Jody and Phil

Yesterday one of my favourite friends, Jody, got engaged to an amazing guy, Phil! We had a surprise engagement party straight afterwards, with all of their closest friends celebrating and loving them. 

There's a proper blog with photos of Phil, Jody and her bling and the party coming tomorrow. 

Until then...

...the beautiful, happy couple!

Fill in the blank Friday (Saturday)

Happy Fill in the Blank Friday...on Saturday. 

I hate picking favourites, so these are some of my preferences rather than faves...

1.  My favorite feeling in all the world is    the feeling of waking up a few hours before I'm meant to and realising I can spend longer staying sleeping in my cosy bed   .

2.  My favorite smell is  vanilla, roasted sugar almonds and my perfume   .

3.  My favorite taste is   pumpkin spice lattes, strong, rich coffee, chocolate or toffee apples and roast potatoes.

4. The most beautiful thing I've ever seen was   a brilliant sunset over the Swiss alps. So many amazing colours in one view.

5. The best sound ever is  being wrapped up inside with a cup of tea or in bed and hearing the rain pitter patter against the window panes. 

6. A smell that reminds me of my childhood is   smoke from woodburning at this time of year. Our neighbours at home have a woodburner, so as soon as they light it, the sweet smell wafts into our house and enhances the crisp outside air. That's when I know the cold seasons have begun.

7.  My favorite of all the senses is  touch. Is touch even a sense? Well it's the one I'm picking. I have to reach out and touch things, its the way I take them in. 

A Day in October

Living in the city leaves little room for lazy afternoon walks in beautiful countryside or enjoying the perks of autumn weather that I remember from home. I haven't carved a pumpkin for two years! I've been missing out. Not yesterday though. 

Yesterday my team and I went on a retreat day before the busyness of new interns and Christmas coming up in the next few months. We went to this beautiful house out in a cute village and spent the day there with one of our pastors, just chilling out, drinking cups of tea, spending time together and with God. It was just what we needed. 

After lunch we went on a walk on the common, taking in the fresh, crisp air and the beautiful autumn colours.

1. Coffee and porridge have become my staple breakfasts in this grey weather. Cinnamon or golden syrup porridge set you up perfectly for the day ahead.
2. A leisurely walk on Chorleywood Common.
3. The first fire of the season.  Roaring fires in fireplaces make everything so cozy.
4. Colourful trees losing their leaves.
5. Burnt orange.
6. The ladies. 

There's just something about a family home and a crisp walk that reminds me so much of family. Being away from mine is horrible, but it's moments like these that God blesses me with a little taste of family of a different sort.
And makes me all the more excited for Christmas when I can go for walks in the snowy countryside with my own family.