Memory Jar

One of my loves in life is traveling! I can’t claim to be a world traveler, but I’ve been a few places.  One thing I have always struggled with is what to bring home to remember the trip by.  For years, I fell into the tourist traps and would buy t-shirt after t-shirt, only to bring them home never to use them, and then send them to the nearest charity store a year or two later.

My Mother solved this problem years ago.  Whenever we were on a trip or visiting some place special, you would find her bending down and picking up a little pebble, or stick.  I always thought she was crazy, until I grew up and realized the brilliance she was exhibiting. So, that’s what I started doing.  I am always on the hunt for an unusual natural element that I can take home and showcase.  I now have quite the collection and thought I would share…

Pensacola Beach, FL

I fell in love with Pensacola!! The sand was soft and white, it was like walking in powdered sugar.  It even squeaked!  Mr. Mike and I would walk the beach and I gathered shells and sand dollars.  It was heavenly!! 

Seattle & Tacoma, WA

Ok, so these aren’t quite natural, but they are so cool.  I love, love, love Seattle and especially Pikes Place Market.  That’s where I got the “I love you more” rock.  I had to get it.  For the longest time, that has been the phrase that my oldest WhipperSnapper and I say to each other, so of course I had to get it.  The glass ladybugs are from the Museum of Glass in Tacoma.  Mr. Mike and I had so much fun at this place! Click on the pictures for more info on both places. 

Laguna Beach, CA

Several years ago we packed up the whole family, grabbed a couple of friends and headed off to Southern California.  Best Weekend ever!!  I brought these shells home from Laguna Beach.

Camping in Southern Utah

Now, I don’t exactly think of myself as the Sarah Palin type but a couple of years ago I went camping in Southern Utah and had a blast shooting.  We were with the teenage girls from my church for a week of Girls Camp and one of the activities was shooting, gotta say, I’m a natural with whatever gun I was shooting with (told ya, I was no Sarah Palin!) If I was, I would be able to tell you all about the type and caliber of the gun, but no, I just had fun blowing holes in stuff. 

St. George, UT

Another fun weekend with friends, hiking, swimming, staying up late, eating way too much, and general Tom Foolery.

This is what I end up with…

A jar full of memories!!

Heather