Day at the Pumpkin Patch...

The Family has been going through a rough patch lately (something I'll share a little later), so I decided that we would take a little trip to a Pumpkin Patch in the next county.  It's a Pumpkin Patch we visit every year, and though we had discussed not going this year - I felt the Family was entitled to a fun day trip.

Plus, what better way to pick out your pumpkins for the holiday season?

I love this Pumpkin Patch's attention to details.  They have fields full of pumpkins and, for the less adventurous, pumpkins ready for purchase.  No slogging through muddy fields.

They even provide little details such as recipes you can make with their pumpkins.  I admit, I haven't used any of the recipes.  Quite frankly, I love the look of pumpkins but I don't like the taste of pumpkins (or the smell).

But this place gets the need for presentation, and they do it well.

They have several of these metal art pieces... This pumpkin is fantastic!  I wish I had the front garden space (because something like this needs to be on display).

And, of course, what pumpkin patch is complete without the old tractors, trucks, and wagons? Certainly not this one!

And the variety of gourds is amazing... I honestly had no idea just how many different varieties there are out there.

I thought these ones looked like acorns.  How awesome are these?!?!?

Of course, I had to take the obligatory photo at the pumpkin patch.  I zoomed in because I'd rather get clear images of their faces than the pumpkins.

And, this year, I actually got a photo of me.  Actually, Mum took this photo.  Yes, my hair is blond... It's temporary.  Well, temporary since June.  It's my time of experimenting, and since I've been every other color... Why not blond? It was blonder, but I went a little darker this month.  I know... I know... It looks more red than blond.  Let's compromise and say it is strawberry blond.

 

And of course, there are these little sets tucked away in nooks, so families can take their autumn photos.

 

Did I mention the details? How cute is this?!?!

Here is another giant metal piece of art... complete with little pumpkins to make the dress.

Of course, we made our selection of pumpkins (and apples).  How can you not? We didn't go big this year... We went more strategic with our choices.  Some for the inside, and some for the outside of the house.

 

 

 

 

How about you?  Are you doing the Pumpkin Patch this year? How are you celebrating the season?  Drop a note in the Comments section and let me know... I'll hop over to your space on the Blogosphere and have a peek at your seasonal celebrations.

Happy Monday!

Favorite Time of the Year...

My family love to take a drive around the area we live in.  We're lucky.  We live in this wonderful area where there is the ocean, mountains, forests, rivers, lakes, streams, and lots of trees.  And, at this time of the year, everything seems to be more alive.  It is a feast for the senses.  Colors are more vibrant; temperatures are crisper; every smells clean; and everything seems to generally feel alive.

This is one of our favorite drives.  It is a back country road that leads us through sparsely populated forests, over one lane bridges, and over streams with fallen trees covered in moss.  It is a paradise.

And on certain mornings, a cool autumn fog settles into the treetops and makes the world feel cozy and inviting.

Happy Monday!

Busy Bee...

I've have been a busy bee.  Between starting the process of shutting down one business and starting a new business, I've been snapping photographs for weddings and engagements.  June is always the time for weddings (and engagements), but this year has been a lively one.

Here are a few videos I created from a wedding and engagement session I did in June.  Just be aware that you're probably not going to be able to view the videos if you are viewing this blog post on Mozilla's Firefox.  They have blogged Adobe Flash plug-ins.  Enjoy!

This is a casual wedding I shot in early June.  Lots of celebration and a special appreciation for Converse sneakers.

 

This is the engagement shoot for a great couple of have an even greater love for the Seattle Seahawks football team.  I'm shooting their wedding next year, and their Seahawk's theme should be a kick to photograph.

Happy Wednesday!

Blooming Irises....

Every March and April, the fields where we live spark to life with great bursts of color from the daffodils and tulips.  When May arrives, those bursts of color come from the variety of irises. I love irises, so I thought I would share a few photographs I took of these dainty, yet brilliant flowers.

 

 

 

 

Happy Tuesday!

Perspective...

It never ceases to amaze me how people can all witness something, but see it in as many different ways as there are different people.  This was especially true when I took Mum and Dawn out to enjoy the sunshine and snap a few photographs.

Shooting Sisters

When it comes to this time of the year, the photography gigs tend to slow down.  And for that, I am grateful.  I have enough to juggle when it comes to the holidays, I don't always have the time to commit to doing photography sessions.  However, when it comes to these girls... Making the time is never a problem.

I have know these girls and their mum for over 10 years.  I took the senior photographs for the oldest girls, and I hope to take the senior photographs for the two younger girls - when the time comes.  Photographing them is always fun, never boring, and allows me to exercise my creative muscles.

 

One of the reasons I haven't been so vigilant  with Blogmas is I've been photographing these girls, processing their images, and creating little bits of fun for their mum.  It is one of the great joys I have as a photographer, taking images and creating pieces that bring a smile to people's faces.  And since I've spent so much time on this project, I thought I would share a few images of them for you.

Aren't they gorgeous?  And, yes... they are fans of the Seattle Seahawks football team.

Of course, sisters will be sisters.  And when it comes to taking a portrait - even squishing the youngest sister is fair game.

It must be tough to be so photogenic.  I wouldn't know what that is like, which is probably why it is a good thing that I'm behind the camera.

What about you? Did you do portraits for Christmas?  What's one of your most favorite Christmas photo? With Santa? With siblings? Or maybe opening your presents?

Tip Toe Through the Tulips....

Every year there is a tulip festival that occurs in a river valley about 30 minutes south from where we live.  And, every year we attend.  When you arrive, you will be greeted by acres of tulips (and sometimes late season daffodils).  There are two major tulip growers in the area that, for a fee, you can enter their gates and get a front row view of the pretty petals.

In year's passed, we've paid the fee and went snap happy.  This year, however, we didn't.  The reason is this year's festival seems to be over-run with people.  So much so that it is nearly impossible to get any good photographs without someone stepping into view and ruining your snaps. 

So, this year we were a little sneaky.  After a good rain and when the gates were closed to the two major growers, we drove around to the open fields and went snap happy while the sun was setting.

The heavy rains really added a little something to the photo opportunities.

The lighting from the setting sun added a little umph to the shots. 

Tulips dripping with rain drops did little to dampen the spring spirit or the sturdy stems.

And as you can see, there was plenty of color to enjoy.  It definitely got me thinking about my own garden and all the work I need to do there.  But, I'll save that for another day.

Happy Friday!

Hello Monday... Mt Vernon Farmer's Market

Hello Monday... You're going to be a busy day for this gal, but I'm glad I had a relaxing weekend to prepare me to tackle the incredible list of things to do.  One of the things I did over the weekend was go to the Mt Vernon Farmer's Market, which was a wonderful visit.

Hello, People! There was sure a lot of people at the Market.  I thought if I brought the family a little later in the day, we wouldn't have to worry about too many crowds - especially since the market hours are brief.  No such luck.  But, I can only hope that meant good news for the vendors.

With live music and places to sit, chat, and enjoy the various offerings of nosh - the Market was a great way to spend a lazy afternoon.

 

Hello Flowers! There were plenty of flower vendors at the market.  The most prolific was a booth that brimmed with bouquets.  Mum picked out this week's bouquet, but we already have a deal that on the next visit - Dawn and I get to pick out the bouquet.

 

Hello, Soap! Lots of soap! Big, thick, fragrant bars of soap.  We ended up purchasing a bar of Mango Papaya.  It is the kind Dawn and I picked out.  Mum wanted the White Tea soap, but since she got the flowers... I suppose next time she'll want to pick out the soap.  In any event, the bar we purchased is so fragrant, we sat it in the bathroom and it filled the room with the fruity smell.  The soap was created by Pacific Bubbles and Lotions which is bursting with lovely creations.

 

 Hello, Fruit and Veg... There was certainly plenty of fruit and veg at the market.  We purchased a pint of tayberries.  It quickly became clear, I'm not a fan of tayberries.  Far too blah for me.  However, Mum and Dawn seemed to like them a lot.  Mum threw them into a fruit salad for her and Dawn to enjoy when we returned home (I got raspberries).

Hello, Aprons... Lots of pretty aprons.  These were made by Mount Vernon Herbs... made in all shapes, sizes, and colors.  I loved how the aprons seemed to dance in the slight breeze pushing through the Market.  

In the end, we walked away with flowers, soap, fruit, and a few other bits and bob.  It was a fantastic time, but now I suppose it is time for me to roll up my sleeves and dive into all the work I have to do on this sunny, warm Monday.

Happy Monday!