What's Been Going On?

So I realize I haven't posted in a little while. The holidays hit and it was craziness around here for a few weeks. Matt went off to Switzerland and had a great time-he's ready to go back again soon! Things have gotten back to normal so that means riding, cooking, church stuff, and crazy Brits (as always). But there are a few new things added to the mix. Matt and I sat down a couple weeks ago and set out some goals for ourselves (personal and together) for 2012 which is something we haven't done before. Some could call these "resolutions" but we want to create new habits permanently so we're calling them goals. Just roll with it ok?
Some of those goals included a very popular one, getting into shape!! I know, I know, cliche! But it is important! So I ordered some Jillian Michaels DVDs (30 Day Shred and "No More Trouble Zones") to whip me into shape! Matt says that riding 4 days a week for an hour doesn't count as "exercise" so I have to do something else!
I also want to improve my photography. Not so I can do it as a business (although if anyone wants to buy them I'm ok with it!), but so I can take AMAZING photos while we're on holiday so we can proudly display them in our home. And maybe give them as gifts sometimes ;) So with that I have joined a local photography club whose chairman is a professional photographer. Yipee!! Free lessons!! I am SOOOO excited about this! He's giving tutorials once a month and then we do "field trips" once a month to practice what we learn. How cool is that? I am seriously over the moon about this! My first time going was last week and we worked on "painting with light." Pretty much, dark room, highlight crap with flashlight. It's a really cool concept. And not too hard to do really. The biggest thing is you need a tripod, or still surface to place your camera, for it and we don't have one. It's ok; I'm making due for now! So I'm thinking I'm going to post some photos on here to show you what I'm up to but also to get feedback on how to improve! So please please please tell me what you think!! Remember I studied art so I can take a harsh critique!
I'm also taking a ceramics class for the next few weeks so I'm going to making and glazing goodies!! I may join that club too-we'll see how I get on ;)
The horse is doing great and we're getting better and better as time goes on! I'm really looking forward to competing in the All Island Show at the end of March. Hopefully we'll bring our "A" game and show some people what's what!

So below is my first at home attempt for "painting with light." I am trying to go for a little story here-horse jumping the little ghost people and freaking them out. Can you tell? How's my light? This is one of the better shots but I still need to look them over a little more and play a LOT more. I also need to come up with more ideas. The cool thing is that we'll vote on who has the best photo and the winner gets their photo printed, framed, and displayed where we have our meetings which is a center on camp. So here's for trying to get the best right??






What do you think?? Can you tell the white "ghost" threw up??