Booze, Bags and Brunches

Wow Peeps, I didn't realize how long it's been since I posted anything.  I'm so sorry for being out of touch.  I feel bad because I purposely bought a camera in order to make more dynamic posts and here I am not posting at all.  

Well, let's see, since we got a new president I went through a self-imposed rehab, started running on a regular basis, hit an all time high/low at Target and managed to lose a Tin Foil Chef competition.  I use the term 'lose' loosely.

REHAB:  Due to my crazy antics over the holiday season, I told myself and others, that I was going to do a self imposed rehab (SIR), no drinking for 28 days.  Since this month is the shortest month of the year, it would be the perfect time.  And I am happy to say I successfuly made it through.  Thank goodness Sundays don't count in self imposed rehab.  Neither does an occasional Friday or Saturday, oh and a $1 beer Monday (blame DC Special Friend for that one).  Hey, I didn't say 28 days in a row!  

The first week of SIR was tough, not so much that I wasn't drinking, but that I was not allowing myself to go out, thus depriving myself of a social outlet.  That first Friday was a nailbiter, What was I missing? Who was doing what? What if something caught on fire?  I knew in my head the answers to my questions were absolutely no one, nothing and just wait; but I am used to witnessing the nothingness firsthand.   I soon found out that sitting on ones hands all evening has its benefits.  I woke up bright and early that Saturday morning and allowed The District to convince me to go on a quick run.  What I didn't realize was that when he said quick, he really meant a tour of Northwest DC.  I'm glad I did it though because he got me through my mental block of not being able to run for more than 3 miles.  I think we actually did 5 that day.  I rewarded myself with a pair of running shoes from Fleet Feet, owned by Mayor Adrian Fenty's mama and daddy. 

TARGET:  By not going out I knew I was going to save alot of money.  I did. However, I spend it all the first week at Target.  I was due for a trip to my favorite store, so I Zip Car'd it on over to Potomac Yard.  I walked in the doors grabbed a red cart and I can't tell you what happened next.  What I can tell you is I-LOST-MY-MIND!!  2 hours and 358 dollars later I drove home in a Target induced high and still can't tell you what I bought.  But, hey, it's Target so you know you're gonna use it eventually.   

TIN FOIL CHEF:  I also managed to compete in a Tin Foil Chef competition against KCC , see RSVP for details.  The loss was the closest in TFC history and now that KCC has retired he appointed two new competitors.  The next morning/afternoon we had a wonderful consolation brunch that Ponchatrain Pete made the next day with the leftovers. Pictured below: P2's Duck Breast Monte Christo, Chorizo Pig in a Blanket and Blackjack's amazing Quiche.

So that about sums it up kids, hopefully there will be more posts this month as the weather warms up and I get outside more.

Oh and for those who are keeping track, 

POINTS PUSHERS UPDATE:  KCC is down 20 pounds.  Me? Yeah. Still the same exact weight as when I started this damned program.  Oh well, the cooking part is fun.

My New President

A Very Special Day

It's the start of a new year and the beginning of another one for our Special Friend!! Happy Birthday Sister. We've mastered the grocery store, urban camping and bicycle accidents (Thank God for helmets!) I look forward to many more debaucherous adventures this year. U Street, consider yourselves warned.

How to Make a Sister Cry:

After years of hearing me bitch and bitch and bitch, my very good friends got together and purcahsed an item that I have coveted for the longest time. A Kitchen-Aid Mixer! I do not deserve this and I do not deserve such wonderful friends that would bestow me with this fantastic gift. I cry as I write this. Thank you all. I love you all the most and I am super grateful to have such loving people in my life! I apologize in advance for the WW unfriendly products that will come your way. And I apologize even more in advance that I now have the tools to beat KCC in the next Tin Foil Chef Competition. Bring it!

Weave Are Family

I finally made it to the 'burg. Kickin it in Brew's basement. winding down after the Bears win. And by winding down. I mean one last shot for the evening before family pictures at Sears. Yeah. I said it. Sears Family Portrait Studios. Not happy about it. At all.

Secrets of a New Found Diva

For quite awhile now, I have been in a bit of a rut and I knew I needed something new and different. One day I came across a reality show that I swore I wasn't going to watch, but like several shows in my life, this one grew on me. The Real Housewives of Atlanta introduced the world to one of the funniest, crass, down to earth "housewives" ever. Not only is she full of energy, she has one of the best hairstyles that I've ever seen in my life. I knew what I had to do. I began research unbeknownst to many of my friends and then I did a little legwork which brought me to one of the best Hair Salons in DC.After a lengthy consultation with a very informative and skillful stylist, I committed to this new project. Unfortunately, I had to wait 3 whole weeks for my transformation. The anticipation was killing me. I woke up on December 17th like a 5 year old does on Christmas! I jumped out of bed got in the shower ready to get a new look!! Then the phone rang. My Fairy Godmother and her Lovely Latina Apprentice informed me that the hair didn't arrive and we needed to reschedule. And just like a 5 year old on Christmas that didn't get any presents, I held my head down and moped for an hour! Then, the phone rang AGAIN!! It was a beautiful voice telling me the hair came and now it was game on. I pulled myself together and ran down the street.

Many of my sisters out there may think it treasonous for what I am about to show you, but I had a great experience and I want to share it with my peeps.

My hair was colored and blow dried
Then braided to create a canvas where a piece of art will evolve. Better known as tracks.



Next, my new hair was sewn in.



After 4 hours the masterpiece was complete. These are the ladies who made it all happen. Thank you Fairy Godmother and Princessa Venezuela!!
Yes Ma'am. Sister is goin out TONIGHT!!!

Jesus' Birthday Month Day 7

Holiday season is upon us, so instead of the normal Sunday Funday I came to 1532 and cooked Point Pusher meals with KCC while Blackjack trimmed the tree. It's a fierce fabulous festive tree and if you look close enough you may find a feline creature lurking about acting like a present.

LL in 'da House!

You can't tell from the picture, but I am at the early show at the 8:15 Bar enjoying, yes Enjoying, the Loretta Lynn concert. She's such a cute sassy old woman. Reminds me of my Gramma. Jesus rest her soul. Music is great and her vintage gown with rhinestones make the experience that much more Grand Ol' Opryish. I do have to quote my friend KCC though " You can't swing a dead cat without hitting a homo" Dude, it's gayer than gay in this trailer. Where are my hot redneck straight boys? Ya'll think I came here for the talent?

Turkey Day 2K8

Editor's Note: Pictures to be posted soon. I took tons of pictures from my phone, but it is a tedious process getting multiple phone pics on line. For now, this one sums up the satisfying evening

Thanksgiving is a wonderful time of year. It is a time when we reflect upon our lives and think about what we are thankful for. Or we can see it for what it really is; the pilgrims pillaged and raped the indigenous peoples of the Americas and later called it a celebration of peace. I will take the former just so I can have an excuse to eat delicious decadent treats.

Which brings me to my next point. I am so thankful to have such wonderful gracious friends. I am even more grateful that all of them have cooking skills. That proves beneficial on days like this, when some of us are not able to get to (or want not to get to) our families for a 4 day weekend.

Kansas City Chief and Blackjack have hosted a dinner for the past few years. But really just a venue for all of us to show off our kitchen masterpieces and it has been a fantastic time each year. KCC brines and cooks the fresh bird from the local farm; Blackjack makes a fantastic seasonal stuffing with sausage, cranberries and apples. They leave the rest to us:

As stated earlier, KCC brined a turkey with my favorite herb rosemary, it was one of the most perfectly cooked turkeys I've ever had. He also made a Brown Butter and Shallot Mashed Potato that was to die for. Who knew mashed taters could ever be so damned tasty.

The Garden District, in true form, provided a decadent Gnocchi with brown butter, parmesan cheese and bacon. Pardon me while I wipe the drool off of my keypad.

Southern Belle Bee prepared in house a dish of Kale, Smoked Bacon and Cranberries. He also contributed a yummy Pumpkin-Ginger Pie for desert.

Ya'll know I had to keep it real and represent with the Soul Food sides: Macaroni & Cheese, Collard Greens and a Sweet Potato Casserole, half topped with marshmallows and the other half topped with a toasted butter coated pecan topping (shout out to RSVP)

The piece day resist tahnce belongs to Sophia Spinelly, who provided a Cooking Light Corn Pudding that may put some Southern natives to shame and a Bourbon-Pecan Tart that would make Paula Deen do a jig. It was topped with a Maker's Mark Hand Whipped Cream that I might be spooning as I type. MMMMMMM! So goood.

We worked off our night by playing "Trailer" (formerly called Parlour) Games but not before Sophia took a quick break (pictured above).
Blackjack's co-worker, Sid, and his beautiful wife, Nancy, were brave enough to stop by and participate in the reindeer games. Sorry Blackjack, I hope you still have a job by Monday; or at least co-workers that still respect you.

But really, this has to be one of my most favorite T-Days by far. It might surpass the one when I was 20 and finally stood up to my older cousin who used to tease me as a kid cause she thought I acted too white. Kids say the darndest things...

The Return of PollyAnnie

She's baaaaack!! And in full force too. After somewhat of a tumultous tenure at the 703 location, she finally threw in the towel and told Frank's Fish House to stick it where the sun don't shine. Unbeknownst to her Frank's Fish Hut is a Black Hole. One can try to escape but you will get sucked, better yet, vortexed back in. I'm super happy she's back. When we saw each other it was like Nettie and Celie once again reunited after Mister separated them in The Color Purple. Sisters fo' eva and eva! Glad your back girl!

Point Pushers Week #5

I know this is boring, but I made a commitment and I am going to stick to it, for now. This weeks Point Pushers update is brought to you by Kansas City Chief. He went recipe free this week and we made some fantastic meals; Lasagna, Chicken Curry and even Burritos!! Yes, my friends I said it Burritos, low point Burritos!!! This hermana can't be happier.

Neither one of us lost any weight last week, but we both agree that we feel better and we see some sort of loss, despite what the scale says. Either way, I'm super excited for food this week. Now I have to start planning for next week. KCC is a competitive person so wether or not I like it, I have been challenged to come up with tasty low point treats. I'm pretty sure I can make a fabulously healthful tuna casserole. He'll definitely like that for sure!

Beach House Slumber Party

RSVP and Peanut graciously invited us to Peanut's family beach house in Stone Harbor, NJ. Since the season is over they figured it would be ok to make time for there C-List friends. We had a grand time playing games, cooking and strolling the beach in the nearly deserted town. It was awesome. KCC and I secretly made RSVP an early birthday cake in front of his face and he didn't even know about it until we surpised him at dinner. Thanks boys I had fun. More thanks to Peanut for pretending to like me while we played Scrabble. You know the game where Blackjack got 50 pts for SILICON? See you back on the streets of DC.

BFF's

I love my friends. I really really do. And it warms my heart even more when they show their love by giving me flowers. But when my Bestie thinks it's cute to present me with flowers in a lovely vase (pronounced vaaas) filled with a heavanly botanical mixture of Jack Daniels and Diet Coke I get a little perterubed. Especially since I was sippin' on it. Mexi' I love you with all my heart and I appreciate you wanting to express our everlasting friendship to the world but if you eva, eva, eva, f*uck with my drink again, you might find yo' self by yo' self; fell out in an ally cut up with razor blades and sprinkled with lemon juice... Love you Girl, mean it!

YES WE DID!!!

AH-MAY-ZING!!! America, you have your First New Black President!! What are you going to do now?! I am so full of emotion, awe, and amazement that I don't even know what to do. I am witnessing history right now. At 11:00pm EST, CNN Projected that Barack Obama was the new Presidential Elect!!! I literally went outside and ran the streets when they made the announcement (at the same time screaming into the phone to my Mom). I went out and fist bumped people, hugged strangers and thanked random folk for doing their part. People were so welcoming and so excited. I feel so blessed, privileged and lucky to be part of this historical moment. The picture above does not do this moment justice. This is a 3 block stretch of U Street where everyone is celebrating. 40 years ago there were riots in this same exact spot. I don't even want to think about what would have happened if he lost. Thanks for Barakin' the Vote Ya'll. See you in Disneyland Beeznatches!!!

Point Pushers Week #3

This weeks Point Pushers update has been pre-empted by Glamazon's new bling. She and her friend Madge (pronounced Maaadgeh) are here from She-Kaah-Go because they want to be here when 'IT' all happens. And by 'IT' I mean Obama winning. Anyway, my point is my girl's man just put a ring on her finger and we are very happy for her. This picture does not do this rock justice. I couldn't turn on the flash cause then you would all be blind. I'm still wearing shades it's so bright.

P.S. I gained 0.8 lbs KCC lost 3. I hate boys.