Alex Looking Out at the Coast Guard Pier
Some of my happiest memories we have shared as a family have been spent outdoors. Every year we make the 14 hour drive from our home in Peoria, Arizona to Carmel to visit my parents who have been living there since 1989. The central coast of California provides many opportunities to appreciate and photograph the beauty of the natural world. I will be writing a series of blogs about exploring the Monterey Peninsula beginning with the Coast Guard Pier in Monterey.
Father and son at the Coast Guard Pier Monterey, CA July 2015
A walk along the Coast Guard Pier in Monterey offers wonderful views of wildlife, the shoreline, and the harbor. I love to watch the sea lions that gather on the rocks surrounding the pier. Whether they are animated and calling out to one-off my another or sitting in quiet repose, there are plenty of camera worthy moments.
Sea Lion in Monterey
Two of the poems included in our book, The Restorative Power of Spirit: Poems of Faith and Hope, were inspired by photographs taken of sea lions resting by the pier. Photography and writing both allow me to truly appreciate and celebrate the beauty and artistry of all living beings.
Nature’s Blessing
Your Moment
In addition to sea lions, on any given day you may discover sea otters enjoying a meal, a starfish resting just below the water’s surface and/or crabs inching along the rocks.
Sea otter in Monterey
Marine life photo collage
View of Cannery Row from Coast Guard Pier
To find out more about visiting the Coast Guard Pier in Monterey click on the following link: http://monterey.org/Services/Harbor-and-Marina/Coast-Guard-Pier.
To see more images from Monterey and the central coast, I invite you to visit our portfolio at Bigstock:
https://www.bigstockphoto.com/search/contributor=SILVERBROOK+IMAGES&safesearch=n
Be sure to check back in next time when I will be visiting Pacific Grove!
Also, coming soon-the launch of our new online shop on Shopify.com- SILVERBROOK IMAGES: experiencing life one picture at a time.
Wishing you a wonderful day and safe travels!
Sheryl Brooks
Temecula City Hall and Villa di Calabro Winery
To celebrate 20 years of marriage, my husband and I ventured out of Arizona to enjoy an extended weekend in Temecula, California- a picturesque city in Southern California approximately 60 miles north of San Diego. The Temecula Valley is home to a growing wine region that boasts over 30 wineries. Ever since our honeymoon in Napa Valley, we have enjoyed exploring the different wine regions in California and Arizona. The stunning views and the beautiful grounds of the different wineries and their vineyards make for a memorable and romantic experience.
The Temecula Valley is only a five hour drive from our home in Peoria, Arizona. We spent our first day exploring Old Town Temecula, an eclectic mix of restaurants, gift shops, and tasting rooms. At Villa di Calabro Winery we toasted our anniversary with red wine and sampled a delicious variety of herb infused olive oils paired with different flavored balsamic vinegars. After dinner, we enjoyed a leisurely stoll around Lake Harveston, just a short drive from Old Town.
Our next two days were spent exploring the different wineries. The experience of driving past rolling hills lined with grapevines invariably takes us back to our honeymoon. The beautiful setting and relaxed, friendly atmosphere of the different tasting rooms we visited made this anniversary celebration one we will never forget. Here are a few images from some of the wineries that we visited-
Falkner Winery and Pinnacle Restaurant
Maurice Car’ rie Winery
Longshadow Ranch Winery
1969 was a good year- Birth year for both Mount Palomar Winery and Joe!
Cougar Winery
Danza del Sol
For more information about the Temecula Wine Valley, including the different wineries and discount promotions available, visit http://www.temeculawines.org I highly recommend checking out the Sip Passport if you will be visiting during the week.
No matter where you travel to- whether you are close to home or far away- may your journey be safe and your memories joyful!
Happy Travels!
Sheryl Brooks
My husband and son at the trail’s entrance
Water partially fills the well
There is something wonderful about exploring your own backyard. We took a Sunday drive from our home in Peoria, Arizona to visit the Verde Valley. In less than two hours, we had escaped the Valley heat and travelled to an elevation of 3560 feet to visit Montezuma’s Well, a detached unit of Montezuma’s Castle National Monument. Montezuma’s Well is a collapsed travertine dome that partially fills with water rising deep from the ground and exits through a swallet or channel in the travertine. An estimated 1.6 million gallons of water flows daily through four vents at the bottom of the well, eventually emptying out into an irrigation ditch on the other side. The National Park Service reports that some parts of the ditch are believed to be 1000 years old. To visit Montezuma’s Well is to walk in the footsteps of history. The legacy of the Sinaguan Indians can be seen in the cliff dwellings that are carved into the limestone walls of the well. The land is still considered sacred and you can feel the energy of the people who once called this area home. It is a beautiful hike and definitely worth the trip. For more information about Montezuma’s Well, visit the website of the National Park Service, https://www.nps.gov/moca/planyourvisit/exploring-montezuma-well.htm
Looking out over Montezuma’s Well
Ruins of cliff dwellings in the limestone rock
There is a lot to be said for exploring your own backyard. A day trip can offer a simple, but enjoyable retreat from your everyday routine. No matter where your travels may take you in the days and weeks ahead, I pray that you are safe and that the memories you create are filled with joy
Happy Travels!
Sheryl Brooks
Welcome home Alex
Happy 13th Birthday
Once there was the promise of you-
and now in the blink of an eye
I went from holding you in my arms
a few minutes old
to standing beside you-
13 years old.
The journey that has brought us from then to now
has been one of unexpected detours
and changes in direction.
Not following the expected course-
we’re learning together.
Shared steps on an altered path
I treasure every moment-
knowing that I was meant to be your mom.
Wishing all moms a very happy Mother’s Day!
Blessings,
Sheryl Brooks
Redemption from Fear
Life is a balancing act and sometimes the stress of trying to manage everyday responsibilities can become too much. If you feel yourself slipping into that negative space, know that you are not alone. If left unchecked, feelings of sadness or fear can begin to weigh heavily upon your soul- creating a darkness that soon envelops you and keeps you captive in its stubborn embrace. I have been there and understand the toll feelings of depression and anxiety can have on your mind, body, and spirit. There is no shame in seeking professional help. Sometimes the bravest thing you can do is allow someone to see you at your weakest. You don’t have to face those moments of darkness alone. In addition to getting the support of a professional, time spent in prayer can also provide comfort. I have felt the presence of God and his angels in my life in some of my darkest moments. Those experiences of love and light inspired both my husband and I to publish our book, The Restorative Power of Spirit: Poems of Faith and Hope. Our hope is that our book will be a source of comfort to those in need of a loving positive message. No one should feel alone or ashamed because they are suffering emotionally, mentally, or spiritually and are in need of help. May God’s angels light a pathway out of despair, so that you can finally begin to see the promise of a brighter tomorrow.
With angels you are never alone
Blessings,
Sheryl Brooks
In our book, The Restorative Power of Spirit: Poems of Faith and Hope, we honor our connection to the natural world and the loving presence of God and his angels in all that we see and do. Yesterday as we celebrated Thanksgiving, I reflected on the many blessings in my life and the happy memories we have shared as a family. Some of my favorite times have been those spent outdoors. There is something magical about seeing the world through a child’s eyes.
I have only experienced a tiny fraction of this beautiful planet, but I am in awe of the incredible diversity of life that calls this sacred space home. As we celebrate the holiday season, let us take time to appreciate one another and our connection to all life. We can positively shape our future by treading gently upon the Earth and taking steps to preserve the beauty that surrounds us. I pray that we will be good stewards of our planet not only for our children, but for future generations.
Blessings,
Sheryl Brooks
Moving forward in light
Be the light you wish to see
Even though our presidential election is behind us, the country remains bitterly divided. I remain hopeful that we will be able to find common ground and forge a path of mutual respect and understanding. I believe that all life is interconnected and that we have a shared responsibility to work together towards a higher purpose. I can understand why people feel compelled to take a passionate stance, but ultimately we will need to find common ground in order to move forward. When we can think, speak, and act fom a more compassionate place, we will be better able to light a path towards a more peaceful, inclusive world.
May God’s blessings be with you,
Sheryl Brooks
With all the negativity in the news and the tension that’s dominating the national political stage, you may feel as if you’re constantly dodging shadows. It’s a challenge to remain positive when our families and communities have become so polarized. I have had to take a step back from the regular news and look for stories that showcase the very best of the human spirit. I believe it’s important to stay informed about what’s happening at home and abroad, so that we are knowledgeable of our world, but we need to balance all that information with stories that touch the heart and lift the spirit.
We are surrounded by compassionate souls who make the world a more positive place to be. I work in a high school and see on a daily basis the dedication of the teachers and staff who go above and beyond to give our students a positive school experience. As a mother of a son with special needs, I have been blessed by teachers, paraprofessionals, and therapists who work countless hours to give my son and his classmates a safe, enriching environment to learn and grow. Our involvement in Special Olympics has surrounded us with heroes- from the athletes to the staff and volunteers- there is an amazing energy that comes from helping each individual reach their full potential.
We don’t have to look far to see evidence of God’s loving presence in our daily lives. My prayer is that people see the light within themselves and in others. We each have a unique role to play in the collective human experience and together we can light our way to a kinder world for our children and future generations.
With Blessings,
Sheryl Brooks
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I was struck by the beauty of the sky at sunset one recent evening and I felt compelled to take a picture. I was immediately taken with the kaleidoscope of images that seemed to emerge from the clouds . I would love to know what you see. For me the sky is like a window to the Divine and the promise of eternal light. The angels that seemed to emerge from the clouds that had gathered in the sky reminded me that in God’s loving presence, we are never alone.
Blessings,
Sheryl Brooks
I have discovered the joy of cardmaking. It is a wonderful respite from the stress of everyday life. I love shopping for craft materials at thrift shops and antique stores. The excitement of the hunt for inexpensive embellishments is almost as fun as creating the cards themselves. We don’t have a large home with a designated room for crafting, so I bring in one of the folding tables from the garage that we take to craft shows and set myself up in our family room with a view the television. I have tote bags filled with all my craft materials and I am ready for a few hours of bliss.
Like writing or photography, cardmaking is a wonderful release that allows you to become lost in the moment. I find the creative process to be therapeutic because it gives a voice to my artistic spirit, which is all to often silenced by the overwhelming pressure of paperwork, deadlines, and bureaucracy. The time and energy I put into the unique design of each card is an exercise in mindfulness.
If you find yourself in downtown Glendale, Arizona Saturday Oct. 22, 2016, look for our booth, SILVERBROOK IMAGES, from 8:00 am to 12:00pm at the Glendale Farmers Market at 58th Drive & Palmaire where you can see these cards and many more in person!
Believe
Memories
Family Forever
Wishing you blessed weekend!
Sheryl Brooks
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