My friend Rachel posted a really good blog post on New Year's Day. I absolutely 100% agree with everything she wrote so I figured I'd share it with my friends here!

"...in 2015 I want to focus on the important things. I want my time with the Lord to dictate everything else in my life. I don't plan to set a list of resolutions that I can't keep- instead I want to just re-determine in my heart to keep my eyes on Jesus. To have that be the priority in my life so that all other smaller desires will work themselves out. To not aim for perfection but just for a consistent relationship with God, a deeper devotional life, more time in prayer and the anticipation that God can and will do great things!"

As an American living in England, the holiday is miss most is Thanksgiving. Last year, we got together with some American friends here and celebrated anyway. But they've moved away now so I was internally moping, thinking that Thanksgiving would be forgotten! But thankfully, our other American friends (there are a lot of Americans that go to our church!) planned a Thanksgiving get together of their own. They did it properly with long tables and made it a sit down meal. It was the perfect evening with the greatest of friends! Can't wait for next year's!

 

Recently, my friend Kerry and I reconnected. We've known each other since junior high so it's exciting catching up on what's happened in each other's lives in the past 12+ years.

(Apologies for my unmanicured nails!)

Last night was a blast! I love spending time with friends and when that involves eating as well, it is absolutely perfect!

We went to Rodizio Rico, a Brazilian BBQ place in the city centre. It's one of those places where they give you this little token thing that has a red side and a green side. As long as you have it flipped with the green side showing, they keep coming by with large pieces of different kinds of meats. When you get full, you just flip it over to the red side so they know to stop. Since it was my third time there, I knew exactly which meats I wanted and which to avoid...so it made it easier to pace myself and not get way too full way too fast.

Afterwards, we went back to Dave and Clare's house and had ice cream. You can always make room for ice cream!

I have a thing for old books. There's something about them that's just...comforting. Maybe it's the smell. Maybe it's that they're falling apart. Maybe it's that you can hold so much history in your hands.

Yesterday, for no reason whatsoever, my friends (I have the greatest friends!) gave me a gift —an old book. But not just any old book, it's a Leica Manual from 1951! Now I just need a Leica! That has forever been my dream camera. I can't wait til the day I finally have one in my possession. If anyone's feeling generous, I'd like a Leica X2 please.

This past weekend, we went to a Cheese Fair in Leicestershire with a group of friends! It was so much fun and the samples were so tasty! I bought a couple cheeses but then was later inspired to attempt making my own cheese! I did a bit of research online and am up for the challenge! Once I do it, I'll be posting about my experience, so keep your eyes open! :)

Here are some photos from the day!