Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Day 44: The winner is declared!

"At last the Dodo said, 'everybody has won, and all must have prizes.'" from Alice in Wonderland.
And the prizes were. . . . comfits! (Comfits are sweetened nuts!)

Well, dear friends, you are right! I was in San Francisco, a very beautiful city, and a photographer's dream city. Unfortunately, I had to spend much of the time at my hotel, but still, I did manage to get to Fisherman's Wharf one evening. So here is the obligatory photo of a
trolley car! (which looks suspiciously like a bus to me!) But it really was Kari who was the first to suggest San Francisco, but everyone gets the prize: a truly great recipe for sweetened nuts:

Candied Nuts

1 lb walnuts, almonds or pecans
1 t vanilla
6 T milk
1 cup sugar
2 t cinnamon
1/4 t salt

Toast nuts for 8 minutes at 350 F.
In a small pot, stir sugar, milk & cinnamon until mixture reaches "soft ball" stage, 236 F. WATCH THIS CAREFULLY! Remove from heat, add vanilla, pour over nuts. Spread on wax paper and cool.


Straight out of the camera. Shot in Night mode; ISO 1600; exp: 1/15; f/4.0; 18-135 mm at 28 mm; wb: shade.


Levels adjusted; exposure increased.

Antique wash


Acid wash action.

For awhile, I won't be on theme, and my photos might not be taken on the day of my post (I'm back in Grand Forks now), but I LOVED being in San Francisco, and I'll want to post more of these photos. It was quite a challenge, the 2 1/2 hours I got to roam around and see touristy things; I took a shuttle, a bus, and then the trolley to get to this area, but I was determined to see more than my hotel, to feel AIR (outside air) that was super-heated to 50ish degrees, and to photograph more than just my little corner of the world. And strangely, very strangely, I missed being home in my frozen world. Very strange.

29 comments:

Ljonezy said...

Angela - I am so amazed by your photography skills. I love looking at your photos and what you do to them. How did you like SF? A little warmer than home eh? Hope you enjoyed yourself.

Kelly said...

Great night shot. Wish I could do that. Very talented

Anonymous said...

Those are great! My favorite one is the last one. That looks like a cool place!
Cari

Suzy said...

Ok candied nuts sound sooo good!! Beautiful photos as always! I love your work!!!

Unknown said...

i love THE LAST SHOT! How fun... I would love go there! tfs.

Debbi said...

Thanks for the terrific recipe! Welcome back to terrific GF. Let's get together soon, okay?

Becky said...

You must have been sweating in that tropical heat. :-) I like the vintage wash one best I think.

Jess said...

Oh YUM! Those sound delish!

I love this bus shot- and all it's variations! Each one gives such a different mood, it's awesome!

Amy said...

The nuts recipe sounds yummy! Your shot is great, love the last one the best, so cool!

Mom2Drew said...

Gosh...I'm not sure which one I like best. I'm thinking the first and last, just shows the beauty of the warm, night lights best IMO.

Stacey said...

I like the effects you did on the photo! Very cool, glad you had such a wonderful time!

Mandy said...

These are so impressive. Great and fun night shots. My camera just will NOT do that. Stunning use of actions too.

mamawest777 said...

LOve them all!!! Have never been to SF, but you make me want to go!

Liz said...

Really cool photos! I like the exposure bump one, it looks electric.
But I really loved your journaling, the Alice quote and the bit about being away from home where one would presume the grass would be greener(50 degrees and all LOL) and wanting to be back home, freezing cold and all.

Reds said...

I think my fave is the acid wash action... but they are all awesome!

For Over 29 Years... said...

OH that SOOC shot is just awesome. I wish I could do that.

For Over 29 Years... said...

OH that SOOC shot is just awesome. I wish I could do that.

Anonymous said...

Love the acid wash!

Shawna said...

Ohhh thanks for the yummy recipe! Great photos, it's amazing what different settings and conversions can do to a photo!

pat said...

Wonderful trolley shots. They all have a different feel to them. I really like the SOOC and acid wash; they have that golden glow that looks magical.

Anonymous said...

I like the way the trolley looks in the acid wash really cool. Did you go for a ride? Cant wait to see your other photos. Thanks for the recipe, it took me long enough to guess where you were.

Val said...

Such a cool photo!!!

Dawn said...

You are sooooooo good and also you have been tagged...go to my blog to see....
dewnie

Donna S. said...

WOW~~gorgeous pictures! that is one of the old style trolleys SF picked up several years back to add to the rail system.... the cable cars SF is famous for only go on a few routes. Nut recipe sounds yummy too!!

Amy said...

Love the photo. The warm light glow is really appealing.

Tori said...

very cool shot!

Unknown said...

Angela, your photos are always so spectacular and love how you post the different looks to them! I envy you going to San Francisco, its one of the places I've always wanted to go to!!

Tera Fraley said...

Great shots!! Yeah we win and that prize sounds delish!! I love going to the fair and getting these!!

Kristina said...

Thanks for showing the progression of the photo. Each of them is so unique!