Collecting Memories: Yosemite National Park

One of my first explorations of California was a wonderful trip to Yosemite National Park.  Terry and I had just started our beautiful relationship and it was our second trip as a couple.  The memories are so special and so is this wonderful park.

When I heard the news that 2 men were climbing El Capitan it brought back memories of how dizzy I felt just looking out at the panoramic view.  I had seen the images of beautiful waterfalls and the amazing peaks through National Geographic and postcards, but nothing, nothing could compare to actually seeing it for myself.  As I gazed out to vast and ongoing mountain range my brain hardly could process that what I was seeing was real.  I almost felt like reaching out to touch the canvas that an amazing artist had painted with this scene but it was real.  For the first time in my life I was moved to tears just by what I was seeing.

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.

Collecting Memories; Whispers from the past

While collecting many beautiful postcards over the years I have fall in love with the many messages from the heart.  Nothing is more intriguing to me than getting to "know" the sender.  Whether it is a simple greeting or a lengthy love note these whispers from the past are worth collecting.

As we are thinking about creating our own collection of memories this Christmas here are few from years past.

For more Lovely messages check out my shops at 

www.Etsy.com/shop/PostcardsInTheAttic

www.PostcardsInTheAttic.com

Collecting Memories

Family traditions are very important to my husband, Terry, and I, especially at Christmas.  One of our favorite traditions is to take a trip on the Polar Express (the train from Elgin to Chicago) to see the Christmas lights and Macy's Windows in Chicago.

Every year Terry and I return to the Frozen Tundra to see our family and the lights.  Nothing feels more like Christmas than frostbite and ice roads (lol just kidding.)  But as much as I hate the cold our love for this tradition is strong enough to endure what every the Windy City has to throw at us:)

Here are some of my favorite shots from the 2014 adventure to a Chicago Christmas:

Collecting Memories

I am itch'n to hit the road again:)  Have a blessed and Happy Thanksgiving

Collecting Memories

Some of my favorite memories are of rock hounding with my husband.  Rock hounding has been a hobby of mine since I was able to pick up a rock and ask "what is this?"  Even if those around me said "a rock" I knew that there was more, the swirling colors, the sparkling shimmer had to mean more than just a rock.  I was right.

I have spent many hours studying gems and minerals, the land, maps etc. to find some of my best treasures.  But nothing can compare to the memories that I created with my husband.  I will cherish the panoramic mountain views, rushing rivers, and silent deserts hikes over any gem or mineral we found.

One such adventure that we took was to the Mohave Desert.  Not only did we find a wonderful collection of agates and opalite; we hiked in the Mohave Desert.  How many people can say that?

Collecting Memories

I believe that often the reason why people have collections is for the memories that they represent.   Whether they are their own memories of favorite toys, a precious moment in time or a borrowed memory of times past and longed for.

My memories, like most, are a mixture of all the above and if I am not careful I can get lost in a bitter sweet nostalgia for a time that seemed so simple and genuinely happy.  But that is why I am a collector; I collect and squirrel away my memories through postcards, photographs and treasures.

Often the fondest memories are of holidays gatherings, treasure hunting, travels and of course family.  Life is an adventure and I love to share my memories to inspire people to grab onto their own adventure.  I hope you enjoy my story...

Many movies and television shows depict the beach life as kickback, zen and relaxing so growing up in the Midwest with a family that never traveled all I wanted to do was go to the beach (a real beach.)  Now it is my favorite escape, one of the best beaches is Laguna...

From Etsy shop JACKIGO  https://www.etsy.com/listing/205404319/

One of the neat things about this beach is that since Laguna is a college town for the arts and there still are artists depicting the beautiful scenery today.  The last time I visited there was a scene similar to the one in the postcard above.

From Etsy Shop VintageByJade https://www.etsy.com/listing/194445403

Now from this summer: