About a year ago, I received this poem:
And Ode to Karen Russell
9 weeks ago we embarked on a journey
Not quite sure what we'd find.
The world of photography is so vast and scary...
Can ANYONE ease our mind?
All of these buttons, dials and settings:
Aperture, f-stops - lessons to play!
Low and behold, our teacher arrives
She's come to save the day!
Assignments to complete, photos to upload
Will there be enough time?
So much to learn - so little time!
Life gets in the way and now I'm behind!
But they say time flies when you're having fun
This part we know is true!
Just one question remains in our hearts...
Karen Russell, WHAT will we do without you?!?
We weren't quite sure how to thank you...
What is the perfect way?
Something very special will soon arrive...
When can you get away?
What arrived was something wonderful.
A bunch of gals from one of my past classes pooled together and sent me a gift certificate to stay at The Mercantile in McCloud, California. Apparently, they remembered it's our anniversary destination.
And last weekend, Josh Downs and I finally got away...
We got to McCloud around 7:30 p.m., just in time to watch a movie in bed and fall asleep.
And then we got up the next morning and headed down to the cafe for breakfast.
Free breakfast=Happy husband.
Right after I took this shot, the waitress walked over and said, " Are you two newlyweds because you just scream newlyweds?" (We hear that frequently.) Turns out she and a couple of the other patrons were placing bets on it.
I quit shooting after that though because people typically think one of two things about newlyweds:
1. They're really cute.
2. They're really annoying.
And then I went back upstairs for some quiet time.
And then we headed up to the mountain to go cross-country skiing. (Something we had never done before.)
It's really fun (but really tiring) so we needed a break.
Cold beer=Happy husband.
A fellow cross-country skier passed by as I was taking this shot, standing over the top of Josh Downs in what may have looked like a precarious position. (I bet she thought we were newlyweds too.)
I was attempting to look tough in that shot. (Failed miserably at that attempt though.)
We went to dinner after that but I was too cold & tired (and hungry) to take any pictures.
And then we fell asleep again.
Spent the next morning relaxing in the room.
And then we headed back to the same cafe for breakfast.
Free breakfast two days in a row=A really happy husband.
And then we packed up and left The Mercantile once again. We'll be back next year though. (Here's photos from the last couple of years, here and here.)
I wasn't joking when I said my students are the best in the world.
Thanks all you lovely ladies.
Karen the photos are great memories and spending quality with your loved one with those beautiful surroundings will make beautiful memories.
Your students were very thoughtful and generous. I can't put you up in a hotel but when you come to Brisbane you are staying with me and my 2 beautiful children. Your blog has meant a great deal to me getting through the last 3 years of single parenting.
Love your coffee cup on the window ledge.
Posted by: Kathy | February 22, 2011 at 11:46 PM
That invite includes Josh Downs and those cute kids as well. Oh my friends will be soooooooooooo jealous but of course you would have to meet them as well!! Aussie BBQ is awaiting. Luv Kathy A, Enoggera, Brisbane
Posted by: Kathy | February 22, 2011 at 11:48 PM
so cute, all your posts make me smile. i have taken one online course from you and one scrap class in person. my kids call you my idol, that is how much i talked about you after both classes. is it weird that a almost stranger can be your idol, i think of things i learned in your online class every time i am holding my camera. thanks for that:)
Posted by: shannon | February 22, 2011 at 11:58 PM
as usual, you got fabulous photos. thanks for sharing!
Posted by: anne leglise | February 23, 2011 at 12:47 AM
I was wondering if you had used your present! So glad you enjoyed it. Love the shot of you in the bath, the lighting is amazing and makes me want to run a hot tub, jump in and forget the world. May you and Josh Downs always be newlyweds!
Posted by: Helen Walsh | February 23, 2011 at 01:09 AM
So glad you guys enjoyed your romantic getaway weekend!! Certainly much deserved!!! The lighting in the bath tub shot is amazing!! Happy Anniversary to you & Josh Downs!!! ♥
Posted by: ♥ Debbie | February 23, 2011 at 01:23 AM
heehee, the "constipation" comment is too funny :) glad you had a good time with that super gift your students gave you! nothing is worth more than time together :) best wishes from Germany!
Posted by: Nina | February 23, 2011 at 02:40 AM
Happy anniversary Karen! Love the photos. Love the story. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Alby | February 23, 2011 at 03:57 AM
great pic's as always :) do you set your camera on a table or do you travel with a tripod?? Love your angles :)
Posted by: Gretchen C | February 23, 2011 at 05:24 AM
I find this post, in particular, inspiring. You used such a variety of shots that it reminds me that I need to try new things more often! Oh, and I would totally take it as a compliment that people think you're newlyweds. If you still emanate that kind of joy after years of marriage, them something is definitely, definitely right. :)
Posted by: Elizabeth C. | February 23, 2011 at 05:35 AM
I can just picture the position of you in his glass refelction. That is too funny! But so worth the photo. It is awesome.
But the one that called to me was the last breakfast photo. You look so happy and relaxed. Looks like you had fun, Happy Anniversary and may you always be newlyweds!
Posted by: Shannon Jones | February 23, 2011 at 06:16 AM
Happy A. to both of you. May the joy that shines on your faces always live in your heart. Beautiful photos.
Posted by: janel | February 23, 2011 at 06:27 AM
Happy anniversary - those are really great photos you captured! Really creative
Posted by: Lori | February 23, 2011 at 06:36 AM
I love the shots of you and Josh.. you must be using the self timer - something I need to figure out better. How do you make a self-timed shot look so natural? Is your husband good at ignoring the camera?
Posted by: Eva | February 23, 2011 at 06:45 AM
those trees are beautiful!
Posted by: alyssa | February 23, 2011 at 06:51 AM
Unbelievable photos. It kills me how your exposure is perfect every time. And such creative compositions.
What did you set the camera on in the shot of you and JD sitting in the snow? A hat? a ski?
Glad you found a weekend to get away!
Posted by: nancy in ks | February 23, 2011 at 06:54 AM
What a lovely poem and a great present! Love the pictures!
Posted by: Dina | February 23, 2011 at 07:13 AM
What a great poem!
I love all your photos today!
Posted by: Kelli | February 23, 2011 at 07:43 AM
Wonderful shots! Thanks for not "hiding" your image properties. It is always helpful to see how you made the shot.
Posted by: patti | February 23, 2011 at 08:17 AM
That shot of you and your husband in the snow with the ski's crossed next to you...wow. Unbelievable shot. I would also like to know what you propped the camera on? And how you manage to get the focus so perfectly of the two of you?
Posted by: AnnieM | February 23, 2011 at 08:53 AM
that's hilarious, your precarious position! jerad and i have been wanting to stay there forever! i may have to call you one of these days and get the insider info;)
and i need the info on where togo in Pland too, we're going up for the big antique weekend in July, have you been?
p.s. great shots. jealous.
Posted by: mandy friend | February 23, 2011 at 08:54 AM
that just says how wonderful of a teacher you are to them and how much heart you put into it that they
would turn around and do something so very generous!!!
I LOVE LOVE LOVE all the pix!
you are AMAZING!
tara
Posted by: tara pollard pakosta | February 23, 2011 at 08:55 AM
As always you managed to take amazing photos that beautifully tell the story of your trip! LOVE them all!! I would love to hear your thoughts on the D700 vs D7000 now that you have used both??
Posted by: Shari Barnes | February 23, 2011 at 09:08 AM
Love, love, love all these shots! Makes me want to go out and act like a newleywed! Happy Anniversary!
Posted by: Addie | February 23, 2011 at 09:35 AM
Love all the pics too! Add me to the list of wondering what you set your camera on for that shot lol
Thanks for sharing :)
Posted by: Mary Ann | February 23, 2011 at 11:49 AM