GLENARDEN COMMUNITY DAY- LOOK WHAT I WON!

SERVICE OF EXCELLENCE AWARD

 


    Anyone that knows me, knows that I am from Glenarden, Maryland and I am VERY proud of it! This weekend, I was a part of the committee that organized the 2nd Annual Glenarden Day & "I Walk For You" Walk-A-Thon for the community! There were performances by the 1st Baptist Church of Glenarden, a spoken word performance by Orville "The Poet" Walker and a visual art presentation by Saheed Fawehinmi !

   As a TRUE surprise, I was given the "Service of Excellence" award for my contributions towards the community in the 23 years I have been a resident! I am truly honored, not because of the award, but because I am so proud to come from a city that has groomed me to be proud of where I came from, but to also push forward for the better. 

   Glenarden may not be known as the greatest area to live in for some, however, with the bad there is always the good. My paternal grandmother has been a resident for over 40 years, my maternal grandparents got their start as a new family there, my maternal grandmother owned 2 beauty salons in Glenarden, and my parents met as young children there.  Unbeknownst to me until about four years ago, my paternal in-laws have also been residents for 40+ years! 

    Although I have moved into a new area with my family, Glenarden will always be my home. While we must always push to grow up and out, I am so blessed and thankful to come from a place that has groomed so many people that I love and admire, and I will continue to give to my family, friends, and community!!!

-Patrice

FISH FRY FRIDAYS----Patrice's Beer Battered Fried Jerk Fish Recipe!!

So my family is on a HUGE health kick. We have done this before, but we are now determined to make it a lifestyle; howwwwwwever, we still have tons of food that will NOT be on our list in our house and WE DO NOT WASTE FOOD lol!  We decided to give some food away, but eat the rest and start fresh in August. With that said, I saw some leftover cornmeal, half jar of jerk seasoning we use, and a beer bottle and created a recipe last night! I have been getting good with creating things in the kitchen in the last year so I decided to share my newest recipe with you!

Patrice’s Beer Battered Fried Jerk Fish

(Still trying to think of a cooler name)

10-12 pieces of de-boned fish (I prefer Pollock)

Oil (For frying)

Beer Batter Mix

½ Cup of Walkerson’s Traditional Jamaican Jerk Seasoning (Your preference to use Mild or Hot & Spicy)

2 eggs

1 Cup of Beer

Dash of salt

Fry Batter mix

3 cups of cornmeal

2 cups of flour

Season salt (about ½ cup)

Pepper (2 Table spoons)

   1. Rinse thawed fish and place to the side

   2. Heat skillet with oil, or start deep fryer (I cheat and use the deep fryer lol)

   3. Prepare Fry Batter Mix; use a large Ziploc bag and combine cornmeal, flour, season salt, and pepper. Use Season salt and pepper to your discretion- I pour enough to make flour and cornmeal look LIGHT red and well mixed with pepper.

   4. Prepare Beer Batter Mix; mix jerk seasoning, eggs, beer together in a separate bowl. Add a dash of salt.

   5. Dip pieces of fish into the Beer Batter mix then Fry Batter Mix and place into a separate bowl. Continue until a fish is coated.

   6. Fry fish- 1 ½ min on each side in skillet, 3 minutes in deep fryer

   7. Drain by placing fish on paper towel-lined plate and Serve.

This was so good, I may have to bring this back when we have a "Cheat Day". Hope you enjoy! I got no complaints from my family...and in my *Olivia from The Cosby Show voice* "We are still alive!" lol :-) 

Here is a pic (This was all that was left):

I HAVE BEEN SLUMMING MAN....

OK, so it has almost been a month since I made a post, but I have been CRAZY busy. I have had the Blog on my mind though! I have been taking pictures of the things I have been doing, so I figure, this post will be that last few weeks presented in pictures! Here goes:

SECRET LIVES! 
So I was in another installment of the stage play Secret Lives of Ministry Wives! It was an amazing production (once again). There were many challenges, but we made it through. Kudos to the cast for the best professionalism and "coming-through-ness" ever! 




WATKINS PARK TRAILS 
    I had an amazing time with my brother, nieces, nephew, and The Seans at Watkins park. We went initially to see the Nature Center and play on the playground, but in an impromptu decision (not made by me lol), we walked on one of the trails at Watkins Park in Upper Marlboro, Md! We had a stroller with us which is why I didn't think this was such a good idea. Of course the trail was not paved AND it got smaller as we got deeper....it was an adventure, but next time, we will plan better! 




FOODIE GIRL
If you haven't noticed, I LOVE food! Especially trying new types of foods. As a post-birthday treat, my BFF Tiffany took me somewhere (mum on where) and then we had breakfast at a nice restaurant in Bethesda. I cannot remember the name, but they specialized in Seafood (my fave) and New Orleans Cuisine. I had a shrimp omelet with salsa and beignets and she had poached eggs with salsa. Her meal is below, as I had already eaten mine by the time we thought about taking a picture lol! 




AFTER THE STORM! 
As most people in the DC/Metropolitan area experienced, we had a crazy storm recently! Some were without power for days on end. My family was lucky, as we only had a few hours that night without power. After a few hours using battery operated candles (smart me!), we were back in business. It wasn't until the 2 days later, I went out on the deck and saw that half of my gutter was hanging off my house!!! I took this picture for the insurance company, but here you go!

*dials insurance company immediately*

RETIREMENT

My high school principal, Mrs. Helena Nobles-Jones, has truly been a star in my life. We have had a very strong personal relationship and she has been an inspiration in my life as a loving, yet strong woman. After over 30 years of service in education, she retired from Prince George's County Public Schools this past June, and will (hopefully) REST as she has given TIRELESSLY to her students over the years. My husband and I were able to attend her WONDERFUL retirement party and she seemed to enjoy herself.

Not only did we share a last name for years, but when I went to college in New York, unbeknownst to me and my other BFF Monique, her nephew went to the same school and was pretty much our big brother, showing us the ropes. We figured out, much later, that Mrs. Nobles-Jones was his aunt, and his mother (her sister) invited us to spend the weekend in Boston with him. Mrs. Nobles-Jones' love spreads all throughout her family and extended to us then and for that, along with many other things, we are grateful! 

We love you. 

THE END! 

No long post today! Just a proud Big Sister showing off her brother's basketball skills!!   

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzxJQ7tST6g&feature=youtu.be 

SUPER HAPPY

So this weekend was amazing, and it keeps going!!! I think I want to This week coming is going to be extremely busy for me, so I am going to create a new project called "My Week In Pictures" where I will post pictures from what I have done....a snapshot into my life!!! Today though, I wanted to post a Devotion from Joel & Victoria Osteen. Enjoy! 

                                                        

Closer Than You Think TODAY’S SCRIPTURE “So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded” (Hebrews 10:35, NIV) TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria Have you been praying and believing for something that seems like it’s taking a lot longer than you thought? Many times, people can miss God’s best simply because they give up before they see their “due season” come. Don’t let that be you! Be encouraged today, your answer is closer than you think. If it seems like things are getting more difficult, remember, when the intensity heats up, that means you are closer to your victory. It’s always darkest just before the dawn arrives. You serve a faithful God, and He’s working behind the scenes on your behalf. Don’t cast away your confidence today because your reward is coming. And just like a new mother forgets about her labor pain when she is finally holding her newborn, you’ll forget about your struggle when you are holding on to your promise. While you are waiting, keep an attitude of faith and expectancy. Wake up every morning and say out loud, “I’ve come too far to give up now. My due season is coming. I will reap my harvest.” Stay in faith and look for His hand of blessing because He has promised you victory, and it’s closer than you think! A PRAYER FOR TODAY Father in heaven, today I stand believing that You are working behind the scenes on my behalf. Give me Your strength to continue believing until I see Your promises fulfilled in my life in Jesus’ name. Amen. — Joel & Victoria Osteen

BIRTHDAYS, BRUNCHES, AND BUSINESS

BIRTHDAYS, BRUNCHES, AND BUSINESS

Happy  Birthday to MEEEEE! 

  Tomorrow, June 16, is the celebration of my birthday! I love celebrating other people's birthdays, but this year, I am told I have many surprises in store. I already saw one last night! Being super excited for surprises that are coming my way, I am going to dress for the occasions! Yes occasion with an "s"! I am not sure what I am doing, but I want to be prepared...I think these are some of my outfit choices: 

Relaxed Maxi Dress for a ""Chill Outing"

Blue & White Blazer over a short white dress! 

I'll fit these in somewhere!!

PS- Happy Birthday Tupac! 

Father's Day Brunch

  In lieu of Father's Day this year, my sister from other parents (Angie) and I are hosting the 1st Annual Father's Day Brunch at my home for all of the fathers in our family! One of the recipes- PUMPKIN GINGER WAFFLES! As a present, I got an "Circus Animal Waffle Iron" (thanks to Dwayne & Luisa :-) ...so I will be putting it to good use this weekend!

Recipe for Pumpkin-Ginger Waffles: 

http://www.countryliving.com/recipefinder/pumpkin-ginger-waffles-recipe

COOL WAFFLE IRON

New Business Ventures

   God has been making moves in my life and I LOVE IT! I started a new business venture and it is TAKING OFF in a very short amount of time. The best part is that it is in agreement with my household, relationships, and other life pursuits. In respecting the gift, I am vowing to stay organized, and my first step is going back to making my LIST..yes- The List..for anyone that juggles multiple tasks at once (ie... being a mother or entrepreneur...or both lol), keeping up with your LIST is important...it helps to track what you are doing, what you need to do, and what you want to do....I used to make lists ALL the time, but I have been a bit lazy lately! So, I am turning over a new leaf...here is THE LIST! 

So in true "me" fashion, I've been extremely busy, but it has given me time to successfully think...about a lot. I believe we all have times in our lives where we need to stop the wheels from spinning and just think...My goal for my life is to live in my truth...I don't want to just live in my truth, I want to breathe, swim, snorkel and errthang lol. Part of that is understanding my truth with others..like "Why is this person my friend?" or "Why did I say yes to doing this thing I don't want to do?" I often scold myself on the second one, because God does not like us to do things in vain...so I am on a mission to continue to search for truth in all that I do...painful at times, the truth and being true to thine self is one of the great accomplishments of life....

GETTING IN THE ZONE

Soooo, today marks Day #2 of my running/working out. I used to run track & Cross Country in high school (thanks for making me Dad), so my body can snap back a little easier (because of muscle memory)....but it takes some work! The biggest part of training is CONSISTENCY! Even if you just run a mile everyday, your body will start to change quicker than doing an intense workout...every other week. I am surrounded by trainers also!!! My best friend is a personal trainer, and a good friend and former classmate has her own Boot Camps called Fab Body Workout (follow her on twitter @FabBodyWorkout)...anyhoooo like most women, my abs are the target! Less than 9 year ago, I definitely had a BANGING six pack...I won't tell you what "pack" I'm on now lolol....Once you get older, it is so much harder, but if "they" can do it, I can....I love to run and listen to music or do a circuit training with other people, so that's what I'll do! Tomorrow, I'll talk diet lol! 

Writing in the studio...

My inspiration for writing in the studio came from this song :-)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_odTlZaoLCA

Klymaxx "Meeting in the Ladies Room"

Today is JUNE 1st!!!! Which officially starts my birthday month (and yes, I am one of those people who celebrates their birthday alllll month lol). 

I share my birthday with a famous Gemini- TUPAC!!! So today, I'm bumping him ALLLLL day long..and for the next 15 days!!! 

One of my favorite songs...the concept is AMAZING...I love songs like this...James Morrison

                                               http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIg8kNfJpsg 

Love this picture :-)...I call it "BIG SHOES TO FILL"

I have FINALLY STARTED MY BLOG! This was easier than I thought. I am sure as I do more, I will run into a problem, but I will embrace the ease today :-). I just need to fight with this Timezone setting- I am not on Pacific Daylight Time...Thanks to my "Secret Friend" lol, I got the inspiration to start a blog...so thank ya kindly :-).   This is my personal blog (as I plan to have a few)...just a place to put my thoughts on LIFE! I can't wait to share my world with everyone! Back to working on my business plan today, so for now, have a great day! 

~Patrice