To say I love coffee is an understatement, I am enamored, over the moon, head over heels for coffee. There is no hyperbole too big to describe how I feel about coffee. We have an ongoing love affair that will stand the test of time.
That being said, my experimentations have resulted in the best cup of coffee I have ever had. I shall now, just in time for Valentine’s Day, share my recipe for love with all of you.
First you need honey, I use Nature Nate’s Raw Unfiltered local honey. I always suggest you use local, you will reap the most benefits from it.
First put the honey in the cup, then take cinnamon, make sure you mix it really well. If you mix the cinnamon with the honey it eliminates the pesky issue of the cinnamon just floating around., Plus, because it is mixed so well, the cinnamon taste is so much better.
You will then want to pour your coffee into the cup, leaving enough room at the top for what comes next.
I have created my own half and half, I use coconut milk, the real stuff, you will find it in the Asian aisle at the grocery store. It is in a can, you will need to open it and mix it up, as it does separate and forms cream, I always open from the bottom of the can and pour the liquid out first, then scoop out the cream. I then blend it in my nutribullet. It’s just easier that way.
Now for this next part, for full disclosure, I have a Nespresso that has the milk warmer with it. I pour some coconut milk in and SO Delicious coconut coffee creamer in. Sometimes I put a little cinnamon in this as well. Then I let it heat and mix together, as it does froth the concoction.
Next I pour the “half and half” into the coffee and choose my spot in the house and fully enjoy my nirvana.
There you have it, the perfect cinnamon/honey coffee. Which translates to heaven.
Het Up
There are a couple of things that I need to get off my chest as it were.
The very first thing is the giftgate as I call it, before I get started, this is not political, as most people are making it.
Melania Trump brought Michelle Obama a gift on inauguration day. Not just any gift, a Tiffany gift.
Anyway, she brought a gift, a very kind gesture from where I sit, and Mrs. Obama accepted the gift, now this is where a lot of people start in. On both sides.
When I saw the video of the exchange, I thought it was very sweet, the new First Lady bringing a gift to the exiting First Lady.
When Mrs. Obama accepted the gift, she then turned, and to me, it looked as if she were looking for an aide to take the gift. There was no one there, I saw a look of confusion, her husband then stepped in and took the gift and gave it to an aide.
The only one at fault here, in my opinion, is the aide, the aide should have come forward and asked would you like me to put the gift up until you are ready for it. Instead they left Mrs. Obama there to look around for help.
From what I am reading on the internet people on the right are saying Mrs. Obama was ungrateful and had a sour look on her face. I am going to defend that here, when I am looking for something or someone or trying to solve a problem I have that same look on my face. I have had people ask me why I’m angry. I am always taken aback, I’m not angry, I’m trying to find whatever or whoever it is.
People on the Left are saying Mrs. Trump should not have brought a gift. I find that incredibly inane. I thought it was thoughtful and kind. I hope it is a tradition that is picked up by future First Ladies. Bringing a gift to the exiting woman. You are essentially moving into what has been her home for the past 4 to 8 years.
If women are supposed to be for other women, then we should not be tearing these two down.
Next up, Planned Parenthood, can we just defund this now? I am tired of people saying that this institution is all about the health of poor women. If it is all about poor women, how are they making a profit? And since they are making a profit, they don’t need our money! They are making a profit, any entity that can afford to make political contribution of $1,073,464.00 doesn’t need federal funding.
So now we will no long be funding foreign abortions and that makes me happy. My tax dollars should not pay for abortions on foreign soil.
Those are the two things I’m het up about today.
Any comments, complaints or anything else can be sent to angie@angieworld.com
Take a Stand
Every news outlet tells us how divided our country is, divided by politics, gender, ethnicity and right to life. When I look at the news or Facebook, I start thinking they are right. If we are to believe everything we see on television and on line the United States of America is on the brink of another civil war.,
I have to say my personal experience is quite different. My neighborhood is very diverse. Black, white, Asian, Latino; I’ve seen no rioting in the streets.
My friendships include people from all walks of life, different political views, different religious beliefs and different levels of pigmentation. No rioting so far.
I work in a place that is all inclusive. Different religions, different ethnicities, different sexual orientations, different political views and different nationalities. No rioting in the cubicles.
If we are to believe every single thing the “news: (I use that word loosely) tells us, I should have not only seen but been in several bouts of fisticuffs by now.
I got nothing. Not even harsh words. You see, here’s the thing, and yes, there is always a thing; normal, everyday people with a modicum of common sense, well, we don’t behave that way.
We are civilized, we work around our differences, we have actual dialogues and show respect for one another. We can agree to disagree and go on with our daily tasks.
Now, on the internet, that is a whole different animal. People come out of their basement dwelling abodes to constantly show off their complete ignorance.
Case in point, there was a post on Facebook about our (yes our) new President.
I stated I would be praying for his success. I was vilified for this, I was called a gun totting bible thumper. I’ll take it. I don’t actually have a gun, but if I did, I can see me totting it. Also, I am a proud follower of Jesus Christ. You can call me bible thumper, Jesus freak or anything else you want. I’ll simply say thank you and move on.
However, this was my answer, I pray for every president, whether I voted for them or not. I prayed for President Obama, I prayed for President Bush, I prayed for President Clinton, I prayed for President Bush sr, I prayed for President Reagan and before him President Carter. Before that I was more interested in getting to my favorite swing before anyone else at recess.
Hoping that the President of the United States fails is like praying the bus you’re on crashes and burns with you in it.
It is up to us, the people of the United States of America to do the right thing. Always.
Take a stand, make a mark, stand United as one. We the people will overcome any and all obstacles as long as we remain United.
Consider yourself a musketeer.
Having said all of this I am more than willing to give President Trump a chance, he is already proving he has the people in his heart before even taking office. Working with corporations to not only keep jobs here in America, but to bring them back to U.S. soil.
As for you women donning vagina hats, you do not represent me. I have actual dignity, maybe not grace all of the time, but definitely dignity and you do not represent me. Take off your vagina hat and do something useful. Volunteer in a neighborhood that could use your passion, help feed people. Help clothe people and help children find a way out of poverty. Surely you want to show the world you are more than a vagina head.
The Travels of Foy and Odela
This is the day my family waits for, Friday the 13th in January. It’s the best day. My parents were married this day and yes, it was a Friday. They were married for 59 years before my dad passed away. We consider this day a good luck day. We don’t believe in luck, except for this day, Friday the 13th in January.
I know I typically tell the story of how they met and eventually fell in love, however, today I am going to tell a different story, the one of how they journeyed to California during the depression.
Foy and Odela realized that in order for them to make enough money for their family to thrive they needed to leave Oklahoma.
So, they packed up their Model T Ford and started the journey to California. Foy had already been there and knew that there were so many more opportunities than where they were at. Odela trusted his judgement more than anyone else on earth.
They packed up not only themselves but a four-year-old and a baby. Off they went, they worked their way across the country, picking cotton, picking fruit, vegetables, whatever work they could find.
When they made it to New Mexico their car decided it had been worked too hard and died. On the road, in the middle of nowhere with darkness coming on quickly.
A family drove up that spoke very little English, however through gestures and some words Foy was able to let them know what the problem was. The father of the other family was able to convey Foy, Odela and their children should get in their car and come home with them.
So off they went, trusting that these were good people. They were, they were also very literally dirt poor, the house had a dirt floor, but the family happily shared their food and made a pallet for Foy and Odela and their children.
The next morning the family once again shared their food with the travelers. The father took Foy to fix the car and Odela helped the mother clean up after breakfast.
Foy was able to fix the car and they continued on to California.
Odela would later say it was the first time she had ever encountered people who were not like her. She would say it was one of the best experiences of her life and she felt God had purposely allowed their car to break down so she could meet that family.
Foy and Odela started life out as poor as the proverbial church mouse, but they worked hard, never complained about the work and not only made it to California, their family flourished. They eventually made their way back to Oklahoma where they spent the rest of their days.
Almetta
Today I had to say goodbye to someone I was not ready to say goodbye to. My dear friend Sandi’s mother passed away on New Years day. Today we all gathered to say not goodbye, but see you later. I have no doubt I will see Al again someday.
I was completely floored when I was asked to say a few words at her memorial service. I cannot fully express what a true honor it was.
Her daughter Sandi was not only my friend, she was my mentor, my confidant, my sister in Christ, saying see you later to her was so hard, having her mother gone now brings it all back to the forefront. I will miss both of those ladies like crazy now. The world is just a little bit dimmer without Al in it. So here is my farewell to her:
There are many words that come to mind when speaking about Almetta McQuarters.
Kind, generous, welcoming, a great dancer, anyone who has been to a Mary Kay function with Al can tell you that she was the first one on the dance floor when the music started. Fashion icon, loving, joyous and, I save the best for last, a woman of God.
To be in Al’s presence meant you felt welcomed, it is a rare trait, to be able to make anyone in your presence feel like they belonged. She made it look easy, she always had a word for anyone that she came into contact with. It truly was an amazing thing to watch.
It is no mystery why, year after year, she won the highest honor there is in Mary Kay. Miss Go-Give, it simply means that she was always quick to jump in and do whatever was needed. Greeting guests, making them feel welcome, helping set up and helping clean up afterwards.
I have a story that I would like to share, to me it optimizes exactly who Al was.
After Sandi passed, some of us formed a group we called the ladies that lunch. Once a month we gather, either at a restaurant or someone’s home.
Roughly 6 to 7 months after Sandi passed away Al said she would like to host the gathering in her home.
So, on the designated day we all gathered in Almetta’s home, there was good food, great fellowship. We told stories about Sandi, we laughed, we cried and just had a good time.
Al said she had chosen some mementos of Sandi she had gathered and she wanted to share them with us.
We could each choose one. She took us into her guest room where she had lovingly laid out the things she wanted us to choose from.
This was not done in a haphazard way; you could feel how much thought had gone into the activity of choosing what she wanted to share.
As we went in, she began to guide us towards what she thought we would love the best.
She was right, what she had guided me towards was a perfect token of Sandi’s memory for me. It was a book of poetry that she would read when she came to visit with Al.
Al told me they would sit on the patio and Sandi would read to her.
She put such time and attention into taking care of each of us. In her grief, she found strength in helping others get through theirs.
That she could do this says what kind of person she was, she was strong.
She is everything Proverbs 39 talks about.
She was a woman of noble character whose worth was above rubies and we are all better for having had the privilege of knowing her.
Disney Woes
Something has been bothering me for a while now, it is a disturbance in the Force.
So, an open letter to Disney I am writing, on behalf of little girls everywhere. But mostly Tessa.
Dear Disney,
I have a nine-year-old granddaughter that loves you, she not only loves you, she loves Star Wars. She not only loves Star Wars, she loves Darth Vader, Chewbacca and anything that has to do with a lightsaber.
Last year, when I went on a search for an outfit for her annual Christmas pictures, I lucked out, I found the most amazing outfit ever. At Kohl’s of all places, I will include her Christmas picture from last year at the end of this blog so you can see how amazing it was.
This year I was on a quest to purchase her an outfit or pajamas with her beloved Darth Vader.
Do you think I found any girl outfits with him on it? You know the answer; it is no. I ended up buying her boys pajamas with storm troopers on it talking about the Dark Side.
I did a search online for any and all girl Star Wars clothing. The majority is pink, purple and has no bad guys on them. None. No Darth Vader, no Darth Maul, not even Anakin Skywalker, before the Dark Side took over. I didn’t even find a Princess Leia outfit, now there are costumes, but no shirts, pajamas or dresses.
I did find a couple of dresses online, but nothing like last years. This year’s offerings were paltry in comparison.
I am begging you to understand that little girls everywhere love Star Wars and love all characters, no just ones deemed appropriate for girls.
They also love the Marvel Universe, they love Thor, Ironman, Hulk and Black Widow. With Black Panther and Captain Marvel on the horizon, I am begging you to step up your girl game.
Please understand that girls are as equally nerdy and geeky as boys, they enjoy wearing their favorite characters and would love to have clothes made to fit them.
I know what you are thinking, buy a boy’s shirt, well, they are boxy and cut short. They are really strange fitting, so if you could make girl shirts and pajamas and gowns and dresses it would be awesome.
I know I would appreciate it, she would appreciate it, as would many other little girls worldwide.
You have an opportunity to make an impact here Disney, you do the spunky princess so well. You know little girls; you know sass and heart and having the courage of your convictions. You know smart women characters, Belle comes to mind right away, Tiana is another. They were the rescuers in their worlds.
Princess Leia was a perfect fit to your world, no one in any galaxy, compares to her. She taught us so much when I was young, and she continues to teach generations even now.
Pick up a blaster and save yourself and your so-called rescuers, there was, is and never will be another one of her.
Please keep her legacy alive and give our girls a clothing line worthy of our beloved Princess.
Angie World 