Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Have Faith



So in my post from February 10th I spoke of visualization, manifestation,etc...all I can say is God is. Why? Because I knew that my husband and I were going to face challenges when we tried to conceive and we had already started talking to physicians about options, oddly enough our first appointment was scheduled for Feb 18, so we went, we discussed options, my husband and I left in a positive light. We knew what had to be done when we were ready to try, little did we know, God had a different plan in mind.

Prior to our first office consultation I had prayed that whenever we were ready that things would be ok, I asked God sincerely to bless us when we were ready to try.....all the while I was pregnant. Today I am approx 5 weeks pregnant. Please pray for us. God consistenly shows me his love, his power, for those of you that are reading that question God's presence I challenge you to believe, to have faith in him. I am a believer.....in so many ways.....

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Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Guess What

Lilypie Expecting a baby Ticker

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Wednesday, February 20, 2008

They're Back...................


Go Atlantis, yay!!!! Made it home safe!!! Great job!

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Family Affair

This pic kinda speaks for itself don't it!

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Jah Jah!





Shon...this is for you :)

It's that time of year again folks, be there are be square!

www.reggaesumfest.com

Monday, February 18, 2008

Sisterhood - Real Friends

Photo by : www.CollinsMetu.com
I thank God for the real friends I have come to know in my life. I have never been one to have MANY friends, I have had the same circle of friends for he past 20 years or so, and yes we've had our ups and downs but we've always maintained some how. God, thank you so much for Rashonda, Ersula, Freddie, Shaq, Phyllis and my baby sis Chris.

If you guys ever read this blog please know that I adore you and love you guys so much. You have all been my rocks at different times of my life. I'm so happy none of us have ever succumb to being fake, I appreciate the fact that I have real people in my life. I cannot express how invaluable that is. Even though I've transitioned to DC, I have still only remained strong ties with you guys, why? Because no one could ever replace you guys, you've set the standard too high.....you ladies were on my mind today, kinda had an interesting evening and this was the last thought that surfaced, well folks nighty night...gots to hit the gym in the AM!!!

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Wear your OWN hair


I have for the last few weeks surfed different blogs, researched different black people's perspective on ideals, and what I've found most interesting is that the old school mentality of "conforming when it comes to hair" is still so alive that it just won't fuggin die......just stoopit..as they would say. So long story short, I proposed a conversation regarding "hair" basically asked if we were "delusional about self-acceptance" ? So we went round and round the usual song and dance, people got all defensive...cause they know they wrong....just wrong....creamy crack addicts I tell ya..... so wear yo' hair.... ....tomorrow if i see a dog with cat furr i'm coming back inside the house and going back to sleep....




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I'm not listening

I'm not listening.....see the pic above...

Friday, February 15, 2008

Happy V-Day Lovies....


Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Sweet Basil Gnocchi

Recipe : Episode 53 : From Miss to Mrs.

Sweet Basil Gnocchi with a Chardonnay Cream Sauce
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print recipe
Sweet Basil Gnocchi with a Chardonnay Cream Sauce

INGREDIENTS:

For Gnocchi:
2 lbs baked potatoes
½ cup basil, finely chopped
Salt to taste
1 large egg
1 ½ tablespoons of unsalted butter, melted
1 ½ cups all purpose flour
2 tablespoons olive oil

For Sauce:
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon garlic, chopped
1 tablespoon shallots, chopped
1 pound medium-sized shrimp
(or substitute shrimp for two 6-oz chicken breasts, cooked and diced)
1 cup sweet peas
1 cup chardonnay
1 cup of cream
1 tablespoon of unsalted butter
1 2-oz block of parmesan cheese

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COOKING TIP spacer .Champagne Cocktail
.Chocolate Mousse
.G’s Surf and Turf
.Martini
.Sweet Basil Gnocchi
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COOKING TIP spacer Garvin's Pineapple Infusion Martinis
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Garvin's Pineapple Infusion Martinis
For the best tasting Pineapple Infusion Martinis, create the mixture and let it sit for one or two days before serving.
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PROCEDURE

For Gnocchi:
1. Peel and dice potatoes, then place in a large sauce pot with cold water to cover. Add salt and bring water to a boil over high heat. Lower heat and simmer for about 30 minutes or until the potatoes are cooked. Drain and mash.

2. Place a stock pot on the stove with two quarts of water, a tablespoon of olive oil and a pinch of salt, and bring to a boil.

3. Place the mashed potatoes into a bowl. Add flour a little at time.

4. Add the egg and the butter, blend well.

5. Add the basil and salt & pepper, mix well.

6. Continue to add flour slowly, blending well after each addition. The amount of flour will vary depending upon the moisture in the potatoes. You should add sufficient flour to make dough that is smooth and elastic enough to form into gnocchi easily.

7. Place ½ cup flour in a small bowl.

8. Break off a workable amount, roll into tube shape and cut into desired size.

9. Next, dust the gnocchi in the flour bowl and place onto a cookie sheet lined with wax paper until sauce is made.

10. Once all gnocchi is ready to cook, drop into boiling water for 5 minutes or until gnocchi floats to the top. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside in a bowl with a tablespoon of olive oil until all is cooked.

11. Then add to the sauce when ready.

For Sauce:
1. Wash and clean shrimp or chicken breast and set aside. If you using shrimp make sure they are peeled and deveined; tail may or may not be left on according to preference.

2. Sauté shrimp or chicken until almost cooked through. Set aside and dice when cooled.

3. Place a medium-sized sauté pan onto the stove with a tablespoon of olive oil over medium high heat.

4. Add garlic, shallots and sauté for 1 minute.

5. Next, add shrimp or diced chicken breast turning over once the shrimp start to get pink and adding white wine and cream. Simmer until slightly thickened.

6. Add salt and pepper to taste.

7. Add sweet peas and gnocchi, mix well.

8. With a vegetable peeler shave parmesan cheese into pan with sauce.

9. Simmer about 5 minutes, while blending in cheese.

10. Add butter to the sauce and stir.

11. Serve and top off with a little chopped parsley for garnish.

So I'm watching TV1 the other day and my boy G. Garvin is cooking the above, by the end of the show I was in full Pavlov mode. This meal seems so delish...I must try it, for the full video check out this website and select episode 53. I never thought I could see myself making gnocchi but i'm willing to try it out....wish me luck.

http://www.tvoneonline.com/shows/recipe.asp?ID=1540

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Are you living your life like it's golden or pretending

Do you? Seriously. For some reason this was on my mind in this A.M. I was at the gym yesterday evening, obviously my gym is full of fit people all who appear to be physically fit on the outside, but boy do faces tell you what's going on inside....so I being the inquisitive individual I am took a hard look at all the faces, many of which appeared to be in a world far away, typical stress release look after a full day at the office....but some were just blank, as in NO one is home. I often wonder what trails through the mind of humans, I really do. I wonder if they are living life like is golden? We honestly looked like a bunch of ants in that gym this morning, or bees, definitely a systematic union. We have become so trained...

Sunday, February 10, 2008

Avery Joel "or" Noel Elaine Granville

So they say if you have hope desires will manifest, if you visualize dreams they will become reality. This is dedicated to the daughter that I hope to have one day, or son sans " Elaine" (that is not unisex) but seriously, little one this is dedicated to you, and when you grow up and become a lovely young lady/ or man just know that mommy was praying for you before you ever got here. I am a believer in positive thinking..........all the time.

Wednesday, February 6, 2008

Day 40ish of marriage or so.....

So my husband and I dated and lived together for a few years before we actually got married in Dec 07. I cannot express how important it is to truly understand the essence of frienship relative to love. Love is so sacred, it really is. I honestly thought I was inlove once before but I know now that really...that was just a playtime. Real love truly is patient and kind, and it really doesn't boast...Corinthians had it right. Today when my husband and I were in the gym, I caught him looking my way, I have to admit I was also sneaking gazes here and there, but my point is that love is just something that sits in a person's eyes, it truly is; you can just see it.

On a much more disturbing note, sorry....I have a friend who is contemplating getting back into a relationship with someone that has physically/verbally abused her in the past....now this is just one thing I truly cannot understand....granted his physical abuse was due to his dependency with alcohol, but nonetheless does he get a pass?

I mean is it ok for you to hit someone because you are a drunk. Can people with addictions change? My mother did, that is the only reason I chose to entertain the idea of hope. I actually found myself telling her to think about the situation carefully, and if he agreed to seek counseling, perhaps there was hope....OKAY, this is major deal for me, why do you ask? Because those of you that know me, know DAMN well ain't no man gon' hit on your gurl', BUT something inside of me told her that.

I suppose I am beginning to think that people can truly overcome addictions or problems. My mother has been sober for over a year now, she was delivered by GOD, and I am witness to it, I saw her transformation, she literally changed overnight, God touch my mother. He touched my mother so much that I have began to grow closer to him again, I found myself drifting after college, but it seems God has a way of holding on to his people, and I'm not a goodie two shoes by any means, but God has got me guys. Ok so i said all that to say this (as my granny would say) people really can change.

When you have girlfriends that confide in you, don't just shun the idea of the impossible, if it's truly something you feel has hope, just listen, really listen to your friends...ok, sorry for my rant, just being me....I dunno, perhaps i'm totally looney today, did I really just tell someone to think about getting back into a abusive relationship....ok now i feel bad..but how do you help someone like that.....granted this person has self-esteem problems, that's the obvious, but how do I as a friend help a person understand their worth....or could it really be that she is that inlove, lust..I don't get it....ok i'm signing off, my brain is on overload....and i'm thinking i did the wrong thing today.....sigh...bye

If you could be anywhere in the world right now ....

where would you be?