Christmas Card 2010

 So last year I had a beautiful card designed by Kristin (an old high school friend) at Organic Faith Studios (look her up on facebook for card information - its not posted on her blog).  It was so pretty and on lovely paper and I just really loved it. (Last year I only sent out 20 cards to family - boy how things have changed!)

This year, I was a bit more rushed because I wanted to use a wedding photo for the cards and also needed to be cost conscious since I'd be sending out a lot more and Jeff and I are still recovering from wedding expenses.  So Walgreens it was!  I sent in the file and picked it up 2 hours later, which was perfect so that I could address and send them out quickly so everyone would receive the cards before Christmas, haha.  Although these cards are lovely, I just prefer a heavier cardstock paper and custom design to reflect my personality - so to all my friends and family receiving our card, please know that next years will make up for this years and I intend on spending a lot more time perfecting my favorite card of the year. :)  At least our wedding photo made it, which was most important...

Merry Christmas to you all!

Love,

Rani

Our Wedding Day (Photographer Blog Version)

How sweet it is...

I am anxiously awaiting our photo CDs from our photographer, Brittany Dawson.  They are in the mail and should be here soon! :)  For now though, please take a moment to view the amazing blog post Brittany posted  that documents our wedding day and several of our lovely photos.  The above photo is one of my favorites, but oh my gosh there are so many more that I will post once I have the CDs.  Can't wait :)

View her post HERE <3

The sweetest moment of my entire life - right here - captured by Brittany.  

I just.love.it.

Honoring Jeff, my handsome CPA

Congratulations to my Husband!

Jeff officially received his CPA certificate this past Saturday, December 4th.  He completed and passed all four parts in May of this year after many long hours of studying, dedication and some sacrifice.  

I am so proud of him.

 

Jeff's Dad is also a CPA and was able to hand Jeff his certificate on stage.  Talk about a wonderful moment between Jeff and his Dad.  Ed was proud beyond words - it was such a great day!

And there is that hard earned certificate!  This is Jeff's 2nd step (after his Masters in Accountancy) in his career.  Next on the list?  Jeff is now looking into starting the MBA process (yes, he will then have two Masters degrees), with a start date of 2012.  It is a huge investment and commitment on both our parts, but I know Jeff has our best interests at heart (securing a solid career in order to take care of our family).  He is looking to distinguish himself from other CPAs and take on more Finance roles in the future.  Obtaining his MBA would ensure a strong job opportunity upon completion and an accelerated career path.  It is a lot to plan for and even imagine, but I know we can do it together and he will be wonderful at whatever he does!

I love my husband so much - I love his dedication to his career, his dedication to our family, and just love his ability to do all of this and still be his fun, goofy, and happy self.  <3

Congratulations, Jeff!

Even Though I Feel as if I Have No Readers...Colorado Trip 2010

C'mon guys...show my blog some love and leave a comment if you're reading...

Back to October 2010...Jeff and I's last vacation before becoming husband and wife, we spent time in Denver, Colorado.  Jeff went to a training for work and I met him there for the weekend after he finished his training.  We rented a car and just enjoyed exploring the city.  Here are pictures from our trip:

In Golden, CO - the weather was beautiful :)

enjoying the pretty town

Jeff loves all the pics I take, haha - had to get the Golden sign in the back

One of our dinners downtown - loved the scene there, very laid back

at the Denver Art Museum

The Capitol

The grounds were so pretty

I thought this sculpture was cool

Another night out - love this man

l.o.v.e

running the trails in cherry creek

it was beautiful

sun in our eyes, but still a great picture :)

trip to Red Rocks - by far my favorite part - next on the list, a concert here!

the views were phenomenal!

we did a bit of hiking here as well

The amphitheater

Towards the top - look closely, you can see downtown!

handsome guy and a great view

off center, but cute

at the top :)

Beautiful place!  We had such a wonderful time and loved being able to just spend time together.  Hopefully next time we will be able to stay for longer than a few days, really love Colorado. :)

Yummy Apple Deliciousness

My friend Ashley posted this super yummy recipe a few weeks back (see her post here) and if you know me, I love trying new recipes, so I had to try it myself!  It originated from the website We Are Not Martha, so you can check out that site for some other unique recipes.

This is the simplest little recipe, minimal calories (as long as you go easy on the cream cheese and cheddar), and although higher in fat than some might like, I don't mind because I don't get that much fat in my diet sometimes and who could pass up some cheesy deliciousness?!  As long as you use the ingredients moderately, you'll be just fine.  Plus sunflower seeds (like almonds and other nuts) are full of good fats and fiber so the recipe will you fill you right up and keep you full!  Read more about the benefits of sunflower seeds here.

So here is what you need:

green apple
cream cheese
sunflower kernels
white cheddar cheese
bread (I use whole grain sandwich thins)

couldn't ask for something simpler, right?

Directions: 
(refer to Ashley's blog for a photo instruction guide) 

-I spread a total of one tablespoon of cream cheese on both sides of my sammy thins.

-I then sprinkle with my desired amount of sunflower kernels

-I use about half a green apple and load up both sides

-As for the white cheddar - its the best!  I will admit I tried this recipe with my vegetarian cheddar-flavored cheese; it was good, but nothing beats the white cheddar.  I only use tiny squares that will melt into each other and only use it on one side to cut down on the fat.  But you most certainly should make it to your tastes and diet because its DELICIOUS - I am not kidding.  

-I bake (at 350) mine in the oven for a little over 5 minutes until the cheese is melted and apples are warm.

-You can eat it open face or make a sammy out of it - either way this recipe is so yummy!  

Seriously, how delicious does this look?  I have eaten this almost everyday since I tried it...

Enjoy!

I am Thankful for...

My handsome Husband

Our beautiful Home

Our Health

The time I had with my sweet, sweet Moosey (RIP sweet boy, I miss you so much and think about you every single day)

Our wonderful Family and Friends

and so much more...

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!  

Count your blessings everyday and hold near those that you love.  Reminding myself and you all to appreciate your life and never take it and those in it for granted, enjoy each moment... 
"for life is short, but sweet for certain"

Comments?? Where are you readers?

Thank you dear, sweet Holly for commenting!  

My one and only comment on the new blog...I was beginning to think no one was reading or that I had incorrectly set up the comments feature. :)

Please let me know you're out there readers...pretty please. :)  I am attempting to be a much better blogger now, as I know I've been not so great in the past.  I would love to know that I've got some people interested in what I'm posting - I'd love to be able to add some more favorite blogs to my list as well, so let me know you're out there. 

Honeymoon pictures coming shortly...instead of posting each individual picture, I signed up with Shutterfly in hopes fo creating a slideshow I can post or link to instead.  Will post it once I complete it. :)  Still anxiously awaiting wedding pictures and will of course share once I am able.

Happy traveling and baking on this Thanksgiving Eve day!

Love,

Rani

Oatmeal Cranberry Chocolate Chip Cookies

Long enough recipe title for you? haha...

Not only is this recipe delicious, but it is also so healthy - pretty much the healthiest way you can eat cookies and still have them taste yummy.  I received this recipe from a friend, customized it to my preferences and LOVE it, so I had to share!  I have already shared this on allrecipes.com and maybe even on my old blog - but it is a favorite, so here it is again...

*This recipe contains no butter or eggs.  Bakes into the consistency of a soft, chewy cookie or granola bar. You can interchange the ingredients to leave out what you don't like and put in what you do. Other combination options of this cookie could be "oatmeal raisin dark chocolate" with walnuts - or add some coconut...use whatever fruit and/or chocolate and/or chopped nut you like!*

Prep Time: 10 Minutes

Cooke Time: 10 Minutes

Ingredients:
-1c wheat flower
-3/4c old-fashioned rolled oats
-1/2tsp baking powder
-1/3tsp baking soda
-1/2tsp salt
-1/2c raw sugar
-1 tbsp ground flaxseed
-1/3c soy milk
-1/3c vegetable oil (see considerations below for suggestions)
-1 tsp vanilla extract
-1/4c chopped pecans
-1/3c milk chocolate chips
-1/3c cranberries

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to bake at 350. Use middle rack for baking.
2. Mix first 7 dry ingredients(flower, oats, baking powder/soda, salt, sugar, and ground flax) in mixing bowl. Wisk oil, soy, vanilla in separate bowl. Add the wet to the dry, then fold in the last three ingredients (chocolates, dried fruit, and nuts).
3. Line baking sheet w/parchment paper or foil. The dough will be a bit sticky. Scoop dough with ice cream scoop, spoon, or simply roll into balls with your hands (I recommend this even though your hands will get a bit covered in cookie mixture - it helps with keeping the dough mixture together and forming them into the shape you want). Bake for 10min (you can do more or less based on your oven and cookie softness preference). Let cool before eating. Yummmm!

Considerations:
Consider switching out the fruit, chocolate, and nuts for different flavors and variety - can also be formed into granola bar shapes for healthy snacks for kids or adults (just bake a bit longer so they stay together better)! I choose to use extra virgin olive oil as my baking oil of choice because its light (you cannot taste any olive flavor) and its a super heart healthy oil - give it a try!  And no, your cookies will not taste like olives. ;)

 Enjoy!

Our Wedding Cakes

Hi everyone!!  We are back and officially, Mr. and Mrs. Jeff May!  (Legally too...I am now Rani May as I already made my way into the dreaded social security office to change it over - hooray!)  I have lots to blog about and plan on starting those posts this week!  Unfortunately I won't have wedding pictures for a couple of weeks, but I can at least post about our honeymoon. :)

I want to direct you all to our cake maker's blog.  Kimberly works out of her home and is an exceptional baker!  If you are in the Houston and surrounding area and need any baked good for a party, event, etc, please contact her - her work tastes and looks amazing and she is just the sweetest person to work with - you will not be disappointed!  And to me, why not have someone bake for your special event that personally cares about what they are baking for you and puts their true passion and time into what they are doing - homemade is the way to go, if you ask me. :)

Check out our cakes here: Seeking Sweetness

Back soon with honeymoon pictures!!!
Rani May

Two Things

Jeff and I received our marriage license yesterday!  

This really makes it feel real to me, seeing our names together and knowing we're almost husband and wife!  It really made my heart happy seeing the license yesterday...just 10 more days!

Speaking of 10 days, starting this morning I began leaving Jeff notes that count down each day until our wedding.

In each note, I tell him the top 10 things I love about him. Today I left #10 in an obvious place - on our bathroom mirror.  I wanted to make sure he saw it first thing.  He was so sweet about receiving it and asked if he'd be receiving more.  Of course I tried to be coy, but I'm sure he knows he'll be getting them as each day goes by.  I do plan on being more creative with where I put them each day, that way he will find them when he least expects it. :)

Basically I just can't wait to marry my best friend and the love of my life.  Can you tell? ;)

Welcome!

Okay...the decision was made!  

Yes, I will continue to blog (and yes, be more active with my posting) AND we created a new blog that will showcase posts from Jeff and I's married life onward. 

The new blog name...can I tell you how much I love it?!  I could write a post about where this name resonates with me, but I'll spare you. ;)  Here is a brief explanation of how it came to be - with Jeff's last name being May, one of his nicknames growing up was "Mayzing" which is derived from "Amazing" (this nickname was also shared by my best friend from high school, Danielle Mays, now Danielle Bochner...little did I know how near and dear her old nickname would be to me in my future life!)  So with that, "a'may'zing grace" was created to incorporate my new last name that I love so much, but also the well known and loved phrase that is our blog title.  My hopes is that this blog can be a long-term place for my/our posts, even as our family grows.  It just fit. <3

So for now I leave you, still as Rani Jones.  When I return, I will be the wife of the most amazing man I know and will start posting as Rani May!

Love,

Rani