Just some shots from home. Because home always feels good. There's something about familiar territory--snuggling down in your own cotton sheets on your own bed; the songs of your own crickets outside your own window; the sun melting over familiar mountains. I can never sleep as well as when I am at home, but that doesn't stop me from loving travel.
We returned from Idaho this last Monday. It was a refreshing time, despite our van overheating and breaking down in 109 degree weather on a dusty, dry stretch. But the Lord took care of us, and the pines and the lake and the campfires and the bike trails made up for it all. I biked 70 miles in 5 days, and I discovered how much I truly love it.
For now, and from this last week, there have been and will be:
olympics || sun-flecked lake waters || 20 mile bike rides || early morning runs || art galleries || watercoloring pinterest finds || golden hours || princess braids || melty ice cream || fresh blackberries || best friends
...and can I tell you a not-so-secret-secret? My 17th birthday is in four days. I wish I had some wise thoughts on the aging process, but I don't. I only feel a little bit scared, a little bit remorseful, and a lot excited for a new year.
And no matter what it holds, I can't promise I'll be ready, but I know God will.
Music: "You Make Me Smile" by Uncle Kracker
Great movie/pics. I love the one of the painting.
ReplyDeleteJust out of curiosity, When will you be announcing the July photo challenge finalists?
I turned 17 two days ago :) Not all that much different from 16 thus far... :)
ReplyDelete-Betsy
i have that exact same feeling, traveling is good, but i always love to come home to the old familiarities. beautifully captured photos! hope your seventeenth birthday is great lucia! :)
ReplyDeleteAmazingly gorgeous video. Why, you were just a few miles south of my stomping grounds! It was a joy to see places I love captured so beautifully.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
--Kellie
P.S. Is that art gallery in the CDA area? If it is, methinks I need to visit:)
These photos are spectacular!
ReplyDeleteI love the second and fourth photos. I'm happy you had a memorable time.
ReplyDeleteI love love love this video, Lucia! The moonlight on the bay was the most beautiful thing I've seen in a long time! And what a lovely place to go camping. My family loves to camp but we haven't been able to go for years because of one thing or another. We're planning a trip for the fall, though! I can't wait. :) Oh yes--and I loved your choice of music for the background. <3
ReplyDeleteThis was amazing. I mean, you captured so much within three minutes, and the music was just perfect. I absolutely positively loved it ♥
ReplyDelete~Molly~
mollyslittlecorner.blogspot.com
Home is always the best place. It's something to look forward to as your travel home from trips. Happy, happy birthday, Lucia!!! Have a blessed, fun, exciting day of celebrating! And be sure to eat lots of cake and ice cream...
ReplyDeletei love the photos!! and the video. :) Happy 17th, Lucia!! Hope you have a good day. :) Where in Idaho did you guys go?
ReplyDelete-Carli
This video is very good Lucia! These photos are some of your best I think! I ADORE the first and 2nd one :)) And 'you make me smile" love that song. Almost 17? :) I turned 17 a week or so ago, and the night before I did, IO wrote everything I had done, seen and accomplished since being 16. i was glad I journald it because I had even forgotten about some things :))
ReplyDeleteI love these pictures, Lucia, and your video is gorgeous. :) How do you focus on all those different things while video-ing? {I just got my Nikon D3100, so I'm very curious. Ha.} I think you use the manual focusing, right?
ReplyDeleteOkay. Now back to your post. HAPPY 17th BIRTHDAY, GIRL! Wow. May it be the best yet--blessed, and happy. :)
Keep up the good work--you are seriously one of my favorite photographers/bloggers. :)
xo,
Mikailah @ finding beauty
www.maid4him.blogspot.com
Beautiful video - I love that song so much. Also, I know exactly what you mean... I'm quickly learning that there's no place like home :)
ReplyDeletexo
I have to agree with what you said: "Because home always feels good. There's something about familiar territory--snuggling down in your own cotton sheets on your own bed; the songs of your own crickets outside your own window; the sun melting over familiar mountains. I can never sleep as well as when I am at home, but that doesn't stop me from loving travel." Nothing will ever feel as good as being home again. :) I think you got that ingrained in your brain pretty well. :)
ReplyDeleteI love your 'home shots'. They are amazing. But tell me, are you the artist???? Or is that your sister? I assume those photos there are from Pinterest since I've seen them countless times there?! :P I get a lot of my inspiration from there too. :) Whoever the artist is, they're great!
And I love that photo of your hair; it's awesome. :)
hugs, Lucia!
Oh so gorgeous Lucia!!
ReplyDeleteLooks like you had an amazing vacation. Enjoy these last few days of summer! :)
ReplyDeleteeve @ essence of eve
Love your pictures, Lucia! :) Looks like you've been having fun.
ReplyDeleteGreat post.
God bless you!
Joy :)
Well happy early birthday to you!
ReplyDelete~Aidyl
The video made me smile! :) (And def. a good choice of song!!!)
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed that video! It was incredibly sweet and not "overdone." That first picture was really cute ;-)
ReplyDelete-Gabby
I just wanted to tell you....
ReplyDeleteYou aren't very good to your readers. You kept promising for quite some time that you post pictures from photo shoots, engagements, weddings, etc. Guess what you haven't posted? And what happened to photo challenges? I mean really, how long would it take you to write a blog post here and there.
Just letting ya know.
~A Friend
Well. I didn't expect this! haha ..my readers know I have a life and are sweetly patient with me. I love them. :) And in case you haven't noticed, I have posted more photo shoots in the past two months than I have all last year!
DeletePicture posts take several hours to put together, believe it or not, and I don't remember promising a wedding shoot...but whatever. :) The photo challenge finalists will be announced when I have the time to put the post together. I am not "held" to my photo challenges; I try to get them out soon but they really take quite a bit of time.
I thank you for your concern, but really, my blog is my blog and it is not my life. If you wish to argue further with me on this matter, feel free to e-mail me. :)
lucia, i am so impressed with how well you respond to unkind comments. i saw this anon comment earlier, but didn't want to get involved. now i just want to tell you how admirable the way that you handled this situation is. you are such a huge role model to me! :)
DeleteDear Lucia,
DeleteAs Hope above me said, I was so impressed by how you replied to this unkind comment. You were very gracious, and it has really stood out to me. Wonderful job answering. (I agree about picture posts taking forever post!)
Blessings,
~Alysha
Lucia,
DeleteAs the girls ahead of me said I am so impressed how you replied to this! Whoever left this was not kind at all and it is so not true! You are very good to your readers and this is not your life and I am not perfect either!!!
Love you!
Happy Birthday, Lucia! You don't know how much of a blessing each of your posts are to me:-) I look forward to them, and am excited every time one shows up in my dashboard/inbox.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely adore that song you used, and your video was perfectly matched. It looked like you had a beautiful time with your family=)
In Christ,
Sierra
www.hishandmaiden.com
hey! you totally totally have a talent with the camera-keep it up!!! you do amazing work.
ReplyDeleteGod bless u forever-Oriana
Lucia,
ReplyDeleteI was wondering if you might like to be interviewed on my blog for part of a modest fashion blog party I am hosting-- this September/October. If so, please email me (jrkautt81@gmail.com) and I will give you the details. :)
Thanks!
Blessings,
Johanna
Hey Lucia!!!
ReplyDeleteI saw on your blog a few days ago your birthday was in a few days so I made a note to myself to say happy birthday to you! I THINK I might be the first (blog person) to wish you happy birthday and I hope so, but HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!
I just love your blog so much and I remember you turning 16 because that was just about when I started blogging! You are such an encouragement to me and I hope you will still keep blogging for a long time to come! Thank you for the encouragement you have left me at my blog different times and I would totally send you a b-day present if I could!!!
Anyway, Happy birthday dear and I hope you have had a great day and I can't wait to hear about it in a post!!! :)
Love you girl!!!
~Ireland~