it was a dark and stormy night...

i'm not really a halloween person, but i thought "what better time to post these eerie photos?" so i'm joining the festivities to say "have a safe and happy day of trick-or-treating". i used one of these for ethereal, too. but it was my sister's shot that really had me spooked. check it out.

since we have no kids, and we are a tad old to go trick-or-treating ourselves, we're heading down to the city on the train tonight to go see my husband's brother and his wife. i think we'll watch a scary movie or two, and just sit around and have all the fall fixin's. i can't think of a better way to spend it. {and i'm sure we'll see some frightening costumes on the train—maybe i'll get a snapshot or two.}

it's not perfect... but

i've been thinking so much about contentment lately. if there is one thing in my life that i want to learn to perfection and have said of me, it's that i knew how to be content.

i've discovered through my time of unemployment {and my current situation of financial catch-up} that i need far less than i ever thought i did. i'm not talking about survival. i'm just talking about the things we have and keep and buy and borrow and try and store and consume. i had to let go of many of those frivolous things while money was tight, and now that i am making money again, i have no desire {or far less of one, anyway} to go acquire those same kinds of things.

i was joking with a friend last night on the phone about wanting to be wealthy and lead a life where money is no object. but then i remembered reading somewhere that the average american is more wealthy than 75% of the population, and i was reminded how good i have it.

another good friend of mine has really opened my eyes lately to a lot of silly thinking about how society or media or even peers make us think we should look a certain way or have certain things. not that having things that we can afford is wrong, but having them for the wrong reason is. it's made me look closer at why i feel i have to have some of the things i do.

there are a few things i really want because i really need them--like a new computer so that i can start doing freelance graphic design out of my home. but other than that, i've come to a really good place where i feel i don't need anything else. i like that.

and this could even be applied in non-materialistic areas. yes... i have desires, like wanting children. but even in these types of areas, i am learning to be content with where i am at. that makes me glad. i don't want to be an old woman when i've finally learned that. i want to master it now.

my standards have changed. they may change again. but right now, i'm realizing that my life may not be perfect. but i've got it pretty good, and it will do just fine.

with that, {sorry for getting all personal on you} i hope you have a wonderful weekend, and i hope you find peace and contentment somewhere in its hours and minutes, where you are at, with what you have right now.

things i am noticing...

...how well this shade of yellow

goes with this hue of red.

this was almost another installment of my "madly falling" series, but then i realized there are only a couple days left in october, so i better do at least one more "things i am noticing, october 2009" post before the month is over. {{thanks for letting me be a part, lovely ginny.}}

self-portrait photos of the feet looking down isn't exactly a ground-breaking idea. i've seen this type of photo done a thousand times before. {{okay, maybe not a thousand, but you get the point.}} still... i've never done one effectively up until now, and i just could not resist when i saw how my yellow shoes looked among all of the little red leaves that had fallen off the shrub next to our driveway as i walked to my car thursday morning.

reason #26 i was late to work yesterday. but worth it, i'd say.

you know what else i'd say? HAPPY FRIDAY! there... i just did say it!

madly falling {part two}

.i came across the most enchanting little place.

.a mini forest of firey trees.

.dark underneath.

.sprinkled with autumn's candy.

.blanketed in quiet.

.like a grove of glowing lolli-pops.
.from the outside.

.slow-paced and inviting.

.shaded by every charm.
.that hung on every branch.

.letting in just enough light.
.to appreciate the view.

.like the center of a secret garden.
.from the inside.

.i sat quietly and took it in.
.so as not to broadcast my presence.
.or disturb this perfectly peaceful palace.

.most of the leaves have fallen by now.
.i think i'll return again next year.
.and bring a blanket.
.or a friend.
.or maybe my sweetheart.

synonymous : pleased

she challenged me with contented. i went with pleased. both meaning "satisfied with things as they are" {as is b. when he's playing his guitar on a sunday morning}.

{i also took this fun shot, for which he hammed it up a little when he realized i was photographing him.}

{{he'll be mad that i added this part... but if you think of it, please be praying for him tomorrow. he could use your prayers for something he has to face.}}

madly falling {part one}

fall would not be fall without all things wonderfully orange. this tree was no exception. it was positively divine. and there were many more just like it surrounding the place where i stood to take these... like an enchanted forest. so much more falling madly in love with fall to come.

don't overlook parking lots

working close to fifty hours last week, there wasn't a lot of time to go to all the most picturesque places for photos {especially now that it's dark outside by the time i leave work}. sometimes you have to look for beauty in the least expected places. i found it in the parking lot at work and in a driveway to another business on my way home from work. i don't care where i find beauty... just as long as i keep seeing it.

happy monday.

sooc sunday

we had another gorgeous fall day here. i spent some of it by myself taking pictures. i spent some more of it with my friend, mary... taking more pictures. now i'm home and it's time to make dinner. hope you all had a great weekend!

{oh, and just so you know... fall is my favorite season, so there are going to be a lot of fall leaves pictures around here for a while. you might be a little sick of them by the time winter arrives. i'll try to throw in some other things now and again so you don't get autumned out.}

of course, of course

.i've been spotted.

.a trot over to welcome me.

.except for one.
.who cautiously watches from afar.

.a few caresses above the nose.
.and several snapshots later.
.they were on their way.

.thanks for visiting.

had to work today. glad to have the money. not so glad to lose the time off. 'twas all worth it, though... when i saw these horses on the drive home.

oh, and i had the pleasure of seeing this beautiful tree-lined drive, too.

yep... it was a good day. any day is a good day {to me} when you are lucky enough to have work, see sights like these, and have a camera to capture them.

life's short...

{after}

{before}

{after}

{before}

{after}

{before}

i've been trying to play more lately. that is to say, i've been experimenting with my photos, taking even dull or boring shots into photoshop and playing with them until they become interesting or artistic {in my eyes, anyway}. it's been a good stretch for me to see that i can take a not so great photo, but still spice it up a little with some patience and creativity and knowledge of photoshop.

and it's putting to use my love for taking photos of things for their texture or color or light--not just their subject. those are the kind of photos that are the most fun to play around with. i'm trying to think a little outside the box and merge my love for photography and design.

i could play all day. it's endless what you can do.

i took this plain photo {above}, and played around with some effects to achieve a circular, dreamy look for my looking glass post last weekend. i ended up using a different version, but the image below is one of the ones i came up with.

i also took this "just okay" photo {below}...

and started playing around with it until i got this...

then this...

and finally this {which is my favorite one}.

like i said, i could do this all day. actually, some days i do. :)