Serenbe Sustainable Community and Farms  www.serenbecommunity.com . 

"There are many reasons to move to Serenbe, but the one heard most often is the quality of life. Where else can you live like this? In a community of bright, creative neighbors, people who are thinking and talking about things that matter. A community of hamlets connected by looping country roads and well-worn footpaths that make walking easier than getting in a car. A community of private gardens and public farms. And trails for walking, hiking and biking that connect with a future 98-mile regional greenway system" (http://www.serenbecommunity.com/qualityoflife.html). 

"At Serenbe, we hold the notion that a community is a living part of its natural surroundings, not something to be built at nature's expense. From the ground up, we've taken a new look at community development, and have based every facet of Serenbe design on traditional values and the principles of environmental sustainability. Some elements of this design are obvious, while others are subtle or even unseen" (http://www.serenbecommunity.com/sustain.html).

Funny thing is.. this community is about 30 minutes from where my parents live and where I went to high school.. but I had NEVER heard of it

Sounds pretty cool, and I am really excited about checking it out tomorrow!!!...

-Buddhist Proverb

Yesterday was wonderful.  My brother and his girlfriend came over my parents’ house (where I am home visiting for an entire week!) last night, and we all had such a great time enjoying good food, sharing stories, laughing non stop, and decided for the first time since my brother and I were little to take a family Christmas photo.  That in itself was hilarious.  Since I have the "nicest camera," I was in charge of setting up the photo shoot.  I pulled out my dad's old tripod and was trying to set up the scene all the mean while trying to figure out how this dusty old tripod works while my dad is behind me saying "You have to unscrew this first. Then you tighten that.  It's leaning to left. It's going to fall over, Lisa!!"  Under my breath I am commenting on how my tripod that I left at home is so much more user friendly than this ancient dinosaur… to which my dad replies "And who gave you that new tripod?"  My response- "Santa :)"  We also tried to make my mom stand on a stool so she didn’t look so short, but it didn't work out.. hehe.  

After the 10th picture, this one turned out the best- my brother isn't blinking, my dad isn't giving my mom the bunny ears, apparently my mom thought I looked pregnant in the first couple of pictures (damn those empire waist shirts that flow out), and Maggie (the family dog) isn't trying to jump out of my mom's lap.  I have decided, though, that I look like I was adopted...

Left to right: My older brother Matt, his girlfriend Chelsea, my mom Cheryl holding Maggie the maltese, me, and my dad Burt

I decided to save some paper and email my friends some holiday lovin’

Happy Holidays Y'all and Have a Wonderful New Year.  May you find Love, Joy, Peace, and the Hope for the change you have been wishing/working/praying/setting our intentions for!

(download)

Click here to download:

Let_there_be_peace_on_earth_th.zip (3.58 MB)

Pictures from my travels around the south island of New Zealand

This always puts a smile on my face and puts me in a real huggible mood.. not like that's hard to do :)

Check out this video (could not embed it)    

I love it when he chases down the guy on the bicycle.  What I would do to get a hug from Dave....sigh 

Have you heard of Amma the "hugging saint" from India?  One of my life long goals to get a hug from her http://huggingsaint.com/

Comments?