Flower Photos in the Rain...

It's always good to get a different perspective.  We tend to view life from one way of seeing things, and I think we end up missing out on other stuff because of this tunnel vision we have at times.  This hit me one day while it was raining outside.  I realized we have no problems seeing beauty in life around us while every day is sunny, but when the rains come; can we still see the beauty?  This led me outside to my little front patio.  It's just a small little nook, but I have it filled with flowers as a visual retreat for me and others.   But I noticed something while it was raining...

I noticed that everything was pretty darn amazing!  I mean, the rain brought out the colors of the leaves and flowers, and everything looked so lush...

It all looked clean and refreshed.  The pavement color was richer in color too...a nice short-lived makeover without any work on my part.

The leaves of these coleus were all glistening and shiny...just like Christmas in September!  You could really see the richness of the colors and it's beauty.

So real.  So wet.  So beautiful.

Even the rain drops on the plant were beautiful.  

A totally different perspective.  Seeing beauty during the rain; in the middle of it, (I was trying to get pictures before I got soaked!) and realizing that even on dark, rainy days, life is beautiful.  It takes rain to bring out true loveliness.

It's just learning how to see it through a different lens...

Hope you're able to see the beauty on all your rainy days...blessings!

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The Great Geauga County Fair: An A-Fair to Remember

A curious thing happens every time September rolls around...we get this tremendous hankering to go to our favorite fair.  Not sure why it happens.  Maybe it has to do with the fact that we live in a tightly packed lakefront community with nary a chicken around.  The only beasts that inhabit our neighborhood space are the canine variety (in all the largest sizes) and your random three wheelers that roar down the streets at any time of day.  We love where we live, but there is something very compelling about visiting the barnyard animals, crafts, and food of the fair.  This fair has the distinction of being the oldest county fair in Ohio and it's the vintage parts of the fair we enjoy the most.

 

So, join us for a quick visit around.  I tried to condense as many of the pictures as possible so you get a good idea of what it's like.  If you live locally by this fair, you will really want to make it next year...it's too fun and sweet to miss.

 

On our way!  First stops are at the fair buildings housing all the art, crafts, baked goods, and produce...

The apples looked amazing..

 

 I always think I'll enter some of my vegetables like this Delicata winter squash pictured above right, but I never remember in time.  However, there's always next year!

One of my next favorite stops; gardening, arts and crafts.

  

SERIOUS arts and crafts!

 

And it's not the fair without all the animals..

  

 This wascally wabbit won a blue ribbon...had to get a picture of him.

Drawing inspiration from the duck barn, we have the classic "duck face" pose.

We love to support 4-H and milkshakes seem like the perfect opportunity...

The fair has a huge section complete with man made lake to showcase the park system of the northeast area of the state.  They have dog demos showing retrievers in action, fishing for the kids and archery.  Not to mention nature/bird displays as well as a few classes.

Music, from folk to classic band is always around the corner.  This shady spot away from the midway was a great place to relax and take a break from the sweltering heat that day.

Just a glimpse inside a fabulous day but I must leave you with one more memory....

Visit the Great Geauga County Fair and you can own your own too...blessings!!

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