I'm taking our calm and connected countdown to Christmas a step further - and am stepping away from the online world for December.

I want to focus on home and start the new year with a calm mind and a clear vision. 

A thought to leave you with - especially relevant at this time of year:

Our presence is the best gift we can give our loved ones - particularly our children.

Our presence tells them they are noticed, important and loved more than any present ever could.

I'll be back in the New Year. 

Wishing you a calm and connected festive season. xx

My weekly columns will continue to appear in Monday's Newcastle Herald until the end of the year - I just won't republish them here. 

This Monday I wrote about supporting local garlic growers. I included a list of local Hunter region garlic growers.

edited to add: I've just realised half of the Hunter garlic growers were dropped off the article. The list should have also included: 

Moore Wollumbi Garlic
Pokolbin Purple
Patrice Newell Garlic
Stellar Garlic

For those of you outside the Hunter region - you can find lists of Australian garlic growers here and here.