Happy New Year

Photo courtesy of Google Images

As we embark on a New Year, its good to reflect on all that has occurred this year to make provisions for the following year.  Moving from just blogging to also providing services and products are on the agenda for Elegant Granny in the New Year.  It has been a pleasure servicing you and forming relationships with some of you (my cyber buddies).
Looking forward to meeting some of you in the upcoming events (see events tab for more detail).

Walking into the New Year will be with great joy to continue providing you with excerpts of my life.  Thank you for allowing me to share my life with you - one memory at a time.

Much love,
Elegant Granny

Elegant Granny Planning for 2013

Excited about the New Year coming?  I certainly am.  2012 has been a very enlightening year for me.  From the beginning of the year to now:  Although Elegant Granny was created in October 2011, I Founded the Elegant Granny Company in 2012 beginning with just this blog.

Along this journey, I have met some of the most amazing people this year. I would like to express thanks from the bottom of my heart for each one sharing themselves with me so that I may become the woman God intended me to be:
@Vernetta Freeney of Women Are Gamechangers
@April D. Byrd of Breath of Life Daily

@Tyjuana Wilson of Tyland Writings
@Freckles of Love, Curiosity, Freckles, and Doubt
@Nell of theramblingcouchpotato aka my sister from another mother
@ Montina Portis of Organic Life Products, Inc. aka @Sparkwisdom on YouTube


2013, Elegant Granny will attend events enhancing who she has evolved into along with the advice and directives from the above people. I'm most excited about attending the Spark & Hustle event in the District of Columbia in April.  Click the Spark & Hustle image next to the post on the right to see info.  Hope to meet you there.
So many of you have asked that I add blog buttons to share with others on your blogs.  Granny will definitely work on that for the new year.  Thanks for asking.

Thank you again to everyone who supports me on this journey, and may God multiply back to you one hundred fold.

Much love,
Granny

**Click the links next to the names above and visit their site.  If you decide to do business with them, let them know Elegant Granny sent you**

Who inspired you to be greater than what you've become this year?  Has your meeting with them led you to make plans for a greater you in 2013?  Leave comments below.


Feel free to visit me at my other sites:
Be Wise and Know http://www.bewiseandknow.com
Time With Granny  http://www.timewithgranny.tumblr.com

Merry Christmas from Elegant Granny

Photo courtesy of Google Images

It's Christmas!!!  It has been a beautiful year because of all the support you give me.  Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart.

Be safe and enjoy the holiday

Much love,
Granny

One of my Favorite Things

While going through the news feed on my Facebook business page earlier, I came across a status from @Women Are Gamechangers about being a nerd girl still loving the smell of books.  Boy did this take me back to a memory that helped me to behave myself.

Just a snippet of my collection

I've always had a love for books - paper or hard back.  Growing up, I'd rather read than go out to play.  My mother used to take whatever book I was reading at the time away from me as punishment for doing or saying something wrong.  With my OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder) for completing what I started instead of skipping on to the next thing, she knew it would be hard for me to start reading something else until she gave me back the book she took so I could complete that one first.  It was so nerve racking for this here chick.  So glad that was all it took for me to straighten up. I would also fight to keep the other kids away from my book collection.  If that gives you any indication how I feel about books.


I love books so much!!!

Although eBooks are great, I still prefer my hard copies.  There is always at least two on me at all times.  That's why my shoulder bags are so big.  If you see me with a smaller hand bag, rest assure, there is a couple of books somewhere in the car.
To this day, whenever I'm out, if I pass by any books for sale, you will see that little girl - instead of my forty something self -getting very excited like it's the morning of Christmas until I leave with all I have the money for.

Much love,
Granny



What is one of your favorite things you were very protective of as a child?  Leave comments below. 


 

RECIPE: Great Northern Beans with Smoked Turkey Breast

Hello there!  Granny here with one of her favorite recipes:  Great Northern Beans with Smoked Turkey Breast.  There are so many benefits that come with this recipe:

1. saves time during the week - one meal in one pot
2. health benefits
3. promotes hair growth
4. tastes great
5. enough to share

The list could go on, but I'll stop here.
I use beans as a staple meal when my weeks are extra long.  It frees me from stressing out having to cook with limited time.  Beans also are high in fiber (good for digestive tract), contain biotin which promotes hair growth, helps increase muscle tone, and there is a variety of ways you can cook them.
Turkey breast has its own benefits, it's a lean meat less talked about containing large amounts of B6 and a good amount of B12, and just like beans they taste great depending what your taste calls for.
Of course as all Granny's do, there is always more than enough to share.  I'll be sharing this tasty treat with my coworkers.

Great Northern Beans with Smoked Turkey Breast
1 small turkey breast (mine was approx 6lbs)
1 1/2 lbs of dried great northern beans
onions
seasoning to taste (whatever you like)

Turkey Breast:
Roast turkey breast in oven according to instructions using seasonings of choice after cleaning it.  After taking out of oven allow to sit for approx 10-15 min before carving.  Carve turkey, then dice into smaller pieces (you choose the size).  Put turkey into mixing bowl and let marinade in liquid smoke for approx 2 - 4hrs (I normally do it as long as the beans take to cook).

Beans:
Sort beans for debris.  Rinse beans well. 
See instructions for soaking method.  Lately, I've been using the quick soak method and it works just as good as if you were to soak overnight.  Use seasoning of choice.  Beans usually take 3 - 4hrs to cook if using on medium heat with lid tilted for better cooking.  Once beans are tender, add turkey and onions and allow to set together as you would spaghetti noodles and sauce.
*onions can be cooked with turkey or beans.  I love onions so much I do it with both.

Serve with cornbread and you have a tasty meal that is very filling.

Enjoy!  I sure plan to!!

What are some of your recipes for northern beans?  Leave comments below.

Much love,
Granny

The Sisterhood of The World Bloggers Award

Since I began blogging, I've met some amazing people.  Some just for conversation, others for networking or coaching me to my next level.
Yesterday, I received an email saying I was nominated for The Sisterhood of The World Bloggers Award by Nell @ theramblingcouchpotato.  Thanks Nell!  I really appreciate it.

Seven interesting facts about myself are:

1. Love to read - my nose is always in a book
2. Love to cook - it soothes my soul
3. Love education - my mother swears I will always be in school
4. Love to write - my thoughts are precious and I love to share what they are
5. Eldest of 20 grandchildren
6. Worked in the Medical Industry for 27 years
7. Great planner - have to plan and organize absolutely everything in my life

 

In turn, I am also nominating seven other deserving sisters for this award:
Vernetta Freeney @ womenaregamechangers.com
April Byrd @ breathoflifedaily.com
MissyMystique @ boujibuzz.com
Freckles @ nvfreckles.blogspot.com
Faith @ onlinewithfaith.blogspot.com
Ty Knighten @ thesexysinglemommy.net
Tamyka Washington @ theceomamma.com

My reason for nominating these young ladies is they are hardworking for the good of all women.

In order to receive this award, the following rules apply:

• Include the award logo on your post
• Thank the blogger nominating you and link back to their blog
• List seven interesting facts about yourself
• Nominate seven other deserving sisters

That seemed easy enough.
Thanks again Nell for the nomination! Much success to you and my other seven social media sisters.

How have you been appreciated for the work you've done?  Male or female, share with us in comment section below.

Much love,
Granny