photography | exploring red rocks

A few weeks ago, my mom, sister and I took a trip to see Needtobreathe and Switchfoot 

at Red Rocks Amphitheater (in Morrison, Colorado).

((I posted about that here...)) 

Because we stayed the night after the concert, we decided to spend the next day exploring 

more around Red Rocks. We had a lot of fun and I would definitely recommend seeing a 

concert at Red Rocks or just hiking around, if you ever have the opportunity. It is free to go 

into the park and in the amphitheater (before an event, of course). Warning: It takes climbing 

steep ramps and A LOT of steps to reach the top of the amphitheater BUT it is so worth it 

to see the most stunning views everywhere you look!!

(Denver Cityscape in the distance)

(This was only the beginning of the steps.... Whew!)

(Huge red rocks surround both side of the stage... Such an amazing venue!!)

(I had to take a photo of this photo in the museum, because I thought it was so cool!
The caption explains a bit of the history of Red Rocks!)

(A lot of people come here to get a work out... It's a good place for that!)

(It is amazing to be in the midst of such huge rocks all around... God's creation is so awesome!)

(We spotted a fox.)

Such beauty everywhere... This is why I love where I live and why I took so many photos!

Thank you God for this amazing gift.

thankful for: colorado wildflowers

Today I am thankful for the presence of pretty little yellow wildflowers. These bright & happy little gifts from the Creator have begun to fill up the usually dry & dull prairies where I live. Seeing them line the roads as I drive by brings a smile to my face. They called out for me to photograph them during "golden hour"... And, of course, I could not resist!!! Any time I am able to capture even the tiniest bit of God's creation, I feel so thankful, blessed, joyful.... This is my small way of being thankful to God for all that He gives. The only reason these photos have any beauty at all is because of what God has given. He gives to us simply because He loves us and He gives abundantly. The least I can do is give Him thanks! All of this beauty is from Him & ultimately for Him. Every day there are little gifts all around us, not because we deserve them, BUT instead to constantly remind us of the love & grace of the Giver.

Slow down & don’t miss what the Creator & Giver has for you each day!

{ Currently inspired by One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp }

farmer's market & a vintage photo booth...

These photos are from last weekend's fun day-trip to Colorado Springs!! These little trips are one of my favorite things... There are so many fun & unique places to go in the Springs. We started off the day by going to a couple of farmer's markets... we got local honey, zucchini, tomatoes, cantaloupe & even homemade lemon-chive pasta. A couple days later I used the pasta, with the tomatoes, zucchini & chicken, in a lemon & pesto sauce... It was such a perfect dinner!!! We also got a big box of Colorado peaches... they were a little over-ripe, but we froze some, made two yummy pies & a peach coffee cake, which turned out so good! (I will be sharing that recipe this week.)

After the farmer's market, we went to the Penny Arcade in Manitou Springs. This is one of my favorite unique places to go! They have a ton of vintage arcade games... skee ball is my favorite!! They also have a really fun vintage photo booth that I had been wanting to try out. My mom, sister & I were quite cramped in there, which made the photos even more hilarious! But it was really fun and I am happy to have these photo strips now! Of course, there is also a lot of shopping... while we were there I even found a perfect turquoise ring, just like what I have been wanting! It's a perfect place to visit if you are in Colorado.

I am so thankful for summer memories like these!!  :)