Finding JOY: twelfth

 After thinking about which one to get and driving myself mad with the research and comparisons, I finally bought my first DSLR camera yesterday. It's even more special to me as I bought it with some money left to me by my lovely Auntie. I know she would be thrilled to see me buying something I am so pleased with.

Finding JOY: tenth and eleventh

Canterbury Cathedral again, this time from the inside. We were there for a concert last night, one of the highlights of which was Justin Hayward singing Nights in White Satin. Phenomenal. So today I went looking and found this old clip from 1970.   

Finding JOY: ninth

It's been a difficult week, but these things made me smile. Two magazines, Myslexia and Mollie Makes, with a free calendar that has lovely photographs, and a Christmas card from a friend across the sea. 

Finding JOY: eighth

I'm cold, I'm tired, I have too much to do and I'm too exhausted to do it, hence I am fed up. Hot buttered toast is helping.

Finding JOY: seventh

A beautifully sunny, windy day. Perfect for drying the washing outside. 

Finding Joy: sixth

Is it cheating to post another photograph I took yesterday? This is a close up of the Christmas tree outside Canterbury Cathedral. I really like the effect of the lights. Isn't it pretty?

Finding JOY: fifth

I was Christmas shopping in Canterbury today. After a couple of hours of walking around and not managing to find much of what I was looking for, I was feeling exhausted and then I came to Christchurch Gate, and there was the Cathedral. It was lovely to see it at night all lit up, and with hardly any people around. Beautiful. 

Finding JOY: fourth (belated)

This was not so much joy, as hilarity, when I noticed this on the wall of the Chinese takeaway last night. The photograph doesn't do it justice, it is larger than it looks, 3D and the shells and crustaceans inside the frame are real. 

Finding JOY: third

Him and me, this afternoon.  

Finding JOY: Second

The berries on the pyracantha, and the sun shining through the branches. 

Finding JOY: first

The little rose on my back doorstep that is still blooming in December, despite the cold. 

Finding JOY

December. Despite having done well with my November Parade of Adventures and my decluttering efforts, I'm feeling a little flat lately. For the first time ever I am ahead with my Christmas preparations, but not as ahead as I planned. There is still a lot to do, and I am just starting to feel the threat of overwhelm. The thoughts in my head are going nineteen to the dozen as they always do at these times, leaving me feeling stressed and muddled. I feel the need to take a breath. To stop, breathe, look around, find the joy in each day. Inspired by Denise of Capturing the Days, starting tomorrow, for the next 25 days as we approach Christmas I will be looking for the joy. There will be pictures, there may be some words. There will hopefully be some peace, some love and plenty of joy. I'll see you here tomorrow.