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I LOVE cooking from recipes, and making up meals, I LOVE spending time with my boys (all three) and entertaining my family and friends, I LOVE bargain shopping (vintage stores included), I LOVE flipping through fashion and design mags, I LOVE the smell of libraries and how often I could get lost there, I LOVE scanning realty websites, I LOVE Trader Joes and LUSH, I LOVE fresh flowers and all four seasons, I LOVE Cincinnati and am always ready to travel, I LOVE stationary and stamps, I LOVE diamonds and pearls, tulle and lace, I LOVE smelling coffee and drinking tea, I love marshmallows and chocolate, I LOVE cozy sheets and morning sunshine, I LOVE me and I love GOD!

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Daily Reads


Master Tre'

Master Roman

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Quote of the Day

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.                                                                                                       NIV

Friday, October 15, 2010

For Colored Girls...Looks good



"Ordinary, brown braided woman, big legs and full lips. You become yourself."
-For Colored Girls

I can't wait until Nov 5th. This looks like a perfect night out with the girls, great cast!!!
xoxo,
Ronita

Go Sesame Street!!!

Friday Inspiration...



How empowering for little girls and adults alike!!!

I LOVE my HAIR!!!
xoxo,
Ronita

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Tre' is turning 5...PARTY REVEAL!!!

My oldest is turning five and to mark such a monumental birthday we are doing it BIG!! I love to throw parties and to carryout each one out with a theme.

Year 1- Costume Party
Year 2- Elmo Pool Party
Year 3- S'Mores Backyard Party
Year 4- Dr. Seuss Party

YEAR 5!!!!

Mr. Man!!!
Because that is just what he is mommy's little BIG man!!!
Mr. Man Party
The party is an ode to him turning the BIG 0-5 and being such an old little man!!
It will be complete with mustaches, ties, checkers and chess...
We are going to have some old man fun!!!
Stay tuned for the party pics!!!

xoxo,
Ronita

Thursday, October 7, 2010

I'm loving farm life

I have a new love…well infatuation might be the best way to describe it. I am soulfully in love with farms and farm life. I don’t know if it’s the change in season or what but I love the beauty of what a farm represents and now they are more gorgeous than ever. I think spending a few hours roaming around a bustling farm brings me such inner peace. It is one of the many ways to be at one with nature and to honestly be at one with me!



Yesterday, I just so happened to remember that I work less than 10 minutes away from a farm. I decided to take my lunch break to travel to this magnificent little farm and let me tell you it was so refreshing!!

I picked up some freshly laid eggs, lavender, tomatoes, and white sweet potatoes. All their produce and meat is certified organic!

Here are a few snaps from my trip!





The produce stand

Pumpkins picked from the patch

A chicken roaming the grounds

They sell all sorts of delicious produce and supporting a growing CSA. There is a 2 year waiting list!!!







The pig/hog was taking a nap...

The baby piglets...they were so cute all napping in a pile in the sun!!!

This is going to be my little lunchtime get away while the weather is still nice. I look forward to spending many lunches on the farm!

xoxo,
Ronita



Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Comforting Chicken Pot Pie


I have been craving comfort food lately. With the weather changing to cool mornings and breezy evenings, all I have wanted to do is warm up!! I found this recipe on allrecipes.com and it is truly delicious! My husband wanted to eat the whole pie by himself!

*Cooks note-instead of covering the chicken and veggie mix with water I covered with chicken stock- As noted I strained the stick into a bowl and then measured it out when it is called for later in the recipe. This gives it a little more favor. I also added dried herbs and garlic powder to the chicken and veggie mix while it was boiling.

Ingredients



1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - cubed
1 cup sliced carrots
1 cup frozen green peas
1/2 cup sliced celery
1/3 cup butter
1/3 cup chopped onion
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon celery seed
1 3/4 cups chicken broth
2/3 cup milk
2 (9 inch) unbaked pie crusts


Directions


Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C.)


In a saucepan, combine chicken, carrots, peas, and celery. Add water to cover and boil for 15 minutes. Remove from heat, drain and set aside.


In the saucepan over medium heat, cook onions in butter until soft and translucent. Stir in flour, salt, pepper, and celery seed. Slowly stir in chicken broth and milk. Simmer over medium-low heat until thick. Remove from heat and set aside.


Place the chicken mixture in bottom pie crust. Pour hot liquid mixture over. Cover with top crust, seal edges, and cut away excess dough. Make several small slits in the top to allow steam to escape.


Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until pastry is golden brown and filling is bubbly. Cool for 10 minutes before serving.

xoxo,
Ronita