This weekend we took advantage of our surroundings. You see, I am the one without a car there. I mean, I could drive if I wanted to, but I don’t think it would be safe. I totally forgot how to drive a stick shift, yet alone on the left side driving it on the left of the road. That’s just DANGER in it’s worst form. I’ll leave the driving up to the hubs. But since he was back into FULL ON training this weekend, I was a wee bit stuck. Ahh but wait, I do have two feet. I can walk. I decided to venture out by foot and see, hear, taste, and smell all the beauty of this quaint little city. Okay not all by foot, but you get my point.
I ran to Hagley Park, strolled along the Botanical Gardens, shopped like a local through the Artisan Markets, and trotted the trails while listening to the sounds of mother nature. I didn’t realize how many SENSES I actually used until I got home and downloaded all my pictures. No wonder I’m tired.
Sensory overload……in a good way!
Turn the Volume up here and listen for yourself.
Hmmm, I’m forgetting one thing here. Oh yes…..more baking!
I think my mother in law stole those missing cookies.
Ya, pretty sure she did. 
How have you come to your “senses” this weekend?
Pun intended because I am that corny.
Cheers,
LC
WOW. this is absolutely beautiful…
i agree Becca. Even more beautiful in person too!
beautiful pictures!
I hope that you are happy there!!!
i am. Much more laid back for now. We have 10 more weeks here too! crazy.
Umm, we just got back from Disney World. Which is like complete.sensory.overload. I’m hoping to give all my senses a rest for the next day or so.
We had a great time, though. We just got back this afternoon and, as I’m literally unpacking, my little guy came up and asked ‘can we go back tonight?’ 🙂
Your pictures are beautiful!! ps – so are you!
oh my that is a big sensory overload. You might need to take a week off from hearing anything disney related too! haha.
and thank you for your kind words. You are too good to me. <3
Those pictures are beautiful – looks much warmer then here!
I’m making a special effort to notice and admire Christmas lights – of all kinds this year. I used to love them, but I let the “hurry” that I’m always in detract from the journey to get to my destination. I don’t want to waste my valuable commute time to think and observe!
i have yet to see any lights here so please enjoy them for me! are you almost done with school?
What gorgeous scenery Lindsay! So, the hubby is back to all out training?! Awesome! I bet he is renewed with focus!
he is and it makes me happy to see him happy! Renewed focus indeed!
looks awefully pretty over there!! i was able to get back in my kitchen this weekend, so for that i am thankful 🙂
oh that makes us all thankful! means more recipes for us!
Gorgeous flower pics… and seriously, I know I’ve said it before, but Linds, you look SO HEALTHY AND GLOWING in your photos since you’ve gotten there. Not that you were gorgeous before, but you know what I mean. I am SO HAPPY to see you this way, my friend! xo
ACK! That should read not that you WEREN’T gorgeous before! Epic typo, sheesh!! ;P <3 <3 <3
hehe, i knew what you meant and THANK YOU!!!! You are too kind and I miss you oodles. How’s work?
I miss you! Work is good on both fronts… just doing my thing in the transcription office in the meantime, and I’ve had three massage clients since getting my license last weekend with another scheduled this week and another next week. SO excited to have any clients at all!! 🙂
Gorgeous pictures!!! You just inspired an outing for me and the 3 year old tomorrow 🙂
oh thats awesome! where are you going? take pictures and share for sure!
Use those senses to get you into the “Presence”
Somedays it is hard to be mindful and “connected” –I’m all up in my head. I’m sure you can relate. I am glad you have a perfect escape route nearby to get back into the present moment and experience the peace of the “Presence.”
Use it often!
of course i can relate! i’ve been struggling a bit with that. Escaping to enjoy the present puts things back in perspective. Now if only it would stay there.
It’s so refreshing to see the flowers in full bloom, since all of ours are not as bright and pretty.
I bet you will be driving sooner than you think!
you think? i scared to drive shift first! haha. COme teach me!
That looks (and sounds) amazing! Would love to travel to New Zealand, sometime. Trying not to be too jealous of you. 🙂
I know, its hard! haha, but if I invite you to come, then maybe you’ll feel better? Hope the holidays are going well for you Jen. Whats next on the running list?
I would have stolen the cookies too:) LOVE that picture of you with the flowers, you are stunning Lindsay!
cookies are best when they are fresh off the sheet. Who could blame her?! hehe.
What a beautiful place! I can’t believe how many colors are in every photo…I’m so envious you get to stay there until March!
Have a wonderful Monday Lindsay!
Well if you need a getaway, feel free to come! I’ll even let you keep your sunglasses in my car! haha.
Wow that looks so beautiful!!!!! I can imagine the smell! Everything out this way is brown.
it smells heavenly, i wish i could bottle it up! How’s the winter training going?? Been thinking about you.
I don’t think I would be driving either.. haha definitely not.
that’s awesome that your days are so long… but not so awesome that you wake up at 4:30am.. yikes, that’s EARLY.
Are you going to send me your address.. what are you waiting for!!?
haha, i know, But it is SO BRIGHT at 4:30. Crazy! oh and i didn’t know if i could still email my NZ address. Will do that ASAP! YEA!
Love the pictures! We went on a long hike this weekend — definitely my favorite form of exercise =)
Feels great to get out in nature. So calming, isn’t it?
so so so pretty.
I need to get there some day.
yes, its the land of GLUTEN FREE living too! Every place is GF. I LOVE IT!
So glad to see you’re settling in well. Love your puns! 🙂
oh good, glad you are a PUNNY woman. haha
He he. I love your puns! 🙂 Wait, that sounds funny. I so wish I could be walking all over the place with you in New Zealand. 🙂 Looks (and soudns) soo fabulous. Can’t blame your mother-in-law. I would steal some cookies too. 🙂
I came to my senses by finally making sleep and rest a priority. Hopefully it sticks longer than just the weekend.
oh me too! i think your kiddos would love it hear. And maybe even flat kitty? haha
Wow it looks gorgeous there! Tons of new experiences and opportunities. Are you finding it much different there? Similar to America, or no?
And where did you leave your pup?
oh so different. Kind of like Europe, more simple way of life and living. I like that. How are you?
I am so incredibly happy to hear things are going well there. Beautiful pictures Lindsay! I can’t wait to see more, really. Such an adventure you two are on!
thank Meg! adventure it is and I am soaking it all up! How are you? Done with school?
Beautiful!
it sure is Jess. Hagley park reminds me of a mini central park.
Jealous. Super duper jealous.
Love your hair too – did you cut it recently? Very cute!
i got bangs and cut it before i left. I was too lazy to keep blowing drying it, classy i know.
You’re talking class to the girl who didn’t own a blow dryer until 2 months ago? And she’s 32 years old? Yeah, I know class. 😉
Oh we would get along so well.
😉
just beautiful!!! enjoy your time there girl
xoxo
I will! when are you gals coming to visit? 😉
such beautiful photos, Linds! I’m glad you’re living in such a lovely city. I could really use some time to unwind and focus on my senses after the past week I’ve had. It’s been good, but oh so busy and not enough down time. 🙂 miss you and think about you everyday!
girl I am worried about you. Holiday madness, eh? I hope you can disconnect soon…….and reconnect with me. I MISS YOU!
Beautiful! I feel you girl! I just got into Florida this weekend and it’s interesting how observant you become when you’re in a new place!
oh yes, take all that in. The smell of the ocean air, the sounds of the waves, love it!
Beautiful pictures! It seems like you are enjoying your stay in NZ!!!!
I know God has us here for a reason, trying to take advantage of that! Good luck with finals Allie!
Wow, those are some beautiful scenes!! I can only imagine how amazing it is in real life. I’m with you – I would not be up for driving on the left side of the road. I would be so disoriented. It’s nice to return to the way we really should be doing things though. Going on foot is good for our bodies and our minds, and it’s good for the earth. It’s so easy to forget that!
oh man, it is soooo good for the mind. Relaxing and very tranquil. Wish i could do this more at home!
Getting excited… ah beautiful native NZ sounds, miss and love them (I get crazy Kookaburras here that “laugh” – they sound like deranged monkeys at 4:30am, scary Aussie birds) Love the Botanic Gardens… did you check out the Museum and the Moa Cave you can crawl through!?! hehe I do it every time, I think it’s supposed to be for kids 🙂
I am so so happy that you are showing my beautiful little home town to the world (OK, the “world” as in your blog followers!) Makes me so proud (sniff) 🙂
and the hubs hometown! i wonder if you two know the same people. that would be a small world!
Bet we would know some mutual people – there are about 2 degrees of separation in Chch, makes things interesting 🙂
this is true. I bet my mother in law knows have your family. She’s such a social butterfly.
oh the sights and SOUNDS are amazing. what an incredibly beautiful place. i am always in awe of what you can see walking about 🙂
I love this post! Sounds like you truly did stop and just enjoy your surroundings in every possible way. It seems like you are just in such a good spot in your life right now and I love that!
Such gorgeous pictures! I can’t wait to get home so I can run/bike along the beach 🙂
those are the best runs! where do you live? Hope you get to go home soon.
xoxo
In the LA area, but close to the beach 🙂
love it! enjoy!
Beautiful!!! Even the baking part…. 🙂
i had to get my taste sense in somewhere. Beauitful indeed!
So beautiful, isn’t Christchurch lovely? We were living just a few yards down the road from the botanic gardens and they are divine! <3 Hope you've had a wonderful weekend! xyx
you sure you don’t want to come back NOW?? I could use a personal yoga instructor. haha.
Hahaha! 😛 I would if I could lovely – in a heartbeat! 🙂 That would be awesome to hang with you in ChCh – and get our yoga on! <3 I accept payment in healthy bites…and plane tickets…hehehe 😉 xyx
oh that sounds like a GOOD deal!!
Gorgeous photos! I love the way winter looks but those beautiful bright flowers make me wish for spring!
🙂
i do love the cozy winter feeling but i can’t complain here. Running in cool/warm weather makes me happy!
You’re single handedly making me want to visit NZ!! Some of my family members have been there and they loved it. I’m sure its only a matter of time. 🙂
PS – how funny would this be; we were just 2 hours away from one another but couldn’t meet up, yet one day maybe we’ll meet up across the globe in NZ, haha!!
haha, i know! but i am bound and determind to meet one day. I like the idea of you flying across the world for me! okay really for the view but you know.
😉
Wow, absolutely amazing pictures! So so pretty :). I want to stroll through those gardens!
and the smells are amazing! i mean so FRAGRANT!
p.s.
I should pick some roses and send them to you for your wedding arrangement. hehe.
Beautiful colors, flowers, landscapes….Sigh! You look happy & healthy! Hope you two are having a lovely weekend…Chat soon. 🙂
we’re getting there. taking it all in! I emailed you back. It was good to catch up with you. We need a 1x a week email session!
what a stunning garden — the bounty of color there is so refreshing — everything is gray/brown here, now! Hehe at least you know the baking went well if the MIL is stealing some!
My MIL eats more than my husband and likes everything so baking is up two fold, haha. Love that though!
p.s.
did you get in your yoga friday night?
i love that you’re (literally) stopping to smell the roses! your surroundings are beautfiul and it sounds like you’re truly flourishing!
i know, i almost said that but tried to refrain from too much corniness. Glad you said it! i was dying to! haha.
Oh my goodness those flowers are breathtaking!! Don’t you just love being around nature at it’s prime? 🙂 AHH this post makes me want to go on an adventure soooo bad now haha
Enjoy the rest of your weekend pretty lady!
i do! i wanted to lay down and take a nap in that garden, hehe.
Lovely post my friend. What a great way to view the new surroundings….on foot. Glad to hear that the hubs is back into full training again. That has to feel good for him as well.
me too! he’s still a bit hesitant but at least he’s out there!
So glad you’re getting out and exploring! We’ve had a million things this weekend, so I’m looking forward to NEXT weekend, when I’ll be able to sit and admire my tree.
i like looking at your tree. Makes me feel at home, but i wish i was hanging with you next weekend, or vice versa.
YES, to getting around on foot!( I love my bike too though) so much more eco-friendly.
All those flowers look gorgeous!oh,& so do you- seriously every time I see you on your blog you are so GLOWING and prettiful:)
I wanna know more about those cookies!
Xxx
oh i wanted a bike too! we’re working on it. xoxo
cookie recipe to come!
Such natural beauty in those gardens. How long will you be living there??
i thought you’d like all that photography. You’d be in heaven. We are here till March! yea!
totally amazing how beautiful it is there.