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Memorial Day Spread with Conagra

May 5, 2021 Comments : 2

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This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Conagra Brands. All opinions are mine alone. #ConagraHonorYourHeroes

What is better than sharing a meal with your military Dad who often travels for work? Being a military family means spending a lot of time away from family, but especially your military member. One way we’re Honoring Heroes, this Memorial Day is by creating lifelong memories between my husband and daughter, over delicious food. Bonding over a meal is the ultimate way to say thank you and we love you. Thankfully, Conagra has all of your Barbeques/Grilling food needs in order to celebrate such an occasion too! And to take it a step further, Conagra is making a donation to Operation Homefront to support military families.

All Posts, Dear Diary, Drinks, Recipes

Mint Peach Spritzer

April 23, 2019 Comments : 4

We’re about a month into Spring 2019. Although Mother Nature hasn’t quite figured it out in this part of the country it doesn’t make it any less true. One of my favorite parts of the spring and summer months are the delicious drinks. All of the delicious and pretty fruit drinks make their reappearance. I wanted to create a refreshing drink that can be served alcoholic and non-alcoholic. This Mint Peach Spritzer is the perfect drink of a girls brunch or an evening get together. Read More

All Posts, Dear Diary, Drinks, Recipes

Strawberry Iced Tea (Sugar Free!)

July 4, 2017 Leave a Comment

Strawberry Iced Tea

There is something so special about an ice cold refreshing drink on a hot summer day. This exact idea is what inspired this Strawberry Iced Tea recipe. One of my favorite drinks in hot and cold weather is green tea. Green tea is perfect because it tastes delicious weather served hot or cold. I personally prefer hot tea, but this recipe was the first exception I've made of tasting even better.

I always see recipes for fresh fruit flavored desserts and drinks that require a cup or more of white sugar. For those of you who are trying to eat cleaner these days, this is not the best ingredient for weight loss, or healthy living. When I make my green tea throughout the year I always use honey and lemon to sweeten my tea. This gave me the idea to attempt a similar summer drink recipe using honey instead of sugar for the natural strawberry flavoring. Not only was it a great idea, but this Strawberry Iced Tea is absolutely delicious, AND you feel no guilt knowing the ingredients are healthy and simple. It really is a win-win situation!

For those of you who have allergies to strawberries the best part about this recipe is you can use any fruit you would like following the exact same steps. I think I'm going to try mango next time! 🙂

Course Drinks

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

Total Time 30 minutes

Servings 6 people

Author jamiesondiaries

Ingredients

8 cups water 1 cup off to the side
8 green tea bags
2 cups strawberries quartered
1 cup honey 1/4 cup to the side
2 lemons

Instructions

In two separate pots boil your 7 cups of water, and 1 cup of water, over medium high heat until both pots are boiling.
When your 1 cup of water begins to boil add your strawberries and 1/4 cup of honey to the pot. Stir frequently to avoid burning.
Once your large pot of water has started boiling, turn the pot off (to avoid a fire) and add your tea bags to the pot. Let them soak in the water for 10-15 minutes to be sure all of the flavoring has gotten in the water. (I used the Yogi tea "energy" brand/flavor for my tea).
Once your strawberries have cooked down, using a small holed strainer, pour the strawberry mixture in the strainer to separate the liquid and food. Throw the food away once all the liquid has drained out.
In your pot of tea, discard the tea bags, and pour your tea into a 2 quart pitcher.
Add your strawberry flavored sweetener to the pitcher, as well as, your remaining 3/4 cup honey. Stir until well combined.
Cut your lemon into halves and add lemon juice to taste. Stir well. (I love the lemon flavor in my tea so I used about 1 and 3/4 of my lemons and sliced the last 1/4 for garnish in the pitcher).
Fill a glass half way with ice, pour your strawberry iced tea over it, and enjoy your refreshing drink!

All Posts, Dear Diary

June Netflix/TV Show Season Premieres

June 9, 2017 Leave a Comment

*WARNING* Previous season spoiler alerts!

Today is June 9th, 201,7 otherwise known as the, “Orange is the New Black” season 5 premiere on Netflix, day. The way last season ended left all of us feeling quite heartbroken with the senseless loss of Poussey. However, what is a great show without a roller coaster of emotions? I’m currently watching the new season as I type this. So far I’m not sure how I feel about season 5. I’m only three episodes in so I won’t be sharing any spoilers. I also need more time to assess how I feel about this season. The excitement for OITNB made me think about the rest of my June Netflix/TV Show Season Premieres.. This month, in addition to OITNB, Queen Sugar, and Power all return too.

For those of you who easily forget the season premiere dates like myself, I figured a blog post sharing the dates in writing would be a goof reference, for those of you who forgot yourselves, or didn’t know about them at all. In case you all can’t tell by now, I’m somewhat of a Netflix/TV show junkie. We’re enjoying a time where there are an overload of quality shows to watch on both platforms. I remember a few years ago it was hard to find anything on TV that wasn’t a “reality” show. Ugh, what a terrible time for television. Thankfully we now have Netflix added to the mix of choices for quality shows too.

Queen Sugar: Season 2 airs Tuesday and Wednesday, June 20th and 21st, at 10pm EST. This is a two night premiere! I’m so excited about this show returning. If you remember how last season ended, Ralph Angel read the note his father wrote before his death stating he wanted Ralph Angel to run the farm. As we all know, Charlie was the last one “running” the show even though all three of the siblings equally share legal ownership.

Power: Season 4 airs Sunday, June 25th, at 9pm EST. This is honestly the show I’m most excited to watch this month. If you watch Power then you already know why this show is so damn good! If you recall, last season ended with Ghost in handcuffs. Angela showed up to his club and arrested him for the murder of Greg. Oh man, it’s about to get good!

What June Netflix/TV show premieres are you looking forward to this month? Or this summer for that matter? I’ll be back in a few weeks with more Netflix/TV premiere dates for the months of July and August. Until then, happy watching! If you find yourself missing me before then, follow me on Twitter for live play-by-play tweets of these shows in the mean time ;-).

Brie <3

[06.09.17]

All Posts, Dear Diary, Family Love, Travel

Summer 2016 Recap!

September 4, 2016 Leave a Comment

Happy and blessed Sunday, everybody! I hope you all enjoyed your first Sunday of September 2016. It’s hard to believe it’s already September isn’t it? We’re officially 75% done with the year 2016. I know, I freaked out a little when I sat back and thought about it in terms of percentages too. Anyway…Read More

All Posts, Dear Diary

Summer Hiatus Over: Jamieson Diaries Is Back!

September 1, 2016 Leave a Comment

Happy September everybody! It’s been a very, what seems to be, short yet long three and a half months since I’ve last been here, but oh man am I happy to be back. In mid May (right after Mother’s Day to be exact) I decided to take a mini hiatus from blogging and concentrate more on social media connecting and sharing through pictures, tweets, and videos. I knew my youngest sister would be coming here to visit for the summer and we would all be engaging in summer activities and vacations that I decided it would be best to simply have uninterrupted fun while the short summer months were here. Although summer isn’t technically over, it’s pretty safe to say the kids being back in school, earlier sunsets, and fall decor in stores signifies in all of our minds, it’s over. I’m not complaining in the least bit though because I absolutely LOVE fall! But I’ll get more into my love of fall in a blog post later this month ;-).

I had a great summer filled with tons of love and laughs from loved ones. I hope you all enjoyed your summers as well and are successful in whatever this upcoming season has planned for you.

I wanted to say hello to all of you, tell you I’ve missed you, and can’t wait to share more awesome content with my even more awesome readers.

Happy Thursday folks!

Brie <3

[09.01.16]

All Posts, Dear Diary, Family Love

Happy birthday, Mommy!

July 26, 2015 Comments : 2

I know, I was just here wishing my youngest sister a happy birthday, but today is my Mommy’s turn for a birthday shout out. My Mom is turning a young 21 years old for the 27th time ;-). This is the 2nd year in a row we’ve gotten to spend your birthday together here in Montana. Today will be nothing short of fun, filled with great food and laughter. You deserve so much more, but one day I’ll be able to buy you a vacation somewhere with sandy beaches and icy beverages :-).

You’re the best Mom anyone could ask for. You always put our needs and wants before yours (even me at almost 27 years old). If there is something I need or want, you do your best to make it happen. From cooking our favorite meals when you visit us, watching Jordyn for us to go on date nights, to being complete goofballs when we’re together. I couldn’t ask for a better first best friend.

It goes without saying you’re an amazing Grandma to, Jordyn. She does not want for ONE single thing, because I’m pretty sure she owns every baby gadget, contraption, and/or toy there is to offer thanks to you LOL. From her excitement of seeing you in the morning when we visit you/you visit us, to her contagious laughter when you two are playing, she loves you more than you could know already.

Thank you for being the world’s best Mommy and Grandma a girl could ever ask for. My friends have even adopted you as their mother/grandma for their children lol. I pray you enjoy your day, today, and God blesses you to see many many more. Oh, and you know Ares will even have some loving for you whether you want it not haha.

Happy birthday, Madre! We love you sooooo much! 🙂

Brie <3

[07.26.15]