October delights

autumn spiced handmade soap, planning Christmas cookie boxes, Harry Potter (of course) and barefoot beach walks

I absolutely love sharing with you here and while I’m writing, I’m mostly thinking about what will serve and inspire those reading, but these monthly delight lists really do serve me deeply. It’s been a fun monthly ritual to add into my life, a way of slowing down and focussing on the small things that often pass me by in the flow of daily life. In October, so far, I’ve delighted in:

• working outside on our balcony in the mornings

• creating new recipes

• planning out Christmas cookie boxes

• cool weather with lows in the 60s !!

• connecting with friends over baking

• a perfect pb and j on a sourdough sandwich loaf

• rabbits hopping around at the poolside

• walks in the park

• reading a few books at the same time

• Welsh cakes

• planning our Harry Potter date nights - we’re making food mentioned in each book and watching a film each Tuesday from Halloween to our wedding anniversary !! the most fun idea Judah came up with)

• snuggling in the morning before work

• petting cute dogs at work

• the smell of pumpkin loaf baking

• open windows all night

• autum spiced handmade soap

• the most delicious raw milk we’ve had in months

• thrifted sundae glasses

• booking tickets to go to Harry Potter World for Judah’s birthday

• a pot of deep red Mums for the balcony

• keeping my basil plant alive

• raspberry rose poppi

• dreaming up new creative projects (thinking of learning how to crochet a bag!)

• new episodes of Bake Off

• feeling capable

• A Place in the World by Frances Mayes

• being cooked for

• cooking for others

• walking 6 miles, barefoot on the beach on a cloudy day

• chatting for hours with Judah

• friendships that have grown deeper, even through long-distance

• playing with the idea that I actually love writing

• remembering what I loved when I was little

• the love spoon, made by my childhood best friend’s grandad, that hangs in our kitchen

• being known

• this pasta dish

• writing what lights me up and seeing others resonate

• making pumpkin spice syrup for decaf coffee at home

• friends coming over for dessert

• making sourdough bagels for the first time!!

• seeing John Mayer live

Did something take you by surprise this month? Did you experience a moment that felt full of peace, connection, safety and joy? I’d love to hear in the comments. When we think about these things, we’re sending messages of safety to our bodies. We’re resourcing ourselves and supporting our system to come into a state where we’re able to be clear minded, tender hearted and at peace. When big and scary things happen in the world, sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is access the part inside of us that is always safe, full of hope and love. These are the things that we can share with those who need it the most right now, whether that’s someone on the other side of the world our someone in our home.

Sending you love, always!

Em xx