Isaiah 41:6 Each one helps his neighbor And says to his brother, “Be strong!”
Mar9
Tag Archives: TenaciousM
Mar8
E&B World Music Showcase
Happy International Women’s Day! It’s been a perfect day for listening to an assortment of African music. #musicfriendsofTenaciousM enjoy!
Prophets of Da City (POC) is a hip hop crew from Cape Town, South Africa. They are composed of about eight members, though the exact membership fluctuates frequently; these include Ishmael Morabe (vocals), Mark Heuvel (dance), Shaheen Ariefdien, Ramone and DJ Ready D. Their style uses elements of hip hop music, reggae and traditional African rhythms. Their albums include Our World (1990), Boom Style (1992), Age of Truth (1993), Phunk Phlow (1994), Universal Souljaz (1995), and Ghetto Code (1997). They are currently signed under the independent record label Ghetto Ruff. Credit: Wikipedia
Nomfusi was born in the township of KwaZhakele in the Eastern Cape. Her single mother, Kwazibani (“Who Knows?” in English) raised her while her father languished in jail for 21 years. A domestic worker by day, Kwazibani was a sangoma (African medicine woman) with a gift for music. Nomfusi would accompany her mother to the weekly sangoma rituals (“Intlombe”) where Nomfusi would develop her musicality by dancing and singing for hours. Today she is a two time SAMA nominee, Metro FM Award nominee and has multiple local and international tours under her belt. Credit: Wikipedia
Sonny Okosun (January 1, 1947 in Enugu, Nigeria– May 24, 2008 in Washington DC) was a musician from Nigeria. His surname is sometimes spelled Okosuns and first name Sunny. He was one of the leading Nigerian musicians from the late 1970s to mid ’80s.
His first band, The Postmen, was formed in Enugu in 1965. In 1969 he joined Melody Maestros, a band led by Victor Uwaifo. From 1972 to 1974 he led a group known as Paperback Limited and then formed a new band, Ozziddi. From then on, he released several albums either with Ozziddi, or solo recordings.
His 1977 song, “Fire in Soweto”, became a major international hit. He was featured in the anti-apartheid album Sun City, and his song “Highlife” was in the soundtrack of 1986 film Something Wild. His mainstream success started to fade in the late 1980s, but he continued his career as a gospel musician under the name Evangelist Sonny Okosun
He died aged 61 on 24 May 2008 at Howard University Hospital, Washington DC. His musical styles ranged included reggae, highlife, Afro-funk and gospel among others. He made music in the Edo language, Igbo language, Yoruba language and English. Credit: Wikipedia
Mar8
Valentino Fall 2014 RTW Collection
Valentino’s fall collection was yet another master class in showing a diversity of themes in one collection, that managed to maintain continuity despite the mash of ideas. The show opened with a decisively mod theme. Optic patterns and bold graphic colors eventually gave way to more familiar territory, with subdued yet structured pieces infused with jacquard filled butterflies, and billowing caftans.
The show progressed into hallmark pieces, like delicate tulle and chiffon maxi dresses with lace and embroidered floral and animal motifs. The entire collection promises to be coveted by the sartorial set. Ultimately we think that Valentino can do no wrong. #fashionfriendsofTenaciousM Enjoy!!
Credit: Style Santry
Mar8
Dream Treat -Loaded Chocolate Chip Cheesecake
This cheesecake is for chocolate lovers. A chocolate-chip-filled center is surrounded by a a crust of chocolate chip cookies and topped with delicious chocolate shavings. #chocolatefriendsofTenaciousM enjoy!
Serves: 8 Edit
Total Time: 1 hr 10 min
Prep Time: 20 min
Cook Time: 50 min
Ingredients
Crust
1 package(s) (16 ounces) chewy chocolate chip cookies
Cheesecake
3 block(s) (8 ounces each) cream cheese
3 eggs
3/4 cup(s) sugar
8 ounce(s) semisweet chocolate chips
Topping
1 cup(s) sour cream
4 teaspoon(s) sugar
1 teaspoon(s) cocoa
Garnish
1 bar(s) (4 ounces) semisweet chocolate
Directions
1. For Crust: Line the bottom and side of a spring form pan with cookies. Place cookies so the tops of them are facing out.
2. For Cheesecake: Preheat oven to 350°F.
3. Beat cream cheese until smooth. Add eggs and sugar; beat until smooth and fluffy. Add chocolate chips and beat until mixed in well.
4. Pour mixture into chocolate-chip-cookie-lined spring form pan. Bake for 40 minutes (be careful not to overbake), cool, then refrigerate. The cheesecake will thicken in the fridge.
5. For Topping: Mix sour cream, sugar, and cocoa in small bowl. Spread on cheese cake and refrigerate.
6. For Garnish: Make chocolate shavings from chocolate bar. Cover cheese cake, with shavings just before serving.
Mar7
Chocolate Lover’s Pie
Vanilla and espresso are the special ingredients in this easy to make recipe that’s sure to tantalize chocolate lovers. #forchocolatelovers, #chocolatefriendsofTenaciousM enjoy!
Ingredients
Recipe makes 1 – 9 inch pie
1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup Crisco Baking Sticks All-Vegetable Shortening
3 tablespoons cold water
1/2 cup Crisco Baking Sticks Butter Flavor All-Vegetable Shortening
1/2 cup sugar
4 eggs
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips, melted
2 teaspoons instant espresso powder
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup coarsely chopped hazelnuts or pecans
Directions
1. Spoon flour into measuring cup and level. Mix flour and salt in medium bowl. Cut in Crisco using pastry blender (or 2 knives) until all flour is blended in to form pea-size chunks. Sprinkle with water, one tablespoon at a time. Toss lightly with fork until dough will form ball. Divide dough in half, if making double crust. Press between hands to form a 5 to 6-inch pancake.
2. Flour dough lightly. Roll into circle between sheets of waxed paper on dampened countertop. Peel off top sheet. For single crust, trim one inch larger than inverted 9-inch pie plate. Flip into pie plate. Remove other sheet and press pastry to fit. Fold edge under. Flute.
3. Make the filling: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, blend CRISCO® and sugar at medium speed until light
and fluffy. Blend in eggs, one at a time.
4. With a wooden spoon, stir in melted chocolate, espresso powder and vanilla until smooth. Add flour and nuts and stir until combined.
5. Assemble the pie: Transfer filling mixture to pie crust. Bake 25 minutes. Cool pie completely on a cooling rack, then refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving.
Mar7
Jenny Packham Fall 2014 RTW Collection
Jenny Packham delivers a beautifully crafted Fall 2014 collection. This set is full of flowing pieces, and elaborately embellished frocks as per usual. It was too hard to edit this collection, so we had to keep every look. Enjoy them all!
Credit: Style Pantry
Mar7
The Lobbyist
I write to regain my bearings and reboot. It’s just not that serious these people and life issues, right?. I was a smoker when I wrote this poem. I guess The Lobbyist will be happy to know I gave up that bad habit! Poetry keeps me sane…
The Lobbyist
This woman at an elevator
Was lobbying against my smoke
The ash cans didn’t count for starting up
But putting out the choking fumes
I forced upon her
Not goodwill, money or sex
Could be extorted from that soul
No secret smiles of afterglow
Or posture of secured future
Friendship brings no floor
To hear the lobbyist
Her ride up was too slow
Then, she stopped short of the number
Pushed to hard and caused a shaft
To break her lift
That swayed her against me
Against us all
Mar6
Elie Saab Fall 2014 RTW Collection
Elie Saab’s Fall collection was an absolute thing of jewel toned beauty. Burgundy, teal, dark moody florals, black lace, sequins, and the most sophisticated shade of mauve blended seamlessly together in a parade of deeply cut pleated maxis, smartly tailored trousers, and extravagant furs.
Dégradé colors shifts popped against the otherwise completely color-blocked collection. Enjoy!!
Credit: Style Pantry
Mar6
German Chocolate Hurricane Cake
An easy and delicious cake, also known as Earthquake Cake. Coconut and pecans are baked under a German chocolate cake mix, with a cream cheese mixture on top that sinks into the batter as it bakes. #chocolateonsteroids, #chocolatefriendsofTenaciousM enjoy!
PREP: 5 mins
COOK: 50 mins
READY IN: 1 hr 5 mins
Ingredients
Recipe makes 1 – 9×13 inch pan
1/2 cup margarine
1 cup chopped pecans
1 cup flaked coconut
1 (18.25 ounce) package German chocolate cake mix
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
1/2 cup margarine
3 3/4 cups confectioners’ sugar
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Melt and spread 1/2 cup margarine in the bottom of a 9×13 inch pan. Sprinkle coconut and pecans evenly over the bottom of pan; set aside.
2. Prepare cake mix as directed on package. Pour batter over coconut and pecans in pan. In a saucepan over low heat, melt cream cheese and 1/2 cup margarine. Stir in confectioners’ sugar until mixture is smooth. Spoon cream cheese mixture randomly over top of cake batter.
3.Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Allow to cool and serve from the pan.
Mar6
Over The Hump Old School Soundcheck-Earth Wind & Fire
Happy Thursday! Earth Wind & Fire is one of the all-time best bands. Enjoy!
Earth, Wind & Fire is an American band that has spanned the musical genres of R&B, soul, jazz, pop, rock, funk, disco, latin, african and gospel. They are one of the most successful and critically acclaimed bands of the twentieth century. Rolling Stone has described them as “innovative, precise yet sensual, calculated yet galvanizing” and has also declared that the band “changed the sound of black pop”.
Also known as EWF, the band was founded in Chicago by Maurice White in 1969. Other members have included Philip Bailey, Verdine White, Ralph Johnson, Larry Dunn, and Al McKay. The band has received 20 Grammy nominations; they won six as a group and two of its members, Maurice White and Bailey, won separate individual awards. Earth, Wind & Fire have 12 American Music Awards nominations and four awards. They have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame, received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and sold over 90 million albums worldwide.
Five members of Earth, Wind & Fire were also inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame: Maurice White, Philip Bailey, Verdine White, Larry Dunn and Al McKay. The music industry and fans have bestowed Lifetime Achievement honors from the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (Rhythm & Soul Heritage Award – 2002), NAACP (Hall of Fame – 1994) and the BET Awards (Lifetime Achievement Award – 2002).
Earth, Wind & Fire is known for the dynamic sound of their horn section, their energetic and elaborate stage shows, and the interplay between the contrasting vocals of Philip Bailey’s falsetto and Maurice White’s tenor. The kalimba (African thumb piano) is played on all of the band’s albums. In the 1970s and early 1980s, the band had many hits, including “Shining Star”, “That’s the Way of the World”, “Devotion”, “Reasons”, “Sing a Song”, “Can’t Hide Love”, “Getaway”, “Fantasy”, “Love’s Holiday”, “September”, “Boogie Wonderland”, “After the Love Has Gone”, and “Let’s Groove”. Two Earth, Wind & Fire classic songs have been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame: “That’s the Way of the World” (2004) and “Shining Star” (2007).
The band is also known as having been the first African-American act to sell out Madison Square Garden and to receive the MSG Gold Ticket Award.President Barack Obama invited Earth, Wind & Fire to perform at the White House for the first social event of the new administration. Credit: Wikipedia
Egos & Buffaloes 