Sunday, September 29, 2013

TAKE A STROLL WITH ME

Hello:)
It' been a great weekend and I'm just as excited to see what's to come in the next one!!This past Friday, after work, I took my usual walk and this time I wanted to take you with me. I posted some pictures and not one of the photos have been edited. You can really see the beauty Arizona has to offer and I am thankful to be a part of it. When I go on my evening strolls nature calls my attention and, for me, it's important to seek out why it's there. You can find meaning in almost anything. Everyone's interpretation of the exact same situation differs based upon their own experiences. Let's take a walk in my neighborhood and I'll show you what I am talking about..


the flower is honest when the "light shines" on it, you can see right through, it's transparent for everyone to see 
the house lacks no attention to detail and it's colors are worth stopping for

I've gone right by these flowers a dozen times and didn't notice them until I was really looking. They're so pretty
every good tree bears good fruit
I don't know what it is about Victorian homes, but it takes me back to an era I never lived
It's funny how nature can take something ugly and make it mesmerizing
the plant takes over the phone line like it's telling us to take a break and enjoy this life created for us
a perfect ending to the most perfect walk
Thanks for coming with me! Enjoy your day:)
 
xoxo,
Mandy
 
 


Thursday, September 19, 2013

BRINGIN' IT BACK HOME

Hi to all,
I hope you're all having a lovely week so far! Mine flew by and I have some interesting blog posts coming soon...so keep an eye out for those over the weekend. With the holidays coming there will be fun surprises to write and post pictures about. Since today is Thursday and the weekend is soon approaching..meaning more time to spend with family and friends, I wanted to share this heartfelt video a student of mine told me about. The video reminds me of the book I've been reading. The book is called Captivating, written by a man and wife speaking on the woman's soul and what she is designed for when created. I can sum up the book in three words...woman are relational. Because woman are relational people they tend to base their entire life on their "relationships", which in turn, defines them. (Have I lost any men reading this yet?? lol) I feel this video shows a perfect balance between two people in their relationship together and reminds us to simplify our lives with the people in it. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have<3



xoxo, 
Mandy

Sunday, September 8, 2013

FALL IS IN THE AIR

It was another rainy day in a usually sunny Arizona. There is something about a fresh downpour that brings out the smells and colors brighter and better than ever before. When the weather gets gloomy it gives me an excuse to be okay with sitting inside and cuddling up to a good movie! Lately, the AZ temperatures have been getting a bit cooler and I know that means fall is coming! As each season changes it means new recipes, home décor, and candle smells. I fear that with October rapidly approaching Macys will decide to bring out their Christmas decorations another month earlier than the last. For now, I am happy to live in the moment of fall! Lucky us!

recipe and photo taken from one of my favorite blogs "A Beautiful Mess"
Apple Cider Recipe
In a teapot combine 5 cups apple cider, 4 cinnamon sticks, 1/2 apple sliced, 1/2 cup orange juice
 
recipe and photo taken from one of my favorite blogs "A Beautiful Mess"
Pumpkin Risotto Recipe
Ingredients: 1/4 cup fine chopped onions, 1 small chopped red bell pepper, 3 cloves minced fresh garlic, 2-3 tablespoons olive oil, 1 cup arborio rice, 3 cups (vegetable or chicken stock), 1/2 cup red or white wine, 1/3 cup parmesan cheese, 1 cup pumpkin puree, salt and pepper to taste, chopped scallions for garnish
 
In a pot heat the oil and sauté onions, bell pepper, and garlic until onion begins to soften. Add rice and heat until it becomes translucent. In another pot heat the stock and wine over low heat. Begin adding 1 cup of wine/stock mixture to rice. Continue to stir so rice doesn't stick to the bottom of the pan. Once the wine/stock mixture starts to absorb continue adding more to the rice. Continue doing so until rice is fully cooked. (If you run out of wine/stock mixture before rice is fully cooked, add a little water. You may not need all the wine/stock mixture if rice cooks before it is used-discard the remaining). Once rice is fully cooked add pumpkin puree and parmesan cheese. Walla! Serve hot with scallions on top.   
 
instructions and photo taken from one of my favorite blogs "A Beautiful Mess"
Autumn Floral Wreath
Supplies: 12 inch foam wreath form, glue gun, glue sticks, 3 bunches of silk flowers in warm tones, 6 feet of 2 inch wide ribbon in a matching color.
Instructions:
1. Pull all the blooms from their stems and cut off the little plastic stem piece on the back of each flower.
2. Tightly wrap your wreath form with ribbon. Use hot glue to adhere the ends to the foam.
3. Use a generous amount of hot glue to adhere each flower. The more you use now, the less likely you are to have to re-glue flowers later!
4. Glue the blooms in bunches (starting with the largest flowers) and then fill in the gaps with more blooms. This makes it easy to space out larger blooms.
5. Last, fill in any gaps with smaller blooms. That's it! This is a 30 minute craft. Have fun! 
 
recipe and photo taken from one of my favorite blogs "A Beautiful Mess"
Accordion Potatoes with Rosemary and Garlic
Needed: potatoes (about 10 small), 1/2 cup butter, 1 tablespoon oil, 2 tespoons minced rosemary leaves, 1 tablespoon minced garlic.
Directions: Wash potatoes and cut 3/4 through in accordion style. Place potates on cookie sheet. In microwave safe bowl combine butter, oil, rosemary, and garlic. Cook just until melted. Use kitchen brush to coat each potato (make sure butter gets between each slice). Bake at 375 degrees for 35-40 minutes. They should be done on the inside and crispy on the edges. Brush with another layer of butter and serve with sour cream, chopped green onions, lemons, and/or cheese.
 
That's all folks! To see more ideas and recipes go to A Beautiful Mess
 
Love to all,
Mandy