Yosemite And I

Yosemite National Park Photo | Whims And Fancies

 

Last weekend of October I had an opportunity to visit my favourite place – Yosemite National Park.  I am fortunate enough to live “only” 4.5 hours away from it.  That is considered close proximity in California.  I take advantage of that and try to go there multiple times a year.  Because of that, quite often I get to hear “Yosemite again??  What’s there to see so many times!”

The thing is, I feel at home there. 

In the words of Lord Byron –

There is a pleasure in the pathless woods,
There is a rapture on the lonely shore,
There is society, where none intrudes,
By the deep Sea, and music in its roar:
I love not Man the less, but Nature more.

For me, it’s not just a collection of parking spaces for the attractions in the park.  Yosemite needs to be explored. 

 

Yosemite National Park Photo | Whims And Fancies

 

A sunny day is stunning there, but storm clouds make it even more of a dramatic place. 

 

Yosemite National Park Photo | Whims And Fancies

Clouds skimming over El Capitan

 

Yosemite National Park Photo | Whims And Fancies

Bridalveil Falls

 

Yosemite National Park Photo | Whims And Fancies

 

Tall, ancient granite formations with cascading waterfalls surround you while you walk in the wide meadows and through groves of trees. 

 

Yosemite National Park Photo | Whims And Fancies

 

Yosemite National Park Photo | Whims And Fancies

 

Water droplets catch the sunlight and gleam on grass and leaves. 

 

Yosemite National Park Photo | Whims And Fancies

 

The Merced river flows through it all, sometimes raucous and sometimes whispering.

 

Yosemite National Park Photo | Whims And Fancies

 

Season and weather change often, and Yosemite changes with them.

 

Yosemite National Park Photo | Whims And Fancies

 

Yosemite National Park Photo | Whims And Fancies

 

Yosemite National Park Photo | Whims And Fancies

 

While I love to hike the mountains and walk the meadows, sometimes I like to just sit at our favourite places in the park with my husband.  He reads while I paint.

 

Yosemite National Park Cooks Meadow Painting | Whims And Fancies

 

That is my Yosemite and I love it.  It has been there long before us and it will continue to be there long after. 

I was going through the photos I took there in October, always good for my spirit.  I hope they bring joy to you as well.

Take care,
-Soma

 

I am also linking up on Life Thru The Lens, Through My LensSeasons, Our World Tuesday, Wednesday Around The World, Photo Friday, and Friday Photo Journal along with with other linky parties on my Events And Links page.

 

  

 

 

 

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Mail, Mountains And Custom Patterns

Harvest Dates Mitts | Whims And Fancies

 

I have been steadily working on custom patterns this week, so I didn’t have any time to sew.  I have also been heading out after work a lot more with my camera.  That in turn has resulted in my taking up running again.  I used to swim regularly, I miss that since we moved here.  Running is a good substitute.  In the meantime, my friend Kris got the package that I sent her early this month.  She is a wonderful friend and I love knitting for her.  I used the Harvest Date pattern again to make a pair of mitts for her.  I do love that pattern very much!  I thought it was perfect for that October yarn.

 

Harvest Date Mitts And Doctor Who Fairy Tales | Whims And Fancies

Harvest Date Mitts Again

I also included The Doctor Who – Time Lord Fairy Tales book in the package for her son.  It was good timing too, they got a snow storm right around the time she received the package.  She was able to wear her mitts and, due to cancelled school, her son was also able to read the book.  Lucky boy, I haven’t finished reading my copy of the book yet.  I liked this photo Kris took on the snow so much that I stole it from her website.

 

Cathedral Rocks, Yosemite National Park | Whims And Fancies

 

I recently heeded the call of the Sierras again; we packed our car on Friday night and headed out for the weekend.  I have been going there for ten years and I still always find new places to explore every time I visit.  John Muir famously said “The mountains are calling and I must go”.  Who am I to disagree with him!  These are the Cathedral Rocks rising above the morning clouds.

 

Half Dome, Yosemite National Park | Whims And Fancies

 

I have never left the Yosemite Valley without taking at least one photo of Half Dome, she’s my souvenir.  I find her to be so beautiful.

 

Holding Hands Drawing | Whims And Fancies

 

Now back from the Sierras with a refreshed mind, I am ready to get back to work.  One of the great things about being a pattern designer is custom pattern requests.  I have made quite a few of them until today.

Last year I got a request from a lady who wanted to commemorate her parents’ love for each other.  The emails we exchanged touched my heart deeply.  She was very moved by this illustration that I made from a photo she had sent me.  The quilt she made from this pattern will become a family heirloom.  These are the times I am really happy to be a pattern designer.

This week I am working on two patterns that will be used to raise money for a children’s hospital.

 

Camera And Photography Linky Party | Whims And Fancies

Wandering Camera

Read The Introductory Post

The Wandering Camera Linky Party starts next week.  Hope to see you there!

Happy Sewing,
-Soma

 

 

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