Dec13
Monthly Archives: December 2013
Dec12
Over the Hump Old School Sound Check
Happy Thursday!! Who else is feeling free like me?
Love is alright with me today, but I am going to let Ms. Patti tell you guys…
Dec11
The Accidental Vegetarian
I recently discovered that there is an actual term for my sometimes insatiable cravings for vegetables, even preferring them over meat. During my travels, I have opted for the vegetables on many occasions and continue to prefer them when I return home. Meat seems to become less of an anchor for my meals these days and I go days without eating any at all.
According to Ask.com, that makes me a “flexitarian.” What, exactly, does flexitarian mean? “Flexitarian” is used to describe a diet or a person who eats a “mostly” vegetarian diet, occasionally including meat. But what exactly does this mean? Does it mean once a week or once a day? It’s really up to you, as there is no standard agreement or definition, though perhaps someday there will be.
What I will admit is that I still love great barbeque, especially at “Bennie J’s Smoke Pit” in Huntsville, TX. If you are ever traveling on Interstate 45 between Houston and Dallas, it’s worth the detour. 
Dec11
TenaciousM Truth
“Friendship is never established as understood relation. It is a miracle which requires constant proofs. It is an exercise of the purest imagination and of the rarest faith.”
– Henry David Thoreau
Dec10
TenaciousM “Chocolate on Steroids”
This Coca-Cola Cake is simply one of the best sheet cake recipes on earth. The magical brew of carbonated cola is the secret to the tender texture.
Yield: 12 servings
Ingredients
- 1 cup Coca-Cola
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup butter or margarine, softened
- 1 3/4 cups sugar
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup cocoa
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 1/2 cups miniature marshmallows
- Coca-Cola Frosting
- Garnish: 3/4 cup chopped pecans, toasted
Preparation
- Combine Coca-Cola and buttermilk; set aside.
- Beat butter at low speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Gradually add sugar; beat until blended. Add egg and vanilla; beat at low speed until blended.
- Combine flour, cocoa, and soda. Add to butter mixture alternately with cola mixture; begin and end with flour mixture. Beat at low speed just until blended.
- Stir in marshmallows. Pour batter into a greased and floured 13- x 9-inch pan. Bake at 350° for 30 to 35 minutes. Remove from oven; cool 10 minutes. Pour Coca-Cola frosting over warm cake; garnish, if desired.
- Note: Don’t make the frosting ahead–you need to pour it over the cake shortly after baking.
From Southern Living
Dec9
Mad Love for the LEL Population!
Don’t get me wrong, I love my vertically changed sistahs, too. But for the “Gambs Galore” women like myself, get with Long Elegant Legs! They are fashion forward especially for jeans, pants and leggings. Celebrate your fierceness!
Dec8
Sunday Reflections
PROVERBS 16:7
7 When a person’s ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.
Although it changes along with my experiences, this scripture has been my favorite for a couple of years now. Suffice it to say that leadership comes at a price. Sometimes we choose it willingly and sometimes it is thrust upon us whether we want it or not. Following my own path is not so difficult, however, creating a path for others to follow and adopt… #painful! Even if those you lead actually believe in your ability to do so, inevitably there will be folks among them who question your ability or resent it. My prayer is to accept leadership with grace and humility at all times whether at home or at work.
Dec7
GETTING READY
Relax hair, body, mind…
Float in fragranced water and
Enter silks
Slide on opaque legs designed to
Step in leather shoes – –
Tell who you are
Raise curls which cascade down
Burden shoulders
That hold upbringing straps in place – –
Leave hands free to choose
Diamonds smile in mirrors
Which line the eyes and
Contour cheeks with color
Lips say what you mean tonight
Dec6
MY DREAM TREAT
Egos & Buffaloes (White Chocolate Chip Macadamia Nut Cookies)
Total Time: 35 mins
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Yield: 48
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed
1/2 cup white sugar
1 cup salted butter, softened
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 cup coarsely chopped macadamia nuts
1 1/2 cups white chocolate chips
Directions:
1 Preheat oven to 300°F.
2 In medium bowl combine flour, soda and salt. Mix well, set aside.
3 In a large bowl with a mixer blend sugars at medium speed. Add butter and mix to until it forms a grainy paste, scraping down the sides of the bowl. Add eggs and vanilla, and beat at medium speed until fully combined.
4 Add the flour mixture, macadamia nuts and white chocolate chips, and blend on low speed until just combined. Do not overmix.
5 Drop by rounded spoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 15 minutes, or until the edges begin to brown. Move immediately to cooling rack.
Dec6
For My Grandmother, Maggie Williams… Thank You!
NINA’S PEDICURE
I let the nails grow and petrify
over the toes of an old lady.
Nina, whom I love to care for
says it takes podiatry now.
Using water will clean the tool
but cannot sharpen.
That takes metal-hard strength.
Water seams weak to me,
yet it is strong enough to soften and
make a file unneeded.
Her skin has wrinkled so it must be ready.
The water proves itself and
erodes neglect that stiffens nature.
Smoothes aging lines that go deep
like basement rock
Boars through without fizz or drill
And lets me trim and buff and
Polish eight – blood red.
I leave the big toes clean to see my work
And gain some balance.
Egos & Buffaloes 