Brussels and Bruises

Happy Halloween! :)

This morning has been productive, and it is not even 10:30! Already today, I have gone to class, went grocery shopping at Cub, gone to the bank, put up raspberries and strawberries in the freezer, eaten breakfast, and now I am in the process of soaking brussel sprouts so that I can freeze them too! Whew!
Side note - I received the brussel sprouts as a gift from my great friend, Missy, when we visited the Farmer's Market this Saturday. Thanks, beautiful!

So...funny story. Two days ago, I slammed my finger in the car door. Ian and I were on a date to The Good Earth (wonderful restaurant - one of my favorites!) I don't know what happened - I just got out of the car and BAM! I was stuck. Ian had to come around and unlock the door....and by that time, my finger was crushed. Luckily, I didn't break anything - but I am definitely loosing my nail on that hand. And it is REALLY fun to type.

On the other hand (haha, get it?) Ian has expressed an interest in eating all organically. I am supportive of this decision, so, we are now trying to buy and eat all organically. It is a stretch for us (being that we  mainly just shop at Cub or Rainbow), but luckily there is a Trader Joe's relatively close to us, and Cub just started their new Organic/All Natural campaign. This makes things way easier. I'll let you know how things go. So far - so good!

So! That's my life lately. How's yours?

Love,
Miranda

Short Again

So...I was trying to grow my hair out. I failed. I hit a stage. I have deemed it the - 


Bieber Mullet. 


I couldn't stand it any more. Today while I was at work, I looked in a mirror, and grimaced. I did not feel sexy at all. I felt frumpy. So, I went and got my hair cut after work. I never thought I would say this - but I love my short hair. I love seeing my collar bone, and my neck. I love wearing it messy and how I feel slightly boyish - and I love how much Ian loves it too.


"With short hair you begin to crave pearl necklaces, long earrings, and a variety of sunglasses. and you brush your teeth more often. short hair removes obvious femininity and replaces it with style. When it starts growing out a little and losing its style, you have to wear sunglasses until you can get it to the hairdresser. That's why you need a variety. Short hair makes you aware of subtraction as style. You can no longer wear puffed sleeves or ruffles; the neat is suddenly preferable to the fussy. You eye the tweezers instead of the blusher. What else can you take away? You can't hide behind short hair... you may look a little androgynous, a little unfinished, a little bare... but your face is no longer a flat screen surrounded by a curtain: the world sees you in three dimensions."

- joan juliet buck for american vogue, c.1988

A while back, I was reading one of the blogs I follow, The Glamorai, and she included this quote. I couldn't forget it.  


It truly does sum up how I feel. 

Love,
Miranda

Pumpkin Chip

I baked some cookies today. Pumpkin Chocolate Chip. And I made a sign. :)

Enjoy some "fall" in your life!

Love,
Miranda

Morning Joe

I recently discovered the wonders of cold brewing coffee. Not only does it take less than three minutes to prepare, but it is smoother and easier on my stomach (less acid than warm brew). Finally - a method that I like!

Here is my recipe:

 (I adapted it from someone else, but I couldn't find the site again.)

2 cups water
1/4 cup coffee grounds (I use fresh, you could use already ground)
2 tbs sugar (I like mine sweet - so adjust as you like)
1 tsp cinnamon

That's it! The night before you want to drink it, you combine everything in a mason jar, or other container with a lid, and toss it in the fridge. Leave it there overnight (the longer you leave it, the stronger the coffee). In the morning, put the blend through a french press, and rinse out the original container. Fill a glass with ice, and pour yourself a glass of iced coffee! I usually have left overs, so I put it back in the container for a later time. It will last up to a week!

As for my cup...I add half and half. I love the smoothness vs. milk, and it holds up more to the ice. Today, I also experimented - I added half the sugar last night, and put blackberry flavored syrup in this morning. Brilliant.

So there you have it! Today is my day off, so I am going to enjoy this day - and still try to be productive. I hope you have a splendid morning!

Love,
Miranda

A Place to Be Us

About two weeks ago, I re-arranged and decorated the guest bedroom to become a den/family room for Ian and I. It has been so wonderful to have a place for Ian to be on his computer, and for I to read my magazines (or whatever I am doing) with him. I love it.

I kept the yellow and blue themes, but now I added some red....and lots of bawls bottles. Ian randomly collected them, so I put them all over the room. I love the fact that all of our little knick-knacks have a place to be displayed. It truly is a room that is all about us!

Love,
Miranda

Raining Cats and Thoughts

Awww...Vala wanted to come to school with me! 

Today is rainy day, and I love it. Unfortunately, because of all of the roof work that is going on in the church (which is a good thing) we have a few leaks in our apartment. I spent last night and this morning switching out towels to catch most of the water. If you think about us today, send up a prayer? Thanks.

In other news, I have decided to not cut my hair shorter again, in favor of growing it out. Right now, it is in the awkward stage where there really is no shape to it, and it is kinda mullet-ish. But I must press on! The rewards will be worth it. And then, once I have succeeded, I'll just chop it all off again. Oh, the irony.

I am in my 1st Corinthians class this morning, freezing because although it is in the mid forties outside, the air-conditioning has not been turned off yet. The teacher is a Pastor at a church in the area, so he tells lots of stories - so it is easy to multi-task in his class. Wonderful.

Yesterday, Ian and I cleaned the whole apartment, and I cannot wait to go home to my (yes, wet in two small areas) clean apartment and do some homework - and by that, I really mean bake something warm, and listen to some soothing music (you all know I mean Christmas Music). I might still get some homework done.

I hope your day is relaxing, soothing, and full of life.

Love,
Miranda

Isn't she adorable?