Category: Nature Photography

Hello Beautiful. Nature’s Bounty!!!

Earth. Appreciating our amazing planet.

Some days if you ever feel stuck in a rut or at a loss for creativity and excitement, just put on your walking shoes and head outside! So much splendor and visual inspiration surround us every day. From the swaying moss on the trees to the statuesque crane full of dignity and grace.

Stop to inhale the scent of a magnolia tree, rosebush oven freshly cut grass. Take in the serenity of your local pond. Notice how everything has its calm presence and flowers gently with the slight breeze, creating a symphony of nature’s sounds. The ducks, birds, squirrels, and other inhabitants of the watering whole operate in a type of unison code leaving a show for the ages every day.

Watching the crisp blue and white vibrant sky tower overhead caps off this beautiful vision, that Rob Ross would have loved to paint. After delighting in four of the senses now let the golden sun kiss your skin, creating a euphoric feeling throughout your body. Drink it all in. There’s such a rich abundance of life, beauty, and energy all around us/ Nature’s bounty is beautiful and endless. Let yourself be immersed in this beautiful earth and be transformed by your surroundings!

Happy Holiday Rising

Let It Snow!!!

A few cool fun facts and benefits of the fluffy white stuff..

Okay, so most of you know I would much rather lounge on a sandy beach any day rather than be pelted with a snowball. And Although Hawai’i will always be home in our hearts, we have been able to appreciate the beautiful mountains and snowfalls in Denver and Boise.

Being born and raised in the Great Lake State of Michigan, I have seen my fair share of icy cold winters and blistering winds but there are also some amazing joys that the snow brings as well. Aside from making snowmen, snowangels and igloos, a beautiful crisp white snowfall on the perfect winter’s night is an amzing sight to behold. For many, skiing, ice skating, sledding and so many other outdoor winter hobbies are every bit worth the wait for the other 3 seasons.

Here are some cool facts and benefits about snow that you may not be aware of:

1. Snow helps to insulate the ground below, holding in heat and preventing moisture from evaporating into the atmosphere.

2. It takes about one hour for a snow flake to reach the ground

3. No two snowflakes are alike

4.There must be pollen or dust in the air for snow to form

5.All snowflakes have six sides.

So the next time you are able to enjoy a beautiful snow fall, grab your boots, hat and gloves and get out there!!

Happy Holiday Rising!!

Oh what a time we had in Breckendridge Colorado!

Tis the season to be Jolly, 

I wish I had the proper words to describe the pristine beauty sitting atop the Colorado rockies. The mountains were exploding with pops of vibrant green through the pillow of white cloudy puffy snow! Sprinkles of sunshine danced off of the leaves and snowflakes creating an absolute marvel of a sight and experience!

We recently had the pleasure of celebrating Colin’s birthday at the Grand Lodge at peak 7 in Breckenridge and  it was a ski lover’s dream!  Or better yet a winter vacation lovers dream as I did not ski. But there was so much more than shredding to do in order to fall in love with this magical setting. Strolling down main street while stopping in and out of the many boutique shops and restaurants was like being transported straight into a Hallmark movie in Evergreen!

Back atop the mountain the luxurious and magnificently large resort had enough to keep you busy for weeks! From the moment we checked in, I knew it was going to be a transformative trip.

Most often, my thoughts of paradise take me  to the water during summertime or tropical locations like home in Hawai’i. However, I must say after my recent ski trip, I can strongly see the lure of the mountains, hot chocolate, and snow. While I tried to snowboard and participate with Colin, Ace and Kinngston, I often found myself on my backside, appreciating the glorious views and wonder from my backside. This however, did not deter my fun for the day, as I have discovered a new way to get down the mountain… It’s called a sled.

The boys however, had an absolute ball and as they ascended up the mountain lift after lift to do more challenging runs, I headed back to the inviting hotel lobby to watch college football, meet new friends and appreciate the lodge’s rustic yet modern charm. Here, I was fortunate enough to meet Valdene, from Jamaica, who solidified the entire experience of the Grand Lodge at Peak 7  by offering warm yet amazingly efficient service! I can see why her spot was so popular. Service like this is why vacationers come back to the same resort year after year! I may be hooked!

Happy Holidays!

Falling for Fall!

Okay, I have to say that I am becoming a fall and winter convert. Yes, although I believe myself to be a true creature of the sun and humidity, I am coming around to the lure of the two seasons following spring and summer.

I used to dread the first frost, chilly wind gusts and changing leaf color, and now I am beginning to embrace the beauty of fall and its many wonders. The color splash of beauty is at the very top of my fall fav list. There is something about grabbing a look at the vibrant colors of leaves, grass, and sunkissed sky that leaves particular warming of the heart. I even used to be what they call a Halloween grinch and now since having the boys, I have adopted a no holds barred take on Halloween, taking in all of the many fun and ritualistic decorating glory!

I have found that our Halloween prep starts officially October 1st allowing for a full month of Trick or Treating delight, making fun treats, crafting fall items, and watching scary or Disney/Scary movies help to add wonder and glee to this formally cold and forlorn month for me. Of course November 1st we pull out all of the Thanksgiving Decorations which if planned out right involves a lot of the October, orange, gold, and red festive designs so it seems that full respect is being paid towards the family gathering of Thanksgiving. Which then leads to the Grand Daddy of them all…..Christmas. Yes, the Christmas tree and all decorations go up immediately after Thanksgiving allowing for full attention to the Countdown to Christmas!!! Even writing this post has me all aglow with the holiday preparations and excitement.

Thank you to fall for ushering in such exciting times!

XOXO Holiday Rising

Nature’s Refuge

Simplicity in a time of chaos.

Beautiful Aurora Reservoir

In today’s times it is so abundantly clear that there are not enough hours in the day to accomplish all of the items on our to-do lists. Everyone seems to be  racing at light speed to get here or there, shuttling kids to one gathering to another, impressing clients, or bosses to climb up the corporate ladder. 

While hurling through life at warp speed to reach goals and milestones, everyone seems to just be getting their actual life spoon fed to them by means of social media, phone messages and endless texts. Everything rushed, nothing truly appreciated.

I enjoy and need my time walking, hiking or jogging in nature to force myself to unplug from the noise. Engaging with the beauty of our earth and bonding with it on the most basic of levels has a powerful calming yet strengthening effect that is unparalleled in technology.

I understand that for most of us, technology, gadgets, social media and advancements are all necessary and even extremely entertaining, but it is also important to remain mindful of the wonder surrounding us all everyday. 

The sky on a beautiful day, after a hard rain storm the night before, holds a magical lure of promise and wonder. The golden sun glistening on supple skin provides an immediate energy boost. The capture of pure water as it caps and crests while gleaming and splashing about on a beautiful lake, pond, or even better the ocean can be transformative.

These are all examples of pure joy and love wrapped in a delicate yet sturdy bow for everyone to enjoy. Watching how deer, eagles, ducks and squirrels glide through life living out their purpose in harmony, helps to calm the spirit and focus on our own goals with grace and less urgency.  Nature is a natural connection to the universe and connecting with people from far and wide also helps to steady oneself. Understanding that there are so many perspectives, cultures and unique ways to appreciate the earth and each other is something to definitely marvel at. Appreciating life’s true treasures like family, friends, and nature is a brilliant way to connect with our community at large, our families and friends with a deeper sense of purpose and belonging.

Happy Holiday Rising.

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