Parenting through it...

Source: bit.ly via kara on Pinterest

I had a very enjoyable Friday with a work friend to end what felt like the longest most trying week in my parenting history (I know it's only been 6 years and there are more challenges to come). Goodness, it's so hard to express how you feel when you pour all your good stuff into your children and sometimes how they translate it doesn't go how you hope. It can be exhausting. I know that with God and my family the boys will be ok and so will I. I thank God for patience and understanding and strong resilience. 

Without the hard times we wouldn't appreciate the great times. 

 This picture is a beautiful interpretation of woman, naturally, and makes me want to take some time for me...do my hair, do my nails, sip some tea and relax. 

 I deserve it! 

 HAPPY SATURDAY 

  xoxo, 

Ronita

Food Truck Fantastic: New Orleans To Go

I got the shrimp glazed po'boy and it was fully dressed.

Stuffed and Satisfied.

My fascination with food trucks began last Spring. I came across Taco Azul at a local festival and fell in love not only with the truck but with the idea and obtaining superbly delicious cuisine on the go. From there I tracked down all the food trucks in Cincy and made a list of the ones I had to try.

Today I tried.......New Orleans To Go.

When I tell you this is New Orleans...this truck brings it. I'm sad I missed their crawfish boil last week but now I know when I want a taste of New Orleans, it's only a food truck away.

Happy Tuesday!

xoxo,

Ronita

Styling Boys: End of Year Musical

Can you believe it's the end of the school year?
I remember posting his first day of Kindergarten pictures like it was yesterday.

Instead of the typical Kindergarten Graduation Tre's school is hosting a Kindergarten Spring Musical to showcase what the kids have learned throughout the year. The note that was sent home said that this would be a fun time to dress the kids up in dresses and shirts and ties. Well...as I have expressed in previous posts, here and here,  I have a huge frustration when it comes to boy's clothing selections. I find myself shopping in the boy's section and hopelessly gazing down the girl's aisle.

For this occasion, I have set myself on a styling mission to put together an outfit out of the norm. I know when we go to the musical I will see an endless sea of khaki pants, blazers, and red neck ties...here is what I had in mind for Master William. I'm still using his school colors, giving him a bit of a formal edge but adding a dapper urban flare...

I know he will rock it with confidence!

Tre's Stylish Spring Musical by mrsrjdean featuring red jewelry

Pictures to come.

xoxo,

 Ronita

Positive Words

Source: sparkling-glitter.tumblr.com via Mackenzie on Pinterest

Have you ever heard the quote, "misery loves company?" Sometimes people's negative thinking and negative ways can be toxic.

Surround yourself with positive things! Stay positive and hopeful!

HAPPY Monday

xoxo,

Ronita

Our Community Garden Box

We have growth with our collard seeds

flowers in bloom

Our strawberry plants

We are so excited to be a part of a community garden. 

We rented the box for the season and have planted collards, carrots, onions, peas, strawberries and some flowers. I look forward to visiting the garden with the boys and teaching them about growing food.

I know the garden has plenty of activities planned this year. 

I will keep you posted in our progress.

HAPPY SATURDAY

xoxo,

Ronita

Throwback: Jump ...Music for your Friday

This song is an expression of how I felt this morning!!!

JUMP

It's FRIDAY!!!
xoxo,
Ronita

Fab...u...lous....

Source: netvibes.com via Amy on Interest

I love her style! 

Fabulous

xoxo,

Ronita

Scenes from the weekend...

We had a great weekend with friends who came to visit from Cali and Cleveland. Congrats to Bianca for passing her defense ...Love you Dr. Jones!!!

Sushi two nights with my girlfriends!! I HEART Ichiban

My Curl Box arrived!

My Shade of Brown box arrived!

Tre' had his first track meet! He finished long jump but his running events were rained out!

Great weekend can't wait until this weekend comes.

I love home life.

xoxo,

Ronita

Easter Weekend recap

We had a very fun filled Easter weekend.

Saturday, my brother and his wife had the ultimate Easter egg hunt followed by a delicious lunch!

He loves the special effects.

Setting up the smoke screen with smoke bombs!!!

Getting ready to dye our eggs

Sunday, we went to church, had a little brunch at our house and then headed to our family's house for dinner and another hunt.

Sunday morning after church

Our Easter brunch

 

I made an Easter Pie, a broccoli and cheese quiche, turkey bacon, pork bacon and breakfast sausage.

For dessert, we had fruit and granola parfaits and a beautiful fruit custard that I scored from Whole Foods.

What a great weekend. Of course, it went by way too fast but we sure did enjoy it.

xoxo,

Ronita

Pasta from scratch

paddle together eggs, salt and flour

add spinach and knead with dough hook

let dough rest for 30 minutes and cut into 4s

pass through pasta roller and then pasta cutter

VIOLA!!!

I made pasta from scratch this weekend! What a fun process!

I followed the recipe from Bell'alimento.

Four simple ingredients to make about 8 servings!!

I can't wait to experiment with different flavors.

HAPPY COOKING,

Ronita

HAPPY FRIDAY

My feelings in one song!!

I love my boo and this is the perfect song to get me up and moving this morning.

HAPPY FRIDAY!

xoxo,

Ronita

Recipe: Chocolate Goodness

As I mentioned in a prior post, I have a new favorite food blog. Recently, I tried one of her recipes and goodness this dessert is decadent. It's a chocolate amaretto semifreddo and it is...well... you will just have to try it. Take a look at the recipe on her wonderful blog, bell'alimento.

xoxo,

Ronita

COLUMBUS, COSI and COUSINS!! perfect staycation

Through thunderstorms and lightening we made it to Columbus and had a wonderful staycation!

I really like Columbus and hope to get back soon to explore it even more. Who knew what fun we would find in our own backyard?

Friday after driving through what felt like a tornado, we made it to Columbus and enjoyed a bd's, Mongolian grill,  for the first time. The boys loved (and so did I) picking out their food and watching as the cooks prepared it on a big open grill!

Saturday we woke up and prepared for our big day. After many recs we decided to try Northstar Cafe, and I was not at all dissappointed. The food was so fresh and so favorful...I wish we had one in Cincy.

I had the Sweet Potato and Turkey Hash with two sunny-side-up eggs...AMAZING

Breakfast was so so good!! I have to go back!

***

We met up with our cousin Lauren who Tre' seems to have a crush on and hung out at COSI!

What an amazing place for the curious at heart. Both boys were in heaven and learned a lot. They could smell, touch and explore anything they wanted.

The boys and cousin Lauren

The Deans

Learning about outer space

Learning about sound waves

Learning about air pressure

Water exhibit

Going down in the submarine

Mommy and Tre' in a submarine

***

After COSI Lauren took us to The Historic North Market and sampled some food and of course I got my Jeni's!

We were all exhausted after Saturday and spent the rest of the day napping in the hotel, ordering room service watching basketball and taking in a late night splash in the pool!

***

Sunday before we left we caught up with Mela and Milo for a little lunch!

We had an amazing weekend and I know Tre' enjoyed his first official school Spring Break.

Not a ton of money spent but a ton of memories made!!

HAPPY HUMP DAY!

xoxo,

Ronita