Leaf: Finding this protest art in my city has made my year start well. It's such a strong image. I'd love to know who the artist is. (Varanasi, India)

Rae: The sun in this little orchard was beautiful. I don't know what is being collected from these trees, but one day I'll find someone who can tell me. (Pai, Thailand)

Leaf: "Mr Sensible" is ready for any weather. It is pretty cold here unless you are out in the sun. (Varanasi, India)

Rae: A small shop on a hillside in a nearby village. (Pai, Thailand)

Leaf: Pet monkey watches boy pee. (Varanasi, India)

Rae: Isaac, possibly the most delightful creature to ever exist, turned 1 today, and Kenya made him an origami crown. Can it really be one year since he entered our lives? (Already one year? Only one year?) (Pai, Thailand)

Leaf: Today I bought this candle boat. I paid double the usual price (10 rupees instead of 5) because it was the most special one that the 9 year old boy who was selling it had made (as you can see it is beautiful). As I placed it in the Ganges River I prayed for my neighbour's cow who is pregnant (her last calf died), my sister (who is coming to visit me any day), you, and my friend Winnie. (Varanasi, India)

Rae: I loved this tree in the late afternoon light. (Pai, Thailand)

Leaf: I made pumpkin soup with my own homegrown pumpkin! Over dinner our German 'Didi' (big sister) caught us up on everything that happened while we were away. (Varanasi, India)

Rae: I was taking a photo of another man while these three teased him from the sidelines, and then when I turned around and made them the subject, they were absolutely lovely. (Pai, Thailand)

Leaf: This is us in the future on our art retreat in Paris. (Imagining Paris while in Thailand)

Rae: Today is about undeserved grace. I was kind of a jerk to Chinua this morning because I felt like my desk had been "appropriated" for other purposes and I didn't have my own workspace. I spoke unkindly and with much griping and then went off to work at a coffee shop. When I got home he had moved another desk into the studio, complete with the dove you gave me, my books, and a rose. (Pai, Thailand)

Leaf: This is Rita, my 'partner in crime' in the kitchen as you said once about Jaya. I was happy to be able to give her this huge pumpkin to take home today. I grew about 10 pumpkins on my roof this year. Tomorrow I will make pumpkin soup for the soul. It's good to be home. (Varanasi, India)

Rae: Another pine from the top of the pass between Chiang Mai and Pai, though I have been home for a while now. I think I love pine trees so much because I grew up with them and they are in some of my earliest memories. I don't see them so often here, but when I can I stick my head out the window to smell them when we are driving this road. However, what kind of tree don't I love? None, that's what kind. (Road between Pai and Chiang Mai, Thailand)