Inspirational Images and uplifting messages

I've started combining my photography with uplifting messages that goes along with my book, "Walk in Your Own Footsteps."

Living each day to it's fullest and finding ways to help those around us are messages I think we all need to hear (I know I do!) 

I've been an avid photographer since I received my first camera when I was around 12. Although I am not a very technical person, I sure enjoy finding beautiful images and collecting them for all time. Digital photography has opened up such a new world for us shutterbugs! We can snap all the shots we like and save them forever. Yay! I've gone back over old pictures I've taken so many times and used them for many different and diverse projects.

Here are the first two I've done in this new series. Enjoy :)

A wonderful field trip to The Victorian Closet

1920's era white lace dress, beautiful!

fabulous linen closet!

The Victorian Closet Quilt Collection

Lovely glass Victorian buttons

The extensive button collection along with some photos and postcards

Victorian collars

Antique baby clothes

Amazing collection of Victorian baby shoes and button hooks

Special little hand crocheted shoes for a doll or a tiny baby

Unique silk ribbon trims

Looking down the main drag in Amador City, CA

Hi, all! It's been a while since I could share with you because my computer was not working. Now, thanks to a birthday gift from my dad (Thanks, DAD!) I'm back and happy to be. A couple of weeks ago my doggie, Gracie and I went on a fun little trip down highway 49 to visit a special shop in Amador City, California called The Victorian Closet. I was given permission to take some photos and that's what I'm sharing here. I hope you enjoy them. Please add your favorite shops to the comments below and we can all share! 

My Birthday!!!

Okay, I know that most of us enjoy our birthdays. But, I gotta tell you this one was super special for me! To start off with, my sweetie got me a new car stereo and speakers as part of my combined Christmas and Birthday present. That goes in on Monday at 10 am, I'm so excited!!! Then, I woke up to this super darling cake this morning!

My mom hand knitted a sweater and socks for me. These are my first hand-made socks. They are absolutely yummy on the feet!

To top it off, Rachel brought me big European chocolate and my buddy Carly Lemke took me out for a walk and treat at Santoro Coffee Shop.

See... pretty cool birthday!! I wish everyone could have as wonderful a birthday as I have!

Native American Grinding Stones or Rocks

Living in El Dorado County in Northern California, most of the history we're treated to is about the California Gold Rush. But, I'm enchanted by the evidence we have around us which tells the story of people who were here long before 1848, the Miwok Indians. Recently, while on a little hike in some woods near my home, I found these beautiful large grinding rocks. The women of the tribe would spend time hanging out with their friends and grinding acorns into a fine paste that they made into food. It was quite a trick because acorns are naturally bitter. But, they are really abundant, so native peoples made due with what was on hand.

I hope you enjoy the photos I took. The hollowed out "bowls" are full of water this time of year and I think they make for a beautiful picture. Enjoy!

Native American Grinding Rocks in El Dorado County, California

Another view of the  Grinding Rocks

From this side angle you can really see how many "bowls" are together.