About Me

Hello and welcome to Pine Cones and Acorns, my name is Elizabeth. I am a wife, a daughter, a sister, a step-mother, an aunt, a grandmother and a friend among many other labels. But here at Pine Cones and Acorns I am just me.

I have traveled the world for most of my life, first as a child moving around the USA, from Michigan to Alaska; then as a teenager spreading my wings with my sister on our first trip to Europe. From the first time we packed our bags I have always loved the adventure of a new place, new things and a new life. I am still a world traveler mostly to familiar places like the States, Paris, Scotland, Italy and places where I can see my friends and family as well as something new.

My love of adventure fueled my thirst for knowledge, and books became my way to "see" the world even when I was not traveling and they are still that way today. A book is a holiday, an adventure, a time machine, an escape and a portal to a new world, a new taste, an invention, a scene of beauty, a natural discovery, and so much more.

I originally thought I would be an Egyptologist and go on digs, perhaps find the next King Tut, but I hate sand, so that would have been a challenge. I changed my major and studied International Relations, with an emphasis on, Chemical, Biological and Nuclear Weapons Systems. I earned a Bachelors Degree, a Masters Degree, and continued on to a couple of years studies towards a Doctorate. Along the way I earned a Certificate in Holocaust Literature and continued in my free time to study Art History and Egyptology. In addition, I interned for Senators, at the Institute of World Affairs and at the Library of Congress. All the while working for my family's business so that I could continue to fund my adventures abroad; meeting my brother and friends for the summers in Germany, and in France where I had gone to school, and to many places in between.

I had thoughts of becoming a writer, or working at a "think tank" to fuel my real passion which is research but then I met my husband and my life took a different path.  Although my original plans did not come to fruition my life is filled with many blessings, the most important (aside from my family and friends) of which is the gift of time. I continue to work for my family's business which allows me the time to travel the world with my husband, family and friends.

I discovered blogs back in 2006, I even thought about starting one but what would I say, who would read it and why? I finally registered on Blogger in 2008 but it took another two years to dip my toes in the water and now here I am. I named my blog Pine Cones and Acorns because first and foremost I have always loved pine cones and acorns, every time I find one I think of them as little gifts from God. They make me smile because each one is unique just like each of  us.

Life is filled with gifts, from our families, friends, kids, a moon on a dark night, a sun peaking out from a cloud, a dolphin frolicking in the waves,  a penny on the sidewalk and the unexpected treasures found while reading a book, and of course a blog or Pinterest. That is really what my blog is all about, the beauty of life, found in travels, nature, books, family and friends.

I hope you come along for the ride, you never know what you will find here, a recipe, the perfect cup of cocoa, a book or movie review, the sights and sounds of Paris or Scotland or somewhere else, or maybe just the musings of life, my love of snow and Winter and my dream of living in a cottage on a Loch in Scotland.