Long time...

...No talk!

Y'all, I so apologize for my lack of posting over the last few months. Patrick and I moved to Ohio for about six months, came home, moved into a house in Fort Worth and have just been going nonstop since. As much as I love blogs, and spend time reading them, you would think I could keep up with my own. No such luck, so far. Anyways, just so I don't make any promises I can't keep, I'll say that I will try to post as much as possible with hopes of getting a little better at it.

This is what our cute little house looks like -

Today I made a craft. If I could make crafts everyday I would be one happy lady. Obviously I got the idea from Pinterest (here) and I think they turned out pretty darn cute.

Since we moved into our cute little house in Fort Worth, I've gotten quite the green thumb. I've planted a few things - mums, petunias, herbs, jalapenos. Since I have all these herbs and vegetable (one vegetable), I thought it would be a good idea to make some garden markers so I would know exactly what everything is, since, you know, it's so hard to tell by looking at them. Anyways, here are a few step-by-step pictures to show ya how I did it. 

Gather some corks. I'm sure you've got as many laying around as we do. 

While you're at it, grab a wire hanger out of the closet. 

Take it apart, and bend it back and forth around the size you need till the wire breaks. 

Or, you could use wire cutters if you have them, that would probably be easier.

 Next, find the place where your bottle opener first 

went in at one of the ends of the cork.

Push the hanger in. I had to use a hard surface to get some leverage. 

Next, using a regular sharpie, write the names of the different veggies and herbs on the corks.
Please excuse my handwriting, today was one of those bad handwriting days.

Stick 'em in the dirt and you're good to go. 

Enjoy! :)

Miranda

Eating Healthy Quick

What's the hardest thing about being on a diet? Finding things to eat quick that won't totally blow your calories for the day. I thought I would just pop on here and share with you guys the dinner Patrick and I had tonight.

As you know, last night I made turkey meatballs. I also had a leftover grilled chicken breast in the fridge (I've started grilling an extra every time I make it so I'll have them on hand :) So, tonight I decided to throw it all on top of a whole grain pizza crust! For the sauce I used a Classico tomato pasta sauce, then topped that with sliced meatballs & grilled chicken. On top of that I added sliced red onion, artichoke hearts and a touch of parmesan and fat free feta cheese. I baked it all at 425 degrees for about 12 minutes. Yum yum yum! Definitely delicious and simple when you're in a bind. It doesn't look that great in the picture, but it was pretty darn appetizing!

Happy New Year!

I can't believe that 2012 is here. When I was growing up, 2010 was the year I looked forward to most and now we're two years past that. Patrick and I have passed six months of marriage, and it's so wonderful. We had our first Thanksgiving and Christmas together as a married couple, which was also wonderful, despite being very busy. I can't tell you enough how much I've enjoyed being married to my best friend. He is the most amazing man I know, and I have been SO blessed to have him in my life for the past (almost) 10 years.

With that being said, I'd like to copy one of my best friends, Lesley Jarboe and share my list of New Year's Resolutions.


1. Start cooking fresh, healthy meals as much as possible. I'd like to say that my resolution is to start a new diet, lose a bunch of weight and keep it that way... but the past can tell you that I've never made it past March using that plan. Hopefully this year, I can find a good balance and just generally become a healthier person.

2. See all the movies nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars. (Thanks for this one, Lez!)

3. Start my master's.

4. Run four 5ks.

So, with all that being said.. I thought I'd go ahead and share with you all the dinner I made tonight for Patrick and me.  No pictures today... my apologies!

Turkey Meatballs
Agave Brussel Sprouts
Black Eyed Peas (leftover from yesterday... maybe eating them today also with give us extra good luck!)

Turkey Meatballs
Ingredients
- half pound of ground turkey
- one egg
- half cup bread crumbs plus 1/4 cup (hold 1/4 cup aside to top meatballs)
- appx. 1 teaspoon dried basil
- appx. 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- appx. 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- appx. half teaspoon salt
- appx. half teaspoon crushed red pepper

Combine all ingredients together using your hands. Once combined, roll into 1-1.5 inch balls on a greased cookie sheet.

Bake for 25 minutes or until golden at 400 degrees.

Agave Brussel Sprouts
Ingredients
- About 15-20 brussel sprouts, halved
- pinch of salt, pinch of crushed red pepper
- 1 tablespoon agave nectar
- 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
- half to one tablespoon EVOO 

Toss brussel sprouts in olive oil, salt and crushed red pepper. Bake at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until tender.

Once brussel sprouts come out of the oven, drizzle a mixture of the white wine vinegar and agave nectar over them.

ENJOY! :)

Christmas with the Dean's

Christmas with the Dean's

It's finally here... lights, music and holiday cheer abound in Dallas, TX and I couldn't be happier.  Of course, Christmas is my favorite holiday so the fact we put up our Christmas decorations two weeks ago shouldn't surprise anyone.  Not sure if any of you are interested in seeing our decorations, but I think they're pretty darn cute and I wanted to share.

I made some bunting for our window with leftover burlap from Lauren & Nick's engagement party (hopefully pictures will be coming soon!) and I think it turned out really cute.

So, take a look around and let me know what you think!

Holiday recipes coming soon.