Finding My Christmas Spirit :: An Act of Desperation... Or Maybe One of Devotion

After my post about the wine festival a couple weekends ago and feeling so fab about our impending summer, looking forward to sunshine and barbeques, it got me thinking perhaps I've been a little distracted and haven't been focusing on the real message of Christmas. It's amazing that even after a year of living in the southern hemisphere I still struggle with the seasons being opposite of what I am so use to... it feels more like the 4th of July is just around the corner rather than the celebration of our savior's birth. So I decided to challenge myself to a few DIY projects around our house to bring in a little holiday cheer and cherish the season. 

I can't say they've all been successful. In fact, if you saw this month's Ten on Ten post you caught a glimpse of how things have been going over here at Thirty3Gloucester.... For example, this fumble... 

10 points to the first person who correctly identifies the materials used to create this sorry piece of holiday art.... Yep. If you guessed a scrap piece of sheet rock (or 'gib' for the NZ readers) that I stole from my husbands collection and chalk, you are correct.

I'm not really sure what came over me? Clearly I was caught in a moment of pure desperation, grasping for (literally) whatever I could find to imply my need for holiday cheer. God knows the Christmas carols Pandora keeps spitting out isn't cuttin' it, and really isn't evoking much other than frustration and feelings of great distance between this home and that of our loved ones so far away!  

It finally dawned on me that many of these feelings are really my heart aching for some of my own holiday traditions that I'm missing out on for the second year in a row. Like pulling out and using the holiday dishes I've been collecting piece by piece for about 8 years now. And the ornament collection my parents started for me when I was a child, and continue to add to each year. I didn't realize how special a ritual it is for me to get that box out of storage every year, unwrap each one, reflecting on its history and then carefully placing it on our Christmas tree. 

Perhaps I knew this before, but it seems I am clearly recognizing in this season how important the traditions of home really are. They are after all important elements that bind us to family and friends, hold us steady, keeping us connected while we're apart. So to help me relocate my center and redirect my heart back to the true miracle of Christmas, I decided to start a new little tradition and make myself an advent calendar, which tells the nativity story just a little day-by-day. 

This really was an ultra easy DIY, perfect for someone like me who generally lacks the crafty, design gene and even more so, the patience to complete more intense craft projects. This one was a little time consuming, but that's where the 'act of devotion' comes in. Believe me, I didn't pull this all together in one sitting! (I got figity and had to take a beverage break.... and let's be honest, my pen ran out of ink about 3/4 of the way through...) So I spread it out over a couple days. It would have gone much quicker if I had a rubber stamp to make the wreath, but frankly I found it so therapeutic to sit with each card and go through the process of creating each one. On the back side of each card I wrote a piece of the nativity story, beautifully retold on these freebies that I found through a quick Pinterest search.

Now that it's complete and hung I am so glad I put in the time to make this calendar. In fact, I'm considering having the cards laminated so they'll last more than one or two seasons. I think it will be a great reminder to Drew and me of our first full year (second Christmas) in New Zealand and of the many acts of devotion it took to get us and keep us here. This project was also a great reminder that I need to continue to be present in each moment, enjoying every bit of the season we're in and all this chapter of our life has to offer us. 

Wishing each of you a holiday season abundant with love, joy and laughter.
Merry Christmas from the Robinson family! Xoxo

Here's How To Make This Advent Calendar

Materials  :

24 pieces of card stock cut to the size of your liking

1-2 white scrap-booking pens

1 glass jar with the appropriate diameter opening to fit the card stock

Butcher twine, hemp or string (I used hemp butcher's twine)

decorative clothes clips 

Method:

1. Start by tracing the lip of the jar onto each card, leaving and opening at both the top and bottom. 

2. Next, draw the leaves down the shaft of the twig. I imagined a sprig of thyme and tried to replicate it's shape.  

3. Now, shade in each leaf, and add a few decorative berries at the bottom of the wreath in between where the twigs meet. 

4. Then, number the cards from Day 1 to Day 24. 

5. Turn the cards over and inscribe a piece of the nativity onto each card.

To hang:

1. Assemble the cards in order.

2. String the twine into place, fastening it with tape, tacs, or some other fancy method you come us with. 

3. Add the clips, evenly spacing them across the twine.

4. Attach the cards to the clips in order of days 1-24.

Enjoy!

Ten on Ten :: December 2013

Happy Ten on Ten!

Finding life and beauty in the ordinary things of our day to day! 

Ok. I'll admit I had to dig deep this month. Surprisingly too. I've been so excited about the holidays, but this celebrating in the opposite season business has really been eating at me the past few days. I've actually been trying really hard to encorporate some holiday cheer into our little home, but feel like all of my projects are duds! This day ended with my husband rounding me up, wiping the chalk and tears off my face, and taking me out for a pint just to get my head out of my... well, to cool off and get my head straight... sigh... the holidays sure do have a way of messing with our emotions don't they? Well, cheers to another day...

{SidewalkChalk} {OurGrapevinesLookin'Good!} {TheNumbersGame} {We'llCallThisAnActOfDesperation}{UnfinishedBusiness} {The12BeersOfChristmas!} {TimeToGetCrackin'}{KiwiChristmas}{WellDoneLeopardPrintPlatforms..Rar..} {OdeToFellowExpats-BringBackTheAmericans!}

Thanksgiving Leftovers :: Reflections Of A Year And A Very Full Harvest

Where do I begin? This is the question I've been contemplating for the past couple days... When I last left you, Drew and I were about to enjoy some American football and delicious eggs benedict. Well, the morning progressed very nicely and Drew and I managed to have a wonderful, relaxing Thanksgiving Friday as planned... and then the phone rang. It was our Immigration Case Manager, Felicity, calling to inform us that our application for New Zealand Residency SUCCESSFULLY passed all inspections and we have been A-P-P-R-O-V-E-D ! This is the moment where I sit shaking on the couch with tears welling up in my eyes in disbelief that this lengthy and expensive process is finally over and we are now able to live freely in New Zealand as legal Residents, eligible for the same benefits and rights as New Zealand Citizens! This is incredible! And hopefully you'll forgive me for not jumping online straight away to shout the awesome news (not really my style). I've needed a few days to process. Let it sink in and reflect. Breathing deeply a sigh of relief and feeling that weight lifted... 

It also dawned on the two of us today that it is December 1st (November 30th in the States). Drew and I started our New Zealand journey exactly 365 days ago today with the hope that we had saved enough money to travel this beautiful country for at least a few months. Then hopefully find some work and set up a home-base. Our original goal was to live and work in New  Zealand on projects related to the Christchurch city rebuild for at least one year. We have accomplished all of these goals. And now as residents we have the ability to make this place home for as long as we choose.

So as I stand here in my tiny kitchen prepping a lovely chicken stock and mix up a little batch of chicken salad for tomorrow's lunches from Thanksgiving dinner party left-overs, I reflect on a year overflowing with blessings. A year of transition and uncertainty. One brimming with excitement and adventure. A year full of countless lessons learned. One of knowing my husband a little better each day. Walking together. Sharing laughter and tears, and cheering each other on through some pretty painful terrain, and persevering. 

This has been a year full of experiencing God's amazing grace and knowing how deep His commitment really is to this little family; keeping us close and holding us gently like a tiny grain of sand in His palm... I am overwhelmed by our accomplishments (and failures) this year. I am grateful for and so very proud of every risk we've taken. It is true. If you never try, you'll never know. And there's nothing but regret for lack of action.

I am thankful for my husband. I'm grateful for his spontaneous, adventurous, relaxed spirit who reminds me to not take everything so seriously all the time and pushes me to have the courage to turn my ideas into action rather than spend too much time mulling over and planning every perfect detail. He is patient and kind. And he is committed... even though this shit gets tough! 

I am thankful for another year to spend here in New Zealand. This time as a 'resident' rather than a 'visitor' (visa lingo) and look forward to new fruits bore from all of the cultivating and planting we've done over the last year. 

Wishing each of you a very Happy, Healthy, and Full Holiday Season. Xoxo

A Thanksgiving Soiree for Two

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! 

Hope you're enjoying a wonderful day relaxing and rejuvenating in the warm surroundings of family and friends. Drew and I kicked off our Thanksgiving last night (Thursday in New Zealand), which in my mind marked the start of the holiday season! (It's Christmas music from here on out folks! Well, at least until New Year's... or until Mr. Robinson appears to be close to blowing a gasket, then we'll add a little today's hits back into the play list ;)  

We had such a wonderful, low-key evening together at home complete with a fabulous feast - dinner party for two - style. I love the holidays and well, any special occasion that allows me to go all out on the menu! Honestly though, I always seem to go overboard and make way too much food... Oh well, just means we have plenty of left overs to get us into next week!

Drew took today off of work (Thanksgiving in the States), so we could relax at home with an indulgent brunch, stream the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade and some American football!...  that's actually what Drew's attempting to do as I type this post....

While I patiently wait, thought I'd share a few shots from our little feast last night and let you know we're thinking of all of you back home.  I hope to share more later this weekend. Until then, lots of holiday love from this little home. And now I'm going to get back to my mimosa and eggs benedict.... 

Cheers! xoxo

{Bouquets of Fresh Garden Herbs} {DIY Tablescape - Great Conversation Starters...} {Signature Cocktails - The Way to Start Any Great Party} {Oh How I Love My Garden in the Spring!} {Party Prep!} {Dutch Oven Roasted Chicken with Fresh Garden Herbs} {The Best Rosemary Maple Bourbon Sours - E V E R ! } {Pumpkin Soup with Chili-Cran-Apple Relish and a side of just baked rosemary & roasted garlic beer bread - Made with our very own Homebrew!} {My Favorite Party Guest} {Roast Chicken on a bed of French Beans-Roasted Baby Carrot and Fennel}

The Southern Lake District :: Arrowtown to Queenstown

If you're anything like me (a newbie photographer) you may find more often than not you get so excited on fresh outings and soaking in the beauty around you that you get a little snap-happy and take waaay more photos than anyone cares to endure as you give the play by play of your recent adventure...

This happens to me. Often. For those who know me well also know that I am quite skilled at over-complicating just about anything... I'm about the details, which can leave me down in the weeds on many occasion, requiring the hand of another to help me come up for air and perspective after a fresh survey of the land.  Basically, what I am trying to say is that I took way too many pictures on our outing to Queenstown and have had much trouble picking just a handful to share with you...

Queenstown was fabulous. Let me start there. I won't bore you with all the details, but I will say that this is one city I am excited to visit again in a few months when my parents come to town. And Queenstown is definitely an adrenalin junkies dream. Just a quick Google search will overwhelm the faint of heart by the plethora of options available to anyone intending to open their pocket book and take part in the hype. Perhaps next time I will. However, Shannon, Royal, and I took a more laid back approach to our outing. And it was fabulous!  Meandering the sun-soaked streets, checking out the little boutiques, and a wonderful lakeside lunch in the park complete with the locally famous Fergburger - A must try for the burger enthusiest! I ordered the lamb burger with mint jelly, garlic aoli, red onion and tomato relish. Delish! While Shannon went the more traditional route with beef, cheddar and the classic toppings.

Only 35 miles, but about a 60 minute drive from Wanaka, the landscape along this route is stunning! (again you are encouraged to Google!) We stopped for a number of scenic shots along the drive and sure enough one after the other, breathtaking views of vast alpine ranges and the deep green valleys below... If you're curious why it takes 60 minutes to only travel about 35 miles, its because just before you drop into Arrowtown the switchbacks become fierce as you decend into the valley and you must slow waaay down to avoid sailing off the cliffs Thelma and Louise style.

On our way to Queenstown we made a quick stop in Arrowtown. An adorable, teeny town trapped in the days of yesteryear, celebrating the Chinese settlets who migrated there in hopes of striking it rich during the gold rush. Honestly, I didn't realize gold was a commodity sought after in New Zealand, but this little town provides proof that at least at one point in history it was. There are many cute shops and cafes to checkout and I believe is definitely worth your time while on your way to Queenstown for that whitewater rafting trip, bungy escapade or hanggliding adventure.

Happy Birthday QEII!

What a great holiday weekend! Our first time ever celebrating the Queen of England’s birthday as a national holiday. It was the perfect opportunity to embrace our new home and create a few new family traditions. We may not be traditionalists on this matter, but we sure had a lot fun spending the long weekend working around the house on new projects. And Eco-Shop lent itself to some very successful thrifing! I've been dying to find a really large mirror that we could use as an art piece to help our tiny home feel larger, but everything I've seen so far has been several hundred dollars and up. Until yesterday that is! I found an old mirrored closet door (you know, the kind that were really popular in the 80’s and early 90’s). There it was just waiting for me in the builder's yard for only 15 bucks! I’m going to clean it up and use some leftover wood from another project to build a new frame for it. It's going to look fabulous leaning against the wall near our entryway and will hopefully help this space feel a bit larger. The highlight of our shopping trip however, was a little splurge I found!  2 replica Xavier Pauchard Tolix stools in galvanized gunmetal that (after pleeding my case to the Mr. as to how much we neeeded these stools for our place) proved to be on special for 50% off when we got up to register! At a price that kept even Mr. Robinson’s pocket book happy!! Sweet as!

The evening was celebrated with a little British style meal of homemade beer-battered fish and chips. Perfected by Pacific Pale Ale from Monteith’s Brewing Co., another local beer that we recently tried for the first time. (Drew and I have been slowly working our way through the wonderful and exponentially growing world of New Zealand craft beer.) Crisp and clean, PPA is brewed with a lively mix of New Zealand and Pacific Northwest American hops, which we agreed was a nice nod to our Pacific Northwest roots and certainly made the dish worth indulging in. We then wrapped up our holiday weekend with a classic, just right for this stormy evening - James Bond 007! British perfection! 

Hope you had a great weekend too. I’ll be back later this week with a little design inspiration I’ve been pulling together that will hopefully give you a good sense of the tone we're trying to set in our new space. Hope you’ll join me!