Beautiful Sunshine

I'm BACK!!!

I can't say that I didn't enjoy my blogging break....because I totally did. It was fantastic! And I have so much to share now. I hope it makes up for my absence!

Well, first thing is first. I no longer work at Francesca's Collections. I loved it while it lasted, but it is my time to move on to pursue other things.../so I am now a full time housewife...and am now free to pursue my artistic endeavors! I most certainly will blog more about them at a later time!

Ian and I went to Disney World!!!! It was fantastic! Wonderful food, wonderful sun...and a most wonderful husband! I loved spending time at one of my most beloved places, but most of all...I loved the quality time that I spent with Ian. What is it about vacation that allows you to think new things, dream new dreams, and inspire ideas? I loved sharing every moment with him.

I played a little game with my family (Mom, Dad, and Kasey - who have always gone to Disney with my before). Through out the day I texted them a picture of a small detail, and they had to guess where Ian and I were. I was so surprised at how many correct answers there where - my family is full of Disney geniuses!  It was by far, one of my favorite memories of the trip. Since this was my first time to Disney without them, it was my special way of feeling connected to them while still spending quality time with Ian. He even got in on the fun and pointed out good photo opportunities! I truly can't stress enough what a relaxing time it was for us...to not worry about anything but having a good time. Priceless!

Now that I am home a lot more that I used to be, I hope that blog posts will be more regular. I have so much that I want to share! :)

Love,

Miranda

Blueberry Tea and Pancakes

Last night I got the insatiable urge to make blueberry syrup. I'm so glad I did! The recipe I used consists of all natural ingredients - no artificial sweeteners or blueberry extract. Just blueberries, water, 1 lemon, and sugar. It turned out to be fantastic. I also made a simple syrup with coconut extract (because it really is hard to get coconuts to make a good flavorful syrup) which is wonderful with iced coffee or jasmine tea. You can find the recipe for the blueberry syrup here (found on Simple Bites), and below is my recipe for simple syrup.

• 1 cup water
• 1 cup sugar
• 1-2 teaspoons of whatever flavor* you want to add! (depending on how potent you want it to be).

Fill a small saucepan with the water and the sugar, and bring to a simmer. Stir frequently until the sugar is completely dissolved. Add the flavoring, and continue to stir and simmer for another five minutes, to thicken slightly. Use a funnel to fill whatever container (I would recommend pyrex or glass - so the flavor does not taint the container) with the syrup. It will last in your refrigerator for up to six months.

 *Some of my favorite flavors are vanilla, peppermint (or mint), coconut, and cherry. It is optional to add food coloring. (I would recommend adding some food coloring if you have multiple glass containers filled with different flavors...it makes it easier to tell them apart). 

See? It truly is simple! This morning Ian made blueberry pancakes and we topped them with the syrup, and I also made earl gray tea, and added the syrup to it as a sweetener. Delicious. I'm going to have to try blueberry coffee now!

Today is my cleaning day - so I must get to it. After the holidays and being gone for almost a week, my house needs some TLC. At least I have some sweet blueberry tea to reward myself with when I am all done! :)

Love,
Miranda

How do you Measure a Year?

I was fortunate enough to go home for New Years this year and spend much needed time with great friends and family. I was only home for a few days - but that only drove me to truly enjoy every minute! The only down side to this is that the main love of my life, Ian, was not with me. He had to stay home this trip; but the absence between us only made me love him more when I got home!

The main reason that I went home to Washington was to photograph the wedding of Dani and Ryan Martin. Dani has been a long time family friend, and it was an honor to be her wedding photographer! Her wedding was beautiful, and I was overjoyed to be apart of it. I will possibly share pictures later, if she lets me. ;)

The rest of the trip was spent in the company of people that I love. I stayed at my family's house...spent New Years Eve day with my whole family (and celebrated my cousin and uncles birthdays)...celebrated New Years Eve with my closest friends from church, and the ended the trip off with a lovely morning coffee visit and shopping with my Mom.

Truth be told, I wish that my trip could have been much longer. You never know how much you miss those you love until you don't see them for a long time. Here's to more time spent together with those I love in 2012!

Love,
Miranda