Collecting Memories: The Living Desert Zoo Palm Desert California

Postcard can be found at https://www.etsy.com/listing/198639667

Most children love going to the zoo and I was no different.  In my very early childhood I lived near the wonderful Milwaukee Zoo; it was at least an hour drive so it was too far to go often but close enough to make a visit once in a while.  

One of my best memories is a trip to the zoo with my grandparents.  People were more frugal with their funds at that time so my grandmother had packed a pick-nick lunch of my favorite foods which included homemade Sloppy Joes!  Isn't it funny what things stay with you in your memories?  

I have never grown out of my love for zoos and I am especially blessed to live near the Living Desert Zoo in Palm Desert California.  What is especially lovely about this zoo is that the animals our housed in a habitat very similar to their natural homes.  Happy animals are much more fun to watch than sad caged animals.  They also have created a beautiful botanical garden throughout the park along with a giant model train scape and so much more.  You can spend hours and hours and never see this zoo in its entirety.

Terry and I are members so when we go we hit our favorite spots first and then spend time exploring the rest of the zoo.  I have noticed that because of the seasonal changes the zoo's botanical gardens change so much that it is like visiting areas for the first time.

The Living Desert in Palm Desert, California

My Hubby took me to the Living Desert just down the road from our house in Palm Desert.  Most people who know me know how much I love going to the beach but I have a new favorite!  What a beautiful place and wonderful way to spend the day.  It is like crossing a botanical garden (desert version of course) with a zoo and then adding a few other features in besides. 

We spent most of the day there yesterday and was only able to see part of it.  I am more excited about getting a membership; I am going to love being able to explore the shady paths and bright desert scenes on a regular basis.  I hope my pictures do it justice (please note these images are copyrighted.)

 

Scene along the main path at the Living Desert, Palm Desert, California

One of the paths that branch off of the main one in the Living Desert

One of the paths that is off the main road lined with native Cacti at Living Desert

Elk (at least I think can't remember) at Living Desert

Giraffes at Living Desert

Closeup of Giraffe at Living Desert

Topographic Map Sculpture at Living Desert  PS for Palm Springs

Model Train at Living Desert

Carousel at Living Desert

Carousel at the Living Desert

Weather Center at the Living Desert, Palm Desert California

Monday Meet and Greet the Members of the Pacific Postcards Team - IsabellsUmbrella

Our Meet and Greet Pacific Postcards Team Member today is Ashely Giessing owner of a beautiful little shop called Isabell's Umbrella.  Her art work is simply adorable and each character comes to life.   Isabell's offers a selection of  notecards, jewelry, stickers, book plates and more, but of course, my favorite is the Postcards!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/58868213/postcard-pack-squirrel

http://www.etsy.com/listing/53527573/postcard-pack-howdy

Make sure to visit her FB page Isabell's Umbrella Shop and Website www.isabells-umbrella.blogspot.com where you will find her lovely illustrations

http://www.etsy.com/listing/60509124/postcard-pack-unicorn

Here is a bit more about Isabell's Umbrella from her Profile on Etsy:

"About Isabell's Umbrella
Isabell's Umbrella grew from an obsession with stationery, writing instruments and design. Ashley Giessing, owner/artist, believes she should have been born in the nineteenth century, when all correspondence was done by hand.

Highlights of her childhood include drawing, making little notes and stationery for her little brother and older sisters, and the monthly letters she would receive from her dear Grandma Sweetie.

It was when Ashley first entered the design field that she that she began dreaming about creating her own line of stationery. Four years later, Ashley took that leap -- opening Isabell's Umbrella in January of 2008. She looks to the future and growth of Isabell’s Umbrella with a plan for success.

Specializing in stationery that will lift the clouds of a rainy day, Ashley’s hopes are to renew the lost "art" of hand correspondence by creating stationery you will want to share with others. "There is nothing that means more to me than a kind, heartfelt, handwritten note from someone I love."

About Me
Located in a valley much like somewhere else I've been, I spend my days working as a graphic designer in the marketing department of an architectural firm. My evenings are filled by my son, daughter and husband whom I all love dearly... and my nights and free time (ha!) are spent dreaming up designs and doodles for Isabell's Umbrella. I drool over thin-tipped pens, stationery and unique office supplies, and oh yeah, I also collect books"

~ Ashely Giessing

Here is some more of her wonderful work:

'Meet the Pacific Postcards Team Member ~ Ashley Giessing ~ Isabell's Umbrella' by postcardsintheattic

Postcard Pack : Bear and Bee isabellsumbrel... $3.50	Postcard Pack : Ice Cream isabellsumbrel... $5.00	Mini Note Cards : Yellow Owl isabellsumbrel... $3.00	Mini Note Card Set : Cupcake isabellsumbrel... $3.00
Mini Note Cards : Kokeshi Do... isabellsumbrel... $3.00	Mini Folded Gift Card : Lion isabellsumbrel... $1.25	Send A Smile Note Cards : Ha... isabellsumbrel... $8.00	Bookmarks : Assorted isabellsumbrel... $3.50
Bookplates : Ugly Duckling isabellsumbrel... $3.50	Mailing Labels / Bookplates ... isabellsumbrel... $3.50	Magnet : Mister Whale isabellsumbrel... $2.75	Cheerful Companions - Hand S... isabellsumbrel... $16.00
Illustrated Necklace : Garde... isabellsumbrel... $12.00	Isabell : Little Girl Standi... isabellsumbrel... $18.00	Sticker Set : Kawaii Friends isabellsumbrel... $2.50	Rub-On Decals isabellsumbrel... $4.00

Treasury tool supported by the dog house

If you are interested on becoming a member of the Pacific Postcards Team please go to this link http://www.etsy.com/teams/9158/pacific-postcards-team?ref=pr_teams and click "Apply."

We have just started offering 2 different memberships: one will be for general membership, for those who love postcards and collecting postcards and the other will be for shops with at least 25% of their

items listed are postcards.

The only difference in the memberships is that the latter will be included in shop

interviews, BNRs and postcard related activities. We also plan on having activities for

the general memberships. Hope to see you there soon.

Freaky Fun Friday - TGIF Let's Just Have Fun In The Big Top!

Good morning on this fine Fun Freaky Friday and for me it is truly TGIF since I am going to be off for a normal weekend this week, Yeah!  

We have a winner of our TGIF Giveaway from the wonderful artist Ray at the Museum Shop on Etsy: Natalie Lee won with Option: Follow @butterflysattic on Twitter.  Congratulations Natalie!

Yesterday I heard a commercial on the radio for one of our local fairs.  It is funny how when you hear the ad it conjures images of fun fairs of the past and images that are probably much more fun than the actual fair has to offer.  But putting all of the Carnivals and Fairs of our past would make for one grand party. 

I would love to see the old trains pull in with the animal's heads sticking above the roof and the wild cats madly pacing back and forth as to say "let me at them...Let Me At Them..." 

I would go see the strange anomalies, like the living mermaid and bearded lady (unfortunately now that doesn't seem so amazing since we can see that at our local Walmart) but none-the-less it seems like a good old fashioned carnival is just what our country needs right now. 

I know we have our fairs but I really don't want to spend $10 - $15 per person to see a cow and ride on a roller coaster that is missing some rivets and is driven by a man straight from the shining. 



So here is mine: The Carnival Extraordinaire! by Colleen the Magnificent!

A Friend of A Friend

This morning before I had a chance to have my coffee I met a new friend of a friend.  Apparently on the way to work my coworker crossed paths with a wonderful little creature.  The funny thing was, just like many other Californians, he was an actor. 

"I really don't see the resemblance though"

Stuck in his part he was convinced that he was, indeed, a lobster.  No matter how much I tried to reason with him he insisted and even though I knew that he was a crayfish I finally conceded that yes he did resemble the Red Lobster . 

A wonderful souvenir pin found on ETSY Shop Haywood Creektures at
http://www.etsy.com/shop/haywoodcreektures?ref=seller_info

He could hold a lovely note and recited a rich Shakespearean poem but alas he was still just a crayfish. 

This wonderful book was found on ETSY Shop The Retro Cookbook Shop at
 http://www.etsy.com/shop/retrocookbook?ref=seller_info

This sweet, funny little town was found on ETSY Shop A Bit A Creativity at
http://www.etsy.com/shop/abitacreativity?ref=seller_info

After a bit my lovely new friend waved good bye promising to keep in touch.

Bye....

July 17 Listings

I have officially branched out into the photography world by listing a few of my favorite photos.  Two are 10 x 8 and the rest 5 x 7 or 7 x 5's.  I am really excited about my new features since this has been something I wanted to start for years; my favorite are of course the squirrels and the blossoms.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/77942341/california-blossoms-8-x-10-photograph

http://www.etsy.com/listing/77942790/forgotten-8-x-10-photograph

http://www.etsy.com/listing/77943005/forgotten-5-x-7-photograph

http://www.etsy.com/listing/77943279/invasion-of-mount-shasta-5-x-7

http://www.etsy.com/listing/77943422/clouds-over-mount-shasta-5-x-7

http://www.etsy.com/listing/77943518/shasta-lake-5-x-7-photograph

http://www.etsy.com/listing/77943665/forest-friends-the-squirrel-5-x-7

http://www.etsy.com/listing/77943725/my-forest-friends-the-squirrel-5-x-7