The Beauty of Simplicity...

I like to keep it simple. I don’t want to be in the kitchen all day. For special occasions yes. I actually enjoy cooking but on an everyday... I want in and out and good !

My roommate Sallie is always shocked at how quickly I cook, or that I can actually clean up before I sit down to a still warm, really good meal. My cooking is getting better though my father says otherwise.

Anyway, I’ve been in the kitchen more because I love to cook but I want to cook better. So I buy beautiful cookbooks! Go to a bookstore and flip through the pages. Find food that looks good to you and that’s the one you get, provided of course you even want to cook. But I do suggest you befriend your kitchen. Open a bottle of wine and try something different like I did for Thanksgiving.

My niece Briana came down from college to hang out with Aunt Candace for a few days over the holidays. She’s attending University of the Pacific. Yep, we’re kinda proud. I asked her for her ‘must-have’ food because Aunt Candace was not doing the whole Thanksgiving dinner thing. She needed yams and sweet tea. Our compromise was sweet potato pie and sweet tea. After that, it just had to be good and it had to be simple.

I found a recipe for chicken that sounded and looked really good in the December issue of Food & Wine (page 106, take a look at it when you’re in the grocery store tomorrow. It may become your dinner). It’s crazy how simple it is. And the fact that it’s a one-pot dish, oh yeah, even better.

Chicken Baked on a Bed of Bread and Swiss Chard – You’ve got chicken, greens, and bread. I’m happy! What else do you need, macaroni and cheese? I got you. Briana made it and she did a good job. There was finger smacking and everything. We did good Bri!

This is a relatively healthy meal. All your fat comes from the mac & cheese but we’re not eating the whole pan here. I know it’s the holidays but let’s enjoy not engorge. It’s a long season and an even longer winter. We don’t move as much and we typically eat heavier, richer foods. My mom’s baked potato soup sounds good on 40 degree nights. Yeah, yeah I know some of you are wearing toe warmers right now because it’s 8 degrees outside. I live in Southern California and I’m grateful not to have to shovel a path to my car. But 40 degrees is 40 degrees and that’s cold to me but, back to the point.

We’re in that extended, celebratory part of the year where the ovens are on full blast baking cakes and pies, the doorbells are ringing with people holding gifts of chocolate and wine, and soon it will be time to toast 2011 with champagne. Enjoy your friends and family but enjoy yourself just a bit more by realizing you don’t have to pack on the fat in order to survive the winter. We may not move as much when it’s cold but we’re not bears hibernating for six months either. Your happy holidays shouldn't equate to pounds of regret later. Eat, drink and be merry but take it easy my friends.

Quick Not Even 5 Minute Snack

Layer:

Cracked wheat crackers, your healthy favorite

Fresh sliced tomatoes, seasoned with sea salt and fresh cracked pepper

Persian cucumbers, I like these best for bites. You choose what you like without having to unhinge your jaws. It's a bite!

Hummus

Simple.. Always good!

Perfect appetizer and everday snack. Oh my god! So good!

Serendipity.

My niece Briana is starting college next week. I have seen this little chick’s face almost every day of her life since she was six months old and I’ve only missed a couple ‘first day of schools’. Well, tomorrow I’m headed to Stockton, California to help her set up her dorm room. This is exciting for me. I’ve missed all the preparations & fights because she’s in Atlanta. So I’m really looking forward to this.. her first day of college, her first day of truly being away from home, meeting her roommate (of which she’s never had being an only child. This should be interesting). I’m looking forward to driving away from campus with tears rolling down my face. Yes, I'm a cry baby.

Briana is entering a new gateway of her life, that time when the seeds that have been planted really begin to take root. This is the time when I know she’ll need the tenderness and guidance and ear and love, and tough tap on the shoulder from her mom, me, and every other strong, positive woman. I know that the steps she’s beginning to take will shape her later moments and I’ve been charged with making sure her transition is as smooth as possible. Because I have the gift of hindsight, I will honestly share with her what I know because the sooner she grabs hold of her bliss, the more time she’ll have to live her splendid life.

I know it’s never too late to learn something new, to take a chance, or a flying leap, but there will never be another moment like this in her life. I am charged with pushing her. She doesn’t know this yet, or maybe she does, but she is also charged with pushing me. In order to help her, I have to be living the life I want. I have to be true to my gifts and talents. I have to be who I’m designed to be.

So, at the moment Briana is entering her college life, I am entering a new gateway of my own as the Health Editor of Mwari, an online magazine for college girls. How perfect, just when I have a spot-on vantage point! This is my moment to be confident. This is my moment to trust my abilities. This is my moment to have guts. This is my moment to be who I am designed to be.

I’m grateful to be walking through new doors with Briana. I think it gives us a special bond. Our steps don’t have to lead in the same direction in order to use the strength that we each continue to gain to bolster and push someone else. That’s what we’re all charged with, nurturing ourselves to sustain our reach. There’s strength in numbers and there are a lot of us girls, over 150 million here in the states. Imagine a world where each of us knew our bliss, nurtured our talents and interests, expected and gave the best, and never stopped asking the question ‘what if’. Yes, I’m shooting for the moon. Just the simple notion of this excites me because I can imagine a utopic world were women are strong and bold, and men are equally as strong and bold, making our children strong and bold.

And because I can imagine, I will continue to nurture my strengths in order to sustain my reach.

Here’s to you Briana! I’m excited for you babe..

Hello Again..

I know I've been away for a while but I needed that space to do some discovery of my own. I must admit, it was a bit harrowing at times but I believe I found some wonderful answers to that scary question, 'what the heck am I supposed to do now?!'

One such answer was, 'Keep writing chick!' In addition to that booming response, I was given a new platform in which to write. I am now the Health Editor for Mwari Magazine (http://www.mwarimag.com/), a new online publication for young women ages 18-24. We will soon go live with the first issue and I couldn't be more excited.

A huge part of getting what you need is being open... Open to hear & to receive, no matter the direction it comes from. Another part is memory. Remembering what works & what doesn't, accepting & embracing what you're good at, and nurturing the gifts you've been given. I recently had a conversation with Maci Peterson, Founder & Editor of Mwari Magazine, on this subject. At 23 years old, she truly impresses me and has taught me a wonderful lesson on accepting and embracing and nurturing. I'll be posting our conversation later.

For most of my life, people viewed me as a teacher of sorts. I never really thought so but having the gift of hindsight allows me to look back & remember. And in this time of 'discovery', I've done just that. I remember always and still being asked for advice from younger & older (I'm in the middle), married or not (I'm divorced), people with kids (I don't have any), boys & girls (ok, I'm a girl). My sister's boyfriend, Mr. Campbell, even sent me one of his paintings titled 'Lot's Of Learning' because he always viewed me in that role of teacher. (You can see his work at http://www.leroycampbelloriginals.com/) A few months back I had my charts read and was told that even in my past lives I was a teacher.

So, I can't escape it, nor do I wish to. I, Candace Burney, am a teacher. I accept it, I embrace it, and I graciously give to you whatever you wish to receive.

Sawdust Festival

To all my friends living in California, the Sawdust Festival starts this weekend November 21^st. If you live here … if you’re visiting for the holidays… find your way there.

Go see him.

His name is Joshua. He is a bronze sculptor, an absolute, beautiful soul, and he’s my friend.

When you visit his website http://www.joshuabchoy.com/ have your speakers on. Listen. You’re gonna fall in love with him I promise. And you’re gonna want one of his pieces. All the love he feels for the world is in them. And when it’s on your neck or wrapped around your waist, you can feel it. And because you like the feeling, you always want it on your body… which makes it conform to you even more. The longer you have it the more perfect it becomes.

This is what we need more of in the world. People that see the beauty all around, and not afraid to go deep within themselves to see what they can become. People that have found their passions and live them. You can feel Joshua’s fire in his pieces.

If you can't make the Sawdust, visit his website. Support him. He makes us all better.

I wish you an amazing festival Joshua !

The Sawdust is a great experience. You feel like you’re walking in the trees and I guess you are. You’re outside, the booths are built around the trees and you’re blanketed by leaves and branches overhead. The grounds are thick sawdust, and it feels like a big tree house filled with paintings and photographs, jewelry, glass sculptures, music and waterfalls.

And there’s food! My roommate Sallie is from Texas and recently began introducing California to the Southern fair delicacy – Funnel Cakes! She’s making her debut at the Sawdust! This is the time of year we all cheat anyway so just save a few calories to at least try one if you never have. And if you have, you may wanna give Sallie’s a go. They made the front page in Ventura County.

I won’t get a chance to go home for the holidays so I’ll use the space I was reserving for my mom’s sweet potato pie for one of Sallie’s funnel cakes.

I wish you an amazing festival Sallie !

This Made Me Cry...

Ok, I know, I'm a crybaby anyway but...



I just had to share this...



First, I apologize for the picture being so small. My computer was doing something insane and I couldn't edit the photo. But, in the center of the picture is a father and son. The little one was maybe 9 years old and daddy is teaching him how to surf!



I watched them for a while... dad would help him swim out and get him in good position to catch the next one. As the wave begins to build, dad swims with his arm extended to the back of the board, pushing his son into the surf. Who knows how many times they've done this but in and out they go.



I saw the little one jump on his board, after dad has pushed him off, and catch a long one. He even walked towards the front of his board just to milk out as much as possible. Impressive ! The wave dies and he turns around to look at his dad. It was a well deserved celebration! Even from the beach I can see an excited son and a proud dad. (In this photo he's on his own, about to jump up on his board).



I'm glad I was there... I'm better for seeing and feeling that... A father and son learning from each other. I was witnessing greatness. Whoever that little kid is ... he's a star!

my sister... Patrice..

Yes, I'm awake at 1:49am...

I have two favorite times of day... now, at 1:50am and 6am...
... they both give me a rush !

...anyhoo, i look into my closet and see these beautiful, recycle bags i bought for Patrice's birthday.

i'm such an awful sister... i'm sorry Patrice...
she's finding out now what i bought her for her birthday and i'm embarrassed to say how late ! it is...

Patrice... they are coming and you will love them...

--but,

i see these fabulous bags and they make me think of my sister... Patrice !
...this chick is fabulous all the time. from the moment she wakes up ! she's beautiful... without even trying... she just is.

i look forward to the day when we are celebrating the creation of your own line... of anything beautiful. you have such an incredible eye Patrice. it.. is going to be... STELLAR !
a friend recently used that word and i like it .. it's perfect... thank you joshua...

... i know i don't know that many people, but off all the people i've ever come in close proximity to... my whole life... i don't know anyone AS fabulous as my sister..

you would have to merge them all together .. jackie O.. lena horne... halle berry..
and my sister still wouldn't be second.

She startles you because, 'damn, she's bad', and you want everything SHE's got... then she speaks and you're hit again with, 'ok.. and she's intelligent'.. now, you're helpless..

She's funny.. straightforward.. you love her, you hate her (for half a sec)... and then you love her, always...

She's a girly girl but will give it a try... maybe...

i'm not quite sure why i'm shouting to the world that i love my sister .. but i know i'm blessed to have a sister, and to have a GOOD sister...

Patrice is incredible... She has a talent .. for creating all things beautiful ... you'll meet her soon..