park mornings | find beauty friday

Now that 5 year old girlfriend is in Kindergarden until 2:00, I get the morning with 2 year old girlfriend, just the two of us.  One of her favorite places to go is the "big pak" next to the Sewickley YMCA.  Last week, instead of parking next to the park, we parked a little bit farther away so we could hike to get to the park.  With the leaves changing to beautiful vibrant yellows, oranges, and reds, we had to stop a few times to capture nature at her finest along the way.

As much as I was dreading the change in season, I have really enjoyed Fall this year.  For the first time I am really taking in the scenes and doing my best to live in the moment.  Perfect time of the year to rediscover Netflix, crochet, and warm lemon water.  

What are your favorite things about Fall?  What are your favorite Fall activities?

linking up with Aimee and Casey today!

sunday stroll {entertainment}

It was chilly this weekend, so I spent most of my time
inside watching the Harry Potter marathon on ABC Family
both Saturday and Sunday.  That may seem really lame to you
Muggles, but it personally made my weekend.
However, husband did come downstairs and make me get off the couch
yesterday for a nice long walk through Sewickley on our last day of house-sitting
to catch some rays and get some fresh air.
Here are a few of my moments I captured while on said walk.

This is my second favorite street in Sewickley.  I was happy to capture a rare moment without Sunday drivers or cars parked on the street. 

Husband catching up after his detour to go to the little boys room. 

Clouds when we reached the top. 

 
My sisters's friend's family lives here.  I love the driveway leading down to the house in rain, snow, fall, spring/summer or sun.  It is always beautiful.

I was kinda bummed I left my camera behind.  Good thing I literally always have my iPhone on me though.

Now for some music to hopefully brighten up your day.
I am always excited when a favorite releases new music.
Phoenix released their first album since 2009 last month.
To say I am excited is an understatement.  I hope you enjoy
as much as I do:) 

Phoenix - "Entertainment" 

Headline from this day on
Why you keep pretending that you wanna let go?
Do. Do you wanna let go?
Loud volume turn to low low low low low low

What you want and what you do to me
I’ll take the trouble that you have in mind

Entertainment
Show them what you do with me
When everyone here knows better
What I once refused to be
Is everything they long together
I’d rather be alone

I love, I love, I love, I notice
I heard it all before I died
Before I knew you
Once upon a time would take too long, long, long, long, long, long

What you want and what you do to me
I’ll take the trouble that you have in mind

Entertainment
Show them what you do with me
When everyone here knows better
What I once refused to be
Is everything they long together
I’d rather be alone

linking up with:

       

Scavenger Hunt Sunday

My week was rather uneventful which is always lovely.  The calm before the Thanksgiving holiday storm.  Therefore, and without further adieu, I'll get right to this week's prompts: Vision, Strong, Buttons, Map and Favorite Fruit.

1) Buttons.

Buttons on my keyboard.  

 2) Favorite Fruit. 

I love Pomegranate.  But rarely get one since a) they are incredibly expensive and 2) a pain in the ass to open.  Well I caved when I saw them at our local and cheap grocery store ($1.79/Pomegranate - is that a deal?).  It has been sitting in my kitchen all week begging to be opened and seeded.  I finally got around to it today.  And ladies and gents, and thanks to the all knowing google machine, there is an easy and quick way to seed a Pomegranate.  I have a feeling Pomegranates will be a regular in our kitchen from now on:)

 3) Maps. 

Being that the only map we have in the house is one of Oregon I decided to photograph my favorite place my husband and I visited when we toured the state way back in 2008: Breitenbush Hot Springs. 

 4) Strong. 

This log is strong enough to hold me and a family of four.  

 5) Vision. 

I am beyond grateful for my vision.  Otherwise, I would miss the beauty of the sun coming through bare trees creating lovely shadows. 

WOOP!  Actually blogging a SHS on a Sunday.  

Hope everyone has had a nice and rejuvenating weekend.  I haven't been able to sleep in all weekend but have woken up refreshed regardless.  I am looking forward to this holiday week and cannot wait to stuff my face.  

Cheers! 

Linking up with: 

a day late...

Lately I have not been carrying my DSLR around with me like I used to.  That needs to change.  My remedy; start participating in Sunday Scavenger Hunt hosted by Ashley Sisk over at Ramblings & Photos again. Hoping this helps to motivate and inspire me on a weekly basis.  I have been in need of both recently.

Last weeks prompts were:  Nature, Vintage or Retro, Whimsical, Cooking and Week's Best.  Here are my interpretations (a day late)...

1) Cooking.

I do not cook or bake.  And I honestly have no interest in learning.  Luckily I have a husband who does not mind it.  Otherwise I would be most likely still be eating Pierogies and Lima Beans from the can.  However, I do make a mean oatmeal.  That is the extent of my "cooking."  

 2) Nature.

Pittsburgh had fabulous weather this weekend.  Yesterday it got up to 70!  Our last hurrah before Winter finally takes over.  I'll take it though!  Anwayyyyy, on weekends husband and I like to walk to our favorite breakfast joint in Ambridge (a suburb approximately 40 mins NW of Pittsburgh), The Maple.  We go at least once during the weekend for a cheap but delicious breakfast when we don't feel like making our own or we are out of whatever we need.  Over the Summer we got into the habit of walking  there (approximately 2 miles each way) as a way to get exercise and enjoy some fresh air.  Since it was so nice yesterday, we decided to continue with this tradition.  The above was taken on our way back.  I love when nature invades civilization. 

 3) Vintage/Retro

This is a corner shelving unit in our dining room.  It has pretty much been the only thing in my house that I have gotten around to "decorating" even though we have lived here for just over 2 years.  On the top shelf is one of my favorite antique shop finds; an old Kodak Duex and the second to bottom shelf on the right; an old camera my sister found when she was in England she gave to me for Christmas a few years ago.  It has markings on it dating back to July 21, 1896.  Pretty cool, huh?   

4) Week's Best. 

This was taken on our way to The Maple for breakfast.  I love the colors contrasted with the black of the bare trees and blue sky and how the yellow balloon is perfectly illuminated by the shining sun behind it.  

4) Whimsical.  

I love games. Yahtzee, Phase 10, Apples to Apples are some of my favorites.  This, however, may be my new favorite.  It's called Cards Against Humanity.  Similar to Apples to Apples but for a much more raunchy crowd.  Great to play while drinking with friends.  Lots of laughs will be had by all, i promise.  

Hope you have enjoyed my interpretations for the week.  I am excited to get back into SHS again.  If you do not already participate, you should!  It is a great way to share your blog with others and see other people's talent as well.  

Linking up with:

Hope everyone has a great week!  

Sunday morning stroll

A few Sundays ago Chris, Mrs. Cornman and I walked through Sewickley.  It was predicted to be another beautiful day and Chris and I just needed to get out for some fresh air.  Nothing a nice walk can't cure:)

And, I just "happened" to have my camera with me;)

I think this might be my favorite photo.  I love One Way signs.  

My favorite route to the heights by foot.  

Only in Sewickley on Woodland Road would you see a Rolls Royce out for a Sunday drive. 

My favorite street in Sewickley.  A Very close second is Woodland. 

The background was not this original color (obviously it was the sky).  I played around a little in Lightroom and saw this.  I love the contrast.  

Favorite flower!

 

Beautiful end to a nice 3-4 mile walk.  

Weather here in Pittsburgh has been chilly the last few days.  Lucky for me I spent my Easter weekend in St. Louis with my parents and sister where we had nothing but blue sky and 70 degrees!  Seeing these pictures again reminds me of what a lovely March we had and makes me want it back.  Like NOW!

What have you been up to this Spring?  Gotten any photos that you just love?  

Another Sunday Scavenger Hunt on Monday

I know I said I would try to share my Sunday Scavenger Hunt photos with y'all on Sunday but here it is another Monday and I am just getting to sharing them.  I blame such behavior on travel and hangovers.  Unfortunately, next week won't be any better as we are heading to Chicago for St. Pattys (they dye the river green!) this weekend and are not returning until Monday.  The week after I will try better.  Promise:)

1. Light

Last week I got up a little earlier and was able to head to Beaver 45 minutes before I had to work to enjoy a morning walk around town.  This is one of the lucky captures I got.  My back was turned to these guys trying to get another photograph until I noticed their screeches.  I turned just in time to get them taking off with the sun behind them.  I love their silhouettes and the reflection of the light on the water. 

2. Animal

These are the same little guys from above.  I followed them on their take off using fast shutter to capture each movement.  I love their reflections in the water. 

 3. Crowded

My treat on weekends.  A bowl of oatmeal topped with frozen berries and walnuts.  Quite the crowded bowl, huh?  Crowded deliciousness:)

 4. Chocolate

Our new addiction.  Dark Chocolate.  I'm talkin the 85% to 90% dark chocolate kind.  YUM!!!

5. Water

Yesterday was a GORGEOUS day and Chris and I spent the afternoon listening to music enjoying the sun on our faces.  My water bottle is the one on the right (the cuter and nicer looking one).  A must have when nursing the above mentioned hangover.  

I hope everyone had a great weekend and not too tired from the time change!