Alas, a fail from Blogger

Anyone who knows me knows I heart Google. Google is one of the few companies I tout to anyone who will listen. Which is why it's so distressing that I (along with many others, if Blogger forums are an indication) have 'lost' most of the images on this blog. Apparently, the problem has something to do with linking the blog to my Google+ / Picasaweb album account. If you delete any of your web albums, they are also deleted from associated accounts, like Blogger. Except that there was no warning letting me (or any of the other Bloggers with missing images) know. I think they've since added a warning message, but too late for me. So I'm looking for a new blogging home.

I'll let you know as soon as I've found it.

Ghost Motel

Abandoned places, roadside attractions, cabin, motel, Yosemite, California

Two summers ago, my husband Michael and I visited Yosemite National Park in northern California. It was one of our best trips ever, and Yosemite proved to be one of our favorite national parks. On the drive between our cabin and the park, we passed this deserted and forsaken roadside motel. Since we share a love of abandoned places, we had to stop and poke around.

Vintage road sign for the Silver Tip Lodge beckons: Vacancy

Ghost Motel - abandoned roadside motel near Yosemite National Park, California

View from the porch of the abandoned roadside motel

The Silver Tip's rusted screens and desolate porch

Your room is ready.

Light filters through the crumbling ceilings and paints patterns on the walls and floor.

If walls could talk

Ghosts

Keeping a good friend in my thoughts

Assemblage, curiosities, wood box, cigar box

A treasure box of curiosities I mailed to my friend Pam. Nothing precious, or even particularly meaningful. A little handmade envelope, a kraft paper jotter, a tiny card, some seashells, a polka dot feather I found on a summer walk, some vintage buttons, scraps of French lace, a starfish, vintage jam labels. Just to let her know I’m thinking of her.









I hope you’re in someone’s thoughts right now, too.

Sharon

Sorry state of my studio

 

The sad state of my studio right now.

 

Oh well. Might as well have a glass.

Sharon 

Awesome Austin Part 2 -

A month and a half later, here is the follow-up post on Austin, Texas. While we were there, we did a lot of shopping on South Congress. Of the many fine retail establishments we visited, my favorite was Uncommon Objects. I had run across this amazing shop when Secret Leaves was still selling wholesale and fell in love with it immediately, so I was excited to visit in person. The unusual antiques and curios they stock are right up my alley:

 

  

Vintage clothing, cowboy boots, antiques, gifts and curios from Mexico and around the world, handmade jewelry, home goods — there were many, many other great shops along South Congress, none of which I can remember the names of now. But no matter, just step out onto the sidewalk and start walking — they’re everywhere!

Next up, County Line Barbecue. After all, you can’t go to Texas and not eat some barbecue, right?

The food at County Line was good, no doubt, but the best thing about it was the Texas Hill Country location with its stunning views:

They have a beautiful patio to enjoy it from:

I loved all the Texas memorabilia on display:

Finally, in one of the highlights of the trip, I met Wayne Coyne of the Flaming Lips in the airport:

He couldn’t have been a lovelier guy.

There is so much more to do and see than we had time for. I loved Austin and can’t wait to go back again.

If you’re so inclined, leave a comment about some of your favorite places in Austin.

Sharon