Photoshop Elements

Instead of sticking to my summer "to-do" list I've been playing around with Photoshop Elements and I'm starting to get the hang of the program. In the past month I have been getting familiar with digital scrapbooking sites and have subscribed to quite a few of them. I am finding them very helpful with tutorials, free templates and layout ideas.
The layout of Colin was a tutorial online and the template was provided with step-by-step instructions. Of course, I had a great subject to work with -- Colin! I changed the picture to sepia because his shirt was royal blue and a little too bright for the background paper. It looked much better with that change.
I found the template I used for "Princess Calleigh" at a site for Let's Scrap International. It was a bit more advanced with the 6 picture frames and I couldn't have done it without Walt's help. I changed the background and added all the other pieces from freebies I've found on the internet. it does help to have great photos (thanks, Michelle) and a darling subject -- Calleigh!
I'm enjoying my summer -- being "stretched" with new technology and techniques! Very F U N !

Camp Namanu

This week I'm concentrating on cleaning out desks, closets and cupboards and I'm finding myself distracted by old photos, memorabilia, etc. I found an old envelope with all the receipts for Campfire Camp. From 1963-66 I spent summers of fun at Camp Namanu starting in Sherwood and ending in Pioneer. Camp Namanu is located about an hour from Portland near the Sandy and Bull Run rivers. Once only available to girls (when I attended) -- it is now a coed camp.
There are so many good memories ... canoeing on the pond, nature letters to Mr. Skriggleboggle, weaving & craft classes, stargazing, hiking ... so many activities packed in our week.
Mail call was always something to look forward to. I still have the letters I received while at camp in my childhood scrapbook. The first year I went it was a little sad to only get one letter and the content did not make sense. It mentioned, "Brian is now sitting in a highchair." -- the only Brian I knew was someone my age. Come to find out ... another girl at camp and I had the same name and she received all the mail sent to me! My family had written everyday!
In 1987 I took my boys to an Open House at Camp Namanu so they could "see" the stories I have shared with them about my camping experiences as a young girl. I was amazed at how small the duck pond was and the stargazing tower had always seemed so high. We walked the hiking trails I once believed to be so long, so steep etc. It's funny how things look through the eyes of a child : )
I've included pictures of the boys from that fun day. Brian was the same age as when I first went to camp.I noticed on their website that they still hold open houses. It would be fun to go back again. Maybe this time my camper buddy, Paula can join me!

Girl Talk

Calleigh is starting to interact with us in "conversation." In this picture at the zoo she's trying so hard to tell Grandma something with "cooing." It's fun to watch her facial expression when talking to her. A precious moment.

Family Zoo Day

We enjoyed an awesome family day at the zoo Saturday - minus Matt(hiking) and Rae (Eugene). Hopefully they can join us next time.
We haven't been to the zoo in years and so much has changed! It seems much greener with the landscaping -- not as much cement and cages as from the past -- and much
more family-friendly. Even though it was a very hot day, we felt cool and refreshed at the exhibits. After enjoying this all day event, we're hoping to visit again soon!

Ki-a-Kuts Pedestrian Bridge

We just got home from a new adventure. We have lived in this city for 18 years and today we explored areas we never knew existed. With Matt as our guide, we walked across the new pedestrian bridge -- it opened June 23rd -- found Durham Park (new to me), and then over to Cook Park. What a beautiful area they have created there ... a butterfly garden, soccer and baseball fields, nice restrooms and covered picnic area. An added bonus -- we crossed paths with the Moores and had a nice visit. It was a pleasant evening for exploring and felt good to walk after our Mongolian Grill lunch with Matt.
This 223-acre area has been a long awaited project connecting our 3 communities. Now you don't have to go far to enjoy a great hike or bike ride.

Fabulous Fourth

Our holidays are steeped in tradition and the Fourth is no exception.
Since the mid-eighties we have celebrated the Fourth at Lewisville Park in Battleground followed by fireworks at Ft. Vancouver. We have the timing and plan down to a science – perfected over the years. BUT … this year we had to “readjust” our plans and go with the flow!
Everything seemed in place … wonderful weather, two cars packed with family members, BBQs, coolers and all the essentials for a fabulous Fourth. As we approached the exit for the park, we realized we would be facing Plan B this year. Cars lined the highway shoulder in both directions and there was a slow moving line at the entrance of the park. Due to overwhelming demand, only those with reservations would be admitted. After making a big u-turn and sitting in the nearby Safeway parking lot …hot, tired and clueless about an alternate park plan ... we finally decided to try Battleground Lake State Park. Even though the sign stated the parking lot was full we patiently waited -- a very short time -- for an opening. We found a great shady spot to BBQ and enjoyed an amazing meal. I remember a previous visit to this lake the summer I was pregnant with Brian – 30 years ago : )
Near dusk we headed to Vancouver to watch the fireworks and as always … Plan A worked out. As we spread our blankets and got settled, I heard someone calling my name. Sitting right behind us was the entire Dooms family –minus Cathy. What a delight it was to visit with them and meet all their grandchildren. We seem to keep crossing paths with Dennis and Brenda (from our youth group-now in their late 30s. I’m feeling old!) … but it’s usually at Original Taco House.
We enjoyed a wonderful family day and learned a few lessons along the way --
flexibility: characterized by a ready capability to adapt to new, different, or changing requirements.

Sometimes Plan B is a better plan!

The Oregon Coast (?)

Yep … that’s our feet in the normally frigid, numbing water on the Oregon coast but on Tuesday the ocean water temp was a mild 66 degrees. It was the most perfect, awesome day at the beach. Only thing missing – Walt’s wave jumping buddy, Don!

Thirty-three

We left Sunday on our thirty-third anniversary getaway to Cannon Beach. I believe this is our third year in a row to spend time down here -- two at the Inn at Cannon Beach and one at a "spiritual retreat" cabin we bid on at an auction. We loved the time we had there too ... very small, no TV, no phone ... a great place for R & R -- to unwind.
I am sitting on our deck that overlooks the garden area. The skies are blue, temperatures are warm and there's a hint of a breeze. Life is good : )
We're packing up and getting ready to spend the day on the beach before heading home. It has been a great to spend time with my best and dearest friend! I am so thankful for the thirty-three year "journey" and all the joy, ups and downs, etc. we've shared on the "road."

RSS Feed

Tim is always introducing me to new technology. One of my favorites is NewsNetWire Lite. It allows me to keep up on my favorite blogs, topics, crafts, recipes etc. without manually searching for each one -- new updates are displayed similar to an email "inbox." It's a great time saver!
Many people have asked me what an RSS Feed is ...
Wikipedia describes it as -- "RSS (which, in its latest format, stands for "Really Simple Syndication") is a family of web feed formats used to publish frequently updated content such as blog entries, news headlines or podcasts. An RSS document, which is called a "feed," "web feed," or "channel," contains either a summary of content from an associated web site or the full text. RSS makes it possible for people to keep up with their favorite web sites in an automated manner that's easier than checking them manually."
RSS content can be read using software called a "feed reader" -- I am using NewsNetWire Lite for MAC and it can be downloaded for free at this address: http://www.newsgator.com/Individuals/NetNewsWire
Wikipedia also describes how you can subscribe to a feed by entering the feed's link into the reader or by clicking an RSS icon in a browser that initiates the subscription process. You can check the feeds you have subscribed to regularly for new content, downloading any updates that it finds.
Since I enjoy scrapbooking I have subscribed to several sites such as:
posts to del.icio.us tagged "scrapbooking" enabling me to check out sites I do not have time to search for
pictures tagged "scrapbooking" in flickr! -- some great layout ideas
digital scrapbooking layouts, feebies, tutorials etc.
blogs of my favorite scrapbooking artists
If you are a MAC user, give this a try. You will be amazed at what you will find!