2017, Beyond My Thoughts

Dear Lord,

Is it any way that I could not experience my highest high & lowest lows in the time frame, in the future? If this could be thine will.

In Your Son's Name,

Amen!!!

Hey, I am specific when I ask God for stuff. And not wanting to feel my highest of highs and the lowest of lows at the same moment has to be a specific request. I feel I need to be eased down off highs & slowly lifted up when I'm low. And the only person who can do that is The Lord.

I had highs & lows like everyone else. No humans know all about my 2017, but me. My 2017 was started back in 2016. I met some nutrition professors at the Texas Veggie Fair and I became their book reviewer.  One of my dream jobs is to teach nutrition on the college level, so this was a networking dream come true. I had 5 textbooks to review by mid-September. Yes like me, you're thinking because I Love reading this should be easy. Well, most of the days were easy. But on top of my business, blog, and household roles by February, I was a little overwhelmed. So, I had to regroup. My first thought was to put the blog on hiatus. Well, as you know that didn't happen. My leisure reading took the biggest hit. I failed my reading challenges. I was too tired to read for fun a lot this year. My social media post showed I was not leisurely reading as much, too. Grammar Check, Anyone? The Reading Challenge for next year is to finish reading all open books from this year.

Dru Hill in
Desoto

My social life took a little swipe. I didn't go out as much this year. And when I did go out, I was drained, afterward. I'm an ambivert (introverted extrovert or extroverted introvert) & I had never felt so empty from being social. And who had the time to recharge, but after each outing, I slowly would down. I've played Cinema Catch Up a few times this year. In my 20s, I was the Movie Queen. Well, I have to accept, I'm over 30. LoL, There is already planned to play it again in January 2018. I also had to let a few TV shows go. Sorry Supergirl, Jane the Virgin, & Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., maybe I'll play catch up one day.

Had to get some
Readers

Then October came. I was in a comfortable groove. The podcast I was on was being released. I was going to this year's Texas Veggie Fair to see the professors unveil their books, that had my handy work & name in. I was Ready. Then on the 17th, my brother, G died. The day we buried him was the same date as the fair. The night before, Science Stuff with Steph sent me a direct message that the episode was being released the next week. Highs were moving during a Low. My emotions were having a field day. Of course, I didn't go to the fair. Do I really need to see people praise "my work" to know "my work" is good? Validation Feels Good but not a Requirement. Saying goodbye to my brother's remains was a Requirement. My life requires closure. The closure is Good. The Blerdette TV interview with Science Stuff with Steph was different. There were personal work, love, & tears in that project. I needed to be present for that. The first day I left the house after the funeral was the day the podcast episode was released. I cried while listening to it. Happy & Grief tears just flowed, like my life was flowing at the time. The Good, the Bad, and the In-Between was still going. Gosh, I REALLY needed that day.

Fill in fulfilling business projects, getting a horrible spring flu, a few cute dates here and there, a monster plant on our property, favorite brunch spots closing, seeing & liking Wonder Woman early, seeing Dru Hill twice, enjoying their holiday album, and finally the fact that I was in my right mind for every moment in it, 2017 was 2017. And Dear God, I was present for a year, that was Beyond My Thoughts. And that is the Most Important thing to take from 2017. 

As Always Talking to You In Adult Terms!!!

Get the Milk! It's Cookie Time!! (OUTSPOKEN_DIVA'S Favorite Recipes)

A personal & healthy portion of cookies for me is zero. I like cookies, but I like cookies too much. I try to respect my waistline. Like when it says I shouldn't eat more than one slice of cake or pie, I usually eat one.

I really do try. Yet cookies cause me to be disrespectful to my waistline. And the smaller they are, the more trouble making they are.

Luckily, I don't make my favorites well. Since my Aunt Stump retired from making them, I have to luck upon an Archway release in the store for my Mexican Wedding cookie(Snowballs) fix. Subway has the best Peanut Butter cookies. Talk about Tastes Fresh. And Toll House has sugar cookies that remind me of those perfect gems I had in elementary school.  I think my waistline in cahoots with these companies because I don't get them often.

A cookie I make well is a cookie I think I made up. If there is a recipe similar like it, let me know. I want to see it and give them credit. It is comprised of a nice, basic butter cookie with some good nut brittle pieces that my grandmother gives up for the holidays in it.

Caramel Nut Cookies

Ingredients:

• 3/4 lb. butter (3 sticks) softened to room temperature.
• 1 1/2 cups sugar.
• 2 eggs lightly beaten.
• 3 cups all-purpose flour, sifted
• 1/3 teaspoon salt.
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla.
• 2 cups nut brittle(I use peanut, pecan, & cashew), crushed into medium pieces
  

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F
2. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, cream butter, then slowly beat in sugar 
3. Add lightly beaten eggs
4. In a separate bowl, mix flour and salt; gradually add to sugar mixture. Blend well
5. Add vanilla
6. Fold the brittle into the cookie mixture
7. Spoon cookies onto ungreased cookie sheet, spacing about 2 inches apart.
8. Bake for 8-10 minutes
9. Remove from oven and allow cookies to cool 10 minutes while on a cookie sheet
10. Transfer to a rack to cool completely

Makes 48 cookies

So, pray for my deliverance from too much cookie eating. Until then it's zero or too many. I need a healthy, happy medium. Oh, the video? If you don't know about Troop Beverly Hills, I demand you go find it and go watch it. That is a cinematic & cookie gold standard. No, it didn't get an Oscar. Oh, what do those movie muckity mucks know? And yes, watch it with a cookie.

As Always Talking to You In Adult Terms!!!

Oh The Pie in the Sky (OUTSPOKEN DIVA'S Favorite Recipes)

The title is in the tune of the Reading Rainbow theme song. So, got back and sing it now.

Apple

I Love making pies! Even the flavors I don't eat, I enjoy making those also. Pies may have different steps but they are very easy to make, in my opinion. Pie making is very relaxing. Making the crust is the most relaxing part. I use store brought crust, sometimes. And I make it sometimes. When I do make the crust, I use this simple recipe.

Basic Flakey Pie Crust

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt 
• 1/2 cup butter, chilled and diced 
• 1/4 cup ice water

Cherry Cobbler

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, combine flour and salt.
2. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
3. Stir in water, a tablespoon at a time, until mixture forms a ball.
4. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight.
5. Roll dough out to fit a 9-inch pie plate.
6. Place crust in pie plate.
7. Press the dough evenly into the bottom and sides of the pie plate.

I've told you guys before my favorite pie is Millionaire's Pie. Read about it HERE. It's an icebox pie. Oh, I love making icebox pies too. Hey, all pies are not baked.

Strawberry Lemonade

Sweet Potato is a close second. The third is Cherry Cobbler. Yes, I'm on Team Cobbler is Pie. And you will be okay with my team. Now, my favorite pie to make is a pie I don't care for. I was assigned by my mom, Much Diva & grandmother, Granny to make Lemon Meringue Pie because I make gravy from scratch very well. Lemon Meringue Pie is fun to make because with the high heat to make the filling & exact way to make meringue peaks is a true example of the science in cooking. Yep, the food nerd in me shines when I make this pie.

Lemon Meringue Pie

Ingredients:

• 1 (9-inch) pie crust
• 1 cup sugar 
• 1/4 cup cornstarch 
• 1 1/2 cups cold water 
• 3 egg yolks, slightly beaten 
• Grated peel of 1 lemon 
• 1/4 cup lemon juice 
• 1 tablespoon butter OR margarine

• 3 egg whites
• 1/3 cup sugar

Lemon Meringue

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 475ºF
2. Place rolled out pie crust in pie plate, pressing firmly against bottom and side.
3. Prick bottom and side of pastry thoroughly with a fork. 
4. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until light brown; cool on a wire rack
5. Bring oven temperature to 350°F.
6. Combine 1 cup sugar and cornstarch in medium saucepan.
7. Gradually stir in water until smooth.
8. Stir in egg yolks.
9. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly, and boil 1 minute. 
10. Remove from heat. 
11. Stir in lemon peel, lemon juice, and butter.
12. Spoon hot filling into pie crust.
13. Beat egg whites in small bowl with mixer at high speed until foamy.
14. Gradually beat in remaining 1/3 cup sugar; continue beating until stiff peaks form.
15. Spread meringue evenly over hot filling, sealing to edge of crust.
16. Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until golden. 
17. Cool on wire rack at room temperature for 30 minutes; refrigerate for 3 hours before serving.

My grandfather, PauPau loved corny jokes. He would hear the equation, πr2 and would joke, "No, cobbler & cornbread are square". Yes, a chuckle is befitting. I like cobblers. It's filling and top crust in a pan. Warm cobbler is the best. Apple cobbler is the household favorite. Everyone likes it. I can always tell when Granny is craving it or apple pie. She volunteers to peel and cut the apples if I agree to make it. LoL

Apple Cobbler

Ingredients

Filling:

• 8 Granny Smith apples, peeled and cut
• 1 1/2 cups of granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground
• nutmeg
• 1/4 cup cornstarch

Crust:

• 1 pie crust
• 1 stick of butter

Apple Cobbler

Directions

1. Mix the filling ingredients together in a bowl and refrigerate overnight
2. Preheat oven at 300 degrees F. Butter the bottom of a large baking dish.
3. Roll out the pie crust really thin, as thin as possible
4. Pour the apples with the liquid into the pie pan. 
5. Dot 3/4 of a stick of butter around the apples. 
6. Use the pie crusts to cover the apple mixture entirely (let the pie crust overlap the pan).
7. Pinch the edges of the dough around the sides of the pan so the mixture is completely covered.
8. Melt final 1/4 stick of butter and brush all over the top of the crust.
9. Bake at for up to 3 hours
10. Remove from oven
11. Cool for 30 minutes then Serve.

Oh the Pie in the Sky

Make the Meringue a Mile High

Get a Good Book

I Mean a Cook Book

Make Pies & Cobblers

Sweet Potato

If you are not giggling...

As Always Talking to You In Adult Terms!!!

OMG The Shirley Brown Vs. Barbara Mason Debate

I told you guys, my "black card" will be snatch because of my opinions about popular black music. The main reason will be because of my feelings of dread towards that whiney tune, "Because I Love You" by Lenny Williams. The second reason will be my choice of winner in the Shirley ~vs~ Barbara debate. The debate is based on two songs. "Woman to Woman" by Shirley Brown is a song structured as a phone call from a wife to her husband's mistress. "From His Woman to You" by Barbara Mason is the mistress' response. The debate question is Who Won!

I think Both lost!!!

Wait before I delve deeper into my opinion, I was told to tell you that it comes from a person who has never been in love. Oh and let me add the word, Yet. And save your emails because I will not be talking about that topic on here. Plus therapy told me that it was normal not to have been in love. So, consider this a practical view.

And maybe that is why I don't understand how Shirley feels. First of all, she saw one number with a name and she called it. Even in the 70s there were ways to do a little research on Barbara. I have heard my family members' stories. Research existed!!! And apparently, no one told Shirley not to call the mistress if she does not know her. Now if she knew her, a smack down is deserved. Who said that woman knows about you? They could've just met the other day and they hadn't had a chance to talk yet. And who is to say the mistress is not crazy? This cheating husband is not worth getting hurt over. Lastly, why Shirley spouting off about all, the stuff  she does for her husband like it was a badge of honor?

From the top of his head

To the bottom of his feet

The bed he sleeps in

And every piece of food he eats

You see, I make it possible

The clothes on his back

Ha ha, I buy them

The car he drives

I pay the note every month

Ma'am, you do all this stuff and he's still stepping out on you. No bells or whistles are going off to tell you to be embarassed, get off the phone, and prepare for a discussion with your husband.

And this response from Barbara down right stupid. Voluntary side chicks must study this song. Why didn't she say, "Ma'am, get of my phone with this crap & call your husband"? 

I can give him love 

Once we boil the song down, love means sex. It's the one thing Shirley didn't state she did for dude. And because she doesn't know her worth because she's "young" and does not have much going for herself, love seems to be where her self-value lies. And even if her love was really love, Love doesn't pay for STD medicine. Because that's what being shared. Let's be honest, Shirley & Barbara were singing to one another and that dude could've be chilling with Betty(Who tells people "I'll be the Other Woman". Look up the song) at that very moment. Love didn't keep this man's wife from calling you. Love ain't keeping him with you either.

So yeah, Shirley & Barbara Lose!!! This phone call could have been different, if both had used common sense and saw the common problematic denominator. Shirley stop taking care of that adulterous male human. Barbara close your love holder and send that guy out your life.

*sigh* Still want to snatch my Black card?

As Always Talking to You In Adult Terms

Answering Questions Don't Take Holidays Off

Questions don't care what time of the year it is. If answers are needed, answer is what will be recieved. Let's see what's going on.

Q: Do you believe in re-gifting?

A: LoL Re-gifting is a touchy issue. So before I typed this post, I did a Twitter poll asking this same question. As you can see 2:3, that took the poll said Re-gifting was Gross. *sigh* But of course, my answer is not the popular answer. I Re-Gift.

Thank You for
Answering

I learned to re-gift as a teenager. I didn't get ears pierced until I was 22. That still didn't stop people from giving me pierced earrings. They would be nice earrings, so I would give my earrings as gift. And now with body oil & butters being popular gifts, I have to re-gift some now. The smell of Coconut is not a scent I like at all. And I seem to be the only person in world that feels that way, so re-gifting is the option I used. But I follow a set of rules in doing so.

• Re-gifting is not limited to the holidays. Most people get gifts other times of the year like their birthdays. If you know who you intend to give the gift to has a birthday coming up or if Mother's or Father's Day, give it to them then.
• A re-gift has to come with the right intention. It must be the receiver's style & be something you would likely bought for that person.
  
• Don't re-gift a present among the same social circle. For example, don't give another family member a gift, another family member gave you. Find a friend, neighbor, colleague, ect that may like the gift. I used sticky notes to identify who gave me the gift, so I don't make any mix ups.
• Keep the original packaging, but always re-wrap. But if it looks used, don't give it as a gift. Stop giving out bottles of lotion & colognes that look like testers. Stop giving things that look open. Put some personal touch on the gift to let someone know you care.
• Check your attitude in re-gifting. Heck, check it in giving anything. Most people who give tacky, used up gifts have jacked up attitudes. If you can't give with care, Don't!

Don't be afraid to re-gift. Give a non-used gift a good home.

Q: You've previously spoken of having a non-traditional tree. Have you seen the upside down trees? Would you ever get one?

A: I saw these on the show, Dish Nation. I think they're pretty, but not practical for my family. Yes, we have a corner tree for Christmas. It's just the front half of the tree with bar to stabilize it. We've had one for over a decade now. With 20+ people in a living room, space is key. I'm also the person puts the tree up. At 5'2", guess who is not hanging a tree up on the ceiling?

Did you know Upside-Down Christmas Trees started as a religious symbol? In the 12th century, pagans who converted to Christianity revered the fir tree as God's Trinity Tree. It was hung upside down in Central and Eastern Europe as a symbol of God, the Son becoming a man because it resembled the shape of Christ being crucified. WoW!

No matter what holiday you celebrate. No matter how you celebrate that holiday. Remember Love is the Reason for the Holiday Season. I believe the scripture, God is Love, but what is Love to you? That's the definition you celebrate the holidays with.

As Always Talking to You In Adult Terms!!!