new years eve....

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There have been so many adventures this year..... overseas and here in NZ.

I feel incredibly blessed.

And yet - I'm praying that next year will be more.

I sat down by a lake today and pondered what it was I wanted to work on for the year 2010.

I know that I need to work on being gracious and merciful, but I was also thinking that I really did want to live a life of reckless abondonment.

I don't mean that I want to live a life not thinking about what it is I do - but I would like to stop over-thinking the things that I do do.

Those thoughts that we have where we feel totally alive and know deep down that this is something we have to do - that we were born to do. Designed to do.

I want to jump more than think.

I want to live and breathe the life that I was meant to live.

To give when I'm not feeling gracious.

To laugh when I hurt.

To smile at strangers.

To look on the brighter side.

To share all that I have with those around me.

And.... to look adventure in the eye and say YES!!!

Small things?

Merry Christmas...

Here I sit, Christmas Eve in New Zealand......

The Christmas music is playing in the background while I sip on Christmas tea, and all I wish right now is that it would snow!

After all these years it still feels incredibly wrong to be summer and Christmas. However, I am pleased that being in New Zealand does mean that I'll get to spend tomorrow with family and friends for more fun and madness than you could imagine. I'll even get the opportunity to defend my golf title that Tamati and I won last year.

It's been an interesting year for me, with quite a few big changes. The house I'd been doing up in Morrinsville has been finished and is now rented out and I'm back at the farm with mum, dad and Alex who moved back up from Christchurch a few months ago.

The farm is absolutely gorgeous and I do feel spoiled to have the space, animals and ideal location for adventures. At the moment we have 3 foals, 5 puppies and a number of chicks running around. All are amazing time wasters, though I find I'm often running around in any spare time I have.

I decided to try and fit in some university papers during the second half of the year, which was supposed to happen after I'd moved to the farm, but coincided badly with the move. I managed to get everything done and just found out the other day that I've passed both which means I have just two more papers to complete. Hopefully they'll be done by the middle of next year.

While studying I also managed to fit in a trip to Australia with my friend Jiljane. We met in Adelaide and drove from there through the Barossa Valley to Sydney. I had an amazing time learning more about wine and exploring some stunning countryside. I would love to get back there again sometime to see more of the wineries and of course try more of the wines.

There was also a trip to Rarotonga for my brother; David's wedding in May. It was an absolutely gorgeous ceremony and one of the most intimate and sweet receptions I've been to. We actually each gave a little speech which was quite special. While I didn't cope well with the climate, and was desperate enough to even try and return early - Raro is a stunning place to visit. It certainly cemented the fact that I'm a cooler climate girl!

Dave and Sara are now living in Victoria BC, Canada (Sara arrived there today!!) And I suspect they may be there for a few years?

After years of not traveling overseas at all - I managed to fit in two trips to lands unknown and find that the feet are more itchy than ever. We'll see where I end up next year.....

I hope this finds you well and that you've done more than just survive another year.

For now, have a wonderful, blessed Christmas and all the best for the year ahead.

Much love,

CJ xxx

beginning to look a lot like Christmas....

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It is that time of year once more.....

The Christmas tree is up, and there are presents underneath all ready to be torn apart on the day, and I've been baking like a wild thing.

Most of my clients have received their gingerbread men, though I will need to do another baking stint this weekend to get it all finished.

This time of year seems to be more chaotic than typical, and I have to remind myself the reason for the season - which is NOT to stress yourself out and get all wound up about what you haven't done.

Before I know it - the new year will be here.....

For now, I hope I can catch my breath and enjoy the season ahead.

Hope you all do as well!

Be blessed.