Rantings of a Creole Princess

Kilimanjaro!

Are there any workouts you've tried and you just couldn't keep up doing?

Take me for instance, yall remember when I tried to go do crossfit right?

Crossfit!

Well...I also did INSANITY! for a full on twenty minutes once.

ONCE.

Never again. 

I'm a PUNK when it comes to full on endurance training and am in AWE of people who can and do it REGULARLY!  Whoa!  I workout to maintain and will probably be eaten by the Zombies if they chase me for more than 5 miles during the Apocalypse.  Luckily I have family, framily and friends who will motivate me by yelling while we're breaking for it.  Yes they will let me perish if I can't keep up but I'll understand.  Seriously.  LOL!

Which ones have you tried and decided to not keep up?  LOL!

 

Rustic Shrimp Stew!

A friend on Facebook posted this recipe last night and it sounded SO delicious that I decided we're going to have it for dinner today!  

Rustic Shrimp Stew

I'm probably going to put some kale in it because I have some leftover kale and I love kale.  LOL!

The last time you had shrimp cooked at home...how'd YOU prepare it?

Does this recipe look like something you'd try?

Scenario from real life...

You're sitting in your home and your front door is unlocked.

Your doorbell is broken so you don't hear someone you know trying to announce their arrival.

You hear your front door open and stand up and the person is standing in the doorway and says, "Your doorbell is broken and your front door was unlocked."

Very sheepishly.

You good?

 

Combo-Nation

I was on a plane recently and got to talking to the woman in the seat next to me.  We were having the usual airplane conversation, you know, if we were coming or going, business or personal trip, etc.  Then she asked me if I was a runner.

Me:  If you see me running...call the police.  DANGER is coming.

We laughed.

Scenario from Television...

If you found out that your friends started a drinking game at your wedding where they took a drink every.single.time someone giving a speech said God...would you be pissed?

SQUIRRELS ARE EVIL!

Great Sans Ropas Ain't Worth a Plug Nickel At the Bank!

VIDEO IS NSFW!

When dating it's important to know what's important.  As you're sitting in your home, look around you and check out your surroundings.  Then...I want you to think about how many of the things around you were paid for by great sans ropas.  Now...I'm not clueless so I do know that some gifts are agreed upon at the moment of um...erra...ENJOYMENT during certain grown folks games, but there aren't many of us who can say they make a living out of getting their freak on.  Some folks do...yes...but not most.

And not for everything.

Shhhhhhhhhh...

Hurricane Sandy Play Day!

So...who's home today?  Who's at work?  Are you affected by the storm in any way?

Scenario from real life...

A child was molested by her adult uncle.

The uncle serves jail time and gets out.

The child grows up and, amid major struggles, continues on with life.

The family is planning a big family reunion / birthday party for the matriarch of the family who is turning 101 years old.

The molested woman says she doesn't think the uncle should be allowed to attend.

Some family members agree.

Other family members are like hey...he served his time...let it go and let's heal as a family.

Would YOU attend this reunion if he was allowed to attend?  

You're not the victim...just a family member.

Bad Blood

Do you have any relatives you have "bad blood" with?  How do you act when you have to be around them at family functions, events, etc.?

Boots

What was the heel height on the last pair of boots you purchased?
~ MMingo

Question...

The last time someone gave you a backhand compliment...were you gracious or snarky?
~ MMingo

ON AMAZON! Team Sizzle Films Presents: Training Camp - A Short Film Showcase

 

Team Sizzle Films Presents: Training Camp - A Short Film Showcase

Guess what's available on Amazon now?  LOL!  Yup!  US!

Yall know the journey.  You know we said we'd do 4 or 5 shorts to practice, build our team and hone our skills to get ready to shoot features.

We wrote it down.

We made it happen.

And now...those 4 shorts, our TRAINING CAMP, are available on Amazon!

Please buy our DVD and show us some love and support.  You have no idea how difficult doing what we do is.  We seriously just want to entertain you guys and we're getting better and better and better with each project as you'll see in the DVD.  

Team Sizzle Films presents 4 short films produced in 2010 and 2011 and screened at film festivals around the world: sisters., Marco Polo, Commitment, and When Beautiful People Do Ugly Things. 

Team Sizzle Films is led by All-Pro Linebacker and 2011 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Terrell Suggs of the Baltimore Ravens. Terrell is Executive Producer of all 4 short films and co-writer of When Beautiful People Do Ugly Things. 

sisters. looks in on two siblings as they acknowledge the complexity of their relationship and their struggle to love each other, period. sisters. won Best Short Film in the 2010 International Black Film Festival in Nashville and screened at both the Chicago International Film Festival and the American Black Film Festival.

In Marco Polo, beautiful and successful Dr. Ann Christman long ago settled down with her second choice, a black man who loves her dearly. The unspoken challenges of interracial marriage weigh heavy and finally come to a head when past passions are stirred.

Ten years ago, Ashur did what he could to leave his Syrian government post for a new life in America. Commitment picks up when Ashur gets a new neighbor with an unnerving curiosity about the past. After a vicious altercation, a judge must decide who was predator and who was prey. Commitment screened at the Cannes International Film Festival in the Short Film Corner, as well as the New York City International Film Festival and ThrillSpy International Film Festival. 

When Beautiful People Do Ugly Things covers the twenty-four hours surrounding a wedding. Twelve beautiful hours before... twelve ugly hours after. When Beautiful People Do Ugly Things screened at the Cannes International Film Festival in the Short Film Corner.

Disclaimer: These films are not rated. The content is intended for mature audiences and may not be suitable for all viewers.

Team Sizzle Films Presents: Training Camp - A Short Film Showcase

From My Inbox:

Hi Monnie-

 

Can you please ask the tribe for ideas on Corporate Holiday Gifts?  This year I am looking for corporate gifts for the client to share with the office.  Things like tea, coffee & candy.  But I was looking for something more original.  Plus my budget has been mutilated and will not sustain my usual Harry & David, Godiva Gifts. 

I am looking at a range from 25-32 bucks per gift. Ordering aproximately 150-175.  If anyone in the tribe has a business that can direct mail and meet my professional corporate standards.  I'd love to speak with them. 

 

Thanks,

 

Natgirl

Racist or Stupid?

What say you?

o_0

Passwords are getting special.

I would have TOTALLY done this! LOL!

Gluten-Free Two Months In!

If you've been reading this blog you know I had a rough patch health wise for a minute until my doctors determined that it was the Gluten and wheat that was poisoning my body something rough.

So I had to go gluten free.  

When I was told I was skeptical and went into it side-eyeing the prognosis something fierce.  Then...a week in, I realized just how AWESOME I felt all over.  No more daily stomach pain, major source of energy, less dry skin, etc.

I started REALLY stepping it up and learning more about my options and...I'm happy to say that it's been much easier than I thought it would be and I feel SOOOOOOOOOOOOO much better.

GO.ME!

And now I'm noticing other things that are really making me go HMMMMMMMMM...

Take Midol Week for example.  

SIP:  Male readers...you may be out now...

Creflo Dollar Church Shooting

Man shot at Creflo Dollar’s World Changers Church

Omission Beer

The Robinator is pretty serious about this beer.  As supportive as he normally is...it was determined that he could NOT go Gluten-free with me early on because of his love of drinking beer while watching a game.  

Convo at 13700

Oh...and dude is a SERIOUS beer snob.  None of that beer commercial stuff for him.  He's all bourgie with his beer choices.  So when we found out about Omission beer...he decided to try it out.  Omission Beer

Here is what the company says about their beer:  

According to federal guidelines, we aren’t legally allowed to claim that Omission beer is gluten-free outside of Oregon because the beer is brewed with malted barley. While the FDA proposed to define the term “gluten-free,” that definition has not been formally adopted by the organization.

Part of the definition proposed in 2007, and again in 2011, states that a product may not be labeled as gluten-free if it contains “an ingredient that is derived from a prohibited grain that has been processed to remove gluten, if the use of that ingredient results in the presence of 20 parts per million (ppm) or more gluten in the food.” 

While Omission beer does contain barley, one of the “prohibited grains” in this definition, all batches are tested by an independent lab using the R5 Competitive ELISA to ensure that gluten levels meet our standards.  Although scientific evidence supports the testing, the evidence is not conclusive.  All Omission beer test results can be viewed at: www.omissiontests.com

Cool huh?  Would YOU ever try?

 

 

From Shelly: The Burpee Workout

The Burpee Workout

This is the kind of stuff they had me doing in Crossfit.  I walked out all cool cuz they could see me and collapsed in my truck calling Robby telling him he might have to come get me.

Have YOU ever rocked either?

Travel Wardrobe

Do you specifically plan out what you're wearing to get on a plane?  

Or...do you not think of it at all?

Foolproof Travel Outfit

HotNESS or HotMESS? (SM)

Tory Burch  Jess Leather Knee-High Riding Boots

SIP:  FINALLY!  A Tory Burch shoe I would wear!!!!!!!!!  

Scenario from real life...

You're at the point in your life where it's all about YOLO.

You date and wish you would find your special someone sooner rather than later but for now...you're still single.

You meet someone who is FINE.AS.FROG.HAIR.

Yall petting heavy.

After a couple of weeks of teasing, yall end up at your house getting it in.

It's all good and they head out to their house.

You go to sleep.

The next morning you hit up Starbucks and reach for your wallet for cash.

No cash.

NONE.

There WAS a little over $200 cash in there BEFORE your um...erra...hookup.

Now there is none.

How do you handle?

Convo at 13700: Making Pizza Is DANGEROUS!

E's best friend K is another kid who brings me JOY!  Seriously...JOY!

K:  Ms. Monica?  Did I ever tell you about the time I was burned and stabbed while making pizza?

SIP:  DA HELL?

Me:  Um...no.  Please share.

K:  I was taking the pizza out of the oven and my hand was too short so I was holding it awkward and it burned me.  My mom heard me scream and came running with a knife in her hand and accidentally stabbed me.

SIP:  DA HELLLLLLLLLLLLLLL???????????????

Me:  OH MY GOODNESS!  WERE YOU OKAY?

K:  Yes.  But it's why a chill goes down my spine whenever I'm confronted with pizza.

SIP:  BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!  SLAIN IN THE SIP SPIRIT!

Cool Aunt Advice

Growing up I had a cool Aunt.  You probably did too.  She gave it to you straight, no chaser the way your mother wouldn't.  See...your mother could only see you as the precious baby she protected and raised.  Your cool Aunt straight up knew who you were and that you weren't slick.

Seems a lot of folks don't have a cool Aunt cuz if they did...they wouldn't fall for a lot of shit that seems to be shoveled out these days.  At age 43 I'm too young to be your mother...but I'll be that cool Aunt fo' sho.

You can call me T-Monnie and Imma tell you like it is or like I see it.  If you don't like it...oh well.  It don't make me no nevermind if you listen or not cuz seriously...you'll learn.

The hard way.

Now...here's some cool Aunt advice right up off the bat.  Consider this your introduction to me.  What would T-Monnie do?  I'm about to tell you.

IF A GROWN AZZ MAN ASKS YOU FOR MONEY YOU LOOK HIS AZZ IN THE EYE AND LIE.  TELL HIM YOU AIN'T GOT IT.  SIMPLE.  TELL HIM A BIG AZZ WHOPPER IF NEED BE.  THE GOVERNMENT GARNISHED YOUR CHECK CUZ YOU OWE TAXES OR SOME SIMPLE SHIT LIKE THAT.  AND THEN...YOU FADE HIS AZZ TO BLACK CUZ SERIOUSLY...IF A GROWN AZZ MAN IS GOOD WITH ASKING YOU FOR MONEY WITHOUT IT BEING EXTREMELY DIFFICULT FOR HIM TO DO...HE AIN'T WORTH THE LOTION HE SMEARED ON THAT MORNING.

HELL.

NO.

BUYING SHIT FOR A GROWN AZZ MAN?  HELL.NO!  If it ain't his birthday or Christmas...Imma need him to buy his own outfits and sneakers.  Being nice turns into being a damn doormat swiftly.  Don't be that fool.  DON'T.BE.THAT.FOOL.

And...further to that...if you're a woman and in need and he knows and ain't offer up any assistance AT.ALL...Imma need you to leave his azz solo.  YOU CAN DO BAD BY YOUR DAMN SELF!

That sounds contradictory I know.  Cool Aunts don't always dish out fair advice.  We're too busy being the Cool Aunt.

PAH-DOW!

 

How to Roast Pumpkin Seeds - The Child-free Couple and the Holidays

The hardest thing about not having babies is probably the holidays.  Not just the major ones...but the small ones too.  At least...I know it is for me.  

For us.

See...I was raised in a home where we did all the cool holiday stuff.  ALL OF IT!  From stringing popcorn garlands to baking Santa's cookies to making eggnog, popping firecrackers, Easter Egg hunts, Halloween decorating, chocolates for Valentine's Day etc.  My family had a BLAST!

Our way.  Just us.

And so was The Robinator.

So yeah...that's the hardest part.

For me.

For us.

Sure the pain is eased a bit getting to share some of these things with the kids we love but not really you know?  Never really.  It's always right under the surface.  Always there able to steal the joy right out of the most perfect of days.  

I've been in the middle of wrapping a gift, looking at my perfect, perfect tree and it's hit me like a truck so bad that all I could do was stretch out on the floor right where I was and give in to it letting the pain wash over me and flow violently through my body only to be picked up from where I lay by my loving husband and carried to bed.  Spooning me until it was over.  

No words necessary cuz his pain is mine and that pain has us so connected that the only joy we can find from it is given by the other.

War wounds.

Today, I decided to roast pumpkin seeds the same as my mommy showed me how decades ago.  I figured the Godson would love to carve the pumpkin provided he have definitive instructions to make sure it wasn't something offensive.  LOL!  I put the pumpkin in the sink and washed it off well.  

Next up was to trim the stem to a height where I could put a bowl over top and trace a perfect circle to cut out the top.

Then...I cut out the top.

Remove the seeds.

Clean out pulp.

Melt two teaspoons of butter and toss seeds with the butter, Creole seasoning, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper.

Spead on a cookie sheet and bake at 300 degrees for 45 minutes and VOILA!  Roasted pumpkin seeds just like my mommy made for her babies.  For me.

I served ours on the deck with a gluten free beer for my guy and a glass of organic wine for me.

Our Godson will carve the pumpkin tomorrow.  His diabolical mind needs to grasp the concept of NON-OFFENSIVE in a way which will probably be BORDERLINE offensive if I know him.  LOL!  I will walk away shaking my head and his Unca Robby will DIE laughing.  

Ya just gotta love this life I live.  

Warts and all.

 

Scenario from my inbox...

I was listening to a couple of other podcasts discuss a blind date that one of the podcast hosts.  The guy is a social worker who is a short, self-described nerd who was set up by a female friend with someone she considered to be a nerd.  He meets up with the girl who upon seeing him takes off her heels because she was taller than him in heels.  He said that he did not care about the height difference and told her not to be concerned about things like that.  They go to the restaurant and through their conversation he deems that she is not what he considers to be a nerd but that was not the big deal.  The big deal came when the check came.  He paid for the meal with a Groupon and she gave him a side-eye.  The major topic on the podcasts became was he right to pay for the meal on a blind date with a Groupon. My question is is a Groupon on a date, specifically a blind date, a bad look?

Scenario from real life...

Your sister-in-law and brother host your holiday dinner this year.

You asked your sister-in-law if you can bring anything and she tells you that it's not necessary but if  you want to, you can bring a dessert.

You see a recipe for a pie and try your hand at it.  

You make it a couple of times before the gathering to make sure you make it right.

You arrive and put your pie on the dessert table.

You'd put it in a disposable pie pan so you didn't have to worry about getting your pan back.

Your sister-in-law sees it and removes it saying she wanted to put it in something more decorative.

No biggie.

It's a family style buffet with about 30 family members moving all about.

Your mother asks where your pie is because you'd been bragging about it.

You look for it and don't find it.  

You ask your sister-in-law and she says they ate it first.

You're surprised but pleased as punch.

An hour later...you hear the kids talking about someone threw away a whole pie in the outside garbage can.

You go out and yup...it's your pie.

How do you handle?

HotNESS or HotMESS? (SM)

OTBT Women's Petaluma Riding Boot - Mint Hmmmmmmm...MINT color? What say you?

HotNESS or HotMESS? (SM)

Sam Edelman Women's Penny Riding Boot

What do yall think about that color?

How do YOU react...

HotNESS or HotMESS? (SM)

Vince Camuto 'Finny' Boot

Boot shopping, boot shopping...how do I love thee boot shopping!

Scenario...

You get a divorce from your high school and college sweetheart.

It was amicable but hey...it still hurt.

You move away to start a new life.

It's four years later and your best friend calls to ask you if you're okay.

You ask why and she tells you that she heard that your sister is dating your ex-husband.

This is the first you've heard of this.

How do you handle?

You good?

Scenario from real life...

You just found out that you got your dream job.

You write your letter of resignation for your current job and walk into your office ready to get it in.

You're going to give them two weeks notice and you're going to take two weeks off in order to rest before you start your new job.

When you walk in, your boss' assistant tells you he wants to see you.

You're like...cool.

You go in his office and he's in there with the head of HR.

Turns out they are giving you a performance award and you get like, a month of pay as a monetary reward along with it that will be reflected on your next check.

They are all excited.

How do YOU handle?

 

GET YOU SOME OF THIS!

OH HAPPY DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you didn't get a new doorbell installed this morning by your handyman husband...I am FINALLY BETTER THAN YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SIP:  Now...who's gonna hit all that up with some paint?

BABY STEPS SIP!  BABY STEPS!

 

Dear Mr. or Ms. Such-and-such:

If I were to write an email or a Facebook message to someone I wanted to meet or do business with I'd start the email out by introducing myself.  Then, the email would follow along the lines of telling them what it is I do and how I believe there are some synergies between what they do and I do.

I'd highlight my positives and give as clear a reason for my contacting them as possible.

I'd sign the email or message with my name, phone number and email address (if it was via FB).

I would NEVER send an email which says:

How are u doing greetings my sista i hope the sun is shining on u just saying that i like ur work text me one day maybe 555-1234

Here's the problemm with that message.  It's annoying.  You didn't clarify why you were reaching out.  I don't know anything about you and all I'm thinking is...TEXT YOU FOR WHAT????????  So...when I send just that in a follow up message, "TEXT YOU FOR WHAT?" you wouldn't have to save face by trying to go all swole chest on me.

Remember in English class when we had to write a business letter way back in grade school?  Do they still do that?  How is it that these young kids don't know the proper way to construct a business letter?  Are you okay with this?  I mean...I guess, by today's standards, my methods are archaic but they seem to work pretty well you know?  

It just makes me wonder...

And then wondering makes me sad.

SIP:  Poor E...I feel like the kid's going to be quizzed on if he knows how to properly write a letter soon and the poor kid didn't even do anything to warrant him practicing business queries.  *sigh*

Writing 101

Are you a good writer for your normal day-to-day activities?  Like...emails for work, communicating with your child's school, etc.?

Do you have someone look over your stuff before you send it off?

Hollywood Black Film Festival - THE COALITION!

If you're going to be in Los Angeles this Friday, come on out and check out THE COALITION!  Tell your friends in the area!  Should be a good time!

You may purchase tickets here:  "The Coalition" Tickets

 

Gluten Free Gumbo!

Monica Mingo's Creole Jumbo Gumbo

Yesterday I decided to make a gluten-free gumbo by simply substituting all the ingredients WITH gluten to ingredients WITHOUT gluten.

Simple right?

Maybe.

Instead of using regular flour, I used Bob's Red Mill All-Purpose Gluten-Free Baking Flour and right off the bat, we realized that we were going to have to keep adding flour to the roux to thicken it up because the GF flour is, apparently, thinner.

We kept adding flour until it was the consistency that a good roux should be, but it was WAY darker than I like.  I used it anyway knowing I'd have to add more chicken broth to the base to thin out the pungent taste of the dark roux.

It was the most hands-on pot of gumbo I've made in a while.  I had to keep adjusting it until it was good.  A couple of friends and The Robinator gave it a thumbs up but I'm sitting here now thinking of ways I could make it better.

Cuz that's how I obsess.  LOL!

After I had my dinner, I was sitting there talking and within twenty minutes my stomach revolted and it was BAD!  None of my ingredients had gluten or wheat in it so we determined that it had to be the vegetable oil that got me.  Many people who have to be gluten free have an intolerance to soybean oil it seems and that's what the vegetable oil is made of.  So, now I'm researching how to make the roux right without using oil.

The Robinator says that he's sorry I can't have anymore REAL gumbo and it must be hard on me knowing this.  He said this as he was eating a second big bowl.

o_0

The love and support at 13700 continues.

 

Quick Garlic, Mushroom and Kale Soup!

Saute' half an onion and 4 cloves of garlic. Season with salt and red pepper flakes. Add 8 cups of chicken (or veggie) broth. Next add about 10 fingerling potatoes quartered, shitake and bella mushrooms. Bring to boil and simmer until potatoes are done. Then add three handfuls of kale. Quick and DEELICIOUS!

Exactly.

WHY-clef

I thought this picture was leaked by someone who seriously hates him and is undercover.

But no...HE tweeted it himself.

 

SIP:  Well...OBVIOUSLY your initial thought could still ring true...

PICTURE: Buff Wyclef Jean Poses in Underwear, Straddles Motorcycle for 43rd Birthday

Read more: http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/picture-buff-wyclef-jean-poses-in-underwear-straddles-motorcycle-for-43rd-birthday-20121810#ixzz29lrOsQP7

 

Brandy: HotNESS or HotMESS? (SM)

Yall peeped Brandy lately?

Dancing for real...short, shorts, 2die4 legs, all sultry and whatnot?

HOW SHE DO THAT?  

Did yall get her new CD?  Two Eleven

Live with Kelly and Michael!

When I don't get to watch this show in the morning...I'm sad.

THEY BRING ME JOY!

Have YOU watched it since Michael has been the official host?

What say YOU?

Scenario from Television...

Your husband's mother drives you bat shat crazy insane.

She lives across the street from yall.

She helps out a lot even though she drives you crazy while doing it.

She irks you SO BADLY during a party you're throwing at your home when everyone ended up feeling uncomfortable and suddenly left.

You're so mad...you decide to write her a letter.

Nothing disrespectful, per se, but just an honest assessment of how you feel.

Your husband BEGS you to not send the letter to her.

Like...BEGS!

Would you send it anyway?

Scenario from real life...

Your family moves into your dream home complete with an amazing mother-in-law suite.
Several years later, the economy tanks and the industry your husband is in damn near dies.
Things get ROUGH.
Your mother is a widow and lives in another state.
She's financially pretty well off and lonely since you are her only child.
Your husband slides into this crazy depression.
You have a lot on your plate with the kids, work, home, etc.
It is decided that your mother would sell her home and move in with you.
She does and starts paying off your major bills pretty much immediately.
She helps with the kids, stays in her suite mostly and is a joy all around. 
There is no more financial stress in your home and your husband gets his groove back, gets a new, way better job in a way better industry, and starts paying your mother back slowly but surely.
It's truly UNREAL how well everything has worked out for your family.
5 years later, your mother is still there and nobody is even the least bit concerned about her being there forever.
You're grateful and seriously in awe of her love, support and generosity.
You walk up on your husband while he's on the phone MAD.AS.FUG!
He hangs up pissed and you ask him what's wrong.
Turns out HIS mother has been talking ish about YOUR mother living there and she is mad because she feels like yall do more for your mother than for her and...where would yall put her up if she ever needed a place to go.

Yall never put your financial business out there to anybody and, to be honest, your husband's mother isn't the type he'd confide in anyway.
Besides...she couldn't help AT.ALL.
And now, her messiness is talking crap about your mother.
You good?
How would YOU handle?

~ MMingo

Another Shelf Paper Use!

 

I have this spa tower in my bathroom for some of the stuff I use daily:

Taymor Chrome Four Tier Spa Tower with Square Baskets

It's perfect because it's right up against my tub but so annoying because of the wire shelves. The bane of my existence has been trying to put something back on it without it falling over.  IRKED.ME.SILLY!  To the point where I've been thinking about replacing it.

So I have a lot of shelf paper left over.  Hmmmmmm...what do to what to do?

I got out some card stock, measured and cut it to fit in the shelf basket and then covered it with the shelf paper to make a bottom.  GO ME!

NO MORE FALLSIES OVERS!