Donny Hathaway’s Essential “This Christmas”

…because Christmas just isn’t complete without Donny Hathaway’s essential “This Christmas”. Enjoy!

Peace, Love and Joy to All – Enjoy the Holidays!

Giving of Yourself During the Holidays and Beyond

The past two weeks have been very busy for me – busy in the best kind of way. I’ve been to the ER once, various doctors and I’ve even purchased a pretty good blood pressure monitor. I’m perfectly healthy but loved ones close to me needed a little extra TLC this year and even in these tough times, I’m thankful that I have been able to provide it. You see, for me, this season is all about giving of myself to others –not just my money but more importantly my time, my heart, my love. Games, phones and other big- and little- kid toys just don’t do it for me anymore. And, if I buy ONE more pair of shoes, I’ll probably be diagnosed with a really creepy-sounding psychiatric disorder. Like everyone else I know, I’m tightening my economic belt;  all expenditures are done with very careful consideration. These days, my actions have to have meaning and purpose in my own life, and to the greatest extent possible, in the lives of others. Spending time with or providing care for those less fortunate or in ill health brings me more joy and happiness than any material item. After the holidays are over, I’ll probably go out and indulge myself a little with the post-holiday markdowns. But for now, holding the hand of someone who has cared for me all of my life, and helping to improve her quality of life makes me glow more than any pricey trinket or bauble.

Merry Christmas, Happy KWANZAA, Happy Chanukah… oh heck, Happy Holidays!

- Adrienne C Barr

Dr. Sunitha Krishnan: Bringing Hope to Victims of Sexual Slavery and Human Trafficking

This is an uncomfortable topic to blog about, much less think about; but it is real and we all have to take a stand against predators to protect vulnerable victims.  Each year, thousands of women and children are forced into the sex slavery and human trafficking trade worldwide. While we in the US often see this as an international issue, it is one that happens on our soil as well.  For example, last month in North Carolina, a beautiful five year old named Shaniya Davis was savagely raped and murdered after being sold by her mother into sex slavery purportedly in exchange for drugs. Undoubtedly there are many more Shaniya’s in America – children who are trafficked under the radar by the very people who are supposed to love and protect them.

While many of these women and children die of AIDS and violence resulting from the trafficking, some are rescued and given a second chance at life. There’s no question that it is important to bring the perpetrators to justice, however, it’s even more critical to develop and support programs that provide alternative ways of life for rescued victims.  Dr. Sunitha Krishnan, co-founder of Prajwala (translation: ‘eternal flame’), is a powerful advocate who has dedicated her work to just that — combating sexual violence and providing hope and dignity to over 1,000 women and children

Dr. Sunitha Krishnan

recovered from sexual servitude.  In this moving video, Dr. Krishnan, a victim of child rape herself, describes the heartbreaking stories of three children who did not survive the abuse they suffered. But she also shares success stories of women and children who have been rescued and trained in vocations to sustain their lives without sex or violence. The world is a safer place to many, thanks to the tireless efforts of Dr. Krishnan and others who crusade to stamp out this plague.

- Adrienne C Barr

The Fascinating Tales We Weave: The Political Fiction Projects

Fictionalized President Obama in NY Mag's Political Fictions Project

Wronged political wives cackling over their husbands’ sordid, dark sides with less than significant others; Rob Blagojevich and Papa Joe Jackson making strange music together; and, Mitch Romney finding his nirvana.

These teasers are just the beginning.

Give pen and paper to creative writers with a knack for spinning not-so-far-fetched tales about contemporary political figures and the result can be New York Magazine’s  The Political Fictions Project . All’s fair game in these twisted one- pagers that hit all the headlines, from long-suffering political wives and girlfriends to disgraced governors and brooding presidents.

While each story is entertaining, Bush and Babs’ “Fetch” by Heidi Julavits is the most devilishly fun. Take a read:

Stories:

Barack Obama “Night Walk” – Adam Haslett

Ashley Dupre and Silda Spitzer “The Astral Plane Nail and Waxing Salon” – Mary Gaitskill

Sarah Palin “Going Nog” – Paul Rudnick

Bush and Babs “Fetch” – Heidi Julavits

John McCain “Another Night at Camp David” – Thomas Mallon

Mitt Romney “Celestial Couple” – Walter Kirn

Rod Blagojevich “The King of Mop” – Lionel Shriver

Kismet

Gardenias

Kismet.

Fate.

Destiny.

It’s that familiar feeling that warms your heart at the very thought of a certain someone.
It’s that handsome profile from afar, the one that can’t be, though you most surely hope it is.

It’s the face of truth and fidelity, the one that always brings joy to your heart.

It’s that smell, that familiar fragrance that your soul instantly recognizes as belonging to him.

-Adrienne C Barr

Like an Old, Sweet Song…

Nobody does it like Ray.  On this cool, lazy Sunday afternoon, he keeps Georgia forever on my mind…

White House Security Breach: Prank or Cause for Serious Concern?

By now, most have heard about President Barak Obama’s first formal State Dinner this week, with the main dish being about how Michaele and Tareq Salahi, an uninvited — and more importantly, unvetted or security-cleared — couple breached White House security and strolled straight up to President  Obama without his security detail taking a single action to stop them. It was bad enough that these people weren’t even invited to the event, but somehow they were still given unfettered access to the President like stately dignitaries. While there should be consequences for the Salahi’s, what happens to them should pale in comparison to the dressing down the White House security and the Presidential Detail members responsible for vetting all participants at this event should receive. Several parties seriously dropped the ball and they need to be held accountable and reassigned to far less important posts. Thankfully, this couple was simply purportedly trying to gain their 15 minutes of fame with reality TV cameras in tow; however, they could very well have had malevolent plans in store for our President.

Minor Prank or Serious Security Breach?

While the major US press outlets are fawning over the pretty blonde and her handsome beau seeking stardom, there has been no mention of whether they were ever searched for weapons or other contraband before they reached Obama. President Obama has had an unprecedented number of threats made against him and his family’s lives – more than any other US president in history. Rather than weakened security, it should be heightened at all times. I hope strong steps are being taken to ensure that this never happens again. And let’s hope the Salahi’s were the only uninvited guests who crashed the party. Unfortunately, no one knows for sure.

- Adrienne C Barr

The Absolute BEST Baked Southern-Style Macaroni and Cheese

Thick and Delicious Baked Macaroni & Cheese

Just in time for Thanksgiving – a MUST HAVE dish. For years, I have searched high and low for the perfect custard-like Macaroni and Cheese recipe to rival the best I’ve had at southern-style, soul food restaurants like Sylvia’s of Harlem and Justin’s in New York City and Atlanta. If you also remember the now-closed Maroon’s that used to be in Chelsea (NYC), then you know what I’m talking about.

Until today, I have come up empty-handed in my pursuits. Macaroni and Cheese was that one dish that this Carolina girl’s family never perfected.

How sweet the smell and taste of success! After sifting through numerous recipes on the net, and combining a tablespoon of this and a dash of that, I’ve just made the BEST Macaroni and Cheese I’ve ever tasted anywhere. It’s rich, thick and wonderfully cheesy.

Enough talk.  Let me get you on your way to making your own!

Ingredients (serves 4-5):

• 1 lb box of uncooked macaroni
• Pot of Boiling Water
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 8 oz block Kraft monterrey jack cheese, grated or thinly sliced
• 8 oz block Kraft sharp cheddar cheese, grated or thinly sliced
• 12 oz can evaporated milk
• 1 egg
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 1 tablespoon dry mustard

Directions:

• Preheat the oven to 350F.
• Add the 2 tablespoons olive oil to the pot of boiling water, immediately followed by the uncooked macaroni. Cook the macaroni about 7 minutes until it is al dente, not overcooked or mushy.
• Place a small saucepan on low heat and add the full can of evaporated milk until it’s very warm but not boiling.
• Add the butter and stir until it melts.
• Stir in the flour and dry mustard as well.
• Remove the milk mixture from the heat and add both blocks of grated or thinly sliced cheese*.

*You can either grate the cheese beforehand or use a sharp paring knife and sliver it into long, thin slices; either way, it will melt quickly. I prefer the latter method using the knife because it’s fastest for me.

• Return the milk and cheese mixture back to the low heat and stir constantly until the cheese completely melts.
• By now, you should have a textured, frothy mix of milk and cheese.
• In a separate cup, whisk the egg.
• Stir the egg into the milk and cheese mixture.
• Immediately layer ½ the cooked macaroni into a lightly greased, oven-safe glass or metal casserole dish.
• Pour ½ the milk and cheese mixture onto the layer. Add the remaining macaroni and repeat, adding all of the remaining milk and cheese mixture.
• Cover the dish and place in the oven on the medium rack. Bake for approximately 30 minutes.
• Remove from oven; remove top carefully as the macaroni and cheese will be hot and steamy.

That’s it – Absolutely wonderful!

- Adrienne C Barr

Men We Love: Fashion Designer Christian Siriano

Christiano Siriano's Collection, Autumn/Winter 2009

No self-respecting fashionista’s work is truly done until she’s written at

Christian Siriano's Collection, Autumn/Winter 2009

least one blog note on fashion design prodigy Christian Siriano. We were introduced to Christian’s fabulousness on Project Runway back in 2008. Since then, he’s gone on to stand in his own right by presenting some of the most exciting designs at premier fashion shows worldwide. Described by some as his generation’s Marc Jacobs, Christian has garnered well deserved accolades and respect along with a loyal following. The man definitely brings the drama with the sophistication in his designs.  Expect to lose yourself when browsing Christian’s collections on his site, ChristianSiriano.com. His Spring/Summer 2010 collection is my favorite to date but that’s surely to change because Christian just keeps getting better and better. And those lines …

PS

Thank you, Christian, for including a beautiful, diverse palette of models in your shows. We fashion mavens notice.