Some hair pics

It's been a minute since I've done anything interesting with my hair so I figured now would be a good time. I decided to wear it out for my graduation. I washed it with some Herbal Essence Hello Hydration, used Jasmine's Reconstructor and then my Pantene Relaxed and natural hair mask (RIP). I used Hask's Straight solution and Seyani Hair Butter in Coconut Mango and blowdried. Next, I braided my hair in sections.


This is how it looked after taking the braids out. See the look of shock on my face, lol?


I decided to pin some of it back so I could wear my cap.

My graduation was Friday and today I decided to go ahead and get my 6 month press and trim. This may be the last one for awhile because I'm thinking about seeing if I can go a year next time.


I didn't get curls or anything. I lost about a 1/2 inch.


I will be rocking a ponytail this week.


I am still MBL so I'm happy. I'm considering trying to see if I can make it to full waist length. Q

I graduated

After 15 years. I finally received my B.S. Degree. It was a long road but I am blessed and so very proud of myself. Q

Uh oh there goes that word again..

"I can't believe my very eyes, right to my face you lied. I thought you were a friend."

Some of what I am about to say has probably been said before but oh well. One of the things I am most proud of, is how good of a friend I am. No, seriously. I'm not perfect but I pride myself in being the type of friend God can be proud of and one I would want for myself. One of my greatest quality as a friend is the way I support those I call friends. I mean when something good happens to them, I celebrate like it happened to me. I pray for my friends. I love my friends. I want the best for my friends. I want them to find love and be loved. I want them to get married and have beautiful children. I want them to prosper and live out their dreams. That's the kind of friend I am.

So you can only imagine how I felt watching Oprah today. There were two ladies on there who were not only friends but cousins. Over the years they have been off and on as friends because of their weight. When one is skinny, the other is mad. If the other gained weight again, they are happy. I scratched my head because I just didn't get it. Now don't get me wrong, I am human. There has been a time or two where the green eyed monster hit me. But I never let it consume me, and it was never to the point where I still couldn't celebrate my friend or loved one. If I was like these women, my two best friends Mel and Tee wouldn't have seen or heard from me in a long time. It is no secret that I've gained weight. It is something I struggle with and I work on. But I never let my dissatisfaction with my size affect the love I have for others who are smaller than me.

You see I know what those women were doing was projecting. They envied each other but instead of doing something about it, it was easier to avoid that person or try to make them feel bad for accomplishing something. But see if they would simply flip it and draw closer to that person, they will have someone to support them and help them too get to where they want to be. Too many people have been led to believe that lightening only strikes once. But the bible says in Acts 10:34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: You see God doesn't just bless someone and not others. We need to understand we all have different paths and journeys to our destination. A lot of people who see folks being blessed don't see the work that person does. They are not there when they have sacrificed, prayed, and fasted. They only see the results.

Many people want results without work but understand the only place success comes before work is in the dictionary. Ecl 9:11 "I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all." You see even the word says your time will come. There is no need to be jealous of someone else. Put God first, work hard, stay focused and your time will come.

The bottom line is, a good friend is a gift. If you have one, treasure them, love them, encourage them. Life is full of ups and downs. There will be times when you are down and they will lift you up. There will be times when they are down and you will help them. They may be stronger in one thing, and you may be stronger in another. Embrace your strength, respect theirs and help each other. Why would you want someone to be down like you? Luke 6:39 And he spake a parable unto them," Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch?" If you are both down, you can't go anywhere. Appreciate them when they are strong. Allow them to impart in you and you in them. Together you can be even better, wiser, and stronger. Love them through it all, the good and the bad. If you have someone in your life that will only be your friend when you are down, they are not your friend!!! Q

RIP Lena Horne

We lost another great one. The world is a better place because you were in it Ms. Horne. Q

20 minute meal week Recipe 2

Chicken and Mushrooms in Garlic Broth (was white wine) Sauce I got this recipe from Cooking Light's website and can be found here.

I made some changes but here is the original recipe:

Ingredients

* 4 ounces uncooked medium egg noodles
* 1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
* 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, divided
* 1/2 teaspoon salt, divided
* 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, divided
* 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
* 1 tablespoon bottled minced garlic
* 1/2 teaspoon dried tarragon
* 1 (8-ounce) package presliced mushrooms
* 1/2 cup dry white wine (I toke out the wine and used more broth)
* 1/2 cup fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
* 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Preparation

Cook noodles according to package directions, omitting salt and fat. Drain and keep warm.

Cut chicken into 1-inch pieces. Place chicken breast halves in a shallow dish. Combine 1 tablespoon flour, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper, stirring well with a whisk. Sprinkle flour mixture over chicken; toss to coat.

Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken to pan; sauté 4 minutes or until browned. Remove chicken from pan. Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil to pan. Add garlic, tarragon, and mushrooms to pan; sauté for 3 minutes or until liquid evaporates and mushrooms darken. Add white wine (broth) to pan; cook 1 minute. Stir in remaining 1 tablespoon flour; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Stir in remaining broth, remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, and remaining 1/8 teaspoon pepper; cook 1 minute or until slightly thick, stirring frequently.

Return chicken to the pan. Cover and simmer 2 minutes. Uncover; cook 1 minute or until chicken is done. Stir in noodles; cook 1 minute or until thoroughly heated. Place about 1 1/2 cups chicken mixture on each of 4 plates; top each serving with 1 tablespoon cheese.

I doubled this recipe. I used about 12 oz of a whole grain noodle, 3 pounds of chicken, all chicken broth instead of which wine, I sliced my own mushrooms, and used a reduced fat Parmesan cheese. This was a hit!!! Q

Only at our house

Shortly after arriving home, B asked if she could get on the computer in the family room. As we were walking into the room, we heard a thud. B asked what was it and I said I don't know. Then she said she thought maybe it was a bird that flew into the window. We have a bay window in the room that looks out into the backyard. Low and behold, there was a bird lying on the ground barely moving. I thought maybe it was just stunned but after about an hour or so, we realized it was dead. The things that take place at this house from the mice invasion, to the killer cat, the roaming cat, and now this. We really need a reality tv show. Q

20 minute meal week Recipe 1

My goal is to do at least 3 20 minute meals every week this month. Most of them will prep and cook during that time and a few will require some advanced planning.

Today's recipe is Honey Ginger Soy Glazed Salmon. I found this is a magazine I was reading so I don't remember the exact name.

2.5 pounds of salmon
6 T of low sodium soy sauce
4 T of honey
1/4 tsp ground ginger

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Combine all ingredients except salmon in a bowl. Arrange salmon in pan and pour sauce over it. Let it sit in fridge for a few minutes and turn to coat. Bake for 13 to 15 minutes.

Side items- I'm serving this with brown rice and steamed broccoli. Q

It's been a minute

My honey is back and we have been super busy with the house. We are almost done with the remodeling, I have some new spiritual revelations to share, and the Supremes blog will be up this month. I will notify the winner this week. Here is a little funny for you until I am back posting regularly:
I was in the kitchen decorating a cake and K was in the way.
Me: K please go to the playroom so I can finish.

As she was leaving she said, "I'm leaving with my dignity."

LOL I wish I could make this stuff up. Have a blessed week!!!! Q