doughnuts and nature walks

I love that we are in walking distance to so many great stores. One of our favorite being the Silverton Doughnut Shop. Saturday, instead of hopping into the car for a kick trip, I told the boys we were going on a nature walk to get doughnuts and chocolate milk!

Along the way we came across some beautiful flowers and some very mysteriously bumpy leaves.

 

 

These little boys of mine are truly a handful but oh what a joy.

 

xoxo,

Ronita

CINCINNATI: buona terra gelato and crepes

 

The fam went on a date night adventure yesterday in search of Cincinnati's new gelato crêpeire.

What a treat it was for all of us!

 

The new buona terra is located on Delta Avenue in the center of Mt. Lookout.

When you first walk in you are greeted by a beautiful white freezer full of colorful and delicious (they let you try any flavor) gelato.

 

 

The space is airy, painted white, with beautiful framed photos of the renovation and tributes to France and Italy.

 

 

I ordered the Italian crepe which included prosciutto, spinach, mozzarella. There is a clear glass in front of the crepe stand so you can see what an art it is to make crepes. The visual appeal of this makes you even more excited to take a bite.

 

 

 

AS you can see from my plate---it was AMAZING!! Delicate, light, with a mouthful of flavor.

 

 

We ended or trip with a large gelato cup: white chocolate lavender (my flavor) , tiramisu (Scott's flavor), cookies and cream (Tre's flavor)

 

 

If you are ever in Mt. Lookout or up for an adventure head over to buona terra!

 

xoxo,

Ronita

Our Neighborhood Community Garden

This year we decided not to do our CSA box like we normally to in the spring. Instead we decided to invest our money and time into our neighborhood community garden. I really love the thought of being able to join as a community to plant and grow our own organic food which we will split evenly at harvest time.  This was our garden's first year so there was a lot of setting up the space and beds.

We are growing all heirloom lettuce, kale, collards, bush beans, turtle beans, carrots, beets, sweet potatoes and yellow, various varieties of tomatoes, cucumber, herbs and peppers.

I'm looking forward to harvest time and sharing in the joy of
 all our hard work!!

Here is a peek into the garden.

xoxo,

Ronita

Rosewater Infused Strawberry Sorbet

Rosewater Infused Strawberry Sorbet

Preparation time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Frozen time: 2 hours or more

Serves 4

1 lb organic strawberries

Juice of 1 lemon

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp rosewater

1/2 cup sugar

1/3 cup water

Wash, hull and slice the strawberries. Toss them in a bowl with the lemon juice and sugar.  Place strawberries in refrigerator for 1 hour.

After that time, remove the bowl from the fridge (the bowl should be full of released strawberry juice with lime/vanilla). Add 1/3 cup of water and 1 tsp of rose water and puree the mixture in a blender until very smooth.

Following the manufacturer’s instructions, freeze in the ice cream maker. 

With a spatula, transfer the sorbet into a freeze-proof recipient and put on the freezer until ready to serve.

***

This spring I have really been into rosewater and lavender simple syrups and infusions.

Stay tuned for my lavender simple syrup recipe!

xoxo,

Ronita

The Dean's Spring

I recently attended a friend's baby shower and she encouraged me to start writing again...I have been away for a while and well, I really missed this space. I have been blessed with such a great life (with happy times and struggles- but no less a blessing) and I love sharing blessing. For now, I'm back and ready to share the everyday life, ramblings and love of GlaminCincy!! I plan to share more recipes from the RJD Test Kitchen,"Hidden Gems" (or not so hidden) of Cincinnati (our Cincinnati family adventures), some fashion and beauty, and random thoughts.

It feels good to be back and thank you Eat, Drink, and Be Married... for the encouragement and love.

***

Here is a peak at what The Deans have been up to this Spring.

 Easter 2013

Roman played soccer and Tre' ran track. 

They both had a great season!

HAIRCUTS!!!! WOW they are truly turning into my little men!

We explored a new restaurant.

BARRIO in Northside!

Visited our local farm to see the animal babies and to get farm fresh produce.

Tre' had his Spring Musical...I can't believe he is going into his 2nd grade year!

We helped Roman celebrate his 5th birthday and he had fun at his Kindergarten interview!

We went to our first Red's baseball game of the season!

And went strawberry picking at The Branstrator Farm Strawberry and Asparagus Festival!!

We have truly enjoyed our springtime together and look forward to making many more family memories!!!

Stay tuned to see what I made with all those delicious strawberries.

xoxo,

Ronita