Once upon a time a southern girl met her real-life hero in the Pacific Northwest. 23 years later they found themselves between two beautiful states, Kentucky and Washington. Inspiration comes from both and I’m so thankful. When I’m in one place, I look forward to traveling to the other. Since I spent part of my childhood growing up in a national park, creation never ceases to be an ongoing wonder and delight for me. Here are a few recent pictures from our summer out west…
You can see I am outnumbered by the men in the family. My husband, Randy, and our two sons, Wyatt and Paul. You might have trouble figuring out who is who as they look so much alike. I’m the blonde!
If you’ve read my books, you know how much the setting of a story means to me. I try to create rich, evocative images that plant you right in the heart of the novel so you feel you are there, too. Setting then becomes a character of its own, a real, living, breathing entity. I’m so thankful the Lord gave us so many colors and textures and natural wonders to savor and enjoy.
Now I’m packing to return south to our little log cabin that sits in the heart of Kentucky along the trace Daniel Boone blazed back in 1775. But I’ll take some of the Pacific Northwest with me when I go – crisp, clean air, tall timber, ridiculously deep lakes, epic mountains, and lots of inspiration.
Happy reading!
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What a blessing to have the richness of two beautiful countrysides enjoy, and of course your precious family!
It’s wonderful that you’re able to split your time between two of the most beautiful settings ever. You have such a gift for making your pages come alive to readers. I love it!
Oh, LOVE your photos of the Pacific Northwest! I hope to someday be able to visit that part of the country as I think it is SO beautiful. Had to chuckle on “figuring out who was who and that you’re the blonde”. You definitely have a handsome crew and they have a lovely lady to hang out with. So excited about your next release! It can’t get here fast enough. Sending a BIG hug! 🙂
I do enjoy your beautiful photos! Thank you for sharing them. Safe travels ❤️
Thanks, Trisha. Your words mean so much. School resumes tomorrow (Paul’s senior year) so things should settle down. I know your household is just as busy north of here. I hope you have a beautiful fall! See you on social media!
Wonderful story.
I enjoy your beautiful photos. Countryside’s beautiful.
Safe travels.
Bless you, Viola, for stopping here and being so gracious. It’s a joy to share God’s creation in photos. I’m so thankful for the beauty everywhere we are and go!
Love the photos, Laura. So glad you enjoyed your time there! I can see why it would be hard to leave. Looking forward to thinking I might just run into you in KY again, neighbor. 🙂
Btw, enjoyed Moonbow Night tremendously. It was a delight to read! Meant to, but not sure if I reviewed it yet – the summer’s been busier than expected. I must look into that. Safe travels! Hugs and blessings to you!
Karen, Your enjoyment of Moonbow means so much, especially since you’re a fellow writer. I hope we bump into each other too in future! But even knowing you’re my neighbor means a lot! Time flies and I look at my toppling TBR stack and marvel that anyone reads much given all else going on, especially in summer. Can’t believe school starts tomorrow here in Madison Co. I hope things settle down for the both of us. Bless you for taking time here and commenting on those PNW pics. The longer I’m here in Ky, the more I appreciate the epic West. Hope your week is peaceful and productive!
Ah, thanks for sharing a slice of life, Laura. The beautiful scenery refreshes, and your family pix make it all come alive.
It’s a pleasure to share these with you, Mary Kay. You’re so right about this PNW scenery being refreshing. Glad you like our family sprinkled in, too! I pray your summer is going well. I often covet your Cali heat but know the grass is often greener no matter where we are!
I still wish you would live in the PNW year round, but it sounds like you have made a way to divide the time between each place and enjoy them both so well, that it really works for you. My wish is selfish, since I live fairly near your place out here, and thought it would be more likely that I might meet you, if you hadn’t moved. Maybe one day, you will have a book signing here???
I must say, each of your books are such treasures, and Moonbow Night was another one, I think even better than the last one if that is possible. Am so looking forward to the next one!!
Dear Iris, I can’t tell you how delighted I am to hear Moonbow meant something to you and that you feel my books are getting better and you are anticipating Lady Elisabeth and her lacemaking! I had a concern that after so many books things might get stale but that’s not the case as I encounter fresh history and inspiration. Thanks for confirming that from a reading standpoint. Love your gracious spirit! I hope The Lacemaker exceeds your expectations. The setting was wonderful to work with and I pray I did even a small bit of all that rich Colonial Williamsburg history justice.
Dear Ms. Frantz,
I know how much you like Daniel Boone and I wanted to give you a little bit of trivia. My parents grew up in a small town in Missouri called Ash Grove. This is the same town that Daniel’s son Nathan and wife Olivia lived, but of course the Boones lowered there several years before my parents made their entrance. But the Boone cabin is still there as well as their graves. I just thought that you would like a little bit of trivia. Looking forward to your next book.
Don’t know why but it typed lowered instead of lived. Sorry about that, but my iPad does strange things from time to time.
Beth, I’m glad I’m not the only one! 🙂
Dear Beth, Love that Boone history! And I did not know that. We lost Boone to Missouri but Nathan’s place is so beautiful. When I was a girl of about 12 or so, my mom, brother, and I traveled to that stone house and I saw the actual bed Boone was said to have died in. It made a lasting impression on me. I’ll always love Boone for his bravery and spirit. Rebecca, too. Thanks for staying with me as I zigzag back and forth between the frontier and more genteel locations like Colonial Williamsburg, even Scotland!
I so enjoy your photos! I love to dabble in photography and it’s extra special when other’s share photos of places I have not yet visited. Thank you!
I cannot wait for your next release. Every time one of your books is released I get in our travel trailer and spend a weekend away to immerse myself in a new read! I only do that for you, Laura Frantz, Jane Kirkpatrick and Charles Martin! Three of my all time favorites!
Blessings to you and prayers for you as you begin your next book!
Dear Debbie, I’m so honored you include me with the literary likes of Jane and Charles, two of my favorites as well! Thank you, thank you. Jane’s new cover is beautiful and I’m looking forward to one of Martin’s books being made into a movie. So glad to find a kindred photography spirit too:) I must admit for every good photo there’s a dozen deleted ones! But it’s a wonderful way to capture the moment and hold onto special memories. Life moves too fast. I’m so thankful for you and your gracious words here. Praying you have a peaceful week full of photographic moments!
Dear Laura,
Thank you for sharing photos of your summer adventure in the great northwest. Blessings to you as you settle down to write again and to Paul as he begins his senior year. Our granddaughter, Lindalynn, will also begin her senior year next week here in Oregon. I am so excited that your next book, The Lacemaker, will be available in January, just in time for my birthday. I love cameos, so like the new cameo feature on your website. It is simple and classic.
Dear Linda, So good to hear from you! Thinking of your granddaughter as she begins her big year. Paul started on August 16th which is actually a week later than usual. I miss those September start dates! Happy you like this new website and that cameo especially. I have a love of cameos though I only own a necklace and bracelet with them. I do have a Pinterest board devoted to cameos and there are such beauties out there:) It makes me smile knowing The Lacemaker will release around your special day. You are such a dear person!
Dear Linda, For some reason your comments have been hidden till now. I apologize! Hearing form you is a delight, always! I pray Lindalynn has a wonderful year, too. Paul has switched from athletics and is joining the National Guard and has been accepted to a good college here in KY. We’re excited to see what the future holds for him. Thrilled you’re ready for Lady Elisabeth’s story. It was a challenge setting the story in Colonial Williamsburg as I wanted to get everything just right. And then writing about my first ‘lady’ was a treat, too. Bless you for being here! Now to figure out why not all comments are coming through!
Dear Laura,
My family and I went out West this summer. It was beautiful, and looking through your pictures reminded me of that trip. Your pictures are positively gorgeous and they sing of their Creator. So thankful the the beauty of the outdoors and the mountains. God’s creation truly is beautiful!
Dear Gina, Your comments so bless me! Isn’t the west absolutely majestic – EPIC?! Love how you say ‘sing of their Creator.’ You are a kindred spirit. God is truly an amazing landscape architect and so much more. Thank you for stopping here! Happy first day of fall to you and yours!