365/2011 - accomplished

I did it. 365/2011.

A part of me hoped this project would slow down time. I thought if I could remember one moment from each day, they might not flow into each other like they always seem to do. I thought it might be a way for me to feel like my life isn't moving faster than I can keep up. I learned quickly, that wasn't the case.

Although the project did not help slow down time, I am still thrilled I did it. My weird obsession with documenting my life isn't going anywhere, I know I will always feel like I am not remembering it enough or savoring it enough.

I watch others live their lives without capturing them...just living in the moment and then letting them pass by. It saddens me, yet I envy them at the same time. A balance I try to keep = always trying to remember what has happened, yet focusing on what is happening now and moving forward.

2011 was an amazing year for our family and I am so glad I decided to start the project with it. Hundreds of wonderful moments as a family, as a couple, as individuals. We took a few fabulous vacations, we went to a couple amazing concerts, we made wonderful new friends who have helped us grow, we volunteered time to the community, we had even more (and some repeat) photography clients who were awesome, and we accomplished our dream of starting a coffee shop.

As I look back at these photos, this project, this year...I am thankful. I am thankful for every single day I am here. Every day I am lucky to have. There isn't one single thing I would change. Every day I am thankful.

I will be continuing this project into 2012. Who knows how long it will last. All I know is that I love it. It has allowed me to remember what has happened, yet focus on what is happening now and move forward. Balance is good.

2012...I am ready. Bring it.

365

oh 2011 - you have been pretty awesome thus far.
feels like i just started this project yesterday.
not quite sure how it is already the middle of september.
loving the cooler weather.
i was stoked to bust out my collection of scarves.
:)

tomboy

I love having a little boy.

I grew up as a little girl, surrounded by boys. I have an older brother and we were baby-sat by a woman with 4 boys.

I had mud fights, injured myself trying sweet bike tricks, swam in a pond every summer that I don't even know if it was sanitary (lol), went fishing daily, played baseball, played cops and robbers on our bikes, had rotten apple fights in the apple orchard, and many other amazing memories.

Having a little boy has allowed me to relive some of those wonderful moments as an adult. I wouldn't trade in a single bug, snake, frog, or any other creepy crawly creature my son has brought me, for a barbie. No way. :)

chef jeff...

Passion.
That overwhelming need to do something, to feel something, to create something.
Something that makes you want to work harder, to accomplish more, to learn more...
Something that makes you feel alive.

Robbie and I are blessed we have found that in photography and videography...among many many other things.

The funny thing about passion is once you have felt it, you look for it all over the place.
When you are passionate about one thing - it seems to spill over into other parts of your life as well.

A friend of ours started introducing us to other people he knew - who were also very passionate about things in their lives. We have all been chatting and getting to know each other the past couple of months and last week we received an invitation from one of the couples for a dinner party at their home.

We all began to arrive and the conversations began to flow - teaching, yoga, graphic design, film, cooking, photography & videography, marketing, music, organic food, psychology, politics, art, philosophy, and much more...

Then. The food started.

I have been in awe of Jeff's cooking via facebook posts and posts on his lovely blog, Eaterie Food. And a few weeks ago, Robbie attended one of Jeff's cooking demos, which Jeff sent me home a delicious sampling, since I was unable to attend (I was of course busy editing photos..lol).

But nothing....and I seriously mean NOTHING could have prepared me for how amazing Jeff's menu was going to be for this dinner party. He went all out.

Appetizers/Hors D’Oeuvers
Charcuterie Platter
Liguria Salami
Tuscano Salami
Veneto Salami
Spicy Capicollo
Soppressata di Calabria
Cheese Platter
Bourbon Bacon Jam
White Wine and Rosemary Pickled Portobella’s
Egg Salad cups
Crab Salad Cups
Cucumber with Herbed Cheese

Dinner
First Course
• Spring Ceviche with Shrimp, Avocado, and Cucumber

Second Course
• Arugula, Grilled Peach and Mozzarella Salad with a Balsamic Honey Dressing

Third Course
• Caramelized Carrot and Ginger Soup

Fourth Course
• Spring Pea and Bacon Risotto with Braised Pea Tendrils

Main Course
• Sesame-Ginger Beef/Tofu and Shiitake Kebabs in Citrus Hoisin Glaze

Dessert
• Avocado Cheesecake with Raspberry Coulis, Crème’ Anglaise and Fresh Mint Ice Cream

Here are the photos to show this amazing-ness - I wish I could reach through the screen and eat every single one of them again. YUM.

I don't think I could pick a favorite, even if you tried to make me. Each one was perfect. Oh, and I almost forgot - a few glasses of some wonderful white wine to go along with it all.

Every once in awhile, I would stop in the kitchen to see how Jeff was doing and he had the BIGGEST smile on his face. He was having a darn blast. Not only preparing the food, but hearing us enjoy the experience. And talk about fresh....as I was sitting at their dining room table chatting away, I looked out the window and saw Jeff cutting herbs for the dishes right there as he was making them.

So cool. This was his passion and we all were witnessing it and experiencing it all at the same time.

I cannot thank Jeff and Leslie enough for putting this together, for welcoming us in their home, and for sharing their amazing talent of making food that I may not be able to pronounce, but I sure can enjoy. ;)

It was one of my favorite "adult nights" in a long time.

THANK YOU! :) Pizza party at our house next time, Robbie and I have already decided there is no way we are going to try and compete with that. lol

hello june!

what we've been up to:

a lot of photos being taken.

a lot of photos being edited.

a lot of hot head burrito being eaten.

a lot of sun - and crazy storms.

a lot of gardening.

a lot of baseball.

which = a lot of fun.

i love summer. reminds me of so many great childhood memories. hope our kiddo has as many as i have. trying hard to make that happen for him.

hope everyone is enjoying the sun. anytime you get sick of the heat, just remember how sick you were of the snow and ice. it works for me every time. :)

happy june ya'll. it has arrived.

absolutely nothing...

4.27.11 - this doesn't happen very often - me relaxing on the couch. but after about 5 late nights in a row, it was a must. we watched the movie - Never Let Me Go. ignore the dirty window and empty photo frames. spring cleaning has yet to happen at our house and the photo frames have been empty since they were hung in january. such as life. :)
"Sitting next to you doing absolutely nothing, means absolutely everything to me."
- Unknown

A few things that made me happy today.
1. The 5 minutes the sun was actually out today.
2. Coconut creamer in my coffee...yum. Who'da thunk it?
3. Seeing my kiddo in his baseball uniform for the first time this year. His pants are about 3 sizes too big. LOL Must fix this or he will be having some major issues during a game.
4. Thinking about my big bro coming home to visit. He will be here Friday and I can't wait. He lives in South Carolina and I haven't seen him in 2 years. So excited.
5. Cuddling with Mr. Garrett on the couch. So comfy. So cozy. So perfect. Nothing like it.

A good day...
Amber

365 / 2011

I first heard about the 365 Project many years ago on Flickr (Flickr is a photo-based web community where you can share photos, receive feedback, be inspired, and make some photo friends.) The 365 Project is basically this: take one photo a day. That is all. There are no other rules or guidelines. It can be a photo of a person, a thing, or an event. It can be a photo of something from that day or it can be an artistic photo that you took that day. It is entirely up to the photographer, as long as you take one a day.

I am a big believer in documentation and recording your life. I have kept some form of a journal since the 6th grade, so when I heard this idea, I was immediately intrigued.

I have tried completing the 365 Project in years past, and haven't been successful. Usually, things get busy and it gets put on the back burner.

Well, I decided to try the project again this year, and so far so good. As of today, I have kept up with the project and I haven't missed a day.

I have been sharing the project on my personal Facebook page, and that has truly helped hold me accountable. Knowing that people are aware of the project helps to keep me on track.

After starting this project for 2011, I found this amazing article online: He Took a Polaroid Every Day, Until the Day He Died. How amazing is that? Photographer Jamie Livingston took a photo every single day for 18 years, up until the day he died. This is so inspiring to me. What an awesome thing for his family to look back on and what a unique family keepsake. I just love things like this. So I have decided to continue this project as long as it is fun for me. If or when it stops being fun, I will stop - but until then, I will continue the project as long as I can.

Every single day of your life counts. Each day connects months and the months connect years. I know not every day is amazing. Not every day is good. Not every day is something I might want to remember...but they all count. All of those bad days remind us why the good ones are so fabulous. I have learned from those bad days. I have found some strength I didn't know I had on those bad days. I couldn't imagine life without bad. It sounds great...but it would never work. And honestly, when I look back on days that I thought were the end of the world at the time they were happening - I realize they weren't as bad as I thought.

So here is to all days.
Good and bad.
Amazing and mundane.
Fun and boring.
They are all getting the spotlight with this project. And I hope when I look back at the finished project (whenever that might be), it makes me happy.
That is my goal.

A