writer's block : the beginnings of the dream

Ready… Set… Goal!

Having treated myself to a nice refreshing Coca-Cola quite regularly for as long as I can remember, I have racked up quite a few points in their My Coke Rewards program. After perusing through their catalog of selections, I chose a subscription to O, The Oprah Magazine—and I have to say I couldn’t have made a better choice. With a focus on positive living, healthy choices, and self improvement, the publication promotes everything I am looking for in my life and what I wish more media, internet, and print would offer for public consumption—a happy and uplifting message. No question in my mind: I will be renewing my subscription when the time comes.

This month, I was thrilled to find an amazing and mind-altering article on goal setting by Martha Beck. Words to the Wise (alternately titled “How Three Simple (But Powerful) Words Can Put You On The Path to Happiness” on the magazine’s website) completely changed my view on establishing and reaching my heart’s desires. After reading the piece, several times, I’ve spent more time contemplating what I truly want to accomplish and am totally psyched about my fit, creative, and productive new year!

 

Something’s Fishy

Originally written for the former Scrap Girls blog, this unpublished post surprised me when it appeared in today’s Scrap Girls newsletter.

If I were to roll down the hill from our house and hang a left at the water, I would be smack dab in front of the Monterey Bay Aquarium in four or five easy blocks. It is close enough in fact, that I can actually walk the distance in less than twenty minutes. And I have quite a few times in the last year to take advantage of the amazing array of sights, sounds, smells, and textures that encompass the sea dwelling creatures lucky enough to reside there. Any time family or friends arrive for a visit, we promptly march them to the doors of the facility to give them the opportunity to peek at the wonders abiding in that foreign region beneath the waves.

From sea otters cavorting with their pals to the colorful environs of the sea horse clan to the tactile marvels of the touch pools, there are plenty of delights for young and old alike. One of my personal favorites is the penguin exhibit where they dive and splash and entertain themselves contently until it’s time to line up for dinner.

But there is one thing that I find very fishy about the aquarium: None of the residents will pause long enough to pose for a proper photograph. Trying to follow a marine creature in a tank and outguess its next dart to the left or dodge to the right is almost as impossible as herding a dozen cats.

 

"Something’s Fishy" digital scrapbook layout ©2010 Marnie Adams

"Something’s Fishy" digital scrapbook layout uses:
• Aquarium Collection Mini
• Fat Quarter Collection Mini
• Scrapbooking 911 - 20 Sketches to Revitalize Your Digital Scrapbooking - Book 4
• ScrapSimple Tools - Styles: Frosted Glass 6401
• Lettering Delights Artsy Font
• Lettering Delights Martian Mania Font

P.S. A friendly aquarium docent offered this advice: When taking photographs, particularly of a brightly lit tank, turn off your flash. Not only is the lighting often bright enough for clear pictures, it also avoids the glare off the glass and makes the little swimming fellows much happier.

 

"Pumpkin Carving Fun" digital scrapbook layout

"Pumpkin Carving Fun" digital scrapbook layout ©2010 Marnie Adams

Making jack o’ lanterns is such a quintessential part of the American Halloween experience. The hollow echo while you’re carving, the yummy smell of the fresh fruit, and the icky-sticky-gooey mess that covers your hands and arms all bring back happy memories of this time of year.

 

"Pumpkin Carving Fun" digital scrapbook layout uses:
• Happy Haunting Embellishment Mini
• Happy Haunting Collection Mini
• Digital Stickers: Happy Haunting Costume Kids Mini
• Lettering Delights Timely font

 

Score! Treasures from the Antique Mall

With Michael’s nearly twenty years in the Navy, we enjoy finding memorabilia and collectibles that celebrate our patriotism and his career. Our favorite way to search is at flea markets and collector shows. While internet shopping is quick and efficient; there is nothing as thrilling as the live hunt for a special piece.

Luckily our town sports a large two-story antique mall—filled to the brim with ephemera, baubles, and the occasional curiosity. When my stepmom came to visit, I took advantage of her shopping zeal to hit the booths running.

Look at all the goodies I acquired:

We found several old sailor photographs and a naval themed paper doll set.

 

Here are a trio of postcards from the (now defunct) Naval Training Center in San Diego where Michael attended boot camp. The coolest part about these three—they were all written to “Sugar” from “Bobby.”

 

And my favorite prize: A tin sailor to add to the other two we already own. While tiny soldiers are abundant, a navy version is much harder to find… and well worth the search. The one on the right is the newest member of the parade.

It’s Wonder-fall!

Seeing miniature pumpkins, gourds, and mums at the farmer’s market always makes me happy. It’s a sign that autumn is nearly upon us—my favorite time of year.

Fall brings to mind fresh crisp air to breathe and crunchy leaves under my feet. I think of nature’s bounty exploding with color and flavor: A delight for the palate as well as the eyes. I’m reminded of high school football games and their enthusiastic fans; young romance in the stands and drama on the field. Kiddies will soon be heading door-to-door for treats; our families will be gathering to celebrate blessings; and holiday decorations will soon fill the stores.

Autumn makes me think of fuzzy sweaters and cozy fires; of home baked cookies and sit-down meals; of hot chocolate with marshmallows and the comfort of candlelight. Even with all these pleasures, my absolute favorite part of this time of year is enjoying the fellowship of family and friends.

Cheers, dear neighbors! May this autumn season be wonder-fall to you and the ones you love.

 

Deep into the forest

Over the weekend, Michael, Pops, Mema, and I made our way to northern California to enjoy the sights and sounds of Humboldt Redwoods State Park. Gosh, those trees are tall! You know ahead of time the redwoods are going to be massive, but until you see them in comparison to yourself or your car, it is hard to put it in perspective. Looking straight up, you can hardly see the top of any given tree, only the sky beyond it.

If you are going to the area, be sure to stop by the park’s Visitor Center near Myer’s Flat. The center’s docents are a font of information about the park, the flora and fauna, and the area. I also recommend the Avenue of the Giant’s 32 mile auto tour which stretches from Phillipsville to Pepperwood. Redwoods and pine trees and ferns… oh my!

No trip to a redwood forest would be complete without driving through a tree. With three options to choose from, we picked the first we happened upon: Chandelier Drive-Thru Tree near Leggett. Perhaps tame by Indiana Jones standards, it is just one of those things you need to do in order to lead a full and complete life. :D

Myers Country Inn, a B&B, provided our accommodations for the night. With comfortable rooms, private porches, and a full breakfast, it was a lovely spot to rest our weary bodies. It is conveniently located in the middle of the Avenue of the Giants, about three miles south of the Visitor Center, and across the street from a market.

Now, we did also take the “drive around the block”—a roughly 100 mile loop that winds its way down from the forest to Honeydew, along the ocean past the most western point in the state and slithers back up to end in the yummy town of Ferndale. The view is gorgeous—all four hours of it—as you go through switchback after switchback after 10mph turn. The family was all game going in, but by the time Ferndale’s Victorians were in our sights, I was not the most popular person in the van (need I mention, it was my bright idea?). Provided your brakes are in good working order, and your patience is long, you might want to add this tour on your agenda as well.

The only thing I’d do different on another visit: Stay longer. I’d love to spend more time hiking, picnicking, and exploring—and taking more photos, of course.

  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Take a gander

(Cue the saccharin music...)
Ahhh!!! Spring is in the air and the birds are singing—okay, okay, it’s nearly fall, but go with me on this one. All the animals have stars in their eyes as the next generation is welcomed to the world. (Music abruptly ends!*%#)

Or at least they were, back a few months ago, when I happened upon happy family after happy family of geese.

Goslings are too adorable with their mix of feathers and fuzz and their odd combination of curiosity and snobbery. Not sure how they pick up that air of importance so early in life unless it is inherited, but it did add to the hardship level of capturing one that was not, a), facing away or, b), doing something other than eating. Actually the true challenge of the afternoon was trying to get an interesting angle without sitting in a gaggle of goose goop—nearly a Mission Impossible. Oh well, the sacrifices we make for our art!

Once upon a time there was a cute gosling who ate…

…and so did his siblings,…

…as did the little one in the back.

The (rear) End!

 

Ha! I had to do it. :D

Later,
Your pal,
marnie

 

Our Main Man, Sisco

Here’s our other furry family member, Sisco. He’s a healthy, fun-loving, border collie with a penchant for doggie treats, rawhide bones, and squeaky toys. If you want to throw a ball for, say, the next ten years, or pull on a rope until your arm falls off, he’s your guy. If you want a fierce bark to warn you of intruders on the porch or near the backyard, Sisco has you covered; if you want protection once a stranger enters your house, well, I can’t really give him a great recommendation—LOL.*

Now we love Sisco dearly and accept all of his quirks, even the ones that frustrate me to no end. One of those odd traits is his shyness around cameras. For some reason the click of the shutter almost always makes Sisco turn away or even hide his head under furniture. And if you add in the fact that he is mostly black and invariably requires a flash, you might as well forget it. I can’t tell you how many misses it took before I was able to capture a few good photographs of our guy. To make allowance for the light, my husband had to hold the reflector after I rotated my flash towards the ceiling as well as using the diffuser. And finally, I was able to take a couple of good shots.

In this one, Sisco is looking adoringly at Daddy:

 

Here he seems to be planning an escape route:

 

At last! He took a little pity on me and looked into the camera:

 

*This woeful tale involves an early Christmas Eve morning and an unwanted visitor. Perhaps another day, I shall share the story with you. :D

 

Snapfish Sale on Classic & Custom Cover Photo Books

 

Hey kids: look at this great sale! Use code to save 50% off the first 20 pages for mailing orders (plus S&H). Expires August 20^th.

 

 

 

“Je ne sais quoi”

 

Looking over the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, the French gentleman next to us said it best—there are no words in the English language to capture the awesome expanse, sense of wonder, and spiritual peace one feels when witnessing the panorama for the first time.

During our day long visit to the park, we pulled out at every view point and enjoyed every single one. Not only were the sites breathtaking, but the native plant life was fantastic as well and I captured as many pictures of the flora as I did of the cliffs themselves.

Michael and I made this tour alone, and we will be back; Next time we hope to bring our daughters. We’d also like to visit the north side and make a trip down the river too. One thing is for certain: The Grand Canyon has not seen the last of us.