Monday, December 26, 2011

A NY Christmas - Pic Edition

Tree @ Rockefeller Center

Me and Jodi


Shoe Wreath




Holiday Cookies

Christmas Tree Presents @ the Gap


Excited!

DIY: Christmas Wreath

Finished Wreath hanging on door

As a natural crafter, I wanted to make a holiday wreath. I found many ideas and tutorials online which was fantastic. This DIY Wreath is actually made up of everything and anything I can find around my house. From construction paper, magazine rip outs, tape, paper bag, hot glue, time and lots of love!

Recycling at its best...Base of the Wreath.






** I'm still working on organizing my pics so they can correlate with the order.
-Divine Beauty

Food: Spicy White Cheddar Mac~n~Cheese

Before going into the oven

So, I was bored and I had a box of generic brand white cheddar mac n cheese that was on sale for $.50 and I gave it a lil remix with some Pepper Jack Cheese and a mixture of other cheese. It was quite simple and really easy. I also made them in little self-serve size dishes. I was able to just take one and go for lunch. 



After about 30-40 minutes in the oven

Happy Birthday Jesus


I pray that everyone had a wonder Holy-day season. My post is a day late, but aye we're always celebrating the King of Kings! These are the homemade cards that I made for everyone this year. Money is/was tight and this was the most frugal method of sending love for the Holiday Season. Below is just a snippet of my workshop. 

My roomates homemade Lady Bug Christmas Card 
and toilet roll filled with her Fave candy, Chocolate Kisses

Corner Pinches

The bulk of cards, fresh from the printer.

Testing 1, 2, 3

Card Decor
-Divine Beauty

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Christ-like

Hey Beauties,

"Anyone who claims to be intimate with God ought to live the same kind of life Jesus live. -1John 2:6"

We all know and understand that Jesus is the sinless and perfect son of God, yet the Bible advises us to "live the same life Jesus lived". Some adjectives that describes Christ life are humble, servant, healer, preacher, teacher, loving, kind, giving, and endless amount of other words. How can we walk like Christ?

As I wake up each morning graced with breath in my body, I pray that I won't sin or cause my Father pain....honestly sometimes I don't think I try hard enough. In my opinion sin is so much easier to just fall into, however God holds us at a higher standard. He knows temptation will come, but he gives us the tools and weapons that fight off these temptations. Knowing that "the weapons of our warfare are not carnal (flesh), but they are spiritual. Worship:spiritual. Prayer:Spiritual (We must pray how? In spirit and in truth). Another weapon:Praise, others include exaltation, proclamation, fasting. It's fierce out there. Dealing with other personalities, and moods, and their issues, their mistakes, their failures, their lack of sleep, we have to deal with their lack of Starbucks caffeine. But when we use our weapons of prayer, worship, praise their becomes ours in a way. The way of understanding. Christ took all of petty, ignorant, troubles and never did He give us an attitude about it.

Christ-like.....

Jesus was always talking with God. Taking time away to spend time with the Father. In that way He was clear on what His task was, His purpose on this Earth. There are sooooooo many ways that we can spend time with God, it's crazy how we waste the time we have. Because God is everywhere, He is with us always. We take God where we want Him. He's a gentleman and will not push His way into your life. We can read the Bible, and there should be NO excuse. To why we don't have a Bible. We all have or most of us have computer access via home and especially our phones. And I know there's and app for that! I'm not preaching in no form or way, honestly I'm writing as an outlet. I have a Bible and an app on my Blackberry, and honestly I don't read my Bible (either of then) as I should. I'm a work in progress. But it is available, worship....that right there needs a posts or several of em in it's self. Worship is the purest form of intimacy between us and God.

Christ-like

I know I don't always end Up doing things that Christ does, but 1 thing for sure is that I am determined to chase and try again and again to get closer to Him. Trying harder to do better every chance I get. To know better is to do better. Sometimes I look over my life and feel like a hypocrite, cuz I'll write encouraging texts, status's an tweets. Most of the time though is because I need it as much as the next person. It's not easy, but it is well worth it. I can honestly say that at a time in my life I was on one accord with the Holy Spirit...and I am trying to get back to that. Where God and I would have grand conversations, smile and laugh together....oh what I would give up for life like that again.

My prayer tonight is that the Lord would forgive me, clean me white as snow, clean hands and a pure heart, wash me over and purify 7x70 times. In Jesus Name....Amen.

Blessings
-Daphne

Monday, December 5, 2011

Homemade Biscuits (Round 1)

The Main Ingredients

    Yesterday I don't know what I was going through, but I decided to make biscuits. First I made my own pie crust, then I spoke to one my my Deaconess back in TX and she said it would be easy for me to do biscuits, so I tried it and I did. I adapted the recipe from Kitchen Mage.  I have to say tho, that they came out a lil crispier and dry than I would have liked them, but I'm sure with a lil tweaking they'll come out perfect next time.

Everything being mixed together

The dough, kneaded and all

Dough rolled w/handy spray can

Use what you have and do what you can



A la Biscuits

Enjoy,
-Divine Beauty

Sunday, December 4, 2011

Thanksgiving Leftovers = Turkey Pot Pie

Turkey Pot Pie
Ok, so moving to NY has leaned me more on the broke side, so I have to use whatever I have in my fridge to make due for dinner or any other meal. So I decided to make sum Turkey pot pie with some left over Thanksgiving Turkey and mixed veggies. It was my first time making a pie crust which I used from some random recipe on Google, and also my first pot pie. Everything is made from scratch and was fairly easy. 

Turkey Filling

The filling is a mix of Turkey meat, mixed veggies, milk, flour, seasoning, and mushroom soup. I just used what was in the cupboard. I didn't measure a thing, and just went by taste. 

Pot Pie Dishes


 
My makeshift rolling pin 

Use what you have and do what you can

My butter top dough cutter (lol)




Fresh out the oven
This is my first post on making food, recipe, etc....I promise I'll get better. LOL. Hope you enjoy. 

-Divine Beauty







God, I and Life

As I sit here outside my apt enjoying the view and sound of my neighborhood from my porch, I ponder on my life. I woke up this morning and wanted to stay in bed, well I did stay in bed reading a romance novel til about 2pm. I figured I wouldn't be able to do this 4 days in a row, so I rolled over and decided to have ice cream for lunch, or whatever the first meal of the day should be. I figured I should be doing something rather than stay in bed, so I decided to come out here instead and relinquish my thoughts to you.

Three years ago I moved to Texas, wanting to move away from Florida. I wasn't running from anything or anyone, I just detested the place. I felt complacent there, so the first chance I got to move I did. Trust that Texas was not the first place that came to mind, but when God is the captain of your ship, all you can do is trust Him. After moving to Texas I had a lot of preconceived thoughts in my mind that until July of this year were all wrong. I much appreciate Texas for what it is and what it has done for my life. Texas itself is not what matured me, but the people that God allowed to show me His way is what made all the difference. I went through many stages in my life just in the span of three years and as I was leaving Texas to embark on a new journey, I told my family that I have tasted the goodness of God and I refuse to turn back. At the mature yet tender age of 25 I learned to communicate with God in ways that are parallel to the ways Abraham, Moses, and David had. I would have daily conversations with God and would have a clear understanding of the goings in my life.

Now away from my safe haven/wilderness of San Antonio, Texas, I am where my heart has always wanted to be:Brooklyn,New York. Ever since driving through on a road trip back in 2007, I have fallen in love with the city. And after that trip, I was set on living here. And finally in 2011 I am where I am suppose to be. Even after doubt that I should move and fear of not being financially set, I am here. My time spent in Texas was not in vain, though the short period of four months being in NY may seem so, but it definitely was not. Somewhat like David, after treacherous moments of sin, he would fall down at the feet of God with a continual pursuit for His love, grace and mercy. Yes even after years of being clean from my old ways of sex, alcohol and lies I found it easy to fall back,but with much resistance. See I now have the tools of worship and intimacy with God to be consumed with this world. The key to falling isn't wallowing in it, but it's in the getting back up, recognizing the how and asking for forgiveness and forgiving yourself.

So here I am, out on my porch, reviewing these last couple of months and determining that tomorrow will not be the same as yesterday. Beginning today my convictions of who I am; the daughter of a King will no longer go unnoticed. I will no longer accept the mediocrity of being someone who accepts the unacceptable either to society or myself. I will pride myself in being comfortable in who I am wherever I go. I will be continually consumed by the spirit of my Father, and I will walk in His good graces that He has set out Just for me.

So between God, I and Life is my purpose.

-Divine Beauty

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Hello December

So November is gone and December is here, which also indicates the end of a year and the beginning of a New Year (God willing). Of course around this time, many of us are reevaluating our past year and seeing how it wil be different in the year to come. I can definitely say that 2011 has been my year, and you know what?! 2012 will be too! I have so many things I want to accomplish that I'm hoping to begin now. So much has happened, that i have no regret whatsoever. Turning 25, graduating with my MBA (thanks Mom), and moving to New York was just the icing on the cake for this year. In the short span of the last couple of months, I got clarity on a friendship that at one point I would have hoped to be more, but accepted that it will not....I just might do a post about it. And on another note, I got back in contact with a long lost friend...only God knows where that will go. So December...how shall we spend our time together?

On another note, I've been thinking about the content on my blog and how I somewhat censor some things out because I'm afraid of what others would think about me. But if I continue with that mind set how far will I get in life? So for 2012 one of my goals is to be like a child and stay true to myself and to others and always remain honest and real. Plus folks can't judge me, without first casting judgement on themselves. With lots of love and juice.....

-Divine Beauty

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Giving Thanks {Food Version}

Finished Turkey


Thanksgiving has come and gone and what are we left with besides faint memories and leftovers? Giving thanks to me goes beyond just the wish and the mass text messaging  to your friends and families. Giving Thanks is an everyday lifestyle that consist of Thanking God for the very breath that He has so graciously just given us. So to make a BIG deal out of Thanksgiving is overrated....at least for me. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE the BIg getting together and cooking and spending time with family and friends, laughing it up and making new memories. Though I am in a new place, this year was no different than any other year. Though it was different people and a different place it was all the some love and laughs and heart felt moments, and OH I can't forget the mood swings of 7 women. I am proud to say that I cooked most of the food, which was totally fun and experimental. Below are the memories that Thanksgiving 2011 is all about:

Getting reinforcement from my mom to make sure I am doing it right.

Seasoned Turkey, stuffed with veggies for taste

Deviled Eggs


Miss Jodi helping w/the Pie(s)

Sweet Potato Pie Filling

Stuffing Cloves in ham

Sweet Potato Pie

Spiced Pumpkin Pie

Green Beans for Casserole

Sauteed Onions and Mushroom for Casserole

Boiled green beans in Chicken stock

Backed Mac n Cheese


Green Bean Casserole Before the oven

Wings

Mashed Potatos

Cornbread Muffins

Miss Chels (roomie) making her Salad

The Kitchen aids :-)

Mr. Turkey


Ham

DINNER!!!