Beauty Out of Africa

Recession Proof Fun

These days, everyone is looking for things to do that don't break the bank.  Just because we are in a recession, does not mean that we have to forgo fun! Quality time with family and friends, can do much for one's spirits, and overall health.  On a budget? Try these activities:
 

• Find a recipe on the internet, of a dish, that you would normally eat at a fancy restaurant. Invite family or friends over, after you've perfected it!  Try different themes, i.e. Spanish night, or African night. (Next week, we will be featuring an African recipe you can try). 
• When Springtime hits, you can make it a fun picnic in the park. 

• Have a family movie night, there is no need to pay full price, when you can get recent movies from Red Box for just $1. Turn down the lights, and pop your own popcorn.  
   
• Still too much? Go to your local library, where you can rent your favorite TV series on DVD, as well as music, and classic movies.  The Library will even have the latest book releases. 
   
• Organize a book club with your friends.  Find topics that you are all interested in. Brew some coffee and make everyone fancy lattes. 
  
  
  
• Plan a girls night in, and hold a spa party.  Tell everyone to bring their own makeup etc, and you can supply the face masks.  You can make your own, or purchase some great ones cheaply. 
  

Or get your brain going and come up with some ideas of your own! You can have fun on a budget, all it takes is a little creativity, along with a few of your friends and family. The real focus is on having fun, and creating togetherness; instead of dwelling on bad news and negativity.  So, lets get back to having good times, and living life!

Shea Radiance will be at the Takoma Park Street Festival

The Takoma Park Street Festival is entering its 25th year as a multi-cultural music and crafts festival  in downtown Old Takoma. Shea Radiance will be at booth #40, so come say hello.

Join us this Sunday, October 5th and enjoy a day filled with music, fun, arts, crafts and family events.

Some Recommendations on How to avoid Exposure to BPA

The Washington Post Article listed the following ways to avoid exposure to BPA

• Look for BPA-free toys, baby bottles and containers.
• Reduce your use of canned food; eat fresh or frozen foods instead. Bisphenol A has been found in the lining of canned food tins.
• If you use hard polycarbonate plastics (Nalgene bottles, baby bottles, sippy cups), do not heat them or use them for warm or hot liquids. Heating plastics to high temperatures may promote the leaching of chemicals out of containers and into the food or liquid they hold. Freezing plastics poses no such risk.
• Instead of polycarbonate and PVC plastics, consider using alternatives such as polyethylene plastic -- also labeled as PETE or recycling code #1, #2 (HDPE) and #4 (LDPE). Polypropylene (recycling code #5, or PP) is also considered a safe choice. Recycling code #7 may mean the product contains BPA.
• Do not wash polycarbonate plastic containers in the dishwasher with harsh detergents.

Take Your Child to Work Day

Shola is taking Femi to work with him today. Lord have mercy! I don't know how long Femi will last in the office?

 

Space Station in 3D at Imax Theatre

Spent most of Thursday morning with my son's third grade class at the Baltimore Science Center. What a wonderful experience. The kids got to run around and try their hand on different types of interractive science projects. The highlight of course was Space Station 3D movie. The 3D technology and surround sound gave you an almost real experience of the journey to the International Space Station (ISS). The kids were all reaching and grabbing because the images appeared so close and so real. What I loved was seeing the earth from outer space, it truly is a majestic sight. It made me marvel at the wisdom of God and how He holds all things together by the power of his word. A definite must see or the family.

Happy Valentines Day

Valentines Day is special. It gives me a chance to reflect on love, friendships and of course my most important relationship - marriage.

We are going into our 12th year, so we have some history to look back on. We've had our fair share of challenges with health, finances, business, church and more, but in the midst of it all, love continues to grow. There is so much to learn about true love both in friendship and in marriage.

These are some things I continue to learn about love.

• Love is more than a feeling and it is more than just words
• Love in action is  patient, kind and humble 
• Love is having to say you are sorry
• Love is giving up the need to win every argument and debate. Whats the point in having your way and losing the one you love?
• Love is a series of ongoing decisions you make to prefer others above yourself

This Verse from the book of I Corinthians 13:4-7 pretty much sums up what true love is

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." 

Have a Happy Valentines Day!!!

Merry Christmas

Christmas Eve was festive at our household. Femi, played in the bell choir at church and was all dressed up and looking handsome. It was a wonderful night of carols and laughs at church. Christmas is a time to give thanks again for Gods gift to man, His son, Jesus Christ.

A Time to Give Thanks

I didn't get to give a full report on what a great Thanksgiving we had this year. Since we are still in the Holiday season, I thought it appropriate to share some of the photos that captured the spirit of the event. We had a full house for Thanksgiving and what a wonderful time it was. The food was wonderful and the fellowship was even better. After dinner we all took time to give testimonies of what the Lord had done for us and express our gratitude.

Maso & Fabrice from Burkina Faso

We met Maso last year at Univ MD while my son Femi was undergoing Kidney Transplant. Fabrice is 14 years old and in need of a heart transplant. God has miraculously kept him alive and well. We are celebrating with him and his mother the goodness of God this year

Akwele, Sandrine, King, Akwete Just arrived from Togo the night before Thanksgiving. Their parents have been working on migrating the family to the US after Richard (Dad) fled Togo. Older Brother, Serge and Mom follwed shortly after Dad. Now they are all together. Another wonderful thanksgiving

Joseph and Winifred Richardson - Celebrated 25 years of marriage and 3 wonderful children. Stephen (Cornell Univ), Abraham (indiana Univ) Keren (High School) were all present to celebrate.

My Darling Hubby and my boys

Back at the University of Maryland

We checked in to the University of Maryland this Tuesday night. Our 9 year old was scheduled to have his old kidneys taken out due to a series of bladder infections since his kidney transplant in January. The surgery went very well. Dr Roger Voigt and his team did an excellent job as always. The procedure took a little longer than planned - 5 hours, but  it was a  success. We are now in recovery mode and hope to have my typically active and chatty 9 year old back to his normal self again.