Click-ish Photographers

I'm really excited about a new photo group that I'm a part of, here in Lexington, and I wanted to let you all know! It's a group of photo-minded women in the area, and we get together to share ideas, learn, and grow as photographers. Be sure to check us out at http://click-ishphoto.blogspot.com, and become one of our followers! We'll be posting regular updates of our meetings and sample photos from our fun photo shoots.

Fall Surf

This was taken on a beautiful Fall day at Lake Michigan. I believe we were just south of Leeland at the time, on our way to Fishtown. We stopped to do some rock hunting. I just love the deep aquas and blues of the water. When I look at this picture now, I realize that it has some of my favorite colors in it. When I took it, I wasn't thinking about that—I just loved how the surf was crashing on the shore.

Even though it's really cold most of the time (you'll only find me swimming in it when the water temp is above 70ºF), I've come to really love and appreciate Lake Michigan. It's free of sharks, and other living creatures that could kill you. That's a plus! It generates some of the most beautiful stones I've ever seen. The water is ALWAYS beautiful, even on stormy days. You never know when a piece of a famous shipwreck will wash up, as you're walking by (ok, that's not normal, but it's cool when it happens). And, I love the uniqueness of the Lake Michigan coastline in the dead of winter—the frozen, snowy parts that stick out and break up the surf. It's really an amazing body of water.

A Garden in Fall

"I cannot endure to waste anything as precious as autumn sunshine by staying in the house.

So I spend almost all the daylight hours in the open air."

—Nathaniel Hawthorne

Photo taken at Cherry Republic in Glen Arbor, MI

Cherry Republic

I hate cherries. I do. I have just never enjoyed their flavor. But, I enjoy visiting the Cherry Republic in Glen Arbor, MI. Strange, I know. They do everything from chocolate-covered cherries to various types of cherry-based salsas and barbecue sauces, and cherry sodas, wines, etc.

We were walking around the Pop & Wine Tasting Room, and I mentioned to someone that I hate cherries, and the guy behind the counter said, "Wrong place." Haha! I didn't realize he had heard me! Oops!

Fall sunset

I noticed these plants as I was walking along the Platte River, on the way out to Lake Michigan, with my sister- and mother-in law. I loved how the sunset was hitting the pods and seeds on this plant. These kinds of plants are interesting to me, because the older plant is dying, but it is giving birth to new life—even as it dies. Regeneration is so amazing!

I'm listening to an audiobook of Anne's House of Dreams, right now. I still LOVE that series. It revives my imagination, and makes me use phrases like, "Drink it in!" :o) Reading (or listening to) them revives the Anne-spark in my spirit.

The West Bay

We recently returned from a family vacation in northern Michigan. There's just nothing like Michigan in the Fall. It's so . . . Fall-ish! The colors are gorgeous. While the weather can be all over the board, the week we were there was absolutely breathtaking. It was cool, and the sky was as blue as blue can be. We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful week!

I took the picture above, as we were driving along 37 South on Old Mission Penninsula, on the way back through Traverse City. At the time, we just left Chateau Grand Traverse, and noticed this gorgeous view of the West Bay over the vineyards. So, we all stopped for one last look and a few pictures. I already miss it!

Gourdy

Have I mentioned that I love Fall? :o) I love the colors, smells, everything. And you can bet that right now, I'm just reveling in it all. Pumpkin pie, anyone?

Cock-a-doodle-doo!

My daughter's favorite animal use to be a rooster. She did the cutest little crow, whenever she saw one. Of course her favorite animal changes almost daily, now. I think it might be a buffalo, now.

This pretty rooster just strutted around showing off at the apple orchard we visited recently. While his "friends" came over to the fence to greet us, he remained aloof. I decided to snap his portrait anyway.

My friend the goat

As you can see, I made a new friend when we recently visited the apple orchard. This goat was extremely friendly. He kept wanting to give me a kiss . . . or eat my camera. I can't tell. Anyway, he was an eager little guy.

Going to market

Welcome Fall!! I missed you!

Eagle Falls

Eagle Falls

Cumberland Falls State Park

I know I've quoted this little "song" before, but I always think of it when I post a picture of a waterfall. Since reading that book, waterfalls always "sing" this song to me, when I sit near them.

"From the heights we leap and flow

To the valleys down below,

Sweetest urge and sweetest will,

To go lower, lower still."

—the water's song

from Hinds' Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard

Cumberland Falls

I finally made it to the woods! This summer has been so hot and buggy, that it's made it nearly impossible to want to be outside. So, I haven't wanted to venture out on the trail, even though I've desperately wanted to!

Well, a couple of weekends ago, I got my chance. The weather was perfect—highs in the mid-70's, 0% humidity, and breezy. Now, that's my kind of weather! So, we made it a goal to get out in the woods, and traveled about an hour and a half to Cumberland Falls State Park. We packed our lunches in the daypack, grabbed our trekking poles, and hit the Eagle Falls Trail. Since we had our daughter with us (21-months, today), we didn't want to take on more than we could handle, so we thought the 1.5 mile trail would be perfect. It would give us the chance to see both Cumberland and Eagle Falls, and allow us to be in the woods.

The trail was gorgeous, mostly shaded, and all-around wonderful! But, don't let that meager 1.5 miles fool you. This isn't just a piece-of-cake hike. Parts of this trail are described as "very rugged." But, it's so worth it! It offers an up-close look at Eagle Falls, and some of the best views of Cumberland Falls (see above). It's truly a beautiful trail. And, it satisfied my craving to be "in the woods." We were exhausted by the time we were done, but so happy, too. Now, I'm just hankering for the next trip . . .

The last bit of summer

I'm finding it difficult to believe that the summer is coming to an end. It blows my mind to think that we're already half-way through September. My daughter is getting closer and closer to her 2nd birthday. We just bought a house. We're in the midst of a kitchen remodel. Vacation is coming!! There's a lot going on!

I love the Fall, so I'm honestly not that sad to see summer go. Maybe that will change when we have a child in school, but for now, I really enjoy Fall. It's one of my favorite seasons . . . well, as long as it's not too hot. That makes me grumpy. But, I do love Fall. We've already been to the apple orchard once, and I'm sure we'll visit a few more times before Winter. Can you say, "cider doughnuts?!"

Another review coming soon!

I'm being given another opportunity to review another camera-related item from CSN Stores, and I'm really excited. CSN STores is literally like an online mall. They carry just about anything you can imagine, and I've been pretty impressed with their products, so far. They offer everything from furniture, to everything you need for home improvement, housewares, things for pets, cheap bedroom furniture, luggage, and so much more! They have some great stuff, and I've been really pleased with the camera bag that I was able to purchase from them a while ago.

So, stay tuned to see what great camera accessory ends up being reviewed! I'll post all the ins and outs, and pros and cons. Coming soon!

Week 37: Vroom, Vroom Photo Challenge! (I Heart Faces)

We went to the apple orchard yesterday afternoon. It just wouldn't be Fall without going to the apple orchard . . . a few times. :o) I just have to have fresh apples in the Fall. I'm a bit of an apple snob. There, I said it. I'm an apple snob! I really only have apples during this one season of the year. After the taste of fresh-picked apples enters your mouth, there's just no turning back. Store-bought apples have completely lost their appeal for me. So, in the Fall, it's off to the orchard.

This was the first time we've gone apple picking since my daughter was a baby—her first trip as a toddler, who can actually say, "Apple!" My how time has flown! She's such a busy little bee, too. She liked the wagon ride for a little bit, but after that, it was only running and walking for her until we left.

Moth Movers

During our recent move, as you might expect, we had a lot of boxes laying around. As I was unpacking some outside, I noticed this beautiful (albeit beat-up) moth that was hanging around. It must have been something about the cardboard that attracted it, but it posed so perfectly for me that I had to snap some shots. While it may have been difficult to find some of our belongings in the boxes, I kept my camera within eye-shot at all times, so I always knew where it was! :o)

The end

Liriope spicata

(commonly called "monkey grass")

This is one of the last pictures I snapped around our apartment, before we moved. These grasses were planted in a little courtyard plot, right near our front door. They were just green for quite some time, and then they bloomed. I love the simple purple blooms. These poor plants suffered much abuse from cigarette hurling neighbors and dogs that left their "mark" on them. But, I always thought they were pretty, just the same. 

Now, we're homeowners! And we're loving it! While our house is old and has its quirks, it's all ours, and we were so ready! No more loud neighbors, or dog poo to deal with. Ahhhh. We couldn't be happier about it. Now, I just have to get the rest of our stuff unpacked and catch up on my photos. :o)

Happy flowers

I'm in a floral period, right now—can you tell? I haven't had a chance to get out on the trail lately, and it's killing me. It's so hot here, too, that it makes being outside just way too oppressive. And don't get me started on the bugs! I know—I'm a wuss.

I've also been terribly busy with work, taking care of a toddler, and getting ready for a move. That's why I haven't been posting a lot of pictures lately. I did happen to snap this one just recently on a walk through our apartment complex. There's this one secluded little courtyard, and someone has planted these in a large area in the front of their townhome. They just make me happy!

Crossing the Bar

Sunset and evening star,

And one clear call for me!

And may there be no moaning of the bar,

When I put out to sea,

But such a tide as moving seems asleep,

Too full for sound and foam,

When that which drew from out the boundless deep

Turns again home.

Twilight and evening bell,

And after that the dark!

And may there be no sadness of farewell,

When I embark;

For tho' from out our bourne of Time and Place

The flood may bear me far,

I hope to see my Pilot face to face

When I have crost the bar.

—Alfred Lord Tennyson

I graduated from a small Bible college in Birmingham, AL. My major was Pre-Seminary. I loved my education there, even though I didn't think I would. I kicked against the goads to avoid going to that school, but my heart was turned in the end. And, I've never regretted it! I learned so much—both in and out of the classroom. That was many years ago, now.

So, I'm grieving today (along with many, many others) over the death of our beloved English professor, who passed away suddenly last week. Our hearts are broken! But, we also know that he is rejoicing today—rejoicing to be in the arms of the Savior he so dearly loved. So, we have mixed emotions. We are so happy to know that he is no longer a part of this broken world, but we are sad to have to give him up for ourselves.

Dr. Greene was one of the kindest people I've known (he would laugh to know that I debated over saying "most kind," "kindest," or "most kindest"). He was truly kind . . . to everyone. He loved fun, music, literature, Jesus, and his students.

When I heard about his passing, I was shocked, emotional, and very sad. But, then I started celebrating his life and the fact that he was able to leave this world so peacefully, and wake up in the next. I also went through my Facebook profile, looking for anything he might have said to me in the prior months. There were a few things he said, but one that really means the most: "I'm very proud of you. . . ."

Dr. Greene, I've no doubt you are reveling at seeing your "Pilot face-to-face." We'll all miss you terribly, but can't wait to see you again once we have also "crost the bar."

Please keep the Greene family in your prayers as they grieve the loss of their husband and father.

Anyways . . .

A walk

I was recently at the Arboretum, snapping some family photos for some friends of mine, on a beautiful Lexington evening. It was humid, but the lighting was great, and we had fun. But, I have to be honest . . . I had to REALLY reign myself in from snapping photos of every botanical object we passed. Everything was gorgeous! I didn't realize that so much was still blooming there—guess I figured that since our garden was ravaged that nothing was blooming anywhere else. :o) But, I did quickly snap a picture of this beautiful succulent (not sure of the name), because it just inspired me. Then, on with snapping more family pictures. So, now the thought of all those beautiful plants and scenes are plaguing me, haunting my dreams, and I have to get back there really soon.