The talented, brave and eager that love wind, water and sail flew across Jupiter beaches on Sunday for the 9th Annual Jupiter Kiteboarding Invasion Contest.  The event includes a freestyle exhibition in three divisions–amateur, pro and masters.  It was simply delightful to watch.

(Kite Beach, Jupiter, FL, January 29, 2012)

(Juno Pier, January 17, 2012)

There are a number of benefits you receive when you get up early. You greet the day in a relaxed state of mind. You get an amazing start with peace and quiet.

You find time to exercise, set goals and be productive.  I am always astonished what I can accomplish with a clear mind in the early mornings–my productivity increases tenfold.

The best part is that you witness one of the most of the most beautiful cycles of nature–the sunrise.

When I was in Vail in early December, Beaver Creek finished hosting their 8th Annual Chocolate Chip Competition. If you win the coveted spot, you serve as the official cookie for the 2012 season at Beaver Creek.  It is offered daily at Beaver Creeks’s famous Cookie Time at 3 pm at the base of the mountain.  You only need to look for the crowd with crumbs stuck on scarves and excess chocolate on face and ski wear. 

I finally had an opportunity to give the recipe a try.  It is worth it!

The Chunk

Recipe by Shannon Bostrom
1 stick butter
1/2 cup shortening
1/2 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1/4 cup flour
1 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 bag milk chocolate morsels
6 oz chopped unsweetened Baker’s chocolate

Bake at 375 for 12-14 minutes.

December 18, 2011 (Jupiter, FL– Kite Beach)

Nestled between Grouse Mountain and the front face of Beaver Creek, we saw the men’s World Cup at Birds of Prey for the first and only U.S. stop on their tour. The course reputation is legendary; it was described by the NY Times as “not unlike facing a grizzly bear”.  It is groomed to be 16 to 18 inches deep and watered to near titanium toughness.  Skiers with anything but a pro-grade tune slide uncontrollably to the finish line.  It is precisely what the course designers wanted and what you see when the top  athletes take on the Super G, downhill and giant slalom course.  As a bystander, you stare in admiration and awe.  

The awe happened earlier when I rode up on a private shuttle with Bode Miller.  Bode won the G Slalom the day before.  We were also lucky to witness and attend festivities for the first Birds of Prey women’s Super G race.  Lindsey Vonn and Julia Mancuso finished in the top 10.  There was so much world class talent nearby that you only hoped a little would rub off on you!

(RAR’s Latest Painting Series, The Aspen)

When creativity is nurtured, there’s no limit to where it can lead. Taking time away from distractions likes news, ESPN, TV and activities and habits that fill up our free time in unsatisfying ways, let’s you accomplish great things.

The Jupiter Fall Classic Pro-Am Surf Contest was hosted in our backyard this weekend. We had the added pleasure of hearing William Kimball and Tom Curren play at a small locals hangout on the intracoastal. 

There was magic on the sea and stage.  I was “along for the ride” the entire weekend.

William Kimball is a native Floridian raised in Palm Beach County.  He is currently ranked #1 in the Southeast Region for ESA (Eastern Surfing Association) as well as NSSA  (National Scholastic Surfing Association) for 2004.  William founded the Blue Water School of Surfing in 1996 in Palm Beach County.  His latest Album– Along for the Ride

Tom Curren, a world champion three times – 1985, 1986, 1990. He achieved near-mythical status both for his competitive drive and for his smooth, powerful surfing style–referred to as an introvert but his musical style bears his soul.

Juno Pier (November 11, 2011)

Whenever you photograph the moon, you hope to get the Man on the Moon effect.  You want to see the surface area of the moon on your photograph. 

If you shoot the moon rising, it will be reddish orange. It has the same spectrum of color of a rising or setting sun. The scattering of blue light that causes the blue sky we see, results in the same color color cast of a moon or sunrise.  The moon rise is beautiful to capture if you are lucky.

In the evening when the moon is visible and high in the sky,  it shines white and bright and it is still a challenge to photograph.  When you do, the light you capture with a simple and a familiar backdrop can be dramatic.

Did I capture the Man on the Moon effect here? No, but the lighting was significant.

We had the pleasure of enjoying the Palm Beach Opera and the 2011/2012 Young Artists in an outdoor concert on Saturday featuring the most beloved arias and duets from musical theater favorites such as Romeo and Juliet, Carmen and Madama Butterfly. Youth and talent were delightfully abundant and the quality of the singers gracing the stage was awe-inspiring.   

If you live in the Palm Beach area, mark your calendar for One Opera in One Hour–a free series at CityPlace on January 6, February 3 and March 2 2012. You will be pleasantly surprised and entertained.  You learn a thing or two as well such as the difference between mezzo-soprano and contralto singing voices.