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

Oh What a Beautiful Morning

I spent the morning with my wonderful friend, Missy. She and I shared some conversation over Coffee at Quixotic, and then explored Half Priced Books and another adorable little shop on the corner. It was a lovely time!

 

I bought some records that I cannot wait to listen to. (I work in about an hour, so I can't right now...but I will most certainly will be listening to them when I get home!)

It was such a beautifully sunny day that we could not resist taking pictures outside without coats. It was also slightly funny that we both decided to wear shorts and tights today. Ha! Great minds think alike.

What a weird December it has been for Minnesota! It snowed last night, and as you can see is clear this morning. I wish winter would make up it's mind to stay! I would love a white Christmas.

Love,
Miranda

Candles Gleaming Inside

I very much enjoyed decorating for Christmas this year. It was a Sunday, so neither Ian nor I worked. We put on Christmas music, tore the apartment apart....and then slowly and thoughtfully put it back together again with the new holiday additions. What a wonderful husband I have - one who will drop playing video games to help me decorate our apartment.

My house is now cozy as I bake some peppermint mocha brownies and listen to She & Him's Christmas album. I hope your day is merry and bright!

Love,
Miranda

Simply in Love

It has been a while since I posted about things I love right now. Ha - and that would be because I was so busy with my Senior year to bother with things that I loved (except for Ian, my darling man). Speaking of - being out of school. Whoa. Who knew it would be so relaxing after a hard semester to wake up and not have to worry about anything except making it to work on time? Love it. Love it so much.

And speaking of Ian - he is my number1!  Since we both are done with school, we have had more time to spend together and be a happy married couple. I am totally loving it. He is so sweet to me: he even agreed to do my Biggest Loser DVD with me today, which brings me to number 2.

Number 2 would be actually feeling the burn of working out. Odd, I know - but it is a constant reminder that I did something to better myself - and as much as it hurts, I would rather have this feeling instead of looking in the mirror and wishing that I had worked out today. Yay for me.

Number 3:

Picture from Here

I am really enjoying the idea of home-made flags. I think I am going to make a strand to put up above our bed, and maybe hang inspirational pictures on. They just look so beautiful!

Number 4:  I LOVED the Muppet Movie. Go see it, if you haven't. (I know this isn't from the movie, but it's the original version of Rainbow Connection, which is featured in the new movie).



Number 5:

I took this picture (and for those of you who know better...yes, it is Disneyland, not Disney World).

Disney World, with my love - in LESS THAN A MONTH! So excited. It's going to be wonderful to go on a real vacation!

More to come tomorrow - I still haven't shown you my Christmas Decoraded house!

Love,
Miranda

Stock and Zombies

Ian and I had some friends over this past weekend. It is always a good time when Craig and Ian get together - you never know what is going to happen. Well - this time, this is what happened:

Delightful, isn't it? Hehe. Keeley wrote the book for us for our Christmas present. It is so awesome! We had a glorious time last night- a little Christmas party, ugly sweaters included! We all looked so christmasy!

Since it was just a small group of couples, I devised a contest between the girls and the boys: who could get the best present for each other? Katlin and I rushed off to the dollar store and target to put together our amazing gifts: monster energy drinks, glow weapons, and sentimental messages to our sweethearts in frames. Ian and Craig made picnic starter kits, with candles, snacks (angry birds fruit snacks for me, and chocolate for Katlin), and sparkling grape juice. Needless to say - the boys decided that we won. :)

It was a fantastic evening! In the morning, I roasted a chicken while we were at church, and we came home to a wonderful meal. Now, I am relaxing - doing only things that I enjoy - while I have a pot of simmering chicken stock on the stove.

(If you would like the recipe, you can find it here) I think I'll make some soup tomorrow!  This evening is as lovely as the last, in a completely different way. It is great to have some time to be me!

Love,
Miranda