Thursday, October 21, 2010

Ya'll sure know how to make a girl feel special

THANKS bunches for the birthday wishes!

My girls spoiled me with a tea party luncheon
and
an afternoon of shopping.

It was so fun and relaxing to get to shop
at the antique stores 
instead 
of doing business at them.

 Here 
is my birthday present:




after much research and deliberation

I chose the Canon SX Powershot 30
because
1. It is a bridge camera
(supposedly a step-up from a point and shoot but not quite a DSLR)

2.  I 'm a little afraid of the DSLR's.

3. I wasn't sure I wanted to invest in and carry around lenses.

4.If June can take pictures like she does with her point and shoot
then there must be plenty for me to still learn at this level.

5.  It was more in my price range.

6. It's a Canon...my old camera was, too.

AND

7.. Wal-Mart gives a 30-day  return policy.

If I don't like it- I can return it.

I figured how could I really go wrong with that?

Let's just hope that I have some time to play with it in the 
next 30 days...

I don't have anything else I'm supposed to be doing!

Here are a few shots that I quickly took:


straight from the camera



after: 
because I  do  love me some photo-editing


This one is straight from the camera
I'm trying to get that blurred background effect

It is amazing the things there are to learn.
I know more about cameras than I did a month ago
but 
 I fear
I have only scratched the surface!


and more editing
~
~
~
The days are starting to be really full.
We are in the final stretch of wedding planning.
The weather is changing...
my painting days are numbered for the season.
Sales at the shop have just suddenly picked up 
after months of being s-l-o-w.
That means it is *empty* and needs re-stocking.

 It's  all good.

Take care, girlies...hope to have a wedding post up soon.
Rene'
P.S.  ASK ME A QUESTION is still open....

22 comments:

Gracie's Cottage said...

A belated happy birthday!
And have fun with the camera; I just got one of those recently, (for the same reasons you did!) and I love it - especially that "super marcro".

Jan

Seawashed said...

hApPy HaPpY belated birthday! May I say you are looking beautiful at 50! Yes, beautiful, wrinkles and all...I love your new whispy hair do too. So cute on you.

Your camera inspires me. I have a Canon digital powershot in turqoise of course. But one day I will get a BIG Girl camera and this looks like a good choice. I know I want Canon, but I don't want to change lenses either. My son bought his sweetheart the Canon Rebel and she loves it. But thats a DLSL right? Your pics are amazing already. Do you use photoshop for your editing? I have it but still have to learn how to use it.

Looking forward to the wedding. ox~ kerrie

Sandy~Romantique Inspirations~ said...

Happy Birthday Rene, I'm glad your day was Super. I'm in the process of getting a camera too, still not sure what to get, so I'll keep this one in mind.

You really are something else.... in a good way of course!

Belated Birthday HUgs*

Unknown said...

Oh, I'm glad you got the Canon..does it have the place where you can use a remote switch. I wish I had lookd for that in mine. Ah well...
Glad you had a fine day with your daughters...
that's always so much fun.
blessings,
glenda

Anne Lorys said...

Congrats on your new toy!
You're going to have SUCH fun!
And happy belated birthday too, my friend!

Hugs,
Anne

cindy said...

Oooo, I've been waiting to see what you'd get. My camera is going to be replaced asap. Can't wait to hear how it's working for you.

Anonymous said...

I really need to sit and learn my camera! One day I will have the time to squeeze it in and then watch out! Nice present. Hugs. Tammy

June said...

Did I miss the big one???? Oh you are going to love your 50s. Definitely the best years of my life so far! I can't believe I am saying that...I always thought it was my 'baby days', but it's even more fun when the babies are having babies. And your children become your best friends.

You are going to love the camera Rene'. I know it's not easy to understand the manual, but I really advise you to do it. It is amazing what these little gems can do!
hugs to you...

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

It sounds like you had a lovely birthday. Congrats on your new camera. I have a Canon PowerShot A650, bought a couple of years ago. I still haven't learned all there is to know about it, but I love it, especially the macro capabilities.

Your photos are great and I know you are going to enjoy this camera and we are going to be seeing more wonderful pictures from you.

Hugs ~ FlowerLady

debi said...

Sweet birthday present! Does this mean your photos will be even MORE beautiful than they already are?!

Daphne Nicole & Lynda Cade said...

Happy belated birthday and what a great birthday present!!! I loved the photos you took their just gorgeous... have fun with that new camera! hugs~~~ Daphne

CeCe said...

As I am adjusting to a two hour time change, on the first day of a sweet vacation, I am catching up on a few of my blog visitations... I have been away in my visiting and oh my.... there is no appropriate vocabulary for the beauty of your messages via your written word and pictures.... be them sad posts, happy posts, or in your eyes,scary posts. Trust me, though, the 50's are truly the very BEST years! You are old enough to know what is happening in life and young enough to have the body to enjoy it..... all the while, allowing us to enjoy it right along with you when we are welcomed into your blog world. Wishing you a wonderful year...

Burlap Luxe said...

Happy Birthday to you!!! My daughters 18th was on the 17th of october....I am so in the market for a camera like this weekend or coming week! It looks like your camera is taking beautiful shots!!
I was looking into the DSLR camera Nikon yet scary I hate to learn new things and so time consuming to learn all the needed electronics! Eeeeh! gads! and what ever happened to the days when we were just so happy snapping shots on those little brownie cameras proudly :)

Well will see what I talk myself into :) and how much I want to work my brain! I will be so happy to take beautiful shots like yours!

see you soon, keep inspiring us!
xx
Dore

Sandi~A Cottage Muse said...

Ok...I think it is time I upgrade my camera...your photos are amazing!! Well, they were before too!!

Have fun!!!

Sweet Old Vintage said...

Well I was sure it would be something pretty but it is something to take lovely pcs with so I was kinda sorta right.... You will enjoy making your objcts look even more lovely when sharing with us....

Mrs. Cherry Heart said...

Happy Belated Birthday!
I have to agree with June..... 50 is fabulous.
I have never felt more alive and vibrant.
Like a teenager with a few aches and pains and wrinkles but hey thats character right! :-)

Enjoy your new toy!
Hugz, Dolly

P.S. what program do you use for editing?

from me to thee......... said...

what fun!!!!!! I LOVE the second picture, breath taking.......Linda

Rose ~Victorian Rose ~ said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY...you are only about a month older than my Texas daugther. NICE milestone...yes, you will enjoy these years from now on.
The more you play with your camera, the more you learn...the manual is "GREEK" I swear.
I still do not have the real hang of MACRO for some odd reason. But when you learn....please explain EXACTLY how you did it.
Love your photo editing...looking very old timey.

Rose

Burlap Luxe said...

Hi Rene'
Are you still enjoying your new camera!

Congrats on that beautiful photo of your soon to be grandson! no camera shot could top that one could it :)

Oh I have been looking around for a great easy camera myself, and Kerrie at sea cottage mentioned you and yours!

xx
Dore

gail said...

good job on those photos....I'm trying to learn the photo editing, thing.
Happy Birthday,
I am a new follower
gail
adventuresininnkeeping.blogspot.com

bigeyedchick said...

Rene'~
I'm anxious to see more pictures from your new camera! I have been in the market for a new one too, but I am afraid to buy one and be stuck with a camera I don't like that I paid hundreds of dollars for! I didn't know about Wal-Mart's 30 day return policy, I guess I will have to buy one there.
I'm am so glad to hear that your daughter's baby is doing ok! I will keep praying for you all.

God bless,
Laurel in MN

Regina Moore said...

Love what the photo editing produces...great pics on your first try!