Ten on Ten :: September 2013

Happy Ten on Ten!

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

{BreakingDawn} {AncientGrainsSeedsNuts&Berrys} {AsWithMostIdeas...} {SafetyFirst} {CranmerSquare} {SightingsOfSring} {ToBeASponge} {IfWe'reEverSeparatedInALibrary::ClusesToMyWhere-abouts} {SheChocolat&ThePalletPavilion} {HarlequinPublicHouse}

I was so thankful for this month's Ten on Ten installment and the opportunity to really soak in all the beauty around me. I really haven't felt like blogging lately, so I was really thankful to have this 'obligation' to myself to hold me accountable even though I really didn't 'feel' up to it.

The past month or so has just been brimming with the ups and downs of uncertainty and all the emotions that typically accompany circumstances out of our control... There is no need to go into detail because well, the reality is the details in this case don't really matter. The important thing that I've realized however, is that I seem to have entered into a new season that appears to be spearheaded by some pretty significant trials aiming straight for my heart. I'm not a girl who typically speaks openly about my faith, but since Mr. Robinson and I moved to New Zealand I've really begun to lean into my faith and explore it's place in my life. With that however, I seem to have awoken something on a deeper level and it appears I am going to be stretched and challenged until it's satisfied... The amazing thing is that even though perseverance is clearly a theme in my life right now, I am finding incredible peace and confidence in the faith being produced from these experiences. It seems almost counter-intuitive, but it's true...

I hope wherever you are in your journey, you choose to truly lean-in to it and you're able to find life and beauty in even the most ordinary, mundane moments. It's surrounding us always, even when the path seems dark or unclear. xx

Ten on Ten :: August 2013

Happy Ten on Ten!

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

Well, to be quite honest, I wasn't too happy with this month's installment. I've been anticipating Ten on Ten for over a week and had given some thought to how Drew and I should spend it this month considering it fell smack in the middle of (what was suppose to be) a beautiful weekend. The weather has been absolutely gorgeous here in Christchurch. Apparently, we're experiencing one of the warmest winters on record for this region, something that D and I have been immensely enjoying. With beautiful weather anticipated we packed up a picnic and decided to head out west to explore a bit of Canterbury territory we have yet to discover.  As we set out however, the weather had other plans.... not very conducive for a picnic, but we managed to do a little site-seeing before turning back. After running head-on into some pretty intense fog we decided it would be best to spend the rest of this particular Saturday evening snuggled up with a good movie and a picnic in bed...

Day Dates are My Favorite!

What a fun weekend! We were intending to be all hunkered down, expecting the Twenty Year Storm over the weekend here in Christchurch, but instead it ended up proving to be more like the twenty minute flurry… wah wah wahhh…. In fact, these 3 images were all I could capture of the blessed ‘historic’ event before my camera died! Lame. By the time my battery was recharged the snow was all melted away and everything was just cold and soggy…. Such a disappointment! 

Sorry about the first photo here. Yes, it's blurry. There's nothing wrong with your eyes or your monitor. I just wanted to show you what I meant about the construction literally being right outside our front door. Drew opened the curtains the other morning and this is the view we got.... apparently our front yard appeared to be the ideal spot for the road construction crew to set up their temporary office. Yesterday, the workman who was pressure-washing the top of it in his big orange jumpsuit actually waved good morning to me. Sigh.... No thank you sir! Think I'll keep my curtains closed!

Anyway, when Saturday morning rolled around and we found ourselves with an unset schedule and no motivation to work on projects around the house, we decided to have a little fun!  After a leisurely breakfast of brown butter French toast bites (more on that later!), Drew proposed a day-date. Since we were all geared up and anticipating some fun in the snow he suggested we take a little day trip! I was so excited! Day-dates are my favorite! And it was such a great and spontaneous suggestion. So we bundled up, wandered down the block toward Hagley Park and hopped the Penguin Express for a weekend adventure in Antarctica! Well, actually the International Antarctic Centre, but some fun family exploring all the same. We had such a blast! And since Canterbury residents receive 50% off the entry fee it was a two for one deal that made Mr. Robinson’s day that much sweeter! 

Little Blue penguins! So cute and fun to watch. There are about ten pairs at the IAC. Most having been taken on and being cared for due to an injury or abnormality. The youngest is the 8months old and was born with partial paralysis... she swims in circles.... kinda sad, but also precious. :)

 

The Hagglund ride was probably the best and worst part of the day. We had no idea what to expect and I nearly lost my breakfast on this thing. Literally!

Sorry for the blur, but this ride was Bumpy! At one point we were submerged halfway under water and it started coming up into the cabin! So much fun though... 

When it was finally over and we found solid ground again I had to calm down and take a break with a little non-alcoholic ginger beer... Drew went the more traditional route with a Stoke Dark Ale. Good man.

Gearing up...

and learning to mush! 

Drew settin' up camp....

And his famous, "Do I really have to pose for you again?" face. I can't tell you how many shots of him I have like this. He really is a dear for putting up with me.  :D

We had such a great time and this was only the first half of our day! Drew also reminded me at breakfast that the Physic’s Room was hosting a workshop that he was interested in attending later in the evening. So after a thrilling half-day out in the snow, we ventured over to CBD Bar, (which I believe to be) Cassels & Sons newest edition to the downtown craft beer scene, for some pizza and a couple good pints to fuel up before we headed back down the block to do a little wood-working and enjoy some local art. More on the Physic’s Room and the woodworking workshop in my next post! Hope your weekend was as fun as ours and you found a little time to do some exploring in your own town too!

Ten on Ten :: June 2013

Happy Ten on Ten!

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

Joining my sister, Rebekah, again this month for Ten on Ten. I'm really glad I finally joined her for this project. It's so lovely to see just how different each 10th day looks from month to month and I love being able to take the time to stop and reflect on how many blessings I collect in a day.... 

{laundry day} {as winter crept in} {exposed plumbing} {no more hot-plate!} {island loving} {heart of the city} {winter on the Avon} {chrome gnomes} {windmill} {the neighbors}

Today was a pretty low-key day spent at home, but full of blessings none the less! That beautiful island top is the newest home project cooked up by Mr. Robinson over the weekend. It's still in progress and needs a base, but I am absolutely loving how it's turning out and am so excited to gain the extra counter space! Doesn't that lovely little bowl of chesnuts and walnuts that I gathered on a recent forage at the park look great against the reclaimed-pine table?

Our new (refurbished) stove was finally installed this morning too! Very exciting! So, of course I had to wander over to the market for some chocolate chip cookie baking supplies to test out our new oven! As I walked, I realized a new section of the city has been reopened, so I found myself wandering through to check out the progress. I didn't walk all the way through to Cathedral Square, but from the first city frame you can see Christchurch Cathedral straight ahead (down the trolly line) in the heart of the city rebuild project, cost of which will top 30 billion dollars before she's fully restored. It's been said, it will take upwards of 50 million dollars alone to restore the Cathedral. That last frame is the road construction currently underway right outside our front door. You can't tell in the picture, but the construction runs all the way down Montreal (spilling onto Gloucester) for 5 blocks! Bit of a headache right now, but will be lovely when it's all done.

Have a great week everyone!