Simply Seasonal ....21st of January

Hello Lovelies,

how was your week? My work days were busy and quiet stressful, but my days off had many happy moments and simple but special treats.

Here is my round up of simply seasonal joy for the third week of January.

1 ♥ A feast with friends. My walking group have their annual lunch in January. I think it's great that they don't try and have it in December when everywhere and everyone is so busy. The company was great...lots of book talk which gave me some titles to look out for. I'm not much of a novel reader but occasionally I do like to loose myself in a book. Last year I read THIS book on holiday and loved it.

The roses on the table made me smile

and there were any courses to enjoy. I liked the carvery main course the best as I do love this sort of meal and it tastes much nicer when you have not had to cook it yourself :0)

2 ♥ Baking It's still chilly outside and it was very windy on occasion this week. When it's wild weather I love to turn on the oven and bake in a cosy kitchen.

I made an army of gingerbread men

3 ♥ Walking by water. On Thursday I was relived the wind had gone and the sun was even shining. Myself and a friend were  the leaders on this weeks walking group outing. It was an  unusually flat walk for us to choose but the watery views were beautiful and it avoided too much mud :0)

We went HERE.

It was great to be able to distribute some home baking too.

4 ♥ Getting outdoors with Eldest. More walking....this time locally. No water but lots of chat and fresh air.

I introduced him to my Robin friend too. Can you spot him?

Her's getting braver and we both loved watching him enjoy the seed I left.

My favourite church was looking pretty in the sunshine.

and I smiled when I noticed the snowdrops are getting bigger.

The very "Free Range" chickens were wandering around enjoying the sunshine a little further down the road.

and we said hello to these two, who seemed to smile back.

5 ♥ Wintry Shadows. As you can see our shed project is finally looking better. It's not complete but we are getting there. I had to smile when eldest did a bit styling with a pot and the little pig I've had in the garden for ages, but I took this photo mainly for the tree shadows.  I love their shapes and the way I could see the shadows of the birds hopping in the branches too.

6 ♥ Making Soup. I do love home made soup. It's so cheap and easy to make. Not to mention good for you.

On this occasion I used THIS recipe.

7 ♥ Adventuring with mum. This week we went in search of a new tea room. It's becoming a habit :0)
 It was a bit tricky to find and I nearly baulked when we came to this steep, single track bridge. Time to sound your horn to warn others who might be coming in the opposite direction.

We made it over safely and I had to admit it was a pretty sight from the canal bank.

As you can see this is a quiet lane. We like a tea room with pretty surroundings.

The sun even shone for us and things looked promising.

we went HERE.

Inside was delightful. More table flowers. Such a lovely touch

and when you have had healthy soup for lunch you have an excuse for a sweet treat, right?

There were other customers despite the relative remoteness of this spot. I love the quick sketch mum did of this couple.

Mum also had old photos in her handbag that made me smile. This is my younger brother and I at Hardcastle Crags in the 80's. I think we would have been 18 and 14. I see we loved stepping stones back then too...oh and we were both wearing our Nanna's knitting  :0)

It was a lovely atmosphere in the Tea shop and even better...there is also a charity shop there. I picked up a brand new high quality walking top for a bargain price.

And mum got a new handbag...her weakness :0)   It was a lovely afternoon discovering somewhere new and supporting a deserving charity too. In mum's words it "turned out better than like"

I hope your week turns out well too.
Jacquie x