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Joe’s Home Made Lemon/Garlic Hummus

// December 14th, 2011 // Add A Comment » // Joe's Blog

I often times am asked what my favorite snack food is, and when I tell people it’s hummus some don’t know what I’m talking about while others are curious and want to know more. When they find out I rarely buy store bought hummus and make my own, then the curiosity really sets in. It isn’t until they try it for the first time, they realize how delicious it is and so healthy for you. Chickpeas are packed with fiber and protein among a large array of vitamins for energy. Something many folks back home in Whitesburg, Kentucky may not know, but there is a local lounge/bar in downtown called Summit City, and they actually two of my original recipes on their menu. One is my home made raspberry vinaigrette salad dressing, the other is my hummus recipe for their hummus platter. So curious how do I make it?

• 1 mid sized food processor
• 2 cans of 15oz Chickpeas (drain & empty into food processor)
• 1 1/2 mid sized lemon (squeeze juice; helps to roll lemon)
• 2 Tablespoons of Sesame Tahini
• 2 Tablespoons of olive oil
• pinch of Sea Salt
• 1 whole clove of garlic minced

Run in food processor until pasty, you don’t want a runny consistency, just pasty for dipping and spreading. If mixture is too dry, add a dash more olive oil. You can also add 4 slices of roasted red pepper, cilantro or 1 steamed asparagus stalk for extra flavoring combinations. Serve with toasted pita bread, dip a decent sized portion onto plate, put a whole in the center like mashed potatoes and drizzle olive oil in the middle like a pool then garnish with paprika and serve with triangular cut pita bread pieces. Also carrots, large black olives or celery make a great side for dipping.

Enjoy!

2011 Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights

// December 4th, 2011 // Add A Comment » // Joe's Blog

History of the Osborne Lights

As the story goes, Arkansas resident Jennings Osborne and his family were very big on the Holidays. In 1986, Jennings asked his youngest daughter Breezy what her Christmas wish was. She replied that she would like to see their whole house covered in lights. They had quite a large house but Jennings was determined to make his daughter’s Christmas dream come true. That first year the Osborne family covered their home with a modest 1000 red lights. With each passing year, the family wanted to do more. The Osbornes eventually purchased property adjacent to their own in order to expand on their newfound hobby.

The display grew to millions of lights. There were flashing lights, multi-colored lights, custom-made light sculptures and a 75-foot Christmas tree adorned by lights. This drew onlookers from all over Arkansas. Displeased by the resulting traffic jams, the local residents asked that the Osborne family stop the annual display. Legal intervention was sought, and it appeared that the Osborne’s beloved tradition was about to come to an end. When Mickey Mouse got word of this, he offered a venue where the Osborne lights could be shared with visitors from around the globe. In 1995, Residential Street at the Disney’s Hollywood Studios became the home of this dazzling light show. Approximately 80% of the lights that are on display come from the original Osborne collection.

In 2003, Residential Street began undergoing a major renovation in preparation of the new stunt show scheduled to open in 2005. For the first time in 8 years, the Osborne lights were not displayed.

Fortunately, a new home was found for this magical attraction. The Streets of America (formerly New York Street) is now hosting the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights.

As in years past, once evening descends, this amazing display springs to life. Formerly drab buildings become twinkling light sculptures, while a host of angels fly overhead. Visitors are welcome to stroll through at their own pace. With over 4 Million Christmas lights, this is not to be missed. To enhance the experience, Florida “snow” flutters down while Christmas tunes fill the air.

Admission to the display is free with admission to the park, and it’s a MUST SEE if you’re visiting Walt Disney World over the holidays.

Acquainted Thanksgiving

// November 24th, 2011 // Add A Comment » // Joe's Blog

This Thanksgiving, many Americans get the story of Thanksgiving under-toned by the facade of the Macy’s Day Parade, Black Friday Sales and of course cooking dinner for family. But what really happened to make Thanksgiving such a big hype these days, and why aren’t we looking back to reflect forward? My pastor said something in service this past Sunday that struck a chord within. He said, “We’ve forgotten who gave us all the food, our house, car and health… It’s all become a media blitz of epic marketing proportions. We’ve totally forgotten about God, and why we really should be thankful and what for to begin with.”

You see, the pilgrims came over to the Americas in search of religious freedom to preach, teach and share the gospel anywhere, anytime. The pilgrims, struggling to survive with famine and disease, endured some harsh Winters during 1620. Allying with Samoset and Squanto (both Abnaki Indians), the pilgrims were taught how to raise crops and reap a bountiful harvest the following October. We’ve all heard this story growing up in the history books, but do we really understand it’s true significance? Is it mentioned anywhere that both Indians and the pilgrims participated in a Christian prayer of thanksgiving for their wonderful harvest, new found native brave friends and their newly found freedom to worship God with no government rules or ties to bound them? The answer is rarely this fact is taught or mentioned to our youth and public today. It’s been magically erased from the text books, and now a void is left in the tradition that is truly Thanksgiving.

I find it appalling that our American society has taken a “Magic Eraser” of sorts to the truths about our great nation, so I’m asking this of all my friends and followers this year whether you believe in Christianity or have faith in anything, offer up prayers of true thanksgiving intent this year. Stop and do inventory of your own lives, family and what you have right before you. You’ll see a cloudy veil ripped away from your eyes as you see the world around in a new light. Pray in earnest, and please don’t say, “Dear Lord thank you for this here food we are about to eat.” Say it the way it was meant, “Thank you for your bounty of blessings on my family’s life, your Holy divine hand leading our steps and for ultimately giving the greatest sacrifice of Thanksgiving so we could have a hope beyond our human measure.”

Enjoy your family, enjoy the amazing food that follows and more importantly enjoy the fact of knowing, you too, like the pilgrims have the same religious freedom they once sought out in 1620. God has an amazing purpose for all of us, sometimes we have to stop and get reacquainted with things before we can see the beauty and wonder of life as He so intended it.

Blessings from our house to yours,
Joe & Alexandra Burke

Collaborative Efforts

// November 20th, 2011 // Add A Comment » // Joe's Blog

For the first time, my wife Alexandra and I have composed and performed a song together as a team. Using her inspiring voice and great ability of voice, I combined her talents with my synthesized sounds and birthed a new variant of an old song “Long Walk Home.” In this newest incarnation, a heavy synth vibe is dominant as Alexandra’s haunting vocalizations add a harmonious counterpart bringing new life to an old composition. I hope you enjoy, many blessings.

The Long Walk Home (AK27 Remix) by rotcav

One Year Anniversary of Joe & Alexandra 10-10-11

// October 20th, 2011 // Add A Comment » // Joe's Blog

Joe and Alex celebrate one year of marriage together, and revisit where they exchanged vows at the Orlando World Center Marriott. With a romantic dinner at Emeril’s Tchoup Chop, followed by a show from their favorite performers, Blue Man Group, the day was magical and fun. The following day, we drove up to St. Augustine, FL and climbed the world famous St. Augustine Lighthouse with our friends Tina Verduzco and Femi Oyewole.

Joe’s Vlog #10 for Sept. 9th, 2011

// September 9th, 2011 // Add A Comment » // Joe's Blog

A short update about things in m hectic and crazy life including an upcoming house purchase, moving, new album release, autobiography and travel dates for the Blue Man Group Insiders to Viva Las Vegas in 2012! I also briefly discuss what exactly our ghost hunting team Spirit Seekers is all about, and why we like doing it! All this and more, so check it out.

Christ Church of Orlando – Praise & Worship Weekend

// September 4th, 2011 // Add A Comment » // Joe's Blog

Pastor Paul and congregation celebrated the entire service in praise and worship and then had free snacks outside for the whole church. Smiles, cheers and praises filled the air as CCO demonstrated the love, power and wonder of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.