The nostalgic Christmas feelings are creeping up on me~ Christmas Medley Christmas Songs … http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_YI0u94D0g

“Nice Real Nice”

It is a day like this~ Sunny~ Bright~ Cold~ Gray Sky~ No Breeze~ Children walking, not talking~ Dogs walking not barking~ No Vehicles~ Not even the sound of a helicopter or plane~ Very tranquil morning~ Recipe for me to write another good book~ Nice~ Real nice…

“Five Hundred And Seventy Nine. Nine Million”

I had a ticket and a dream~ The final total amount of the Powerball was $579.9 million~ Okay, so I didn’t win, but just, thinking and dreaming about it was a real good feeling~ Nothing a damn thing wrong with dreaming…

“It Is Not The End Of The World”

Some children don’t like to go to school~ I don’t think it is the end of the world because everyone was blessed with a talent~ There is something that he/she loves to do~ Tap into it and ~ He/she will be outstanding~

 “The Truth About My Five Hundred Million”

Okay so this is it~ I bought the winning tickets and I already listed out what I am going to do with the money~ If I didn’t phone, write or come over to see you, you are not on my list~ Another thing when I asked God for it, he did not give me a list, he said it was all mine so don’t contact me~ That is the honest to goodness truth about my five hundred million dollars~ One more thing~ You know if it was you, I wouldn’t be on your list…

Every time we walk along a beach some ancient urge disturbs us so that we find ourselves shedding shoes and garments or scavenging among seaweed and whitened timbers like the homesick refugees of a long war. ― Loren Eiseley (1907-1977)

The care of the Earth is our most ancient and most worthy, and after all our most pleasing responsibility. To cherish what remains of it and to foster its renewal is our only hope. ― Wendell Berry

The husband - by primitive instinct partly, certainly by ancient tradition - regards himself as the active partner in matters of love and his own pleasure as legitimately the prime motive for activity. ― Havelock Ellis (1859-1939)

Man, born of woman, has found it a hard thing to forgive her for giving him birth. The patriarchal protest against the ancient matriarch has borne strange fruit through the years. ― Lillian Smith (1897-1966)

Do not ponder over the things that you want to do~ Just do them~ What ever the outcome, move on to the next chapter~

“I Used To Dress Like This”

I remember on cold winter days, years ago, I used to want to look cute~ It could be ten degrees Fahrenheit and I would be dressed like a summer day~ The only thing to shield me from the elements would be my coat and boots~ This morning, I looked at my children and shook my head. My son was dressed in a tee shirt, pair of jeans, Converse sneakers, coat and hat~ My daughter was dressed in her school uniform, coat, fingerless gloves and Converse sneakers~ After I gave a speech about how cold it is, it’s going to snow and it is going to get colder as the day progressed. My son said, “Mom, I’m fine.” My daughter put on her boots and scarf~I was thinking I used to dress like this… hmm.

“The ‘S’ Word”

Yesterday was a beautiful sunny day~ It was freezing but it was very nice~ This morning is another story~ I really don’t want to say the ‘S’ word, but I don’t have a choice~ SNOW~ It is really going to be hear leaving 2 to 3 inches on the ground~ That means we are going to have a huge skating rink~ Snow is not my favorite thing, but I prefer a lot more of it~ Like 5 inches and up would be better to walk in than a dusting…

Christmas is coming,
the geese are getting fat
Please to put a penny in the
old man's hat;
If you haven't got a penny,
a ha'penny will do,
If you haven't got a ha'penny
then God bless you!  

“Cyber Monday”

Black Friday is over until next year~ Here comes Cyber Monday~ Those of you who are at work and are taking advantage of this great day of online shopping … Look over your shoulder to make sure your boss is not looking~ 

“Black Friday Drama”

The news after this great day of shopping is always filled with some kind of drama~ A man and woman shot outside Walmart in Tallahasee, Florida after a fight. Another shopper pulls a gun on man who cut line in San Antonio mall. There were many other situations, but the one that takes the cake for me was~ Two men were fighting~ When ah tell you fighting~ Real blows passing~ They were fighting over a pair of jeans…

Follow your own star! ― Dante Alighieri (1265-1321)

You shall find out how salt is the taste of another man's bread, and how hard is the way up and down another man's stairs. ― Dante Alighieri (1265-1321)

Consider your origins: you were not made to live as brutes, but to follow virtue and knowledge. ― Dante Alighieri (1265-1321)

Heaven wheels above you, displaying to you her eternal glories, and still your eyes are on the ground. ― Dante Alighieri (1265-1321)

The more perfect a thing is, the more susceptible to good and bad treatment it is. ― Dante Alighieri (1265-1321)

A mighty flame followeth a tiny spark. ― Dante Alighieri (1265-1321)

There is no man, however wise, who has not at some period of his youth said things, or lived in a way the consciousness of which is so unpleasant to him in later life that he would gladly, if he could, expunge it from his memory. ― Marcel Proust (1817-1922)

A powerful idea communicates some of its strength to him who challenges it. ― Marcel Proust (1817-1922)

We don't receive wisdom; we must discover it for ourselves after a journey that no one can take for us or spare us. ― Marcel Proust (1817-1922)

Time, which changes people, does not alter the image we have retained of them. ― Marcel Proust (1817-1922)

There are perhaps no days of our childhood we lived so fully as those we spent with a favorite book. ― Marcel Proust (1817-1922)

Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom. ― Marcel Proust (1817-1922)

“Our life is no dream, but it should and will perhaps become one.” ― Novalis (1772-1801)

“Remembrance of things past is not necessarily the remembrance of things as they were.” ― Marcel Proust (1817-1922)

“There is no greater sorrow
Than to recall a happy time
When miserable.” ― Dante Alighieri (1265-1321)

“My Beautiful Table Cloth”

Every Thanksgiving, I always do something to spoil my day~ Maybe it is in my DNA to act before looking … hmm. I love to make my table cloth so I usually make a trip to the fabric store, and choose a piece of fabric to match my curtains~ The first thing I would do is cut out the piece for the table cloth and fray out the ends~ the rest of the fabric would make throw covers for the dining chairs~ For the first time, my husband purchased the fabric for me and it was just right … loved it~ Thanksgiving morning, I cut out the table cloth then decided to cut out the pieces for the chairs. As I was about to cut them out, I went to check on a pot I had on the stove. After checking the pot, I took up the first piece of fabric I saw and started to cut~ That was the end of the beautiful table cloth~ Oh drama…

The Spirit of confusion is alive and well. You have to decide if you want to let him/her in~

Hiding your age is a woman’s trait! What is it when a man does it?

Ninety-nine percent of the failures come from people who have the habit of making excuses. ― George Washington Carver (1864-1943)

He that is good for making excuses is seldom good for anything else. ― Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)
 

The Spider And The Fly – by Mary Howitt (1799-1888)

Will you walk into my parlour?” said the Spider to the Fly,~ 'Tis the prettiest little parlour that ever you did spy;~ The way into my parlour is up a winding stair,~ And I've a many curious things to shew when you are there."~ Oh no, no," said the little Fly, "to ask me is in vain,~ For who goes up your winding stair can ne'er come down again."
"I'm sure you must be weary, dear, with soaring up so high;~ Will you rest upon my little bed?" said the Spider to the Fly.~ "There are pretty curtains drawn around; the sheets are fine and thin,~ And if you like to rest awhile, I'll snugly tuck you in!"~ Oh no, no," said the little Fly, "for I've often heard it said,~ They never, never wake again, who sleep upon your bed!"
Said the cunning Spider to the Fly, "Dear friend what can I do, ~ To prove the warm affection I 've always felt for you? ~ I have within my pantry, good store of all that's nice; ~ I'm sure you're very welcome -- will you please to take a slice?" ~ "Oh no, no," said the little Fly, "kind Sir, that cannot be, ~ I've heard what's in your pantry, and I do not wish to see!"
"Sweet creature!" said the Spider, "you're witty and you're wise, ~ How handsome are your gauzy wings, how brilliant are your eyes! ~ I've a little looking-glass upon my parlour shelf, ~ If you'll step in one moment, dear, you shall behold yourself."~ "I thank you, gentle sir," she said, "for what you 're pleased to say, ~ And bidding you good morning now, I'll call another day."
The Spider turned him round about, and went into his den,~ For well he knew the silly Fly would soon come back again:~ So he wove a subtle web, in a little corner sly, ~ And set his table ready, to dine upon the Fly. ~ Then he came out to his door again, and merrily did sing, ~ "Come hither, hither, pretty Fly, with the pearl and silver wing; ~ Your robes are green and purple -- there's a crest upon your head; ~ Your eyes are like the diamond bright, but mine are dull as lead!"
Alas, alas! how very soon this silly little Fly,~ Hearing his wily, flattering words, came slowly flitting by;~ With buzzing wings she hung aloft, then near and nearer drew,~ Thinking only of her brilliant eyes, and green and purple hue --~ Thinking only of her crested head -- poor foolish thing! At last,~ Up jumped the cunning Spider, and fiercely held her fast.~ He dragged her up his winding stair, into his dismal den,~ Within his little parlour -- but she ne'er came out again!~ And now dear little children, who may this story read,~ To idle, silly flattering words, I pray you ne'er give heed:~ Unto an evil counsellor, close heart and ear and eye,~ And take a lesson from this tale, of the Spider and the Fly.

“On Edge”

The serial killer, who had Brooklyn on edge, was caught … He killed three store owners in Brooklyn~ One on Flatbush Avenue~

On a lighter note~ A question to ask your little children ~ Who is a serial killer? You will get the most amazing answers~ My son at age 4 said, “Someone who kills you while eating cereal.” My niece – 5yrs said, “Someone who kills you for your cereal.” My daughter age 5 said, “Kills you for stealing their cereal.”

“HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO YOU AND YOU~ AND YOU TOO”

“Drinking Driving Road Rage”

Make this a HAPPY, SAFE AND ENJOYABLE THANKSGIVING.

Don’t let those two enemies over take your existence –DRINKING AND DRIVING/AND OR ROAD RAGE. Before you succumb to these two evils think about the people you love and the people who love you…TO YOU, AND YOURS, FROM ME, AND MINES, Have a HAPPY, SAFE AND ENJOYABLE THANKSGIVING…

“Tonka Bean Seed –Vanilla”

For my favorite cookies, I use home made vanilla. Tonka Bean Seed – Vanilla.

Did you know that if you grate Tonka beans seed, put it in Vodka… leave it to marinate or as Trinbagonians say, soak, for three weeks, to a month, it makes the best flavored vanilla?

ICING

1 lime, 1 egg white, confectioner sugar, 1 bottle of colorful sprinkles.

Put egg white in a bowl and squeeze lime in the bowl. Turn on the mixer on low and beat for a minute. Add confectioner’s sugar and increase mixer speed to high. Beat mixture until thick and very white, about 5-7 minutes. The icing should hold stiff peak when you lift the beater. Add more confectioner’s sugar if needed.

Paste on cookies then put on sprinkles.

“My Favorite Cookies”

This recipe was given to me by a dear friend –Ann… She passed away last year. She was 90 years. Such a beautiful soul…  These are my Thanksgiving Cookies. They are guaranteed to make a hit with your family and guests… Enjoy.

MY FAVORITE COOKIES

MIX TOGETHER~ 3 EGGS, 1 CUP OF SUGAR (I USE ½ CUP OF SUGAR) 2 STICKS OF BUTTER

ADD THEN MIX~ 4 Cups of Flour, 3 Tablespoon baking powder, 1 Tablespoon vanilla. Make small balls not bigger than a quarter and place one inch apart on a baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 – 15 minutes.

“Marinate/Soak Turkey”

It is not too late to marinate/soak your turkey. This is how I prepare my turkey for roasting/frying.

1. I submerge my turkey in a bucket filled with water that has; 2 cups of lime/lemon juice, ½ cup vinegar and 1 cup salt. Cover the bucket and leave it to marinate/soak for 3 to 4 hours.

2. While the turkey is marinating/soaking get your seasoning ready. This is the seasoning I use. I blend in vinegar/lime/lemon juice, onion, cilantro, scallions, ginger and lots of garlic.

3. Take turkey out of the bucket, put into a bowl, in the kitchen sink and wash outside and inside of the turkey… plucking out the feathers that I find.

4. I put the turkey in a baking pan then I seasoned with the blended mixture, adding salt and black pepper. Leave it to marinate/soak for at least five hours or more. The longer you leave it to marinate/soak the more scrumptious it tastes…

“Nostalgic Memories”

I love how the holidays just come in with a big bang, bringing along nostalgic memories~ Some are great and some are not so great~ A smile~ A laugh~ A tear~ Whatever the emotion, to me they are worth remembering~ Today is a day filled with nostalgic memories and I am enjoying it…

It's Thanksgiving but it feels like Christmas to me~
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slTYj2h6OfY

The reason people find it so hard to be happy is that they always see the past better than it was, the present worse than it is, and the future less resolved than it will be. ― Marcel Pagnol. (1895-1974)

We don’t see things the way they are. We see them the way we are. ― Talmud

Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds you plant. ― Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894)

Just want to inspire you~ Remember He can calm the storm~

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cFPEpH58WE&feature=related

“BLACK WHO!? FRIDAY NOT ME IN THAT MAD SCENE”

Walmart, Sears, Kmart etc., are really taking this to the extreme~ The workers are annoyed that the stores are planning to open their doors at midnight~ Just imagine on Thanksgiving night, you sit down to family dinner ... after dinner you lazing around your home … spending the rest of the evening with your family talking and having fun … Suddenly you have to leave your warm toasty home and head out to work, on a very dark cold winter night!!!! Oh damn! Not nice at all…  

Classic Sesame Street – Fat Cat Sat Hat

Okay I am guilty~ I still look at Sesame Street~ This was and is still my favorite Sesame Street episode~ Fat, cat, sat, hat~ FAT~ fat, CAT~ cat, SAT~ sat, HAT~ hat. A fat cat sat on a hat, saw a rat on the mat, got a bat, had a chat with a gnat that he'd pat in a vat that was flat, oh yeah! … http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ei1DvIgW_PU&feature=related

“Your Keys Handy”

I stood at the front door searching in my handbag for my keys. A stranger (man) was standing inside looking at me… I was wondering why he didn’t open the door… I eventually opened it and said, “Goodnight.”

“Goodnight. Miss. Can I say something to you?”

“Sure.”

“I stood here looking at you searching for your keys in your bag. The next time, have your keys in your hand before you get to the door.”

“You could have opened the door for me.”

“True, but I don’t know if you live in this building or just pretending to be looking for keys.”

“You’re right, but you are standing in the lobby and I don’t know why you are here. You could have been pretending to be waiting on someone in the building.”

“You’re also right, but remember to keep your keys handy.”

“I will.”

“Cold Dark Winter Nights”

It’s after 5 and it looks a lot later~ Yes the clock is an hour behind but it is really dark giving a gloom to the neighborhood~ I really don’t like these cold dark winter nights~15 years ago it didn’t bother me, but it is a different story today~ To many unholy things are happening now and it is crazy!

 “Ah Real Trinbago Moment”

Ah miss Trinbago, especially in the winter, but every now-and-then ah get ah real Trinbago moment~ It makes me smile~

Two women on the bus talking~ “When last you see Miss Milly?”

“Ah saw she the other day. She pass me like ah Brighton Bucket.”

“Girl doh take that on nah~ She have so much going on~ It eh funny.”

“I eh takin’ it on nah~ I have mih days when mih mind does be far, far~ I does see people ah know and pass them straight.”…

An 18^th Century English Nursery Rhyme

Who killed Cock Robin?~ I, said the Sparrow,~ with my bow and arrow,~ I killed Cock Robin.~

Who saw him die?~ I, said the Fly,~ with my little eye,~ I saw him die.~

Who caught his blood?~ I, said the Fish,~ with my little dish,~ I caught his blood.~

Who'll make the shroud?~ I, said the Beetle,~ with my thread and needle,~ I'll make the shroud.~

Who'll dig his grave?~ I, said the Owl,~ with my pick and shovel,~ I'll dig his grave.~

Who'll be the parson?~ I, said the Rook,~ with my little book,~ I'll be the parson.~

Who'll be the clerk?~ I, said the Lark,~ if it's not in the dark,~ I'll be the clerk.~

Who'll carry the link?~ I, said the Linnet,~ I'll fetch it in a minute,~ I'll carry the link.~

Who'll be chief mourner?~ I, said the Dove,~ I mourn for my love,~ I'll be chief mourner.~

Who'll carry the coffin?~ I, said the Kite,~ if it's not through the night,~ I'll carry the coffin.~

Who'll bear the pall?~ We, said the Wren,~ both the cock and the hen,~ We'll bear the pall.~

Who'll sing a psalm?~ I, said the Thrush,~ as she sat on a bush,~ I'll sing a psalm.~

Who'll toll the bell?~ I said the Bull,~ because I can pull,~ I'll toll the bell.~ All the birds of the air fell a-sighing and a-sobbing,~ when they heard the bell toll for poor Cock Robin.

“You Take Care Of Him”

He walked into a very expensive woman’s shoe store to buy a pair of shoes for his wife~ Two Caucasian sales representatives looked at him seriously in a tone that said, “What are you doing in this store?” One of them walked away and the other said to the only African American sales rep, “You take care of him …”

She felt hurt, but she smiled and said, “Can I help you?”

“Yes. My wife sent me to this store to buy a pair of shoes for her. Do you work on commission?”

“I do,” She said.

He asked to speak to the manager who reluctantly came to him. He told her that he was going to purchase 12 pairs of shoes, “Please make sure that the young lady who is attending to him gets her entire commission … I am going to speak to management to make sure that she does.” He turned to the sale rep, “Please bring me 12 pairs of the most expensive shoes you have in the store … After choosing he will give her the size and color…

“Godliness is more easily feigned in words than in actions” ― Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758)

“I won't insult your intelligence by suggesting that you really believe what you just said.” ― William F. Buckley Jr. (1925-2008)

“Do you really believe ... that everything historians tell us about men – or about women – is actually true? You ought to consider the fact that these histories have been written by men, who never tell the truth except by accident.” ― Moderata Fonte (1555-1592)

“I hate to hear you talk about all women as if they were fine ladies instead of rational creatures. None of us want to be in calm waters all our lives.” ― Jane Austen (1775-1817)

“When a man gives his opinion, he's a man. When a woman gives her opinion, she's a bitch.” ― Bette Davis (1908-1989)

“Trinidad & Tobago Hops Bread”

A true Trinidad and Tobago Hops bread is so good with so many different fillings~  As children many of us were very creative with our hops bread fillings~ When you take the first bite … deliciousness~

Hops bread and cheese~

Hops bread and Fernleaf butter~

Hops bread and blue band butter~

Hops bread and Golden Ray butter~

Hops bread and lentil peas~

Hops bread and pigeon peas~

Hops bread and red beans~

Hops bread and Trinidad and Tobago Chow mein~

Hops bread and fried shark

Hops bread and bhaji (spinach)~

Hops bread and caraili~

Hops bread and zaboca (Avocado)~

Hops bread and Gauva jam~ 

Hops bread and black pudding~

Hops bread and peanut butter with butter~

Hops bread and cooking oil with a sprinkle of salt~

Hops bread and real Trinidad and Tobago sugar cake~

Hops bread and touilum~ And my favorite~

Hops bread and condensed milk~

The Story Of Chicken Little

Chicken Little was in the woods one day when an acorn fell on her head. It scared her so much she trembled all over. She shook so hard, half of her feathers fell off.

Chicken Little: “Help! Help! The sky is falling! I have to go tell the king!”

So she ran in great fright to tell the king. Along the way she met Henny Penny.

Henny Penny: “Where are you going, Chicken Little?”

“Oh, Help! The sky is falling!”

“How do you know?”

“I saw it with my own eyes, and heard it with my own ears, and part of it fell on my head!”

“This is terrible, just terrible! We’d better hurry up.”

They both ran away as fast as they could. Soon they met Ducky Lucky.

“Where are you going, Chicken Little and Henny Penny?”

“The sky is falling!” The sky is falling!” We’re going to tell the king!”

Ducky Lucky: “How do you know?”

Chicken Little: “I saw it with my own eyes, and heard it with my own ears, and part of it fell on my head!”

Ducky Lucky: “Oh dear, oh dear! We’d better run!”

So they all ran down the road as fast as they could. Soon they met Goosey Loosey.

Goosey Loosey: “Hello there. Where are you all going in such a hurry?”

Chicken Little: “We are running for our lives!”

Henny Penny: “The sky is falling!”

Ducky Lucky: “And we are running to tell the king!”

Goosey Loosey“How do you know the sky is falling?”

“I saw it with my own eyes, and heard it with my own ears, and part of it fell on my head!”

Goosey Loosey: “Goodness! Then I’d better run with you.”

They all ran in great fright across a field. Before long they met Turkey Lurkey.

“Hello there, Chicken Little, Henny Penny, Ducky Lucky and Goosey Loosey. Where are you all going in such a hurry?”

Chicken Little: “Help! Help!”

Henny Penny: “We’re running for our lives!”

Ducky Lucky: “The sky is falling,”

Goosey Loosey: “And we’re running to tell the king!”

“How do you know the sky is falling?”

“I saw it with my own eyes, and heard it with my own ears, and part of it fell on my head!”

“Oh dear! I always suspected the sky would fall someday. I’d better run with you.”

So they ran with all their might, until they met Foxy Loxy.

“Well, well. Where are you rushing on such a fine day?”

They all shouted, “Help! Help! It’s not a fine day at all. The sky is falling, and we’re running to tell the king!”

Foxy Loxy: “How do you know the sky is falling?”

“I saw it with my own eyes, and heard it with my own ears, and part of it fell on my head!”

“I see. Well then, follow me, and I’ll show you the way to the king.”

So Foxy Loxy led Chicken Little, Henny Penny, Ducky Lucky, Goosey Loosey, and Turkey Lurkey across a field and through the woods. He led them straight to his den, and they never saw the king to tell him that the sky is falling.