New Year's Day and 7th Day of Kwanzaa Menu

Blackeye Peas
Cornbread
Hoppin' John
Fried Okra
Vegetarian Stew
Futari
Yams
Benne Cakes
Sweet Potato Pie

Ginger Ale
Asti Spumanti
Champagne

Marriage Proposal on The Weather Channel

Dec. 28, 2009 It's not every day that someone pops the question live on The Weather Channel. Here's what happened when Marty proposed to Kim Perez Sunday night.

New Year's Satays

New Year's Satays @ Yahoo! Video

The party starts with Wolfgang's New Year's shrimp and chicken satay. Wolf shows you how to spice up and marinate your way to the best party appetizers.

World's Best French Toast Recipe

From Crackle: Worlds Best French Toast Recipe

Learn how to make an easy honeyed French toast that will light up your breakfast or brunch.

Up in the Air: Movie Trailer

Kwanzaa Party Menu Ideas

Kwanzaa Party Menu Ideas for a Bright and Vibrant Kwanzaa Celebration

By Gail Leino

Kwanzaa is an African holiday celebrated during December. The holiday involves much food, dancing, and poetry during the celebration. Here’s an idea of the sort of food you might like to serve for Kwanzaa:

You may find on the menu for Kwanzaa sweet potato pie, Okra, vegetarian stew, Futari, and Benne cakes. Depending on where you live you might even find Kwanzaa is celebrated with Christmas adding to the menu items you may find on the table.

Furtari is an African squash and yams dish. You will need 1 small onion, 2 tablespoons of oil, 1 cup of coconut milk, 1 pound Hubbard squash, ½ teaspoon of salt, ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon, 2 medium sized yams, and ¼ teaspoon of ground cloves. In a skillet you will cook the onion until it is tender, then stir in the remaining ingredients and heat until boiling. You will cook the dish until the vegetables are tender.

Sweet potato pie involves 2 cups of sweet potatoes, 4 tablespoons of margarine, 3 eggs, 1 cup of sugar, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon of nutmeg, ¾ cup of milk, 1 teaspoon of vanilla, 1 pie shell, and ¼ cup of chopped pecans. First of all, cook the sweet potatoes by steaming them in the microwave. In a food processor you mix the sweet potatoes with the butter. Then blend in the eggs, sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg. The milk and vanilla is added next. You can bake the pie for 35- 40 minutes at 375 degrees.

The types of dishes traditionally served at Kwanzaa really are diverse and interesting. Why not add your own touch to one of the traditional dishes? Whatever you choose, your guests will be sure to enjoy everything on offer at your celebration.

Mrs. Party... Gail Leino takes a common sense approach to planning and organizing events, celebrations and holiday parties with unique ideas for Kwanzaa party supplies and fun party games. She explains proper etiquette and living a healthy life while also teaching organizational skills and fun facts. The Party Supplies Hut has lots of party ideas with hundreds of free holiday printable games and free birthday party activities. Over 100 adorable Themes including Party Supplies to fit your birthday celebration, holiday event, or "just because" parties. Party themes include cartoon characters, sports, movie, TV shows, luau, western, holidays, and unique crazy fun theme ideas.

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How to Decorate For Kwanzaa

How to Decorate For Kwanzaa

By E J Jolivet

There is no definitive guide on how to decorate for Kwanzaa because the occasion is all about being creative and constantly evolving. To ensure you have relevant decor, familiarize yourself with the tenets of the observance.

The main foundations of the African American celebration is based on the first-fruit harvest rituals of Africa. A big Kwanzaa feast is held on the final day of the celebration and having beautiful adornment throughout the home and especially the table is a staple of the tradition. I've listed the most popular decor and symbols of the festive occasion.

• A unity cup


• A long candle holder


• Hand made gifts


• The tree of gratefulness


• A straw mat


• Ears of corn (yams or other produce can be used)


• Hand made Zawadi (gifts)

Tabletop Decorations For Kwanzaa

A colorful piece of African cloth should be draped across the table with a Kinara, a long candleholder that holds seven candles, each representing the seven principles of Kwanzaa as the center piece. You can also display framed photos of loved ones both past and present on your table. Your table decorations should include a unity cup (kikombe cha umoja) and ears of corn(Vibunzi), with the other African related decor on a straw mat (Mkeka).

Kwanzaa decorations often include a small tabletop tree or plant, decorated with black and gold, the colors of Africa and small African ornaments such as masks or animals.

Kinara, The Candle Holder

Light is a vital element to the celebration and hence the colored candles. They are green, black, and red to symbolize freedom, unity, and spilled blood, respectively.In some families the honor of lighting the candles goes to the youngest child. In other families it's performed by the eldest family member. Some traditions have a different family member lighting the candles each night.

The Tree of Gratefulness

A tree of gratefulness is used to emphasize the harvest roots of Kwanzaa. It can also be used as a wishing tree, with leaves bearing family members' goals for improving themselves, their community, or the lives of all African Americans.

Celebrants often substitute a large potted plant for a tree or make a tree with paper leaves from a poster board or choose a tree from their yard to use.

The Umoja (Unity Cup)

The unity cup (kikombe cha umoja) is used during toasts to the ancestors. It's traditionally filled with wine. You may want to have a second cup filled with fruit juice for the children. An important part of each Kwanzaa celebration is, The Tambiko (Libation) that is performed by an elder. The elder pours the libation using juice or water from the Tambiko set up in honor of the ancestors.

It's poured into the North South East And West corners of the room.The four corners of are used to represent the four cardinal points of the globe. The elder repeats the Libation Statement ( TAMSHI LA TAMBIKO).

How To Chose Zawadi (Gifts)

Hand made Zawadi (gifts) are encouraged over commercial purchases. Items that relate to Black heritage or that have a special meaning to a family and any item that will help the person through the next year are favored gifts.

Overall each gift should be reflective of a commitment to education, the richness of African American cultural heritage and a sign associated with of the struggle for liberation for Black people.

Finding New Decorating Ideas For Kwanzaa

When you decorate for Kwanzaa you can be both creative and imaginative and draw ideas from the potpourri of meaningful symbols, traditions and African cultures the celebration encompasses. Anything that illuminates the ancestry of African Americans, who valued and created for themselves, strong families, a strong culture and a strong communities can be included in your ornamentation.

The African American celebration should be a festive event. Traditional decorations, festooning, and recipes are fine, however use a limitless palette that suits your individual taste when you're seeking new decorating ideas. It's expected during a celebration that promotes: creativity, unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose and faith, the Nguzo Saba (Seven Principles).

E J Jolivet is a freelance writer working, writing and worshiping in Houston, TX.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=E_J_Jolivet


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Silent Night - The Temptations

My favorite version of Silent Night

Christmas Lights - Techno Rave - Sandstone

Frisco Christmas Lights: Wizards in Winter

How to Cook Classic Christmas Meals : Traditional Holiday Ham Recipe

Christmas Eggnog Recipe

Sugar Glazed Pecans Christmas Appetizer

Sugar Glazed Pecans Christmas Appetizer Recipe - Amazing videos are here

How to Make a Gingerbread Man: Christmas Cookies

How to Make a Gingerbread Man: Christmas Cookies

Waving Goodbye to 2009

The year in review captured on Google Wave. Oh what a year!

WPIX Yule Log

How to Make Chocolate Peppermint Bark

How to Make Chocolate Peppermint Bark

Walt Disney World Holidays

Walt Disney World Holidays - Dining Strategies During the Christmas Season

The Chef's Kitchen - Crown Roast of Pork

As part of the Philadelphia Magazine Guide to Holiday Entertaining, Chefs Holly Curry and Susan Jaslove of Miele in Princeton, New Jersey show us the easy way to make a Crown Roast of Pork.

The Christmas Song - Nat King Cole (HQ Audio)

The Christmas Song - Nat King Cole (HQ Audio)

Christmas Lights Gone Wild

Christmas Lights Gone Wild

'Alice in Wonderland' Trailer 5 and Behind the Scenes Clip

'Alice in Wonderland' Trailer 5




Behind the scenes clip

It's Complicated: Movie Trailer

A divorcee is caught between her ex and an architect.

LET IT SNOW IN TORONTO WONDERLAND - Bing Crosby (Classic Christmas Songs)

LET IT SNOW IN TORONTO WONDERLAND - Bing Crosby (Classic Christmas Songs)

Holiday Bread Pudding

Holiday Bread Pudding

Crazy Heart: Movie Trailer

With his career in decline, an aging country star finds unexpected inspiration.

2010 Critics Choice Award winner for Best Actor: Jeff Bridges
Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama, Jeff Bridges

Golden Globe Award - Best Original Song -- Motion Picture
"The Weary Kind"

Christmas Dinner Menu

Cornish Hens w/Cornbread Dressing/Cranberry Sauce
Glazed Spiral Ham
Macaroni and Cheese
Candied Yams
Green Bean Casserole

Danish Style Almond Glazed Rolls

Red Velvet Cake
Mississippi Caramel Mud Cake
Blackberry Cobbler

Egg Nog
Iced Tea

Bailley's Irish Creme



Anything else to add? Just add to the comments, thanx!

Apple 12 Apps of Christmas

Apple 12 Apps of Christmas

Christmas Light Hero

Christmas Light Guitar Hero

@RavenSu Favorite Performance of the Decade: Michael Jackson-Billie Jean-30th Anniversary Special

Michael Jackson's Performance of Billie Jean in 2001 - 30th Anniversary Special

President Obama lighting the White House Christmas Tree

Crepe Suzette, Cheese Blintz and a Strawberry Sauce

Make Potato Latkes

How to make potato latkes

Potato Latke Recipe

Potato Latke Recipes For Chanukah
By Dorit Sasson

A latke-kugel otherwise known as a large, thick potato pancake that needs to be cut in squares or wedges is just a larger potato pancake. Mama's version of the easy-to-make Chanukah recipe is a bit different.

A "kugel" is the Yiddish word for "pudding." It usually refers to a pudding made either with potatoes or with noodles. "Lake" is the Yiddish for "potato pancake," one of the traditional foods prepared by Eastern Europeans Jews for Chanukah. The latke is cooked in oil and so reminds us of the oil found by the Maccabees, which burned miraculously for eight nights.

Latke Kugel Recipe:

Ingredients

• 4-6 large potatoes



• 2-3 eggs



• 1/4 cup matzah meal



• 1 tablespoon wheat germ



• 1 teaspoon salt (more or less)



• 1 tablespoon honey



• Oil for frying - or a mixture of oil and margarine

Instructions:

1. Peel and grate the potatoes, and drain the liquid through the sieve into a bowl, but reserve the potato starch at the bottom of the bowl after pouring off the liquid. Then mix the eggs, matzah meal, wheat germ, salt, and honey with the grated potatoes and potato starch. Add more matzah meal if the mixture is too loose.



2. Heat oil in a large frying pan. When the oil is hot, pour the entire potato mixture into the pan and brown over medium heat. Carefully lift the sides and bottom with a spatula to make sure there is enough oil. Lower the heat, and cover the pan.



3. After the latke-kugel has a crisp crust and is set and partially cooked, then carefully slide the latke-kugel onto a plate larger than the pan, using a spatula to help detach the crust from the pan. Place another large plate gently over the latke-kugel, and invert them so that the uncooked side of the latke kugel is now on the bottom of the second plate, with the browned crust on top. Slide the latke-kugel carefully back into the frying pan (add more oil if necessary) and raise the heat. After browning the bottom crust, cover the pan, lower the heat and cook the latke-kugel until it is cooked through thoroughly. Keep checking so that the bottom doesn't burn. About 30-45 minutes.



4. When cooked, remove the entire latke-kugel onto a large plate and serve by cutting into wedges.



5. If you prefer baking, pour oil and then the entire potato mixture into a baking pan (round or square or rectangle). Bake in a 350 degree oven for about 1 hour or until there is a crisp crust around the sides and bottom of the latke-kugel.

Papa's Latkes

Ingredients:

• 4-5 large potatoes



• 1 medium onion



• 2 large eggs



• 1/4 cup matzoh meal



• salt and pepper



• vegetable oil

Instructions:

1. Peel potatoes, wash in cold water, grate finely.

2. Grate onion on larger side of grater.

3. Beat 2 eggs and add to mixture.

4. Blend in matzoh meal, and salt and pepper to taste with other ingredients.

5. Heat 1" layer of vegetable oil in a large frying pan. Drop in 1 heaping tablespoon of mixture for each latke, and when it sizzles turn over until it's crisp and golden.

6. Drain on paper towels.

7. Serve with sour cream or applesauce.

You might like to add parsley, dill, apples, raisins, cinnamon - or even cayenne pepper to your latke recipe.

Serves about 6 people, depending on their appetites.

Enjoy!

Make Your Teaching Sparkle. Teach for Success. Make a difference in the classroom. Subscribe to The New Teacher Resource Center, the FREE e-zine for teacher. Receive the e-book, "Taking Charge in the Classroom" when you subscribe by visiting the New Teacher Resource Center at http://www.newteachersignup.com

Dorit Sasson is a freelance writer, educator and founder and director of the New Teacher Resource Center.

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Christmas Cookies

Christmas Cookies - Basic Sugar Cookie Recipe
By Shellie Gardner

Sugar cookies are the basics of any holiday. They are versatile and wonderfully delicious. You can do just about anything with sugar cookies including flavoring and a wide variety of decorations that it can take. They can also be sweet or done without the extra sweetness expected of them. The choice of course is up to what you and your family enjoys.

Basic sugar cookie recipes can be found anywhere, in just about every cookbook and can even be found online with relative ease. Because the sugar cookie is such a versatile cookie you can find a number of variations. Children can help out with a number of aspects as well with these.

When using a regular sugar cookie recipe the cookies are usually rolled in sugar before placing them on the cookie tray or sugar is sprinkled over them before baking. This is a wonderful place for children to be able to help out. It is important however to warn children to stay away from the cookies until they cool. Sugar can get very hot, hotter than most substances and children can be easily burned by the sugar coating on these cookies.

Here is a simple basic sugar cookie recipe to start with variations can be found online or make your own to your families taste. Experimentation can be fun with these for adults and children alike.Basic Sugar Cookies

Ingredients

1 1/2 c butter2 C white sugar4 eggs1 tsp vanilla extract (this can be changed to almond, mint or even maple depending on taste and variation)5 C all purpose flour2 tsp baking powder1 tsp salt

Instructions

Soften the butter so that it is room temperature and easily to manipulate but do not melt it. Use the Thaw feature on the microwave if necessary but usually leaving it on the counter for a few hours or over night will take care of it for you.

Take a large bowl and combine the sugar and butter until it make a smooth and creamy mixture. Next add in the eggs and the extract, in this case Vanilla. You can add more vanilla if you want depending on taste. Stir in the flour, the salt and the baking powder.

Then cover the dough and chill for at least 1 hour in the refrigerator.

While chilling the dough preheat your over to 400 degrees F. pull the dough from the refrigerator and roll out onto a floured surface. You will want the cookies to be between 1/4 to 1/2" thick. Cut into shapes with any cookie cutter and place on an ungreased sheet about 1" apart or you can form dough balls roll them sugar and flatten. Cooking time increases with cookies more than 1/4 to 1/2" so adjust accordingly. Bake the cookies for about 6-8 minutes. Longer if cookies are thicker or bigger let cookies cool completely and enjoy.

You can also use this basic recipe to make a wide variety of different types of cookies. Add food coloring to make colored Christmas cookies or different flavorings to make different flavored cookies. Flavorings can easily be found in the baking aisle of your store.

Shellie Gardner is the owner of Christmas Light source, a great place to find Christmas Lights. Christmas Light Source is a one stop shopping source for Christmas lighting needs. From hardware to lights and everything in between, they have everything for holiday lighting decor as well as tips, tricks and do it yourself projects.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shellie_Gardner
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The Jacksons on The Today Show (12/03/09)

The Jacksons on The Today Show (12/03/09)

Jackie, Tito, and Marlon Jackson on Jimmy Kimmel Live

Jackie, Tito, and Marlon Jackson on Jimmy Kimmel Live

Michael Jackson's brothers sit down with Larry King to discuss their upcoming reality show

Michael Jackson's brothers sit down with Larry King to discuss their upcoming reality show

SIGNS

SIGNS
One of the 2009 Cannes Lions winners! A simple short film about communication.

Advertiser: Schweppes
Ad Agency: Publicis Mojo and @RadicalMedia

Why it works: A love story with few words, Signs compels you to watch until its poignant end. It conclusively dispels the myth that viral video executions must be short and gimmicky to grab your attention.

Kennedy Center honors Springsteen, others

President Obama greeted Bruce Springsteen at a White House reception before he was lauded with Kennedy Center Honors along with Robert De Niro, Mel Brooks, jazz pianist Dave Brubeck and opera singer Grace Bumbry. (Dec. 6)

@RavenSu 2009 Worst List of People (who appear to have some Issues)

Joe Jackson - drove me to the bottle several times this year, just ongoing trauma.

Adam Lambert - I have never been so confused and messed up after the American Music Awards aired.

Lady Gaga - does her own thing, whatever it is.

Sarah Palin - she may not read magazines, but she writes books.

Levi Johnston - needs to receive a beatdown from Sarah Palin.

Larry King - drove me to the bottle several times this year, interrupts everybody, asks the same mundane questions over and over again, and had Miko Brando on his show so so long that he became a guest host, know how to take a story and run it in the ground.

Carrie Prejean - she fixed Larry King's wagon - that's right you need to play the dumb blonde role sometimes, because the last time you answered a question honestly -it costed you a crown.

Kanye West - It didn't bother me at all when you acted like a damn fool and got on that stage - did you think that they was going to change the winner? You need to leave the Hennessey alone and at home!

Lil Mama - I was hoping that Jay-Z didn't put you in a headlock on that stage.

Tiger Woods - Ok I know you can marry who you want, but I think you married the wrong person.

Glenn Beck - if he ain't lying, he's crying.

Perez Hilton - don't ever answer a question that he asks you or he will be offended.

Rep Joe Wilson - Disrespectful @&$#@^ the man who hollered and said that Obama was a liar.

Chris Brown - boy did you have me fooled.

The couple who sneaked in at the State White House Dinner - bold.

New Mexico Soccer Player Elizabeth Lambert - bold and stupid.

Balloon Boy Parents - bolder and stupider.

...and once again...

Rep Joe Wilson - boldest and stupidest.


and how many times did we have to hear "I'm sorry" this year...

@RavenSu 2009 Worst List of People who appear to have some Issues

@RavenSu List of Favorites 2009

Favorite Person to Admire - President Barack Obama

Favorite Singer/Song - Maxwell "Pretty Things"

Favorite Male Performance (Old Video) - Michael Jackson performing Billie Jean in New York in 2001

Favorite Female Performer - Beyonce "The Female Michael Jackson"

Favorite Movie/Actor - Public Enemies/Johnny Depp

Favorite Social Networks/Blog Platforms - Twitter/Facebook/Blogger

Favorite Twitters to Follow - @AmericanWomannn @VaughnChicago

Favorite Bloggers - @MaxReddick

Favorite News Medium - CNN

Favorite TV - Dancing With the Stars

Favorite Talk Show - The View

Favorite Speeches - President Obama's School Speech


I will be adding to this list until Dec 31 - any suggestions?

@RavenSu Sexiest Men Alive List for 2009

Johnny Depp
Idris Elba
George Clooney
Omar Epps
Josh Hartnett

Enjoy Josh Hartnett in this video!






@RavenSu Sexiest Men Alive List for 2009

iPhone Concert

IntraV: a tale in two parts
On Thursday, December 3rd, a small group of students and faculty performed as the Stanford Mobile Phone Orchestra (MoPhO).

Public Enemies: My Two Favorite Clips and Movie Review

Dillinger and gang sits in movie theater while their mug shots are being shown on the screen.



FBI raid on the lodge Dillinger and his gang are hiding out in after a bank robbery.





I could hardly keep my pantyhose on - couldn't wait to finally see this movie.

In the beginning Depp could do no wrong in my eyes, everything was turning me on.

Christian Bale as Melvin Purvis was quite handsome in his own right.

Depp suit and hat was "Gangsta".

Two hot men in one film - damn the plot - but the plot was good also.

The movie started off gritty, dark, and ugly.

Who was the Bozo that was playing FBI head J. Edgar Hoover? ...uh maybe the man playing wasn't a Bozo.

"We having too good a time today, we ain't thinking about tomorrow." Johnny Depp as John Dillinger.

I wonder about about myself sometimes, but as you know; "Good girls love bad boys."

I found out that Dillinger was so busy with his "little activities" that he never learned how to dance.

"I ain't most men." Johnny Depp as John Dillinger

"I'm John Dillinger and I rob banks." Johnny Depp as John Dillinger to his not very interesting girlfriend.

I found the dialogue between Dillinger and Purvis quite interesting when the two men met.

I loved the part where they sent Dillinger to the jail in Indiana - even though he wasn't there but a minute... JAIL FAIL

Why the hell was he sent to the Indiana jail in the first place? Obviously no other jail wanted to hold him.

The Indiana natives were cheering.

The Indiana crowd were waving to their new prisoner as if he were a movie star, oh but that was Johnny Depp - no I mean John Dillinger - notorious is the word!

I loved that the Indiana jail had a lady sheriff - go ahead on with your bad self. I know those men must have been getting on her last nerve back in the day with their chauvinistic attitude.

Oh hell to the nah! I couldn't stayed in that little congested jail. I would of had to break out of there... I mean they would of had to send me to Michigan City. I believe in if you do the crime, do the time -but that time would of had to be spent somewhere else.

Interesting banter between the loud-mouth lawyer, the judge, and the lady sheriff in the courtroom.

And who the hell was the black guy that broke out of the Indiana jail with Dillinger, I don't remember reading that part in the earlier ganstery books. Talk about some bold ass shit back in the day - I wouldn't try that now!

How far did he think he was gone to get? I'm thinking that he must not knew where he was at.

In the beginning of the movie I was seeing only Johnny Depp, but towards the ending I was seeing only John Dillinger.

Me and (Melvin Purvis) Christian Bale are looking quite worn out by now. He had turned into a very tired looking Gman. Dillinger was a piece of work, wasn't he?

Oh and the Jr GMen, weren't they so reassuring?...

Announced in movie theater over sound system "Turn to the right, turn to the left...they maybe sitting amongst you, they maybe sitting in your row......call Bureau of Investigation...or your local police"

Ok, now let me be sitting down in there and hear some words like that in a theater. I would be turning my ass the hell up outta there. I don't have GMan training!

"You can be a dead hero, or a live coward."Johnny Depp as John Dillinger

shoot 'em up, shoot 'em up ahh the sights and sounds of machine guns

The Last Picture Show



3 1/2 stars out of 4 stars

@RavenSu halfcensored

http://twitter.com/RavenSu

Coming Together As ONE

Coming Together As ONE

Pink Glove Dance

Pink Glove Dance for Breast Cancer Awareness

Circle Players "Fame" at a Nashville lunch crowd

The Circle Players. The Circle Players, begun in 1949, is one of the oldest community theater troupes in Tennessee—they’re also a nonprofit. All the members, from actors to set designers, are volunteers.

To promote the biggest production of their current season—an adaptation of the musical, Fame—they decided to get jiggy with it, and create a viral video. Their concept? Flash mob dancing, naturally.

Sherlock Holmes: Movie Trailer

Detective Sherlock Holmes (Robert Downey Jr.) and his partner Watson (Jude Law) take on their Nemesis to save all of England.

Invictus: Movie Trailer

Invictus: Nelson Mandela tries to unite his countrymen following the fall of apartheid in South Africa.

A Christmas Carol - 2009 - Movie Clip

A Christmas Carol: Scrooge Joins Some Carolers in Song (0:22)
Scrooge (Jim Carrey) surprises some carolers by joining them in Joy to the World.

Just Married: Groom Changes Facebook Relationship Status at the Altar

Just Married: Groom changes status on Facebook and Tweets