contentment

i am always looking forward to something- the next event, purchase, vacation, promotion, concert, weekend.  like many people, i struggle with contentment.  i'm currently reading a book titled calm my anxious heart, to do just that.  came across this section today:

two women looked through the prison bars
one saw mud, the other saw stars.

i like that because it sounds pretty and simply states that the secret to contentment is how we choose to look at life.  i want to focus on the stars.

central america and 2012

i had high hopes of "thankyouliving takes costa rica."  alas, i direly needed a vacation that included a technology unplug.  i made a quick bullet point list so as not to forget the trip.  a few photo highlights below.  i will say costa rica turned out to be even better than i dreamed.  the people are gorgeous inside and out with a terrific sense of humor.  the land is lush and diverse ranging from active volcanoes to clean rainforests to hippie beach towns.  the food is delightfully healthy and tasty.  the beer is cold and the weather is beautiful.  perfect travel company: laid-back, new adventure seeker amanda and dance all night, photographer extraordinaire kelsey.  i typically want new new new in all areas of life but costa rica is one country that i would completely visit again.  perfect fresh start to 2012.

 (photo- arenal volcano)

  (monteverde rainforest suspension bridges)

(tamarindo sunset)

 (hot springs)

(imperial cheers)

this quote

i like people who have a sense of individuality. i love expression and anything awkward and imperfect, because that’s natural and that’s real.

— marc jacobs

holidays.costa rica.will return shortly.

happy new year!!

tacky christmas dance parties

it's the most wonderful time of the year.  come for the cider, stay for the sweaters. 

link

CSA

My friend Noah and I have been wanting to go in on a CSA order for months.  A CSA- Community Supported Agriculture- is where a group of individuals buy local, organic foods, support farmers, and bypass the horrific food production process.  The CSA sends out a weekly email with the produce options, you decide if you want to purchase, and then pick up at the end of the week. 

Example box- BRAEBURN APPLES - 3CT / BANANAS - 2# / BARTLETT PEARS - 3CT / MANGOES - 1CT / REDLEAF LETTUCE - 1CT / ACORN SQUASH - 1CT - SC / FENNEL - 1CT / GREEN PEPPERS - 1CT - FL / ROMA TOMATOES - 1# - FL / CUCUMBERS - 1CT - FL

The only hang up I personally have is trying to determine if I can eat all of this fresh food before it goes bad. Best to find a friend to split or plan to cook a bunch.  Urban Cannibals in east atlanta hosts a great CSA option.  Noah and I finally got around to ordering and decided to make a meal with our fresh produce.  I cannot believe we waited so long to partake.  Will definitely be making this happen on the regular. 

(photo- spaghetti squash with basil, sauteed kale in garlic, breaded tofu, wine (tofu & wine not from CSA))

city string lights

god i enjoy string lights.  i would keep these up year round if i wasn't pretending to be an adult....think i'll compromise this year and keep them up for all of winter.

(photo - my window and atlanta skyline)