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