Starting the year off right

I've been researching the significance of the number 12 and how it relates to God. I feel 2012 will be an incredible year for me on many levels. I can already "see" some of what God has in store. I'm nervous, anxious but ready to be obedient. I always end one year in church and bring the New Year in there as well. This year won't be any different. A couple of us on twitter will be reading the bible in 90 days starting on the 31st. I'm also going to start the year with a 60 day fast as well. Here is the link to the 90 day bible reading. If you are interested in joining me on the fast, shoot me a message and I can give you the details. I don't want to appear as if I'm doing this publicly for attention but I'm open to sharing this journey with others who would like to know God on a deeper level through fasting and prayer. Peace and blessings. Q

Roasted Paprika Chicken

I made this a few weeks ago. It was so good that I made it again the following night. I also made it for the Supremes' birthday parties and everyone loved it. Thank me later.

Roasted Paprika Chicken
Ingredients

* 1/4 cup smoked paprika
* 2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme leaves
* 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
* 2 teaspoons kosher salt
* 1 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper
* 5 pounds assorted chicken pieces
* 2 lemons, thinly sliced

* Garnishes: lemon slices, fresh thyme sprigs

Preparation

* 1. Stir together first 5 ingredients to form a paste.
* 2. Spread half of paprika mixture evenly underneath skin of chicken pieces. Place 1 to 2 lemon slices underneath skin on top of paprika mixture. Arrange chicken pieces in a single layer on a wire rack in an aluminum foil-lined broiler pan or 17- x 12-inch jelly-roll pan. Rub remaining paprika mixture evenly over skin.
* 3. Bake at 425° for 35 to 40 minutes or until a meat thermometer inserted into thickest portions registers 165°. Let chicken stand 5 minutes; lightly brush with pan juices just before serving. Garnish, if desired.

David Poran, Balducci's Food Lover's Market, Washington, D.C., Southern Living
NOVEMBER 2007

Happy Birthday Princesss B!!!!

Here is a timeline of some of her pics that I've put together. She has always been a beautiful little girl and now she's a beautiful young lady. We love you!!! Q

Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole

I got some more cheese *wink* and made a recipe from my cookbook. But of course, I added my Queeny tweaks to make it healthier. So here is what I did:
9 large baking potatoes
1 cup skim milk
8 oz of low fat cream cheese
8 oz of reduced fat sour cream
1 tsp of kosher salt
1 tsp of pepper
2 slices of turkey bacon
1/2 cup of shredded reduced fat cheddar cheese
2 tsp of dried parsley

Preheat oven to 350. Scrub potatoes, rinse, dry and pierce skin several times with a fork. Cool bacon and chopped into pieces and set aside. Place no more than five 1 inch apart in the microwave on a paper towel. Microwave on high for 10 minutes, turn over and microwave for another 10 minutes. Allow to cool then peel and mash with a masher. Add potatoes, cream cheese, milk, and sour cream to bowl and blend with a mixer. Add salt, pepper and parsley. Pour mix into a baking dish that has been lightly coated with cooking spray. Top with cheddar cheese and chopped bacon. Cover and bake for 30 minutes and then uncover and bake for 10 more minutes. Q

Who moved my cheese?

T and I have a great marriage. I can’t remember the last time we’ve had an argument. Most people assume that if there was one person who was more difficult in our marriage, it would be me. Oh but on the contrary. Please don’t let the fact that he is quiet fool you. My husband has some ways that works my freaking nerves!! You would think after 13 years he would know not to annoy me but he does. Sometimes I think he does it just to mess with me and get my blood pressure up, lol.

For instance, I plan my meals EVERY week. Once again, I plan my meals EVERY week. Which means I also go shopping for said meals ONCE a week. So one week you might see an item in the fridge and the next week you might not depending on the menu. But it is always quite obvious that I buy items for the MEALS for THAT week. Knowing that, you would think it would click in his head that if something is there that usually isn’t there, that means I probably have a certain purpose for it right? Right? Oh no but not in his head. See this problem would simply be solved if he would just open his little mouth. I know he can talk. I’ve heard him do so quite often over the course of 13 years. Why just last night while he was watching the game I heard him talking to the t.v. which of course could not talk back but he did it anyway. So instead of asking if he could use a certain ingredient that I bought for just THIS week, for a CERTAIN meal I was planning to cook, he took it upon himself to just go ahead and use it. *DEEP BREATH*

So imagine my surprise when I go to use said ingredient for said meal and realize the original amount I needed is no longer available!! Oh but it gets worse. So when I ask him if he used said ingredient, his reply is, “some of it.” *BLINK* You see when I leave in the morning, I always take out what I need to cook later if need be and do a quick check to make sure I have everything. So to the regular eye, it would appear as though said ingredient was in ample supply but upon closer inspection, there was less than .000005 of what I needed. So not only did he use it, he barely left enough to freaking use for anything. I mean seriously dude don’t tell me you used SOME when you darn near used ALL of it. And why leave me one freaking little ½ ounce of cheese when my recipe calls for a cup?!!!!!!

So I’m annoyed. Annoyed because he didn’t ask, annoyed because he left so little and should have used all of if, and annoyed because I now have to go to the grocery store AGAIN just to get one item. I get it, it is a simple thing but for me, it’s annoying. I hate going grocery shopping. I especially hate going grocery shopping for one little item when I just went less than 2 days ago. But I would have really been annoyed tonight if I would have went to make the recipe and realized the ingredient was not there after getting home, after passing by the grocery store, and not knowing I needed to get it. Oh believe someone would have been on his way to the store to get it stat!!! Oh the joys of being married!!!! LOL Q

After the chop. Video #2

My first video!!!

Walking by faith

Awhile ago I was meeting someone and was parked across from an agency that helps the blind. I watched as a young lady walked out with a walking stick. She started out quickly and moving along. Then she seemed to get a little lost. She stopped, moved her stick around, turned left, turned right, looked confused and then stopped. I watched as it seemed as though she was recounting her steps back in her head or try to remember which way to go. After trying for a bit, she looked defeated. Just when all hope was lost, a woman from the agency who had been watching the entire time came outside. She called the young lady's name, walked up to her, turned her in the right direction, sent her on her way and continued to watch as she headed to the bus stop.

2 Corinthians 5:7 For we walk by faith, not by sight I thought about that scripture when I saw the young lady. She is like most of us in our walk with Christ. We start off on fire for Christ, ready to tell the world about how awesome He is. But as we go along our journey, life happens. We don't have the same fire, and a lot of times, we lose our way. Just when we feel down and out and think God has forsaken us, He steps in. John 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

We are never alone. The Holy Spirit is there with us, within us, guiding us and directing us. But it is up to us to listen. Walking by faith isn't easy. It is in our nature as men and women to want to be in control, in charge and to know what we feel we need to know. That was part of Adam and Eve's downfall, they just had to know. But we must learn to truly trust God to lead us even when it seems the way is hard and dark. Psalm 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

It's funny to me how people will trust flawed men everyday but find it foolish of me to trust in God. Psalm 37: 23 The steps of a righteous man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. I'll take trusting God over man, including myself ANY DAY!!!! But I walk. A lot of times without telling a soul. My Pastor once said, "You can't share with some people because if they are walking by faith, they can't see it either." Not only can they not see it, I can't either. But I won't stop. I will keep walking, keep trusting, keep praying, keep fasting, keep preaching, teaching, spreading the word, and keep preparing myself for all God has for me. I know my walking is not in vain. I might not be able to see, but God's knows all, sees all and that's enough for me. Q

I am not my hair!!!!

Yeah I know that line is so cliche but it's fitting. On Sunday I decided to finally cut my hair after over a year of going back and forth about it. I told my cousin I would wait until after her wedding and took some more time to think on it. I was torn for so many reasons. I love having long hair. I love the looks on folks faces when they see my hair. Especially other black women who never thought this "type" of hair could grow so long. I was one of them. I was the little girl who had a decent length of hair but envied those who had long hair and appeared to be "mixed." I too believed my hair wouldn't grow "that" long. But as I got older, I realized a lot of it had nothing to do with genetics and more to do with the care and nurturing of my hair. I had plenty of examples in my own family.

But then the itch to cut was calling me. I got tired of fighting with it. In these last months, I'd begun to slack on my hair. I knew then I had to do it. I'm a hair snob. I like seeing healthy hair whether relaxed or natural and I know my hair wasn't being done right. It wasn't right for me to treat it like that. So instead of going down the same path, I decided to let it go.

I think everyone else took the cut harder than I did. But I get it, I really do. I know I have been an inspiration for so many people. I know I have given out countless tips, and a lot of advice to women over the years. I know they would come to my blog just to look at my pics and use them for encouragement. I get it.

It's amazing how my identity was intertwined with the length of my hair. That is one of the first things people comment on when they meet me or see me. The day I cut my hair, I went to the store. I saw this girl with long hair and she looked at mine. I would be lying if I said I wasn't insecure for a moment. I wonder if folks see me and think I've always had short hair. Should I carry around a picture of myself with long hair to prove I had short hair by choice? I quickly shook off any feelings of insecurity and continued on. I know and that's all that matters.

Today is day 3 and I have no regrets about my decision. I've been overwhelmed by the response from people when I tell them about donating my hair. When I look in the mirror, or rub my hands over my head, I smile. I smile because I love the way I look and feel. I love knowing my hair is going to bless someone who is battling cancer. I love it because this is another beginning for me. I love it because I am showing my daughters that there is more to me, to them than what is on the outside. I love it because I know my hair is going to grow back. I love it because I did it for ME and not for anyone else.

I am a wife, mother, sister, aunt, cousin, friend, mentor, business owner, blogger, student, and minister. I am honest, loving, giving, happy, blessed, free, and kind. I listen to people, I pray for them, I give of my time to others, and try to be a blessing when I can. I am a child of the Most High. I am so much more than the hair on my head. Q

Happy Birthday to me!!!

I feel so amazing today. My grandmother went home yesterday and I've received a bunch of love from friends and family. I thank God for allowing me to see this day. He has blessed me more than words can say. I never thought my life would be this wonderful but it is. I don't take for granted anything or anyone in my life!!!! Q

Presentation Cakes

I was in a training class this week and had to do a presentation. I choose cupcakes of course and compiled a bunch of pics together to show everyone. Here they are. Q
Red Velvet

Sour Cream

Sour Cream 2

Coconut cream

Jets cake

Yankees cake





Red velvet cupcake

Red velvet cupcake 2

D b-day

The Meya

Super Bowl


Mom's wedding

Mom's cake 2

Mom's cupcakes

It's our anniversary!!

Today Thomas and I are celebrating a baker's dozen in years of marriage. It doesn't seem like it has been that long at all. We have been through so many ups and downs and I can honestly say, the good outweighs any bad there may have been. I was only 19 years old when I said, "I do" and I have no regrets. Even though I hadn't lived long, I went through enough in my short 19 years to know I was ready. Like most young women, I tried the dating thing. I did things I thought was right but ended up completely wrong.

Looking back, I'm grateful for how I finally let go and decided to let God move on my behalf when it came to a mate. When I met Thomas, I had not too long prior rededicated my life to Christ and pretty much thought I would be single for the rest of my life. And I was okay with it. I had my list of qualities I wanted/needed in a husband and I wasn't going to settle for anyone who didn't exhibit all of them. Then along came Thomas and my world was completely changed!!!

I can now truly thank God for giving me not just what I wanted, but what I needed. I thank Him for the heartaches, heartbreaks, letdowns, losers, liars, cheaters, and no good men who came across my path in some way or another. I thank Him for giving me the wisdom to peep their game and to kick them to the curb. I thank Him because my husband is the exact opposite of all of them. I thank Him for giving me someone who is the perfect example for the man I want the Supremes to marry. I thank Him for these 13 wonderful years so far and I thank Him in advance for the years to come. Q

Not just the internet

We've all said it. I've said it as well. It's just the internet, it's not that serious. I remember when I first got online, that's exactly how I felt. For me it was about finding information to make my life easier and that was it. I joined forums and then started interacting with people. I was still able to disconnect and not get too into things. But somewhere along the way things started to change. The people went beyond being screen name xyz and they became human. I saw them as souls who I could show the love of Christ to. I opened up more not because I was weak or didn't have a life but because I knew my life, my story could be a testimony to bless someone else. I wasn't stupid or careless, I was very aware that what I posted could be used against me but none of that mattered.

I chose to be who I wanted to be. Some people don't ever post pics, use their names or locations and that is fine for them. My husband started referring to folks online as my serial killer friends. ROFL But I know there are more crazy people I see everyday versus those I posted and interacted with online. I got to know people, I prayed for them, prayed with them, encouraged them, blessed them. No I wasn't perfect and I got into my fair share of drama and silliness but I've always admitted when I was wrong.

When I decided to step away, it wasn't because anyone ran me off, talked about my kids or me. Chile please!!! It was because I felt it was time for me to go. That's it. But I didn't disappear from the internet world, I am still doing what I can to help and bless people. I still have this blog, I'm on twitter, FB and I'm still me.

I've met some wonderful, amazing, beautiful, smart intelligent people via the internet. You can see someone everyday and not truly "know" them and meet someone online that truly gets it and gets you. If that makes me dumb, lame, or silly then so be it. They have cheered me on, prayed for me, encouraged me, celebrated with me, invited me into their homes, and some of them actually love me. lol

This week, a young lady I have never met in person but interacted with online and spoke to on the phone on occasion, passed away. She was a wife, a mother, a sister, a friend, a daughter, an aunt. Just three days before her passing, I was on her FB page responding to a status and encouraging her. When I found out, it hurt me deeply because it seemed so unreal. I cried and even now as I type tears well up in my eyes. I'm praying for all of those who knew and loved her. I know their lives will be different now that she is gone. I have some peace knowing she was drawing all the more closer to the Lord when she passed and her statuses reflected it. I don't have all of the answers, but I'm trusting God who knows best.

I typed all of this to say I am very grateful for the people that have come into my life via the internet. Some I have parted ways with and others I've formed lifelong bonds with and I can truly call them "friend." They've added to the group of amazing friends and family I already have in my life. I thank God for the all of the souls He has allowed my life to cross paths with. I will never take anyone for granted because in the blink of an eye, they can be gone. The internet is now an extension of the amazing life I have already been blessed with. For some, the internet is just the internet. But for me, it has become so much more.

~RIP Bree~ Q

Having faith works

I am a writer by nature. I write a lot of things down. I write down my workouts, I have a book of writings and letters to the girls, I have notes all around my office, and I am always writing down my goals. It's important for me to "SEE" the things I'm planning because it helps me to stay focused. I write them down, I pray about it, and I trust God to work it out on my behalf. I have faith in Him. A lot of times I don't know how He is going to do it, but I trust Him to do it. And with that trust, I walk by faith A LOT. I make moves and decisions that others wouldn't dare do because they don't trust Him enough to make things work. But I don't move without Him!!!

Last year, I took a huge faith step. I walked away from a position I had been in for 3 years and took another position. The old job had more security and some really good perks but the new one I felt was a foot in the door for me. After taking this job, I wrote down some goals. I wanted to make a certain amount, I wanted to be doing a certain job, I wanted certain benefits, and I wanted to be in a certain position within a year. I'd heard other folks who are doing the job talk about how long and hard it is to move up but I said nothing. I trusted God, I worked hard and kept walking by faith.

Faith without works, is dead. That's in the bible. So many people have faith in faith, or they just have faith in God but they don't put that faith into action. Our faith must be exercised. I exercised it by making sure I used all of the talents God has blessed me with to my advantage. I used my creativity to think outside of the box and come up with new ideas and plans. I used my gift of gab to network, meet new people and put myself out there. I used my drive to press on and get involved in things most people in my position would not have thought about. I worked, I trusted, I worked, I believed, I worked, and thanked God in advance, I worked and it paid off. I did what I could to be a blessing to people and to show His love to others.

A few months ago I applied for a position that had everything I wrote about. I never heard anything. I started talking to folks and let them know I was interested and I heard nothing. Others applied and got interviewed for it and I heard nothing. Others were offered and they turned it down and I heard nothing. I thanked Him anyway. Whether I got the job or not, I was grateful. I never worried or bothered Him about it because I knew He had my best interest at heart. I put more into praising Him, and getting to know Him not because of the job but because I loved Him that much.

On Friday the 22nd I got a call from the Manager whom I had met at another event and I decided to put my name in his ear. He remembered me and wanted my resume'. He emailed to do an interview that day but I had left already.
The following Tuesday I interviewed.

On Wednesday morning they called my references.

Wednesday afternoon they sent some paperwork.

On Friday I sent them what they needed.

Yesterday they called for security references.

Today, they made me an offer.
On the 24th of this month, I hit my year in this current job, the new job wants me in 2 weeks!!!

This job is a better position, I will be doing what I love, I have great benefits, I have hours that will allow me to be at home more, it is in the professional ranks of my company, and I will get my Master's degree paid by them. Don't let anyone tell you what you can't do!!! Whatever goals you have for yourself, write them down and keep them on your mind. Have faith in God to move on your behalf, and exercise your faith by using the gifts and talents He has blessed you with. But most importantly, seek His face, and not His hand. Having faith in God, works!!! Q

Butter Pecan Cake

This recipe came up in an advertisement on facebook. I immediately knew I wanted to make it. I read some of the reviews and didn't like it too much. So of course me being me, I had to tweak it. Here is the recipe:
2 cups of all purpose flour
2 tsp of baking powder
1/2 tsp of salt
1 cup of sugar
2 eggs
1 cup of milk
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1/2 cup of vegetable oil
1 tsp of vanilla
3/4 cup of chopped pecans
2 T of butter

The frosting:
3/4 cup of whipping cream
4 cups of powdered sugar
1/4 cup unsalted butter
1 tsp of vanilla
1/4 tsp of salt
1/4 cup of chopped pecans

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix 2 T of butter and 3/4 cup of pecans and cook in the oven for 10 minutes.

Sift flour, salt and baking powder. Cream sugar, butter, and oil until mixed well. Mix in eggs one at a time. Then alternate adding a little of the milk and flour mixture. Mix in vanilla and then hand mix in the pecans. Grease and flour 2 9 inch cake pans. Bake in oven for 30 minutes or until done turning halfway.

For frosting:
Cream butter, salt, and vanilla. Then add powdered sugar and cream. You might want to add more or less of the cream depending on how you like the consistency. Once it is how you like it, hand mix in the remaining pecans. I put about 1/2 cup of frosting on top of the first cake then topped it with the second. Then I frosted the sides of both and the top layer.

I really like this cake. It was moist and not too sweet. I would make some changes. I would add more baking powder to make the cake rise more and divide it into 3 pans. And for the frosting, it was really sweet. I would reduce the amount of sugar, and go with a little more butter instead. But imma still eat it. LOL Q

Some hair pics

It's been a minute I know. But I'm playing catch up. Here are some pics of my hair over the past couple of months.

Another level

Yesterday my Pastor announced in church that I would be getting ordained at our state conference this year. I was excited but nervous at the same time. I've been licensed since 2006 so I knew this was coming. But the idea of going before a board etc has me feeling some kind of way. Not only that, I know this elevation means A LOT!!! Like A LOT, A LOT. It is going to open even more doors for me and I will have the paper backing as well when it comes to preaching engagements etc.

I know as I move toward this step, there are some things, and even people that would need to be removed. I've seen this happen time and time again in my life. But what I'm about to do goes beyond simply another title. I'm doing eternal work. Yes we live in bodies but we are souls and we have to spend eternity somewhere. My goal is to ensure as my Pastor would say, "you make heaven and miss hell." As someone who has been chastised by the word of God myself, I also know the truth sometimes hurts, and cuts. It's so easy for folks to get mad at the messenger when it is spoken. But I will never water down, sugar coat or adulterate the word of God in order to spare someone's feelings. I won't. I also won't change the word to suit me either. I will preach it the way God gives it to me and if it doesn't come from Him, I won't speak it. I'm not in this for fame, I don't want everyone to love me, I don't want any glory because it belongs to Him.... I just want to be the person God has called me to be whether folks like it or not. And when I give an account for all I've said and all of my deeds here on this earth, I want God to look at me and say, "well done." Q