It's December; are you ready?

Hey Y'all:

I was caught off guard last Thursday when I had to flip my calendar to December.
I'm not ready.

Not for Christmas
Not for 2012

I'm just not ready to say 2011 is over. Not that is was that great a year but because I'm not sure what 2012 will hold. So many things have changed that I'm anxious about the next 12 months. Praying that many things change for the better in this new year but unsure of what actions are going to cause a reaction. Will I be pushed into change or will they organically come?

I haven't purchased one Christmas gift.
Don't even have my customary list.

I don't like being unprepared but I am this year.
Many of our traditions are not going to be upheld this year and this too makes me sad and not ready.

Then I read this scripture and my soul is soothed; if only for a little while
"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:34

Are you ready?

Until next time...
MUAH!

New Years Traditions

Hey Y'all:

Just read a status update from a friend on facebook. She listed her menu for New Years dinner and I feel bad that I don't hold true to the traditions in a common Southern African American household. I searched the web and my heart was warmed seeing all the soul food dishes that will be pipping hot on most tables this coming Friday. My husband however doesn't agree that this is tradition. I tried to tell him that it is but he doesn't believe me.

How many of you will have the following on your table tomorrow to bring you 'luck' in the new year?
Collard Greens - meant to represent money
Black-eye peas (or Hoppin' John) - meant to represent coins
Pork - (could be in your black-eye peas) - meant to represent progress

I found this article on the AC that will help give some more background into why these foods were picked.

On New Year's Day, we remember our southern ancestors and how the American Civil War affected so many American lives. We usually eat black-eyed peas flavored with hog jowl and collard greens for dinner on New Year's Day for good luck and in remembrance of times of hardship and courage. The black-eyed peas represent coins and the collard greens represent dollar bills. It is said that if you eat these foods on New Year's Day, you will have plenty of money that coming year. Whether it really works or not, it's a tradition that southerners follow for dinner every New Year's Day. Here's the way I cook my black-eyed peas and collard greens on new year's day. I always add Louisiana hot sauce on my black-eyed peas and the collards. Fresh spring onions and a pan of cornbread baked in the old iron skillet make this New Year's Day dinner complete.

Happy New Year. I pray that 2010 is a wonderful year for all of us!

Until next time...
MUAH!

Happy Shopping...

Hey Y'all:

It's not Friday but there is still Christmas shopping to be done. Hope this is a nice find for you!


www.thechildrensplace.com
· 15% off using promo code HHHA9 through 12/15

www.newyorkandcompany.com
· 30% off $75 or more use code 2516 through 12/31
· Save $25 on purchase of $75 or more. Valid till 12-31-2009. Code 7386
www.fashionbug.com
· 15% off by using code 776214306. Good through 12/31
www.lanebryant.com
· $10 off – promo code 010004906 through 12/31
www.pajamagram.com
· $10 off an order of $60 or more – promo code PETBK8 through 12/31
www.shoes.com
· 20% off using promo code ENTSHOES09 good through 12/31
· 20% off using code Enjoy09 through 12/9
www.sketchers.com
· 15% off plus free shipping by using code SK09ENT. Good through 12/31
· 25% off Purchase of 2 or more Items at skechers.com. Coupon code: MC25OFF expires: 12/31/09
www.champs.com
· $10 off an order of $50 or more – promo code CPSP93KB through 12/31
www.thesharperimage.com
· $10 off an order of $50 or more – promo code EB9 through 12/31
· $50 off an order of $250 or more – promo code EB9 through 12/31
www.brookstone.com
· $10 off an order of $70 or more – promo code ENT5SAVE through 12/31
· $20 off an order of $140 or more – promo code ENT6SAVE through 12/31
· $50 off an order of $350 or more – promo code ENT7SAVE through 12/31
www.frontgate.com
· $10 off an order of $50 or more – promo code EB0810F through 12/31
· $20 off an order of $150 or more – promo code EB0820F through 12/31
· $50 off an order of $300 or more – promo code EB0850F through 12/31
www.skymall.com
· $5 off an order of $50 or more – promo code ENT5 through 12/31
· $15 off an order of $100 or more – promo code ENT15 through 12/31
· $25 off an order of $150 or more – promo code ENT25 through 12/31
www.lillianvernon.com
· $10 off an order of $50 or more – promo code 009750000 through 12/31
· $15 off an order of $75 or more – promo code 009760000 through 12/31
· $20 off an order of $100 or more – promo code 009770000 through 12/31
www.current.com
· $10 off an order of $50 or more – promo code UA2UAA through 12/31
· $15 off an order of $75 or more – promo code UA3UAB through 12/31
· $20 off an order of $100 or more – promo code UA4UAC through 12/31
www.personalcreations.com
· 20% off entire purchase using promo code ENTB20 through 12/31
www.berries.com
· $10 off using promo code EB28
· 20% off using promo code EB38 through 12/31
www.bigdogs.com
· 20% off using promo code ETBK2009
www.victoriasecret.com
· Free shipping over $100 – FA919549
· 30% a single item using code item30
www.barnesandnoble.com
· Save 15% off one eligible item with coupon code B3U9U7U. Pair the 15% off coupon with an item from our 50% off Holiday Gift Guide and find an incredible deal on books, movies, music toys and games! Shop now and Save!… expand
www.babiesrus.com
· $10 off purchase of $100 or more with promo code 930985
www.express.com
· $20 OFF $60 or $30 OFF $100 now thru December 31, 2009 using code 4532. Not valid on clearance.
· $30 dollars off $120 purchase $15 dollars off $75 purchase using code 4424 through 12/5
www.ninewest.com
· 20 off of your purchase of 75 or more using promo codes NWHOLD9 or NWHOLW9 through 12-31

www.eyeslipsface.com (ELF Cosmetics)
· 50% off order up to $15 using code FACEBOOK
· Free mini makeup kit worth $15 with any order. You can only use one coupon per order. Use code LOYAL
· 50% off any Brush using code EGBRUA
· $10 off $30 using code EEHGGAB
www.dsw.com
· Free shipping using code snowman
www.timerland.com
· 15% off using code work15

www.llbean.com
· Enjoy free shipping. Valid till 1-1-2010 using code 3013598

www.coach.com
· 50% of anything from the poppy collection using code coachpoppy
www.armaniexchange.com
· 15% OFF "Online Exclusive" items using code 15OFF1101
· Free shipping using code FRSHP09 through 12/31
www.brylanehome.come
· 30% off highest priced item using BHREWARD
· 20% off using code BHENTERTAIN
· $15 off your order of $75 or more. Expires 1/15/10. Code BHZR1575
www.bathandbodyworks.com
· Free shipping with any purchase of $40 or more until 12/24/09 using code SHIP40
· $10 off a $40 purchase using code 1419 through Jan 31
www.sephora.com
· Choose 1 of 3 minis: -NARS lipgloss duo -Yves Saint Laurent Mascara in Black -Philosophy Inner Grace Perfumed Body Emulsion – use code WISHME
· FREE Sephora Brand Birthday Vanilla Cupcake Bath & Shower Bubbles on purchases of $25 or more using code CUPCAKE
· Bare Escentuals Flawless Definition Mascara Free with any order using code BEFLAWLESS
· Free
Metallic Flower clutch filled with 8 samples with any $50 purchase using code CLUTCH4U
www.clinique.com
· Free shipping using code FSEMAIL, FSCHAT07 or CCNEW
· Free lip gloss using code chatgloss
· Get a shimmering silvery tote free with any $49.50. While supplies last. Code TOTE
www.aveda.com
· Free Standard Shipping and Gift Wrap on any order (plus 2 complimentary samples) use code HOLIDAY9
· Free standard shipping with order of $40 or more and a sample of rosemary mint wash use code 09WEBPC.
www.toysrus.com
· $10 off toys r us purchase of $100 or more. valid 11-1-09 thru 12-24-09 use code 930999
· $15 off $100 purchase use code HOLIDAY2
www.leapfrog.com
· 15% off your next order of $50 or more by 12/15/09 use code N9LFC
www.hasbro.com
· 20% off using code family2009
· free craniac fun pack use code 2ppyp5e
www.littletykes.com
· Free standard shipping on orders of $200 or more use code DTFA2020
· 10% off using code DEAL2009
www.theavenue.com
· Free shipping on $60 or more use code AV91142 through 12/31
· 20% off your first item, 30% off your second item when you buy 3 or more using code AV91143 through 12/31

www.bluefly.com
· $40 off $200 or more using code AFF40 through 12/31
www.delias.com
· 20% off through 12/3 using code 4YOU20
· Free shipping over $25 orders using code SHIP25D through 12/17
· $20 off $75 or more order using code 20DEL75 through 12/17
www.disneystore.com
· Free shipping on $89 or more order – code SHIP89 through 12/17
www.eddiebauer.com
· Free shipping on $100 or more using code EBHOLIDAY through 12/24
www.fashionbug.com
· 15% off through 12/31 use code 776214306
www.icedoutgear.com
· 30% off $230 or more use code VIP30
· 10% off $30 or more use code VIP10
· 20% off $80 or more use code VIP20
www.JCrew.com
· Free shipping $150 or more use code HOLIDAY through 12/2 only
www.maxstudio.com
· $20 off $100 or more – code Holiday09 through 12/31
www.nordstrom.com
· Free shipping on $100 or more using code HOLIDAY09 through 12/20
www.stevemadden.com
· Free shipping using code SMFREESHIP
www.whitehouseblackmarket.com
· $20 off $100 or more using code 8978
· 20% off $100 more using code 8976 TODAY ONLY!

A holiday getting to know you!

Hey Y'all:

My Sista friend Mrs. Cooper posted this little holiday getting to know you and I figured I'd share too!

What 5 items are top on your holiday wish list this year?

• Rest and relaxation (noting happening)
  
• A gift card from Bath & Body Works
  
• Money (what girl doesn't want some long green?)
  
• Some new Gospel CD's
  
• I'd love a laptop (I think I want a mini something or other)
  

What is your favorite handmade gift you have received?

• A little tray from notes from my sister Nicole. I kept that thing for YEARS. Not sure where it is now.
  

What handmade gift have you always wanted to tackle?

• Oatmeal Raisin Cookies (I always get the refrigerated kind)
  

What was the best Christmas gift you received as a child?

• A china tea set from my uncle who was in the army. I think he was in Germany .
  

What items are top on your kids wish list this year?

• My kids don't have a list yet... I think if they did it would be EVERYTHING on Nick Jr.
  

What is your favorite holiday food?

• Don't really have one. I think I'm going to make some spare ribs this year though.
  

What will you be hand-crafting for the holidays?

• Nothing
  

What is your favorite holiday movie?

• Charlie Brown Christmas
  

Favorite holiday song?

• Vince Guaraldi Trio - Linus & Lucy from Charlie Brown Christmas
  
• Kirk Franklin & The Family - Jesus Is the Reason for the Season

Favorite holiday pastime?

• Chilling with the family

Feel free to share yours.

Until next time...
MUAH!

Happy Thanksgiving...

Thanksgiving is HERE!

Sweet potato pie, apple cider, ham, potato salad, green bean casserole (I don’t like it but I guess it’s part of the tradition) and FAMILY! I can not wait to hang out with my immediate and extended family tomorrow. I have very fond memories of Thanksgiving and hope that we will contribute to my children’s memories this year.

When I was growing up one family member hosts the Thanksgiving fest for the crew. One particular Thanksgiving the family all gathered at my aunt’s house. This was her first year hosting and she was very excited. The table was beautiful and the turkey looked divine roasting in the oven. When the turkey was done and rested we were all ready to get our grub on! My mom is the matriarch of the family so it was her duty to carve the turkey. She examined the bird and congratulated my aunt for a job well done; the turkey was perfectly brown and looked juicy and succulent. My mom asked my aunt what she used as stuffing… she said “it was already stuffed; I didn’t have to make stuffing!”

Well experienced cooks my aunt never took out the turkey neck giblets and all the other leftovers that get stuffed into the cavity of the bird. Needless to say we didn’t consume that perfectly golden turkey!

What are your Holiday Magical Moments?

Until next time…
MUAH!