Recaps.

Dang it. I find myself needing more time for recaps, and not finding it.

I had forgotten how much time it takes to teach an instructor-led class. But the Photo Editing: Frame-ups and Special Effects class seems to be going great! We’ve got a huge class this time, and we’re so excited to have lots and LOTS of people involved who are brand-new to Photoshop and deciding to take the plunge! :D

Here are some of my pics from the lessons:

If you missed the signup, don’t worry - I’ll actually be offering this as a self-paced class, both by itself and bundled with my Photo Editing: Good-to-Great Workflow class later this summer. :)

Let’s seee… oh. The 4th of July.

Was awesome. We left Thursday afternoon for the cabin, and spent Friday/Saturday/Sunday there. Friday, we went up to Grandfather Mountain. Right there at the base of the mountain is this teeny town called Linville, and we stumbled on a little general store that had incredible barbeque, and what is hands-down the best apple dessert I’ve ever eaten. They called it an apple dumpling. But it was like a little rustic tart - a folded little package of apple magic with a salty-dense crust and this AMAZING cinnamon-caramel sauce. Served hot, with vanilla ice cream, on a red plastic plate.

And if that weren’t the PINNACLE of blue-ridge heaven, as we sat there, in walk these three young guys with instruments, and played bluegrass music, right there for us. It’s a great little group called the Major Sevens, and they played guitar, fiddle, and banjo. We bought their CD and listened to it in the car for pretty much the entire rest of the weekend.

So on up Grandfather Mountain, and Rowen and I held hands across the mile-high swinging bridge. It’s the highest swinging suspension bridge in the world. Stretching over an 80-foot gorge at the top of a mile-high mountain. And people actually walk on it. First off, I thought my little 40-pound girl was going to get blown over the side. And yeah, the bridge really DID swing. I was freaking out on the inside, but was trying to be brave for Rowen. Of course Ele and Jared loved it, and trotted across like two Billy Goats Gruff. I was just glad to make it down off that dang thing in one piece. But I did manage, of course, to snap a couple of pictures. ;)

Saturday was the 4th, of course. We went to a little small-town festival in Banner Elk, just a few miles from the cabin. They have a park with a creek in it, so we watched rubber duck races, and the kids played in the creek between races.

We headed back to the cabin for a rest, and ended up just following people to the grounds of the Grandfather Country Club to throw down a blanket for the fireworks. We saw TWO fireworks shows - one there at the Club, and the other across the valley at Linville Ridge. I love, LOVE fireworks. This weekend was one of those magic weekends that will bring a secret smile to my face every time I think about it, forever.

I love the opportunity to deliberately go, get away, spend time with my family. I know it doesn’t require a 3-hour drive to do those things, but being physically away from our normal environment just causes my little family to get closer. I love it.

Okay, and it seems as though Lightroom isn’t liking my photos just now. I won’t panic just yet, but I also won’t be posting photos. LOL.

We are leaving tomorrow for another weekend away - but only Friday to Saturday. We’re going to see the Highland Games! Jared got fitted for his kilt last week, so he’ll miss dressing for the Games this year, but he’ll be in full Highland regalia next year for sure. I love me a man in a kilt. ;)

And I hope to be back with photos as soon as I can figure out my Lightroom issue. Ah. Technology. The ultimate curse of a blessing. :)

Comments

[Missus Wookie]

A man in a kilt - ooooh :) The fireworks, the barbeque and actually the entire weekend sound blissful. If I hadn't had such a fun time at home I'd have swapped you. But agreeing - something about being away makes us all get closer.

Enjoying the class and reading a recap, glad you found time.

[Julie L.]

Jessica--loving your photo frameups class. Thank you! Also--your July 4th weekend sounds just heavenly...cabin, best dessert ever and a personal bluegrass music concert. Wow :) That bridge sounds like it was quite an adventure--us mommies often find ourselves being braver than ever for our kids-kudos for making it across! enjoy your summer moments.

[Amy L]

Oh sorry LR is being mean, would love to see those shots. Your class is awesome BTW!

[ngriffin]

just have to say thank you a million times for offering the photo editing frame ups class....I am so happy with everything you have shared and shown...my husband has to listen to me rave everynite when i finish my homework! Who knew I would every be this excited about class assignments!!! Love it! Thank you so much!!!!

[Kim H.]

You photo editing class has been amazing and I'm finally feeling like I understand and can use Photoshop. You are an amazing teacher and I really appreciate your depth of knowledge and yet your way of presenting the material in a clear, concise and easily digested manner. You have a gift. Thank you!

[twila hall]

Love the photos,
so when do you offer photo shop classes?
How does it work?
I found your blog through Zenica's, Michael is my son...
Twila

[Gretchen]

Kilts!! Love it!! XD

[faith]

I'm in the class...spent a few extra hours saturday catchin up so now I'm up to today...enjoying every bit of it. I am loving the new stuff i'm learning about adjustment layers and such. Also as i read your post, i was thinking how cool it is that you guys are vacationing in our neck of the woods...i'm not too far from boone and blowing rock and all that and it's funny but living so close to there, we sometimes forget what cool places there are just a short distance away. LOL!

[Carmen K.]

Just clicked that link to see the bridge you had the courage to trod over and it's closed because of BEAR activity in the area! Glad you made it out alive - and not just from the crazy bridge.

[Carmen Biosca]

Thank you for your tutorials the photoshop, are you very interesting.
Carmen Barcelona , Spain
http://bioscarmen.blogspot.com/

[Jeannie Phillips (powderhorngreen)]

Hey - I was in Linville on Friday the 3rd. Small world! We spent the holiday weekend at my sister's place on Lake James. Love that part of the country. Next time you're in that area - be sure to check out the candy shop at the Mast general store.

[Kelly]

Just wanted to say thanks.
Thanks for the square eyes I'm developing as I devour your photo editing class - it's great. You've taught me a bunch of things that had me stumped for months. I'm not minding the square eyes so much :)

[amber]

Jessica, your class is AWESOME! You are an amazing teacher and the fact that you are giving it away for FREE makes you one of my favorite people! My hubby and I come home from work every day and we both check out what neat tricks you show in Photoshop. I am LOVING the results and the shortcuts I've learned from you. Again, thank you!

By the way, I'm from Fayetteville (my sister went to Lees McCrae in Banner Elk). You really seem to capture the beauty of that place in your photos. While Fayetteville certainly doesn't make me homesick (haha!) your pictures envoke a sense of nostalgia in me. ;)

[Rachelle Smith]

Jessica, I just finished your Frame Up's class & I have to say THANK YOU in such a big way! I want to just hug you. I've been wanting to learn so many of these techniques for soooo long! I would recommend everyone who has any interest to take this class. You're amazing!

[Beth]

Jessica, I just wanted to take a moment to say THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!! I am behind on the class, having just completed lesson 6 today. I cannot tell you how long I have struggled with P.S. to try and teach myself these techniques. After I finished today's class I literally felt like crying with joy!!! You are such an excellent instructor and I am just so thrilled with what I have learned so far.

And for the first time I am actually having fun with P.S.!!!! I am trying my best to
finish the class in the new few days. I wont hesitate to recommend your classes to anyone and am going to sign up for another one soon!

Again thank you so much for offering this free class to allow people like me the opportunity to see how easy and fun it can be!

[Kim K.]

Thank you so much for putting on this class!!! You rock! and I look forward to taking your other classes. :)

[Shirley]

That class was my first ever and I completed every lesson and loved every moment of it! I'm so excited to take another one of your classes. By the way, I've been on Grandfather and there was no way I'd ever do that bridge! You deserve big kudos for being so brave!