A few weeks ago I wandered around some stores looking for subjects to use for shots of multiples with depth of field. My new camera does this fabulously. Here’s one of them that I took at Pier 1.
Category Archives: Photography
R&R
It’s that time of year — time for a little R&R and a focus on some personal goals.
One of my goals is to learn to use photo apps more effectively, and this photo demonstrates my first attempt at using my iPad to directly edit and watermark a photo.
I’ll be doing a few book reviews and probably posting some new photos, but I need a little break from tablescaping and researching vintage finds. Stay with me — I’ll be back!
Photostyling Using Vintage Finds
Vintage pieces are everywhere and are the perfect backdrop for interesting blogging and photostyling.
This display was taken at Lucky Junk with my cell phone. Interesting blog photos are everywhere!
While I’m still learning about photography and photostyling, I’ve figured out a few pointers that might help people who are starting out in blogging. I’m not a professional photographer, but the difference between my old and new photos is noticeable. Continue reading
It’s a Cow Parade
Last week’s cow photo was fun for me to share, and you liked it too.
I’ve been learning how to shoot animals with their personality showing
Given the cow’s popularity, I’ve decided to do a series with the animals with personality I shot with my photo class. Just remember, you asked for it! Continue reading
Biltmore Part II: Biltmore Estate Landscaping
What pairs well with the biggest private home in the United States? Why, one’s own forest and mountain, of course.
On our visit to the Biltmore Estate we marveled at the beautiful landscape surrounding George Washington Vanderbilt’s mansion. It is even more amazing when you realize that most of this landscape was immature during Vanderbilt’s lifetime. He and his very famous landscape architect, Frederick Law Olmsted, both died before really being able to appreciate the glory of what they designed.
Biltmore Estate forests with view of Blue Ridge Mountains
Flower Stories: Iris and Peonies
A while back, I told you the story of my neighbor’s beautiful Bridal Veil Spirea.
That was then…
I’ve also told you about how Oksana’s beautiful garden has been plundered and pretty much ruined by the flippers who are renovating her house.
This is now — a desecration of a beautiful shrub.
The good news is that like all shrubs, this one will come back next year if no one disturbs it. Let’s hope my new neighbors — if we ever have new neighbors — will understand something about pruning shrubs and let it be. Continue reading
Looking for the Light
I’ve been taking a photography class in a local adult education program, and the most important thing I’ve learned is that I need to look for the light.
Look for the light…
I was setting up a tablescape and suddenly realized that the shadows from the late afternoon sun made a very interesting photo to share with my class. I thought I’d share it with you, too.
Happy Spring!
Downton Abbey Tablescape for the Servantless Home Decorator
This post contains affiliate links; see my PR disclosure policy for details.
One of my favorite scenes in the movie Julie & Julia is where Julie Powell (Amy Adams) types into her infant blog a reference to Julia Child’s famous words from the beginning of Mastering the Art of French Cooking — “Nobody here but us servantless American cooks.” Julia Child believed that with a little bit of instruction and a lot of good directions, servantless American cooks could pull off the preparation of traditional French dishes in their homes.
The same applies to our servantless home tablescaping — if you know the basic ingredients of a tablescape, you can create your version of even the fanciest decor, using what you already own. Granted, for some of us, our “stash” is larger than for others. If you don’t have quite what you need, you can pick up beautiful pieces for very little money on sale or in resale shops. Just follow any blog written by a home tablescaper and you’ll see hundreds of pieces purchased for a song. It makes me sad to find dish sets and linens that were given away by family members who didn’t want their grandma’s treasured home items, but I digress…
Downton Abbey merchandise at Cost Plus World Market
Over the holidays, Cost Plus World Market was carrying quite a few Downton Abbey-labeled products. Knowing my love for the show, I received a bottle of Downton Abbey wine, Downton Abbey soaps, Downton Abbey mince pies, and I also bought an Edwardian-style table runner and matching napkins that the store sold with the other Downton Abbey products. On sale, of course. Continue reading
Pumpkin Delight Tablescape
It’s that time of year — time for the Pumpkin Delight Tablescape. I’m not all that fond of orange, but I managed to find a vision for pumpkin time that I could live with.
The Pumpkin Delight Tablescape adds fall elements in an eclectic mix of formal and informal tableware.
For the first time in my life, I have a dining room table and chairs that I ordered exactly the way I wanted them to be. I’ve been the lucky beneficiary of many a hand-me-down table, and for this I am grateful, but I figured that I deserved the dining room set that I wanted, not what my relatives wanted. My Amish-made oak table and chairs are crafted in Illinois and are sturdy as well as beautiful — and with all the leaves in the table it will seat twelve. Yay! Continue reading
Wordless Wednesday: It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere
If you NEED this beauty in your garden decor to remind yourself that it’s five o’clock somewhere, you can find it at San Francisco Kite Company, located at Pier 41 between Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39. You can also order it online.
Happy Wordless Wednesday! I’m linked up today with Travel Photo Monday” at Travel Photo Discovery, Wordless Wednesday at ThinkTalkBlog, and “Travel Photo Thursday” at Budget Travelers Sandbox, so stop by and leave a comment or two for the creative bloggers showcasing their work today!
Got my bags, got my reservations,
Spent each dime I could afford.
Like a child in wild anticipation,
I long to hear that, “All aboard!”
Music and lyrics by Bud Green, Les Brown and Ben Homer (1944)
