Rantings of a Creole Princess

Mother's Day!

If a genie appeared and gave you the PERFECT mother's day according to YOUR WISH...what would happen?

Easter 2012!

I love mother-daughter pictures.  Especially when they are color coordinated!

This is my dear, dear, friend.  She's been through so much recently and this profile shows her strength.  Seriously.  

Jaru is surveying the Easter egg decorating center.

The very thought of an Easter BASKET when you're 13 made E shudder so he got an Easter JAR.  LOLOLOLOL!

A 13700 Easter basket!

Play clothes!  LOL!  #OldSkoolMama

Of course he wouldn't let me take a REAL pic of him.

My Bella.  Isn't she perfect?

Another of my "Huxtable family" friends.  LOL!  SO PERFECT!

Don't be fooled.  She has no use for flowers.  LOL!

Looking like her daddy with hair.  LOL!

I love her.

He loves her too.

My Becca brought me a Georgetown Cupcake.  Red Velvet!  Okay...so she brought enough for all.  I just wanted to be special!

A tabletop terrarium!  This is lavender!

Sage!  I searched high and low for small pots and couldn't find any.  These are sugar containers I found for $2.99 at HomeGoods.  I removed the lids and VOILA!  A small pot!

Speckled eggs!

I only got to take pics of those who arrived super early and I'm soooooooo sorry.  Everyone looked stunning in their Easter finery and I really wish you guys could see it.  I didn't post mine cuz seriously...I'll be wearing it again soon.  ROFL!  

The food was delicious and we had a REALLY good time hanging and laughing.  Truly hope you guys had the same!

HAPPY EASTER FROM 13700!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Easter Decor Prep!

Aren't you thinking what in the world I'm going to do with it?  :)

Instagram for Android is hot.  Kinda.  You know.  'Cept when it shuts down for no reason at all.  Other than that?  HOT.

Connected by DROID on Verizon Wireless

It's Good Friday!!!!!!!!

Are you working today?

If not...what are your plans for the day?

Easter Menu

What's on your menu this year?

If you're not cooking...where are you eating?

 

Easter at 13700!

Food will be ready at 2:00pm.

If you don't have anywhere to be or anywhere you want to be...you are more than welcome to bend an elbow with us, as always.

You know we don't believe in folks being alone on the holidays.

So...send me a Facebook message if you want to come so I have a general headcount.

Oh...and if you'll be new to 13700...Jaru and Lucy live here too.  LOL!

HAPPY WOMEN'S DAY!

It's International Women's Day!  GO US!  GO US!  GO US!

What do you love about being a woman?

What challenges do you think you face as a woman?

What would you like to change for the next generations?

Pictures from Mardi Gras Zulu 2012

 

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HAPPY MARDI GRAS!!!!!!!!!!!

I got a new mask!  GO ME! 

Lundi Gras 2012

ValentiMe's Day at 13700!

We had to rush the debil dog to the hospital this evening so our V-Day plans changed drastically. 

And she didn't look in the LEAST bit upset for us with her new camouflauged bandages either.  HUMPH.

I love my life.

ValentiMe's Day Cards!

Do you do cards for V-Day? 

SIP:  Yall should have seenT the look on her face as she read the cover of hers.  Knowing The Robinator's sense of humor...it could have said ANYTHING inside.  ROFL!

Happy ValentiMe's Day from 13700!!!!!

What say YOU?

Happy Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day!

Are you working today?

Are you doing anything to commemorate Dr. King's Day?

The Usual Suspects NYE Brunch 2011!

My FAVORITE get together at our home is The Usual Suspects' New Year's Eve Brunch.  Many of us have gotten so busy that we can't get together as often as we'd like throughout the year...so it's good to see everyone and play catch up.  The brunch starts early and usually lasts until the new year arrives and everyone brings a dish so I don't have to do all the cooking.  I simply put out servingware and utensils, make my own dish and pull out all the alcohol the crew left LAST time we all got together.  LOL!

This year I made black eyed peas and brown rice and gave everyone a piece of cabbage leaf to put in their wallets to bring the new year in right. 

SIP:  CUZ SHE KUNTRY!

Everyone is welcome to come, menfolk, kiddies, cool people you know whom we haven't met yet and we laugh, talk, clown, play games and drink! 

This year was no different and a good time was had by all!  GO US!

What did YOU do for New Year's Eve this year?

WE'RE STARTING A NEW COMPANY!!!!!!!!!!!!

NOTICE!

Monnie & Robby will come to your home, take down your Christmas decor and pack it away neatly for the sum of $6,000.

Why that amount you ask?

We figure that's what we'd value such a job.

*sigh*

Are YOUR decorations still up?

Um...by the way...this is something I was creating to get ready for organizing everything this year but didn't finish it yet.  You can start using it and fix it up for you.  I'm not going to use the part for the addresses and just put them in for you guys because all I'm going to do is print out my Holiday list on my Entourage (Outlook for you PC people.).  If yall want me to post it when I'm finished with it...let me know or just improve upon it for your needs on your own.  I purchased my last holiday organizer from Hallmark 5 years ago and this year was the last year it accomodated so I figured I was gonna just recreate something that made sense for me.

Download Holiday Manual

My Big Boy!

Thanks to Travel Diva for capturing this pic!  He is just perfect isn't he?

13700 Christmas Card 2011

Christmas Cards 2011 - 3

Yall seriously have NO.IDEA how much I LURVE, LURVE, LURVE receiving Christmas cards!  Thank you soooooooooooooo very much for thinking of us and sending us cards!  We look at the news ones every evening before dinner and smile!

This is from Kristin and her family.  The inside reads, "Feliz navi dude."  BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!  LOVE!

Work? No work?

Is everyone off work for Christmas yet?  When do you go back?

Holiday Gift Ideas!

Anybody have any really good holiday gift ideas you'd like to share?  For women, for men, for kids?

Question...

Have you completed all of your Christmas shopping?

Google's Send A Call From Santa!

We had so much fun with this yesterday!!!!!!!!!!  Send A Personalized Phone Call from Santa

You can do cute ones for kids or crazy stoopit ones for adults!  Santa called me a hoodlum and referred to Robby as home skillet.

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Christmas Cards 2011 - 2

Imma fight Kristen.  Watch and see if I don't.

Shutterfly Crooked Cards:

Today is an official bust.  My Christmas cards arrived and they are crooked.  Same thing happened last year but since Shutterfly gave me such exemplary customer service,  took a chance on ordering with them this year again.

I've learned my lesson.

No more Shutterfly.

*sigh*

Question...

Where are YOU spending Christmas this year?

 

Christmas Memory

What is your fondest Christmas memory?

Question...

Who is YOUR Santa?

Southern Comfort Cake

***NOTE:  I have modified this recipe slightly since the last time I posted it.

18-1/2 oz. yellow cake mix
3-1/4 oz. package instant vanilla pudding mix
1/2 cup Southern Comfort
4 eggs
1/2 cup cold water
1/2 cup oil
1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (I prefer walnuts.)

Glaze:
4 T. Butter
1/8 cup water
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup Southern Comfort

Combine cake ingredients in a large bowl and beat at a medium speed for 2 minutes. Pour into a greased and floured 10-inch tube or 12-cup bundt pan. Bake at 325ºF for 1 hour. Cool on rack. Invert on serving plate; prick top repeatedly with toothpick and brush with glaze coating well.

IF YOU WANT TO....after cake has cooled, reheat any left over glaze and brush over cake. Sift 1 t. of powdered sugar over cake just before serving (OPTIONAL).

To make glaze, melt butter in saucepan. Stir in water and sugar. Boil 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and stir in Southern Comfort.

I send these to Robby's office in Plain Cake Boxes which I buy from Michael's (Remember...never, ever, EVER go to Michael's without visiting their website first for a coupon.  They usually have one of those FABULOUS 40% off coupons!).  I also buy the 10 inch cake rounds to put the cake on before putting it in the box.  I think I get 10 in a pack for like $4.  I also print recipe cards with the recipe printed on them for him to put next to the cake in the event anyone wants to make it at home.  It's usually a MAJOR hit! 

Love.

SingLIkeSassy's Tree!

Tiffany In Houston's Tree!!!!!!!!!

She and M2 went for traditional colors too!  FABULOUS!

Christmas Cards 2011 - 1

It's no secret that I absolutely ADORE receiving Christmas cards!  I get them and grin from ear-to-ear hopping from foot-to-foot until I open them! 

IT MAKES ME SOOOOOOOOOOOOO HAPPY!!!!!

The first card I received this year is, as always, the first card I receive EVERY.SINGLE.YEAR.  Yup...Ms. Smart.  *sigh*  I hate her level of organization.  I swear she does this to drive those on her list crazy.  SERIOUSLY.  Humph.  LOL!

This card is from my (always will be) baby cousin!  She always has the most FABULOUS holiday pictures with her perfect, perfect family! 

How stunning is this family?  I swear I am going to FIGHT them for having the doggie in a Polo shirt!  TOO.CUTE.FOR.WORDS!

DECK THE HALLS!!!!  I'm actually feeling some kinda way about this one.  Humph.  She coulda put a picture of baby girl in there.  HUMPH.  LOL!

I sure hope she didn't let Jackson pick out this card cuz I don't want him thinking his Cyber T-Monnie is a WINEAUX!  LOL!

Okay...so this one wasn't a Christmas card but it was truly a lovely, lovely note.  Thank you so very much for the kind words.  You made me and SIP smile. 

SIP:  I don't smile darnit.  I sneezed and that's how my lips ended up after.

If you'd like to help me keep my holiday smile rolling, send me a card!

Monica Mingo

P.O. Box 2763

Germantown, Maryland 20875-2763

PLEASE don't forget to sign it with your screen name cuz yall KNOW I don't know  your real names mostly right?  RIGHT!  LOL!

Oh...and if you'd like me to reciprocate...Imma need you to address your envelope.  If not...I'll just send you some love up, up in the sky!  LOL!

BK's Tree!!!!!

It's stunning but...more importantly...it's BK BABY'S FIRST TREE!!!!!!!!!

Mellow's Winter White Tree!!!!!!!!!

Christmas Tree 2011

We decided on red, gold, bronze and cream this year.

Notice the Black angel and the White Santa a relative gave us for Christmas years ago.  LOL! 

SIP:  People are FUN-TAY!

Notice there is a hint from some doggie in our home under the tree.  o_0

I'm so proud of myself because I didn't have to buy anything this year except new lights.  Why new lights you ask?  Because it seems in my frustration the LAST time I took down a tree...I threw the tangled mess of lights out with it.

SIP:  o_0 and *BLINK*

I guess I'm okay with that because I'd been wanting to upgrade to those really nice pearl lights which look soooooooooooo pretty and make me HAPPY, HAPPY, JOY, JOY!

Funny thing is...when I went to Target late at night to buy the lights I ran into Sonya who comments on the blog.  LOL!  We've never met so when she rounded the corner and said my name and I looked up I was startled.  LOL!  It was soooooooooooooooooo lovely meeting she and her husband!  And I can't wait to see what their tree looks like too cuz dude was SERIOUS about his lights!  LOL!

I vow to take some time this year purging my Christmas decorations because it's seriously a mess.  I have over 6 large containers filled with decor and I keep looking at stuff I'd never use again.  *sigh*  More work for Monnie.

What colors did YOU decide to use this year? 

Hey...better yet...send me pictures of your tree so I can post them!  I'd love to see how you guys decorate your tree!!!!!

Christmas!

 

Have you decorated yet? 

Are you going to?

Season's Beatings

I am DYING laughing at this picture!  Awkward Holiday Photos

Scenario...

You're in charge of the office Holiday gift exchange.

You cut out everyone's name and put it in a container to be passed around at the weekly staff meeting.

You leave your desk and return to find a manager going through the container.

You clear your throat and they turn around looking guilty.

What do you say?

Thanksgiving 2011!

 

 

Switch Plate

The other day I was headed out shopping with a friend.  We were leaving my development turning to drive across the new bridge.  It was extremely cold and I remember putting the heated seats on in my truck as soon as I got in as did my friend.

We were laughing and I noticed a young man walking holding a very small baby.

The baby was dressed in a fleece onesie only and the young man was holding one of those baby sized blankets over him.

I slowed to an idle stop and rolled down the window.

Me:  Where are you going out here with that baby?

Him:  Roy Rogers.

Me:  Get in.

He and the baby got in and the blanket fell off the baby's head and he looked at us and didn't make a sound.  The baby looked exactly like his father.  EXACTLY.

And that poor baby was cold.

The father was going to meet the mother at Roy Rogers because it was the easiest middle point for them to walk to get to each other.  The mother had a new job so things were looking up for her and he watched the baby while she was at work.

Me:  So what are you doing with yourself?

Him:  Trying to get it together ma'am.

Had that young man not had the baby with him...this is what he would have looked like...

A sports team hoodie with some dusty looking jeans which were sagging and showing his underwear.  His jacket was inadequate but that false bravado swagger would have been in full effect and he would have worn it proudly knowing it was all he had in a mind game of comparison.  He had the smell of someone who smokes in the clothes he's wearing and puts those clotes on the next day because they were still clean.

He would have looked like a potential threat to some people.

Not to me.

That baby neutralized that baby cuz that's all he was...a baby.  A young, fresh-faced kid who'd made a few poor decisions and was trying to get it together.

We drove him to the Roy Rogers and the mother of the baby was sitting in a booth by the window.  I knew it was her as soon as I saw her because the baby looked just like her too.  She looked tired and much older than I calculated she probably was.  Her face changed when she saw the father of her child and her child.  She smiled this huge, beautiful smile.

And her son started kicking his legs in that way perfect babies do when they are happy.

I woke up this morning with them on my mind.

They are making it.

Trying to get it together.

As you run around this morning trying to get it together for your holiday, take the time to live WITHIN the moment of being with you and yours and having enough.  Note the small things we take for granted like a kitchen faucet with hot and cold water.  A light switch which floods the room with light when you flip it.  Your car at your home with gas in it.

People have much less these days.

Be thankful for what you have.

Be thankful for WHO you have.

And remember...we'll ALL get better as we all take notice of what is going on around us and help when we can.

Happy Thanksgiving from 13700. 

Love,

Monnie, Robby, Jaru and Lucy

SUCCESS!

Teamwork playas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I put the brine on to boil and The Robinator watched it while I was gone and get the cooling process ready!  I've returned with our FABULOUS turkey and I will be putting it in the brining solution at exactly 10:30 am so it will be ready to come out of the brine at exactly 10:30 am tomorrow morning to be prepared for cooking!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

GO US!

WE ROCK!

WE ROLL!

WE GOT THANKSGIVING UNDER CONTROL!!!!!!!!!!!!

ANYBODY WANNA COME OVER AND CLEAN THE FLOORS AFTER THE GUMBO SOCIAL LAST NIGHT?

NO?

YOU SURE?

LOSERS.

HUMPH.

SIP:  WE NEED NEW BLOG READERS!  HUMPH!

Day BEFORE Turkey Day!

When this posts I will be getting out of Deuce to go pick up our turkey from the Amish Market.

I gotta pick up some bell peppers, celery and onions too.

Then I'll return home and put it in the brine.

Then...if everyone is still in agreement, we're going to the city to do some museums.

And then we're going to return home so I can build the stuffed peppers and the cornbread dressing.

Because tomorrow is MY super bowl.  I love, love, LOVE Thanksgiving cooking.  It requires such a strategic dance to get everything lined up properly and perfectly.

And it makes me happy.

Happy, happy, happy.

What about you?  ARe you going to get in some fun today or is it all about work and getting ready for tomorrow?

 

Question...

Are you ready for Thanksgiving?????????

Thanksgiving Restaurant

Someone sent me an email asking for a recommendation on what restaurants are good to have Thanksgiving dinner.

I responded telling them that I didn't know and told them they were welcome at our table.

They responded back and told me it was 6 of them.

I responded back and told them I'd ask yall for a restaurant recommendation. 

ROFL!

We laughed.

That said...in the area you live in, where would YOU go on Thanksgiving day with your party of 6?

Tablescape Inspiration!

This picture is seriously speaking to me!  the only thing I'm concerned with is all of the small flowers.  Seems they would end up being a mess if you brushed up against them huh?  Maybe dried would do much better. 

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...

What say YOU?  How would you incorporate this idea into your Thanksgiving decor?

Christmas Cards 2011

As yall know...I LURVE receiving Christmas cards!  They make me happy, happy, happy!

For the first time since I've "known" yall...I have a post office box that I can post if you wouldn't mind sending me a card so I can grin from EAR-TO-EAR while opening.  Please don't send me any severed heads or crap like that cuz yall already know I will skrait up turn it all in to the po-po and dime yall out and I am soooooooooooooooooooooooooooo serious!  LOL!

I will, of course, post all of your Christmas cards so make sure you sign them with your screename so we all know who you are!

Monica Mingo

P.O. Box 2763

Germantown, MD 20875-2763

Oh...if you already have my home address...don't send it in to the P.O. box.  Cuz that will just be cray.

I can't WAIT to see the fabulousness yall come up with!

GO ME!

Question...

Where are you having Thanksgiving dinner this year? Are you cooking? How many will be at the table?

Thanksgiving Planning Worksheet

 

I always like to have the majority of my Thanksgiving shopping done early and I consider myself pretty organized in how I get it done.

I made a sample spreadsheet for yall to use.  Mine is set up so that the only thing that prints is the "grocery shopping list."  The other stuff gets filled in while I plan around my dinner time and dishes.

It should be pretty basic so you can add your own items, etc. to it.

Hope it helps!  Download SAMPLE - Thanksgiving Planning