Summer Series: Big Apple BBQ #1

Hi Dolls,



It's been a while...



but I am back to bring you the summer series of things to do and places to go in New York City.



It's about that time to enjoy some fun in the sun...



So, I kicked off  my summer escapades with the Big Apple Barbecue Block Party at Madison Square Park on Saturday, June 10th.




Pit masters and chefs from all around the country were there giving New Yorkers a taste of their barbecue greatness.




With live music and DJ Nader spinning tunes, the annual celebration was an awesome way to begin the summer.



Since 2002, Madison Avenue has shut down for the these BBQ festivities and the delectable scent of smoked meats (ribs, chicken, brisket, etc...) filled the air, so pungently that it made your mouth watered.










Mmmm....can you just taste the paprika, brown sugar, tomatoes and all other enticing aromas.

To wash down all the grill mastery, there was cold beer, wine and refreshing drinks at your disposal.




So, for just $12 a plate, you'll get great food, live entertainment, a terrific crowd and on a warm sunny day, the Big Apple Barbecue should definitely be on your to do list for June 2018.

For more fun things to do this summer, check out  madisonsquare park.org.

#bigapplebbq #timeoutny #bluesmokenyc

Remember Dolls..."Stay Satin!!"

Touchdown: 6th Marathon - Rock & Roll New Orleans 2016

Hi Dolls,

It's been a few months since I wrote on my blog, but know and understand I haven't forgot about you! So, if you are wondering what's been happening, on February 28, 2016, I completed my sixth marathon in New Orleans. Whoa, what an experience to travel and do a hobby that you truly love!!

This was my first time visiting New Orleans. I made sure to get there early enough to enjoy the town. Stayed on the famous Bourbon Street, right in the heart of the "Big Easy" with all the partying, music, dancing and laughter going on. I enjoyed the food and learned the difference between Cajun and Creole dishes.  I toured the city and took tons of pictures.  Of course, it was not all fun games and my mind was on completing the mission, marathon no. 6!

That was a cold weekend, but low and behold the weather on marathon morning was warm enough for me to take off my jacket.  I laid my clothes out the night before and woke up ready to run the world with Beyonce's "Run the World" ringing in my head.  It was a blast as I  hit the pavement and enjoyed parts of the city that I had never seen before.

The first 13 miles were tricky, the streets were uneven and I was scared that I might twist my ankle.  I ran the path between the tracks of the trolley cars. watched the road and looked up to see the mile markers.  What was great, was that the crowd was holding signs and cheering the runners on. Once the runners split and those running the half marathon were close to their finish line, I continued running the next 13 miles.

Unfortunately, from mile 14-26 the crowds disappeared, the scenery changed and all I wanted to do was finish the race. My music and sheer determination helped me cross the finish line. I ran the opened road with my medal on my mind.

As I got closer to mile 20, I knew my steam was dissipating and those last six miles seemed like it took forever. That didn't stop me though. I did it!! I ran the last mile and heard the crowd cheering, "You can do it!", "You are almost there." and I was! I finally crossed the finished line, got my medal and marathon jacket, took pictures, smiled and put my stamp down on New Orleans!

After marathon dinner!! Yummy!

Marathon 6th complete...Stay tuned to hear how I completed my 5th 1/2 marathon in DC less than two weeks later.

On my way home, back to New York City!

Remember Dolls..."Stay Satin!!"

Running Gear:
Fila: www.fila.com (Outfit)
Asics: www.asics.com (Asics Gel-Quantum 360)

#ValentinesDay Dessert 2016

Hi Dolls,

Happy Valentine’s Day! Happy Single Awareness/Appreciation Day on February 15^th! For those who don't have a significant other or celebrate Valentine’s Day, Single Awareness Day is for single people to celebrate their single status. So, in celebration of both days I prepared Kraft Valentine's Creamy JIGGLERS just for the fun of it. Of course, they can be eaten solo, with friends or your valentine. Try making them with your lover, invite some friends over and make them together or this is lots of fun with the nieces and nephews! Here's the recipe and I prepared the dessert in the video below. Try it out and tell me what you think.

Remember Dolls... "Stay Satin!"

Ebony Satin Doll

Valentine's Creamy JIGGLERS

• 2 1/2 cups boiling water
• 2 pkg. (6 oz each) JELL-O Gelatin, any red flavor
• 1 pkg. (3.4 oz) JELL-O Vanilla Flavor Instant Pudding
• 1 cup cold milk

Recipe courtesy of Kraft Recipes

Ice Cream for Breakfast!

Photo Courtesy of Turkey Hill Ice Cream

Hi Dolls,

Last Saturday, February 6, 2016, was "Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day". Now, I know you may be thinking that it's strange to have ice cream for breakfast, since it's normally a dessert option. However, I am here to let you know that there is a way to have delicious, delectable ice cream in the morning and it still be a healthy treat! Don't believe me? Well believe it or not, Turkey Hill Ice Cream put together "5 Ways to Celebrate Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day". So I added one more tasty recipe that you can put Turkey Hill ice cream in. Let's make an ice cream smoothie with frozen fruit!

Photo Courtesy of Walmart

Recipe:

Frozen fruit (12 ounce bag per serving... I used Dole Strawberries, Peaches & Bananas)

1/4 cup of Turkey Hill Vanilla Ice Cream ( I swapped the recipe's 1/4 cup of juice or water for ice cream instead) Get your ice cream coupon here!

Pinch of salt (heightens the flavors)

Puree until it reaches soft serve consistency, usually about 2 minutes.

The recipe above is courtesy of Rachel Ray

Lastly, enjoy!!!

Remember Dolls..."Stay Satin!!"

National Wear Red Day: February 5, 2016!

Photo Courtesy of WOTV 4 Women

Hi Dolls,

When you are given the opportunity to raise awareness to what is going on in your community or around the world, you have to use that platform to make a difference. By saying one word, by doing an action that can benefit another or by supporting a worthy cause we can effect change. In bringing awareness to all, I want you to know that this is personal for me because my grandmother has heart disease. My grandmother is a strong woman and thankfully she has been able to fight through it.




Photo Courtesy of Go Red For Women


Today, is National Wear Red Day and this movement was established to raise awareness about heart disease and strokes in women. So, lets stand together and honor every woman, whether they are our mothers, grandmothers, aunts, friends, co- workers, we come across today to let them know we are uniting together in this movement. Additionally, on social media we can also lend our support by entering #gored and showing how we got involved.

If you are in New York City or the tri-state area The New York Go Red for Women Luncheon is taking place on March 1, 2016. For more information, you can visit American Heart Association of New York.

For more information about this worthy cause and to donate, visit Go Red for Women.

Remember Dolls..."Stay Satin!!"

National Girls & Women in Sports Day: February 3, 2016

Hi Dolls,

Today marks the 30th annual National Girls & Women in Sports Day.  NWSD has made a platform that celebrates girls and women in sports. The theme this year is "Leading the Way" and the best way we can help foster success is to do just that. So, for everyone who has made a difference in a girl's life giving them the confidence, support or strength to embrace their talents in sports I salute you!!





Serena Williams U.S. Open 2013 (Photo Courtesy of All Tennis Play)





Allyson Felix and Sanya Richards Ross in 2012 Olympic Games (Photo Courtesy of Bleacher Report)





Gabrielle Douglas Gymnast (Photo Courtesy of Fearless Expressioner)


For more information, visit National Girls & Women in Sports Day


Remember Dolls..."Stay Satin!!"

Decorating with Candy Day: February 1, 2016!

Hi Dolls:

Today is Decorating with Candy Day!!! Now, I know you must be thinking that Ebony Satin Doll is into fitness and working out, but what you may not know is I have a sweet tooth. Everything in life must have balance, so having a sweet treat to satisfy a craving is okay. This might include a cupcake with candies on top, melting chocolate to dip or drizzle over strawberries, or having the infamous candy apple at a fair.

On this day, I had the pleasure of making candy lollipops for the incoming birth of my nephew. I used candy molds, melted the chocolate, added the lollipop sticks and cooled the lollipops in the refrigerator. It is a easy task to accomplish. Let me know, if you want me to show you how to make them.




Candy Corn Cupcakes (Photo courtesy and recipe can be found on Amanda Cupcake)




Chocolate Covered Strawberries (Photo Courtesy and recipe can be found at Chocolate Covered Strawberries)




Whimsical Pastel Swirl Cotton Candy Apples (Photo Courtesy and recipe can be found at Sweetapolita)



Although, Decorating with Candy Day focus is on food you can tap into your imagination to complete a do it yourself project. For example, you can make a candy centerpiece or a candy wreath Valentine's Day.



Candy Corn Centerpieces (Photo Courtesy of B Lovely Events)



Candy Heart Wreath (Photo Courtesy of Celebrations.com)


Today is your day, so enjoy it the way you would like. Send me photos of how you celebrated Decorating with Candy.

Remember Dolls..."Stay Satin!!"