1: Go orange picking

Didn’t know Orange season in Florida is in the fall, which means by the time I got around to planning a day to do it, it was spring. Waaaay past when we could go. So this November we will be picking oranges and making marmalade for sure.

2: See a manatee 

We made two conservative attempts to see a manatee, even going as far as purchasing a guided snorkel tour… to no avail! We ended up going to Ocala’s Zoo which had two in captivity that were rescued due to illness and were being nursed back to health. So there is that right?


3: Go camping on the beach (Something I have always wanted to do) 

We love going up to Talbot Island they have cute little campgrounds that back up to the water with easy access to the beach and hiking trails. While this isn’t directly on the beach itself it is as close as it gets.



4: Purchase a travel french press and mugs for said camping 

Purchased a stainless steel french press and two travel mugs with locking lids for our hiking/camping needs. Because no matter how much I love nature I love my coffee just as much! My love thinks its ridiculous that I pack my own brewing method when I travel, until he wants coffee on a sleepy morning and then I whip own my magic french press. 

5: Visit an orchid farm

Nathaniel took me all the way to a HUGE Orchid greenhouse which we proceeded to purchase this orchid from. I have an obsession with them, if I could I would have hundreds of them.

6: Explore Florida Keys, take my love scuba diving

 No Keys

7: Go flea marketing/antiquing for art supplies

 I came… I saw.. but I did not conquer. Apparently Jacksonville doesn’t have the greatest of antique stores. Didn’t find a thing for art.

8: Buy a good piece of handmade pottery

I was lucky enough to have a beautiful hand thrown mug made for me by a dear friend as well as purchased a mug on our recent travels to Arizona. Im in love with them!

9: Get a tattoo

Finally joined the club! Thank you Maya Angelou for your poems that have metaphorically and literally marked me. “Still I Rise” is my anthem for overcoming depression. These words/poem have time and time again kept me going. *Thanks to @thedeadart at Florida Velvet Tattoo for tattooing on the fly and making this piece a reality. *Thanks to @penabranca for designing the gorgeous geometric art that I immediately fell in love!

 

10: Photograph epic mountains

Do you think The Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Monument Valley or Zion National Park count? Ha! Ya, I thought so. I would consider this quadruple checked!

11: Photograph elk, bison or ram (Not picky)

Asheville surprising has a tiny elk population that I was lucky enough to sneak away and photograph in January. (The two end photos.) Then as we were driving into the Grand Canyon National Park my jaw dropped when I saw four beautiful elk nestled in the shade of tree’s. I had never seen elk before this year but I have fallen in love with them.


 

12: Curate & photograph a bohemian picnic

My cousin is this incredible boss lady with incredible friends and last summer when I was staying with her we curated this beautiful picnic for them. Mostly I was in it for the photographs. ;)

13: Scan all India collages, begin compiling book

I spent a lot of last year creating content for this book and gosh darn it I have to get my S*** together and create it. The “I need it to be perfect to finish it” anthem is strong in this one. I have never prolonged a project as much as this one. Either because I have actually finished it or decided I just wasn’t into it anymore. This project is different I still want to finish the book, it just scares the S*** out of me! You feel me? Have you ever had a project like that? Here are four pages out of the book:

14: Get a puppy

We went above and beyond on this one. Why get one puppy when you can get two? The adventures of Samsara and Ronin have begun!

***Seriously the hardest part of this post was choosing which puppy photos to use. TOO.. MANY… CHOICES!

15: Road trip the good old fashion way

Can we say UTAAAAHHHH to AAARIZONAAA. Damn if this wasn’t just a trip to die for. Hard as it was physically man was it easy on the eyes. 

16: Hold a fox (Seriously can someone help me out with this lifelong dream? Pleeeeease!)

I have to plan a trip to Japan so I can finally make this dream come true.

17: Take an art workshop or go to a retreat

Had to cancel going to an art retreat this year because I had recently gotten a new job. You know life…

18: Become a brand affiliate for someone

Nope

19: Visit Utah… Hike, camp, photograph.

See 15, because I absolutely combined these two! Man I am so glad we did. A road trip through Utah and Arizona was just what we needed after a looooong year of changes and many months apart.

20: Write blog posts about being self employed in the art world

Did a few tiny ones and also a few more that were never published. But the whole not being self employed in the art world anymore… kinda side tracked me.

Here…  Here… and Here…

21: Hire a photographer for my own brand portraits

 opps!

22: Learn how to photograph the stars

I read some articles. Where we live in Florida there are not to many stars to be had. While in Arizona I tried my hand at photographing the moon but had forgotten the lens needed for it. Also it is just waaaaaay harder to do than I thought. So mad respect for those perfect starlit mountain photos I see on Instagram. Because WOW it’s hard!

23: Learn more about my genealogy

Loved learning about my family and seeing all the gorgeous photographs.

24: Take my love to the local farmers market

We have this incredible farmers market in Jacksonville that has been here for years. I love going and getting a coconut to sip out of while we shop for produce.

25: Go horseback riding with my love

Nathaniel took me on a stormy beach adventure VIA horse for our anniversary and fella’s take note because it was magical.

26: Attend a stargazing party

Could not find one in Jax to save my life.

27: Read 12 books

1: The name of the wind by: Patrick Rothfuss

2: The wise man’s fear by: Patrick Rothfuss

3: Love Warrior by: Glennon Doyle Melton

4: Harry Potter and the cursed child by: J.K. Rowling

5: The Graveyard Book by: Neil Gaiman

6: Podcast S*** Town

7: Podcast Serial Season 1&2

8: Salt & Honey by: Isabel Abbott

9: Letter to My Daughter by: Maya Angelou

10:

11:

12:

***Bonus adventures included sky diving, eating Chick-fila chicken between Krispy Kreme donuts, shooting a shot gun, sleeping in a converted gas station.***