Shasta Road Trip

Tags

California, friends, Mt Shasta, photography, road trip, spring, travel

I recently embarked on a little solo road trip to meet up with some friends in the Mt. Shasta area.  The weekend was a reunion with two of my dearest girl friends from California, and this was the first time the three of us had been together in years.  It was so nourishing and grounding to spend time with these powerful, intelligent, beautiful women, and to be in a different climate for a moment.  There was much laughter, good food, wine, and endless conversation.

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Spring is Coming

Tags

art, change of the seasons, lifestyle, northwest, oregon coast, outdoor adventure, photography, spring

Lately there have been little hints of springs imminent arrival around here.  Sunny days, daffodils popping up their heads, meals on the deck, and green growing things.  I am beginning to get excited about the warmer months and all of the wonderful things they bring.

Here are some snippets of the last few weeks: Friends playing music, hikes, new copper designs, and sunset-watching.  Enjoy!

Lately…..

Tags

canoeing, fishing, jewelry, outdoor adventure, pacific northwest, photography

 

It seems as though it’s been awhile since I’ve shared anything here with all you lovely folks, so I figured I’d stop by for a quick update this morning.  Life around these parts has been good lately; lots of work with a few adventures thrown in.

I am continuing to strive for balance in this unstructured, self-employed life of mine, something that often seems to elude me.  I am learning though, and sometimes that seems to be all I can ask for.  There are some exciting new projects, opportunities, and adventures looming on the horizon though, and I look forward to seeing what tomorrow may bring.

Here are a few photos from the last couple weeks:  A canoeing adventure, sunset beach walk, Valentines Day Trunk Show, and a fishing trip.

Enjoy, and happy Wednesday to you all!

A Frosty Morning Walk

Tags

beach walk, frost, frosty morning walk, oregon coast, pacific northwest, photography, sunrise

Recently I got up with the sun and headed out into the day for a morning walk.  I am not, by nature, a morning person so I don’t have many chances to see the world in its early morning cloak.  That being said, once I’m up I love early mornings.  The light is so soft and it feels like you’re getting away with something, stealing these extra hours in the day.  This particular morning was bone cold and gilded with frost.  I brought my camera along and everywhere I turned there was something beautiful, calling out to me to have its photo taken.  I even ran into my friend Thomas on his way to work in town and snapped a few frames of him. Enjoy the images, and happy Wednesday!

A Few Beautiful Little Moments

Tags

beach walks, beautiful moments, pacific northwest, photography, photos from the week, snow day, steel head fishing

Things have been quiet around here lately, yet full of beautiful little moments.  Beach walks with friends,  frigid steel head fishing adventures, a snow day, and cozy time inside.  Work is slower for me this time of year, and I am trying to find a balance, to be ok with not “doing” as much.  To just be.  I’m learning, I think,  and that’s all that I can ask for sometimes.

 

Lake Quinault Lodge

Tags

lake quinault, lake quinualt lodge, national parks, olympic national park, pacific northwest, photography, winter vacation

As promised, I wanted to share a few more photos from our weekend at the Lake Quinault Lodge.  The lodge and surrounding area are stunning and it was a lovely, quiet weekend full of rainy walks, photos, and lots of fireside reading.

Hope you had a great weekend friends!

Holiday Open House 2012!

Tags

christmas, handmade crafts, holiday cheer, holidays, jewelry, open house, open studio, photography, sale

This weekend I had my annual Roots & Wings Jewelry Holiday Open House!  I had a blast/worked my butt off for the last few weeks, crafting close to 100 pieces of jewelry and whipping our house into holiday shape.  I am happy to say it was a total success!  Many folks dropped by, mulled wine and hot cider was drunk, tasty treats were enjoyed (courtesy of my amazing mother), and jewelry found new homes.  Thanks to everyone who came and made it great!  Enjoy the photos friends.

My awesome friends brought me beautiful flowers and champagne-too nice!

Soapstone Lake Hike

Tags

adventure, hiking, lake, nature, oregon forests, outdoor adventure, photography

We recently took a hike on a trail near our home to a beautiful little lake.  I’ve hiked most of the trails in our area more times than I can count, and while I still enjoy them every time, it was really exciting to venture somewhere new.  It was also really nice to spend most of a day outside, away from any work, computers, to do lists, etc…don’t get me wrong, I love my work SO much, but sometimes it’s hard to stop working when you work from home.  It’s that whole balance thing you know?  More on that later though.  For now let’s just enjoy some photos of a lovely day on the trail.  Happy Tuesday friends!

 

Chasing Light

Tags

art, chasing light, home, jewelry, light, photography, self employed

My days have been busy and full of simple joys lately.  A blustery walk alone on the beach, foam skittering across the sand and seagulls hurtling overhead in the wind.  Cooking and eating simple wholesome meals.  And countless hours making jewelry, packaging up orders and writing thank you notes.  I have been super busy creating gifts for the holidays, and I am excited about the ways that my business continues to grow.

Working at home all day (alone for the moment while The Photographer is on a trip for work) I have had more time to grow and foster my appreciation for the small beauties in my daily life.  Light is something that I have always paid attention to; the way it shifts and changes throughout the day, the different qualities of light depending on the season, the shadows and shapes it creates.  This afternoon the sun came out between rain showers and the light streaming into my house was particularly beautiful…I was inspired by this post to snap a few photos and share them with you.  Enjoy!
XO,
Ashley

Inspiring Blog Feature

Tags

blog feature, do what you love, feature, inspiring, photography, press, socheat sao

“I believe in investing in the livelihoods of local artists and here is why”
-Socheat Sao

I was recently featured on my friend Socheat’s photo blog.  Socheat is an amazing photographer with a unique eye and style.  The photos of yours truly are part of a series she’s working on, creating portraits of people doing what they love for a living.  Definitely something I can get behind;)  I am so honored and humbled by her images and words.  Check it out here.