Last Weekend's Tips and Tidbits

(say that title fast 3 times)

Being with two professional photographers this last weekend was a little intimidating to say the least. I'm just a bumbler and fumbler in the photography department. Any photo that I get that's good is more of a "happy accident" than I can say that I have a plan and know what I'm doing. So Anne and Elizabeth were shooting away Sunday afternoon when we were wandering the streets of Historic Kimmswick, Missouri. Since it was Father's Day, an Antique and Street Car Show was in progress and I had to look like I was at least partly worthy of their company. I decided I'd take photos of them, instead of trying to compete in their class.

"Dueling Photographers", 

you know, instead of "Dueling Banjos"

For some great photos of these vintage cars from last weekend go by E's (now also known as "Bitsy") If you're squeamish about a bunch of loud mouth gals (no, I didn't say "broads", but I guess that works too) and some horrible pics of me, then don't go there...I've told Bitsy that Anne and I are looking for Payback! If you have a few minutes and don't mind blushing, Elizabeth has a hilarious and "insiders" version of the weekend highlights.

 And  Someone we know has been complaining that my other photograph of the three of us had her so washed out that she looked like a "ghostly apparition", I decided that I'd put a different one out here. Same pose, just a little less manipulation to take the focus off my wrinkles and saggy-baggy, slouchy topside. And hey, what can I say, I had self tanner in my suitcase and these pasty little blondies didn't!

Elizabeth took a few minutes to give me a mini lesson with my camera, and I learned more in 10 minutes than I'd been able to figure out on my own in the last two years. I have to admit, Anne has tried to help me, but she shoots with a Nikon, and I have a Canon. So when I realized that E had a Canon too (mine is not even in the same league as hers), I was excited to see what I could grasp in a short time.

Then when we were back here in Springfield, we ran to Barnes and Noble and I found this book, which Anne swears by, and said helped her figure it all out. Maybe there's hope for me yet. I'm going to put my nose to the grindstone to try to understand at least some of this mumbo jumbo!

Another little tip I wanted to pass on to you is something I think we've all had handed to us by "Blogger", but didn't know how to change. Remember how we used to be able to click on a photo in the blog posts and it would enlarge, and then with another click it would get even bigger? Big enough that we could study even the smallest item in a store display? wow, did I ever miss that and complain about the slide show that replaced it. Which didn't enlarge much of anything...

OK, so Anne told me how to get back to the "Bigify" mode. Go to your Dashboard, then to Settings. Then find the Heading of Posts and Comments. Click on that and go to "Showcase images with Lightbox".

Click on the box and say no, or unclick the box. That will take you back to the original way of viewing individual photographs on the blogs. Oh how I've missed not being able to see all the goodies in a distance or room shot. Thanks Anne!

Anne and James (the best houseguests ever!)

Let me just say something about blogging and friendships...don't ever let anyone tell you they aren't real or important. Meeting Anne after almost three years of phone calls has been nothing short of miraculous. And then to meet up again with Elizabeth after 4 years, and find a friendship, ...well...let's just say that God has plans that sometimes we just don't know exist.

xoxo,

p.s. who of you out there have had Bubble Tea? (an Annie favorite)

and have you choked on them on your maiden voyage?

(Thai concoction of flavored tea with milk and round balls of tapioca)

p.p.s. And if you haven't joined in for Vintage Inspiration Friday,

 it's still going strong, just scroll down to the next post.

This and That

I was going back through some of my photos from last Fall

and I thought I'd just share them again.

Below is one of my favorite headers

taken from a photo of an old Adirondack chair that's seen better days.

Altered bottles with book pages and vintage graphics

The sideboard in the kitchen hallway

The Entry

Metal lunch basket vignette on the front porch

One of my chalkware kitties on the bakers rack in the sunroom.

Hope you're having a great weekend.

Vintage Inspiration Friday link is still open

just scroll down to the last post.

I'll tell you what I've been doing this weekend soon.

xoxo,

...just gotta brag

There's no way that my photos

can do her photos justice,

but I just have to brag on my bestie Anne.

She's gone and done it!

with help from some "fabulous"  and talented friends.

I'm one of the lucky ones that get Romantic Country Magazine thru subscription,

so I have mine even before Miss Fiona and Twig!

Six yummy pages of wonderful photos

taken at the home and Bed and Breakfast of Linda and Ludmil Markov

(The Willow Nest)

Anne is a woman of many talents;

her strengths lie in her determination, goal-making, and strong faith.

Miles may be between us,

but we have a connection that speaks not of the distance,

but of the heart.

I'm proud that one of her dreams has come true.

May it only be the beginning.

Look for Romantic Country to be on display next week.

te he,

lucky me...