DOWNTOWN TURN UP AND BALLET SHOWS

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Post Show

Got a free book…well they were all free 🙂
Let me tell ya bout my best friend
SWAG
Adorbs!
Random building art
Then we got crazy
But then got cute for a sec…
City Lights
Hannah rocked out…by herself 🙂
Duke Energy Building
Street lights on, time to go home.
I swag…
And surf…
And then Hannah dropped the mic and walked away from them haters like…
This weekend was full of interesting events but of course I began it with a visit to the Downtown Raleigh Ballet. My mom won complimentary tickets to a showing of Tempest Fantasy.Mom couldn’t go so she passed them tickets right along to me. I’m huge fan of Shakespeare so I was out of this world excited about seeing the show. And who better to tag along for the adventure than my girlie Hannah! It was Hannah’s first ballet so naturally she was super cheesy excited about it. I was casual about the whole thing, cool, calm, collected….uh no…lol…I was super excited to but played it cool. LOL.  Aside from the hot guys in tights, I must say I was surrounded by some serious talent. I’d like to get in tip top shape like that one day so I can wear over sized tutu’s and glide across the stage like a swan. Ah the random things I desire. HA! Unfortunately, I love tacos to much so I’ll settle for sweatpants and a slow waddle across the stage. HA! 

Isn’t Hannah just a bundle of petite cuteness.:) I had a blast snapping pics in the middle of the street and seeing the ballet dancers do multiple pirouettes without getting dizzy. Only in Raleigh can you stand in the middle of the street and cars politely wait as you snap pics for Instagram. Try that in NY and you might get ran over.

Till next time!

Sincerely,

Deidra Marie


WINE AND DESIGN AND SISTER TIME

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Wine and Design
Cary, NC
Cool wine bottles with Christmas lights
Starfish
Ready to paint
But first, let me take a selfie
And one more selfie for good luck
Humble beginnings 
Pink and black
Black brush strokes
Colorful paints
Painting the body
Me stressing
Sister love
Finally complete
Create 
Danny’s painting 
The finished product
And here I thought the birthday festivities were complete but my sister Danny took me to my first wine and design party. We decided to design and not wine because we both had work in the morning. I must say, for my first time painting, I’m surprised at how Oscar turned out. Yes, I named the elephant Oscar, I name everything Oscar though. Don’t ask. Anyhow, this was not your average wine and design session, there were a group of girls who attended to celebrate their friends birthday and lets just say they did more wining than designing. The birthday girl placed her brand new party clothes on a counter top near some candles and all of her clothes set on fire. Thankfully, a young gentleman sitting close to the counter top was able to put the fire out in time but all of her brand new clothes were ruined. I suggest designing then wining if you decide to participate in an activity like this. It was a good laugh to say the least.

It was awesome getting to spend time with my sister. We both work so much so it’s rare we have time to just hang out, relax and catch up. I realized though that painting is not therapeutic for me. I was stressed! I mean literally stressing out because I wanted to stay in the lines and mix my colors correctly. I relaxed after the painting was complete and I was semi satisfied with the results. Apparently I’m a perfectionist, never thought of myself as such until I started painting but me and Danny plan on attending again and I plan on chilling out and just letting the brush strokes flow. I probably won’t unless we wine as well. Now I understand why you must wine while you design because people tend to over work their paintings and are stressed trying to make sure it’s perfect.

Nevertheless,the instructors were great and we got to meet some pretty cool people. This was a great way to complete my birthday! I suggest everyone attend a wine and design and set their clothes on fire.

If your in the area, please check out Wine and Design:

483 James Jackson Ave
Cary, NC

Till next time.

Sincerely,

Deidra Marie

EASY SWEET POTATO RECIPE

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Peel skin off sweet potatoes and rinse thoroughly
Set them in pan out of the way
Cut sweet potatoes into 1 in cubes or smaller
Set cut potatoes in pot of water
Do one last rinse. Setting potatoes in water helps soften them and take off any excess skin or dirt.
Mix in Ginger, Brown Sugar, Vanilla Extract, Nutmeg and Cinnamon in pot of butter
Stir mixture and bring mixture to a boil
Preheat oven to 400 and set rinsed sweet potatoes in pan. Sprinkle cinnamon on them and add butter and spice mixture and stir till potatoes are covered in mixture.
Cover potatoes with foil and bake for 50 minutes
Sweet potatoes should be soft and mixture sticky. If potatoes are not as soft as you’d like,place foil cover back on pan and bake for additional 15 minutes.
Optional: Cover baked potatoes with marshmallows and bake for 10 minutes or until marshmallows melt or are lightly browned.

In the mix of all the shenanigans that took place this weekend, I managed to cook up over 6 lbs of sweet potatoes for a church event. Sweet potatoes are a major part of my diet and one of my favorite sides. Aside from all the many health benefits of this delectable treat, you can eat them in so many different ways and they can be included with so many different meals. I have a major sweet tooth and fresh sweet potatoes are a go-to when I’m craving something sweet. I must admit though, this was tedious and exhausting. If you try this recipe hopefully your only cooking for a family of 4 or less. 🙂 I’m also hoping your knives aren’t as dull as mine.

I decided to make baked candied yams. This side can pretty much be paired with any dinner or lunch meal and can easily be modified for those who are looking to eat a bit healthier. If your looking to try this recipe without all the added calories, try replacing the butter with coconut oil and only add a bit of brown sugar and cinnamon to taste and opt out on the marshmallows.

I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I have.

May your sweet potatoes be sweet and your peeling be quick and easy!

Till next time.
Sincerely,
Deidra Marie