Christmas Invitation

Greetings,

The following was sent to by one of my relatives and I enjoyed it and thought that I would share it with my friends and well wishers. Please enjoy and have a wonderful and blessed Christmas with your family. May the peace that passes all understanding rein in your heart and lives this holiday and always. Stay well and take care until next time, Del.

You are cordially invited to

A BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION!!!

Guest of Honor: Jesus Christ

Date: Every day. Traditionally, December 25
but He's always around, so the date is flexible...

Time: Whenever you're ready.
(Please don't be late, though, or you'll miss out on all the fun!)

Place: In your heart.... He'll meet you there.
(You'll hear Him knock.)

Attire: Come as you are... grubbies are okay.
He'll be washing our clothes anyway. He said something about
new white robes and crowns for everyone who stays till the last.

Tickets: Admission is free. He's
already paid for everyone...
(He says you wouldn't have been
able to afford it anyway...
it cost Him everything He had. But
you do need to accept the ticket!!

Refreshments: New wine, bread, and a
far-out drink He calls "Living Water,"
followed by a supper that promises to be out of this world!

Gift Suggestions: ; Your life. He's one of those
people who already has everything else.
(He's very generous in return though.
Just wait until you see what He has for you!)

Entertainment: Joy, Peace, Truth,
Light, Life, Love, Real Happiness,
Communion with God, Forgiveness, Miracles, Healing, Power,
Eternity in Paradise, Contentment, and much more!
(All "G" rated, so bring your family and friends.)

R.S.V.P. Very Important!
He must know ahead so He can
reserve a spot for you at the table.
Also, He's keeping a list of His friends for future
reference. He calls it the "Lamb's Book of Life."

Party being given by His Kids (that's us!!)!
Hope to see you there! For those of you whom I will
see at the party, share this with someone today!

Redskins Wk: Trampled by the "Giants"

While I was on my way home from New York, the Giants were in town trampling the Skins.


New York Giants running back Derrick Ward (34) carries the ball through Washington Redskins safety Chris Horton (48), linebacker Rocky McIntosh, rear right, and defensive tackle Anthony Montgomery, front right, during the second quarter of their NFL football game in Landover, Md., Sunday, Nov. 30, 2008. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

Nov 23, 2008

"My Caribbean Cookbook, Tastes Like Home"

"My Caribbean Cookbook, Tastes Like Home"
Greetings,

Yes, the wait for the much anticipated cookbook from Cynthia at Taste Like Home will be available on January 23, 09. Congratulations Cynthia!

The book is titled, "My Caribbean Cookbook, Tastes Like Home" is available online at My Caribbean Cookbook: Tastes Like. The book will be available in stores in the Caribbean and in the United Kingdom.
There will be two editions, hardback and Paperback, the hardback will retail for US$45 and the paperback for US$30.

The book is more than an average cookbook given that through the various articles, the user learns a little about our Caribbean culture through food. It will give you a deeper understanding and appreciation for what and how we cook and eat. Please get you copy and let me know what you have prepared. Enjoy. Take care and stay well, Del.

That is President Obama to you!

There is no word to describe what we have witnessed. But I can say that this is a victory not just for black Americans, but this is an American victory. God bless Barack Hussein Obama and God bless the USA. Yes We Can, Yes We have! I am glad that I was blessed to be part of this history. I received this as a text message; Rosa Parks sat so that Martin Luther could walk... Martin walked so Barack Obama could run...Obama won so that our children could fly. Congratulations president BHO, black has never looked so good. Tell me what you think. Take care and stay well, Del.

Do you always remember to say thanks?

I would like to say thanks to the judges at my polling place. Often times they get the wrath and rudeness of unappreciative voters. Having served as a judge before at a general election time I can say that it is really a sacrifice for some people to do that task. They are required to be there one hour before the polls open and remain there until the votes are verified. For most of voting judges that entails standing for the entire day except for half of an hour lunch break and maybe a bathroom break.

I entered the line at my polling place at 3:25 and was out of the voting booth by 4:00. I guess most people did not take any chances and did it this morning at which time I heard the lines were down the streets. So gain thanks for a job well done to those election judges.

Do you always remember to say thanks? No really, do you? I attended many events where gifts and sometimes food were contributed and I did not receive a note of thanks. Am I expecting too much or is that the new norm? Because I usually talk about people who are like that I feel obligated to highlight a thank you know we received recently.

Because of an incident I mentioned recently involving some children I had vow not to attend any more children functions, especially since I have none of my own. However, when the parents of one of our godchildren invited us to their birthday celebration we could not resist. Another time I will tell you why I felt obligated to be there. We showed almost at the end of the party with our gifts, no pans or boxes in tow, ate and left.

Then we received this little card with the words “thank you” outside and a personalized note inside. I felt warm and fuzzy; “God daddy… Auntie Del, thank you so very much for coming to our ‘Funners’ Spiderman/Princess B-day party. Thank you for the wonderful gifts also. Auntie Del my mom has put away my learning laptop. I hope to play with it soon. How far away is Christmas, Auntie? I do enjoy playing with my brother’s speed racer hot wheels though.
Thanks again for celebrating with us. You truly made our special day extra special. We love you very much.” Thanks Ms. J.

Call me corny but that really made my day. You do not know what it may take to make someone’s day, so why not go ahead and be courteous and thankful always. So while you await the results and even after remember to smile and even to the naysayers, go ahead and say thanks. Until next time take care and stay well, Del.

Redskins Wk 9: Fenced with steel; but I am excited!

Greetings,

For the first time in a while the Redskins have lost and I am giddy with excitement. There is a saying in this town that the Monday night game before the election is an indication of the outcome of the election. So for that reason I am elated. Jokes aside we got fenced with steel and then beaten down. Maybe it was those golden shoes CR wore, but we got a good old fashion beating; with some seven sacks I thought I was looking at the Cowboys all over again. Who by the way is the next team that comes to town after our week of resting and healing. I am saying congrats to my friend over at I'm Definitely Up to Something who is a big fan of The Steelers and had a chance encounter with Redskins Carlos Rogers.

By the way, have you voted yet? What, you did not just say you are not voting because of religion or some other superficial belief. Anyway this is different for many people like me who has paid $$ for the privilege to do so. So, please just go out and get it done, but then again did you even register to vote? I am sorry but this conversation is over because you are raising my blood pressure and I have to get to the polling place.

BHO all this time I haven’t even said thanks. Thank you for reawakening the dreams of many. Thank you for putting yourself on the line and giving many of us the opportunity to continue to dream. MLKJ and all the others including your grandmother must be singing that victory song, “How we got over”. Besides our faith as religious people we thank you for the hope you have given to us as people and a community. One of my co-workers who is not Afro-American recently said to me, “I am excited about the hope that he has given to my children, I feel good and excited about what their future can be in this country.” Thank you BHO! Take care and stay well until next time, Del.


Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward, left, makes a catch in front of Washington Redskins cornerback Carlos Rogers during the second quarter of an NFL football game Monday, Nov. 3, 2008, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Former Detroit mayor headed to jail in sex scandal

Greetings,

Please help me understand with went down in the case/trail of Kwame Kilpatrick. How does one legally justify his sentence. I may be ignorant about all the issues involved but it just doesn't add up. If I remember correctly former president Clinton had a similar trial. However,what I do not remember is him doing any time in the pen for that. Not just time in the pen, but time in solitary confinement for which he'll pay sixty dollars per day. Please help me identify where I am missing the point. You can read the story about Kwame here.


The jail cell where former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick will be incarcerated at the Wayne County Andrew C. Baird Detention Facility is shown in Detroit, Monday, Oct. 27, 2008. Kilpatrick begins a 120-day sentence on Tuesday for obstruction of justice for false testimony in a civil trial involving former police officers. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya) (Paul Sancya - AP)

What came out of the Chrysalis Kitchen?

Greetings,

How was your weekend? Mine was wonderful as usual. I say as usual because I look forward to the weekend with great excitement because I get to spend lots of time with my loves. DH and food! So with all that love I made 'green seasoning'. Yep, I made my own green seasoning instead of waiting for my dear brother to send me some from Guyana. With inspiration from Cynthia, the Chrysalis Green Seasoning was made.

With all that creative juice flowing, I even made labels for the bottle I stored it in. And that felt especially good as my friend at I'm Definitely Up to Something mentioned in her post recently. I could not agree with her more and say that it really feels good when you are doing your part to preserve the environment. This by the way, if you are from the Caribbean you should know a lot about. I remember every container that was purchase had the potential of being used for something else so that is ingrained in me. So to act on the slogan “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle”, I reused a store bought spice bottle and outfitted with a label to make it my own green seasoning bottle. See photos below .

Ingredients

Spring Onions - 6 bundles

Garlic – 3 heads separated and nuked for 10 seconds in the microwave for easy peeling.

Mint leaves – 1 supermarket clamshell about 4 ounces

Oregano leaves – 1 supermarket clamshell about 6 ounces

Cilantro – 1 bundle

Flat leaf parsley – 1 bundle

Scotch Bonnet pepper – 5 or to your taste (from my garden)

Yellow or Spanish onion – quartered

White vinegar – ¼ cup

Kosher salt – ¾ tsp (optional)

Directions:

• Trim, clean and was the onions, cilantro, and parsley; and pepper while wearing gloves
• Slide garlic cloves from their peel
• Wash and strip oregano and mint leaves
• Combine all the herbs together in a large bowl
• Pour enough vinegar to cover blender or food processor blade
• Add a portion of the combine herbs and blend to desired texture
• To remove excess water/vinegar pour green seasoning into colander over medium bowl
• Combine green seasoning with salt; full storage container and enjoy.

The Chrysalis fresh green seasoning (more)

Stay tuned for homemade pesto from the basil abundance in the garden. Take care and stay well, Del

Join ING Direct in Downtown DC on Sept 21st for cycling, fun and savings!

Bring the whole family to the inaugural Capital Criterium on September 21st. We'll be downtown - decked out in orange - right next to Freedom Plaza (Penn Ave NW at 12th). Like the best things in life, it's free and there'll be so much to see and do. Professional cycle races throughout the day Prize giveaways – including a chance to win a bike! Famous ING DIRECT convertible on-site Visit capitalcriterium.com for more info.

Everywhere else on Monday

How was your weekend? Mine was fabulous because I spent time with the family basking in love and celebration. My DH and I went to the wedding ceremony and celebration of his first niece which was very intimate and beautiful. And if I cared about nothing else, the food mattered to me. Despite being a hotel catered event, I was impressed with the menu which included some jerk, rice and peas. Even though neither of them represent the country we're from, I was still please.
However, the disappoint we shared was about the cake or the lack there of. How could you have a Caribbean wedding and not have black cake? Please tell me if I was expecting too much. But of course you cannot please everyone, so to the bride and groom congratulations. Here are best wishes for a wonderful life together.
From my heart and experience I wish you as much happiness and joy in being married as I have found in mine. There is no secret to what will work magically; however, I do know that once there is respect, communication, sex and trust you can make it work. What do you think? What works for you in your relationship? While on celebrations, congratulations to my friend Selwyn and his wife who recently found out that she's pregnant. Way to go my friend!

While on relationships let me touch on this issue that has been on my mind for the last few weeks. Usually when I attend family functions are I am the person that takes the most photos. I am also usually the one to take the most natural photo that really catches people in their elements. Do you remember the family function I spoke about recently? Well I took some photos as usual and got myself into some good trouble.

I got in trouble because I took the photo of two five years old kids that their parents consider inappropriate. But then again, I did not clarify whether taking the photo or the pose the children had was inappropriate. You see, I went to them and said let’s pose for picture and pose they did. Without full description I will say that the pose were for grown and intimate people. I immediately showed the images to the parents who comment that they know better than to take photos like that since they are relatives.

For me that was finish and as usual I sent out the photos to group a few days later. About a week later I received an email from the girl’s mother with the following: “I finally took a look at the Pictures. I glanced at the pictures of girl and boy that said night and didn't see all of that. Because, I was not looking hard enough. Now, I know you know me by now and I would think that you know boy’s mother too, especially when it comes to our kids. I don't think that those pictures are appropriate. The next time you see such behavior, I think you should stop them and let us know. Now, I can only imagine. I'm speaking for myself. I don't know if boy’s mother has seen the pics since. Now that's up to her. But knowing her I don't think this will fly. Let’s be adults about this, so this will not happen next time.”

With my mature self I did not respond to that email. Reason being is I am of the opinion that me taking those photo was like someone holding a mirror in front of the parents and saying look how much your children know. In addition I feel that even though we are relatives, unless you and I have that can of relationship I will not discipline your child. Please let me know if I am wrong for thinking like that, and what are your feelings about other people disciplining your child. More so, how do you feel about people who do not have children of their own disciplining yours?

Until we pick up this gaff again, take care and stay well. Del

To Nawlins

Greetings,

I trust that you took may advise and had yourself an awesome weekend giving and receiving great love.

As for me I had a wonderful time which included satisfying all things food addiction. The highlight of my trip was the curried roasted chicken. For the rest of the family it probably the award winning carrot cake I made and treated them to. It might have been the tasty organic Malabar spinach with fried banga fish. It all started with me getting my visual fill of home by visiting Taste Like Home for my weekly dose. And boy was I drooling, did you see that curry Cynthia prepared, that’s all I say to that.

Shortly after that my sister and I made a trip to Little Guyana. What my eyes beheld at the fish market made me giddy with excitement. It was pre-roasted chicken ($2.49 per lb) like Cynthia used to make her curry. Since we did not know where to find a live bird that fitted the bill. Visiting the market there felt almost like home with all the sight, smells and sounds. To top it off, we girls had the special treat from our brother (since they guys cook tastier than women) who cooked the roasted chicken into a very tasty bunjol curry. Thanks Wayne.

And with the wisdom of my DH we made it home yesterday with sunlight to spare. We left while all the festivities were on the Eastern Parkway and made through the Holland Tunnel in a record 3minutes whoo. How was your trip home?

In other things congratulations to my friend on his column. I cannot wait for my next trip for some curried duck done the same way on my next trip.

Here is a bit for my New Orleans post; as the friends that I made there remain in my prayer. Please remember then in yours as they go through their dejavu. They say they'll never forget, but we will always remember. As the country focused on NOLA and Gustav this weekend I reflected with familiarity as they mentioned and panned to different sites and streets. My DH and I had the privilege of visiting NOLA a few weeks ago and stayed in the French Quarter. I attended the BIG National Training Conference.

Even though we did not visit the Ninth Ward I can say that the evidence of Katrina was still very visible. Please check out these photos taken by my supervisor during that time. The one thing that really bothered was the fact that they still have the tomb (NOLA superdome) standing. Most people there besides the visitors looked very tired and worn, despite race and color. There were no supermarkets close to where we stayed on Poydras St, but that was ok since you can take a trolley or taxi to the other district for proper grocery. This definitely will let you know when you are out of the safe area, proceed at your own risk beyond the police cars. Please help me understand how the people manage with a 9% consumer tax!

To my disappointment I did not venture out to any of the fine dining. Therefore I cannot honestly report on the food. However, I did hear great praises from the other people in our group. I was honestly too scared to try due to my allergies to shellfish and pork and since most of their foods contain either or both I refused to try. I am sure that those of you with food allergies can relate. Everytime I think about it I remember this story. Considering all things I give the trip a C, my hotel an A and the venue a B. So here is to Nawlins for better days and a speedy recovery.

Until next time, take care and stay well, Del.

Eight (8) Is Enough

Greetings,

May this Labor Day bring you much rest from the summer grind. I trust that you were able to enjoy many of the season's bounty and a wonderful time with your friends and family. I sure did enjoy it, even though we didn't do as much traveling this year. Considering that for all of last summer I was on bed rest and Labor Day weekend I was in the ICU would say that I had an awesome one. So how will you end yours? For me I will be taking the well traveled road to the Big Apple for another celebration with my people with some foods from home. And if I have some energy after I will take in the fun and excitement of the New York West Indian Parade. And when I return I will continue to enjoy even more produce from my garden, ochro, boulanger, bora and other such vegetables.

Please tell me you saw history being made again this month. I am talking about the man who started from nothing and will soon hold the most powerful position in the US. If you missed it sorry, because there isn't much that I can say to relate the eloquence with which he delivered his speech last night. And did you saw Dr. MLKJ cheering, shouting and dancing up and down that stage, yep, I saw him beaming with excitement for that awesome gift his forty-five year got. For those who missed it hear he him, the man of the hour, Senator Barack Obama.

So go on have you a fabulous weekend and be good to yourself so in return you can be good to someone else. Take care and stay well. Del