Not in Tennesee, but in Indiana. Every year, my sister and our husbands take a child-less trip to Nashville, Indiana, in Brown County. This year was a great trip, Sarah and I ate a record number of waffle cones (four in 48 hours) and shopped…a lot. We were just doing our part to boost the economy, who says we aren’t helpful?
This year started out differently for me. As we pulled into the condo parking lot, I started to feel sad, like something was missing. As Sarah and I began walking through stores, all I could think about were James and Jake. Multiple times I thought about how both Sarah and I should be holding the twins as we shopped. When we first walked into our favorite store, we saw the owner who we talk to every year. She’s a wonderful, talented woman with an amazing personality. She greeted us and I could not look at her, I think I felt so uncomfortable looking at her because I didn’t want her to look into my eyes and see my grief. I didn’t want her to ask any questions about home or our family. So, I avoided her.
After we left that store, Sarah said “do you find it hard to believe that she (the store owner) has no idea what you have been through this year?” And that is exactly what I was thinking about. It was amazing to me that she asked me that because that is precisely what was going through my mind and in my heart. I wanted to bring that up to her but I didn’t want to bring my sadness into our trip that we had look forward to so much, so I kept those thoughts to myself, but Sarah just knew what I was thinking and that was a relief.
Fortunately, my mood lightened over time and we did have such a great time. It was so much fun to me to be able to capture Brown County with my camera as we walked the streets.
Here are some pictures I took. If these pictures don’t make you feel like it’s fall, then come on over and smell my candles that are burning right now.
This is just one of many historic log cabins that exists there. Aren’t they amazing?
It’s amazing what you can see if you pay attention.
I love the way these leaves look like they are resting inside this giant leaf. They make it look so comfortable.
One of our favorite stores. So appropriate.
This is part of the old jailhouse, these were in the women’s cell. Creepy. Almost as creepy as the two headed calf they brought into the cell in the early 1900′s and NEVER took out.
Amazing sky.
Best freakin’ pizza ever. We eat at this restaurant both nights we are there. It’s THAT good, friends.
Pretty Sarah. I would have included pictures of me in the post, but I’m afraid my cheeks wouldn’t fit in the the post. Also, the shine on my forehead is so bright that it would most certainly blind you. And we can’t have that. Hey, I’m just looking out for you.
Beth, thanks so much for sharing those beautiful pictures. You make me want to go out and buy a camera that can accomplish that. Unfortunately I think taking pictures and playing the piano would be treatd the same way by me – wanting to be good without the practice!
Glad you had a good time. That pizza looks absolutely delish!
Beth, thanks so much for sharing those beautiful pictures. You make me want to go out and buy a camera that can accomplish that. Unfortunately I think taking pictures and playing the piano would be treatd the same way by me – wanting to be good without the practice!
Glad you had a good time. That pizza looks absolutely delish!
Beautiful pictures!! I’m so glad you’re back and that you had a good visit with your Sister!! I love that she knew how to vocalize what you were thinking….Sisters are great!
Beautiful pictures!! I’m so glad you’re back and that you had a good visit with your Sister!! I love that she knew how to vocalize what you were thinking….Sisters are great!
You have the best camera EVER! My gosh. Those shots are amazing.
You have the best camera EVER! My gosh. Those shots are amazing.
hey beth…glad you had a great trip…pictures are beautiful, so many favorites…especially the leaf and jail one..you’ve probably heard this a million times but you and your sister look alike!
p/s i need a mailing address to mail you your gift
hey beth…glad you had a great trip…pictures are beautiful, so many favorites…especially the leaf and jail one..you’ve probably heard this a million times but you and your sister look alike!
p/s i need a mailing address to mail you your gift
Your photography is just mahvelous my dear….
Your photography is just mahvelous my dear….
I’ve been doing a little blog hopping this evening in an attempt to liven up my Google Reader, and I am SO happy to have come across your site. Your photos are simply gorgeous! Lovely, lovely, lovely!
I’ve been doing a little blog hopping this evening in an attempt to liven up my Google Reader, and I am SO happy to have come across your site. Your photos are simply gorgeous! Lovely, lovely, lovely!
You have taken some beautiful pictures. The color is so rich. Good stuff. And I can’t believe both you and your sister chopped your hair off. It looks great.
You have taken some beautiful pictures. The color is so rich. Good stuff. And I can’t believe both you and your sister chopped your hair off. It looks great.
Beth,
I’m from Indy and living in the no-season-having FL. Thank you so much for bringing a little of the beauty of fall to me.
I’m glad that your sister was with you through this emotional trip. We should always have our most loved with us when we’re struggling.
Beth,
I’m from Indy and living in the no-season-having FL. Thank you so much for bringing a little of the beauty of fall to me.
I’m glad that your sister was with you through this emotional trip. We should always have our most loved with us when we’re struggling.
Beth,
I just love your photography. You have such talent! Thanks for sharing with us. I love coming to Laundry for both the beauty of you words, and your images!
Beth,
I just love your photography. You have such talent! Thanks for sharing with us. I love coming to Laundry for both the beauty of you words, and your images!
You’ve really outdone yourself with those photos. Thanks for sharing your snippets of fall with us! It sounds like a very relaxing trip. Glad you had fun. And if I ever get to Indiana, you must tell me where that pizza place is because it looks sooo yummy!
You’ve really outdone yourself with those photos. Thanks for sharing your snippets of fall with us! It sounds like a very relaxing trip. Glad you had fun. And if I ever get to Indiana, you must tell me where that pizza place is because it looks sooo yummy!
I love the pictures! I’m so glad you had some quality time with your sister and the husbands- it’s good for the soul, isn’t it?
I love the pictures! I’m so glad you had some quality time with your sister and the husbands- it’s good for the soul, isn’t it?
AWESOME shots!! Just beautiful….so glad you had a great time in the end!! Yay for adult time….and gorgeous scenery!!
AWESOME shots!! Just beautiful….so glad you had a great time in the end!! Yay for adult time….and gorgeous scenery!!
Technical question: Do you enrich your colors on Picasa or Photoshop? Your photos are just beyond words.
Technical question: Do you enrich your colors on Picasa or Photoshop? Your photos are just beyond words.
Chelsea,
To edit my photos, I currently use Picasa. I typically sharpen, then shade and sometimes I will use a slight saturation, but only in about 30% of my pictures. For those that don’t know, Picasa is free (http://picasa.google.com/) and awesome, but does have limitations. I am currently trying to teach myself to use Photoshop!.
Chelsea,
To edit my photos, I currently use Picasa. I typically sharpen, then shade and sometimes I will use a slight saturation, but only in about 30% of my pictures. For those that don’t know, Picasa is free (http://picasa.google.com/) and awesome, but does have limitations. I am currently trying to teach myself to use Photoshop!.
Your pictures are soooo pretty. And *hugs* to you ’cause it’s Wednesday.
Your pictures are soooo pretty. And *hugs* to you ’cause it’s Wednesday.
Those pictures are amazing. You are such a great photographer.
Those pictures are amazing. You are such a great photographer.
I loved all of the pictures! I love fall
I am amazed at how you constantly are able to turn your grief into something good. A better perspective….or just true beautiful pain. I hope you understand what I mean when I say your grief is beautiful. You still have the desire to be hopeful and happy. Basically in my eyes….you rawk!
I loved all of the pictures! I love fall
I am amazed at how you constantly are able to turn your grief into something good. A better perspective….or just true beautiful pain. I hope you understand what I mean when I say your grief is beautiful. You still have the desire to be hopeful and happy. Basically in my eyes….you rawk!
Wow. So many words to sum up that post:
For one, your photography is breath taking. Truly. What a beautiful talent to possess and I love the fact knowing that it is bringing you comfort and pleasure. You capture the beauty through that shutter that makes us slow down, take a moment and breathe in the beauty around us.
Secondly, how I love reading about your relationship with your sister. Despite the things that the two of you have shared of late, I see the beauty in your relationship that I haven’t seen in a long time in siblings. I often tell people that I think that I know what it is like to be a twin because my sister and I are that close and have that connection; that comforting all knowing bond. The way you describe your adventures and tribulations together, I feel like I am on that journey with my sister with all of the paths that we have gone down in our lives. You and your sister truly have something special and I love how you give acknowledgement to it all of the time. It is precious.
Wow. So many words to sum up that post:
For one, your photography is breath taking. Truly. What a beautiful talent to possess and I love the fact knowing that it is bringing you comfort and pleasure. You capture the beauty through that shutter that makes us slow down, take a moment and breathe in the beauty around us.
Secondly, how I love reading about your relationship with your sister. Despite the things that the two of you have shared of late, I see the beauty in your relationship that I haven’t seen in a long time in siblings. I often tell people that I think that I know what it is like to be a twin because my sister and I are that close and have that connection; that comforting all knowing bond. The way you describe your adventures and tribulations together, I feel like I am on that journey with my sister with all of the paths that we have gone down in our lives. You and your sister truly have something special and I love how you give acknowledgement to it all of the time. It is precious.
just out of curiosity, what kind of camera are you shooting with, and are you using the pop up flash or do you have an on-camera mount?
just out of curiosity, what kind of camera are you shooting with, and are you using the pop up flash or do you have an on-camera mount?
Jenny, I use the Nikon D80. I actually try to avoid using my flash, hate it, really. The only picture posted where a flash was used was with the pizza. When I do use a flash, it’s your everyday pop up flash!
Jenny, I use the Nikon D80. I actually try to avoid using my flash, hate it, really. The only picture posted where a flash was used was with the pizza. When I do use a flash, it’s your everyday pop up flash!
Wow, I REALLY want to get to Brown County now in the fall. And I’m longing for that pizza again! Thanks for the photo log of your trip. The pictures are fantastic, as always. I’m SO glad you had a great time with your sister. You two have the most awesome bond and you’re both so damn cute!
Wow, I REALLY want to get to Brown County now in the fall. And I’m longing for that pizza again! Thanks for the photo log of your trip. The pictures are fantastic, as always. I’m SO glad you had a great time with your sister. You two have the most awesome bond and you’re both so damn cute!
Thanks so much for posting these (amazing!) pics… the conference I’m working on is in Indy in 2 weeks! And, one of the things we put together is a tour where they do a cooking school in Bloomington and then head over to Brown County for some shopping. I am so excited for the folks that sign up now… what a perfect time of year to go!
How far are you from Indy, Beth?? We missed each other in Chicago…will we have to miss each other again?
Thanks so much for posting these (amazing!) pics… the conference I’m working on is in Indy in 2 weeks! And, one of the things we put together is a tour where they do a cooking school in Bloomington and then head over to Brown County for some shopping. I am so excited for the folks that sign up now… what a perfect time of year to go!
How far are you from Indy, Beth?? We missed each other in Chicago…will we have to miss each other again?
Wow Beth! You are seriously an amazing photographer! I love all the pictures! I love your family tradition and I think I will have to tell my sister that we should start something similar with our husbands!
Btw: your sister is pretty!!! Oh and I’m SURE the pictures of you are not bad at all! Where’s your confidence!?
Wow Beth! You are seriously an amazing photographer! I love all the pictures! I love your family tradition and I think I will have to tell my sister that we should start something similar with our husbands!
Btw: your sister is pretty!!! Oh and I’m SURE the pictures of you are not bad at all! Where’s your confidence!?
I have never been to Brown County and by looking at these amazing photos, I was to go. Glad you had a great time….and oooh that pizza looked heavenly.
I have never been to Brown County and by looking at these amazing photos, I was to go. Glad you had a great time….and oooh that pizza looked heavenly.
Beautiful pictures! I went to school at IU, and I miss that whole area at this time of year. My husband and I used to stay in Nashville every Fall Break, but we haven’t gone in a few years… we need to get back in that habit.
Beautiful pictures! I went to school at IU, and I miss that whole area at this time of year. My husband and I used to stay in Nashville every Fall Break, but we haven’t gone in a few years… we need to get back in that habit.