Mommy Fabulous Thursday

Another fabulous mommy...Ms. Jill Scott!!!

Her and her adorable son, Jett...how handsome!!

xoxo,

Ronita

Wordly Knowledge...at your finger tips

Cincinnati: My City

Toronto, ON...where I will be visting soon!!

With this cool site you are able to see all the front pages of over 80 countries. Just roll over the dots on the map and broaden your news knowledge!!

Check out Newseum to stay informed!!

xoxo,

Ronita

Cincinnati's 1st Annual Fashion Week is ....

...finally here!!! I am volunteering for the Thursday night and Friday night shows!!! I will be a model dresser and then help out with vendor relations. This will be the first fashion event in Cincinnati, of its kind. Tonight, I will be attending the first major event to kick off the week - the VIP Meet and Greet!! I will get to meet some of the models, designers, and organizers of this fab affair. This is so exciting and besides I need a little pick me up...

Check out www.cincinnatifashionweek.com for all the wonderful events!!! I will post pictures!!!

Stay Tuned!!

Happy Tuesday!!

xoxo,

Ronita

Mommy Fabulous Thursday

Motherhood is such a blessing...

Sometimes I think about the times when I wasn't a mother and it's really hard to imagine. The boys bring me so much joy...my heart remains full!!

Every Thursday, I will feature a mom (or mom to be) that is simply FABULOUS in my eyes (even if they have their own glam squad)!!

My first feature is Mrs. Paula Patton (Thicke), actress, and wife of R&B swooner Robin Thicke!!

She is simply radiant. I can't wait to see their bundle of joy!!

xoxo,

Ronita

Loving Lavender...to eat that is...Part II...my cookies

Last week, I wrote about how much I am digging lavendar in foods!! I found this recipe and had to try it. I loved them!! They were so easy to make!!

They were not too sweet and had a bit of a shortbread texture. These really are perfect for a bridal or baby shower. Or just some tea time with the girls!!!

Let me know if you try them!!

xoxo

Ronita

What a beautiful idea...Pinwheels for Prevention

How innocent... how powerful... a family evening in the park with some ice cream and bubbles turned into an evening of prevention awareness. We pulled up to the park with ice cream cones and bubbles ready to enjoy the sunshine. My mouth dropped. What an amazing view...thousands of pinwheels staked in the ground. There were no signs, no markers explaining why all of these wonderful pinwheels were being displayed. I finally saw a lady with a camera and asked her did she know what these were for...she said Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness. When I got home I did a little research…what an amazing idea!

A clip from the Hamilton County website:

"April 8, 2010 -- More than 5,300 colorful pinwheels will be planted at Burnet Woods Park at 3 p.m. Monday, April 12, in a dramatic attempt to draw attention to the horrific problem of child abuse. In Hamilton County, 5,353 reports of abuse and neglect to the 241-KIDS child abuse hotline were validated in 2009. Hamilton County joins all 88 Ohio counties participating in Pinwheels for Prevention as a kickoff to Child Abuse Prevention Month in April."

We just happened to witness the magic.

Praying for all the children that are abused and neglected all over the world!!

xoxo,

Ronita

Just Wright...looks interesting!!!

This looks like a movie I will catch next month!!

Common is looking cute...hehe

xoxo,

Ronita

Art Inspirations My Way

Awhile back in February I wrote about my Art Inspiration. At that time I happend to be browsing Made By Girl's blog and saw this very neat idea!!! I had all the materials right at home so it cost me nada!!!

Here is Made By Girl's canvas...

And here is my version...I know I know...the writing is a bit sloppy. I am going to try it again with a finer paint brush. It's hard to write with a brush!!!

None the less I LOVE this idea and everytime my sweetie and I are in our room we are reminded of our wedding day!!! The words mean so much to us and we just love being able see them on a daily basis!!

I will have a "take 2" on this project sometime soon...Stay TUNED!!!!

xoxo,

Ronita

Loving Lavender...to eat that is...

After visiting one of my favorite places in Cincinnati, Findlay Market, I realized I love to EAT lavender!!

The family and I went to the DOJO, which makes some of the best gelato in Cincinnati. They take fresh, in season ingredients and create the most unique and delectable flavors your palate will ever encounter. Although (I played it safe), I got a small salted caramel, I happened to sample LAVENDER and I loved it!!! I always thought of lavender as a fragrance choice for my massage and even tried to grow some in my windowsill once. I never really imagined eating it…

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Well this little gelato trip inspired me to want to make lavender cookies. I have heard about them but never been able to try them!! What was more convenient was the spice counter at the market was right across the walkway. I purchased a couple ounces of lavender and found this easy recipe on Recipezaar.

I am making these yummies tonight!!

Lavender Cookies Recipe

30 min

15 min prep

30 cookies

5/8 cup butter, plus more to grease baking sheets

1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 egg, beaten
1 teaspoon dried lavender flowers
1 1/2 cups flour


Preheat the oven to 350.
Cream the butter and sugar together, then stir in the egg.
Mix in the lavender flowers and the flour.
Grease two cookie sheets and drop spoonfuls of the mixture on them.
Bake for 15-20 minutes, until golden.


If you have trouble with the cookies spreading too much, refrigerate dough before putting on cookie sheets


These would be great for a tea party with girlfriends or even a bridal/baby shower. I may drizzle a little honey on top!!!


I will let you know how they turn out!!

xoxo
Ronita


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Easter Brunch

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What better way to share Resurrection Sunday than with family??!!!

Scott and I decided last minute to put a little Easter brunch together for our family and friends. We will go to church and then come home and tiddy up for our guest. On the menu we will have French Toast Strata, Veggie Sausage and Cheese Strata, Fruit Salad, Chicken Salad and Crossaints, yummy Mimosas, and a special Sangria punch.

My dear friend at work shared her fabulous Strata recipes with me and they are delicious!!! I have had both and know they are so filling and perfect for a brunch! What's even better... you can make them the night before and bake them right before serving!!

I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!! Thanks Karen!!

French Toast Strata

(assemble the night before – bake in the morning0

12 eggs beaten

8 oz. cream cheese – cut into pieces

2 ½ cups milk

½ cup sugar

¼ cup maple syrup

1 Tbs. Vanilla

½ tsp. Cinnamon

½ tsp. Nutmeg

8 to 10 slices good white bread – cut into 1” pieces (about ½ loaf)

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees

9” X 12” (at least) baking dish – spray with Pam

In a large mixing bowl:

Beat with mixer: first group of ingredients in order given

Then by hand stir in bread cubes

Pour into baking dish

Sprinkle with mixture of cinnamon and sugar (for color)

Cover and refrigerate overnight (this allows the starch in the bread to mix with the egg so when it bakes it will not separate or get tough)

Bake for 45 to 60 minutes
Serve plain or with maple syrup if desired.

AND...

Veggie Sausage & Cheddar Strata

(assemble the night before – bake in the morning)

12 eggs beaten

2 ½ cups milk

½ tsp. dry mustard

1 tsp. Lawry’s Seasoning Salt

½ tsp. onion powder

2 Tbs. dry minced onion

2 - 8 oz. packages veggie sausage patties, crumbled

2 cups grated Sharp Cheddar Cheese

8 to 10 slices good white bread – cut into 1” pieces (about ½ loaf)

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees

9” X 12” (at least) baking dish – spray with Pam

In a large mixing bowl:

Beat with mixer: first group of ingredients in order given

Then by hand stir in bread cubes, sausage crumbles & cheese

Pour into baking dish

Sprinkle with Paprika (for color)

Cover and refrigerate overnight (this allows the starch in the bread to mix with the egg so when it bakes it will not separate or get tough)

Bake for 45 to 60 minutes

Serve with Salsa.

I will share pictures of our little get together next week!!

I hope everyone has a spectacular EASTER weekend!!

xoxo

Ronita