Sunday, January 31, 2021

oNe PhOtO a DaY jAnUaRy 2021:


IN 2021 THE PHOTO A DAY CHALLENGE HAS INTRODUCED A FREE CHOICE OPTION SO FOR THIS MONTH I AM GOING TO MIX AND MATCH CHOOSING FROM THE PROMPTS OR OPTING FOR FREE CHOICE IF THEY DON’T SUIT 



THE PROMPTS 

 


JANUARY 1st THIS IS ME: In my new to me, $2 charity shop cut work top I haven’t had an excuse to wear until now



JANUARY 2nd PAPER: This is our orange gratitude envelope. As the year progresses we write a simple account of the achievements, successes, highlights and red-letter days on a coloured piece of paper. The tradition is to read back all those reflections on New Year’s Day and feel grateful for good times. That is exactly what we did last night. This past year of all years, it was illuminating to realise that amongst the chaos, crisis and challenges there were still so many memorable moments. Gratitude is an attitude! I’ve adopted it

 


JANUARY 3rd FREE CHOICE: Since the prompt today wasn’t one that inspired me I thought I’d do a free choice post. Here’s our inaugural Sunday Brunch. Starting a monthly brunch tradition with a garden party and cranberry mimosas

(The prompt was car but I’m going to be completely honest about this. I sold my last car in 1989.)

 


JANUARY 4th SO COLOURFUL: A colourful collection of vegetables from the crisper. Most of these will go in the coconut, tamarind vegetable curry we are having for dinner. Eat a rainbow



JANUARY 5th FREE CHOICE: Our new favourite lunch is Ian’s twist on Korean Pa Jun- rice flour pancakes with garlic chives. This was packed to have as a picnic after the new swimming and knee strengthen exercise routine was completed. Perfect treat to celebrate a personal best in the pool today

(The prompt was pet but I’m going to be completely honest about this. I don't have a pet and I didn't see one all day.)



JANUARY 6th FLOWERS: Right now, the mango trees in the yard that are not already in fruit, are laden with flowers. It’s going to be a bumper harvest

 


JANUARY 7th THE SKY: There is a good expanse of sky visible in this shot taken this afternoon. Our mission for the day was a thoroughly enjoyable one; picking up 100 backpacks and pencil cases paid for by donors in Switzerland and made by IWA in Kep and delivering them and distributing some of them to village children at Kep Gardens Association. Thanks to Mr John our friend and Tuk Tuk drive for snapping the shot

 


JANUARY 8th I ATE HERE: We arrived at the beach with a picnic dinner and unexpectedly met several friends but we in fact I ate right here tonight and got to see the sunset too. Count your blessings



JANUARY 9th CLOSE UP: Given that I’ve had a couple of rather strenuous days recently and that today has been spent in totally lazy mode, I give you a close up of part of the design on the T-shirt I am wearing while not even venturing outdoors

 


JANUARY 10th SOMETHING NICE: I bought two handwoven, naturally dyed, Kapok shawls in the ‘Made in Cambodia’ market several months ago. Today I finally found my mojo and got around to hand stitching the two of them together to make a new bedspread. Now to find some matching sheets and pillowcases and it will be even nicer

 


JANUARY 11th SHOES: The sum total of all the shoes I own. Like me they have felt a bit like just walking away from all these knee issues recently but we’ve decided to stick it out together: maybe even help each other out. For the record I do own a couple of pairs of flip flops and sandals as well as a pair of boots but the pedant in me won’t let me call them shoes

 


JANUARY 12th TECHNOLOGY: This is it in our house; phones, and one tablet and one computer we share. I tend to have specific purposes for each. I mostly take photos and play on social media on my phone and almost never actually make phone calls on it. I almost always read on the tablet and occasionally use it in class with the monks for reading too. On the other hand, the computer is almost exclusively used for writing emails, blogs and worksheets to print out. Such a creature of habit. It actually scared me when I thought about this. The delineation into these specific purposes evolved over a decade ago and hasn’t changed much. Maybe it’s time to mix it up bit!

 


JANUARY 13th SOMETHING IN NATURE: This impressive, edible, seed pod is produced by the pandan tree, which grows prolifically in Kep. We often see people harvesting them in public places but have yet to taste them

 


JANUARY 14th HOLDING SOMETHING SMALL: The lovely silver and orange charm that I was given recently as a most unexpected gift and for no real reason except the buyers thought of me when they saw it. I also wore it today for the second time and I love it

 


JANUARY 15th I LOVE THIS SMELL: The spices, herbs, toasted seeds and nuts and citrus scent of my embellished version of Greek Pilaf, which is used as the filling for dolmades. The smell as it cooks is mouth-watering and intoxicating. As we can’t get vine leaves here I steamed Chinese Broccoli leaves and used them. Dinner is ready and now to go swimming before we are tempted to just sit down and eat them



JANUARY 16th I CAN DO THIS: Adapt a recipe to fit what I have on hand and my own preferences. This was my first ever attempt at oatmeal cookies today and I used different salt, flour, oats and oil than the recipe suggested, less and different sugar, a duck egg instead of a regular hen’s egg, raisins and sunflowers seeds instead of chocolate and only the baking soda and vanilla remained as stipulated! Delicious nonetheless. Definitely making this again and possibly with chocolate chips now that I know it works! Never waste good chocolate

 


JANUARY 17th IN MY CUP: Black coffee as a late afternoon pick me up after having friends over for lunch. Living the simple life

 


JANUARY 18th I LOVE THIS FOOD: This is a standard breakfast in our house and I love it. After over 25 years of almost always eating muesli for breakfast, then mixing it up for a while, now this is it: toasted baguettes with chilli jam or Vegemite, amaranth greens, cheese, tomatoes, basil and black pepper. Yep I absolutely love this food



JANUARY 19th MORE THAN ONE: Today our walk along the seafront and through the fishing village enabled us to see more than one of these horseshoe crabs but these two were the only ones close enough together to photograph. We flipped one over as they were on their backs and discovered they were still alive so we returned them to the ocean. I assume the local fishermen removed them from their nets and I’m not sure why they didn’t return them to the ocean but we felt compelled to. The name is actually a misnomer as they are not crabs at all but brackish water arthropods

 


WEDNESDAY 20th A FRIEND: My little, Cambodian friend, who I see every time we swim and who is finally relaxed enough in my presence to say a few words to me. He used to run away and hide

 


JANUARY 21st WATER: The faint glow of sunset on the waters of the Tonle Sap River in Phnom Penh, where we arrived today. Also, one on the first photos taken with my new iPhone. Wooo hoo there’s lots to learn now!

 


FRIDAY 22nd ON THE FLOOR: The spectacular original tiles in the newly renovated Hyatt Regency, where we went for drinks today. We have watched this renovation take place for over 3 years and now it’s complete.

 


The whole building just for fun



JANUARY 23rd SUNSET: Well as close as we got to any kind of sunset colours in one of our favourite spots to sit and watch it happen. It turned decidedly grey after this. Phnom Penh you’ve got the looks

 


SUNDAY 24th THUS IS FUN: Meeting new Bhutanese friends, Kezang and Dorji for the first time in Phnom Penh, for an Indian dinner and instantly making a connection and planning future connections. You get out of life what you put into it, I think. Feeling blessed. Thanks to the lovely young girls at the adjoining table for taking this quick snap


 

MONDAY 25th SWEET TREAT: Always the last task before we leave Phnom Penh is a visit to the Central Market for all the fresh produce we never see in Kep. This morning we also wandered the eatery section which was hopping with locals eating breakfast and sweet treats galore. Local honey still in the comb took my fancy but I resisted the urge. We have already had quite a spending splurge this trip



JANUARY 26th WHERE I STOOD: Right here at the edge of the pool on the wet tiles with wet feet. Might not seems like much but it was an act of bravery as I fractured my kneecap by slipping on wet tiles just over two months ago and they induce fear in me these days. Not about to give up the swimming routine though

 


JANUARY 27th A PATH: This is the path to the steps to the old pier in the fishing village. The path is lined with pylons that remain from when the pier actually reached the road. I wonder how much longer it will be able to service this community

 


JANUARY 28th THIS IS MINE: A sweet little purse with a whimsical character on it. It was handmade and purchased in La Paz, Bolivia about four years ago. I love it and have used it every day since then



JANUARY 29th LUCKY: We feel extremely lucky to live in Cambodia, to be able to go out and visit friends, hug each other, feel safe and relax in such a beautiful rural setting with traditional village life just outside the window of the open plan living area of a dear friend’s house. Live with gratitude

 


JANUARY 30th SUMMER: It’s always summer in Kep. Late afternoon and the fishing boats are returning home

 


JANUARY 31st THIS IS ALSO ME: playing around with a new dress hoping I can make it look formal enough to wear to our first Khmer wedding this time next Sunday. I was also playing around with the camera on my new phone and learned a few new tricks once again, thanks to PAD


*This month I challenged myself to take every picture on the actual day and not to use any archive shots so a couple of free choice shots snuck in, as the prompts on those days didn't suits my day.

  

Friday, January 1, 2021

oNe PhOtO a DaY DeCeMbEr 2020

 

THE PROMPTS

 


TUESDAY 1st WHITE: The gorgeous orchids still flowering in our garden and displayed on the little Buddhist altar in the living room


 

WEDNESDAY 2nd YELLOW: deliciousness in the form of my favourite fruit today.  Local mango bought in the market and consumed as an afternoon snack

 


THURSDAY 3rd BLUE: A retro shopfront sign hanging inside one of our favourite cafés in Kampot. I’m pretty sure it’s announcing a motorcycle cleaning business. Although the hoardings have changed somewhat, they are still very popular start up business to this day

 


FRIDAY 4th AQUA: Today I have been packing and preparing products for the Xmas Market on Sunday in Kep. Fingers crossed these and other upcycled trash bags sell for IWA. We will be volunteering and selling our own eco-wraps. Two products that tackle the pollution problem and offer alternatives at affordable prices. I’m also excited at the prospect of doing something other than sitting around at home focusing on my knee

 


SATURDAY5th BLACK: Yesterday we finally started making traditional Xmas cakes from a Scottish recipe that calls for Guinness or black beer! This mixture of dried fruit, sugar, butter and spices has now been brought to the boil and simmered for ten minutes. After three days of allowing it to brew with the occasional stir and taste testing of course, we will bake the cakes and douse them in Scotch not Brandy. No self-respecting Scott would settle for anything less!



SUNDAY 6th PINK: The flash of fire as the sun hits the pink hibiscus syrup in my keep cup. It’s a nice reflection of banana palms too. Tasting provided by Sweet & Spicy at the Sunday Market in Kep

 


MONDAY 7th BROWN: I’m pretty happy with the inaugural bake in the new oven today. First batch of traditional Xmas cakes are now baked and cooling. Everything seems to have cooked through and browned nicely on top, even the almonds. Next batch we’ll have to bake a few minis to taste test while these all age until Xmas Day

 


TUESDAY 8th PURPLE: The beautiful purple cover of the book I just finished reading. I really love Pearl Buck’s stories. They illuminate the everyday lives of Chinese in every walk of life, in different eras. This one was a digital purchase to help me escape my current home bound existence and I loved every page

 


WEDNESDAY 8th ORANGE: With so many orange possessions I didn’t think I would go for an archive shot today but I love this Aussie sunset, which is in the gallery on our living room walls. It was only when I tracked it down in digital form that I realised it has been on the wall upside down for over three years. Gotta laugh! I will never forget Xmas Day Adelaide, Australia 2013



THURSDAY 10th NAVY: The first mask I bought back in March when we were in Phnom Penh and refused entry to a shop to buy water because we weren’t wearing masks. Neither was anyone else at that time but rumours had spread that foreigners were the cause of the pandemic in Cambodia so we just complied to alleviate stress and ill feeling. That notion has definitely subsided now but the mask remains with me whenever I go out. Discretion is the better part of valour. At the time I thought it was black but it turned out to be navy

  


FRIDAY 11th GREEN: The green canopy of the coconut palms screams resort but this is an everyday sight here. I delighted in being able to go out to dinner last night and feel that life might actually reset into a viable routine soon


 

SATURDAY 12th RED: My favourite brand of toothpaste. It’s Ayurvedic and difficult to find, though I now have on three continents. Who else can say they actually bought toothpaste as a souvenir but we did last year in Bhutan! Imagine my delight when I discovered it in an Indian spice shop in Phnom Penh last year. Persistence pays off

 


SUNDAY 13th GREY: “It is in your hands to create a better world for all who live in it.” Nelson Mandala. Image from a postcard I collected in Lao many moons ago and simply could not part with

 


MONDAY 14th BLACK AND WHITE: This month’s selfie featuring my favourite pants in a black and white outfit on the porch, where I have been spending way too much time recently

 


TUESDAY 15th PATTERN: The pattern in each of these pieces will forever remind me of the specific country from which each piece came. We have had the privilege and honour to live in all four countries. I wonder if you can guess which countries they are? Would you like to try?

 


WEDNESDAY 16th MINIMAL: No flashy sunset just a minimal ocean view I snapped as we drove by in a car today

 


THURSDAY 17th RAINBOW: We bought this tiny multicoloured prayer wheel in Bhutan last year and I can’t walk past it without giving it a spin. Since today is the 113th National Day of Bhutan, it seemed like the obvious choice for a rainbow photo. Tashi Delek!!



FRIDAY 18th ONE COLOUR: I thought this was going to be the month that our little monks didn’t make it into a prompt but I’m glad to say we saw them at the pagoda a couple of days ago. Robes come in all shades of yellow and orange here and the monk body of each pagoda seems to wear just one shade. For our monks this dusty mustard orange/yellow is their one colour for attire

 


SATURDAY 19th TWO COLOURS: Delving into possessions for inspiration today, I came across this gold printed Buddha on hand-made burgundy paper. You don’t have to be wealthy to collect art as long as you appreciate simple aesthetics


 

SUNDAY 20th THREE COLOURS: The first three ingredients for the “eat a rainbow” salad I made for dinner tonight

 


MONDAY 21st DARK: The image is dark but the prognosis is good. It seems my kneecap is actually knitting back together and healing and mobility returning. The whole morning was spent at the hospital but a celebratory lunch is definitely in order now


 

TUESDAY 22nd LIGHT: Dappled light on the yellow orchid flourishing in the garden. It’s been a grey old day and this was a rare burst of sunlight, which inspired me to take a short walk outside

 

WEDNESDAY 23rd POP OF COLOUR: This is the furushiki - wrapping cloth I made this morning especially to fit a gift for a friend. I love that even the cloth is part of the present and can be reused again and again. No waste wrapping is the way to go this season

 


THURSDAY 24th PASTEL: A festive sunset and drink in pastel shades taken earlier this year as today is a crazy weather day. Still a favourite place to soak up the Kep ambiance

 


FRIDAY 25th A FAVE COLOUR: orange

 


SATURDAY 26th COOL: I think Ian was pretty cool riding this ‘cyclo’ through Kep and past the iconic Kep Crab in weekend traffic and dressing the part of a cyclo-rider to do it. I was in the support vehicle and managed to snap a few shots and videos along the over ten-kilometre route he covered in the heat and humidity that day



SUNDAY 27th WARM: With the addition of fresh, local, green, peppercorns which have now been turned into a sauce and salted green peppercorns, tonight’s dinner will be warm but not hot

 


MONDAY 28th MONOCHROME: Keeping it simple with local tamarind



TUESDAY 29th GOLDEN: memories, golden Buddhas, a golden frisbee and Gam the golden boy in the classroom and at play. We miss him now he’s given up his robes but we hope we will soon resume classes and he will return as many do. An archive shot from July when we first all played with frisbees together

 


WEDNESDAY 30th MATCHING: Two matching Bhutanese treasures from our last trip to the kingdom and our last major trip anywhere actually! Waiting hopefully to resume the wandering with these two in hand

 


THURSDAY 31st BRIGHT: A final bright ocean sunset to end the year on a high note. It was actually a bit grey and gloomy today but this shot captures the hope and optimism I want to project into the coming year