Reflection and opportunity

As this new year begins I am taking time for reflection.  Looking back on the past year(s) and revisiting who I've been and what I've done.   I know I'm not alone in this. The arc of the year has come full circle and after the celebrating of the holidays the new year brings the belief of a possible new beginning.  I feel a renewal of hope for our world and I want to find opportunities to make positive changes.  

I'm not one for resolutions, but I've decided on an open-ended one.  My goal for 2012 is to make each day an opportunity to be the best I can be.

Panetone and other delights

For years I've been seeing these beautiful  boxes in the stores at Christmas time.  But I didn't really know what it was, only that it's an Italian seasonal tradition.  This year I was given one by my son's girlfriend, whose family indulges in this delicious cake for breakfast.  This one is from Milan, where the cake originated.  Isn't the box lovely?

















And here's what was inside the box.  It's a tall cake, rich and soft, loaded with golden raisins and candied fruit.  Sweet but not cloying and easy to pull apart with your fingers for a nibble.  I think this is one treat that will become part of our Christmas tradition too.

We've had a wonderful time visiting with Jamie and Brooke, who are here from Vancouver for the holidays.  And to continue on the Italian theme, tonight I'm making a five course Italian dinner for them and for our other son Ben and his girlfriend Katy.

What A Wonderful World

This clip has astonishing wildlife photographs of our most wonderful world. Happy holidays.

What A Wonderful World - David Attenborough

Bokeh dots

I've always loved polka dots and the other night while out with my camera I discovered how to make bokeh dots.  If you don't know, bokeh is the blur that comes from photographing points of light with the camera out of focus.

I've finally mastered getting this effect with seasonal lights.  Hint: use the macro setting or focus on something close in with the lights in the background.

Here's a selection of holiday dots.





















Have you rebounded from the Christmas festivities?  Or are they still continuing?  After three non-stop days of hosting and being hosted, we will have a quiet day tomorrow.  A time to make soup and organize the house.

Hope your holidays were full of love and joy.

Solstice Lights

I love the solstice light, the softness of the sun so low in the sky.  And yesterday and today were perfect days to get out and take some photos.  But I didn't.  Too busy wrapping, decorating, baking, and preparing.  We're back from our trip and into the Christmas hustle. So here are some seasonal lights done with a moving camera.  Happy solstice.  Rejoice that the light is returning.

Posting from Paia

We're sitting in the Paia Bay Cafe with internet access.  Outside this cozy place the cars are spashing through puddles.  We're on the rainy windward side of the island passing the time until our plane leaves tonight at 11:40 pm.  We'll fly through the night (hopefully sleeping) and arrive in Vancouver at 7:10 tomorrow morning (Vancouver time).  We've had a lovely escape.



I'll post some photos once we're home as I want to show you Io's needle, the sweet town of Paia, some lovely sunset and cloud photos and still more flower photos.  Here are just two to warm your day.