My Thanksgiving Tablescape

Simple, yet elegant. I have not placed the silverware or the drinking glasses but those will be placed right before dinner. They both have gold adorning them.

Happy Thanksgiving

xoxo,

Ronita

Happy Giving Thanks Day!!!

(image courtesy of allposters.com)

I am thankful all my wonderful family and friends. I am blessed to have a great job, a place to come call home, food in the refrigerator, clothes (too many) for my family, my health, and all my 5 senses!! Thanksgiving never looked, smelled, tasted, felt, sounded so good! Thank you God for blessing me with such an awesome man (my husband) and 2 beautiful children!!! Thank you for all our family who are so supportive of us through everything! Thank you for all the hard times because I know those are meant to teach! Thank you for all the good times because those are meant to be cherished!!! I pray break through and healing for all those who are struggling. I pray for those who need to find you. With you all things are possible.

The best is yet to come!!!

Amen

Ronita

Have a great weekend!!

We are going to finish shopping for food to go into our dinner donation box for church and headed to Cincinnati's 12th Annual Christkindlmarkt German Christmas Festival!!


Have a great weekend everyone!

xoxo

Ronita

Have To Have....Christmas Wish List

There is not much that I want for Christmas and Scott and I will probably set a limit for each other and not go over board. We are even cutting back with family gifts (don't worry- I am still going to keep it chic, more to come on that later). But I came across Lisa Leonard Designs site and I have to have one of her pieces. This would be a glam gift for any mom, sister, friend, lover....

I personally would get my boy's names (all 3 ;) engraved. I think this is so super fabulous and plays off the more traditional "mother jewelry."

I LOVE IT!!!

So I hope you are reading hubby :) (smiles)
Here are some of my favs !!!

xoxo

Ronita

Bye Bye Dear O

(images from Google search)

After 25 exciting years....as long as I have been walking (literally). It is time to say goodbye to the OPRAH show (sad face). Her last show will be September 9, 2011. CNN reports, "The show has been the highest-rated talk show for 23 consecutive seasons, according to the Oprah.com site. It is seen by an estimated 42 million viewers a week in the United States and is broadcast to 145 countries.The show had its origins in 1984, when Winfrey moved to Chicago to host WLS-TV's morning talk show, "AM Chicago," which became the No. 1 local talk show. The show surpassed ratings for "Donahue" one month after it began, the site said. Within a year, it had expanded to an hour-long format and been renamed "The Oprah Winfrey Show." It entered national syndication in 1986." I, for one will be sad to see her go.

but wait...

There is talk that she will now have her own NETWORK the O.W.N. (The Oprah Winfrey Network) coming to cable next year. I can't wait to see the line up, I'm sure it will be awesome!

Until then...
xoxo

Ronita

Question: How did products sell before OPRAH?

Simply Fabulous: Nov '09 Anthropologie Catalog

I would have to say the new Anthro catalog is simply fabulous. I think the photographer did an amazing job capturing the true essence of winter glam! Take a look at some of the shots!!

eYe CanDY...

TaKE a lOOk!!

xoxo

Ronita

Recipe: Not Your Momma's Oatmeal Cookies

I tried this recipe last night to bring to a coworker (as a thank you) who really has been a great mentor lately and she loved them as did I!! This is great way to dress up oatmeal cookies and use the season's fruit!!! The white chocolate and dried cranberries are a great balance!!

(photo and recipe from Ocean Spray website)

OATMEAL CRANBERRY WHITE CHOCOLATE CHUNK COOKIES

INGREDIENTS:

2/3 cup butter or margarine, softened

2/3 cup brown sugar

2 large eggs

1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats

1 1/2 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 6-ounce package Ocean Spray® Craisins® Original Dried Cranberries

2/3 cup white chocolate chunks or chips

DIRECTIONS:Preheat oven to 375ºF. Using an electric mixer, beat butter or margarine and sugar together in a medium mixing bowl until light and fluffy. Add eggs, mixing well. Combine oats, flour, baking soda and salt in a separate mixing bowl. Add to butter mixture in several additions, mixing well after each addition. Stir in dried cranberries and white chocolate chunks. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on wire rack. Makes approximately 2 1/2 dozen cookies.

ENJOY

xoxo

Ronita

Stationary Obession: Holiday Greetings

(my card wall at work)

If you don't know already I LOVE StaTIonARY. There is something so romantic about opening your mailbox and receiving a beautiful card from a friend or family member, no matter what the occasion. I keep all the cards I receive, and love to look over them from time to time. I happened to be checking out the new holiday items at one of my favorite stores, Tuesday Morning, and came across some of the most spectacular Christmas cards!

I can't wait to send them out to my loved ones this holiday season.

Stay TUNED!!

xoxo

Ronita

Holiday Market Photos Part I

We ended our trip at Macy's. Here are some of their display trees. I love the circus theme!!

My budding Gordon Parks. He actually takes awesome pictures!

Holiday Market Gingerbread Village

I thought these wreaths were too cute!!

More to come...

xoxo

Ronita

It's That Time of Year!!!

Art and Craft Holiday Markets


I am so excited that the art and craft holiday markets have arrived. I love going and seeing what homemade goodies I can take home and also get great ideas for DIY projects of my own! This weekend will kick off all my holiday fun! I have to make my map so I can hit up all the good spots. This is a fun tradition my mom started with me when I was a little girl and I just haven't been able to get enough!! I called her yesterday to see if you was going to ride with me around the city Saturday to check out all the treasures...she said "of course, and I can't wait." Most markets you will find hosted by your local churches, but they are everywhere! There is something so nostalgic about sipping on a warm cup of wassil or cocoa and sorting through homemade ornaments and wreaths, tasting fresh homemade fudge, and yummy cookies!!

First STOP: St. Vincent Ferrer Church (right across the field from my house)

Check out your local calender for a list of events in your area!

Here is a link for Cincinnati markets:

http://www.cincinnatiusa.com/Calendar/event.asp?ProdID=696

Have fun!!
xoxo,
Ronita

Recipe: Best Turkey Burger I have ever tasted!!

I have had many turkey burgers in my day, especially because I don't eat red meat and haven't since the 6th grade. I just wanted to share this recipe I cooked last night. My carnivore husband even praised it!!

ENJOY


Pat's Stuffed Turkey Burgers

Ingredients
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1/2 Vidalia onion, finely chopped
1 1/2 pounds ground turkey
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon soy sauce
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
8 slices pepper jack cheese, cut from an 8-ounce block
1 beefsteak tomato, sliced into 3/4-inch thick rounds
Olive oil
4 large onion buns or rolls
Spicy Mayo Sauce, recipe follows
Lettuce
Directions
Preheat grill over medium-high heat.

Add the garlic, onion, turkey, mustard, soy sauce, and salt and pepper, to taste, to a large mixing bowl. Mix well with a wooden spoon. Divide the turkey into 8 equal-sized balls and flatten them into patties. Lay 2 slices of cheese on 4 of the patties and cover each with another patty. Pinch the edges to seal the patties closed, so the cheese will not melt out.

*Cook's Note: With your finger, press down on the center of the patty. This will keep the juices locked in and prevents the burger from puffing up.

Season the tomatoes with salt and pepper, to taste, and brush with olive oil. Grill for 2 minutes per side. Remove from the grill to a plate. Toast the buns on the grill and set aside.

Grill the burgers until cooked through, about 5 to 6 minutes per side. Transfer the burgers to the buns and top with Spicy Mayo Sauce, lettuce and grilled tomatoes.

Spicy Mayo Sauce:

1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons hot chili sauce (recommended: Sriracha)
1/2 lime, juiced
Combine all the ingredients in a small bowl.

Recipe taken from The Food Network:
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/patrick-and-gina-neely/pats-stuffed-turkey-burgers-recipe/index.html

xoxo,
Ronita

Seussville at The Dean's Residence!!!

Welcome!!! (our front door) The Grinch (me), The abused Grinch Puppy (Scott), The Cat (Tre'), and Thing 2 (Roman)
Our fun and crazy socks from (Fox and Socks)
Pin the Star on the Sneetch Singing to The Cat

Who Pudding Schlop (Dirt Cake)

Our Cupcake Tower
Green Eggs
The spread
Thing 2 and The Cat
opening....

That face is priceless

After he opened his BIG present and realized it was a Wii!!!

We had a great party and memories for a lifetime!!

xoxo,

Ronita

next up THANKSGIVING