thesethingsicapture

After working all week and being totally exhausted, myself and my parents decided we didn't want to do something crazy on our day off, but we had to do something so we wouldn't later feel like we had wasted our day.  We headed to a nearby town- Harrogate- as we had heard you could walk through the Valley Gardens to RHS Harlow Carr Gardens. Despite visiting the town frequently for shopping and eating out, I had never actually walked through the Valley Gardens and they took me by surprise. The Gardens were beautiful, so well maintained and as the weather was fairly sunny, hundreds of people were out and about which made for such a nice atmosphere.  Although the walk itself was fairly easy, by the time we head reached Harlow Carr Gardens we were ready for something to eat, and whats better than a Betty's stop? As a 'fancy' Yorkshire tearooms, Betty's is one of my favourite places to eat and I particularly love the Fresh Fruit ...

Now that college is back in full swing, I have little time to do anything nice or relaxing (because I don't manage my time wisely!!!). I find myself in a stressful routine: Monday-Friday at school, Saturdays I work and then I spend the whole day Sunday doing homework and catching up on sleep. After a while, this repetitive system makes me want to scream, cry, shout, and then I have no patience or energy to do anything. Last week, however, I managed my time efficiently (or much more than usual) and I was able to fit in a 'Sunday stroll' before doing homework in the afternoon. Saturday night had been one of the coldest nights in weeks, which left a cold frost behind. Although I was pretty much frozen throughout the entire walk, it felt so good to be in the fresh air and stress free (at least for an hour or two).  I went to one of my favourite places, which I have been going to for years with family and I'm lucky to have it on my doorstep: Fountains ...

With great regret, I realised the other day that I had not consumed a single Gingerbread biscuit over Christmas, and, being a huge Gingerbread lover myself, this was one huge crime. Along with the freezing temperatures and looming days before mock exams, its fair to say I've been having major Christmas blues this week. How could I not miss this beautiful cabin I stayed in over the Christmas period?! My whole Christmas was perfect, snuggling up watching films by the log burner or jumping in the hot tub for a refreshing hour or two in the morning. I'd do anything to be back there again rather than facing the January doom. So tonight- my only free moment since I realised I had to eat some gingerbread biscuits ASAP- I set to and made some cute lil' gingerbread men to settle in front of the fire and look back on all the Christmas photos. I've promised myself that I'll finally get round to the January exercise and healthy eating regime on Monday, but whether I me...

Its so lovely to be away on a family holiday, and at my most favourite time of the year... CHRISTMAS!!   Every year my family and I head away for Christmas, for a much needed break and escape from reality. Previous years we have been to America, Egypt or Cornwall, but this year we decided to stay pretty local in good old Yorkshire! We're staying in a little log cabin in the middle of nowhere, and have our very own hot tub outside which is a real treat. As there is very little to do, we like to head out on winter walks through the forest. As soon as we got here we pumped the heating right up and lit the fire. Little did we know there is underfloor heating also which means the whole cabin is absolutely boiling and we're all walking around in shorts and t-shirts. Not so christmassy,  I know. Therefore a walk is a perfect way to get some fresh air and clear my head. It's been such a crazy year and I finally feel relaxed....

mothers day 2014 So today it was mothers day, a day where it's all about our mums! We didn't really do much as a family as I've been busy revising, but it was a lovely day. My mum didn't want big fancy presents, she just wanted it nice and simple with a lovely Sunday roast, so I bought her a malteaster bunny because she loves them :) In the afternoon me,  mum and dad went on a lovely walk around the village where i took some photos: Then we had roast beef and all the trimmings, yum! For pudding mum made this amazing Victoria sponge cake which was to die for! So there you have it, mothers day 2014 :) I love you to the moon and back mum! Lots of love, Elsie x