For my mothers, sisters, aunties and friends...postive things coming our way...

 

 

 

Take a moment to soak in this lovely video promoting a site I absolutely can't wait until it launches. Positive energy is what I'm all about and this my sisters I just can't wait to experience.

 

I have singed up to be a part of the community and I encourage you to do the same, Living Ma'at, which means living your purpose. It will inspire you to do a little everyday towards living the life you deserve. Also take a look at the tour, here.

 

xoxo,

Ronita

 



Enjoying Life...

I know I have been absent from my blog…but honestly I am truly enjoying life right now…and finding it hard to pull together posts.

With the boys in school and sports, fall family birthday celebrations, a quick weekend getaway with my honey, exploring Cincinnati any chance we get and work…life is blessing me and it’s been hard to sit and blog.

I do try to catch up on reading some of my favorites but I just haven’t been encouraged to post!
Here are a few snapshots of The Dean happenings…



OKTOBERFEST Zinzinnati

 

I got my hair straightened! 

 

 The hubby and I spent a few days in beautiful Louisville for my 30th birthday...just the two of us. It was nice!

 

 

 A lovely afternoon tea with my closet ladies...

 

Sports of all SORTS!!!

 

 

 

Visiting daddy's high school...he so wants them to be Eagles :)

 

 And celebrating this guys birthday with a bourbon and brews party for him and his friends...

 

Can't forget exploring our beautiful city!

 

 

Hope you all are enjoying your fall. We have been. You can always catch me on Instagram, where I post a bit more!

Looking ahead to the holidays, what a wonderful time of year.

xoxo,

Ronita

Recipe: Stewed Okra

Our community garden is doing really well. And a couple weeks ago we got a yummy delivery of okra. Of course, I was thrilled (Scott was not- as he is not an okra person) and dug into all my cookbooks to find the perfect recipe. I did not succeed in finding something in my cookbooks so I headed to the net. If I had the time or resources I would have made an okra gumbo. I came across this recipe from The Neely's.

 

A few tweaks to make it my own.

Simple and Delicious.

 

 

Here is my take on the recipe.

Ingredients

• 1 lb of chicken Andouille sausage (I get mine from Trader Joe's)
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 3 cups sliced okra
• 1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes
• 2 tsp of creole seasoning
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions

In a heavy bottomed saute pan over medium-high heat, add the sausage. Add the onion and garlic and saute until tender, about 3 minutes.
Add the okra and tomatoes, making sure to add the reserved juice from the tomatoes to the saute pan. Season with salt and pepper and simmer for 15 minutes.
Cook's Note: If needed, add water or chicken stock if the pan becomes too dry.

Enjoy!

 

xoxo,

Ronita

let it BURN...

(via)

 

I am such a candle burner especially in the fall and winter. There is something so warming, calming and ritualistic about coming home and lightening a candle at the end of a long day.

 

I came across this candle at my local TJ Maxx and decided I would try it because 1. the packaging was a very sleek black 2. I have had this recent obsession with the smell of fresh tobacco- not that we are smokers (or chewers) I just love the smell and 3.it made me think of standing out in the field on a fall day. Boy what a treasure I found. Apparently this candle yields from a collaboration between Neiman Marcus and Ambercrombie & Fitch. It has notes of cheery bark, plum, teakwood, mahogany, sweet tobacco, amber. It's earthy but sweet, a good change from my normal fall pumpkin fare.  

 

If you come across it (as you know TJ Maxx is always hit or miss), it's worth a try!

 

This is defiantly our fall burn.

 

xoxo,

Ronita

 



Happy Hump Day...Give It Up and Get Up and Dance!!!

I'm feeling this today!!

Happy Wednesday.

xoxo,

Ronita

Let Us Not Forget...the fight continues...

(via)

 

 

"And when this happens, when we allow freedom to ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual, "Free at last, free at last. Thank God Almighty, we are free at last."

 

-Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Read more: Civil Rights March on Washington (History, Facts, Martin Luther King Jr.) | Infoplease.com http://www.infoplease.com/spot/marchonwashington.html#ixzz2dH03meE5

 

xoxo,

Ronita

football football...fall sports...

Tre' had his first football game of the season this past Saturday and they won 20-6!!

 

I love that my children are involved in organized sports. They are learning valuable life skills like teamwork, sportsmanship, endurance, how to interact socially with teammates and opponents, how it feels to win, how it feels to lose, and as their coaches put it the importance of being student athletes. Academics first, sports second!

They work hard and have fun together.

 

Throughout this time though, one of the greatest joys, is watching my husband coach my son. What a special time for them both and hopefully one they will cherish forever. A special bond is forming, something that me, as his mother, won't ever have but I know is such a blessing for them both.

 

We are hoping for a great football season...and are also looking forward to Roman starting T-Ball next month.

 

 

These little men keep us busy but we am blessed to have them.

 

xoxo,

Ronita

Back to School 2013

and we are officially back to school!...

 

Tre' had his first day of second grade last Thursday and Roman had he first day of Kindergarten Friday. What a joy to see them so eager to start a new school year. I am praying for a year of safety, for the teacher's to have patience and the stamina to teach the children, and  for a year of fun learning for not only my boys but for all the children.

 

Here are some of our first day of school pics.

 

 

Good Luck My Boys!!

 

xoxo,

Ronita

Slowly saying goodbye to summer

I walked out the door this morning and was hit with an instant feeling that summer is slowly leaving making room for fall. The chill in the air and the cool breeze got me thinking about all the things I need to do to get ready for fall. Prepare the house for back to school, switch out clothes to allow for more layering and all the fun things I can't wait to do!

 

Here is collection of my goodbye summer hello fall musings...

 

 

 

 

1. Thinking of doing a big hair transformation, cut and color 2. celebrating my 30th birthday with fun festivities  3. candles, candles, candles
4. preserving the flavors of summer

5. dark and plumy nails 6. busting out the boots 6. healing soaks in the bath

 

I'm sad to see summer pass bye but I know she will return.

 

xoxo,

Ronita

 

CINCINNATI SPOTLIGHT: Family Night at Paul Brown Stadium

Are you ready for some FOOTBALL?!!

 

Well...I am not that thrilled...that means our Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays will be consumed by football...in person and on screen...but I was ready for this event!

***

The Bengals held the first of two free Bengal's Family Night last week and we made sure our boys were in attendance. Tre' is now at the age where he is so into sports, not only the game but knowing all the statistics about the players and teams. Roman...well, he is more into the stadium treats, less the game. Between the great weather, fun inflatables, yummy treats, free poster and lunch bag, the boys had a fantastic time, and surprisingly so did I!

 

They ended the practice with all the players signing autographs. We now have two autographed posters to hang in their sports themed room.

 

 

If you are in the area and get a chance to make the August 11th night, I highly recommend it.

You can get more details, here.

 

xoxo,

Ronita



Get Up and DANCE!!!!!

INSTANT DANCE PARTY ON THIS BEAUTIFUL MONDAY!!!!

 

Turn up your speakers and let loose!!!

 

HAPPY MONDAY

 

xoxo,

Ronita

Cincinnati Spotlight: Flower Arranging Class @Turner Farm

I have signed up for 2 of the 3 flower arranging classes that are being held at Turner Farm. The first class was such a wonderful experience, I picked up some very helpful tricks as well as met some very creative women.

 

I am looking forward to class #3, horizontal sprays, in September.

 

 The first class was taught by Melinda a full time staffer at the farm. the class was held in the farm barn classroom (normally the classes are held out in the flower field but due to weather we had to move it inside) who was very helpful in explaining flower arranging and biology. She showed us how to use a florist block to produce the most amazing round arrangements.

 

 

Here is my beautiful arrangement at home on my dining room table. For my first time I think I did a good job! I look forward to practicing this summer.

 

I hope to be able to take other fun creative classes in the area. I'm looking for embroidery, preserving, knitting, calligraphy, paper crafts and cooking.

If you know of any let me know.

 

xoxo,

Ronita