Notes from the Patch

Hooray for family and Picnik

Bill and I are in Ventura through the weekend.

Our kids have converged on us and we are just enjoying one another and the cool ocean air.

Our son Bryan and his wife Jen are especially loving the weather here since it's been so blasted hot in Kansas all summer.

Cherene is here with her boys too. We love getting all the cousins together a few times a year. I think cousins are so important when we're growing up.

This is our youngest grand, Nathan.

He's getting a new heart valve later this summer

but you'd never know he needs one just by looking at him.

I have no idea who this cutie patootie is

but she really knows how to work the camera.

Heaven help me!

We've had a busy day. The kids have all been sent to their rooms for an hour of reading (cause grammy needs a rest) and Bryan, Jen and Cherene have gone up the coast for a night away without kids.

Thank you all for your sympathies on my broken camera. Turns out it was just a broken lens. Thankfully it was a cheap one and an awesome replacement is on its way. I'm looking forward to seeing if a better lens helps my pictures. In the mean time I'm heavily editing my photos. All I can say is hooray for Picnik!

Encourage one another,

 

Sad news...big news

The sad news:

Saturday morning I grabbed my camera, hopped in Minnow and headed for farmers market.

There are always great photo ops at farmers market. Rows and rows of beautiful California produce. Flowers. Cute kids in strollers eating big bags of kettle corn. Musicians on the corner singing for tips.

"So where are your photos Suzanne", you say?

As I was unloading the car my beloved Nikon slipped out of my arms and went skittering in pieces across the garage floor.

I was sick.

Fighting off tears I went into the house to tell Bill my sad news.

He just gave me a hug. He knows how much I love that camera.

While I finished unloading the car he had a look at it. His diagnoses was that it's curable. Very sick but curable.

I haven't had the courage to try and take pictures yet.

I guess I'll be at the camera store when they open Monday morning.

Now I know how my customers feel when they think they've broken their sewing machines. They walk in all sad and anxious. Seems they don't know that our most magnificent sewing machine technician* can fix almost anything.

I just wish he worked on cameras!

Encourage one another,

The big news:

* Starting in August TJ will be at Strawberry Patches every Tuesday! Have your Bernina, White, Singer, Viking, Pfaff, Baby Lock, Brother or Kenmore (did I leave anything out?) serger or sewing machine in by early Tuesday morning and TJ  will have it ready that afternoon. For our out of town customers we'll service your machine while you wait. No need for two trips to Bakersfield. Just tell us you're from out of town and your machine is next up. TJ is certified and experienced in all makes and models of sewing machines. (Doesn't hurt that he's cute and is a darned nice guy). We guarantee that you'll love his work!

 

 

 

April showers bring May flowers

One thing I came away with from last Saturday's trip to Remnants of the Past Vintage Show

 was a renewed appreciation for the flowers from my garden, gathered and casually arranged.

I adore my vintage Eden Roses and evidently some of you do too because several customers have ordered them since seeing mine.

They are so beautiful! I just wish they would last all summer long.

Encourage one another,

  

 

 

Today

I'm excited.

Today I'm doing something I've wanted to do for a long, long time.

Today I'm taking a private photography class!

Poor man. He has no idea what he's in for.

I hope the old saying, "You can't teach an old dog new tricks" isn't true.

I hope Patricia's saying, "With enough hard work and dedication, dreams can become a reality" is true.

I am dedicated to work hard.

I dream of better photos.

 

I have a BIG photo shoot  tomorrow. A life changing revelation that you will see right here.

It's all very exciting!

Encourage one another,

 

 

Encouraging one another

One of the blogs I read every morning is Donna Boucher's, Quiet Life. Her photography is my inspiration and my "Encourage one another" at the end of my blog posts was "borrowed" from her. Although we have never met, she does so inspire me. Today's  post especially touched me and I wanted to share.

 

"With enough hard work and dedication, dreams can become a reality".

                                                                                Patricia Zhou

 I believe that.

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Encourage one another,

 

Today...

...I woke up early and sipped my coffee while reading some of my favorite blogs. Pretty much my normal routine except   this one from Rhonda Farrer really resonated with me.

Today I was inspired by the list. I realized I have been neglecting to focus on those things that I hold so dear. Thank you Rhonda for the reminder!

While I finished my coffee I clicked on the television to get the local morning news, just as I always do, but a rerun of Oprah on Bob Greene's book, 20 years Younger caught my attention. It inspired me to get Bob's book and order Lancer skin care products. (I'll let you know how that all goes - you probably won't recognise me next time you see me).

Today I drove to Fresno to meet with other quilt shop owners from the Heart of the Valley Shop Hop and was uplifted by their excitement over our upcoming shop hop. We laughed and shared our plans and some of the surprises we have in store for you. Let's just say this years hop includes clowns, quesadillas, a baked potato bar, mini cupcakes, snow cones and  tons of awesome free stuff. 

Today I rejoiced as I finally made arrangements for private photography classes - something I've wanted to do for over a year! I can't wait to share my (hopefully) improved photographs with you!

So, how was your day?

Mine was pretty much awesome.

Encourage one another,

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday's sunset

Goodbye sunshine. 

 I'm going to miss you! 

It's back to Bakersfield and the cold gray fog for me. 

Encourage one another,

 

A perfect weekend

 

 

 Encourage one another,

 

 

 

My weekend in photos

 By the look of the produce

 at farmers market,

 

 the flowers

 and the 80 degree weather, it felt like summer.

If it weren't  for the poinsettias

and the twinkle lights reflecting in the harbor one would never guess it's just two weeks until Christmas!

Yikes! Are you ready?

Encourage one another,

 

Random shots from my walk

In my never ending quest for getting my Nikon off automatic I was playing with some camera settings.

Here are the results.

 Not great. Can anyone tell me how to fix these?

 

I need some serious lessons.

Better, but...

not great.

 

 I want this kitty.

 

 

Thanks for indulging me.

Happy Monday.

Encourage one another,