Where, oh where has this year gone?
I truly can't believe that Christmas Day is almost here once again.
It has certainly been a big year.
I've been on my own here at home for a couple of days as Brunnel and the girls have gone ahead to the bach. (A bach is the NZ term for a beach cottage!)
The house feels so quiet!
Anyway, having a quiet moment to myself, I was looking around, and I couldn't help but think how lucky I am. Here I am in my beautiful newly renovated home, while today the poor people of Christchurch were enduring yet more strong earthquakes, breakages and liquefaction. It must be awful living on the edge constantly. I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be strong enough to cope.
Over two years ago, when we first started planning our renovation, I used this image as an example of how our house felt. Obviously, it was a gross exaggeration. Aestheticly, our house might have felt like this, but the reality wasn't remotely the same. And using this image has weighed heavily on my mind ever since the destructive Christchurch earthquakes, because a house like this is now a reality for so many people. It was weighing heavily before I received an anonymous comment pointing out this very fact.
A comment that still came with a smile. I'm suitably humbled. And sorry.
Eight months in Camp David & I have a lovely home.The solution isn't quite so clear cut for Christchurch.
(44 quakes today, 4892 since the most devastating in February. No exaggeration.)
So, to my anonymous commentator, thank you, and oh how I wish calm days ahead for you.
Fine, sunny, beach days.
Simple pleasures.
A cornucopia of all the things you love (just like this inspiration board of mine!)
Merry Merry Christmas all my blogging friends.
Thank you so much for reading, and for making me feel so welcome over at your blog patch.
I'll see you all in a week or so!
Amanda xx
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I seem to have missed the news about Christchurch. Gosh I so feel for those people. I love visiting there but it's sad to imagine all the destruction. After my crappy year I suppose there's something to be grateful that I haven't had to experience.
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely Christmas at the bach. Is it like a beach house or a shack? Either way it sounds fab.
Thank you too for your bloggy friendship, it's really lovely.
Xx
Merry Christmas to you too. Guy and I were talking about how lucky we are, I think that we take so many things for granted and it is imprtant to think of those less fortunate and help where possible.
ReplyDeleteWish that you would send some heat our way as it is cold and foggy here in SW France, Leeann x
hi Amanda it is terrible isn't it those poor Christchurchillians (sic?)
ReplyDeleteWishing you a very very happy Christmas.
xoxo
I couldn't quite believe it when I saw what Christchurch has gone through yet again - or rather, it sounds like it hasn't really stopped since February. They are amazingly courageous. Enjoying simple pleasures is as important now as ever. Here's to a peaceful Christmas all around, and have a beautiful time at your bach {you gave me my 'something new' for the morning!}
ReplyDeleteOur thoughts are with those in Christchurch, once again. Wishing you a very merry Christmas ~ xx
ReplyDeleteOh Amanda, our realities are never as bad as they seem. I am guilty of that too. Our Sow's Ear really isn't so bad either. My heart goes out to Christchurch and indeed all the other places in the world affected by earthquakes, floods etc. We are lucky to have a roof over our heads.
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a nice time with your family at the bach. Take care and enjoy. Merry Christmas! xx
Enjoy your time at the bach Amanda, you certainly deserve warm breezes & relaxing days after the big year you've had. I wish I could wave a magic wand & give the people of Christchurch back their beautiful city. They are all in our thoughts.
ReplyDeleteMillie xx
MERRY CHRISTMAS, Amanda! Wishing you and yours the very happiest of days now and throughout the new year! xo Uncle B :)
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your well earned break with the family.
ReplyDeleteX-mas hugs to you and also to the people of Christchurch. I also wish all Christchurch a big parcel of HOPE.xx
Have a wonderful Christmas with your family, Kellie xx
ReplyDeleteMy dear friend Amanda,
ReplyDeleteHope that you and your family are having a wonderful Christmas.
Thanks so much for your support and lovely comments this year. Your a true blogging friend.
Wishing you a happy, healthy and peaceful New Year.
With much love,
Jackie. XXXX
A belated Merry Christmas Amanda - I hope you had a wonderful day and enjoy your time at the bach (in the fabulous Hawkes Bay is it not?). Best wishes for the New Year - I look forward to your 2012 posts! Annie x
ReplyDeleteOh Sweetheart. It has been a shocker of a year for ChCh, I agree. Let's hope 2012 is brighter for them. Loving your inspiration board - here's to happier days ahead. Thanks for your gorgeous friendship this year - meeting through BYW was such a highlight of my year! J x
ReplyDeleteHope your Christmas was filled with JOY my friend..and lets pray 2012 will be a happy and blessed year for all. xoxoxo
ReplyDeleteI had no idea there had been that many quakes since the huge one. So frightening for the people of Christchurch. We have friends in NZ, but none live in that part of the country.
ReplyDeleteI hope you've had a lovely and relaxing Christmas at your "bach"!
Hope your Christmas was wonderful and wishing you all the best in 2012!!
ReplyDeleteJust discovered your blog from Auckland and throughly enjoying it. Decent kiwi blogs seem few and far between so am chuffed to have discovered yours. Happy New Year. Jane (thehousethatjanebuilt.blogspot.com) :)
ReplyDeletemy husband is from dunedin and we like you fear for chch and it's lovely people. you meant no harm with the image - you could not have known ...on a brighter note we now have a kiwi bach on the coast near dunedin ... will be over there in feb - can't wait - best le xox
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