Got My (Cooking) Mojo Back!!

To know me is to love me! But to TRULY love me is to accept that I refuse don't cook with any regularity. I use to and I can. I just don't anymore. I prepared many great meals, hosted several family dinners with loads of compliments, even whipped up homemade pancakes or biscuits with home-style potatoes, etc., on the weekends. Needless to say, since it's just me now, dining out is way more appealing. But no thanks to websites such as Pinterest and Food Gawker, my spark to cook was recently reignited. Unfortunately my efforts to recreate those dishes that caught my eye and had my stomach demanding "feed me" didn't come out all that appealing.

My failed attempts consisted of cookies flat as pancakes, cocktails that tasted like Robitussin, and herb crusted chicken that was just chicken. So, I had to remind myself that cooking involves a passion to do so. I had fallen among those who were just going through the motions. We can't have that, so I had to redeem myself. I decided to run back to what I know. Holiday cooking!! A New Year's Day dinner would be the perfect starter. I didn't go all out though. I kept it simple.  In a labor of love, my Crockpot and I produced an AWESOME Boston butt roast using a recipe for a dry rub (definitely a keeper) from A Southern Fairytale. Most of my friends don't eat pork, but the man-child does and I figured since I hadn't really cooked specifically for him in years a long time, I would do so now. He can sometimes tap dance on my last nerve but he's still my only favorite son. ;-) On the side, I prepared collard greens w/smoked turkey, seasoned mashed potatoes, black-eyed peas w/smoked turkey tails, and homemade corn bread (but sweet). The man-child whipped up a pecan pie (YUM). He's a great cook which was yet another reason for me to stop cooking.

I really need to buy a camera, but you get the point. Over the last few months, I would score a run. This time I happened to "knock it out the park" with everything. Yes, I know these are my own words, but I also know it happens to be true. How do I know?? Because, the man-child has been eating repeatedly and sleeping for 2 days now.

Lol. So I guess my cooking drought is over. But I'm still curious -am I the only one who finds all these inspiring dishes on Pinterest but the redo falls flat? What's your story?

Until next time, much love and laughter....journey light.

Celebrating New Year's Eve Alone

Son: "What you got going tonight?"

Me: "I'm celebrating me!"

Son: "Really? No, what are you doing??"

Me: "I'm celebrating me. Dinner, wine, movie, bath, etc."



Of course he gave me the side eye shook his head and I could see the cartoon air balloon above his head with the phrase "My mom officially doesn't have a life". Maybe I don't. But I believe, life is how you perceive it. You can grumble or rejoice in the small things. Tonight I'm keeping it simple and celebrating me. I can go through the routine of changing from one outfit to another without concern for time. I can enjoy a few glasses of wine and fall out in my own bed afterwards.  This is a self project, so anything goes and I've already started my party.  As I draw my bath, I decided to share with those of you who decided to stay in tonight but may be wondering what to do next.

My How to Enjoy You Guide

• Set the mood and light some candles. Burning candles not only makes the room smell nice, but it provides an ambiance of peace and tranquility.  
• Enjoy dinner and a movie. Earlier this evening, I stopped by the Cheesecake Bistro and picked up one of my favorite dishes and rented a couple of movies from Redbox.
• Sip on something bubbly and nibble on something sweet.  I don't care for champagne, so I opted for a bottle of prosecco instead and ordered a white chocolate bread pudding. Trying my best to save both of these for later.
• Pamper yourself. Since everyone is headed out, there is no better time to enjoy a soothing, hot bubble bath free of noise and distractions. 
• Dance like no one's watching. One of the best things about that quote is that literally and figuratively, we should take time out to do whatever makes us feel good. Tonight may be a perfect time to try some new looks and dance in the mirror while doing so.
• Set some new goals or revisit old ones. I've never created a vision board but I always write down my goals and go back to see where I am.  This year I'm starting a new journal and adding some pictures. Guess I'll call it a "vision book" instead.
• Look for inspiration.  Some of us are inspired by God, others by people.  I'm moved by both. So tonight I'll being downloading a new book to start reading in the new year.

Well that's it. I'm off to my DIY home spa now. :-) 

May you love harder, think deeper, and climb higher than you ever imagined! Wishing you a safe and Happy New Year!  

Moving Forward With New Year's Traditions

As I prepare for the coming of 2013, I think about what I have to accomplish in the last few hours of 2012 as well as those things I need to leave behind me. I rush out to the grocery store to stock the pantry and avoid being left with the last ragged, wilted bunch of collard greens. I grab a pretty set of undies, especially since I rarely buy them as a matching set. I wash every piece of laundry only to be overwhelmed with the task of folding and ironing it all after January 1. I scrub and clean until the only thing I will smell for the next two days is bleach. I pay personal debts, but make sure I have cash to keep in my pocket. *Sigh* So, why do I do it? Simple. Superstitions. It's tradition!! In a weird way, it's fun to go through some of the rituals.  But generally, it's something my family did or I picked up along the way. But this year I decided to dig deeper into a few of these New Year's routines and share as I make my way back to blogging.

Watch Night Church Service:- Although not on my agenda tonight, I've done the Holy ghost countdown several times.  This is a tradition that was founded by the Methodist in 1740, but gained new meaning in 1862 when President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation to take effect January 1, 1983. Many slaves attended church, waiting in anticipation and confirmation that their freedom would arrive at midnight.

New Year's Dinner: Somewhere on a my table, you will find some type of pork, greens, black-eyed peas, and cornbread among the choices. These items carry a great deal of history for Southerners and humbleness. During the Civil War, Union Soldiers raided homes leaving food that was not considered edible (hog jowls, greens, etc). However, these foods were used to survive, representing struggle and determination.  Today, we serve the meal to ensure a prosperous year using the ham hocks to represent plenty of food in your home, greens for money, black-eyed peas for luck, and corn bread for gold. If you're looking for a deeper meaning, hogs are known to only move forward to see resulting in progress.  

Clean House and Donate: This is one I've always done never fully understanding why other than it just felt right. This tradition comes from those celebrating the Chinese New Year. One of beliefs is that you must get rid of any bad luck from the old year and make room for the good luck to come into your home in the new year.  However, you must do this before New Year's Day, otherwise you may mistakenly toss away your good luck. Likewise, nothing of value (money, jewelry, etc) should leave the house on New Year's Day unless someone has brought something. Another Chinese custom is to give away good luck gifts during the Chinese New Year; red envelopes with money inside.

Laundry Day & other no-nos: Who's doing laundry on a vacation day?? No clothes washing should be done on New Year's Day, otherwise you may wash away a loved one. 

New Clothes:  Many of us are out shopping, while others are pulling a gently used dress from the closet. Chinese tradition, as well as many others, is to wear new clothes to represent new beginnings. Red is the color of choice to scare away evil, while black should be avoided. On the other hand, it has been said if you wear new clothes into the new year you won't get any new ones.    

Men First: I always wondered why it mattered who entered the house first. Scotland brought us "Auld Lang Syne" as well as the "first-footing".  Neighbors brought each other coal for the fire or shortbread shortly after midnight.  If the neighbor knocking happened to be a tall, dark, and handsome man then luck shall be with you in the new year. In contrast, don't answer the door for any blonde or red-headed women or unattractive men. It could mean bad luck.

There's so many more I found to be interesting and possibly add to or replace my current ones. So, now it's your turn. What New Year's Eve/Day traditions do you observe?

Just My Thoughts: 2008 Reflections

As the year comes to an end, I am reminded that allowing one door to close will also make way for another to be opened. With that in mind, I, like so many others, desire to make the changes necessary to facilitate a 2009 that will surpass my 2008. Although the year may have included such disappointments as the failure of our economic structure and increases in the unemployment rate, for many of my family and friends blessings were in abundance. My mom purchased a home. My son graduated high school. Several of my friends became engaged (some to each other). Job promotions took others across town and even across the country. New love flourished for quite a few. New life is taking shape in the body of a two. And yet another set sail for Harvard to pursue her aspirations.

I could dwell on my son not exactly following the path I desired for him or even the short period of time that I was without a home. I could complain about the confirmation of not being able to have another child and the surgery that went along with it. Or maybe I could rant about my failed relationship and job woes. But I won’t. Because regardless of these things I still have life and the ability to see the sun rise in the east and set in the west. I was blessed with a son that was designed just for me and not one that has caused me true heartache and pain, but just a few headaches.:)I can never say I haven’t loved or experienced the feeling of being loved. I’ve had the pleasure of knowing both. I have a career that I still love. And even though I lost a friend, I can say I had the pleasure of knowing him. So to you I say keep the good close to your heart and learn from the rest as it guides you in your future. Until the next time……journey light.

Love, peace, prosperity, joy, happiness and an abundance of blessings to you and yours,

Erika

Hmm, What Should I Throw Away?

Hey Beautiful People! Wow, I am on my 3rd posting in 24 hours! Imma have to slow it down after this one, lol. Anywho, I was reading my friend Tiff's posting on facebook today and have been plagued with the thought "out with the old to make way for the new". Why do I say plagued like it's a bad thing. Because although I am all for welcoming change, I have a really difficult time trying to figure out what to keep and what to throw out. I tend to be quite sentimental although many of my friends don't see it :). Plus I'm organized to a point that I have various types and sizes of containers to ziploc, file, and seal things in to store for later. So how do I determine what to get rid of?

For instance, although the exhubby and I have been apart 3 years now and there is no going back, I still have our marriage certificate, some letters, and a small sampling of the various cards he gave me. I'm sure I'm not the only one who has these things. Now the question is what do you do with them? Stash or trash? I also have some mementos, pics, and ish from those other two I did time with. Hmm, sounds a lil' prisonish. Well, whatever. It is what it is and y'all know what I mean. Now on to the box full of cassettes with everything from Roxanne, Roxanne to Planet Rock to Juicy Fruit (ol skool not the lean wit it rock wit it era) but I have nary a device to enjoy them. And what about all those recipes I cut out of the newspaper or picked up from Publix to fill that $5.99 organizer I purchased last year. My family and friends know once the boy became of age, and I was reintroduced to the single life, I put away my apron and on VERY rare occasions retrieve it to whip up one of their favorites. Then there's the more popular questions of how long should I hold on to my old tax returns and proof that I did in fact pay that Sprint bill from 2002. How about the Halloween costume I wore in '07? The mask from '08. Hmm. The home movies experimental filming. Lol.

So what do you suggest? Or is there something you have that should be or should have been tossed long ago? While you're thinking, I'm off to see the the wizard for a box of large trash bags.
Until the next time......journey light.

Luv, peace, blessings,

E