IT IS FALL! (scream it from the rooftops!)

To say that Fall is my favorite season... and that October is my favorite month... could be total understatements. The cooler air, the colors, the campfires, the pumpkin spices, the apples... THE HOODIES AND SWEATSHIRT/PANTS! ((sigh))

Yes, I get that jazzed about this time of the year. 

Today I am going to share some of my favorite "fall images" from recent years with you on the blog... keep in mind that I hope to add more to the collection this Fall. Always clicking. Always looking. Enjoy! 

Karlene took this two years ago for a Photo Hunt/Challenge. I love it when she is "into" photography and looking at the world. She's not as "into" it as she once was right now, but she still has her moments. 

I captured this at Elephant Rocks State Park two years ago. 

This image is from Flamingo Key Bed and Breakfast last fall. I had never done work of this nature before for a B and B, but am glad Mr. April and his wife took a chance on me. Their B and B is lovely! Check it out: http://www.flamingokeybedandbreakfast.com

Above is from Bommarito Estate Almond Tree Winery. I love Cathy Bommarito and think she and her dad (heck, her whole family!) have created a lovely place that makes quality wine. I love going out there at times just to visit with her and click some photos. Here's more details: http://www.bommaritoestatewinery.com/home.html

Sometimes for my "day job" when my students are in a contest, I am left to just... wait. So I often make sure I have a camera. This was at Drury University a few years ago for a Broadcast contest/conference. Springfield, Mo is such a lovely town!  

Speaking of Springfield, the image above hails from there, too! 

Elephant Rocks State Park two years ago. 

Two years ago, the road near Wilderness Lodge Resort close to Lesterville, MO. Hopeful to sneak in a night there again this Oct with my daughter. This place is just heavenly. There's so many times I wish instead of a huge summer break, I had a HUGE fall break! 

My heart just melts! Look at this girl! Wilderness Lodge Resort, two years ago... and my she has grown since then! 

The "K" and the "M" (she often says, "Hey M... (pauses) O M") at an overlook in the Ozarks two years ago! Lovely place!  

Wine. Yep. October is WINERY SEASON! Two years ago at Robller... one of my favorite places in New Haven. Good wine, GREAT PEOPLE, fantastic views... in fact plan to head that way later tonight to see a sunset and possibly some balloons to photograph for an IOU for a client from a few years ago! http://www.robllerwines.com

Photos by MK Designs! 
Have a fantastic FALL and thank you for stopping by! 

Let's Get Lost Somewhere...

Finally really "feeling" my favorite season kick in here in Missouri... and today as I came out from a nearly 11 1/2 hour "hibernation" it hit me... I wanted to go explore. 

I posted this on facebook as I woke from my slumber...

Literally, within a few minutes, my friend Christy texted me. 

"What are you doing today?" (and NO she hadn't seen what I'd posted on facebook just minutes before!) 

Soon, it came to us deciding to get out my map and figure out what was between us that we could find and "get lost" in the woods together! 

Canaan Conservation Area was the ticket! http://mdc4.mdc.mo.gov/applications/moatlas/AreaSummaryPage.aspx?txtAreaID=8106

She came up from Eldon, MO and I came from Union, MO and we literally pulled on to the road to the area from opposite directions at the same time. Priceless.

We took her buddy Taz out with us on at least two miles of walking up and down hills. 

We drove around the area a bit, and decided since it was dinner time, perhaps some snacks and a little quick livation at a winery nearby would be the perfect reward for our day. 

Wenwood Farm Winery was the perfect choice. They even dealt with us running in right at closing time with Taz. http://www.wenwoodfarmwinery.com 

It was a lovely day and only inspired me to get home and work on a project for an upcoming show in Owensville based on Gasconade County, Mo. I came up with this, and just need to figure out what format to print: canvas, paper, or... there's actually lots of options.

What a great day here in Missouri. Monday is going to be a kick in my rear, but this weekend was priceless! 

MK Designs - Sept 2014

PS Thank you for visiting and for your support, but please don't steal my work. If you want to order something, let me know! :-)

The Mondays... and what is good for the soul

Today was indeed a "case of the Mondays" - there were so many moments, I kept thinking to myself I had to be on that old Candid Camera show... that at some point someone would step out and say this was a big joke.

However, that did NOT happen.

Inhale.

Exhale.

Repeat.

And, that's when it hit me, that I need to do more of what makes my soul happy. 

My Photo II students were doing a Photo Walk of 15 items. I went with them. 

"Walking"

"Creative"

Today I found 5 of the 15 on the photo walk list and am happy with the results. Plan to do the remaining 10 as we continue this journey. 

"Selfie"

"Texture" 

Yes, I am doing the assignment with them. It makes my soul happy. 

"Tiny"

This got me to thinking of this "word art" I like about things that, in general, do the soul "good" - thought I'd share it today... especially if you have a "case of the Mondays" rockin! 

MK Designs Sept 2014

Summer 2014 Blogger Challenge #31... CELEBRATE!

I finally did it. 

It took longer than I thought it would, but how fitting that I not only completed the 31 topics of the Summer Blogger Challenge I started, but that the last one would be from yesterday "Labor Day" aka the official "end" of summer. 

This is a list of all 31 topics I covered... 

Now, I am going to CELEBRATE with images from Labor Day... a quick moment to CELEBRATE not just Summer 2014, but who I am and who my daughter is. 

We enjoy nature, life, each other... and so much more. 

These moments with her I cherish. I pray one day she looks back and has the same viewpoint... that our time together was well-spent. 

I love you, Karlene. More than you shall ever know. :-)

Here is our quick trip to Little Indian Creek Conservation Area. Here's a pdf handout about this area: http://extra.mdc.mo.gov/documents/area_brochures/7837.pdf

MK Designs Sept 2014 
Thank you for visiting!