The mountains are calling

Ronnie and I are headed out tomorrow for our annual trip to the mountains. We usually go in November but couldn't this year because of Ronnie's classes. So we decided to go this week since we are both off. Can't wait for some beautiful scenery and relaxing in the hot tub. It will be a bit colder than our usual trips but hopefully I will find some wonderful things to shoot. (with my camera) We will be staying in a cabin in Pigeon Forge, but we plan to visit Knoxville on Tuesday and although we make this trip often, we have never been to Knoxville. From photos I have seen, it is a beautiful city. (Photo from a previous trip)

Boom-Yow

My son, my oldest, whom I adore. He is a joy to be around and a tender soul. He can make you roll in the floor laughing. Just captured one of his "moments" here. Skeet shooting with family on Thanksgiving Day. A new family tradition.

Another Bench

Another bench--the leaves tell the tale. Once a spot to sit on a summer's eve--a bit too cool on these fall evenings--and dusk comes too soon. Winter is close behind--maybe I'll get a chance to capture some snow on this bench before spring makes its way.

Red Barn

One of my favorite shots from our trip to Boone via Charlotte. Went to Charlotte to vist my sister Donna Lynne--then from there to Boone to visit my niece Danielle. While D.L. ran a 5K for Danielle's sorority, Anna (baby sister) and I ventured to Valle Crucis, a quaint village near Boone, and I found this shot. Anyway--I love old barns and this one was in the perfect spot for a picture.

A long way to the top

A couple of weeks ago we took a day trip to Tallulah Gorge. It was a lovely fall day and the leaves were just about at peak. To get to the bottom of the gorge you can walk down about 900+ steps. The problem is...you have to walk back up. My 50+ out of shape legs barely made it. But that wasn't the worst part. For the next 5 days, my calves hurt so much I could barely walk. I think I will stick to trails from now on. They are a little less wearing on the legs.

Just Precious

I enjoy taking photo of toddlers. They are never worried about posing and just have fun in front of the camera. Caroline was precious and and easy subject. And what amazing blue eyes.

Family

Today I took family shots of Bethany, Adam, and Caroline. It was rewarding and fun. I actually took 448 shots. Out of those there are probably 25-35 that I really like. Some of the lighting was too harsh but I am working on editing. Caroline was perfect and so happy. She was an easy baby to get shots of. I think Bethany will be please with some of the shots. And I am learning lots in the process.

Always in Style

Got participate in a photo shoot with real models last week-end. It was lots of fun. This is Joy dressed in clothes from blake & brady boutique; hair by Images; make-up by Amanda; Penny (the car) courtesy of my dad. Photo shoot was at my parents home.

Contrast

My blog posts have been few and far between lately. Lots to do both at home and school. And since I started with my couponing addicition, I am spending lots of time cutting and planning. But I am saving lots of money. I finally got around to getting some shots. This is one that I took last week. These silos at the end of Highway 187, just draw me in. In the evening the setting sun makes them glow against the darker sky. I have posted a similar image before, but I like this one much better. I especially love the contrast between the older brick silo with the rust at the top and the slick newer ones.

Scuppernongs--The Taste of Fall

Scuppernongs as defined by Wikipedia--A scuppernong (also called "scuppernine" or "suscadine" in parts of Georgia, and "suppeydine" or "scuppeydime" in central and Western North Carolina), is a large type of muscadine, a type of grape native to the southeastern United States. It is usually a greenish or bronze color and is similar in appearance and texture to a white grape, but rounder and about 50% larger and first known as the 'big white grape'.

The fruit of my childhood. Daddy had a huge scuppernong arbor. As children we climbed in it, played house under it and used it as a hiding place during a game of hide and seek. But come September you could smell the fruit on the vine. The smell and taste of scuppernongs bring back a flood of childhood memories for me. My sisters and I picked the ripe fruit which our parents took to work and sold for a quarter a quart. This was our fair money to spend each year when the Anderson County Fair came to town. My dad now has a smaller arbor but the fruit smells and tastes exactly the same. Want to know what fall tastes like--a scuppernong. At least it tastes like fall to me.

All Shapes and Sizes

I thought today I would take a break from posting Charleston images, although I will probably have more to post in few days. I have been thinking about fall lately. There has been that crispness to the air in the evenings and the scuppernongs at my parents are ripe. If you want to know what fall tastes like, try a scuppernong. Don't know what scuppernongs are. Well that will be a post on another day. Fall is my favorite season for shooting images. The colors are wonderful. So I l9oked back through my folders to find some shots from last fall. This one was taken in Cashiers on a visit to see my friend Janis.