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Valentine’s Day

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Taste of Africa restaurant

painting of elephant

painting of elephant

This week Ray and I celebrated Valentine’s Day a little late (we had to go on a date near his payday!). I googled online to look for a good Moroccan restaurant, and found Taste of Africa in Overland Park, Kansas, which is within an hour’s driving distance from us. It was the right choice; the food is delicious and the service is excellent!

African tribe

African tribe

I loved the vibrant colors of the restaurant (especially oranges and reds), with African paintings on the wall. They also play African music.

A Taste of Africa restaurant

Taste of Africa restaurant

 

African art

African art

 

paintings

paintings

Ray ordered the Kalahari Platter (tender pieces of goat, cooked in an assortment of herbs and spices with ugali, sauteed kale, sauteed cabbage, chapatti (a flat bread), and Kachumbari salad.

platter

Kalahari platter

The ugali is a sticky dish that is a staple at African meals. The chef and the waitress complimented Ray on eating it correctly–balling it up in his hand, and then sopping up the goat stew with it.  He was in his element.

Ray at Taste of Africa

Ray at Taste of Africa

They said most Americans eat it with their forks. (Of course, how would one know how to eat it properly without visiting Africa?) This made him smile very big, so proud.

ugali

ugali

Ray remembered how the native people in Kenya ate it as we visited there, when I spoke for three days at a women’s conference.

Beth Jones speaking, Kenya, Africa

Me speaking in Kenya, Africa with a translator

At Taste of Africa in Overland Park, Kansas, I ordered Mshikaki (chicken skewers–so good!), fries (it came with the meal as french fries often do in many countries), and Kachumbari (a wonderful little salad).

Mshikaki (Chicken skewers), fries, and Kachumbari (salad)

Mshikaki (Chicken skewers), fries, and Kachumbari (salad)

I had looked at the menu prior to us driving there and knew that without a shadow of a doubt, I wanted The Sweet Banana for my dessert--fried plantain slices drizzled with cinnamon sugar, topped with vanilla ice cream on chocolate and strawberry syrup. Ray and I shared it, even though I wanted it all!

The presentation was so pretty and Oh. My. Gosh. It was divine! (Or was it sinful?) My mouth is watering even thinking about it again!

The Sweet Banana

The Sweet Banana

The female chef is originally from Kenya and came to America as a student and to start her restaurant business. She came to our table to greet us; we complimented her on the wonderful and beautiful meal. 

If you haven’t tried this place yet, and you’re a wanna-be foodie like me, you’re in for a different, elegant experience!

You can find out more here.

When one of our African friends, Apostle Catherine of Nairobi, Kenya, saw my pics of the restaurant on Facebook, she said, “Welcome back to Kenya.”

Apostle Catherine Nairobi, Kenya

Apostle Catherine
Nairobi, Kenya

I believe one day we will return to Africa

me in black & white vest Ray bought me

me in black & white vest Ray bought me

I also believe our daughter Heather will go to Africa one day, as a mission trip there has been on her heart for years. I bought her pretty, blue, dangling earrings that the restaurant’s owners sell with other beautiful, colorful African jewelry there.

our beautiful daughter Heather

our beautiful daughter Heather

 

Heather's earrings

Heather’s earrings

 

jewelry

African jewelry

It was a fun date for Ray and me, and I’d love to go back sometime. What ethnic restaurants have you tried lately? Leave your comments below.

Gorgeous Heather in pink gown & purple shoes & jewelry
Blog, Parenting

Heather and girls: A Cinderella Carriage and The Cheesecake Factory

Last night our daughter Heather crossed another fun thing off her bucket list. For a special Valentine’s Day treat, she and her girls Annabelle and Violet got all dressed up and she took them to the Kansas City Plaza to ride in the Cinderella Carriage.

The girls wore beautiful red Valentine dresses, and Heather was stunning in a long, pink, satin, backless dress with a halter top, a black wrap, purple shoes to die for, a purple bracelet, and a purple ring.

Gorgeous Heather in pink gown & purple shoes & jewelry

Gorgeous Heather in pink gown & purple shoes & jewelry

I’ve been wanting to take our daughter Leah on the Cinderella Carriage ride, but in her teenish way, she just rolled her eyes and said that was for kids, lol. Heather said they had a lot of fun, but it was freezing. There is a warm blanket to wrap up in as you’re riding. The carriage ride is about a 15 minute ride around the Plaza. It began lightly snowing on their drive home.

But what an incredible memory! The girls felt like the princesses they read about in story books and love. And isn’t that the way we girls all feel at heart, wanting to be a beautiful princess?

Annabelle, Heather, and Violet in CInderella Carriage at KC Plaza

Annabelle, Heather, and Violet in Cinderella Carriage at KC Plaza

After that, they ate at The Cheesecake Factory – Annabelle’s and Violet’s first time there.

They serve delicious food and have 50 legendary kinds of cheesecake and specialty desserts. It’s nothing but an experience to have that first taste. If you ever come through Kansas City, this is a must stop! They serve the ultimate cheesecake.

What is something that you’ve always wanted to do, but you never have? Begin writing your bucket list today, then begin to do it!

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God wants to do more than you can imagine in your life. He wants to help you fulfill that bucket list! To learn more, click here for my ebook, Bahama Mama: When God Uses Ordinary Women For His Extraordinary Purposes.