that's what little boys are made of.

Meet Sir Landon! He's tough, loves trains, and enjoys a good fart joke. 

See more of Landon's photos go to kjkdesigns.us

extra extra read all about it.

Here it is...I did some thing big today. I became a founding member of a new co-op in Valley Junction, Iowa! I literally feel more excited than when I got my new car. Here's where you found more information, check it out here -----> Tall Grass Grocery Coop, plus all the posts when I learn and get more involved.

before we turn to stone.

So I LOVE dance. I danced in high school and even though I'm in no capacity comparable to these dancers I understand the love and passion that comes through dance. This performance brought me to tears and you have to watch it.

in the eye of.

Beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder. We live in a society where beauty is based on size and form rather than personality, citizenship, compassion and involvement. Some of the best woman I know will never be in magazines or a 60 foot banner in Time Square, but they are every bit as deserving. Their freckles, wrinkles, big hearts, grey hair, gap teeth...all of their "imperfections" combined with their swelling hearts make them just as worthy and beautiful to me. I do appreciate a beautiful woman and now that I've been around the block a time or two, been a few places and have lived in my body for a crazy 25 plus years I am beginning to understand what all the fuss is about. It's about loving you. Loving you from the inside out. Of course you'll have flawed moments of weakness, but who doesn't? 

These, of course, are a small sampling of the wonderfully beautiful inside and out woman in my life.

I actually have a very long list of tremendous friends, cousins, aunts, and inherited family that I

am blessed with in my life. I am surrounded by beautiful woman with hearts the size of Texas, compassion to the moon, and love that can not be measured. 

hit the road jack.

Ok, I'm ready for vacation. I think I'd be ok with going back to any of the following places. (P.S. I did not take these photos, but their links can be found on my pinterest board 'favorite spaces and places'. 

Germany...yes please!

Liechtenstein. So there's not much there, but it's Europe!

London. Oh dear, sweet London. I would allow you to kidnap me.

Italy, you and I need more time together. You're just too mysterious.

Switzerland reminded me of Iowa, aside from the mountains and snow in June. Wonderful people, atmosphere, and experience.

YO NYC!!! Take me back.

Austria. Such a short name for such a magical place.

Le France. I want to fall in love all over again.

home sweet home.

If my house looked like this I'd never leave...EVER!

let's take a train.

take yo picha.

Before I left the Orr wedding I had to jump in the photo booth with Anna and Becky, both junior high and freshman year friends that I adore!

richard l. drake.

The two year anniversary of the loss of my Grandpa Richard is fast approaching. It hardly seems real that he's been gone two years and that my Grandma Judy will be gone this August for seven years. Richard was not my blood, but the best man. He allowed me to grow, showed me what a man is, held me up, made me appreciate life, and reassured me that family doesn't mean we have the same blood line.

All of my grandparents have a huge piece of my heart and I hope I carry a little bit of them into the world. Humility, strength, passion, laughter, determination, perseverance, understanding, generosity, love.

Richard L. Drake
Born: December 29. 1937
Left this earth: June 26, 2009

you're such a girl.

Self portraits of me are rare and far between, especially the non-cheesy ones that are done from the camera on my computer.

they come out at night.

This photo I took of the full moon explains every thing; how crazy people have been lately and all the strange activity...

shared wisdom.

Taking a second look at life...and I like what I see and what I'm reading here.

how i'm gonna spend all my days lovin' you.

Whitney Mann....man, I enjoy you.

but you're on to me.

i'm just a girl.

I have the strong urge to get dressed up, go out, eat good food, dance, drink, and cause some shinanigans. I feel like my love of sequins should probably come along for the party as well. Perhaps I just need come retail therapy, but that's kind of a given. Either way I have the desire to cut off my two plus feet of brunette hair, go blonde and dress like I have somewhere fancy to go every day of the week. Carrie Bradshaws calling and wants her story line back.

gimme gimme more.

I'm a simple girl, that wants simple things. Like a chair swing.         

Perhaps this super cute Boston Terrier.

Or this fabulous kitchen conversion poster.

This fabulous Iowa pendant would be great too. Because I really do heart Iowa.

But I'd really be ok with some daisies. They're my favorite flower and I can't remember the last time someone bought me flowers.

it explains it all.

This song, although lyric free, describes every thing in my life right now. I was sure I could be happy, but this happy blows my mind.

welcome home.

I've been really stressed with work, photos, and life lately...not to say I'm not enjoying it when I can as well, but it's been a trying process at times. I haven't been to a live show in months-probably more than six. I am desperately in need of some camping, music, dancing, no sleep, and good people. Even a sunburn and sinus headache wouldn't be frowned at. I need a break, I don't know how some people can go and go-I need musical relief! This said, I have volunteered for Camp Euforia, so not only can I help out at the festival I can literally get my wonderful experience paid for...begin happy dance! I encourage you to check out this magical weekend that, if you're like me, is exactly what the doctor ordered.

i am home again.

iowa state fair photography salon.

It's that time of year again and I am MUCH less prepared than I usually am. By this time last year my photos were picked, printed, and already mounted. This year I haven't even decided what photos I'm going to use. Here are some of my "choices" out of my huge catalog of photos I've taken.

Camp Euforia 2010

Camp Euforia 2010

IA State Fair ferris wheel

IA State Fair ferris wheel

Abandoned tractor

Abandoned house on a nature trail

Weather vane

Vineyard North of Tehachapi, CA

Dome in State Capitol

let it surround us.

I did a wedding last weekend of a dear friend of mine who I've known for almost 10 years now. It was truly a full circle moment in life and I was blessed to be a part of her big day. Congratulations Mr. & Mrs. Orr, I'm so happy for the two of you!

See more of my work at kjk designs!