SAILING THROUGH THE DOLDRUMS

Where we savor the everyday beauty unfolding around us

And Yet, I Know

Tears stream as I gaze out the window of my favorite coffee shop, undone by the goodness of God— the withness of Christ . I’m supposed to be writing other words, but these are the only words that seem to come. Oh, God, thank you. I think of all the ways I cannot know if He is real. If He is who He says He is. And yet, though I cannot know, I know. I know deep within my soul, within the very fabric of my bones, that He is God. And He came for us. For me. That, even now, He

Fawn Ellerbrook

Nov 26, 2025

You Are Here | Part One

New Slains Castle on the coast of the North Sea in Cruden Bay In less than two weeks, we’ll be setting off for one of our favorite places...

Fawn Ellerbrook

Sep 21, 2025

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So glad you're here, friend.

There's a lot happening these days. We've all got to-do lists, too-full laundry baskets, and dinners to be made. In the midst of all this glorious ordinary, we can each use a little extra wind in our sails to puff us up with a smile and to remind us that the world really is beautiful. Welcome to Sailing Through :)

She’s got a booth! 🎉 You can now shop Ellerbrook Photography’s original art at Labadie Station - the cutest little shop across from the The Hawthorne Inn restaurant in Labadie, MO. It’s the perfect spot for a little Valentine’s gift shopping trip!

**A portion of each item sold at my booth will support medical care and education for women and high school girls in Kenya through a trusted missions organization.**

Labadie Station Hours:
Wednesday | 12pm-5pm
Thursday | 12pm-5pm
Friday | 12pm-5pm
Saturday | 11am-6pm
Sunday | 11am-5pm

128 Front Street
Labadie, MO 63055

Up close and personal with a frozen Meramec River.

📍Al Foster Trail | Wildwood, MO

January 2026

Merry Christmas from The Ellerbrooks!

@timellerbrook

I have a few framed prints available for sale! Each photo is printed on archival paper through a local print shop and captures some of my favorite memories. If you’re looking for a thoughtful gift full of meaning I’ve got you covered :)

1. The Wee White House, Scotland | 12x12 frame | $35

2. I’m Hangry but that’s Gorgeous, Italy | 12x12 frame | $35

3. Into the Woods, Scotland | 12x12 frame | $35

4. Moody Montmartre, Paris | 6x6 frame | $20

5. Up to Something, Scotland | 6x6 frame | $20

*I also have a variety of 8x10 prints available I’ll be posting in my Etsy shop soon!

I was sitting at the window bar-top desk at my favorite coffee shop today, all set to work on photography things (like this adorable Robin I had a chat with on a mountain in Glencoe). But, as I listened to @steffanydawn latest album singing the Psalms, I was undone by the goodness of God. I was supposed to be writing other words, but these words were the ones that came instead. Tears streamed as I was reminded of the withness of Christ. I wrote some thoughts about faith and knowing and the joy of it all, and I shared them over at SailingThrough.co/and-yet-i-know.

Peace be with you, friends. God is so very good!

📸: European Robin | 📍Glencoe 2025

Paris in black and white. (And one from Giverny because it’s pretty)

📍France | 2024

#streetphoto #streetphotographersmagazine #streetphotography #travel #photographer #photograph #photography #travelphotography #paris #france #cityoflights

In the mood for a snowy stroll through Lower Manhattan. Shall we walk in black & white or color?

📍New York City | January 2025

#streetphoto #streetphotographersmagazine #streetphotography #travel #winter #snow #photographer #photograph #photography #travelphotography #newyork #newyorkcity #newyorkphoto #nyc

A maple cinnamon latte made by @timellerbrook, please.

📍Portree, Scotland

#Edinburgh #Scotland #VisitScotland #ScotlandisNow #DiscoverScotland #TravelScotland #ScotlandPhotography #TravelPhotography #ScottMonument #Photography

Fortress houses. Woodland wonder. Slow shutter moments. A black and white blue beetle. Fancy a snack? Sheep by the bay.

Prepping some snapshots so they’re available for prints soon 👏👀

Wait For It

Highland Coos | 📍 Dufftown, October 2025

As I walked past Balvenie Castle, they grazed quietly in the far corner of the misty field. I prayed for them to come closer, and waited. There’s something so peaceful about being near them. Time slows, joy brims. Suddenly, all notion of hurry fades and you find yourself fully committed to witnessing them be.

“How’s your day?”

“You are so beautiful.”

“Thanks for coming to see me all the way over here.”

An hour passes and it’s time to go. Feet westward toward home now, the self a little lighter for a friendly conversation with the Dufftown coos.

#Edinburgh #Scotland #VisitScotland #ScotlandisNow #DiscoverScotland #TravelScotland #ScotlandPhotography #TravelPhotography #ScottMonument #Photography

@visitscotland @scotland @hiddenscotland

The Watcher
📍Scott Monument | Edinburgh, October 2025

Mornings are the best time to explore a city. You get a glimpse of natives hustling to work, their morning coffee in hand. Luggage wheels roll out the rhythm of a traveler’s chorus along the pavement, making their way to whatever comes next. Students walk to school, joking with friends or jamming to their favorite song. Buses and cars and motorcycles zoom by carrying out their duties. And there he sits, watching all that hubbub. Forever remembered in solid marble, seated beside his faithful hound. You may assume such a striking, prolific structure were raised in honor of a decorated warrior. Maybe some political giant. A king. But this one’s for an artist. A writer. A poet. The one whose sword was a pen and whose honours were the words stretched for miles across parchment. Across time. Acute observations woven into colorful narrative. Etched in stone just as his likeness now rests here.

#Edinburgh #Scotland #VisitScotland #ScotlandisNow #DiscoverScotland #TravelScotland #ScotlandPhotography #TravelPhotography #ScottMonument #Photography @scotland.explores @scotland @simply.scotland @hiddenscotland

Scotland has this way of pulling you in, like a warm hug from an old friend. The moment you set foot out your door you’re greeted by the most distinct, rugged beauty. I can’t wait to sleep by the sea and wander about for a little while. Maybe snap a photo or two. Making space for our souls to take the deepest breath and savor every last moment. Two little flights to go. What a gift!

📸 Photos are from our first trip in 2023

1&2 Hiking the path to The Quiraing
3 Knock Bay
4&5 Devil’s Pulpit
6&7 Glencoe
8 Eileen Donan
9&10 Dochart Falls
11 Café One in Inverness

New Blog Post • • • In less than two weeks, we’ll be setting off for one of our favorite places - beautiful Scotland. The crisp air. The rainy days. The greenest of greens. The mossy stone. The waterfalls. The mountains. The castles and abbeys and moody sea coastlines. Bliss upon bliss upon bliss.

It’s been two years since our first meeting, and I’ve dreamt of the day we would see her again...

Read the full post & see more photos from our last trip at SailingThrough.co 😀

Cheers to 14 years, babe. What a gift!

@timellerbrook

I’m not gonna lie, we crushed our first 6 hour “Get Your Butt Kicked at Route 66” race! Sometimes, it feels really, really good to push your limits and just go for it. And boy, did we!

Two of us are not traditionally runners. We did not prepare. But we did it anyway and didn’t let ourselves quit. Did we win? Not even close. But the goal was simply to have a good time, walk/run a half marathon and just to finish! The heat and humidity were intense, but the vibes stayed just as strong for the whole 6 hours. What a fun challenge and fulfilling accomplishment with my friends! Do it, lady💪

#running #ultra #getyourbuttkicked #race #ultrarace #endurance

That feeling when you get the shot 👏🎉 My pal, Lila, and I had so much fun trying a little light painting with the sparklers yesterday!

It’s not every day you look out your window to see a hot air balloon landing outside. The team was so kind and excited about sharing this moment with the neighborhood folks. What a delight!

Editing day for our friends’ wedding collection. So much joy & fun in one little snap!! 💃

Went on a little hunt for reflections at the lake a couple of weeks ago.

📍Table Rock Lake

You know that picture your mom liked of your friend’s trip? I bet she’d love the real thing 😉 If you need a last minute, meaningful gift I’ve got you covered! 😀

13x13 Framed Original Prints: $40
8x10 Prints: $20

Beauty heals. Beauty contains within it the promise of restoration.

- John Eldredge

Raindrops on [tulips] and whiskers on kittens

Through the looking glass.

📍Views through coffee shop windows | Isle of Skye | 2023

@simply.scotland @simply.scotland @hiddenscotland @thecoffeebothy @birch.coffee @cafearriba

#explore #exploremore #exploretocreate #falltravel #goingplaces #ig_travel #ilovetravel #ilovetraveling #instagtravel #instatravelling #sightseeing #tasteintravel #travel #travel_drops #travelandlife #travelbug #traveldestinations #traveldiaries #traveldiary #travelgram #scotland #scotlandphotography #scotlandisbeautiful #travelscotland #isleofskye #isleofskyescotland

Excuse me sir, you’ll find there’s a pigeon on your head.

📍Statue of Jan Christian Smuts | Parliament Square | London, 2023

@visitlondon

#explore #exploremore #exploretocreate #falltravel #goingplaces #ig_travel #ilovetravel #ilovetraveling #instagtravel #instatravelling #sightseeing #tasteintravel #travel #travel_drops #travelandlife #travelbug #traveldestinations #traveldiaries #traveldiary #travelgram #london #london🇬🇧 #londonphotographer #londonphotography

If you listen closely, he’ll tell you a tale of clouds gone by and days of old.

📍The Old Man of Storr | Isle of Skye | 2023

@simply.scotland @simply.scotland @hiddenscotland

#explore #exploremore #exploretocreate #falltravel #goingplaces #ig_travel #ilovetravel #ilovetraveling #instagtravel #instatravelling #sightseeing #tasteintravel #travel #travel_drops #travelandlife #travelbug #traveldestinations #traveldiaries #traveldiary #travelgram #scotland #scotlandphotography #scotlandisbeautiful #travelscotland #isleofskye #isleofskyescotland

A side-eye glance at the intersection of local and tourist.

📍Paris | September 2024

#Paris #travel #travelgram #travelling #travelphotography #travelphotos #france #francephotos #photos #parisfrance #photographer #photography #blackandwhite #parisienne #parislife

Some good advice.

📍Midtown | New York City | 2025

@newyorkcity.explore @midtownnewyork

#explore #exploremore #exploretocreate #goingplaces #ig_travel #ilovetravel #ilovetraveling #ilovetravelling #instagtravel #instatravelling #lovetravelling #travel #travelandlife #travelbug #traveldestinations #travelgram #travelingram #travellife #travelling #travellingtheworld #travelnow #photogrpahy #newyork #newyorkcity #nyc #newyorktravel #visitnewyork #newyorkminute

She’s in the library, tucked beneath the stories and stone.

📍@nypl New York Public Library | New York City | 2025

@newyorkcity.explore @midtownnewyork @secret_nyc

#explore #exploremore #exploretocreate #goingplaces #ig_travel #ilovetravel #ilovetraveling #ilovetravelling #instagtravel #instatravelling #lovetravelling #travel #travelandlife #travelbug #traveldestinations #travelgram #travelingram #travellife #travelling #travellingtheworld #travelnow #photogrpahy #newyork #newyorkcity #nyc #newyorktravel #visitnewyork #newyorkminute

It’s in the reflection.

📍New York City | 2025

@newyorkcity.explore @midtownnewyork @secret_nyc

#explore #exploremore #exploretocreate #goingplaces #ig_travel #ilovetravel #ilovetraveling #ilovetravelling #instagtravel #instatravelling #lovetravelling #travel #travelandlife #travelbug #traveldestinations #travelgram #travelingram #travellife #travelling #travellingtheworld #travelnow #photogrpahy #newyork #newyorkcity #nyc #newyorktravel #visitnewyork #newyorkminute

Meet me at sunrise in the West Village.

📍Manhattan | New York City | 2025

@newyorkcity.explore @midtownnewyork @secret_nyc

#explore #exploremore #exploretocreate #goingplaces #ig_travel #ilovetravel #ilovetraveling #ilovetravelling #instagtravel #instatravelling #lovetravelling #travel #travelandlife #travelbug #traveldestinations #travelgram #travelingram #travellife #travelling #travellingtheworld #travelnow #photogrpahy #newyork #newyorkcity #nyc #newyorktravel #visitnewyork #newyorkminute #westvillage

Unpopular opinion: I have LOVED this winter! The snow. The crisp, cold air. The cozy coats and boots. Heaven!

Of land and sea.

📍Mealt Falls | Isle of Skye | 2023

So you agree, you think you’re really pretty…😍👑

The bright orange sunset was popping out of a puddle in our driveway yesterday!

Four days exploring the concrete jungle where dreams are made of with our friends.

A magical night at the theatre.

Holding hands with my husband as we strolled through an outdoor winter market.

Soaking in stories of His Creation and marveling at the created.

A long walk in the snow.

Biggest, tallest buildings.

Sparkling skylines tucked beneath the moon.

An everything bagel a day.

Pizza. So much pizza.

Close call fender benders with cheeky pigeons.

Waiting for the train.

Wind. Bridges. Light. Chatter.

Car horns.

All the languages.

Good coffee.

Escalators and elevators.

Hearts so full and feet so tired.

Smiles unquenchable.

#newyork #nyc #travel #newyorkcity #visitnewyork #visitnyc #nyctravel #travelnyc #explore #urbanphotography #travelphotography #newpost

I loved sharing my creations today and am so grateful to everyone who purchased a print or gift tag. What an honor! I still have some 8x8” framed prints available as well as stand alone prints and some gift tags. If you’re looking for a unique and personal Christmas gift, the prices are in the comments! 😀

Prepping for my first ever Christmas Market tomorrow @faithcommunity! Capturing the stories of our travels through my lens brings me so much joy and I’m excited to share them in a new way! I’ll be selling prints (included some framed) from Scotland, Italy, France and a couple of other spots we’ve been along the way. Each one will have a small card with the story of the moment behind the photo.

Another quiet joy of mine is hand painting gift tags for my family and friends to give gifts an extra special touch - so I’ll be bringing along some of those as well.

I can’t wait to see all the creative things the ladies have to sell. I’ll see you tomorrow, friends! 😀

Strolling into the holiday season with our annual traditions this weekend! St. Charles Christmas Traditions, decorating at home while watching White Christmas (on a snowy evening!!), followed by homemade hot chocolate, whipped cream and the goodies we picked up at @grandmascookiesonmain last night! It’s the most wonderful time of the year 🎄

Little flowers dancing with the breeze in Monet’s gardens.

#travel #travelphotography #paris #france #photographer #photography #prints #urbanphotography #cityphotography #paristravel #parisfrance #flowers #floralphotography #flowerphotography #flower #monet #monetsgarden

Moody Montmartre 😍 Prints available soon!

#travel #travelphotography #paris #france #photographer #photography #prints #urbanphotography #cityphotography #paristravel #parisfrance

✨COMING SOON ✨ One of my goals this year was to sell prints of the photos I’ve captured during our travels. These images are treasures to me and I’ve always wanted to share them in this way. So, I’m participating in the Ladies Brunch Vendor Fair on Dec. 7 @faithcommunity! I ordered some tests to choose a printer and I’m reminded of the stories told through each one.

We’ve got authentic highland coos from the Isle of Skye, Tuscan kitties that greeted us each night in Italy, a Gondalier in Venice, “doors of the world” (a phrase I shout when I find cool doors on trips 😆), a statue in Parliament Square in London with a couple of bird friends…such fun moments in time that mean so much to me and there are many more to choose!

I’ll also have some hand painted gift tags available! It’s going to be a creative month 😀🎉🎨🖼️📸

When your dream comes true on a normal Wednesday.

This dream has tarried for 21 years and today begins the final stages of its fulfillment. What would it be like someday I wondered? To live beyond the in-between place of could, should, maybe.

This someday is just a normal Wednesday.

I began the serious steps toward dental implants 11 months ago and I’ve imagined what I’d feel in this moment. My dream is coming true and I’m afraid.

Afraid of the unknown.

Afraid of what could go wrong or cause speedbumps in the process.

Afraid that I’m not actually going to like the change. That it’ll be uncomfortable and weird.

There’s a distorted sort of comfort in the limbo.

But it’s time for the next step and I’m so grateful. So that’s what I’ll do. I’ll just take the next one as it comes today and walk into the someday I’ve dreamed for. Prayed for. Here we are! Ready? No? Let’s do it.

Ten years ago I spoke a little dream out loud over a steaming bowl of yellow curry. Last week it came true beneath a polka-dotted umbrella in the pouring rain along the Seine.

———

My husband and I sat at a small table in our favorite Thai restaurant talking about a recent trip and dreaming about what could be.

“We could eat macarons on the lawn in front of the Eiffel Tower.”

A maybe someday kind of something.

On Wednesday afternoon, ten years later, we happened upon a well known macaron shop in Paris and decided to pick up a small box. Walking back toward our Airbnb, we crossed one of the bridges over the Seine as raindrops fell and fell. Looking up I saw her peeking out above the buildings in a cloud of mist across the river and realized the quiet significance of the moment. We had a box full of macarons and there was the Eiffel Tower.

All of a sudden, my someday became today.

This year I get to walk with a couple of dreams as they come to fruition. It’s not always picture perfect or comfortable. There are disappointments along the way. But I’m reminded that the things we hope for - dream for - can step beyond the line of possibility, becoming moments lived in real time. Wish upon the star. Put your hand to the plow. Watch them unfold, slowly, then right on time.

Earlier this year I launched a blog to tell stories of our trips from the last couple of years. Today, I finally hit publish on my next post! If you like 900-year-old cathedrals and rain-soaked cobblestone streets, pop over to SailingThrough.co for a quick stroll through Edinburgh with me. :)

➡️ These photos are from our 2023 trip to Scotland and feature glimpses into Victoria Street (think Diagon Alley), the Royal Mile, and @stgileshighkirk.

#scotland #scotlandexplore #scotlandtravel #travel #blog #travelblogger #travelphotography #travelgram #story #blogger #scotlandshots #cathedral #edinburgh #photographylovers #explore #adventure

Cheers to 13 years, babe. I’m so glad we chose each other. I’m so glad we still do. ❤️

@timellerbrook

Tomorrow is this handsome guy’s birthday! We celebrated with a simple pizza night @deweyspizza yesterday. Cheers to another year of you, babe! Life with you is such a gift. ❤️🎉

I’m typically a book-in-hand gal, but when I saw that @heleneinbetween was reading her own story I had to get an audio copy! It’s my favorite way to listen to someone sharing their story, and this one is already so good three chapters in!

Helene’s story in “Two O’Clock on a Tuesday at Trevi Fountain” inspires readers to evaluate their own dreams and “could-be’s”. Her passion for seeing all the simple wonders the world holds in dimly lit cafe corners and cobblestone streets and snow capped forests, serves as a reminder to nurture that little voice that whispers “what if?”

As you make your way through the foundational moments that launched her dream, you’ll find yourself saying “me too!” Just like you’re sipping a latte with a friend at your favorite coffee shop. I can’t wait to see how the story unfolds!

#books #booklaunchday #booklaunch #newbook #bookclub
@reesewitherspoon @reesesbookclub @oprahsbookclub @pieladybooks @bookofthemonth

At Home Far Away | The Story of our First Day in Scotland

———

“Welcome home,” I felt Her whisper. It may be our first “hello,” but it was as if my heart had been there all along.

Have you ever been somewhere that felt like home even though you’ve just met? Stepping out into the cool, moody, Edinburgh morning was precisely that. There was just something about the cloud-diffused light as we ventured out on our first full day in beautiful Scotland.

It took over 24 hours of travel. A delayed flight from Dallas led to a missed flight from London. And then there was the challenge of navigating the ever-confusing parking spaces of the city. Oh, and in the process, Tim learned to drive on the UK side of the road while brushing up on his manual skills. In case you’re wondering, I was totally chill and we never argued about it AT ALL...

———

📖 Read the full blog at the link in my bio or SailingThrough.co :)

#Scotland #TravelScotland #Travel #TravelBlog #Photography #travelPhotography #simplyscotland #ScotlandExplore #blog #blogging #blogger #exploretocreate #instablog #linkinprofile #ontheblog #writtenword #theblogissue #bloggersgetsocial #collectivelycreate

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SAILING THROUGH THE DOLDRUMS

Where we savor the everyday beauty unfolding around us

And Yet, I Know

You Are Here | Part One

So glad you're here, friend.

​

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