Fall in my New Neighborhood

For a while now, I've been making a conscious effort to practice gratitude.  I believe in looking for the good.  I don't always succeed, but I'm trying.  We recently moved, and I absolutely adore our neighborhood.  I love fall - the colors, the crisp air, the feel of a warm coffee cup in my hands, corduroys, boots, scarves, the whole shebang.  I couldn't wait to explore the lake that our house backs up to.  It is riddled with bridges, foliage, picnic benches, a walking path around the entire lake, and lots of interesting nooks and crannies.  This morning, I popped out of bed and my camera and I went on a walk.  The steam was rising off of the lake.  It was so beautiful.  I couldn't help being immensely grateful for my surroundings.  Here are a few of the photos I took.

This is the view from our backyard.  This morning was beautiful - crisp fall air causing steam to rise from the lake.

      A tree canopy

Beautiful leaves

 The ripple of a creature stirring in the lake.

 Beautiful light.

 A pretty bridge surrounded by fall foliage.

That leads into a wooded area.

 Another pretty bridge.  I picture families here getting photos taken.

So picturesque.

 The splendor of fall.

 A shaded nook full of plants, stones, a bridge and even a bench to sit and enjoy nature.

Go out and enjoy the beauty around you this week.  Be present.  Be grateful.

Fall foliage

I needed to breathe.  I needed to just be.  Not to think about all of the things I needed to do, just to have some unwind time.  So I took off with my camera to appreciate the beauty around me.  How often do we stop and smell the roses, and appreciate God's beauty?  I highly recommend it.  There is much to appreciate.

     The beauty of changing leaves.

The whistling of the wind.

 The colors.

 The tranquility.

      The sound of trickling water.  

 The beauty of a lone leaf.

The colors, the leaves, the peace.

I am restored.

Orange, Crisp, Lovely Fall

I got up early this morning to snap some photos in the golden light of sunrise.  I'm participating in the Nurture Fall Photography Challenge over at Bumbles and Light and Live and Love Out Loud .   I am loving it!  I love this weather, and I love that it gets me out practicing my shooting.  The orange is quickly disappearing from the trees, though.  I am late getting this posted, because it has been a crazy busy week, and I swear three days ago, there were absolutely beautiful orange leaves right next to the driveway, and I went out this morning, and they had all disappeared!  Time moves oh so fast!  Get out and enjoy the beautiful weather!

These are my favorites.  The lighting is delicious!  So worth getting  up early on a Saturday.  

 On the photo below, I added a FREE texture from Shadowhouse Creations.  I used the November   2011 collection.  Love!

     Another free texture from the October Collection at Shadowhouse Creations.

 

 One good thing about commuting is watching the beautiful sunrises.  I pulled over to snap a photo   as the sun was rising in front of a field of hay bales.

   Have a glorious day!