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 :)

I woke up with my stomach in knots. ➡️ When our friends said they wanted to do the hike to Macrae Peak on Grandfather Mountain, I got nervous. There is a series of ladders that take you to the top, which you climb untethered. Every image on google made it appear as if you were dangling cliffside and the descriptions were intense (much less dramatic in real life, but still very high & physically challenging nonetheless).

Heights make me very uncomfortable. But, I always say I’ll never not do something because I’m afraid.

So we did it. And it was incredible! Every hiker we encountered on the way up acknowledged the difficulty but followed up with, “it’s worth it!” They didn’t lie. The sweeping views and the satisfaction of a really good challenge filled my soul all the way up. I’m so glad I chose to say “yes” instead of sitting this one out. And it was so fun to encourage other hikers who were “doing it afraid,” too.

There is certainly fear that keeps us safe from harm, but there is also fear that keeps us “safe” in ways that stunt our growth and hide us away from adventure. I plan to continue learning to discern the difference and choosing adventure as I encounter that crossroad.

📍Grandfather Mountain | North Carolina

#hiking #hike #grandfathermountain #mountain #mountains

My Etsy shop is live! You can now order your very own print of some of my favorite photos at Etsy.com/shop/ellerbrookphoto. They’re the perfect way to add a splash of art with heartfelt meaning to your home.

However you find these photos, I hope they inspire you to pause and pay attention. To savor the beauty unfolding around you. :)

#etsy #shopsmall #photography #fineart #artshop
@Etsy @scotland @scotland.explores

When the sun paints a field with her golden morning light, you stop for a moment before rolling on into the fresh new day ahead.

📍Bonacker Farm in color & Black & White | House Springs, MO

#photography #photographer #farm #hometown

Color up close.

📍Monarch Butterfly | The Back Porch

#photography #butterfly #natgeoyourshot #naturephotography #butterflyphotography

The back porch has been busy this week. Good to have a few friends stop by for an afternoon chat.

📍Ellerbrook House | Missouri

All photos ©️EllerbrookPhotography

#wildlifephotography #bird #hummingbird #photographer #photography

On Mondays, we wear red.

Summer Tanager |📍@ShawNatureReserve

#photography #birdphoto #photographer #nature #naturephotography

I wonder if this is what the leaves see when they set off for the forest floor?

———

Highly recommend taking a stroll through the forest while listening to a commentary on presence and trees. (Like Annie Dillard’s “Pilgrim at Tinker Creek”)

📍Al Foster Trail

#modeptofconservation @moconservation

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

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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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