Yes, it was a good idea! Asenath and I visited the Barnes Foundation Museum in Philadelphia on Saturday. Walking around looking at artwork for about 2 hours made us both hungry, lol. The museum has a collection of the world’s most important impressionist, post-impressionist, and modern paintings, including works by Renoir, Cézanne, Matisse, and Picasso. Displayed alongside them are African masks, native American jewelry, Greek antiquities, and decorative metalwork.

​Around 1:30 pm we had lunch at the Barnes Foundation’s Garden Restaurant. Asenath ordered the HOUSE MADE FALAFEL and I had the SEARED SALMON, no drinks. Our lunch totaled $56+tip. Here are photos of our delicious meals...

After lunch we went to check out the current exhibition of Isaac Julien: Once Again . . . (Statues Never Die), an immersive film installation exploring the relationship between Dr. Albert C. Barnes and famed philosopher and cultural critic Alain Locke.
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Here is a video clip of the exhibition...

I would like to share a refreshing summer cocktail I put together called Lush Chiaro, lol. When I’m not drinking wine, this is the most delicious thing to drink during my home events or backyard barbecues. The recipe makes one serving, but you can adjust accordingly and make more.

Lush Chiaro

1 cherry (remove stem and seed)
1 strawberry
1/2 medium lemon, cut 1 wedge
1 shot of Ciroc Summer Citrus
1/2 cup of pineapple mango juice, or as needed
1/2 cup of ice cubes, or as needed

1. Use a mortar and pestle to crush the cherry, strawberry and lemon wedge. If you don't have a mortar and pestle, use the end of a wooden spoon instead and a small bowl.

2. Remove the lemon wedge from the mortar.

3. Add the crushed cherry, strawberry with lemon juices, 1 shot of Ciroc Summer Citrus and 1/2 cup of pineapple mango juice to the cup of ice cubes.

4. Stir, taste and enjoy!

Gigi's Tostones, an insanely delicious Father's Day weekend breakfast food event. They were incredible!! We had her tostones with saltfish and johnny cakes (fried dumplings), along with scrambled eggs and turkey bacon. The combination of flavors thrilled our taste-buds. Tostones are slices of unripe green plantains smashed and twice-fried to a golden crisp. The yummy goodness will remind you of a true Caribbean breakfast. Here are photos from the kitchen…

Please leave comments, if you like.

Johnny cakes (fried dumplings)

Saltfish

Turkey bacon

Scrambled eggs

Here is a film that looks like it is going to be great…

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (May 6). The synopsis: “Dr. Stephen Strange casts a forbidden spell that opens a portal to the multiverse. However, a threat emerges that may be too big for his team to handle.” The trailer looks amazing.

This weekend, we will be celebrating my daughter's birthday at her school, University of Pittsburgh Johnstown (UPJ). It has been a challenging year with her academic studies and athletics. She remains positive, strong and resilient through it all. We are extremely lucky. Miss you Ailah! - can't wait to be together with you this weekend.

​Here are some throwback photos…