Today's Photoshop Lesson

Tin Shed Garden Cafe in Portland

This morning we ventured out to the Alberta Area to try the "Tin Shed Garden Cafe".  If you decide to try them, don't worry about the address - just drive down Alberta and watch for about 50 people standing on the sidewalk and sitting on benches outside the entrance.  When you do - you have arrived and they are the ones waiting for a table ahead of you...........................  SO, after over an hour wait, we finally got a table.  While waiting, we enjoyed coffee and tea and some people watching so the time went fairly quickly.  The patio is large and dogs are encouraged so it was a little like being at a Westminster show.  (Sorry, Bella, that we left you at home).  The menu includes three dishes that you can order for your dog and it was fun watching the "regulars" who were dancing around with tails wagging, because they knew 

they got to eat breakfast, too.

Roger had a fresh salmon scramble and the had the "Everything Naughty", which included biscuits with bacon gravy, potato pancakes, bacon and scrambled eggs  No, neither of us have eaten since and I'm not sure if we'll even be hungry by dinner time.

Even Locals Go to VooDoo

I'm pretty sure that I was the only local standing in line at VooDoo Donuts this morning.  Yes - even on a cloudy Thursday morning at 9:00 a.m. there was a 30 minute wait in line.  Since I'm a determined person, I stuck it out and got four cake donuts; one to eat and three to freeze.  That will take care of my VooDoo curse for awhile................ since the experience is a "love/hate" issue.  Love to eat but hate the calories.
 

Last Night For Photography Class................

Now, I'm supposed to have the basic tools and knowledge for taking beautiful photographs, but, I'm aware that there will still be much to learn - as they say "experience is the best teacher".  Below is my "show and tell" for the class..............

Now, I'll need to practice +++++++ practice +++++++ practice

Introducing Duffy to lunch..............

This gorgeous little man is only 5 months old so he's currently "in training".  Today Allison and I decided to walk down to RiverFront with Bella and Duffy to see how he would behave at an outdoor cafe.  He was a gentleman the entire time and, even though Bella is a little unsure about making friends, they got some mutual sniffing and kissing time.

He's

He's presently at about 75 pounds so he has a lot of growing to do with an estimated adult weight between 100 and 125 pounds.

Allison and I enjoy having lunch together so we're planning to take the dogs to lunch at least once a week.  We have several nearby cafes that encourage dogs and it's a pleasant walk for the dogs and us, too.

Sunday in Portland.............

Today Roger and I went our separate ways with me taking photo assignments for my class tomorrow night and for Roger who is the Director of a film that he and five other PSU students are making for their International Studies class.

My assignment was to take a photo of something with a dull color and texture.

Then I needed a photo in which I used a flash.

Meanwhile, Roger and his classmates were treking all over Portland filming their video which meant that he and several others who follow Futbol had to miss the Argentina/Germany match.  They made it back here the last 2 minutes of the game so they were able to celebrate Germany's win.  After eating lunch here, they did some filming in our condo and outside on the grounds - then they called it a "wrap".  Now it's time to do the editing so there's still lots of work to be done.

I was pleased to be able to meet the team; Rob, an American, Constantine, a Russian, Aio, a Japanese exchange student, Sue, from Korea and the videographer, Koyo, also a Japanese exchange student.  Also on the team are two senior auditors who volunteered to help with the script and editing.

I continue to marvel at the new learning opportunities that I have living in a metropolitan city.  Moving to Portland was the best decision of my entire life.........................

A Friedli Family Celebration !! Congratulations Ashley and Jordan!

July 4th is an important date in the Friedli family, starting with Ashley's birth 27 years ago and now the day that we'll celebrate Ashley's engagement to Jordan Mueller.  They met at work almost three years ago.  Jordan is an artist and he loves sports so they have many common interests.  I hear that he likes to sing, too so he's a man of many talents.  Now we're looking forward to meeting him and welcoming him into the family.................

Another Photo Challenge..........

Last night's challenge at class was to bring a photo that we used a manual setting to "pan" a moving object; the goal being to show speed but still have a portion sharp enough to identify the moving object.  We have a low concrete barrier on the outside of the condo so I got my camera set with the tripod and sat there waiting for vehicles to come by.  It's a little like boiling water.............. if you watch it nothing happens so for a short while there were no cars anywhere.  Then, I was amazed to find what an interesting variety of vehicles drive past; all sizes, all colors and shapes.  It took quite a few attempts before I finally got this one and it took "first prize" at show and tell.  The only difficulty was trying to explain to people walking by why I was sitting there taking all those pictures.  People seem to be curious but also very suspicious so someone at class suggested that we wear a huge sign that reads "Photographer in Training".  Maybe I need to get a t-shirt !

July 4th City View...............

This is the view from Cheryl's balcony.  It's probably good that I don't live where there's a view because I would be taking thousands of pictures.  You know - sunrises, sunsets, clouds, thunder storms and so forth.................

When Aurora comes Tuesday for my next Photoshop lesson I'm hoping she can help me improve both photos and put the fireworks into the city view.

Lori and Pam Bid Farewell to Portland..............

Yesterday was the perfect way to enjoy July 4th, starting with watching the Futbol game between Brazil and Columbia, then "J" sparkling wine and breakfast.  The girls took a break and took the streetcar to Powell's (Pam's favorite place to shop).

Lori barbecued chicken marinated in my "black magic sauce" and, after dinner, we walked over to Cheryl's condo to see the fireworks from the 9th floor in the Grant Tower.  It was the first time they had visited on the 4th and they have never had an opportunity to see fireworks close up and from above the bursts so they were really excited to see the beautiful display.  I was over in the corner doing my homework for my photography class - setting my camera on "bulb", using a slow shutter speed of 6 seconds and pretty much failing to get more than one "sort of good" picture.
My progress learning my camera settings has been somewhat painful but I'm determined to learn.  Tomorrow I have to take motion pictures using aperture priority mode and shutter priority mode.  Confused?  You should be ME........................

Anyway, this morning the girls left for home and they are missed already.  They were in the kitchen for every meal, helping with the cooking and cleanup so I became quickly spoiled.

SO, the party is over - - for now.

The Party Continues................

Last night we enjoyed a barbecue party with Allison and Cheryl.

Lori and Pam did the majority of the cooking; barbecued pork ribs with "Podnah's Barbecue Sauce" from a local restaurant.  Roger grilled corn on the cob until it was caramelized and Pam made coleslaw and her "famous" potato salad.  I baked a fresh apricot pie (Pam's favorite) and we finished it with a scoop of double vanilla from "Salt and Straw".

It was a great preview to today, July 4th.  It's an important date in our family because today we celebrate the birth of my only grandchild, Ashley Friedli.




Yes, we're still eating.  This morning we're still working on Gravy's take home, so breakfast is reheated corned beef hash with poached eggs and toasted bagles from Hood River.

Pam and Lori have been enjoying their morning Bloody Mary while watching the Futbol World Cup match and now it's time to be lazy (again).

The PARTY Begins...............

Pam and Lori arrived last night and it's been a "party" ever since.  After doing a "wine run" at Safeway, we decided to go to Old Town Pizza and hang out.  I think that it was almost 10 pm when we got home so poor Roger had a very late dinner (he's so sweet and didn't complain and was happy that we had a good time).

This morning, after coffee, we headed for Gravy where we introduced Pam and Lori to their amazing food.  

To the right is Lori's Chili Verde with eggs and corn tortillas and below is my biscuit and sausage gravy.  Pam has corned beef hash and Roger had a vegetarian omelette.  Right now the refrigerator is full of "take home" so our next two breakfasts will feature both Pam and Lori's dishes.

Since it's "all about food" when we're together, our next stop was our favorite New Seasons Market where we went crazy buying wonderful things.

No, that's not nearly enough............. so next we found a nearby "Salt and Straw", a local ice cream maker who features some very unusual flavor combinations.  No question, but we had to each have a cone and, for tonight's dessert, we've baked a puff pastry fresh apricot and plum tart that we'll top with caramel, sea salt ice cream.  OK, enough food talk.  It's always great to have Lori and Pam visit and we're looking forward to the July 4th fireworks down at the river.  The forecast is for 80 degrees that day which makes for a perfect warm evening.