THE RELAUNCH OF: GOD, DO I HEAR WEDDING BELLS? BOOK WRITTEN BY FELICIA T. SIMPSON

WHOEVER INVENTED THE CROCK POT.....GOD BLESS YOUR MINISTRY

So over the weekend, I was formerly introduced to a crock pot.  Now I'm old school, to cook, you get pots, pans, and baking products and use.  Of course I've heard of the crock pot but never thought to use it (don't forget, I live in a pink world so some things just aren't a priority for me).  I was amazed at how preparing vegetables, oxtails, seasoning and adding water into this mini tank (that's what I call it....LOL), would cook on it's on, throughout the night and be ready to serve when I wake up in the morning.....talk about a revelation.


Now my mom preps meals and leaves them in the oven while she's away from the house,for a while, all of the time.  That idea scares me to death.  So this cooking while I'm at home and don't have to even stir the content if I choose not to, EXCITES me.  I have a small child and preteens who need as much of my time and attention as possible, so every second counts not to be slaving over a hot stove, cooking.  


Short story about this crock pot, the meal came out GREAT....I'm talking finger licking good.  So help me get started on cooking more meals like this in the crock pot.  Send me your favorite crock pot receipes or links to websites that are helpful!!!!

I SURVIVED MIAMI!!!!

Some people make New Year's Resolution, I enjoyed a New Year's Getaway to MIAMI.  Relaxed, ate and drank most of the time, that I was there.  The point of this trip after all.  It started off and ended peacefully.  I enjoyed coming back to Chicago and kicking ass with my life off the ground and looking forward to new people and new things.


Felicia, meet TRINA!!! TRINA is my alter ego and usually comes out under the influence.  I admit, it can get rough whenever she's on deck but nevertheless, I LOVE HER!!!  You see Felicia is the "do-gooder" or at least, I try to do good 75% of the time.  TRINA is carefree and reckless if you cross her wrong.  I guess TRINA was on deck one night in MIAMI ....LOL.....oh well don't remember anything that I've said , and whatever, I'm confident that I MEANT IT, whether good or bad!!!


You see this trip was intended for me to let my hair down a bit and enjoy some sun, get some me time away from my kids, work and my foundation.  Hell, I worked super hard in six months just for my foundation alone.  So I deserved this getaway.  I'm so grateful for the trip and can't wait to get back to the other city that I claim is mine......MIAMI!!!!!


I wonder why I don't like their NBA team......LOL......GO BULLS!!!!!

MIAMI....HERE I COME

I'm so looking forward to my weekend getaway to the beaches of MIAMI next weekend.  This trip is for me to relax, read a good book, write, blog, sleep and DRANK Mojitos on the sand !!!  I 'm packing a cocktail dress just in case I feel the urge to step out somewhere classy before I leave.  Lately, I have been so exhausted and overwhelmed with work, my foundation and kids.  That momma just need a break.....simple.  I went to MIAMI in June 2010 for the first time and instantly fell in love with the beautiful city.  I can't wait to return to the hot weather (Windy City Chicago can keep this cold mess).  


I'll share a few pics to let the you see some of the beautiful city.  Confession:  When I was there in 2010, I met a pimp who took me on a wonderful tour of the city.  Yep, shocked me too that he was a pimp and NO he did not offer me a job....LOL.

This picture above shows us driving across a bridge heading to our hotel.  I enjoyed the peaceful scenery that MIAMI has to offer tourist like me.

 On Collins Drive this is the kind of rides that paraded through the shore lines of the beach and restaurants.  We saw several unique and custom made rides of all makes and models that weekend.


FINALLY, I never wore a two piece bikini swim suit in all of my adult years.  I always thought I was too skinny and people would laugh at me.  Welp, after having three kids ..... I finally dug up the courage to let it all out....lol well most of it.

Anybody that knows me living in a pink world knows, I love writing, reading, blogging, and mix in a glass of Chardonnay in that list and I am satisfied in life.  So next weekend, I'll have plenty of new pictures to post and be in the midst of peace, quiet and relaxation in MIAMI!!!!!!!

DEAR SANTA,

So I was reading this article in a magazine and laughed at the topic of choice. Basically, the guy was writing a letter to Santa Claus describing the characteristics he wanted in a mate.  Is it that easy?  I recalled how I had this "list" of potentials I wanted in a mate, in my journal.  Oh my mate had to have this, this, this and that.  The day I ripped that list up by putting a big "X" through it (didn't want to tear the page out of my journal), was the day love walked into my life.


I'm not saying you should not have standards and wants in a potential mate.  What I am suggesting to you is that, if you have a list longer than the time you would even date this individual, then something is terribly wrong here.  Be realistic with your list too if you choose to create one.  I've heard of vision boards for professional motivation but plotting, planning and writing Santa Claus a list of things you want in your mate is just................CRAZY!!!!!


Stop chasing love in all of the wrong places.  Continue to live your life and love those around you and see that love will show up and show up at the right time.  I've had love and lost love plenty of times to know that, it's not going anywhere and that I don't need to stalk it either.


Just my thoughts, after all, I live in a pink world remember :-)

ALMOND SPARKLING WINE

So I was at a wine tasting a few months back at Cooper's Hawk on one of my days off.  This is somewhat of a ritual for me on my off days..... you can't beat $7 for a wine tasting.  The hostess was a delight too and very friendly.  After the tasting was complete, she talked about several other wines I should taste and began to give me samples of those as well.  Low and behold, she pulled out this Almond flavored wine that instantly blew me away.  I have been hooked ever since!  Trust me grab you a bottle of this wine today and especially for the holidays cause I will have it on deck for me and my family to enjoy on Christmas evening....... :-)

Also, if you haven't become a Wine Club Member as well and enjoy the perks HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!!

eBooks vs Paperbacks

I personally love to turn the pages in a paperback book and actually go to a local bookstore and purchase a book.  That's an experience in itself.  I enjoyed taking my kids to Borders and hanging out with them in the children and youth sections, sipping tea or coffee and watching my youngest son opening and closing books with Elmo on the cover.  Sadly those days have been bought out by Sony eReaders, Kindle, iPad, iPod, cell phone eBook apps, Kobo and all of the other fancy devices to read a book on.  I just wonder if this technology is taking away our social perks.  No more first dates at the local bookstores now we rely on Starbucks with FREE Wi-Fi.  We can download everything now a days.  I am an electronic device junky, I can admit that.  I am always surrounded by my cell phone, iPod Touch and eReader.  Recently, you can add an iPad 2 to that list.  All of these devices around me means a lot of chargers to go with me everywhere I go, which my purse and or bag that I carry heavier.  So my question is, is eReading really better or convenient than a paperback book?

I'm trying to get into all of these gadgets as far as reading.  But I guess at heart, I'm just old school and like to turn the crisp pages in a book.  Funny the other day, I downloaded an ibook (same as an eBook) on my iPad and I could place my finger on the screen and literally turn the page.  Wasn't an awe-ha moment for you?  It sure was for me.  I thought to myself that I may actually be evolving into the modern technology world, after all. No sooner did I find myself rushing through the pages to do what, scroll my finger across the screen to "turn the page".  I can't tell you nothing that I read in those pages because of the cute animation I received turning the pages.  So this still makes me wonder which is better eBooks  or paperbacks?  You be the judge!!!!