Tag Archives: Egos & Buffaloes

Off The Chain Performance – Aretha Franklin

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In 1998 soul singer Aretha Franklin had just a moment’s notice before she took to the stage to sing Nessun Dorma after operatic sensation Luciano Pavarotti had to pull out due to a sore throat. Sting introduces the star.

Twenty two minutes after she was asked to cover for her ailing friend, Luciano Pavarotti, Aretha Franklin takes the stage to perform the legendary aria “Nessun Dorma”, a piece she sang previously a few days earlier (in her own register, I might add), without changing Pavarotti’s key – which is no minor achievement. It begets one of the most extraordinary musical moments in awards show history. It brought the audience to a thunderous ovation.

Make Hay While The Sun Shines

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Make Hay While the Sun is Shining

BY ADESEWA OYINKANSOLA

What can be done today
Never leave till tomorrow
Yesterday is but a past
Tomorrow may never come
This reminds me of the saying:
“Make hay while the sun shines.”

Procrastination is but a thief
Little children never be deceived
Never allow a later spirit
To delay what you can do now
For you must, my dear friend
Make hay while the sun shines

Credit: Face2Face Africa

Presenting New Designer – Michael Shumaker’s “Luxivity” Collection

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Hey fashion lovers! Here’s a brand new fashion designer for you and he has got some great designs for the ladies.

According to the brand on their “Luxivity” collection – “luxivity is centered around different emotional moments a young woman goes through in her life. Moments phased around her sadness, happiness and feminity. The collection is a juxtaposition of the female life cycle capturing every moment ; either big or small.”

The pieces from the collection are filled with mild construction, with hints of glamour, elegance and sensuality that enhance the female body. Check it out.

Michael-Shumaker-Luxivity-Debut-Collection 1Michael-Shumaker-Luxivity-Debut-Collection-III 2Michael-Shumaker-Luxivity-400x600 3Michael-Shumaker-Luxivity-Debut-Collection-IV-400x600 4Michael-Shumaker-Luxivity-Debut-Collection-BellaNaija-May2014010-400x600 5Michael-Shumaker-Luxivity-Debut-Collection-BellaNaija-May2014007-400x600 6Michael-Shumaker-Luxivity-Debut-Collection-BellaNaija-May2014015-400x600 7Michael-Shumaker-Luxivity-Debut-Collection-BellaNaija-May2014004-400x600 8Michael-Shumaker-Luxivity-Debut-Collection-BellaNaija-May2014017-400x600 9

Credit: fashionghana.com

German Chocolate Brownies

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German Chocolate has become one of my favorite cakes… I just love the taste of the frosting! I saw this fun recipe for German Chocolate Brownies and it quickly made it up my list on things “I must try.” I am definitely more of a brownie girl than a cake girl so these were perfect for me! They are SO easy, try them out!

German Chocolate Brownies

YIELD: 1 9×13 pan (12 Servings) COOK: 25 mins

Ingredients

1 cup butter softened
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
1 1/2 tsp. Vanilla
1/2 cup cocoa
1 1/3 cups flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup chocolate chips
1 cup caramel bits
3 egg yolks
1 cup sugar
1 cup evaporated milk
1/2 cup butter
1 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 cups fresh flaked coconut
1 cup pecans chopped

Instructions

1. For the Brownies: Cream butter and sugar together. Add eggs and blend well. Add vanilla, salt, cocoa and flour. Don’t overbeat. Pour into a greased 9X13 pan.Bake at 350 F for 20-25 minutes. Let cool.

2. Melt chocolate chips in microwave for 1 minute and drizzle with a spoon over brownies.

3. Melt caramel bits in microwave for 1 minute and drizzle over chocolate.

4. For the Frosting: Combine egg yolks, sugar, milk, butter, and vanilla in a large saucepan. Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened, about 12 minutes ( Make sure to stir consistently for at least 10 min). Add coconut and pecans. Beat until thick enough to spread. Pour over top of brownies. You may want to place in the refrigerator to harden.

5. I drizzled some melted chocolate over the brownies and topped with pecans.

Worse Things Have Happened to Better People

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The truth…

Vincent Mars's avatarboy with a hat

Man Falling Illustration (c) Adam Niklewicz

Worse things have happened to better people,

Is the tragic thought that comforts me during hard times.  

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INSIDE THE AMBER FORT, JAIPUR

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Bucket List!!

michaelweening's avatarMichael Weening: a few pictures

Once inside the fort, it felt different than others we had visited. More opulent.

2013 12 29 Amber Fort_-49-2

You can read more of the forts history here. In a nutshell:

The aesthetic ambiance of the palace is seen within its walls on a four level layout plan (each with a courtyard) in a well turned out opulent palace complex built with red sandstone and marble consisting of the Diwan-e-Aam or the “Hall of Public Audience”, the Diwan-e-Khas or the “Hall of Private Audience”, the Sheesh Mahal (mirror palace) or Jai Mandir, and the Sukh Niwas where a cool climate is artificially created by winds that blow over the water cascade within the palace. Hence, the Amer Fort is also popularly known as the Amer Palace.[4] The palace was lived in by the RajputMaharajas and their families. At the entrance to the palace near the fort’s Ganesh Gate, there is also…

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Standing On Their Shoulders – Maya Angelou

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Maya Angelou 7Maya Angelou 4Maya Angelou 6Maya Angelou 5

Over The Hump Old School Sound Check – Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam

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Thursday never looked so good! Happy times!!

Lisa Lisa (born Lisa Velez, January 15, 1966) and her band Cult Jam are an urban contemporary band and one of first freestyle music groups to emerge from New York City in the 1980s. Cult Jam consisted of guitarist/bassist Alex “Spanador” Moseley, and drummer and keyboardist Mike Hughes. They were assembled and produced by Full Force.

Chocolate Chip Graham Cracker Snacking Cake

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This is an easy cake to make. This is not a high-rising cake at all. After spreading the batter out in the pan it is only abut 1 to 2 inches high, and it will not rise much more during baking. Don’t worry about this because it is a snacking cake, not a layer cake, and it comes out just fine.

Chocolate Chip Graham Cracker Snacking Cake

Ingredients – Cake

8 whole graham crackers, finely ground (about 1 cup)
¼ cup unbleached all purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
6 tbsp (¾ stick) butter, softened
¼ cup sugar
1 egg
1 egg yolk
1 tsp vanilla extract
¼ cup milk
½ cup semisweet chocolate chips (I used mini choc chips)

Ingredients – Frosting

½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
½ cup confectioners sugar
½ tsp vanilla extract
½ cup marshmallow fluff

Preparation – Cake

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. Grease an 8 inch square baking pan and dust it with flour, knocking out any extra (or use baking paper like I did).
3. Combine the graham cracker crumbs, flour, baking powder and salt in a medium mixing bowl.
4. Combine the butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl and cream with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until fluffy, about 3 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary. With the mixer on low speed, add the egg, egg yolk and vanilla. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and then beat until smooth. With the mixer on low speed, add a third of the flour mixture, then half of the milk, stirring until combined. Repeat with the remaining flour and milk, ending with the flour.
5. Stir in the chocolate chips. Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a rubber spatula.
6. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 35 minutes.
7. Let the cake cool in the pan for about 10 minutes.
8. Invert it onto a wire rack, and then turn it right side up to cool completely.

Graham Cracker Chocolate Chip Snacking Cake 2

Preparation – Frosting

1. Place the butter in a medium mixing bowl and beat until creamy.
2. With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the sugar, scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary. Stir in the vanilla and the marshmallow fluff and beat until smooth.
3. Use immediately or cover the bowl with plastic wrap and keep in the fridge for up to 3 days. Cut the cake into squares and serve each one with a dollop of frosting on top. (Bring the frosting back to room temperature first if it has been stored in the fridge).
4. Store any uneaten cake in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
5. Makes one 8 inch square cake.

Sunday Reflections

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Proverbs 17.9