Fifty States Flashbacks, A to Z: Florida

Possibly the loftiest goal on my Bucket List, and one of the most important to me, is visiting each of the 50 states in the USA.

While I have been lucky enough to visit the southwest portion of my country, I have not yet experienced any part of the southern US east of, and including, Texas. The only exception is a trip I took to Orlando in 2013. While I know I only saw what Disney and Universal wanted me to see, it was nice to spend a few days in an entirely different climate.

I am a lover of trees, and while I have enjoyed the squishy moss that hangs in the trees of the Pacific Northwest, I had never seen a tree draped in dry southern moss in person. I remember jumping out of my seat on the little Disney shuttle to snap this photo through the window as we drove by. It may have been the highlight of my trip!

XoXo, Liza

Books!: "The Big Tiny" By Dee Williams

I have a passion for small spaces. I believe it began as a child, riding around in my family's RV. My parents owned a little truck and camper, then a travel trailer, and finally a moderate sized motor home. The square footage seemed to increase as my brother and I grew, but I always enjoyed the tiny space that we took with us each summer for our yearly vacations into the wild.

My goal is to have a small space one day. I know that now is not the time in my life, but I can spend hours looking at gypsy wagons and vintage trailers online. Staying in a yurt, a wigwam, and an Airstream is on my bucket list, and luckily places exist where I can do that. Having a little art studio in my backyard would be a dream come true and may also be more practical.

I had first heard about Dee Williams and her tiny house on Yahoo. She had written a book about her experience and I knew I had to read it. My library had a copy of the book on order, so I reserved a spot in line.

My first impression of this book led me to believe it would detail most of the journey as Dee built her little home. However, it was much more than that. It is the story of a certain time in her life.  A time when her life was changed forever by fate, ambition, and dedication. Dee is an amazing and talented woman.

She is also a very humorous woman. I laughed throughout most of the book. And while I am not an overly sappy person, I cried as well.

On one page Dee lists all of her possessions. She owns two spoons. This blew me away! I think it's the coolest thing in the world! When I packed the trunk of my car and set out to move across the counrty, I was very picky about which items came on the journey. The back seat was full, as I had two pet rabbits who I felt needed to be very comfortable to reduce their stress levels. I remember thinking to myself, "Wow. This is it. This is all I need." My furry children, my car, my sewing machine, and some boxes of "important stuff".

What I didn't realize was that while I had downsized from a decent sized three bedroom home, I still had things in storage, and I had not simplified completely. Anything that did not need to go in the trunk of my car, but that I felt I still needed, was stored in my brothers basement. Boxes of sentimental Christmas decorations, photo albums, select furniture pieces, and childhood toys. That is not exactly like owning two spoons. This book really opened my eyes to the simplicity life can have. I really love that.

According to the internet, the Tiny House Movement is still soaring in popularity. My library now shows this book has three times as many holds, and two more copies on order. It is a quick read, and something I really couldn't put down. I definitely recommend this book!

Three Travel Must Haves: Airline Edition

I thought I would take a moment to talk about things I never travel without. I am a very light packer, but I do have a few items that take priority. This is the list of my "must haves" for traveling by air!

Item 1: Ziploc Space Bags

Space bags began as a large bag in which you would place soft items before removing all the air with a vacuum. My first box of space bags was costly, and made for storage. I ended up using them for my move across the country. Because I was moving with only the items that fit in the trunk of my car, these bags were super handy!

My problems arose when I was traveling and didn't have a vacuum. The newer travel bags are great, they let you squeeze out the air, saving space in your luggage. I don't use one every time I travel, but I do keep one in my luggage just in case. I find them very useful when traveling in winter because warm clothes take up so much room, and I always take a larger one when I go home for the holidays for transporting gifts.


Item 2: Travelon Bag Bungee


The Bag Bungee is essentially a bungee cord for your luggage. It connects to the fabric handle of your luggage, and stretches to wrap around the telescoping handle we use to wheel our luggage through the airport.

This is extremely helpful so that you can prop something on top of your luggage while you are pulling it and have it stay put! Normally I have a coat or jacket and a small backpack when I travel, along with my rolling carry on luggage. With the Bag Bungee I can strap it all together, and keep my hands free.

I vividly remember leaving the east coast in a blizzard that cancelled my flight and then sent me to depart from an different airport on one of the last flights before that airport also shut down. We were headed to Florida. The last thing on my mind that day was thinking about that big bulky coat that I would not need in almost tropical conditions. Knowing that the Bag Bungee can easily strap three heavy coats to your luggage so you won't be bothered carrying them around the airport is a life saver. In my opinion, this is the best investment a traveler can make, and at Amazon you can find them for under $10.


Item 3: A Small Backpack

I have purchased my last two small backpacks at REI. The first one I bought was upwards of $60 and very hard to justify, but it was one of the best travel purchases ever!

I traveled a lot, and quickly wore it out. My first backpack had a design flaw, where the zipper actually pulled away from the fabric. However, I loved it so much I was willing to give it another try. My second backpack was perfect in every way.

Now I am unable to find a comparable backpack in the size and functionality I want from REI. I do hope they don't stop making them!

In the meantime I have found a substitute. It's a little more fashionable then my last two. I'll admit I like the rugged look of REI, but I also love color, and so this bag really appeals to me. I am on the fence at the moment, becuase I can see one major requirement this bag is missing... A place for a water bottle. My last two have had a mesh pocket on the side, and I now consider that a luxury!

I am pretty sure I'll make this purchase anyway, but we will see! It can be found here. (Though I have not ordered from this company before, and can not comment on their service.)

I would also like to point out that I don't have any affiliation with the products or companies I have mentioned. My only intent is to share a good thing when I see it!

XoXo, Liza

Fifty States Flashbacks, A to Z: Connecticut

Possibly the loftiest goal on my Bucket List, and one of the most important to me, is visiting each of the 50 states in the USA.

For years I have been visiting Connecticut. And for a while I lived there. It's a second home to me, so you can imagine there are many things I love about the state.

One of the very best things about Connecticut is it's proximity to everything. For example, the ocean. I was lucky enough to spend a lot of my childhood on the beaches of California, but being by the ocean as an adult made me appreciate my surroundings more.

(A photo I took on my first trip to Connecticut. It was autumn and absolutely beautiful!)

The trees in Connecticut are beautiful. I could have lived on our back deck. The yard was full of squirrels. We had cardinals, and deer, and occasionally little snakes in the yard. Every time I left the house I saw wildlife in one form or another, and that made me forget all about the hurricanes, ice storms, humidity, and being lost on narrow windy roads. It was the perfect place for a nature lover like myself.

One my favorite things about Connecticut is that I was able to visit so many other states. In the west we don't have that option.We drive for hours and never cross a border. As a girl with a very specific bucket list, you can see how this thrilled me!

XoXo, Liza

 P.S. Happy Earth Day!

Spring!

It's been almost a month since my last post, but I have been keeping busy! I took a short road trip, headed south, where it was sunny and warm. Friends have come to stay for a few days and I get to be a tourist in my own backyard, which I love! I have done a few crafts, both with paper and embroidery, which makes me happy beyond words.

On top of that I began a photography class that our community is offering. It helps me use my DSLR better, and because I have a hard time reading directions and applying what I've read, I have really enjoyed having someone explain it all in english!

Here is part of a depth of field exercise I had to do last week. Cheers to learning to do new (or better) things!

XoXo, Liza

Fifty States Flashbacks, A to Z: Colorado

Possibly the loftiest goal on my Bucket List, and one of the most important to me, is visiting each of the 50 states in the USA.

The state of Colorado and I have yet to fall in love. Let me clarify, that I am a mountain girl. Through and through. Born and raised. Sun or snow. However, I did not grow up in the mountains of Colorado, and on top of that, I do not control the weather.

I was having a great experience when I took this photo. But sometime

after, the weather went sour. I am thankful, however, that this weather related snafu is the only travel nightmare I have had to date.

*knock on wood*

I am currently planning another trip to Colorado, this time during warmer weather, with a side trip into Kansas!

XoXo, Liza

Memory Keeping

As a kid, I always had a "Sticker Album." In high school I kept a photo album filled with magazine clippings, photos and concert ticket stubs. It was natural that as a young adult I would become a Scrapbooker.

  

Scrapbooking has exploded in the last decade. Companies started using metals, and ribbons, and the sky was suddenly the limit. As a creative person I was thrilled, but I did set limits on the things I would produce. It is easy to want to scrapbook every photo, and it's very easy to feel behind all the time.

As an adult I set out to attend one event or accomplish one goal that was scrapbook worthy per month. I would tell myself "My ancestors would not want to see 35 photos of my dog." It was fun to seek out adventures every month, and I loved having things to look forward to. Reliving the experience while making a scrapbook page was a bonus!

An instagram photo of our resident squirrel scrapbooked in a Smash Album.

As life changes, so does my approach. I bought a Smash Album for less serious pages, and I will use it until it's full, but I prefer the good old blank canvas of a piece of cardstock. I fell  in love with the beautiful Project Life designs, and I like the concept of the Simple Stories Snap Album but I know myself and I know I need to begin with a blank slate. It inhibits my creativity when I purchase things that are trying to guide me in a certain direction.

I have let go of the monthly program that worked for me years ago. Now I scrapbook the things that are important, and the trips I take. This works better at this stage of life, though I am still left feeling behind all the time!

XoXo, Liza

Fifty States Flashbacks, A to Z: California

Possibly the loftiest goal on my Bucket List, and one of the most important to me, is visiting each of the 50 states in the USA.

California has so much to offer, and there are many things in the state that remain on my bucket list. There are so many places to visit, and things to see.

 My favorite thing about California by far, would be Disneyland. It is truly one of my happiest places on earth. 

I have been to Disneyland a handful of times as a kid, and twice as an adult. This photo was taken during the 50th Anniversary celebration. I sat on the cement in the hot sun in front of the castle for countless hours waiting for the stars to walk the red carpet at the Pirates of The Caribbean, Dead Man's Chest Premiere. The next year I did it again for the Pirates of The Caribbean, At Worlds End premiere. Talk about an adventure!

XoXo, Liza

U.S Olympic Speed Skating Trials

Last month I was able to witness the U.S Olympic Speed Skating Trials near my hometown of Salt Lake City, Utah. Like many people, I was fascinated by both the sport, and it's top athlete Apolo Ohno, when the Olympics came to Salt Lake in 2002. When I heard Apolo would be a commentator at the trials, I had to attend!

 

The skaters were amazing. There is something magical about watching people who will soon become known by the entire world. These talented young people have so much ahead of them.

Apolo was commentating for NBC, and when the trials were over we waited to ask him for an autograph. I had taken my copy of the book he wrote and he signed the cover. He said you couldn't see it, so he signed inside too. He is a great guy, and a professional in both skating, and the world of media!

 My parents instilled my passion for the Olympics, our world stopped every evening so we could watch. It still does. I have truly enjoyed watching Slopestyle Snowboarding in Sochi, as well as all of my old favorites.

I hope you are enjoying watching the world as well!

XoXo, Liza

Fifty States Flashbacks, A to Z: Arizona

Possibly the loftiest goal on my Bucket List, and one of the most important to me, is visiting each of the 50 states in the USA. The point is to see and enjoy each state. My favorite adventure is to drive through the state, however, because some states are smaller than others, spending a few hours, having a meal, and taking some photos is sometimes good enough. I do have guidelines. Connecting flights in an airport do not count!

I had crossed the border of Arizona a few times in my life (which in my book, does not count) before I was able to visit one of it's major cities. My trip to Phoenix a few years back took place in early February. I have vivid memories of some of the delicious food I ate. And as someone who has always endured cold winters, I have to say, it is blissful to sit next to a pool in February!

XoXo, Liza

2014 Motivation

I have a pretty easy time following through with New Year Resolutions, but I prefer to call it New Years Motivation. I find it more uplifting. Last year, for my birthday, I received two wonderful books. I decided to start using them January 1st.

The first book is called One Line A Day. Each page is a different day, and has space for the next five years. The intention is to write every day. The perfect answer to a journal for someone like me, who sometimes struggles with what they want to say!

 This book is a beautiful robin egg blue color with stunning gold trimmed pages and a permanent ribbon bookmark. The book is very small, and some of the online reviews I read complained it was hard to write in because of its size, and I do agree to some point. But overall, it is so vintage looking and such a wonderful color I can forgive it for any imperfection!

List Your Self (Back) and One line a Day (Front)

 

The second book is called List Your Self. Each page prompts a different thought, and asks you to make a list of answers. I searched through online reviews for multiple books with the same list-type idea. This one seemed to be the best fit for me. Some of the books made me blush! This one does have pages that just don't apply, and some pages where I could only give one or two answers, certainly not a list. Because of that, I am making lists once a week. It is working out well, because I can add things all week, when I think of them.

 

A few other goals I have include finding my dream job, and a new place that doesn't break the bank, but fits our needs. Easier said than done.

Other things that are important to me are to create more, simplify, and document it all. Crossing four states off my list again this year would be awesome! We shall see!

XoXo, Liza