Joining in with Laura's The Year in Books last year was really one of the highlights of my blogging journey thus far. I have always devoured books with a passion, but when I started my new job a couple of years ago I found that reading quickly fell to the bottom of the pile of priorities that never seemed to get any smaller. Selecting one book to read over the month has pushed me to find time for reading whenever I can: snatched moments before the sun rises; relaxing for longer than perhaps I should with a book in the bath; sprawled on the sofa in front of a roaring fire. As a result, I managed to read slightly more books over the year than the aim of twelve, so this year I'm continuing. Alongside I'll be reading books for a book club I am becoming involved with; sometimes the books will be the same (like this month) but sometimes I'll be trying to get through two.

This month I'm reading The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton. As it has received rave reviews from both critics and friends alike, I'm looking forward to delving into the world of seventeenth century Amsterdam and the curious characters that the book seems to contain. The blurb promises tiny creations, secrets of a new household, and an elusive miniaturist who seems to hold the fate of others in her hands so I have high hopes. Perhaps it might even beat my favourite from last year - Burial Rites - which really did blow every other choice out of the water.

As always, for more recommendations or to take part in The Year in Books, head over to the link-up at Circle of Pine Trees and while you’re there, catch up on the other lovely posts written by Laura.

There's little else I need to say on the matter really. Let's think positively and choose happiness!

Unusually, this week's lovely list features just two posts. That's not to say that all of the other posts I read were not enjoyable - far from it - but simply that these two stood out for me and really made me think about life and happiness.

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Do you make a conscious effort to be happy every day? Do you wake up in the morning and focus on the positives of the hours that lie ahead? I have never looked for the silver linings in life; I am the one to dwell, fret and stress over every tiny thing that might lead to something negative, and, as silly as it sounds, it can be difficult to allow myself to be happy without worrying about something. This post on how to choose happiness has this week allowed me to consider that there might be a different way. It explores the idea that if you wake up every morning with a determination to be happy, truly happy, then you will be. Sounds simple, doesn't it?

Sometimes we can get so stuck into a routine of dreading every Monday morning and every seemingly stressful situation that we convince ourselves it will be awful, when more often than not the result is far less terrifying. I'm guilty of following this toxic cycle in a number of aspects of my life, and reading this article made me question what on earth I have been doing it for. Surely if there's a chance to be happy we should clutch it and not force the feeling of dread upon ourselves? While the theory is all well and good, I know putting it into practice will not come easily. But I've already noticed a shift, a slight movement in the right direction. I'm really trying to choose happiness at every opportunity.

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The second post on today's lovely list has reaffirmed my belief that dieting is just not the way forward. While eating healthily and seasonally are both important to me and my way of life, I don't believe that depriving yourself of the things you truly enjoy (the things that make you happy) is worth it. Life is too short, as this post on why we should ditch the diets and love our bodies instead makes clear. If I want to go out and eat a chocolate brownie, I will do. And I'm not about to feel guilty about it just because everyone else is surviving on water and celery all January long.

If I am going to wake every day and choose happiness, well then I'm going to have to choose some wonderful foods as well. Surely what's important is what's on the inside rather than the desperate desire for the 'perfect' body? There's no such thing, for a start.

Life is supposed to be joyful, it's supposed to be about laughter and smiles and doing what you love, so why wait? I hope these posts inspire you as they have done for me. Let's ditch the diets and choose happiness together!

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If I'm honest, I'm still hung up on the cranberry and wild rice recipe I discovered in December's eat seasonably post; it has provided much needed relief after wading through mountains of roast potatoes (not that I'm complaining!) and takes so little effort that I'll be continuing to whip this up for a quick dinner alongside oven-baked salmon after work.

If you're on the look-out for other healthy foods to kick off the year, why not try kale? Oven baked with sea salt to make crunch crisps or steamed as a side, its earthy taste accompanies a whole range of seasonal dishes. If kale's not your thing then fear not, for January is the month when oranges take centre stage. Stock up on seville oranges and try your hand at marmalade (easier than you think!) or make the most of the short season for blood oranges. The deep red flesh of these fruits is delicious squeezed as juice or added to a sponge cake in the same way you would use lemons.

Root vegetables such as parsnips and carrots are still in supply and can be added to hearty stews if the weather turns bleak once again, or if you'd prefer something a bit different why not experiment with Moroccon cooking? One of my Christmas presents was a tagine pot and I am very much looking forward to experimenting with recipes to suit. I've already got my eye on this chicken and almond pastilla as well as a traditional lamb tagine.

January's produce from our own plot is minimal (and this year non-existent), but with a few choice vegetables and a cupboard full of spices we're looking forward to experimenting a little more with what we have.

Walking is my favourite form of exercise; it's leisurely, the scenery can be beautiful, and it can be (for some at least) quite literally on your doorstep. For me there's no better time to explore outdoors than winter; there's something about  returning home, windswept and chilly with rosy cheeks, that allows you to feel truly connected with nature. The prospect of a warming hot chocolate and pulling a blanket over your toes is enough to conquer even the bleakest of weathers, and over the past couple of weeks Dan and I have taken full advantage of our time off, taking Bella walking through the wolds to discover scenery old and new in a wintry light.

The frosty, fresh mornings have meant our wellies have remained (largely) mud free and it has been a joy to crunch and stride through the fields and delight in so many tiny things: tufts of Lincoln Reds caught on barbed wire; the soft popping sounds of the pheasant shoot on the other side of the valley; silhouettes of branches that frame the sunrise; and vast, vibrant blue skies that herald the start of the new year and seem endless over our heads.

These last few days I have sorely missed our walks; leaving and returning for work when it's dark outside makes exploring a little more difficult, but I wait in earnest for the weekend. It's easy to get caught up in daily life and forget to appreciate the joys that a simple walk can bring, but this year I am determined to make time and continue to explore. The Lincolnshire Wolds is often overlooked in favour of other beauty spots, but for me the rolling hills and patchwork fields are second to none.

For most people, today marks the first day back into the swing of working life for 2015. It's never easy to spring out of bed on days like today, but I'm hoping that my Christmas gift from Mr CC (a lumia lamp) will ease the pain of rising quite so early and switching my brain back on. The past week or so has been a haze of films, twinkly lights and piles of chocolate wrappers; I'm sad that the festive season has drawn to a close, but am truly looking forward to what the year ahead has to offer.

I love the idea of selecting a word to focus your energies on throughout the year, and Sarah has chosen 'creativity' - read all about why in her post here. Choosing just one word is quite a task for a logophile like myself, but considering the resolutions I have made and the plans we have for the year ahead, 'bright' seems like a positive choice. I'm determined to focus on creating joy and light in my life and that of others, making sure to always see the silver linings through tough times. The name 'Eleanor' is also said to mean 'bright', which is a happy coincidence. Have you selected a word for the 2015?

Discovering a new blog that becomes a favourite straight away is a such a wonderful feeling, and Craft Fox has become just that this week. Head over to this post where Josephine gives tips on making the perfect mini roast potatoes.

With so many lists and resolutions flying around it can be easy to dismiss and move on, but this set of thirty goals really resonates with me. I might even try a few myself...

Steph's blog posts are always so inspiring and really capture the essence of the countryside surrounding her home. These wintry photos are no exception.

Are you ready for a fresh start? Are there any posts I've missed this week?

January is all about... fresh starts, cold mornings, making marmalade, emerging life and feeling grateful for the new year.

Something to eat: Whether you make your own marmalade or not, adding it to a sticky, greedy pudding is the perfect thing for a cold Sunday afternoon after a long wintry walk. Try this recipe.

Something to visit: A farmers' market. Kick start those healthy eating resolutions and buy fresh and local.

Something to make: Plans for the garden or veg patch. Or if you've neither of these, plans for the year in general. January is a great time to get organised for the year ahead; I'll be buying my seeds from here and planning out what produce to grow.

Something to celebrate: Burns Night.  The annual celebration of the Scottish poet takes place on Sunday 25th January; it's a time to join together after the revelry of Christmas and toast good health with a good measure of Scottish whisky. Bagpipes and other traditional tunes accompany a Scottish feast which of course includes haggis. Find out more here.

Something a bit different: Start a photo diary. Last year my resolution was to take more photographs and I certainly achieved that. Why not go one step further and take a photograph every day?

1. Make more preserves, specifically marmalade, jams and pickles, to see us through the year without having to pop to the shops all the time.
2. Stop buying things I don't need. In a similar vein to the resolution above, I'm frustrated that I forever allow myself to buy things from the supermarket that invariably I either don't need or could make myself.
3. Always have nature in the home. I try to bring flowers in during the summer months but I want to feel a part of the outside world for more than just three months of the year.
4. Explore more. There's a veritable feast of nature's delights on my doorstep and sometimes I need to step back for a moment and make time to forage and wander.
5. Be brave with new recipes and try to avoid frozen food (fish finger sandwich anyone?) even when I'm busy.
6. Be self sufficient in more than just potatoes and onions. Ideally I want to avoid buying lettuce, fruit, tomatoes and a few other things.
7. Raise a turkey for Christmas. This one has been at the back of my mind for a couple of years and I'm determined that we give it a go at last.
8. Take more photographs. I have tried to do this over the past few months and I really think I'm getting there, but I want to start the new year with a fresh enthusiasm for documenting our life and the seasons.
9. Allow myself time: time to write; time to recover if I get ill; time to spend with loved ones rather than at work; time for myself every so often. This past year time has been my most precious commodity and I've not always spent it as I would have liked.
10. Be happier. Whatever it takes.

What do you have planned for the year ahead?

2014 has been a strange one. There have been some joyful moments: the day we got Bella; our camping trip to the Lakes; travelling to Northumberland with family; and starting this blog. As always, I've also enjoyed watching the seasons change, and have tried to live according to their ebb and flow, but it's been a struggle at times; I've never been busier. As a result, the vegetable patch has remained empty for parts of the year and time that should have been spent in the garden had to be allocated to other more pressing matters. Sadness ran through the veins of the latter part of the year, and sometimes just continuing with daily life has proved a struggle; yet despite these tough times moments of light and happiness have been frequent. As one year closes and another begins it's a chance to reflect on these junctures with a smile.

Spring

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Daffodils graced the green banks, dancing in the wind and bobbing their heads with the elements; I began the season by attempting to improve my bread making skills, which have sadly fallen by the wayside ever since; watching the sunset from a Northumbrian balcony; produce was plentiful in the first few weeks of the season.

Summer

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I've never seen or smelt such beautiful roses as this year; early evening sunlight cast shadows across the beginnings of wild flowers; the harvest was ready early after a hot few weeks; butterflies fluttered majestically and visited the bright pops of summer colour.

Autumn

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The season started early with seed pods and fallen nuts appearing everywhere; our apple trees finally started to fruit; a new addition to our family; the sky blazed as the evenings drew slowly to a close.

Winter

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A crisp frost to end the year with a chill; roaring fires warmed us as the nights drew in; zesty oranges and cinnamon sticks made the perfect Christmas decorations; early morning walks as the sun rose caught the best of the day.

On reflection, as Sinatra would say, it was a very good year.

Here's to a happy and healthy 2015!

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There has been so much festive loveliness swinging around the blogosphere this past week that today's lovely list has a decidedly seasonal feel about it, and I have to say I'm (finally) feeling it too. The tree is up and looks wonderful, I finished wrapping all the presents last night and I only have one batch of chocolate tiffin left to make to give as gifts before I'm ready for the big day. I usually try to make quite a number of gifts, but this year has been so hectic that it has been the tiffin plus some apple and cinnamon infused whisky and that's been it, but at least I've managed something.

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Let's get down to it then...

If (like me) you're still behind on your festive baking, why not try this Chestnut Bûche de Noël recipe - perfect for those of you with an aversion to the traditional mince pies or Christmas pudding.

The run up to Christmas can be stressful and manic and you can easily end up losing sight of what it's all about - check out these 10 positive things to do this Christmas week to bring you back to the moment.

Remembering happy moments and a wander to gather greenery seems like the best way to spend the winter solstice, don't you think? Head over here to read Steph's post if you agree.

The morning light at this time of the year is just beautiful. Nina's post here captures everything that needs to be said on the matter.

There's still time to get your home feeling festive, and if you're looking for some inspiration head over here for my favourite styling the seasons post yet.

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So without further ado, I best be off to finish making that tiffin! I won't be back on here until after Christmas and my birthday (the 27th!), so I hope you all have a magical few days. I will be singing carols with Mr CC, being joyful that I can spend so much time with family and friends and consuming far too many roast potatoes.

Merry Christmas!

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Well, what a chaotic few days! I succumbed to one of the worst winter colds I've had in a long time and spent a week or so just trying to make it through the hours until I could go back to bed, but I'm fighting fit again now, just in time (thank goodness) for Christmas! We had the work end-of-year meal last night and I'm meeting friends for a festive breakfast this morning so it's finally starting to feel a bit like Christmas. This time of year is so important in our family; we join together a number of times over the holiday season and are joyful in one another's company with just the food and few tunes to see us through. I like the fact we keep things quite simple, that my sister and I  have held on to annual traditions even after moving out into our own homes. So today I thought I'd share these Christmas traditions with you...

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Reading 'Twas the Night Before Christmas just before bed on Christmas Eve. My dad read this to my sister and I every year, always putting on a dramatic voice as we approached the end of the tale. We've both moved out and live with our partners, but now they read the tale to us (with similar suitable dramatic voices of course!).

Stockings in bed. Christmas without opening stocking presents in bed just isn't Christmas! Throw in a clementine, some socks, a bag of chocolate raisins and a couple of other surprises and you've got yourself the start to our Christmas morning.

Elvis at Christmas. Creeping into the living room to see if Father Christmas had paid us a visit was a thrill when we were younger, and it was always accompanied by the Elvis at Christmas album and a roaring fire to warm through chilly fingers. We've now got the record and I make sure Mr CC has this playing before I venture down the stairs.

English muffins for breakfast. I know lots of people enjoy smoked salmon, some start the day simply with toast, and others break open the bucks fizz early, but we have always toasted muffins and devoured them with lashings of butter and a glass of orange juice - the perfect start to the day.

Seconds. And thirds. And fourths... We're not the sort of family to hold back on festive food, and from my Grandma's sausage rolls to turkey and roast potato sandwiches in the evening, Christmas is a constant flow of indulgence and gorging on homemade cooking. What could be better?

Do you have any Christmas day traditions? Are you hoping to start any new traditions this year?

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Autumn has flown by in a whirl of leaves and has reached its muddy end; we now welcome in the new season of frosts and revel as one year comes to a close and another begins.

So what's in store for the winter months ahead?

1. Have a festive film night and spend some quality time with family.
2. Set goals for the new year.
3. Enjoy the snow (if we get any) and the frost (if we don't), making sure to take lots of long walks.
4. Whisk up some pancakes for breakfast and have a leisurely start to a weekend.
5. Put together a photobook from the past year.
6. Have a spa day at home.
7. Try out some new wintry recipes.
8. Craft more. Make time for hobbies.
9. Do yoga, pilates, or meditate to avoid the stresses of the season.
10. Plan out the year in the garden.