Learning New Things

Well, Steve sure has expensive hobbies he gets me into.

Photography first.

 We are turning in our third homework assignment in class tonight. We were told to play with aperture. 

Christine's HW 3

I took a bazillion pictures this week because nothing was striking my fancy as creative enough. 

So I took inspiration from a guy I saw on youtube explaing aperature. He used a mug and a string of lights. 

I used candles sitting on glasses of varied heights which were all on a chair and close up was a tea cup sitting on a pile of books on top of another chair. 

Steve's HW 3

I wanted Steve to take a picture of a pile of snotty tissues with a blurred box of kleenex in the background so it could represent how he spent his whole weekend. It would also explain a less than interesting/impressive picture. 

He ignored my suggestion. 

Instead he took this picture, rearranging my froggy and turtle from the back patio in the yard.

On another note, we picked up another hobby. I'm kind of thinking we should sell the TV. It really only gets watched for the news (depressing), Gold Mining in Alaska (drives me crazy) and DOWNTON ABBEY (I LOVE THIS SHOW!)

ok side note on Downton Abbey. I was behind by two seasons before I got into it. Then I couldn't stop watching the episodes on Netflix and FLEW through both seasons. Sunday night's episode left me in a puddle of my own tears. I think of these people as my friends. And for that reason alone we will keep the TV because I will not abandon my friends on Sunday nights. 

If you aren't a Downton fan, become one. 

Then they can be your friends too. 

Ok, back to your regularly scheduled blog post. 

We bought a piano. 

I have wanted to learn for a long time. 

Steve tells me he's always wanted to learn some musical instrument.
I am not quite sure HOW it happened, but one minute we weren't even thinking of having a piano, 

and the next, it's getting delivered. 

I think Steve probably got A's on persuasive speaking/writing assignments in school.

 

Anyhow, there she sits. 

Grandma Faye and Mom came over to rearrange furniture so it would work in our tiny home. 

 If fills the space more than I thought it would, but it isn't too bad. 

I think I will enjoy it. I sat and "played" for 3 hours right after it was delivered. I purchased what I refer to as my "goal piece" this past weekend to play. I was able to pick out the first 2 lines of it so far. I have a LOOOOOONG way to go, but it's at least the beginning of something pretty to play. 

This is what it should sound like 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1p_ebSseEq8 

In my considering if we should really take the plunge on the piano, Steve told me

"If you aren't learning something new, you might as well be dead."

So between learning photography and piano, I guess we are very much alive!

 Lots of new skills being acquired around here.

Just don't expect us to be good at either of them yet. 

:)

Future Photographers

Back in November Steve and I invested in a new camera. I had purely wanted to make the quality of my everyday images better and he had been interested in SLR photography for a while. So we made the plunge! Our interest in photography was shared, but that is where our similarities with photography seem to end.

Steve's Approach: Analytical, Technical, Research, Reading Manuals, Study the technique to get a that certain affect

Christine's Approach: The exact opposite of Steve. Creative, go with the flow, forget the manual just start pressing buttons and taking pictures and see what you get, BrEaK the "rules" of composition just take pictures of what you love, get frustrated because I didn't understand the technical enough to get the effect I wanted (but Lord knows I would NEVER consider reading the manual to help myself out).

So together, we make one amazing photographer I suppose.

Well in an effort to get away from "auto" mode on the camera and use our new camera to its FULL extent, we signed up for photography classes. They have been such fun! We've had 3 classes so far and submitted 2 "homework" assignments.

Steve is a star student. I like to kid him about it because his style of photography lines up with the style of photography our teacher tends to be. Both are very analytical minds and nerd out over the technical nature of Steve's photos.

My pictures are FAR from technically perfect as I tend to be a frustrated photographer.  I have heart and creativity in my pictures, but struggle to slow down to bother with all that technical stuff (which logically I KNOW will help produce better pictures, but it just gets in the way of my free spirit approach).

Anyhow I thought I would share what we've produced so far.

HOMEWORK 1:
Take pictures using the "rules of composition"

Christine's 1st Homework

Grandma Faye playing the piano

Steve's 1st Homework

Berries on a bamboo bush in the backyard

HOMEWORK 2: 

Experiment with Aperture, Shutter Speed, and ISO

Christine's Photo

Mt. Hood from Pittock Mansion

(too dark. creative, but technically lacking)

Steve's Photo

Daffodils

(he used some technique to make the background black. this picture was taken in the middle of the day in front of a wood burning fireplace.)

So, January has been full of photography so far. We'll just have to wait and see what adventures photography takes us on in 2013!

So Long 2012. Hello 2013.

Happy New Year!

I am very glad I have this blog. Looking back on 2012, I was AMAZED at how much happened this year. I seem to always lack an answer for the question "What have you guys been up to lately?"

Well here is the answer for the whole year. 

In no particular order, here is the list of accomplishments for 2012.

 New creative work station. 

It looks different now that I have moved into it, I just haven't updated the photo.

 Our new niece Hannah born on Easter! 

She sometimes still cries when I walk in the room, but as soon as mama Lisa leaves, we get along just great :) 

Don't we Hannah banana?

A new workbench.

Another example of Steve's crafty hand. Using our garage has been a much happier experience since this installation. 

New patio.

 I totally forgot about these next 2 projects as being 2012 projects. We installed these pavers to expand the back patio. They add a bit of character and just enough space to make things more comfortable. 

New paint.

 As soon as that green paint went on the wall I knew it was too much. It took me 4 years but I finally decided to change it to grey (as well as the master bathroom too). I LOVE the color and it just matches the rest of the house better. 

Oh and I did it all by myself! 

 New traditions.

We almost missed the Strawberries this year. But you pick is THE WAY to go. I have never had Strawberry jam taste as good as ours this year. I am convinced it was the quality of berry you get from "you pick."

 New hair do.

I sent a foot of hair off to be made into a wig for someone who needs it. I am loving the short hair actually but I am considering growing it out again. My hair grows like a weed so it wouldn't take long to grow enough to donate again. We'll see. 

 New hardwood floors.

Well, Bailey has "worn in" the new floors. Thankful for an amazing finish on them that masks her marks. I think this is our best "new" addition in 2012. Fewer allergies, much easier to clean and just plain pretty.

 New memories.

This was from a fun trip to the zoo but there were LOTS of birthdays and holidays where fun times were had with family and friends. 

 New camera. 

This is one of my favorite shots even though it reveals many opportunities for improvements. 

 New puppy dog. 

Bailey actually joined our family back in February. But she just turned 1 on Dec 23rd. 

She celebrated with peanut butter and indulging her human mama for one photo. 

Well, one photo of about 20 that turn out. She squirms with antlers on her head.

 Looking forward to 2013...

... To practice photography skills.

Some pictures still turn out blurry. But you can still see the "snow falling on the forest" effect, right?

(I really want snow this year.)

 ...to stay motivated  on our debt snowball. We're 32% of the way there on our last "snowball"!

... to explore more of yoga. I think I may actually stick with it. I love the stretch and getting a workout before realizing I'm sweating.

 ... to focus on my blessings

... to explore creative outlets !

Hope you had a super 2012! Here's to a super-DUPER 2013