Can you say Fun!!!!

Greetings Family!!
It is really cold and I can’t take it.  It has not even gotten really cold or snowed and yet….I can’t take it!  As I mature my tolerance for cold leaves me.  I really could see living somewhere warm all year long.  Of course I would come “home” for the holidays.  Having a Peña Colada by the pool on Christmas day doesn’t work for me either.  Maybe all of this has to do with the fact that I have just returned from vacation.  It is really hard for me to return to the swing of things when I come back.  All that sun and fun clouds my judgment.  It makes me think that we can actually “live” on vacation.  I am still working on figuring that out family.  We went sailing again on the fabulous Capital Jazz Cruise. http://www.capitaljazz.com/supercruise/   You all might be familiar with the weekend concert held in Maryland every June.  The same organization charters a cruise ship and hosts the most fantastic party on the sea that you will ever attend!  You will never want to go on a regular cruise after attending this one.  How do you top midnight jam sessions with Najee, Alex Bugnon and Phil Perry, a dress up 80’s dance party (Madonna was my influence!), Anthony Hamilton and Uncle Charlie Wilson, line dancing, zumba and salsa classes, documentary and live performance by the original Sugar Hill Gang (what!!), Greek parties and card parties, loved Chrisette Michelle  and Stephanie Mills, seminars and workshops, football party, Dougie Fresh on the Lido deck, church on the boat family with Marvin Sapp!!….and you know how I feel about the spa!  And that was all the first day…lol!  Throw in stops at Curacao, Dominican Republic and Aruba and it was just too much.  I didn’t mention even half of the rest of the cruise.  I needed a vacation from vacation.  But family, that is all now a wonderful memory that I refer to often as I commute in to work.  I am grateful for the much needed break and look forward to the next one.  If you have a chance to check out this cruise …do it!  This is the 2^nd one for us.  Trust me; it will truly be one of the best vacations you have ever taken.  Just in case you don’t believe me here is a picture of me from the boat.

Peace Family!!

Kale Days!!!

Greetings Family!!

Hope all is well and that everyone is enjoying the start of this fall season.  As the weather changes so does my dinner menu.  I use the oven and slow cooker more for those cold weather meals.  One thing that I decided to keep with me through the fall and winter is Kale!!  Now we all know that Kale is one of the best super foods.  Dawn talks about it almost as much as her nurtribullet if that is possible lol!  So…I wanted to share a quick and easy recipe.  And here we go:

Heat some olive oil (can also use coconut oil if you prefer) in a pan.  I usually just break apart my washed and dried Kale leaves and add them to the oil.  Just like you would sautee spinach.  Add your seasoning of choice (for me salt, pepper, garlic powder and onion powder).  I add a few tablespoons of water and put top on to steam the Kale.  Only for a minute or two because I want the Kale to still be a little crunchy.  Don’t sautee all the vitamins out lol!  Then for me the most important ingredient…some red wine vinegar!  I usually put a lot because it gives it a great tart twang (say that fast!) but start out with a little to see how you like it.  And family…that is it!  It is such a great side dish for meat or fish and it takes 10 minutes to prepare.  When I cooked it last I made it with poached salmon which I put on top of some spicy grits with the Kale on the side!  Family, I am not a chef but pretend to be one at home.  Enjoy!!

Gratitude

Greetings Pooka Family! Happy New Year!! Here we are once again alive and well to see another year. Amen to that!!Time truly waits for no one. I really feel the speed of life as I get older. Makes me more conscious to be present in and appreciate each and every day. Whether good, bad or indifferent I am here to experience it! My sister Tricia and I do what I guess you would call a gratitude exchange. We send each other an email of what we are grateful for each day. Could be something very personal or it could be that I caught the train on time lol! The point is to take a minute to reflect on what you are grateful for each and every day. The exercise of writing it out and releasing it to the universe (well ok to Tricia!) is very reflective for me. It is right there in black and white what I feel for that day. My gratefulness is expressed to God for all He has done in my life. I usually send in the morning as a way to start my day in His spirit. Now we sometimes have those days that we don’t get our gratefuls until the evening but we always get them in! What are you grateful for family? Do you write them down and reflect on them? Do you share it with the universe?? Do you let God know what He has done for you? I would encourage everyone to start the year with this exercise and make it personal to you. You can send to a friend or just write down for yourself. Family this will be one of the best things you can do for the new year. Happy 2012!!!

Gender or Race???

Greetings Family! Hope all is well. I was talking with my sisters and just reflecting on life as we often do. I made the comment that I felt especially favored that God made me a woman of color! I am proud of the skin I am in!! I would never change the color of my skin or the gender of my body. It then led us to a deeper conversation which posed the question….Are you a black woman or a woman who is black??? So fellow Pooka family, I pose to you the same question. I know that you, our family, are made up of many different nationalities. I also know that our Pooka family contains many men! So do you define yourself by your race or origin, by your gender or maybe you are just from Jersey! Interesting discussion to have and I would love to hear your thoughts. Oh me…….I am a black woman!
Didn’t you see my fro!

Peace Family

The Earthquake

Greetings Family!
Well I don't even know where to begin. Family we had an earthquake.....in New Jersey. It was one of the most out of body experiences I have ever had! Very scary yet very powerful at the same time. It made me think that you must truly live in the moment. Not in an end of days kind of way but just that every day should be cherished. I truly believe that God does not want us to live in fear. So honor your relationships, check off the things you write on the to do list, practice those random acts of kindness. Make those phone calls, write those letters, take time to make yourself smile! I sometimes send my sisters the Daily Word as a way for us to start our day. Of course since I have been extra busy I have not sent in awhile. Well today I needed to send more for me than for my sisters. I would like to share with you. Allow every earthquake in your life to energize you!

Energized
I am energized and rejuvenated.

Each morning when I awake, I have the opportunity to start my day with prayer. Aware of my innate creative power, I am invigorated by Spirit within. I then move ahead empowered, choosing uplifting thoughts, positive statements and purposeful actions that reflect my greatest intentions.

If ever I feel sluggish or unmotivated, I pause and pray. A few minutes of communion with Spirit revives my vital energy and awakens my enthusiasm. In Spirit, I am confident, knowing that all things given to me will be accomplished, that all that is not understood will be revealed, all that is difficult will be made easy.
Amen Family!

Ready, Set....wait a Minute!

Greetings Pooka family! My sisters and I are always looking to live a healthy lifestyle. You know eating right, being stress free and exercising. I mentioned to Tricia that I thought I might want to start running. A form of exercise I have not tried yet. Now I have never liked running except if someone was chasing me....but you never know! Tricia who actually listened when I made this latest announcement found a local two mile walk/run for us to enter and we signed up. We were really excited...ok not really but we decided to go anyway. I pulled up very early at Tricia's house the morning of the race. Someone jumped in the car wearing a white mask and I thought I was being robbed! I realized then it was Tricia. She had covered her face in sunscreen! No sun was getting on her Pooka family! We as serious runners were not down for sun burn. Tricia also had a nap sack containing energy bars, and fruit. I am sure there were baby wipes in the bottom of that bag but I didn't ask. All good racers need a Mommy...thanks Tricia! After she ran back in to get water we were on our way. When we got there we were actually excited! This was a real race Pooka family!! We gave our names and received our T-shirt, our official race number to pin on our shirt, and the reflective tag for our sneakers which I couldn't figure out how to put on. This is when that Mommy comes in handy....again thanks Tricia! We checked out the map of our route and headed outside to warm up with the other runners. Well we didn't actually warm up because we noticed the snack table. We did at least make healthy choices because runners do need energy people. It was now time to head to the start line. We were hyped!! The sun was shining, the music was playing and the organizers were pumping the crowd. Proceeds from the race went toward families in need so it was all good. It was time!! Ready, Set...wait a minute.....Tricia and I had decided that we were going to do the walk part of the walk/run since it was our first race. Ok did the walkers line up somewhere else? Were we supposed to wear a different T-shirt so the real runners wouldn't knock us down? I guess we could have found this out if we were not so busy getting snacks! Everything was going wrong. The morning dew was starting to settle in my hair and my Afro was getting bigger by the minute. Tricia's sunscreen started to run down her face. What was happening Pooka family! Well it was to late to figure it out. The runners started to take off and in a panic so did me and Tricia! We ran like frightened children or like someone was chasing us because they were!! This was not what we signed up for. Tricia was staring at me looking like her baby girl with a " help me Mommy" look on her face. I knew I had to do something and quick! I knew at this pace we would pass out before we got to the corner. I frantically searched the crowd looking for someone in charge! I spotted a man on the sidewalk wearing a number but eating a bagel. Good enough. You with the bagel I screamed....Is this the right race for the walkers! Are we in the right place!! Look at my Afro! HELP US!!!!! Relax said the man with the bagel. You're in the right race. Just stop running. Oh......just stop running. We didn't think that was in the rules. We then noticed plenty of other people......walking! After Tricia and I laughed until we couldn't breath we continued walking our race. We had a wonderful time and finished our two miles in thirty seven minutes! We made some new friends... Hi.......Go Bloomfield! We crossed the finish line to cheers and completed our first race! We are not ready for the New York City marathon but maybe next year. Just hope they don't have good snacks!!
Peace

Evacuation

Greetings Pooka Family!
Heading home early today because they just evacuated my job. This is my day job. Don't worry, Pooka is open for business! This evacuation though made me think about our daily lives and the world we live in. Bomb threats, evacuations, body searches, armed police. This is what working people get to experience on their daily commute everyday. Are we safe(I pray on that). Will I make it home and back (I pray on that too). We have to be diligent (see something, say something) but we have to continue to live our lives family. We must follow our purpose and our plan. Now more than ever. We must not adopt a spirit of fear but must realize how truly precious each day is. So to my fellow commuters keep your eyes open, your head up and your spirit bright....the weekend is just around the corner!

Peace Family!!

A Foodie’s Guide to Dinner-Part 2!!

Greetings Family!
Hope everyone is enjoying this wonderful weather!! During my last blog I shared some foodie short cuts that I find helpful in my cooking life. I promised to share my favorite kitchen tools that I can’t live without. These tools make me feel like all of the next top chefs rolled into one lol! They help me feel like I am doing a live demonstration right in my kitchen. You can’t tell me I’m not cooking!!

Tongs-Let me tell you. These are THE best cooking utensil to have in your kitchen. (Thanks to my brother Douglas who gave them to me one Christmas!!) It is actually time for a new pair. They are just fabulous!! You don’t have to touch meat or fish with your hands and you don’t have to worry about getting burned because the long handle can go into the pan so your fingers don’t have to. You can easily pick up your food to transfer from pan to plate. You can use them when breading anything and no messy hands. Can you feel my love of the tong!! Most of all they make me feel like Chef Lynn lol!

Plastic sandwich and freezer bags-I honestly can’t live without these. They are the best storage solution for everything! I put leftover cut veggies from my salad in the sandwich bags. More convenient (and cheaper) than foil and seal keeps them fresh. Next salad all my veggies are together in the same bag. Veggies, onions, garlic, cut fruit; everything goes in a bag until next time. When I wash my fresh herbs I wrap them loosely in paper towel and then store in larger freezer bags in the fridge. I put salad dressing in them when bringing salad to work or anything with a dressing. Seal holds tight and I don’t have mushy food for lunch! Get the bags on sale family and I promise you will use them all the time. Oh yeah, I use them for sandwiches and snack foods too!

Glass and ceramic containers-Ok, are you noticing a “storage” theme here. I never met a leftover I didn’t like!! We shouldn’t really use the microwave people, (that’s a whole other blog!) but if you do you should never microwave plastic. Very bad for you. Toxins from the plastic containers go into your food. So…if you must, always use a glass container. I have some great round glass bowls with lids (Crate and Barrel only on sale or Target or Walmart!!) My other favorite storage would be from QVC!!!! The line is called Temptations and they are fab! This discovery is thanks to my wonderful Mother who has her own phone number for QVC lol! (Hope my Dad doesn’t read this!) Anyway, my Mom gave me a set when I got married and I have been adding to my collection ever since. They come in a variety of sizes and beautiful patterns and go from freezer, to oven, to table, to fridge. Can’t beat that.

Mini chopper-I have had my chopper for so long and surprised it still chops!! I am not taking about a Cuisinart I am taking about a mini chopper with two speeds that you can get in Walgreens for $19.99! Perfect for garlic, onions and celery or herbs!!

Well family these are just some of my kitchen favs. Hope you find them helpful and happy cooking!!

Donna

A Foodie’s Guide to Dinner!

Greetings Family! Hope all is well. If you know me then you realize I am both president and vice president of the Foodie fan club! I am a working foodie as most women today are. I have a long commute back and forth to my day job so when I get home I need to cook quick fast and in a hurry!! I wanted to share with you some of my Foodie tips that make my meal prep easy.

I always make sure to have the following in my pantry:

Chicken stock-Great base to make quick gravy or sauce for meat and fish! Add your own seasoning, fresh herbs, butter or wine for fab sauce. Cook my brown rice in chicken stock instead of water for added flavor.

Canned tomatoes-I use these often and you can get low salt ( same for the chicken stock!). I add a can of diced tomatoes when making my turkey meat loaf. It adds great flavor and makes the meat moist! Sometimes I use as a base (add brown sugar to make sweet or herbs and red pepper flakes to make spicy!!) and then when I make a quick fish fillet I serve on top of the tomatoes.

Beans, beans, beans!-Did I say beans. Black beans take five minutes. A lot of the time I buy black bean soup for flavor but then rinse off for less salt. Season with salt, pepper and cilantro and serve on top of brown rice and your seasoned canned tomatoes. Great dinner in 10 minutes!!

Smoked turkey-I don’t do pork so I use smoked turkey parts to season greens or even veggies for great flavor. I usually keep them in the freezer so they last longer. When I need just either boil in some water and add my greens or add right into a pot of veggies.

Fresh Herbs-This really makes such a difference. I always try to have fresh basil, parsley and rosemary in the house. I throw the herbs in if making a sauce and always add to my meatloaf. When I make my fish packets (fish of your choice) and add seasoning, fresh herbs, olive oil, fresh veggies and wrap individually in foil. Pop in oven and healthy dinner in five!!

Sweet Potatoes and Baby Carrots-We have sweet potatoes as a side maybe twice a week. Hubby and I love them! Sometimes I slice and add cinnamon, nutmeg, and brown sugar for a quick stove top version or sliced and add raisins and cook in orange juice for great flavor or just pop whole potato in microwave and eat the healthier way. For the baby carrots just add to pot with some water and add the cinna, nutmeg and brown sugar combo and steam for 10- 15 minutes and you have instant sweet potato carrots lol!

Creamed/whole corn-Love corn bread and Jiffy is a gem! Sometimes I add the whole kernels for extra flavor or will add the creamed corn to the dry mix without any other wet ingredients. It makes like a corn soufflé in five minutes. I usually make in a muffin tin and then take any left overs for breakfast.

Well, all this food talk is making me hungry! I hope you found some of these helpful. Maybe next time I will share the kitchen tools I can’t live without…(this is big stuff for me lol!) Would love if you can share some of your tips. I will be waiting anxiously at the dinner table to receive them.

Donna

Afro Power Continues!!!

Greetings Family! Just reporting in that I am still perm free after 14 months and counting!! Very proud of myself!! Sometimes us natural sisters are standing tall and wearing our style proud. Some days well we are just…natural lol! I will say though, that I have met many people and received lots of compliments with my new fro and many seem to happen while commuting. Family you remember my Foxy Brown post!! Well that was a subway story but I must give equal time to the NJ railroad.

There is an older man who I see most mornings while I wait for the train. We have never introduced ourselves but always smile or nod to say good morning. Well my afro must have looked extra righteous this particular day because he walked over and said good morning and made it obvious he wanted to have a conversation. I noticed he had a very heavy accent...

“Gooda morning! I donta mean to bother you.” I returned the good morning as my parents taught me. “I lika your hair!” Oh, thank you. “My wifa, she hasa curly hair too! I wanta my wifa to hava her hair lika your hair! Well family I took the compliment but wasn’t sure how to proceed with this conversation because this was an older white man that I was speaking with. I said, “Well… is your wife African American?” “Oh..no. My wifa, shes Italian. I wanta her to go where you gotta your hair done so her curls cana looka like you curls.” Well… it is not for me to determine where people get their hair done. I proceeded to give him a card for my beauty salon (Thanks Kenya and Lisa!!) and gave him directions. “Oh thanka you! You see my wifa….shes a fat! Her curls goa out and I wanta her curls to goa down lika your curls. Thanka you so much” And away he went to get on the train. Well family while I stood there with my mouth open I wondered ….will I have to call my salon to tell them a new client is on the way, has he stopeed any other sisters to ask about their “curls”, does his wife know that he thinks that shes a fat! It was all too much to ponder so early in the morning so I patted my fro and decided to just go to work, my work there was done and I had used my Afro powers for Good!

Sister Can You Spare a Car?

Greetings Pooka Family!! I hope that everyone is in the holiday spirit during this time of year. That spirit of being with family and friends. That spirit of giving. Finding that special gift for that special someone. Now I always try to embrace this spirit because the holidays are a wonderful time for me. Well my spirit was momentarily shifted when I viewed a recent Lexus commercial. Family has anyone else seen this?? It shows a white woman and her clearly ethnic husband. She is so excited to present him with a brand new Lexus all tied up in a beautiful red bow. On first view of this commercial I was completely taken aback. Now I believe that you can’t choose who you love. Real love happens that way. But.... yes, there is a but, I have a problem with this commercial. I feel that it feeds into the stereotype of our black man choosing woman that do not look like their mama! And because he chooses this woman he gets a new Lexus as his prize. Family is it me? Am I being the Grinch on Christmas? What message does this send to our young women of color? When black men see this commercial do they wish that was them? I need to hear from my Pooka sisters to see what you think about this. In the meantime maybe we need to get back to the Reason for the Season and we wouldn’t need to worry about what kind of car we are driving on our way to church!

Peace Pooka Family

For Colored Girls…

Greetings Family! Well Dawn told you that we had a girl’s night to go see For Colored Girls when it opened a few weeks ago. I am still completely absorbed by the emotion of this beautiful, raw, honest, funny, intense, emotional, heart stopping and triumphant movie. My sisters…if you still have not seen it run don’t walk and take your girls with you. I must admit that I was a little nervous about seeing this movie. The book is always better than the movie in my opinion. Especially a book containing poems that jumped off the page and into your spirit. I tried not to read any reviews because I wanted to formulate my own opinion of how this work would play out on the big screen. I did read one review however that thought Tyler Perry would not give this most reverent book and play its due justice. I am here to tell you it is his best work yet family! It was truly awesome. I believe that he was able to bring these powerful words to a main stream audience, especially our younger sisters, who might not have otherwise been exposed to these stories of us. The words of Ntozake Shange flowed like liquid on the screen and they moved us from story to story, sometimes drowning us and sometimes washing us clean. Our stories are not always pretty. Sometimes our stories have pain that crosses from generation to generation. We may live in the pent house but we are not so high up that we can’t get hurt. But in the end we survive. We fight and laugh our way to the other side sisters! I am proud to be a Colored Girl because we are fierce and refuse to let anyone walk off with all our stuff!!
I love you Colored Girls!!

The Magic Bracelet!

Hola mi familia! Ok, that is Spanish for what’s up family! I have recently returned from a glorious week in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. The main objective for me and hubby, of this trip for our anniversary/we need a break, was to relax big time! And relax we did so much that I was actually exhausted from the relaxation lol! Can I always have this problem? We stayed at a fabulous all inclusive resort. Now usually when you check into these all inclusives you are provided with a wrist band to identify yourself and to let the resort know you paid your money to be there! Well when we got there we were given these lovely wooden bracelets instead of the snap on plastic kind they usually give you. That is when I knew we were in for a treat. I truly believe that bracelet has magical powers! Well…we know that you booked this room but is it ok if we upgrade you to a suite said the concierge, magic! Come right this way…we have special chairs for you on the beach said the hostess as she eyed my bracelet, magic! I believe you need another beverage with an umbrella in it while you relax by the pool said the waiter, magic! And on and on it went for our entire trip. It was painful to leave but I decided to take the magic home with me by keeping on my bracelet. On my first day back to work the train conductor asked for my ticket and I showed him my bracelet. He said it was nice but still needed to see my ticket. I tried to pay for my lunch with my bracelet but the deli wasn’t interested. I kept waiting at my desk for someone to bring me a refreshing beverage but it never happened. When I finally made it home I waved that bracelet as hard as I could so someone would bring dinner for me and my husband. Well family this never happened either. The only person who noticed me waving around like a crazy person was my husband who asked when I was going to the grocery store! That is when I knew vacation was really over. Now I am still wearing my bracelet and have decided that it will stay on until it falls off by itself. My husband is also still wearing his but that’s because he doesn’t know where we keep the scissors in our house… but anyway! I realize that the bracelet still does have magical powers because every time I look at it I am immediately taken right back to that tropical paradise. Gracias Punta Cana!!

For the Love of Food!

Greetings Pooka family! Now you know that I am both president and vice president of the National Food Association lol! All things food are right up my alley…reading cookbooks, watching the food network, cooking, EATING!! As a Foodie I have recently encountered an experience that I don’t know how to perceive. It is both perplexing and disturbing to me. If I had not personally experienced what I am about to share I may not have believed it! I was waiting in line outside of the subway station for the shuttle that takes me over the bridge to my day job. A woman, who I had never seen before, came up on line behind me and we nodded good morning to each other. Now I noticed that she had in her hand a very large iced something and a bag which I assumed contained the rest of her breakfast. Now she was juggling this cup and bag in her two hands and as a result she dropped the breakfast bag on the ground. Now family when she dropped the bag the remainder of her breakfast fell to the ground. It was the most delicious looking croissant I had ever seen, it was light and crispy and my fellow Foodies…it was filled with chocolate! We both looked down on the ground at her half eaten croissant and stared at in for a minute or two as we both mourned the loss together of her culinary treat. I looked up at her with empathy and told her that surely that was the best part that was now lying on the ground. She couldn’t even speak but nodded in agreement as she leaned down to pick up her remains. She looked around for a garbage can but none was present where we were standing. She then put the remainder of the croissant back in the bag where it had fallen from. She then shrugged her shoulders and put up her hands as if to say oh well, sometimes things happen or tomorrow I will have to get another croissant. But family I realized that is not what that shrug of her shoulders meant. For at that moment she reached down into the bag and pulled off a piece of that heavenly croissant…….AND SHE ATE IT!!! No kidding family!! I stared at her with my mouth wide open. I wanted to say REALLY???? I understood about not wasting food or the 10 second rule (but remember we mourned the loss of her croissant for at least 1 minute!) Was this the fiercest Foodie I have ever meant or was she just merely disgusting lol! Is there any food that I have such passion for that I would eat it from the ground of the platform outside of the NY city subway. Sorry family…..can’t think of anything. I have pondered this middle aged woman, who seemed polite and was nicely dressed. What would make her eat that and not care that I saw her do it!! Oh well family. I guess you never know what some people will do for the love of food!

Technology Rocks!

Greetings Pooka Family! Hope everyone is enjoying summer as it seems to be coming to a close. Well we can’t say it wasn’t hot! I am almost looking forward to fall (a little bit!) which is so not like me. Looking forward to sweaters and boots, cooking Sunday dinner in my oven, starting my intense winter work out (ok so maybe if I write it, it will be!!) and snuggling on the couch to watch tv. Now it is possible that I am feeling this way because of something new we just installed in our house. We just connected a DVR!!! Welcome to the 90s people!! I know that this is no big deal for most of you who have had a DVR forever. This is a big deal for me. My Pooka sisters make fun of me all the time for my lack of interest in technology. This is an even bigger joke because I work in IT!! I am a foodie not a techie. Now the DVR is completely simple and does not require that I get a certification to use it. The concept of it though is so fabulous. I will never miss another TV show. Did I mention how fabulous that is? There are never enough hours in my day just like anyone else’s. Sometimes in those hours all I want to do is take a nap. Now I can take a nap and watch that show whenever I feel like it. I can tape my cooking shows! I can tape those shows that I pretend not to watch like the Kardashians. I can record while in the middle of watching a show. The DVR will also let me pause while watching live tv. (Thanks for that tip Nyika!!) Fabulous. I can fit this into my schedule and not the other way around. Just another tool to help make life simple and that Pooka family is truly fabulous!

Motorcyle Momma!

Greetings Pooka Family! Hope everyone is having a great summer. I don’t really have any plans to go away right now so decided to just have fun with mini adventures. Staycations, that allow me to be outdoors while enjoying the weather. Experiences that are not to far from home that still provide a good time. While in this frame of mind I decided it was time for me to take my very first motorcycle ride! Thats right…just call me Motorcycle Mama Lynn!! Now my husband is a true motorcycle man from before our marriage. He recently purchased a beautiful new bike and was anxious for me to ride with him. I made excuses for as long as I could family lol! I knew it was my wifely duty to ride off into the sunset with my husband. One beautiful Saturday morning we both decided it was time. I put on my jeans, and sweat socks and boots (not those high fashion boots…don’t you have anything else said the husband!) Well I admit that it was a little warm but I must toughen up if I want to be a true rider. I was concerned that the helmet would not fit over my new afro but it did. Wait a minute, I feel a little warm in this helmet, there is not much air in here, I DON'T THINK I CAN BREATH!! (Just lift up the shield Donna to let air in said the husband!) Oh…. that is better. Ok, okI put on my bad to the bone jean jacket and walk toward the bike. What if I fall off the bike, what if I need to stop to go to the bathroom, what if this helmet will not come off over my afro!! I change my mind. I DON'T THINK I CAN DO THIS! (Yes you can says the husband. Get on the bike!) Ok.. I am on. This is great but we are standing still. I give the husband some rules. If I knock on his helmet that is a sign I am experiencing danger and he must stop. (can we go now says the husband!) OK...off we go!!!!!!!!!!! Knock, knock, knock….do you see that stop sign I scream! Knock, knock, knock we are approaching a red light! Knock, knock, knock there are no mirrors so I can help you drive! Knock, knock, knock I think my afro is getting bigger under this helmet. (Donna please stop knocking on my helmet and just sit back and enjoy the ride says the husband!!) Oh ok, I can do that. Hey, this is not bad. We are approaching the highway but I am calm people. Ok..not bad it is smooth sailing. Family, THIS IS SO MUCH FUN!!! I think that I was actually destined to be a motorcycle mama my whole life and didn't know it. I have missed out on so much but it is never too late. We ride to our family bbq and stop off for Ritas ice before we head home. What a perfect summer adventure!!! Family, this motorcycle stuff is really no big deal…once you get the hang of it. So look out for me on the open road this summer. I will be the one zooming by with the pink motorcycle helmet! Thats right…Motorcycle Mama Lynn!!

Afro Power!!!

Greetings Family! I just wanted to remind everyone that I am 8 months and counting of being perm free!! I am very proud of myself. I admit that any change is not always easy, so I am trying to find my style in this new natural world. I must share a story that has helped me to know that I am on the right track. I travel by NYC subway on my way to work each day. Last week as a walked through the station I saw the familiar newspaper men. They greet the commuters every morning with “Good Morning sir!” “Have a blessed day miss!” “The paper is free. Don’t be afraid to take it!!” I can always count on them, even when I can’t count on the subway. Well this particular morning I saw two or three of my newspaper friends huddled together. What was happening this morning? Was one man trying to take another’s spot? Did they run out of papers? Who is that new guy? Family, I was all in it lol! Well because I was staring so hard one of the newspaper men caught my eye. When I realized I was busted I quickly turned my head and kept on my way to work. Well family, it doesn’t pay to be nosy. All of a sudden, from behind me I hear yelling through the NYC subway……I SEE YA FOXY BROWN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Family……………OMG!!! Ok, maybe he is not talking to me. Maybe there are other sisters on their way to work with big afros! But no, I knew he was talking to me!! I slowly turned around and Jerome (probably not his real name) screams…..YEAH YOU!!!!!! I SEE YA FOXY BROWN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Extra big cheese burger smile included) Well family, I couldn’t help but crack up and smile right back at Jerome. He made my day and I have been telling this story ever since. He appreciated my afro and I appreciated him. So I dedicate my blog to all the Jerome’s getting their hustle on in the subway every day. Keep doing your thing. Power to the people Jerome!!

Love Foxy Brown

A Day at the Spa!

Greetings Family! I am heading out of town (Denise are you packed?) for a girls weekend in Charlotte (See you soon Andrea!!) We were trying to decide what to do this weekend when the spa was suggested. The spa gives me instant happiness! Saying the word spa just calms my nerves and spirit. I even have to write the word spa differently than I write any other words. I have never met a spa I didn’t like. All spas are not created equal but really how bad can any place be, that lets you walk around in a bath robe! If I can’t take a vacation then I go to the spa. Everyone speaks softly at the spa, it always smells of lavender and other yummy fragrances, they have healthy snacks and the water has fresh lemon and lime slices. The sound of the babbling brook that is coming out of the speakers in the waiting room is so soothing. The technicians that give me a hot stone massage, aromatherapy facial or rub my feet seem to know exactly what kind of week I had. Their job is to take me away on a wonderful spa journey even if it is only for a few hours. I sometimes dream of living at the spa. I realize that dream can not come true so I savor each spa experience until I can go on the next one. Pooka family, if you have never been to the spa please make an appointment. If you can’t remember the last time you have been go today!! We all work hard and need to be pampered every once in a while. When you go, make sure to tell them that Donna sent you. Remember to speak softly. We don't want to disturb those on their spa vacations!

For the love of….. Hair!

Greetings Pooka family. We have not chatted in a minute and sometimes it only takes a minute for something to change. Well maybe that is not entirely true. I guess in reality it has taken me a lifetime to decide what to do with my hair! Our hair. “Good”, “bad” or just trying to be in a pony tail minding its business. When I think of how many hours I have spent in my life worrying about my hair it is absolutely insane!! I have let so many hands touch my scalp; I have gone to places I had no business going to get my hair done! I have cut, curled, dyed and fried my hair. It is a miracle it hasn’t protested by deciding to walk straight off my scalp. Although after that one bad dye job, when I wanted my hair the same color as Beyonce’s before Beyonce even thought about it. Some of my hair did decide to take a hike! I have finally decided…..ENOUGH! Family I am six months and counting with no relaxer. My name is Donna and I am perm free!! I am giving my head, hair and mind a rest. I have a curly, twist thing happening right now. It is definitely different and I am still getting used to my new natural look. It is going to be fabulous to be fuss free for the summer. But most important I am giving my hair a much needed break. What will I do with all of these free hours that I used to devote to my hair? Hmmm…..the weather is changing. I think it’s time to get back to working on my backyard oasis!!

Her First Holiday Turkey!!!

Greetings Family! Well we are into the holiday season full swing and boy am I tired!!! Now you know that the holidays are a Foodies favorite time of year. So many recipes so little room in your stomach to try them all! Well......I hosted Thanksgiving this year, at my house, for the first time. This was a major big deal. I thought, ok I have every magazine and cookbook and have watched all of the food network holiday specials two times. I can do this!! I also thought that I would start with a small gathering to ease myself into this tradition. Well the ghosts of Thanksgiving past decided that I should have a house full of people. Ok, plan B to have everyone contribute to the festivities so a Foodie like myself didn't have a melt down. My mother and I planned the menu and gave everyone their assignments. My mother, aka, hostess extraordinaire, helped with the decorating and table setting and seating as well. I have big shoes to fill to follow my Mom. She is my hostess and decorating inspiration in life!! I made my shopping list and hit the store. I must admit however, that I had never cooked a turkey before. How hard could it be. Just like a big chicken right!! Well this is where my mother-in-law came in to save me. She stayed with us over the holiday and cooked her famous potato salad and her greens and cakes. She showed me how to prep and season the turkey. She even got up early in the morning to put the bird in the oven so it would be ready for our company!! I am forever grateful to her for this lesson. Now that is the type of mother-in-law that I hope all of you have! I made glazed carrots, cornbread stuffing and my sweet potato pies! My aunties made baked salmon, sweet potatoes and string beans. Tricia baked us a ham (you must accommodate the pork eating guests!!) and made her fabulous desserts. Yummy!! My mother made fantastic herb roasted chicken and her famous macaroni and cheese. Now I must inform everyone that there was a near riot because my mother only had one pan because she left the other one home! We worked it out though and everyone had plenty. Dawn made her famous..... she whipped up some.....well Dawn brought the bread!! Our creative genius makes body butter not things with real butter in them lol! We prayed over the food and our home and everyone had a great time. Everyone stayed for a long time with their bellies very full which is the sign of a good holiday dinner. They left with plenty of food to take home for left overs. All in all, it was a very successful first Thanksgiving. I couldn't have done any of it without everyone's help. I also want to give a special thanks to my husband who moved more furtniture and hung more curtain rods then he thought possible. Thanks hubby!! Just in case you are wondering….we will be celebrating Christmas at my parents' house!! Here is wishing everyone a good eating, happy and healthy holiday!!!