I'm Loving Life | MMXV

This is the first time I've opened my computer in over two weeks - I almost feel I've neglected everything, yet that's nowhere near true. I've been spending time doing what we all do at this time of year; taking time away from myself and putting it into family.

There hasn't been a day where I've not been doing something (even if it included nothing), because it involved two days of busy Christmas meals and traditional activities, spending a week away at a beach house with my main man and his family, finally seeing my sister and going for a drive to a local 'pretty spot' and the open range zoo on a 40 degree day, then after having a day of rest, I find myself here.

Where am I now? Dreaming about all the things I want to do, where I want to be, making plans that fill the hallways of my mind and boy do they keep the little man busy running.

I have a tendency to think up ideas which make me incredibly excited about the future and what I could achieve - but get shot down a couple of days later when reality hits me; the reality that I don't know how to kick things into gear and begin doing what I want to do.

What do I want to do?

Create. I want to create things, make art, draw again, edit all the photos I take, make portraits, blog blog and blog, start my own little businesses, create something to share, create a home, create a dream come true.

I can somehow blend the word create into everything I've been desperately needing.

When it comes to what I want for the year ahead, it involves trying hard to make the above things happen. For real this time. I'm not going to list all the things in my head here because it's unnecessary - and sometimes I don't know how to explain them in words.

I guess that's a little round up of what's been happening, and a little resolutions spiel to go with the refreshing feel of a new year and having a month of (mostly) spare time. I may make a more pointed list down the track for my own sake.

Let's do this! What are your plans for the next 12 months?

Christmas Favourites

I could say so much about Christmas and all the past years of traditions and experiences and things which made it feel like complete magic when I was young, I could also say how much Christmas feels different now, how you try and grab hold of that spark but it disappears before it touches your hand. The perils of leaving childhood. Ultimately though, I love Christmas, I love seeing people put effort into decorations and lights, I love the colours of Christmas, I love the thought of snow and pine trees, but I also love that our Christmas usually consists of sun-kissed shoulders and warm summer nights of light-looking.

As it is now the week before Christmas, I thought I'd write a little list of some of my favourite Christmas things; if you've written your own similar list, comment the link below as I'd love to read them. If I don't get to say this before Christmas, I hope yours if filled with wonder and blessings. xx

Drink | Considering I don't know what the typical American favourite of eggnog even tastes like, I'd probably just have to say wine, we drink wine at Christmas, and when I was young or if I have to drive it's the good old "fake wine" on the menu.

Movie | 'Mickey's Christmas Carol' because every Boxing Day growing up we would finish the night watching or falling asleep to this, spread across the lounge room floor with all my siblings and cousins. I also kind of love The Grinch.

Food | The roast, the Christmas pudding and the brandy butter (mouth is definitely watering).

Album | A couple of albums which were always put on at Christmas when I was growing up, I think they're one of the things which really send that Christmas feeling through me. I'll have to try and find what they are and put them on - I haven't listened to them much the past couple of years.

This Year | We are having Christmas lunch at home, with the smallest group of people since forever. But I'm actually really looking forward to that, simple with just some siblings, Ben, and Mum. Dinner will be at Ben's parents', Boxing day afternoon/evening will be out at my Aunty's hobby farm (a tradition where a bunch of traditions happen and we can catch up with all of Mum's side of the family). Then the morning after Boxing Day, Ben and I are off to Apollo Bay until the new year!