13 years…reunion

She jumped upon me

Loud screams getting out of her mouth

I was baffled, standing there…I was speechless

She was amused and so happy it made me happy

The look in her eyes was refreshing

She went around and about her living room

Looking at her it reminded me of the old times

“I got my best friend back” I said to myself

I couldn’t stop hugging her

Just like old times, nothing seemed to have changed

It felt like I had just gone on a trip and back

My heart melted with joy and I believe hers did as well

It was one of the best times I’ve ever had

Spending that one week with her was amazing

You don’t know a true friend until you spend time with them

With her, she was more than a true friend and I felt like I belonged

My joy was unexplainable

My happiness immeasurable

The love we felt unlimited

It felt so good to have each other back

I could write a million papers just to explain what I feel for her

…I can also summarize it to three words ‘I love her’

I’ll forever cherish her, keep her in my heart

…coz she is a friend indeed.

By Vicky Mwakoyo © 2011

Maneno matamu...

P

Poetry, poetry, poetry....I just can't get enough!
http://nairobinow.files.wordpress.com/2011/12/maneno-matamu_flyer.jpg

Roses are always roses...

It's sad how we always forget or how we don't see the good things happening to us and only focus on the bad things happening to us. We have so many blessings within us but as human beings we don't see them. Sometimes we get like 80% blessings and only 20% of downfall but we don't even see the 80%, we end up concentrating on the 20% making us miserable and feelig unlucky. Get up count your blessings and be happy! You will be surprised how many more blessings and happy days come your way.
I am back now and I will not disappear like that again... It's while I was concentrating on the 20% when a friend of mine lifted me up with this poem and I want to share it with you. Thanks Kheri!

Where our hearts halts and our minds numbs,

When all our dreams shatter into mere bread crumbs,

When all the world goes and you feel left behind,

The love and life in you stands firm, loyalty so blind…

You feel lied to…..betrayed…

You feel empty and lost in vast sea,

Every breath you take is less and wanting…

More is yearned, but less is achieved…

It is a feeling that blames the system,

The system of love that god giveth…

And that he taketh…

We are wanting as we are giving,

The more we receive, the more we give,

To love, we’ll never take leave,

The void is weakening, but again energizing,

Only time, will render you realizing,

The time of stumbles, are always the building times,

The weakest heart always knows the trade,

You can’t go further down than the bottom,

Once down, up is the way to prosper n blossom,

Love is a puzzle and we all gotta jigsaw it,

It pinches, rattles and sooner it gonna give in,

To wander we must, to find the truest of hearts,

One gone isn’t necessarily one lost,

Our loves come back even if as ghosts,

To haunt or nurture us, they always come back…

We are all strong if we choose to be,

You are stronger than how you see…

Laugh at your normal jokes, best movies,

Dance at you best jams, and groovies,

There is a secret within all our lives,

The inner beauty inside our hearts,

A lion will always be a predator and antelope a prey,

Your inner beauty will always be there,

Once a rose, you will die a rose,

Whether of hunger, war or love,

“a rose was here” we will say,

So laugh, and enjoy…day’s are new,

Its more less of them, than less of you,

You are still here, that’s what matters,

His love, just a little alters,

Rome say, teaches us a lot…

Built for years, destroyed on a spot,

But again, as you learnt to love so will u regain,

To love again you can, so stop and cure the pain,

Its disheartening but all will be well,

To enjoy the heavens we must go through hell…

I know how cheerful you are buddy,

You I have learnt and study,

A big heart shines out of your lovely aura,

It is a heart of a soldier of love so floral,

You will be okay, all right,

You can shed tears of pain all night,

And wonder where all hope has gone,

But hope is with you, as it always shone,

Still leading your way,

Still saying, love is here to stay,

Just be open,

The spell isn’t broken…

Love is for all, and you will find the best,

Tiny is this fall, and your love isn’t waste,

Stand up firm and tall, and endure this life’s test,

Cathy n I are on call, your voice always a welcomed guest….

We love you Vicky…. 

By, Kheri Mbiro ©2011, November 14^th. 

No matter how much I try

Hey my people, I know it's been a while...er...and I miss you too, tihihihihi. Well, I'm here now and like always I come bearing 'gifts'.

No matter how much I try
No matter how far I want to reach the sky
No matter how much I ask myself why?
All I end up with is an agonized cry!

Been trying for too long
But still my things keep going wrong
Though hoping that headstrong
But still I don’t hear the sympathy song.

No matter how hard, I’m always put down
And the success from white goes to brown
From tuxedoes my cloths turns to praying gowns
And thus becoming hard to handle life in town.

I wonder how I’ll much the heat
And this life be equally fit
For after I miss my earth’s bit,
In the ground I’ll be served as a dead-meat.

My life I play legal and fair
That’s y my sitting room has mats instead of a chair
All around me some heavy poisonous air
Listen to my cry, my life is for all to share.

Now tell me, do you want me rough to play?
Or someone’ll volunteer, to show the way?
But still out in clear to all I say
I, I believe, God will give and take, One Day!!!!
                   Peace!!!!

By Kheri Mbiro

This love of Ours

Any house looks better by the presence of flowers

A city can be distinguished by its standing towers

Crops will flourish if there is a sufficient rain showers

And thus dear, is the same to “This love of ours”

Let’s put flowers to our love meat

And add towers to make it stand firm and fit

Plus the rain showers to make it clean and neat

For you can’t sow rice to harvest some wheat.

This love of ours is of great value

And a kiss always means “How are you?”

Let’s avoid big mouths, so we can’t argue

Then love of ours could stand even in Dafur.

Your love to me means a lot

For it clearly keeps my feelings hot

Let’s pray that it’ll never be cut short

As we live in each others strong love fort

To match you my love there is none

I’ll say this in time of trouble or fun

I’ve never loved any other woman

Like the way I love you my sweet hun.

So, let’s fortify our love

And each other being ready to serve

As pullet taken care by the mother-dove

Only then can we overcome any hurdle or curve.

This love of ours, dearly is the best,

To both of us, the other comes first,

We have endured n won countless life tests…

Now its time for us to enjoy our love, n have a rest….

Kheri Mbiro © 2009, February 26^th.

Crafty yet Classy

Interior decor doest have to be as expensive as we think it should be. We often see nice vases that cost like thousands and we cant afford. Ever thought of making something straight from your backyard? You probably have but you keep on thinking "where the heavens do I start from". It's just creativity and you are good to go...

So now, are you ready to roll with me, tiihihihhihi, but of course I know you are.
Buy/make a pot out of mud and decorate it however, maybe draw a few patterns and let it dry. Once it dries you can paint it, the color of your choice to suit you taste. Let it dry and and your pot/vase is ready.

Now, the flowers...It's easy. You don't need to go and buy plastic flowers so that they can stay for long. Here is an idea, get small branch -like sticks(you can get outside your house or a nearby tree make sure they are dry) and paint them the color of your choice, it could be red, yellow, green mixed then let them dry.

The next bit of flowers, take your broom whether grass -like or stick -like, cut them to a level size and put aside. There you go, now you have flowers and a vase. Put the colored sticks and the broomsticks in your vase then place it at your favourite place.

Voila! Affrordable yet classy, creative and crafty vase made with your own hands.

I did one myself and it's awesome, everybody thinks its worth thousands!. lol. Have fun!

Split Peas (dengu)

Last Saturday was a good day... For the first time I made split peas (dengu) and they came out splendid. At least everyone who tasted liked them. Amazing! Here is the recipe, try it out!

½ a kilo split peas

3 cups water

1 big onion chopped

1 teaspoon garlic paste

1 teaspoon ginger paste

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon cumin

1 teaspoon coriander

½ teaspoon turmeric

½ teaspoon white pepper

Procedure

Boil the split peas, till tender but not so tender, to avoid it being over cooked.

In another saucepan fry onions till translucent then add the ginger and garlic paste.

Stir fry for about 2 minutes then add salt, turmeric, cumin, coriander and white pepper.

Let it simmer for 2 minutes while stirring then add the split peas without water.

By now you should be feeling the nice aroma from your food. Keep on turning after every 2 minutes for 10 minutes.

There you go! Your sauce is ready.

Serve with chapati or rice.

Enjoy!!!

Eggplant (Biringanya) and Peas

We are used to having our eggplants in meat. It becomes monotonous having to eat them when they are in the stews, they don't give the taste as it's supposed to be. You end up loosing the stew's taste as well as the eggplant's taste.

We end up loosing the nutrients when the eggplants are boiled for too long.

So, here is a recipe that will ensure you have all the nutrients, more tasty and not monotonous than what we are used to. Give it a try, its incredible.

1 cup peas

2 big Eggplants(biringanya)

3 Cups water

1 ½ Big Onion

1 Big Tomato

1 teaspoon Tomato Paste

¼ cup Cooking Oil

½ teaspooon Tumeric

½ teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon cumin

5 Peppercorns (Optional)

Dhania/Coriander

Procedure

In a pan bring the peas to boil till soft.

 

Cut the 'biringanyas' in small pieces and set aside.

In another saucepan, fry the cumin and turmeric. Add the onions and stir fry till translucent before adding the tomatoes. Let them simmer for several minutes till soft then add the salt and tomato paste.

Add in the biringanyas, stir to avoid them sticking on the saucepan. Let them simmer till soft then add the boiled peas with very little water.

Crush fresh peppercorns( optional) just before you remove it from the heat. 

Garnish with dhania.

Serve hot with rice or chapati.

Maya Angelou- Global Renaissance Woman

Dr. Maya Angelou is one of the most renowned and influential voices of our time. Hailed as a global renaissance woman, Dr. Angelou is a celebrated poet, memoirist, novelist, educator, dramatist, producer, actress, historian, filmmaker, and civil rights activist.
Born on April 4th, 1928, in St. Louis, Missouri, Dr. Angelou was raised in St. Louis and Stamps, Arkansas. In Stamps, Dr. Angelou experienced the brutality of racial discrimination, but she also absorbed the unshakable faith and values of traditional African-American family, community, and culture.
As a teenager, Dr. Angelou’s love for the arts won her a scholarship to study dance and drama at San Francisco’s Labor School. At 14, she dropped out to become San Francisco’s first African-American female cable car conductor. She later finished high school, giving birth to her son, Guy, a few weeks after graduation. As a young single mother, she supported her son by working as a waitress and cook, however her passion for music, dance, performance, and poetry would soon take center stage.
In 1954 and 1955, Dr. Angelou toured Europe with a production of the opera Porgy and Bess. She studied modern dance with Martha Graham, danced with Alvin Ailey on television variety shows and, in 1957, recorded her first album, Calypso Lady. In 1958, she moved to New York, where she joined the Harlem Writers Guild, acted in the historic Off-Broadway production of Jean Genet's The Blacks and wrote and performed Cabaret for Freedom.
Dr. Angelou has read and studied voraciously, mastering French, Spanish, Italian, Arabic and the West African language Fanti. While in Ghana.
With the guidance of her friend, the novelist James Baldwin, she began work on the book that would become I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. Published in 1970, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings was published to international acclaim and enormous popular success. The list of her published verse, non-fiction, and fiction now includes more than 30 bestselling titles.
A trailblazer in film and television, Dr. Angelou wrote the screenplay and composed the score for the 1972 film Georgia, Georgia. Her script, the first by an African American woman ever to be filmed, was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize.
Dr. Angelou has served on two presidential committees, was awarded the Presidential Medal of Arts in 2000, the Lincoln Medal in 2008, and has received 3 Grammy Awards. Dr. Angelou has received over 30 honorary degrees and is Reynolds Professor of American Studies at Wake Forest University.
Dr. Angelou’s words and actions continue to stir our souls, energize our bodies, liberate our minds, and heal our hearts.

http://mayaangelou.com/bio/

Still I Rise by Maya Angelou

I was looking through my favourite poems by my favourite poets and I came accross this one...I hope it will motivate and inspire your day as it has mine.


You may write me down in history
With your bitter, twisted lies,
You may trod me in the very dirt
But still, like dust, I'll rise.

Does my sassiness upset you?
Why are you beset with gloom?
'Cause I walk like I've got oil wells
Pumping in my living room.

Just like moons and like suns,
With the certainty of tides,
Just like hopes springing high,
Still I'll rise.

Did you want to see me broken?
Bowed head and lowered eyes?
Shoulders falling down like teardrops.
Weakened by my soulful cries.

Does my haughtiness offend you?
Don't you take it awful hard
'Cause I laugh like I've got gold mines
Diggin' in my own back yard.

You may shoot me with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
You may kill me with your hatefulness,
But still, like air, I'll rise.

Does my sexiness upset you?
Does it come as a surprise
That I dance like I've got diamonds
At the meeting of my thighs?

Out of the huts of history's shame
I rise
Up from a past that's rooted in pain
I rise
I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide,
Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.
Leaving behind nights of terror and fear
I rise
Into a daybreak that's wondrously clear
I rise
Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,
I am the dream and the hope of the slave.
I rise
I rise
I rise.

Beef in vegetables

We always cook meat in stew and it becomes monotonous. There are so many different ways to cook your meat and to increase your appetite. It can be dried, grilled deep fried and cooked in vegetables like what I'm giving you today.

Ingredients

I tablespoon vegetable oil

½ Kg beef

½ a cup water

1 teaspoon salt

2 onions cut into strips

½ teaspoon crushed garlic

1 teaspoon grated ginger

1 carrot cut into big pieces

1 green pepper cut into strips

1 teaspoon coriander

½ a cup French beans

½ teaspoon black pepper

½ teaspoon curry powder

Directions

Cut the beef into small pieces

In a saucepan, add the pieces of beef, the salt and ginger and let it simmer for 20 minutes or till the water dries up.

In another saucepan, heat the oil, add the garlic, stir for 1 minute then add the beef and stir fry for 10 minutes.

Add carrots, French beans, onions and the green pepper, cover and let it simmer for 7 minutes.

Add black pepper, curry powder and water and simmer for 5 minutes then remove pan from the heat and serve with coriander on top.

Serve over rice or chapati.

Tenant with no rent

I'm glad to be a tenant in your heart

Better still a tenant with no rent to pay

“come stay in my heart for free and pay no rent”

Was amazing when they came outa your mouth

Should I jump, should I scream?

Were the questions running through my mind

Won't he think I'm stupid or immature?

The questions took another lap

“I wanna stay there forever”

Were the answers forcing there way outa me

Now I'm in your heart and you are in mine

Let's stay in each others hearts forever.

By Vicky Mwakoyo © 2011

Beans in Milk Sauce

Most of us are used to coconut milk for cooking but what if you don't have it and you really crave for the thick milky taste in your food? No need to worry people, here's a recipe to make your day... And guess what! No heart burn for you. Awesome huh!

 ½ a kilo Fresh beans

1 ½ Cup water

½ Cup milk

1 Big Onion

2 Big Tomato

Dhania/Coriander

½ teaspooon Tumeric

½ teaspoon Curry Powder

½ teaspoon salt

Pepper (Optional)

2 tablespoons Cooking Oil

Procedure

In a pan, bring the beans to boil till soft.

In another sauce pan, fry the onions till translucent. Add the tomatoes, cover and let it simmer for several minutes.

Mash the beans a little bit.

Add the beans without water and let it simmer for a few minutes before adding the salt, turmeric, curry powder, dhania and pepper (optional).

Add on a little water and let simmer.

Then add the milk and keep on stirring till you are sure the milk is cooked and thick enough to your liking.

Serve with rice, Chapati or bread.

By Vicky Mwakoyo © 2010

The Night of a thousand stars and 2 Birds…..

That night…

The night of thousand stars and two lovebirds,

To narrate my heart spurs, though understating’ll be my words.

Can’t start anywhere, than telling of my ultimate love,

I was lucky there, to wed cathy realy fated luck I have,

Beauty, smartness; to be fair, a few of what was endowed from above,

And now that she is solely not for share, I paint her ‘angelic’ and give her “shavu”…

Yes that day glowed, but she glowed better,

The wines, beers and champagne flowed, but she was my movie theatre,

The love seed that long ago we sowed, we at last did fetter,

Happiness, joy and delight we towed, as air of love filled meter by meter…

She was an angel, a grace; if it was a duty I would forever love her,

Lighting the party wit her pretty face, I, her fireman couldn’t be far,

Her beauty which keeps my heart at high a pace, a cost I humbly incur,

That day she was my case, and my love submissions I presented to the bar…

I was happy and flying, coz my princess I just married,

In history books ink was drying, that to Mbiro’s island Kate’s been ferried,

There is no denying, that the day lotsa love feelings it carried,

I’d be lying, if I’d say a helluva insecurity that day wasn’t buried….

I smiled a thousand smiles, and cracked countless laughters,

In heaven d day filled a number of files, cause impressed surely were d lovecrafters,

Friends who went thousand extra miles, to clear our ways and easen the tough ties,

My gratitude is mounting in piles, as my friends became my fear captors….

To shift the attention I must, and acknowledge the wedding function,

With joy I nearly did burst, seeing the party in satisfaction,

Shining friends and family cast, filled the party in every fraction,

Though now it seems a thing of the past, a “thank you” I must sanction….

Everbody looked utterly good, and completed the cycle of stars,

It helped the spirited mood, to see most taking part in dance wars,

I know I loved the food, and wish I had carried some ‘take-away’ jars,

And if the Tux had a hood, could have stuffed some beers to heal the thirst scars….

In short, of the party I loved every bit, and burned everything to the brain,

It was quite a memorable feat, and it came worthy of every past pain,

Though afterwards everyone was beat, none regretted the fun-tain,

My lovely friends again we’ll meet, and my gratitudes will shower you like rain…

You all were amazing, in making the day a success it was,

Till now greener air we’re grazing, coz your graces unemptied the hose,

Our love is everblazing, and as Aretha said “It will always be a rose”,

…. It’s sheerly crazing, that you all gave this marriage a fair life doze…

I must halt and give it a stop, but again a million thanks from Mr&Mrs Mbiro,

A love sea, each of you a worthy drop, to us each our true hero,

Without you it could’ve been a flop, but you made us an “A” instead of a zero,

You elevated us atop, took us to this love farm all harvest still-raw….

We love you a lot, each and every one of you,

Names we can’t sort, but the Lord’s graces I know will get through,

The ball has left our court, and to many has fallen in yours too,

In love we will always stay afloat, and to each other always be true…

You were the thousand stars, us the two birds

You bared us only happy scars, rested us in calming shades,

Be assured this couple always spars, to make sure the love never fades,

Thanks a bunch.

By, Kheri Mbiro.. © 2011, September 20^th.

Plantains Recipe

Snacks are important in between meals or when you have children. Take time to make tasty snacks for your family when you are all at home and just enjoy the moment. I have a tasty snack recipe for you and your family that will fill your family with happiness and make them lick their fingers because of the taste.

Ingredients

Oil for deep frying

5 plantains

3teaspoons grated ginger

½ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon garam masala(optional)

½ teaspoon black pepper(optional)

Directions

Peel and cut the plantains in slices then put them in a bowl.

Mix the plantains with the salt, ginger, black pepper(optional), garam masala(optional, then let it marinate for 20 minutes.

Heat the oil in a saucepan.

Add a few slices of the plantains in the hot oil and let them fry till they are golden brown.

Remove them and drain them on serviettes.

Repeat this until you finish deep frying all the plantains.

Serve with tea or juice.

By Vicky Mwakoyo © 2010

TAMU CHUNGU

Vilio vyetu sote, wachache wanacheka,

Bahati si nzuri, hakuna wa kusikia,

Vilio na vicheko…vyote ni kelele,

Nani akusikie, au nani akujali?

Kusikia tunasikia pasi na kuelewa,

Kuwahi ni ugonjwa, yetu sifa kuchelewa,

Nani hufurahi, bintiye kuchezewa?

Lakini…

Taifa hili changa, kipi kigumu kupanga?

Utajiri umejaa hauhesabiki kama mchanga,

Tugawane kwa haki jamani bila ncha ya upanga!!

Maji tunayo kwanini tukabwe na karanga?

Nataka mdundiko iweje unipigie charanga?

Hii ni tamu, hii ni chungu,

Shida zimejaa twagawana kwa mafungu,

Tumwage damu, tushike rungu,

Basi chini tunakaa, yote ataamua mungu.

Ndiyo, labda tumwachie mungu aliyetuumba,

Maana ni “genius” yule jamaa aliyetufumba,

Anadai kutusimulia, huku anaongeza sauti ya rhumba,

Si wizi au ubepari, ni nguvu ya maendeleo hii kasumba…

Mchumia juani hulia kivulini,

Ha ha!! Haiingii puani wala akilini,

Kwani vya juani vimekauka, na kivulini wameshajaa,

Kwa subira tumenyauka, ahadi hazijatufaa,

Kama nyani tumepauka, wahanga wa sanaa…

Ndiyo wasanii hawajang’atuka, wamejawa na tamaa..

Utotoni tuliambiwa mkubwa hakosei,

Au ndiyo kusema mchora ramani hapotei?

Sidhani, ni sawa kama alichoahidi hakitokei…

Na hiko “kidogo” upatacho, mbona hatushei?

Watuacha tunakonda, mbeletu wafunga mlango,

Moyoni ni vidonda, watunyima japo robo ya mpango,

Hii ni tamu, hii ni chungu,

Shida zimejaa twagawana kwa mafungu,

Tumwage damu, tushike rungu,

Basi chini tunakaa, yote ataamua mungu.

Kuna maswali mengi najiuliza na roho yangu mkononi…

Hivi ni kweli mbio za sakafuni huishia ukingoni?

Maana sakafuni wanakimbia na bado wana tabasamu midomoni,

Wenzangu na mie, tumesimama tukisubiri mpaka manundu migongoni…

Miye na Juma, upwa tumegaa nao na bado wali mkavu,

Kumbe hata ukiona samaki, kumwokota ni ubavu!!?

Ole wetu serikali ikiweka kodi ya watu na uchakavu!!

Msicheke, maana nyundo hii ni nzito,

Wenzenu tumebeba mibuyu, heri wenu wa fito,

Lakini kumbukeni, dunia mapito…

Kinachouma, nikipata moja mwenye mia tayari kafika,

“Cheza Bahati nasibu” …utabahatika…

Ooh “weka kwenye saccos yangu” utahamasika…

Wiki mbili baadaye kote patashika…

Ofisi ya miaka kumi inapotea kwa dakika…

Sisi wenye moja zetu, nani tumfinye kwa hakika?

Hii ni tamu, hii ni chungu,

Shida zimejaa twagawana kwa mafungu,

Tumwage damu, tushike rungu?

Basi chini tunakaa, yote ataamua mungu.

Maneno hayaniishi, kidooogo nyuma ya machungu,

Kwenye bendera kuna rangi yangu na si ya mzungu,

Lakini kuna sehemu, mwenzangu yeye mungu,

Eti maji ya chupa hayachanganywi na ya chungu!!?

Jibu silijui lakini utaifa mi nnao…

Japo ni haki yangu nashangaa hata kusikika ni kwa mgao,

Sauti zinazibwa, eti “top secret” kila kikao…

Watu wasiulize, wamevuka mipaka ya uhuru wa kujieleza,

Wewe ni nani ambaye hukosei na kuteleza?

Uhuru tunao, wa kusema baada ya kupeleleza,

Tukiomba majibu kwanini tusipewe ya kutosheleza?

Wenzangu, wakina “tia mchuzi pangu pakavu” ni wengi,

Tukicheka na kusubiri watukumbuke, taifa hatujengi,

Kwa maneno na ahadi kwa kweli hawatutengi,

Ila… lile fungu la kupata, haswa halitulengi,

Ahadi zilikotoka huko huko zinarudi,

Wewe mtanzania, kusimama na kudai huna budi,

Bila juhudi, wote tutakuwa majambazi kama masudi,

Nani atamkimbia nani, maana wote wezi,

Wewe umeiba Prado mimi nina benzi,

Nani anyooshe kidole na wizi kwetu mapenzi?

Dini tumeianzisha, na juu ya haki tumeiweka kwa enzi..

Haki yetu imekuwa tamu chungu,

Shida zimetujaa, ni kweli tumuachie mungu?

By, Khery Mbiro “the poet” © 2009, June 26^th.

Silverfish/Dagaa/Kumbu/Omena! Lets get cooking!

Silverfish is very nutritious. It's packed with proteins and its affordable. You are probably thinking, “with that weird smell I can't cook Silverfish.” Silverfish will only smell unpleasant depending on how you cook it. Don't miss a chance to gain the nutrients Silverfish offers just because you don't want to feel the smell. Below is a recipe that will help you get rid of the Silverfish smell that might seem unpleasant to you and have a tasty meal.

Ingredients

½ kg Silverfish

½ teaspoon salt

3 sliced tomatoes

I sliced onion.

¼ cup chopped green pepper

½ teaspoon garlic (optional)

1 Lemon, lemon juice

¼ cup cooking oil

1 tablespoon chopped coriander

½ cup water

Directions

Remove the heads of the ½ kg Silverfish and put the Silverfish in warm water and let it settle for about 5 minutes. Wash them then put them in cold water to cool off.

Heat the ¼ cup cooking oil in a frying pan for 1 minute then add the Silverfish and stir fry for 7 minutes or until they are slightly brown then drain and set aside.

In a saucepan, heat the remaining cooking oil that was used to stir fry the Silverfish and add all the sliced onions and ½ teaspoon garlic (optional) then stir for I minute or until translucent.

Add all the sliced tomatoes and 1/2 teaspoon salt in the saucepan then let it simmer for 3 minutes before adding the Silverfish.

After adding the Silverfish let this sauce simmer for 5 minutes before pouring the 1 lemon- lemon juice and the ¼ green pepper.

By now, it should be a thick sauce so add the ½ a cup water and let this mixture simmer for 4 minutes while stirring time to time, then remove from heat.

Sprinkle the 1 tablespoon chopped coriander on the Silverfish while still hot then serve immediately.

Serve over posho/ugali/sima/sembe.

By Vicky Mwakoyo © 2010

Bayimba International Festival

Bayimba International Festival was something to die for. It was great and well attended.

I personally went there on Sunday, the last day of the event but wished I could have been there from the beginning of the event.

It was so much fun and that's just an understatement. The art there was amazing, the creativity in the art was awesome. Different people from different regions coming together for one common goal, experiencing art.

The main stage for the performances was an exquisite creation, thanks to one Acaye Pamela. Who thought baskets, mats and beads could be used for something else other than the kitchen, the floor and to be worn respectively? Well she managed to decorate the most beautiful back stage drop I've ever seen.

The movies, dances, the fashion run ways, the orchestra and the rest of the live performances were fabulous. I cant exhaust everything that took place there, but just know it was the bomb! It exploded!lol. Make sure you don't miss it next time...

By Vicky Mwakoyo © 2011

I'm A Woman

I'm a woman, yes I'm proud

Who says we are weak?

Oh no, they are just being fake

Heavy nine months! Who does that?

Without it, I wouldn't be a complete woman

Who says it's nasty?

Oh no, they are just being petty

It's the epitome of woman beauty

I'm strong, patient and courageous

Who says we are complicated?

Oh no, they are just intimidated

We are the bomb! The name is the impact

I'm important and exclusive

Who says we can be trampled up on?

Oh no, they are thinking before the bus

We are beautiful and precious, that's how its should be!

By Vicky Mwakoyo © 2011

KHERI & CATZ WEDDING (compile the first letters of each sentence to create another sentence)

Keep on smiling
Happy is the way to go
Everlasting love is what you share
Right from the beginning
It was written and sealed

Come and make merry
A once in a lifetime enjoyment of its kind
Take him by the hand
'Ze' wedding has began

We will join you
Either in spirit or physically
Don't you ever feel alone
Damn! I know you will look stunning
Incredible I can foresee
Never will I shed a tear
Good time and the best married life is what I wish for you

By Vicky Mwakoyo © 2011

Bamia/Okra sauce

Okra is one of the most nutritious vegetables available rich in dietary fiber , minerals, vitamins. It's recommended in cholesterol controlling and weight reduction programs. Most of the times we don't want to cook okra because of the slimy feeling. Did you know there is a way on how to cook okra and get rid of the slimy feeling? You just need to stir fry it first. No worries though, I've got you covered. Here's is a recipe to make your work easier and eat okra more often in order to gain all these healthy benefits while having tasty vegetables.

Ingredients

¼ kg okra/bamia

½ teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons cooking oil

1 teaspoon tomato paste

1 sliced big onion

¼ cup water

1 teaspoon curry powder

½ teaspoon black pepper (optional)

Directions

Cut the ¼ kg okra in small slices and put them aside.

Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a saucepan for 1 minute then add the okra and stir fry for 7 minutes.

Remove the okra from the pan and put it on a plate, let it settle for 5 minutes so that it can cool off.

Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil in another saucepan then add all the sliced onions and stir for one minute or until translucent.

Add the okra and ½ teaspoon of salt then let it simmer for 2 minutes while stirring.

Add the 1 teaspoon tomato paste in the okra mixture and stir fry for 2 minutes before adding the 1 teaspoon curry powder and ½ a teaspoon black pepper(optional).

Let this mixture simmer for 3 minutes before adding the ¼ cup of water. This mixture needs to simmer to make a thick sauce, so let it simmer for 3 minutes before removing it from the heat.

Serve over chapati or rice.

By Vicky Mwakoyo © 2010

Karibu/ Welcome/ Bienvenue!

I hope this finds you well. I'm so happy that i now have a blog, been talking and thinking about for God knows how many months. At last I breath a sigh of relief, Yeeeey!  Here I am with my own blog, I can laugh now hahahahaha. Anyway, welcome to my art world, Vee's Art World where recipes, poetry and art events are the center of attention.

Share with me and I share with you, let it be as interactive as possible. Cooking is an art and poetry is an art. I will be here waiting to share my art experiences with you as you do the same with yours.

Karibu/ Welcome/  Bienvenue!