Laura Liira 12/10/15 Laura Liira 12/10/15

MAKING A PIE FROM SCRATCH

Hello from the other side.....of the stinking flu! Wow, this flu thang had wiped me out since last Saturday but I am happy to report, I'm now in the clear! But the flu while pregnant = the worst!

So remember when I made 20 goals to accomplish in my last year as a twenty-something? Well three months have gone by and I am proud to say I finally baked a pie from scratch! I've also accomplished a few others, but we'll get to those in a different post.

My mum gifted my sister and I with a pie baking class for our birthdays and we attended it in November. It was taught by Chef Heidi Fink and I would definitely recommend classes by her!

We started out with a baking demonstration where she showed us how to make crust. Now the big debate is whether you want an all butter crust or butter and lard or butter and shortening. We did a taste test at the end and I preferred the all butter crust, which apparently most people under 50 do and most people over 50 prefer shortening! She also revealed how putting vodka (1/4 cup) in the dough helps keep it moist and more supple.

After the demonstration, we were off to do our own bidding. Ohhh another secret she revealed was when choosing your apples, you don't just want to go to the ol' granny smith route but you also don't want to go with strictly sweet apples either! The trick is to get a mix of tart AND sweet apples because tart apples go mushy and sweet apples stay hard when cooked so you need both to have your bricks and mortar! Brilliant hey?

While our pies were cooking away, we got to try the pies that Heidi made and oh my goodness, they were amazing.

Now my pie wasn't that pretty because honestly, baking a pie is pretty stressful but I'm excited to experiment in the kitchen and work on that lattice crust thang now that I know how to make pie (lols).

Well hope you have a great Thursday and I'll be back tomorrow with another Christmas gift guide :)

XO,
laura

Laura Liira 12/4/15 Laura Liira 12/4/15

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE // FOR YOUR BFF

Oh my gosh it's DECEMBER 4TH! Have you started Christmas shopping yet? I've barely started but I plan to get some done this weekend! My favourite ppl to buy things for are ppl who like pretty things aka MY BFFS! So today's gift guide is all about that person...gift ideas for your BFF!

1. Rifle Paper Journal
2. I WOKE UP LIKE THIS Mug
3. Ban.do Hair Clip
4. Kate Spade Heart of Gold Bangle
5. Kate Spade Candle
6. Ban.do Passport Holder

Happy shopping!

XO,
laura

Laura Liira 11/30/15 Laura Liira 11/30/15

HELLO DECEMBER + PRINTABLE DECEMBER CALENDAR

Oh hello sweet sweet December!!! I can't wait to greet your beautiful self tomorrow. Last week was a crazy one...decorated the church for Christmas and preached at Adore but God is good and He always gives the strength that I need (why do I doubt Him when He always shows up??!)

But now I'm ready to start decorating our house for Christmas. James put up our new mantle and I cannot wait to show you it! I want to go out ASAP and buy some fresh garland but he wants us to go hunt for some in the forest...so we'll see.

And now it's time to plan out all the wonderful December festivities! Hello cookie exchanges, Christmas parties, church services oh and probably a work out or two..lols.

Hope you have a wonderful December filled with amazing memories with loved ones!

CLICK HERE TO PRINT THE DECEMBER CALENDAR

XO,
laura

Laura Liira 11/27/15 Laura Liira 11/27/15

HELLO WEEKEND

Happy Black Friday everyone! I just did some shopping on the Indigo sale from the comfort of my computer chair, sipping tea and wearing my bathrobe OBVS...now that's my kinda shopping.

To be honest, with my changing body I don't really have the desire to go to a fitting room and try on new clothes right now, so I'll be avoiding the mall today....except I need new gloves because it's FLIPPING FREEZING OUT! These ones look cozy and they're on sale! Ohh and also these cute joggers look real comfy.

Who's ready for the weekend? Mine is a little crazy with Christmas decorating at the church and sermon prepping for Adore BUT my Monday is going to be spent putting up Christmas decorations in our home!!! James ordered our new mantle and it's ready today...hurrrah! Can't wait to decorate it with fresh garland.

Well hope you have a wonderful weekend and I'll be back on Monday with a printable December calendar for you!

XO,
laura

ps. above photo by Rachael Alexandra Photography

Laura Liira 11/25/15 Laura Liira 11/25/15

WE'RE HAVING A BABY! + HOLIDAY PHOTOS

So the cat's outta the bag....last night we announced on instagram/fb that WE'RE HAVING A BABY!!!!!! It still feels like the craziest thing and I have so many thoughts/emotions to share (which I will soon!) but now you know the reason for my lack of posting and all that "under the weather" garbage..lol! I'm almost out of my first trimester and I'm starting to feel more like myself..(PTL)

Last week we had our first ultrasound and seeing that tiny little baby jump around and move its arms up and down was one of the most precious moments of my life. That's our baby who God knit together in me....mind blown.

I really wanted to announce the pregnancy with a sweet photo shoot announcement. So the day after James got back from tour, I gently persuaded him to wake up at 7:30am so we could shoot at 8am. We hired my amazingly talented friend Rachael Alexandra Photography to take the photos. Her work is incredible and she has the personality to make you laugh and feel comfortable which is such an important thing for a photog! I highly recommend her!!!

I still can't believe I'm going to be a mom. Part of me CANNOT WAIT UNTIL JUNE and the other part of me is thinking..who let us have a baby? But my goodness, I am already so in love with this teeny peanut!!!!

Thank you for all your encouraging comments on instagram/fb. It melts my heart knowing how loved this baby already is. I'm so thankful for you all.

XO,
laura