been loving all things seasonal so a few weeks ago a made a squash galette. It's basically the easiest type of pie you can get and it was delicious.

MY LEEDS/ LIGHT NIGHT

Once a year in Leeds when it's starting to get dark, something called Light Night happens... not that I was really aware of this despite living here for 5 years! All over the city buildings open their doors to the public and sections of the streets are closed off to host art installations all about light. We were only free to squeeze in one or two pieces on display but it was a fun and different way to spend an evening. Check out the rainbow room and a light parade with a massive owl (which personally I thought was the double of Hedwig) below. One of my favourite pieces was the projection in with window of 'Nation of Shopkeepers', very cool.

I love that there always seems to be going on in Leeds whether I know about it or not!

NEW COVENT GARDEN MARKET.

While in London visiting Jeni, we took an early morning trip to do some flower research for the wedding which is less than two weeks away now(!). Armed with coffee, scarfs and a notebook we made our way round asking questions and placing orders to pick up the day before the big day. By the time we arrived over half of the stock was gone but there was still plenty to choose from thankfully and I was in my element. I love flowers if you haven't already figured that one out and it's probably a good thing we were 200miles from my house or a lot of these would have come home with me. Can't wait to get my hands on these and start making button holes and bouquets as part of my bridesmaid duties! 

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