Counting the Blessings of 2012...

Last year on New Years Day I said a prayer and asked God that if I couldn't have everything I wanted or accomplish all the things that I thought I needed to, that in 2012 I would at least stay on the path He wanted me on, have plenty of meaningful opportunities, and most of all... just. be. happy. My prayer was answer a hundred times over again.

~2012 Adventures~

  In 2012 we adopted NEMO

I began working for the Bellevue Arts Museum!
the best job ever!

Met this amazing person my co-worker Lindsay
at the Bellevue Arts Museum

My hardworking husband got a job working for Microsoft

And I have to mention a blessing for Paul that in 2012 he was able to work for Bad Animal Studios in Seattle to learn more about that click > HERE

We relocated to Bellevue, WA  

We had a wonderful trip to Kauai

... and celebrated our FIRST Anniversary there

I became the Curator at Tacoma Art Place

at TAP I learned how to Plan and Conduct an Art Show

Organized a "Member and Volunteer" Art Show

Worked at my first Bellevue Arts Fair

I also was given an amazing opportunity to be the executive intern at the Gage Academy of Art click > HERE to learn about the Gage Academy. I am now workong on my Graduate Practicum there as in 2012 I was accepted and began Graduate School at Seattle University click > HERE to learn about the Masters of Arts Leadership Program.

Masters in Arts Leadership Class of 2014

I feel so tremendously blessed for all the great things that happend in 2012 and I only hope that one day soon I will be able to give back as generously to others as God has given to me.

So tonight I will say the same New Years prayer for us all. I wish you all a Happy New Year!

Wyatt

A few days ago I learned that my dog Wyatt was put to sleep. I found out through the grapevine unfortunately so I don't know all the details, it was really sad finding this out after the fact as I would have liked to say goodbye to my old friend.

Wyatt-kins was the nicest dog ever he was so happy and cuddly and whenever I saw him I couldn't help but smile. Wyatt made bad days perfect again, and I will always remember how when I would get home and drive up our long driveway in my bug(car) Wyatt would deliberately walk in-front of me so I would have to drive extremely slow not to miss him, then he would walk along side the driver side window and he was just tall enough that I could see his beady little eyes.

Wyatt loved frozen waffles, which I think is really weird for a dog. He would take them gently out of my hand with his teeth (that goes for any treat... Wyatt wasn't rude about food) and walk to our front lawn, quietly wait for me to leave or look away from him and then eat his snack.

(this one is a sort of embarrassing memory)

Everyone in my family eventually started putting "kins" after Wyatt's name and I take credit for that as it came from the Wyatt song which I made up and used to sing to him when I was alone (of course) in the barn. So he became Wyatt-kins.

Wyatt was the most kind hearted dog, at any given moment I could look out my window and see him sleeping under the car port with our barn cat cuddled up next to him.

Rest in peace my old buddy, you will be missed, I hope there are lots of frozen waffles in doggie heaven.

Love ash

A Gesture Cat

I love gesture drawing and today I discovered that cats make great models. Nemo stays in the same place long enough to get something down on paper at least. I am so looking forward to going to one of the Gage Academy Drop-in Figure Studios but until then... a doodle a day will suffice. 

A Doodle a Day

When I was in Jr. high I used to get the The Chronicles of the Horse, and I remember one day reading this short story and it really touched me. I thought I would share it along with the beginning of some sketches or a drawing a day.

The Blind Horse

Near my home is a field, with two horses in it.From a distance, each horse looks like any other horse. But if you stop your car, or are walking by, you will notice something quite amazing....Looking into the eyes of one horse will disclose that he is blind. His owner has chosen not to have him put down, but has made a good home for him. This alone is amazing.If you stand nearby and listen, you will hear the sound of a bell. Looking around for the source of the sound, you will see that it comes from the smaller horse in the field. Attached to the horse's halter is a small bell. It lets the blind friend know where the other horse is, so he can follow. As you stand and watch these two friends, you'll see that the horse with the bell is always checking on the blind horse, and that the blind horse will listen for the bell and then slowly walk to where the other horse is, trusting that he will not be led astray. When the horse with the bell returns to the shelter of the barn each evening, it stops occasionally and looks back, making sure that the blind friend isn't too far behind to hear the bell. Like the owners of these two horses, God does not throw us away just because we are not perfect or because we have problems or challenges. He watches over us and even brings others into our lives to help us when we are in need.Sometimes we are the blind horse being guided by the little ringing bell of those who God places in our lives. Other times we are the guide horse, helping others to find their way....Good friends are like that ... You may not always see them, but you know they are always there. Please listen for my bell and I'll listen for yours. And remember... Be kinder than necessary - Everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.

Serres Farm Pics

For my Birthday Paul and I decided to get Christmas Pictures... actually it's something I wanted to do and Paul agreed to "cooperate" (just to clarify a little) We found this really awesome photographer at Red Sparrow Photography who did these cute little mini Christmas Photo Sessions. We only spent about a half an hour with her and we have so many pictures! (I am only showing the few that I recently purchased) 

The photographers name is Katie Cann-McTaggart she set up a meeting at Serres Farm which was so cute with it's little red barn and Christmas tree farm. Well I hope you enjoy our Miller Christmas Pictures and the fun surprise at the end.

-again, I'm so lucky I have a husband who puts up with this girlie stuff ; )

                          

Merry Christmas!

10 Things I want to see before I die... preferably much sooner

So these aren't in any order, and I am not taking into consideration what Paul wants to do here, however, this is my list of things I really want to see in this lifetime. Seeing how Paul and I want to travel a lot before we settle down for good it is highly likely one or two of these might actually get checked off, at least I keep telling myself that...here they are.

The Art Institute of Chicago - To see this painting :)

The Tate Modern Museum

Sistine Chapel - I feel like this is a priority

This one speaks for itself

Sagrada Familia Barcelona - I am so fascinated with this architecture I want to see it in real life!

The School of Beaux Arts in France - I've been here, but I want to go back!

Kinda just need to make this one happen.

I would love to see any artwork by these two... where ever.

Hofburg Imperial Palace - I would feel like I was in Heaven :)

The Hermatage Museum Russia

Well there are plenty more places to put on here, but this is a start... 
good thing Paul likes ART!

Sharing a Birthday

Today is my 25th Birthday and I am super lucky to be sharing this day with my twin brother Andy. We've been through a lot together, and the whole twin telepathy thing... totally true.

We were actually born on Friday the 13th...
I would say I'm pretty lucky though.

We celebrated together with my nephew Colton at the Rainforest Cafe' and it was so fun to see Colton so enthralled with the fish tanks and the lighting storms.

Colton helping us finish our Birthday Brownie.

It's funny I hear so many people talk about having a "quarter life crisis" ??? when they turn 25 and I just can't imagine this. I feel so so blessed to be where I am and to have accomplished and done the things I have in the last 25 years. I can't wait for the next 25... Paul and I are already creating our check list, or if your a fan of "UP" well then we are creating our own "adventure book".

My greatest blessing so far in my life has been by far meeting and marrying Paul Eric Miller.

I'm so in love with him

Stay tuned for posts on Paul's sweet birthday gift... 

it was so fun! I really am one of the lucky ones.

German Chocolate Cake Recipe

I like to bake as a way to relax... so... I decided to make Paul the German Chocolate cake he has been dying for. I made mine straight from the box but here is a good recipe if you want to make one from scratch just click here, or I pasted it below... have fun!

what you need

1 pkg. (4 oz.) BAKER'S GERMAN'S Sweet Chocolate 
1/2 cup  water
4 eggs, separated
2 cups  flour
1 tsp.  baking soda
1/4 tsp.  salt
1 cup butter, ssoftened
2 cups  sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup buttermilk

how to make it

HEAT oven to 350°F.

COVER bottoms of 3 (9-inch) round pans with waxed paper; spray sides with cooking spray. Microwave chocolate and water in large microwaveable bowl on HIGH 1-1/2 to 2 min. or until chocolate is almost melted, stirring after 1 min. Stir until chocolate is completely melted.

BEAT egg whites in small bowl with mixer on high speed until stiff peaks form; set aside. Mix flour, baking soda and salt. Beat butter and sugar in large bowl with mixer until light and fluffy. Add egg yolks, 1 at a time, beating well after each. Blend in melted chocolate and vanilla. Add flour mixture alternately with buttermilk, beating until well blended after each addition.

ADD egg whites; stir gently until well blended. Pour into prepared pans.

BAKE 30 min. or until toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean. Immediately run small spatula around cakes in pans. Cool cakes in pans 15 min.; remove from pans to wire racks. Cool completely. Spread Coconut-Pecan Filling and Frosting between cake layers and onto top of cake.

Halloween with the Millers...

Halloween is by far my favorite holiday it's so cozy and a fun kickoff to the season. In the past my family used to put on huge haunted barn parties. This was my all time favorite costume... Paul and I were Sweeney Todd and Miss Lovett.

We sort of had it down...

This year though we just relaxed which was really nice, and much needed.

we watched this...

carved these...

actually my amazing husband carved mine and let me decorate it so sweet...

Ohh and I baked these... so good... Pumpkin Chip Cookies you can get a similar recipe here. I accidentally made a ton whoops.

Even "cute nose" got his own little pumpkin....

Happy Halloween Everyone!