Ode To Zaan

No matter how many times you experience death of a loved one, you feel like this big heavy foot just landed in the middle of your chest and crushed your heart.  My little Zaan, although he was over 6ft tall, has transitioned to the other side.  It's always a little weird when the ones younger than you beat you to the other side.

Yep!  Granny is photobombing in the back...lol

What I remember of him most is his infectious dry humor.  He always found a way to make you laugh and he's just standing there with a straight face as if nothing happened.  Zaan was brilliant, unselfish, patient yet stern.  He enjoyed being with family and was always looking out for his baby sister Zaria.

Although he's no longer with us on this side, it feels good to no he's on the other side still looking out for his grandmother, mother, baby sister, and fiancé.

Zaan, I know this post is the shortest of my fondest memories, but I feel I would do you no justice if I said more.  Your exemplary life of how most women desire their son or man to be, you still are in Granny's memory.

Love you baby cousin ~ forever
And to all family members, love you too.

Much love,
Granny

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Don't Give Up: You're Closer To Your Destiny Than You Realize

Until my oldest nephew moved to Texas, we would occasionally take road trips together.  The best part of the road trip was getting lost and finding our way to our destination.  Later, we would recount the reaction of the other person realizing we were lost and the process of getting to our destination.

Last week, I had a business lunch in Richmond with a new business friend, Dr. Traci Teasley.  She was willing to meet me half way, being we are 2hrs apart, but I wanted to continue on with my adventurous self and travel the whole distance alone.  Dr. Traci emailed directions to the Baker's Crust Restaurant, and the morning of the road trip, Granny was set.

Dr. Traci Teasley of Teasley & Associates in Richmond, VA

I made it to Richmond safely, but while there, I looked down briefly at the directions once again to see which exit I needed to take.  There were two that almost appeared the same.  As I looked up, I took what I thought was the right exit.  I knew it wasn't when I got to the third toll (the directions only mentioned one).  I asked the lady at full service toll which was the best way to get to my destination and she gave me directions from where I was.  I immediately called Dr. Traci to let her know I was in town but was attempting to get back on the right track.  At one point, I forgot a piece of the direction the lady at the toll gave me and called Dr. Traci back.  She attempted to assist me as well.  As it turned out, I was so much closer than I realized to my destination.  All I had to do was turn the corner at the end of the road.  I made it only losing 15min to my appointment time with Dr. Traci. 


SO WHAT'S THE POINT IN THE STORY GRANNY?

The point is, there are so many times we are on our way to our destination (goals, dreams, aspirations) and we get a little distracted which causes us to get off track.  If we don't give up and continue to be adventurous as we usually would when traveling in unfamiliar territory (as becoming an Author for me), we will begin to see we are closer to our destination than we realize.  In the story above, I was only 15min. off course, but I made it.  In other areas of our lives, we are only off course just a little bit.  Don't Give Up!  You are so much closer than you realize.  Your destination is just around the corner.

Much love,
Granny

Is there a plan, dream, or goal, you're working on and became a little distracted?  Did the distraction take you off course?  Share with us below how you got back on course and made it to your destination/goal.

Dr. Traci Teasley can be connected via:
Twitter: http://twitter.com/DrTraci
LinkedIn:  http://www.linkedin.com/in/drtraciteasley

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

Related post:
Don't Give Up   http://bewiseandknow.com/2012/11/26/dont-give-up/

Cabbage and Kielbasa

One thing is for sure, my sisters and I always thought we were being rewarded when Nah Nah served us this dish when we were little.  Whenever we would sneak into the kitchen to see what she was cooking and saw the ingredients for this delightful meal, we were just as excited as if Christmas was the next day.  It is still one of our favorites to eat whenever we are together -- Cabbage and Kielbasa.

Me using Tofurky Kielbasa.  Regular Kielbasa is richer in color.

By the first sentence, you can tell we were stinkers for girls, huh.  Nah Nah used to say, "Raising my girls is like raising boys; rough and always hungry."
This recipe will include both Nah Nah's (beef) and my version (vegan). Two recipes in one post.  Lucky you!

Ingredients
Large head of cabbage
Large sliced onion
Crushed garlic (optional)
Salt and Pepper
Beef Kielbasa or Vegan Kielbasa by Tofurky 

Clean cabbage as usual.  Cut cabbage to fit in pot.  Add all ingredients into pot, except kielbasa.  Bring cabbage to boil.  Stir, reduce heat to medium-high.

If you desire boiled Kielbasa:
Cook cabbage for approx 10 min before adding kielbasa.  Continue cooking meal, stirring occasionally, until cabbage and sausage are to your liking.

If you desire Kielbasa sauteed or grilled:
Saute separate in pan with very little oil of your choice, or, grill to your liking.

Add ingredients together in large bowl, without liquid, from pot (this will cause the cabbage to be too wilted and reduce the great taste of the creation).  

Another great option is use the Kielbasa with Granny's Sauteed Cabbage which can be found here.

Serve with Granny's Corn Cake found here and you have yourself something wonderful.

Enjoy!

Much love,
Granny

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

   

Compilation of Childhood Snacks

Growing up in the '70s, the grownups seemed to be very concerned about children's bowel movements.  They believed most illnesses came from unhealthy colons.  Every Friday night, we had to get in line for some form of laxative to ensure we remained healthy.  The choices often used then were Castor oil, Cod Liver oil, Ex-Lax chocolate, Milk of Magnesia, or Feen-a-mint gum.  Of course there were more used then, these were the top five used in my household.

You always end up with this one person who was the odd ball in the fold, namely me, whose body just did not react to things as everyone else did.  So my family decided to give me all types of snack food to help me.  The one thing I hated so much were prunes.  I could not stand the smell of those things (even to this day I cringe and gag at the smell of them).  Weird story before giving you a tasty recipe, huh.  I know, but it was the only one that came to mind as I was writing this.

The snack I'm sharing with you today is a compilation of things I like.  In the 70s, we didn't do much with dried fruit except bake them into cakes.  This recipe makes it easier to carry the snack to work and store in my locker, or purse, until I'm ready for it.  I haven't come up with a name for this combination as of yet so I am requesting help from each of you to help me name this delightful treat.  Now on with the recipe Granny!!!

Ingredients
Unsalted Cashews
Dark and Golden Raisins
Dried Cranberries
Banana Chips

Just take a little of everything and mix in a bowl.  If you're not really big on sweets as I am, you can add more nuts to balance the flavor of the mixture. Around the holidays I tend to use mixed nuts because that's what everyone else prefers when I serve this treat.  Normally, I would use carob for chocolate but it is so
hard to find in my area now.

Hope you enjoyed Granny's weird post for the week.  Enjoy the snack and enjoy life with a happy colon.

Much love,
Granny

What were some of the things your parents/grandparents gave you for your colon health?  If you have a name to help Granny attach it to her snack, leave it below in comment section.  

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

Sauteed Cabbage

** In honor of Mother's Day, I decided to do a post on an Auntie who was also a Mom for everyone that encamp around her.  Pictures of Auntie and her work will be in August's post.
 
Hello everyone!  Granny here!!
Nice to be back with you with another great recipe.  This one is a favorite dish we all love for Aunt Beverly to fix when we visit her in DC: the famous Cabbage Dish.  I call it Sauteed Cabbage.
The ingredients are diverse and very pleasant just like Aunt Beverly.  A woman of many talents and always pleasant.  She is very skilled in playing the piano, videography, historical documentation, and training people to find their singing part.  OH, did I mention she has been a Nurse for over 30 years as well as an Artist who grace us with her own designs of Birthday and Christmas cards each year.  In another post this summer when I post mini biographies on my family members, I will showcase some of Aunt Beverly's work.

Now to the recipe (Granny's version, of course):

Ingredients
Large head of cabbage
1 whole onion sliced (the size of onion depends on how much you like)
1-2 cloves of fresh garlic crushed (you may substitute with garlic salt if you wish)
Fresh carrots sliced (the quantity depends on how much you like)
Olive oil (or oil of choice)

Begin cutting cabbage open and cleansing to prepare it for cooking as you would any other time.  Set aside to drain.  Place sliced carrots in pan of olive oil cooking on med-low, covered (the amount of oil used is of
your preference when sauteing). Stir frequently to keep from burning.  Cook until soft.  You may brown them just a bit if you choose.  Once done, but into a bowl and set aside.

You may use the remainder of the oil used for the carrots or use another pan with fresh oil for cabbage.  Place cabbage in oil using the same med-low heat (cabbage cooks quicker than you realize).  Add onions and garlic (or garlic salt).  Cover cabbage.  Aunt Beverly just uses regular salt and black pepper for seasoning.  Stir frequently to keep from burning.  Cook to your liking (Granny likes her cabbage with a little crunch, Aunt Beverly cooks hers longer to get very soft).  Mix all ingredients together in large bowl and allow to sit covered for approx. 10 min to allow all flavors/seasonings to incorporate.

**Sometimes Granny mix in a pan of fried potatoes in the mixture

Serve with cornbread or bread of choice and enjoy!

Much love,
Granny

Do you have a memory of a recipe from an Auntie or other relative you loved them to fix when you visited as a child?  Comment Below. 

**Stay tuned for next week when Granny shares a combination of different childhood snacks into one tasty treat**

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


Click links to see who I honored last year on Mother's day:
http://www.1elegantgranny.com/2012/05/these-mothers-of-mine.html
http://www.1elegantgranny.com/2012/05/these-mothers-of-mine-part-2.html

Egg Salad Sandwich

Today for lunch, I was craving an Egg Salad Sandwich really bad.  One of my first memories of having one was with my Paternal Grandparents.  They had great pleasure fixing me something to eat.  Although I was the 2nd oldest Grandchild, I was also the smallest of everyone.

My Grandparents often encouraged me to eat more (although I ate more than some of the grown ups) because most country folks believed you weren't pretty unless you were fat.  At least that's what they used to tell me.  If only they were able to see when I hit 220lbs.  So glad I lost most of it. 

Now for the recipe:

Ingredients:
2 eggs
Mayonnaise
Mustard
Chopped onion(optional)                                          
Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Splash of lemon juice (optional)
White pepper (optional)


After boiling eggs, separate cooked yoke from eggs. Put into mixing bowl.  Mash egg yolks until fine in texture (or until yolk no longer looks whole, but crumbly).  Dice egg whites into small pieces.  Add into bowl.  Add remaining ingredients of choice.  Add and mix according to the texture that suits you (I prefer mine a little thick).

Put on bread of choice and enjoy.

Much love,
Granny


What fond memories do you have fixing a simple lunch with your Grandparents?  Share story with us in comment section below.

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

Corn Cake

Everyone knows Granny loves to cook.  One of my favorite things to cook is corn cake.  I come from a line of bread eaters so this is no surprise when my family sees this post.  On my mother's side of the family, everyone has their own version of what to do with cornbread.  On my father's side of the family, many of the children were not as crazy about cornbread, so Grandma made it into a cake using Martha White corn bread mix.  Henceforth, the "Corn Cake".  She said she figured this would work since most children loved cake.  Of course, Granny has her own version.  One of these days, I'll share some of my family's recipes.
Today's recipe I'm sharing isn't homemade although I add other ingredients.  It still taste the same whether done by scratch, or the box.  Since most people are familiar with Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix, that's the recipe I'll use for this week.

Ingredients:
2 boxes of Jiffy corn muffin mix
3 eggs                                                                
1/2 - 1/3 can of evaporated milk
1/4 c sugar
butter/margarine of choice
1-2 tsp flavorings of choice
glaze (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In large mixing bowl, mix all ingredients according to back of Jiffy corn muffin mix box (I use 3 eggs for cake-like consistency.  Feel free to continue using 1 egg for each box if you choose).  Mix ingredients.  Add sugar.  Mix.  Add flavoring of choice.
Melt butter/margarine in cast iron pan to coat bottom (you may also use another oil or pan of choice).  Pour batter into pan.  Cook for approx. 20-30min (or until done according to your oven).  Spread butter to melt on top or make a glaze to pour on top if you choose. 

*My favorite combination of flavorings of choice is vanilla and orange.  Sometimes I do vanilla and lemon, vanilla and banana, or vanilla and almond.  You may use just one flavor if you choose.

Much love,
Granny

What memories do you have of someone special creating a dish to include you in the family meal plan?  If you come up with your own version, let me know.  I would love to try it.  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  

Family

Warning:  This is my family.  This is NOT how we have fun.  This is how we live........

I don't know about you, but I do believe I have the most fun family there is.  And for this I am very thankful.  No matter what trials, tribulations, sorrow, or pain, we still have the most fun.  The picture below is from last year.  I decided I wanted the family to go to church '70s style for my birthday.  It seems I'm stuck in that era for some reason.  I love those days!!!  We were amazed Mama went along with it. We believe she had more fun with it than we did.  The Pastor got the biggest kick out of it as well.  He had us to stand up and introduced us as Foxy Brown, Cleopatra Jones, Christie Love, etc....

The Real Get Fresh Crew.  Me in the plaid coat.

The following picture is of my other mother and her sisters.  We have a birthday celebration for all of them on the same day due to everyone's birthday falling within 2 weeks of each other at the beginning of the year.  The theme for the party that year was '50s, '60s, and '70s.  Aren't they cute?!

Ma in center as Don King
 

 Looking forward to fun next year.  I hope you are with your family.

Much love, 
Granny

What are some things your family do together for fun?  Share with us in comment section.

Parents

There's one thing in this life I know for certain; you don't get to pick your parents.  For this, I am thankful.  My parents did not have the best of everything to give us, but they gave us everything with the best they had.  We were blessed to have three parents in our lives that we care about and they care about us.

My father c. at his ordination service

My father spent a great portion of his life working hard, being involved in sports (he coached a lot), and teaching Sunday school.  As I remember, his favorite job was during the time he was trucking for Allied.  He always came back home bragging what stars he ran into while delivering cargo in California.  The thing I remember about him the most, he stressed a scripture from the bible that will never leave me - "If a man don't work, he don't eat." (2Thessalonians 3:10).  He was not playing either.  Every child, at any age was required to do something around the house.  If you were able to communicate you were hungry effectively, verbal or not, you had to work for it.  Because of this virtue, I learned to never to depend on anyone for anything when I am well able to get up and do for myself.  Thanks Daddy!!  Here's a post I did in memory of my father earlier this year:  http://timewithgranny.tumblr.com/post/16469095710/live-without-regrets-this-post-is-in-memory-of-my

This is Mama (Nah Nah) dressed for Sunday service

My mother was the one that provided a lot of lung exercises for us.  While growing up, my sisters and I were known as The Braxton Girls.  We were a singing group that had some place to service people in song every Sunday (or so it seemed every Sunday).  It was a lot of work, but it was also a lot of fun.  During the summer, Mama would sell dinner plates for school supplies and school clothes for the upcoming school year.  Because of these two ventures, I learned how to use every stream God has given me to pool income for my household.  Thanks Mama!!  Here's a post I did of Mama earlier this year:  http://www.1elegantgranny.com/2012/05/these-mothers-of-mine.html

Here's a picture of Ma with her winning smile

My step-mother has been the greatest support system for us all.  She was always there for us as the sounding board for anything.  What I remember of her most as a child, is her love for people.  There is never anyone going into lack around her.  If you don't know how to do, she will teach you if you allow her to.  Because of her, I understand the value of giving back to my community.  Thanks Ma!!  Here's a post I did of Ma earlier this year:  http://www.1elegantgranny.com/2012/05/these-mothers-of-mine-part-2.html

All three parents have served God and their children well.  I appreciate them, and I'm sure God does too.

Much love,
Granny

What values do you treasure most form your parents?  Leave comments below.

Encouragement

Photo courtesy of Google Images

There is never a bad time to give or receive encouragement.  It is the state of being in a place where someone or something gives you hope.  It reminds me of faith (state of hoping for something that has not manifested yet).  Before my Grandfather passed, I was in his bedroom talking to him one day.  We were talking about things that happened in our lives and things that were going on in our lives at the time.  At some point during the conversation, he said, "My life was hard, but it was good."

Granddaddy only had a third grade education.  He came up in a time when children were taking from school to work to help support the family.  As we were conversing one day, he inquired about my classes.  I was in Junior College at the time and I told him how rough it was especially while having to work a full-time job at the same time.  He gave me so many words of encouragement that night, I just couldn't post them all.  The one thing that stood out to me was the summation of his life.  It has become one of my famous quotes during one of my motivational engagements:
 "Man is only as strong as his faith.  The more it is exercised, the stronger he becomes."  ~ Elegant Granny

During my Grandfathers life, he had to endure so many things to overcome not only to help himself, but to assist his family members to have a better life.  As the patriarch in the family, there was always a word of encouragement coming from this man.  He also encouraged us to do the same with each other, and others we come into contact with.

My Grandfather never saw me graduate from college, but there was a surety within him that said I was going to make it.  Today, I am working on my MBA, and still working full-time (plus up to 32hrs of overtime during the week).  I am also working on publishing other work besides my three blogs.  I am so grateful to God for the times we shared.  Those words he gave me were always the best pick me up I needed.

Encouragement is one of the greatest gifts you can give.  My gift to you, is to always believe you're going to make it no matter how hard it becomes.  Whenever you feel as if you won't, remember why you started on your journey in the first place.  Once you realize how far you've come, you won't want to turn around.

Much love,
Granny

Acceptance

It takes some people time to learn who they are.  At times, they don't like who they are and venture out being something/someone else they're not.  By the time they get through making things harder for themselves and everyone else by doing so, they come full circle realizing they have to accept who they are, where they come from, and who they are becoming.

Who you are begins in your genetic makeup.  There are some things that are just inevitable.  For instance, my parents enjoyed cooking and feeding people.  I do also.  Unlike them, I do not care how much everyone enjoys my cooking, I do not plan to start a catering business or open a restaurant.  My love for cooking stems from both parents.  My two sisters and I were always around food.  No microwave nor instant food for us.  Just home cooked meals.  I want good cooking and good conversation for everyone just like my parents did.  Although I don't have the heart for starting a business cooking like my parents and one of my sisters, I accept the fact that I will not make plenty of money cooking for people, but I can make something out of writing a cook book with our recipes.  I accept that I am different in a lot of ways.  I am a writer.  Always have been.  Always will be.  My other sister just rather serve the food and converse with the people.  My sisters and I are all different in relation to cooking and serving.

It's OK to be different.  Learn how to accept and appreciate what separates you from others.  It will make a difference in your happiness.  It has with us.

Much love,
Granny

LOVE

There are so many ways I could talk about love.  Today, I choose to discuss how I believe as a Christian God intended me to love His people.  I'll discuss why He chose me to love the way He did, why He chose you for me to love, and the benefit of me loving you the way He told me to.

God chose me to love you because just like Him, He knew I would look pass your faults and see your need.  There should never be a time where we, as Christians, should focus on the faults of our sisters and brothers.  Doing so would be a misrepresentation of Him and cause shame for the reason Christ died on Calvary.  Your faults are none of my business.  That is Jesus' business to handle.

God chose you for me to love because loving you shows how valuable you are to Him.  Know your worth.  He created you in His image.  When you look in the mirror, you are looking at a piece of Him.  No matter how flawed, He loves you anyway.  He loved you so much, He sent Christ to take care of your faults.  When Christ ascended back to heaven, He sent people like me to love you with the same measure.  Don't worry about those who don't, God gave you just who you need in your life.

The benefit of me loving you the way He told me to is, He is sterilizing you to love others with the same measure.  We should always choose love when it comes to others; faults and all.  To do the opposite, would be a disservice not only to Him, but also to ourselves. 

Love one another.  As I have loved you, so must you love one another.  - John 13:34 

Much love,
Granny