Music Therapy with Miss Moon

" Every man should be born again on the first day of January.  Start with a fresh page.  Take up one hole more in the buckle if necessary, or let down one, according to circumstances; but on the first of January let every man gird himself once more, with his face to the front, and take no interest in the things that were and are past."
~ Henry Ward Beecher

" We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year’s Day."
~ Edith Lovejoy Pierce

“ Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right.”
~ Oprah Winfrey

Today is the very last day of 2012. What an amazing year of revelations it has been for me. I feel like 2012 served as an awakening for me, and it is with a feeling of gratitude and awe that I await continued lessons and blessings in the new year.

So tonight I plan on celebrating every challenge, every triumph, every laugh, every tear, and every moment to  come. And the best best song to illustrate my celebratory spirit is none other than the Black Eyed Peas. Because, truly, I gotta feelin'... that 2013 is going to be a good year for all of us!!!



I gotta feeling that tonight's gonna be a good night
That tonight's gonna be a good night
That tonight's gonna be a good, good night

A feeling that tonight's gonna be a good night
That tonight's gonna be a good night
That tonight's gonna be a good, good night

A feeling, woohoo, that tonight's gonna be a good night
That tonight's gonna be a good night
That tonight's gonna be a good, good night

A feeling, woohoo, that tonight's gonna be a good night
That tonight's gonna be a good night
That tonight's gonna be a good, good night

Tonight's the night, let's live it up
I got my money, let's spend it up
Go out and smash it like oh my God
Jump off that sofa, let's get, get off

I know that we'll have a ball
If we get down and go out and just lose it all
I feel stressed out, I wanna let it go
Let's go way out spaced out and losing all control

Fill up my cup, Mazel Tov
Look at her dancing, just take it off
Let's paint the town, we'll shut it down
Let's burn the roof, and then we'll do it again

Let's do it, let's do it, let's do it, let's do it
And do it and do it, let's live it up
And do it and do it and do it, do it, do it
Let's do it, let's do it, let's do it

'Cause I gotta feeling, woohoo, that tonight's gonna be a good night
That tonight's gonna be a good night
That tonight's gonna be a good, good night

A feeling, woohoo, that tonight's gonna be a good night
That tonight's gonna be a good night
That tonight's gonna be a good, good night

Tonight's the night
(Hey!)
Let's live it up
(Let's live it up)
I got my money
(My pay)
Let's spend it up
(Let's spend it up)

Go out and smash it
(Smash it)
Like oh my God
(Like oh my God)
Jump off that sofa
(Come on!)
Let's get, get off

Fill up my cup
(Drink)
Mazel Tov
(Lahyme)
Look at her dancing
(Move it, move it)
Just take it off

Let's paint the town
(Paint the town)
We'll shut it down
(Let's shut it down)
Let's burn the roof
And then we'll do it again

Let's do it, let's do it, let's do it, let's do it
And do it and do it, let's live it up
And do it and do it and do it, do it, do it
Let's do it, let's do it, let's do it, do it, do it, do it

Here we come, here we go, we gotta rock
(Rock rock rock rock rock)
Easy come, easy go, now we on top
(Top top top top top)
Feel the shot, body rock, rock it, don't stop
(Stop stop stop stop stop)
Round and round, up and down, around the clock
(Rock rock rock rock rock)

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
(Do it!)
Friday, Saturday, Saturday to Sunday
(Do it!)
Get, get, get, get, get with us, you know what we say, say
Party every day, p-p-p-party every day

And I'm feelin', woohoo, that tonight's gonna be a good night
That tonight's gonna be a good night
That tonight's gonna be a good, good night

I gotta feeling, woohoo, that tonight's gonna be a good night
That tonight's gonna be a good night
That tonight's gonna be a good, good night
Woohoo

Let's Talk Tresses Friday: What are your #naturalhair Resolutions for 2012!?!?

2012 is just days away... and now is the time where many are putting together their lists of new year's resolutions... changes they want to bring into the new year.

I am no different. I have a lot of aspirations for the year to come: places I want to be, opportunities I openly welcome, wisdom I'd like to bring into my life... and there are many resolutions I have when it comes to my natural hair -

*In 2012, I want to invest in a hair steamer. I don't have the room for the Huetiful Hair Steamer, so I will be getting a Stand up Hair Steamer instead, and incorporate steaming into my weekly deep conditioning routine(I can feel my hair drool in anticipation of combining Anita Grant's Rhassoul Deep Condish with a steamer!!!).

*In 2012, I will (finally!!) master twisting my hair. I never seem to get them right, so I will try once a month to twist my hair so that they will last at least a week, and rock a twist out afterwards!

*In 2012, I will put my hair in the hands of a professional at least once a season, for regular trims. I have not been to a hair salon in decades, and while I have gone a long way doing it alone, I know that with the help of a good natural hair stylist, I can go even further!!!

*In 2012, I will try a new twist to my yearly "braid-cations", and will be rocking a wig over my braided hair. It's a great way to protect my hair for weeks at a time. And fans of YouTube's Taren916 know exactly what wig I'm currently cyber-stalking! LOL

*In 2012, I will learn how to cornrow my hair. Like twists, my cornrows are always hit-or-miss, and I think that if I continually try them throughout the year, I will find consistency with them.

Are you making New Year's Resolutions when it comes to your hair?!?!? What are your resolutions?!?! Leave a comment and share!!

:::drools::: Sparkle and Shine for New Year's Time!!!

I don't know if it's the recent enjoyment of a very special Christmas present I snagged for myself (Yes, I've been watching it all weekend! LOL), but I have been very inspired by sequins. What better way to bring in the new years? And thanks to our favorite celebs, there are certainly scores of inspiration!!!

I've put together an assortment of sequined sweetness that can be used for just a bit of pinch of pizzazz, or to turn yourselves into a one woman New Year's Eve party!!!

Grey Silver Sequin Dolman Top ($38.50, Torrid)

ASOS CURVE Jacket With Sequin Sleeve ($95.45, ASOS)

Women's Sparkle-Toe Ballet Flats ($12.99, Old Navy)

Multicolor sequin skirt ($79.95, Lane Bryant)

Baby Phat Sequin Crop Jacket ($56.99, Dr. Jay's)

Plan Platforms ($135.00, Aldo Shoes)

Michael Kors Sequin Wrap Dress ($79.90, Nordstrom)

SL Fashions Plus Size Dress, Short Split Sleeve Sequin Boat Neck ($109.00, Macy's)

Cinema, Cuisine and Cocktail : "True Blood"

I know, I know.. "True Blood" isn't a movie, it's a television show, but I'm very proud to say that thanks to my efforts (but mostly as a result of Christopher Meloni joining the cast! LOL), my sister is the newest True Blood fan.

She has been catching up on Season One over the past few weeks, so that she could be rightfully prepared when the show returns in June, and I thought that it would be the perfect opportunity to put together a Vampire-theme party menu for New Year's Eve. My plan is to rent Season Two on Netflix, get my familia together and take a virtual trip to Bon Temps, Louisiana to hang out with Sookie, Lafayette and the gang!!

The Menu:
Shrimp Scampi Po-Boy on Garlic Bread
Louisiana Red Beans and Rice
Red Velvet Vampire Bite Cupcakes
Vampire Kiss Martinis

Shrimp Scampi Po-Boy on Garlic Bread

Recipe courtesy Emeril Lagasse, Food Network

Ingredients:

1 1/2 pounds large shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 teaspoon Essence
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 tablespoons chopped garlic
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Pinch cayenne
1/4 cup dry white wine or Vermouth
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
1/4 cup chopped green onions
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
2 tablespoons chiffonade basil
1 loaf Garlic Bread, recipe follows
Finely grated Parmesan cheese, garnish

Directions:

In a bowl, lightly season the shrimp with the Essence.

In a large skillet or saute pan, melt the butter and heat the oil over medium heat. Add the garlic, salt, pepper, and cayenne and cook, stirring, until the garlic is soft and fragrant but not browned, about 2 minutes. Add the wine and bring to a boil. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the wine is reduced by half. Lower the heat to medium-high, add the shrimp, lemon juice, Worcestershire, and lemon zest and cook, stirring, until the shrimp are opaque and starting to turn pink, about 2 minutes. Add the green onions and cook until the shrimp are pink. Stir in the parsley and basil and remove from the heat. Adjust the seasoning to taste.

To serve, spoon the shrimp and sauce into the bottom half of the prepared garlic bread. Sprinkle lightly with cheese and top with the remaining garlic bread. Cut into 4 portions and serve immediately.

Garlic Bread:

1 loaf fresh French or Italian bread, about 22 inches long, cut in half lengthwise

1 stick unsalted butter, softened

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese

2 teaspoons Emeril's Original Essence

2 teaspoons minced fresh parsley

1 teaspoon dehydrated garlic flakes

1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil.

With a fork or your fingers, pull out the excess bread and hollow slightly the center of the loaf.

In a bowl, cream together the remaining ingredients and spread evenly over the cut sides of the bread. Place on the prepared baking sheet and bake until just golden brown and bubbly.

Serve hot.

Louisiana Red Beans and Rice

Recipe Courtesy of La Belle Cuisine


Ingredients:

1 pound dried red beans
10 cups water (or more)
1 ham bone or ham hock
1 pound smoked sausage, cut into 1-inch pieces
3 garlic cloves, crushed
1 1/2 cups chopped yellow onion
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 cup chopped scallions
2 bay leaves
1 teaspoon Worcestershire
1 tablespoon dried parsley flakes
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon Creole/Cajun seasoning,
such as Tony Chachere’s
Crushed red pepper to taste
Lemon juice, just a splash
Tabasco sauce to taste
4 cups hot cooked rice

Directions:

Rinse beans well and drain them in a colander. If you remember to cover them with water and let them soak overnight, great. Otherwise, place beans in a large pot, cover them with water and "fast soak" by bringing to a boil and letting them stand off of the heat, covered, for 1 hour. Return beans to the stove, add ham bone, garlic, onions, bell pepper and seasonings. Bring mixture to a boil and reduce heat to simmer. Cook very slowly, partially covered, for 1 1/2 hours. Stir the entire mixture just once about every half hour. Add the smoked sausage and cook another hour, partially covered. Beans are ready to serve when a rich natural "gravy" is formed. Serve over rice.

Red Velvet Vampire Bite Cupcakes

Recipe Courtesy of Vino Primo

Ingredients:

-3 cups cake flour
-1 ½ tsp. baking soda
-1 ½ tsp. salt
-1 tbsp. cocoa powder (for a more chocolate flavor use 4 tbsp.)
-2 ½ cups sugar
-1 cup buttermilk
- ½ cup vegetable or canola oil
-1 ½ cup plain yogurt

-2 eggs
-3 ounces red food coloring (no less!)
-1 tsp. old white wine (can also use white distilled vinegar)
-2 ½ tsp. vanilla extract
-1 recipe or 2 cans of white buttercream frosting
-1 can cherries w/ filling
-1 ounce red food coloring

Directions:

1. Pre-heat oven to 350 F.
2. Sift dry ingredient together.
3. In a separate large bowl, blend wet ingredients.
4. Slowly add dry to wet. Do not over mix.
5. Evenly divide batter between the well of 24 to 30 muffin tin lined paper cups.
6. Bake until center springs back when lightly pressed in center 18 to 22 minutes.
7. Let cupcakes cool to room temperature before frosting.
8. Add one ounce of red food coloring to cherry filling.
9. Use pointed object to make two “vampire bite” puncture marks on each cupcake. (I use a meat thermometer.)
10. Using your pointer to drizzle cherry filling downward from puncture holes to simulate bleeding.

Vampire Kiss Martinis

Recipe Courtesy of Merlotte's Bar Book

Ingredients:
1 part Vodka (chilled)
1 part Champagne
1 part Chambord

Directions:

Pour vodka, then top with Champagne.

Finish off with the "blood": pour some of the Chambord over the back of a spoon to make it float. Garnish with a Blood orange slice.

A Little [SHALAMAR] for a Saturday Night

Happy New Year, Everybody!!! It's 2011 and I am wishing that we all make it a year FULL of nights to remember.... (see where I'm going? lol)



Since I am still in the New Year's party frame of mind (and have the unopened bottles of liquor to prove it!) I am going to start the first blog of 2011 on a high and soulful note... I hope you all will enjoy this week's "for a Saturday Night" song... "A Night To Remember" by Shalamar.

Miss Moon's Musing About: Ta-Ta to 2010! (A Top 5 List...)

This year has gone by so swiftly, I found it difficult to reflect on the past twelve months.... It was actually a very daunting task! This has been such an amazing year for Miss Moon's Musings, I wanted to share some of the highlights for me (In no particular order):



The new face of Miss Moon's Musings

I knew that I wanted to change the overall look of my online home, but I never ever could've fathomed how much I would love the wonderful work that Ladybird Blog Designs did!



Blog Lovin'

This year, I have been blessed to receive some tremendous feedback from my peers online. It's been such an amazing experience to have been listed as one of the Top 25 Natural Hair Bloggers on Networked Blogs, Received an Honorable Mention in an article about Natural Hair Bloggers in Brooklyn, received so much love in the awesome blogs, Bohemian Soul, Everything She Wants and was Mane Chic on Indulge In You.



The "DOPE" Entry that Never Was...

Like many of you, I fell promptly in love with the adorable little black muppet girl singing about her hair. I won't front: the song is my ringtone, and I have the tee shirt design as my wall paper!! LOL I never had the opportunity to blog about it, but had I succeeded in writing the post (I can't remember if me getting sick in October was the culprit or was there something else...)



YOU!!!!!

My very short list of people who dig my rantings, ramblings and revelations increased dramatically in 2010. I may not mention it often in my blog, but believe me I have been aware and in awe of every single one of you who clicked "Follow" here or on Networked Blogs & clicked "Like" on the Miss Moon's Musings FaceBook page. Your feedback and comments have brought me so much joy and I am continuously filled with gratitude for everyone who is diggin' what I am doing here.

In fact my recent Be Blessed post on Gratitude was inspired by the words I am writing here and now. I knew that I wanted to do a wrap up of 2010 and that I wanted to end it by sharing a very special gift from me to you. My initial plan was to do another Giveaway, featuring a huge prize, but I decided against it. When I decided how I wanted to conclude the last blog postings of 2010, I immediately enlisted the help of the wonderful DJ Green Arrow, who helped coax out my inner DJ and walked me step-by-step into creating the...



Music Therapy with Miss Moon: Best of 2010 Mix

Yes, yes y'all... I took some music featured this year in a Music Therapy with Miss Moon or for a Saturday Night post. Check out the songs:

1. Natalie Cole - Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds
2. Jill Scott - Love Rain
3. Neneh Cherry & Gang Starr - Sassy
4. Cody Chesnutt - Come back like Spring
5. Arthur Lee & Love - Always See Your Face
6. Corrine Bailey Rae - Closer
7. Esthero - Black Mermaid
8. Joy Jones - Beautiful
9. Olivier Daysoul & Victor Hugo - In the Now
10. Janelle Monae - Sir Greendown
11. Betty Davis - If I'm in Luck I Might Get Picked Up
12. Aloe Blacc - Need a Dollar
13. Cree Summer - Miss Moon

To download this playlist for absolutely free (my gift to you!) click here.

Happy Happy New Years from Miss Moon's Musings!!!!!!!!

I've love to hear some ideas as to where I should take this baby for 2011!!! Be sure to leave a comment about that!!!

In the meantime, I will once again send hope 2011 will be a wonderful year for all of us and say for the final time this year....

Yummm! Black Eyed Peas + Collard Greens = New Year's Eve

I am sure I am not the only one who has family that eats Black Eyed Peas, Cornbread and Collard Greens on either New Year's Eve or New Year's Day. But in case some of you don't know what I am talking about, here's some info on the custom (From About.com):

The tradition of eating black-eyed peas for the New Year has evolved into a number of variations and embellishments of the luck and prosperity theme including:

* Served with greens (collards, mustard or turnip greens, which varies regionally), the peas represent coins and the greens represent paper money. In some areas cabbage is used in place of the greens.

* Cornbread, often served with black-eyed peas and greens, represents gold.

* For the best chance of luck every day in the year ahead, one must eat at least 365 black-eyed peas on New Year's Day.

* Black-eyed peas eaten with stewed tomatoes represent wealth and health.

* In some areas, actual values are assigned with the black-eyed peas representing pennies or up to a dollar each and the greens representing anywhere from one to a thousand dollars.

* Adding a shiny penny or dime to the pot just before serving is another tradition practiced by some. When served, the person whose bowl contains the penny or dime receives the best luck for the New Year, unless of course, the recipient swallows the coin, which would be a rather unlucky way to start off the year.

The catch to all of these superstitious traditions is that the black-eyed peas are the essential element and eating only the greens without the peas, for example, will not do the trick.

I found this great recipe, courtesy of sgrishka at BigOven.com and I wanted to share it because I will be cooking this for the familia, along with corn bread, and greens.

If you have a "No Pork on Your Fork" philosophy, you can definitely switch the sausage to turkey sausage and the ham hocks to smoked turkey wings (which I am considering doing because.. that's a whole lot of PO'K!!! ) LOL

Black Eyed Pea Stew


Ingredients

* 1 large ham hock, ham shank, or ham bone
* 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
* 1 pound smoked sausage, hot sausage, andouille, bacon, ham, or other smoked
pork
* 1 large yellow onion, chopped
* 1 large green bell pepper, chopped
* 1 or 2 jalapeno peppers, finely chopped (optional)
* 2 tablespoons tablespoons garlic, minced
* 1 teaspoon salt,
* 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper,
* 1/4 teaspoon cayenne
* 2 bay leaves
* 1 pound dried black-eyed peas, rinsed and picked over
* 2 quarts ham stock, or chicken stock, or low-sodium chicken broth, or water
* 1/2 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley chopped


Preparation

Wash peas, spread out on towel and check for derbies (you don't have to soak the peas). With a sharp knife, score the skin and fat on the ham hocks with 1/4-inch-deep slashes.

Heat the oil in a large heavy stockpot over medium-high heat. Saute the onions, bell peppers and jalapeno peppers, stirring often, until softened, about 4 minutes. Add the ham hocks, garlic, salt, black pepper, cayenne, and bay leaves. Cook, stirring often, for 2 minutes. Add the black-eyed peas and stock. Bring to boil over high heat. Reduce the heat and bring down to a medium simmer, cooking uncovered for about 15 minutes.

In the meantime, slice the sausage into 1/2" pieces and brown in a heavy skillet. (If using bacon, don't cook it until it's crisp.) Add sausage to the beans, continue a medium simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, for about 45 to 60 minutes more, or until the peas are creamy and tender (skim off any foam that forms on the surface). Add additional stock if necessary.

Remove the bay leaves and discard. Cut the meat from the ham hocks, discarding the skin and bones. Return the meat to the pot, stir in the parsley and heat through, about 5 minutes. Check seasonings. Serve with cooked long-grain white rice, corn bread or corn muffins.

May be served over rice as a main course, as a side dish, or thinned with ham or chicken stock and served as a soup, as desired.

Yield: 6 to 8 servings