OK, I am not going to reiterate any misery regarding the weather.  As my husband philosophically reminds me, it is what it is.

Less than seasonal weather creates the opportunity to discover perfect tonics to keep the whole family pleased.  Here are our winner ideas of the holiday season.

Keep the Kids Busy

My enterprising daughter decided to make some homemade sherbet while her brother had some friends over for a sleepover.  Within half an hour they had set up a stall outside our house selling a bag of sherbet for 50 cents a pop.  An hour later they had made $8 which, split 4 ways, gave each child $2 in the pocket.

As a business owner myself, I was duly proud that they had made their first independent income.  Interestingly, a neighbour’s daughter up the road started a lemonade stand the following day!

Look out teachers at Brooklyn School, these sassy kids are coming up with some smart ideas.  Who knows what their R&D think tanks will come up with this week!

Reconnecting the Family

Despite the weight of the Visa bill post Christmas, there are plenty of little treats to be had to lift the spirits and keep the family in touch.  Today we went for a good old 1960’s family drive and ended up back in our home suburb of Brooklyn at The Windmill pub.  Over hot chocolates we sat down in suburban splendour to chat through the latest in family news and plans for 2010.

Walk the Talk

To get over the hot chocolates and the indulgence of Christmas we walk each day.  We join up with friends and vary the routes, taking in new parts of the suburb and doing a ‘major walk’ every few days.  This morning it was a return journey to the veggie market in Willis Street to stock up on kaffir lime leaves.  Central Park has undergone a transformation and it is so well worth the hill climb.

The City Spirit

To get into the city spirit and learn a little while enjoying some city fun we have scheduled the following to complete before the holidays are over:

-    the Pompeii Exhibition at Te Papa
-    a Parliamentary tour
-    visit the Police Museum
-    take in a Twenty20 cricket match
-    do some ‘prince-spotting’ while Prince William is in Wellington

The Tonic To End All Tonics

One of the best is a visit to The Tonic Room for a spot of massage, acupuncture, facial rejuvenation plus more.  I took time out before Christmas to recharge at the Tonic Room and I will be back for more soon.

Tracyann Lek is the star behind her holistic techniques.  If you want to dream away the day with a hot stone massage in the gentle haven of The Tonic Room for the ultimate Wellington recharge, then look no further.

Raise A Glass to 2010

If all else fails, hit the kitchen to make my old fashioned lemon cordial.

1.    Zest and juice 3 good sized lemons.
2.    Add 2 cups of sugar, 2 tspns tartaric acid, 2 tspns citric acid and 3 cups of boiling water.
3.    Stir to dissolve and let cool for a few hours before straining and storing in a glass bottle in the fridge.
4.    Pour a small amount in the bottom of a glass and top with water.  Adjust to taste.

For a glamour finish, forget water from the tap and go for the pinnacle of water perfection and add Hema Water.

Jennifer