Dread weekly grocery shopping

Thinking about fighting for parking, long lines, trying tho find healthy food. That tastes good. And affordable. And organic. Not processed or genetic. Fumbled through coupons, cash or charge.

The AC is always blasting and uncomfortable. Can't fit my cart through the aisle, not sure about trying new things or if I will like them.
I want to buy bread but not a whole loaf. And I don't need a whole gallon of milk. I'm just one and they will spoil. Blah.

But lately, I am blessed. A short drive through the country, park near the beach. Cool breeze laced with a warm smell of grasses.

The farmers market. I want to sigh with happiness. :)  I need fruit so i'm in luck. Papaya and mango are over flowing from tents today! Kale, zucchini, yellow squash, pineapple...the cherry tomatoes are perfect, okra for broiling and the Japanese eggplant are bright.

Farm cheese and goat cheese, Arugula with blossoms will make a great salad. Honey, can juice. Fresh herbs, check.

Almost forget Thai basil and lemongrass! Will be perfect for grilling fish. Onion, garlic...butter, eggs. Nuts for making butters, and lastly some honey taro bread rolls.

I've tasted almost everything so I picked what I loved only. My choice of the best food. Listening to a guy playing guitar and singing, in my sandals with my soft cotton market bags bouncing at my shoulder. 

Kids laughing, the dairy brought their cow! She is friendly and robust. The air is full of smiles, sunshine, a sense of earth and belonging.

After 15 minutes my shopping is done, I grab a mango habanero ice pop. Made with fresh fruit, each by hand.

My good isn't a box or plastic jug. Its real, recognizable, whole. I don't need an ingredient label I can't pronounce. It feels like my food is now part of me, life. Ties the vendors and market goers together like a family. Its such a welcome warm feeling.

And just what I need for the week. No waste or leftovers or things hiding in my cupboard that I don't want.

Food that makes me feel good to cook, juice. And good when I eat it.

Its funny how its just made my whole day, but its brightened it considerably. And I spent less than $28... amazing how good eating fresh and local can be.

And not in a trendy, hipster way. But in a real, simple, personal way even of no one else knows.

Off to enjoy my fresh mango, papaya aloe juice and repot my market orchids :)

enjoy your Sunday, love amber

did you notice the new look? it's nice, so me...and where i want to go...

So lately I've been thinking about serious things, but good things.  A new website, new studios name which will really flow along with the directions I want to take my work.

www.AnyRoadPhotography.com

Things I've been thinking about...like where have I been to get here? If that path was somehow changed, would I still be here as I am in this moment? From here, where will I be going, and would that place be the same no matter how long or which direction I take to move from this moment?

Talking circles, I know I know. But I'm just working through thoughts here. I don't believe in fate and that everything we do is predestined to happen no matter what. What if it's not our entire life set firmly, but just moments?  Like a bead on a thread, important places on that thread have a hard bead. But the equally important thread can be short, long, fat, or fraying. And it can tear. Everything we experience makes us a whole person, but the really important moments in our lives are unchangeable. The time and path between those moments can really be different and yet somehow still lead to the next important moment.

So that milestones in life for each of us is planned, destined, fated or whatever you want to call it. But the filler, the fluff, the seconds and decades in between those moments we have choice over. It's unknown. We can take the time between and realize that it can change how those firm moments affect us.

And these milestones might not be what we generally assume to be important. Driver's license, first kiss, graduation, career or marriage...they might not fall into a category like that but perhaps more subtle.  We might not even recognize it as important, but shape our lives more than we imagine.  A thought, a hug, something spoken to us.

For me one "bead" was a conversation in the car, a mini road trip with my dad a couple years ago as we were headed home from a family reunion. And he told me that though I'm unconventional and don't always do things the way he would, he was proud of me. That I was his free-spirited child. (child, lol I'm 31!!)  He encouraged me to follow my heart, join the Peace Corp, get into photojournalism. Move to Hawaii! Or any other state or country that suited me. While it's nice to have praise and encouragement anytime from a parent, it was really a moment where I felt validated in who I am. That I'm quirky, out there, free, stubborn and a dreaming artist but I was perfect at being me.

So what "beads" can you look back and see? Perhaps you didn't know at the time but now you do? Big or small, what are some moments in your life that were monumental?

Included in a fantastic Etsy treasury today... so cute!

What is "Today" on Etsy

and included one of my prints, entitled "Tightrope"

Here it is again, the beginning & end

2011 was so many things I hoped. Things I learned, tried places I went. It was a good year by standards. But only half the year I wanted. I learned how to struggled and saw I will have to relearn how to live.

This year I promise myself I will use that knowledge and live my life anew. I'm nervous, excited and ready to see the changes. To grow myself, grow a business.  To love and see new things. To travel at least one place new. To keep those I love close. And next new year...to not regret anything I did or didn't do. Because I don't want to have a life looking back at what-its... But a life always looking upward and onward.
Xoxo, amber jean

Christmas Eve & Hanukwanzmas!

So far what an amazing day! I received my Christmas box from my honey in WA, he is so thoughtful! Pepto for my tummy... Fibro has been flaring up. Burt's Bees for my lips, my meds dehydrate me and they crack sometimes.

And though I'm not a sweets person, there are a few things I love. So he sent me a stocking full of strawberry hard candies with the jelly inside. Peppermint patties, taffy and holiday chocolate squares! Pistachios (inside joke hee hee), delicious holiday coffees and my fave licorice candies.

I love looking for puka shells (Hawaiian for 'hole' or 'window'). I found a gorgeous one on the north shore over the summer. And it wad perfect for a necklace. So he took the time and his talent to make me the perfect one. *swoon*

I got to sleep in, then went to Moanalua Gardens... Breathtaking and peaceful! I did a shoot for a family, 3 generations who hadn't ever had photos as a group. Being able to create memories like that is the best part of my day. It's like a thrill for an adrenaline junkie. It feels amazing to be part of their dynamic and capture it. I'll have them up lm my page later Adalia On Facebook

Now I'm home and wrapping boxes for fam. Yes I know, I'm late but I hate the post office lines Haha! I cant help it! I purchased necklaces for me and my sisters. They were handmade. Three of us, dainty silver chains, and my last sister a more masculine tough look. They were entitled "Tied". It just speaks about our closeness. I wouldn't trade my sisters for anything in life!

And I'm finishing off the day with 80's love -- a Jaws movie marathon and dinner! Chili limon broiled salmon, brussel sprouts (my FAVE!) And garlic rolls. Mmmm... Top it off with a Skype date a bit later and I say this makes a wonderful Christmas eve ... Or as my sister would joke to be p.c.... Merry Hanukwanzmas lol!

Onward and upward,
amber jean