2014 Favourites

Well Christmas has flown by and gone for another year. I hope that everyone had as much fun as I did over the holidays. We left for Wolverhampton on the 20th December to spend Christmas with my family before driving accross to Chelmsford on Boxing Day to see Ryan's family so it's all been a bit of a busy blur. Yesterday we did the long journey home back to Corwall, with a car full of Christmas goodies, ready to snuggle up and watch the fireworks with a glass of mulled wine. It hasn't quite sunk in yet that it's a new year and all the festive celebrations are over so I've written a blog to look back at some of my favourite parts of 2014.

January

 Failing to make Jamie Oliver's griddle pan waffles for a blog recipe.

Night time geocaching in Harrogate.

February

 Half term fun in freezing cold Devon. I stayed in a yurt for the first time!

I was a Harrogate hostess for uni buddies. We did more geocaching, ate plenty and bought matching pyjamas.

March

 

Silly photos at Rievaulx Abbey.

April

 Visiting Sam for the weekend - Chilling out at Fountains Abbey.

One of my many spring walks - A classroom display that I loved.

May

A cute day out at Nunnington Hall, we got the most out of our National Trust membership.

 Stuck in a shed, listening to hail, on Ryan's birthday.

June

My new neighbours when I moved in with Viv and Dave.

The best at archery on our class trip to Bolton Castle.

July

Finishing my first year of teaching, feeling relieved! 

Watching the Tour de France in Yorkshire.

August

Read all about our Summer road trip at Suitcase Dates.

Camping in France.

 

Crêpes at my cousin Claire's in Aix-en-Provence.

 

A silly week in Southern Spain with my family.

September

A last minute trip to Cornwall before the whole crazy York - Cornwall move. 

October

New job at the Eden Project - New home with Ryan

More National Trust fun at Castle Drogo - Halloween fun at Work 

November

 Duck friends at Pinetum Park - Even more National Trust at Lanhydrock 

Lovely coastal walks and views.

December

 Christmas fun at Heligan - An 8 mile coastal walk with Ryan's mum

CHRISTMAS DAY! 

 My Christmas Elf - Visiting London and the Natural History Museum.

I wonder what life will bring in..

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Christmas wishes

December is a busy time of year, not just for me but for everyone. So I will be taking a break from blogging until the new year so I can spend time with family enjoying this magical time. I arrived in Wolverhampton yesterday and will be visiting Ryan's family in Chelmsford from Boxing Day and we are taking a trip to London too... Plenty of future blog content! But for now I am happily snuggled in my pyjamas at my parents house, stealing all their orange creams :P

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!

Image from the December issue of The Simple Things

Five Things: December Edition.

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It's December! The Marmite of all the months, but I most certainly love it. It still feels like Autumn here in Cornwall as I haven't seen a drop of snow anywhere and it's been firmly above freezing point. Despite the mild weather, December has been as magical as ever so far...

One: Decorating the Christmas Tree. 

 This year I got to have my first ever real tree. We went for a potted tree so that we can bring it in every year and watch it grow and grow. We picked a little tree from the nice-smelling varieties at Bodmin Nursery. It fits just perfectly in our little living room in the cottage.

I didn't want any tinsel or sparkly stuff on our tree because it's not really my style. Instead we went for a shabby-chic/nature look and opted for a mismatched effect, buying ornaments from different places. I got a couple of Gisela Graham ornaments from a cute shop in St Austell and the Gingerbread men were from The Clementine in Fowey. I really liked the variety in Wilko and bought the floral baubles and leaves from there. The Christmas bunting was an ebay find and we topped the tree with a willow star from the Eden Project Shop.

Two: In fact, all things Christmasy!

Ryan's Mum has been here in Cornwall all week so we have been doing the touristy rounds with her which has been really fun. Everywhere has pulled out their Christmas programmes so there has been plenty of new things to see and do. The Lost Gardens of Heligan had a reindeer trail and a postbox where you could write letters to Santa. As well as Christmas crafts, Heligan are also offering free entry on certain evenings to see their Christmas lights. As an Eden employee I can get people in for free (one of the many perks) so we obviously had to check out the Enchanted Rainforest! Eden always has one event or another happening so I like to wander round and see whats happening now and again. It was awesome to see the reindeer and witness the bizarre sight of snow in the rainforest.

Three: Winter Drinks.
I am a massive fan of hot drinks and can't get though the day without a cup of tea. Now is the time to put down the Pumpkin Spice Latte and opt for a Gingerbread or Toffee-nut flavour instead. I've already had myself some mulled wine and spiced apple this year and I'm sure there will be plenty more! You can try and make your own mulled apple juice using this recipe from BBC GoodFood. Innocent drinks also have a recipe in their Hungry book for a warm spiced milk that is perfect for bedtime.

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Four: Winter Walks.

 I love going for walks any time of the year because there is always something beautiful to behold. It has been gorgeous round here with plenty of Winter sun! We have been making the most of the lack of rain/snow and getting out and about to plenty of different places. As most families do, I usually go for a Boxing Day or New Years day walk. I love wrapping up warm and feeling the cold bite on the end of my nose.

Five: My Birthday
Yes, I am one of those irritating people that have a birthday really close to Christmas. Though it's not quite as bad as my Uncle who was born on Christmas day! It's a bit of a tradition to go to the cinema for my birthday because there is usually something awesome out.. this year it's the final part of the Hobbit!! As my birthday falls on a Monday this year, I've asked Ryan if we can have a day out in Totnes, checking out the markets and unique shops, the weekend before. Usually I come up with a list of things I'd like for Christmas and I have money for my birthday that can be spent throughout the year so I might spot something I like in Totnes. Most of my birthday money has already gone on this gorgeous Seasalt waterproof coat. It's hanging up outside my bedroom door and I just can't wait to wear it!