Hot Chocolate for Four

Thanksgiving is over and it's time to get into the Christmas mode. Nothing helps that more than some nice cold weather, break out those sweaters and jackets, and don't forget to check the pockets in case you stuck a twenty in there last winter. I didn't, I already checked!!  We took full advantage of this cold front and had a great couple over last night for hot chocolate, pumpkin roll and enjoyed a fire in the fireplace.

I don't have a recipe for this hot chocolate, I made it on a whim. But it really depends on how many you are making it for, and it is very simple. Also these are not exact measurements, I am strictly going on memory here. Next time I make it I will be sure to write down the ingredients, but these are the basics. I have faith you can do it.

Miranda's Hot Chocolate

For four:

Start by adding to a medium saucepan on medium heat,

About 3 cups of milk

1 cup heavy cream.

1/4 cup of granulated sugar

3-4 tablespoons of real cocoa powder

(This mixture should come to about an inch away from the top of the pan, depending on the size of your saucepan you may need to add a bit more milk or whipping cream. Just be sure that your ratio is about 3 to1.)

Stirring continuosly, making sure the milk does not scorch. Every oven is set differently if medium heat is to high turn it down until you find the right temp. You really don't want this to boil.

After mixture comes together and starts to slightly thicken, add a teaspoon of vanilla extract.

Taste for preferance you may want yours to be a little more sweet or more of a chocolate flavor.

Add some whip cream to the top, and for looks and flavor sprinkle some cinnamon on top.

Enjoy!!

Black Friday

The dreaded Black Friday! That is what most people might say, but Isaac and I have managed to turn this day into a yearly tradition. Of course if it involves getting something for a great deal, he's in. And I suppose there is just something about being up and having breakfast before the rooster is awake, and then lunch at normal breakfast time. Now... my sister and her husband are Black Friday professionals, they don't even go to sleep, they just stay up all night and wait in a line outside of what ever store has the deal they want the most. Never say never, but I don’t' think that I will take it quite that far. We normally get our local newspaper Thanksgiving day, and that night go through all the sale ads and map out where we are going to go in what order and the deals that we are going to look for. Isaac found some spectacular deals on an assortment of tool items. This year was my off year; I didn't really find much; a few DVD's and this new computer desk.

 I love my new desk, $99 at Office Depot. Steal of a deal considering the desk was normally, $220. Now all I need is the matching shelf that goes with it. When I get a chance to take a picture of it all set up, I will be sure to share. Happy Shopping!!

Thanksgiving

My, this year has flown by so fast. It never really hits me until it is November. This is about the time I realize that once again I didn't get a jump start on my Christmas shopping, but all is well, becuase there is Turkey to be eaten, Family to gather with and enjoy, And Black Friday to wake up to very early tomorrow(more about this later). Isaac and I normally spend Thanksgiving with both my side of the family and his. Breakfast is a must with Isaac's family. Not just any breakfast, a sausage gravy and biscuits kind of breakfast. So, we stopped there first. Then made our way to my Grandparents home for a Fried Turkey lunch. After I ate lunch I made my way around my Grandparents yard and took some great shots of misc subjects, I will do another post later of those. Dinner approaches much to quickly for me after lunch on Thanksgiving but it was time to head back to Isaac's parents home. There we had a traditional oven baked turkey, but no small turkey, Oh No! Isaac's Mom Debby doesn't fool with those small birds, she got a 30 some pounder. Yes, we ate in large turkey style. And this year I got a double dose of my Mom :) she joined Isaac and I at his parent's, becuase my Dad was out in true redneck form hunting on Thanksgiving Day. There are a few pic's to follow from Thanksgiving, not many, I did a lot of visiting and not much picture snapping. Happy Thanksgiving!!

Yummo, Fried Turkey!!

Tia & Evan with there Uncle Saul Playing Monopoly.

My Cousin taking his dog for a run, take note of the skateboard. Somehow I think he forgot that he was the one who ate the big turkey lunch. Ha!

My Grandapa and his Garden. Hope some of those veggies will be ready for Christmas.

Hello and Welcome

I can not begin to tell you how long it has taken me to get this blog going. It has been in the works now for quit some time and it is a breath of fresh air to finally post. With the end of the year approaching what a better time to start this blog. Hopefully, by the new year I will be in my groove here, and posting regularly. For those of you who do not know me, let's get you caught up. My name is Miranda. I currently live in Florida where I was born and raised. I am married for two years now to my quit witty Husband Isaac. For those of you who have the privilege to have met my Husband you know why I say witty, and for those who have not you will soon find out. He has the ability of making you laugh even when you really don't want to. We met nine years ago at a church that we were both visiting, and with his opening line of "I'm going if she's going" well, How could I not go? But, that is a much longer post for another day. We have a dog named Gunner that we rescued from the local humane society almost two years ago. We just love him so much.

We are blessed to have both of our Parents living in the same town with us. I have a younger Sister who was recently married about three months ago, and they also live in the same town. Isaac has two older Sisters who both reside north of where we are. They are both married and his oldest Sister has what I will proudly call my two nieces and a nephew. Who I love and adore with all of my heart.

More about who I am, I work full time, go to school part time. I LOVE to take pictures. I am definitely in my element behind the lens of my camera, however I certainly do not claim to be the best photographer. It is what I enjoy to do. In fact taking pictures for me is one of those things that in that moment, nothing else matters. I also enjoy cooking, I love food, but who doesn't. I love singing and trying to play the piano. In spare time I like going out in the boat, fishing, going to the beach and going on walks or running whatever strikes me at that moment. My most favorite past time would have to be when my Husband play's the guitar or piano while I sing, music to me is so relaxing.

My inspiration to start a blog began when I realized that sometimes the day to day regimen gets in the way of making that quick phone call that you keep telling yourself that you are going to make. Lets not even mention that we have forgotten what a good old fashioned handwritten letter is. Life makes it tough to keep in touch with those we love, especially when there are miles between us. I'm not a writer, so you will not find novel material here and writing my thoughts is something I have never done before now, which is why my blog title describes this journey for me perfectly Something Anew. So I invite you to follow along with me as here you will find nothing but my thoughts, stories and I'm sure pictures. I hope that in some way or another at some given time or another you are touched by something I have written or I can brighten your day with a photo that I've taken. Feel free to leave your comments for they are as welcome as you are to be here.