Disney's "The Princess and the Frog" 1st AA Princess

A fairy tale centered on a young girl named Princess Tiana who lives in New Orleans' French Quarter during the Jazz Age. (imdb.com)

Check out the write up in The Washington Post: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/04/16/AR2009041603139.html

I'm looking forward to spending an evening viewing this controversial movie. Some people say it's racist, some say it's about time. I'm excited to see how they capture New Orleans in animation (as my family is from The BIG Easy) and so excited that now our little girls will have a princess of their very own. There will be dolls, hair products, and accessories all marketed to them.

(amazon.com)What are your thoughts? Are you going to bring your daughters/sons to see the movie? Do you think it is racist in anyway? Share your thoughts!!!

xoxo,
Ronita

THANK YOU CARD Giveaway Winner is...

My husband picked a name out of a bag, and the winner is...... Yolanda Cooper. Thank you and all my readers for supporting my blog! Yolanda, please e-mail me at farriarj@yahoo.com with your address so I can send you the beautiful cards!!! There will be more giveaways to come!! Stay tuned...

xoxo

Ronita

Fabulous Fall Decor Inspirations

With my favorite time of year here I am looking forward to decorating the house with Pumpkins, Bats, and Owls! Take a look at some of my inspirations! (images-google search)This year I am going to do white and gold pumpkins!!! With black birds (bats, sparrows) and white owls!!!

What are your Fall favorites?

My 1st Glam Giveaway!!..What Are You Thankful For?

To celebrate my birthday and to thank all of my readers I am giving away a set of gorgeous.....THANK YOU CARDS!

I am a BIG advocate of thank you cards. Many of my friends tease me for sending thank you cards for thank you cards. I think it is very classy and very important...that's why my first Glam Giveaway is a fabulous 6 pack of some of my favorite cards!! Tree Free Paper Notes. These gorgeous recycled cards add sophistication to any stationery set.

Leave a comment on this post about what you are thankful for no later than 11:59pm on September 26th (my birthday) and you will be put in a drawing for the prize! I will post the lucky winner on the 27th.

Good Luck and thank you for reading my blog!

xoxo,
Ronita

Precious based on PUSH by Sapphire

Winner of three awards at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival, including the Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award in the U.S. Dramatic Competition, Lee Daniels’ “Precious: based on the novel “Push” by Sapphire” will be shown in UN CERTAIN REGARD at Cannes Film Festival. This is a vibrant, honest and resoundingly hopeful film about the human capacity to grow and overcome.With sheer audacity and utter authenticity, director Lee Daniels tackles “Push: Based on the Novel by Sapphire” and creates an unforgettable film that sets a new standard for cinema of its kind. Precious Jones (Gabourey “Gabby” Sidibe) is a high-school girl with nothing working in her favor. She is pregnant with her father’s child – for the second time. She can’t read or write, and her schoolmates tease her for being fat.Her home life is a horror, ruled by a mother (Mo’Nique) who keeps her imprisoned both emotionally and physically. Precious’s instincts tell her one thing: if she’s ever going to break from the chains of ignorance, she will have to dig deeply into her own resources. Don’t be misled – “Push: Based on the Novel by Sapphire” is not a film wallowing in the stillness of depression – instead, it vibrates with the kind of energy derived only from anger and hope.The entire cast are amazing. Starring Mo’Nique, Paula Patton, Sherri Shepherd, Amina Robinson, Nealla Gordon, Mariah Carey, Sherri Shepherd, Lenny Kravitz and introducing Gabourey Sidibe, “Precious” directed by Lee Daniels from a screenplay by Geoffrey Fletcher based on the novel Push by Sapphire. (Film Filia)


I am so excited to view this movie after reading the "can't put down book," a couple years ago. The movie comes out before the end of this year .

This sounds like a Girl's Night Out to me...
xoxo,
Ronita

Welcome Fall.....Yummy Recipe!

I have always been a sweet potato pie girl and never really thought about pumpkin desserts. A couple years ago we had a pumpkin pie/dessert bake off at work and this yummy cake was entered. I have been in love ever since and it always shows up for Thanksgiving dinner. I even made them for Tre's 1st Birthday party in '06!! It has the perfect balance of buttery cake and moist "pie" filling. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have!!

Pumpkin Dump Cake

INGREDIENTS

1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin
1 (12 fluid ounce) can nonfat evaporated milk

4 eggs

1 cup white sugar

1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon ground ginger

1 teaspoon ground cloves

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 (18.25 ounce) package yellow cake mix (I use butter cake mix)

1/2 cup butter, melted

1 cup chopped pecans

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Grease and flour a 9x13 inch pan. In a large bowl, whisk together the pumpkin, sugar, salt, nutmeg, ginger, cloves and cinnamon. Stir in the milk, then beat in the eggs one at a time. Pour pumpkin mixture into the prepared pan. Sprinkle the yellow cake mix over the pumpkin mixture, then sprinkle on the pecans. Drizzle melted butter over all. Bake in the preheated oven for 55 minutes, or until the edges are lightly browned. Allow to cool. Add a dip of vanilla ice cream...it is sooo good, trust me!

Welcome Fall!

xoxo

Ronita

Lions...and Tigers...and Bears....OHHHH MY...

Halloween is right around the corner and I have been trying to figure out what the boys will be (last year they were a monkey and skunk). We live in a condo complex so there is no trick or treating in our "neighborhood". We had a blast last year out with our family out in Liberty Township so we will probably return!!!

I have been scoping Old Navy for costumes and they seem to always have a really fabulous selection at very reasonably prices! I am leaning towards the lion and the chicken. I have to see if we will stick to a theme, have them dress as a matching pair, Scott wants them to be super heroes...decisions decisions... I know there will come a time when I won't be able to select and they will have a preference. Until that time comes I look forward to the cutesy costumes they won't protest.

No matter what we decide I know they will be just as adorable as last year...

The Dean Boys HALLOWEEN 2008

What are your little ones going to be for Halloween?

xoxo,

Ronita

FABULOSITY............Congrats Kimora and Djimon!

Who says you can't have your cake and eat it too?

WELCOME Baby Kenzo Lee Hounsou!

Anyone close to me knows how much I love Kimora Lee Simmons. I love her not only for her strong business drive and passion for her career but also for being a mother on the go! She proves that you can have a family and have a career. These pictures are so fabulous I just had to share!

I am eating a piece of that cake with you!

ENJOY

xoxo

Ronita

Girl's Night Out...Movie and Drinks

When Madea catches sixteen-year-old Jennifer and her two younger brothers looting her home, she decides to take matters into her own hands and delivers the young delinquents to the only relative they ...( read more )have: their aunt April. A heavy-drinking nightclub singer who lives off of Raymond, her married boyfriend, April wants nothing to do with the kids. But her attitude begins to change when Sandino, a handsome Mexican immigrant looking for work, moves into April's basement room. Making amends for his own troubled past, Sandino challenges April to open her heart. And April soon realizes she must make the biggest choice of her life: between her old ways with Raymond and the new possibilities of family, faith ... and even true love.

Taken from: http://www.flixster.com/movie/i-can-do-bad-all-by-myself

I'm excited to see the movie tonight and hang out with my girlfriends! I will review the movie tomorrow! Have a great weekend everyone!

xoxo,

Ronita

Emergency 9.11

In memory of this day and of the innocent lives that were lost, the families that were touched, and the images that will forever be etched in my mind. I am continually praying for peace for all!

Take a moment today to reflect on what you were doing that day and how your life may have been touched by these tragic events!

Be Blessed,
Ronita

Down Home With The ....

NEELYs

I have absolutely fallen in love with this dynamic duo, Patrick and Gina Neely! I recently caught an episode of Chefography featuring The Neelys. They are so amazing together not only as a pair in front of the camera but also understanding the story of how their love has grown! His persistent pursuit for her love and their persistent love of food grew into something spectacular. Their absolutely sweet playfulness really sets my heart on fire. I love watching these two whip up some of the best southern cooking my eyes and mouth have laid eyes on. Their first cookbook with recipes featuring some of their family stories, debuted in May of this year, and I have hinted to Scott that I wouldn't mind adding this to my cookbook library, ...(plus my birthday is right around the corner). We shall see about that...but in the mean time I continue to download (foodnetwork.com) and try my hand at some of their most soulful recipes!!

Pick up your copy and fall in love like I have.

xoxo

Ronita