Happy 2012: My 30 Before 30 Revisited

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If you have been following my blog a while ago me and some of my girlfriends got together and came up with some of our 30 before 30. 30 things we wanted to accomplish before we turned 30. Some may call get pretentious some may call it a waste but for me even if I can’t complete my whole list I am sure going to try.

Here is an update on some of the things I have been able to get accomplished. Some are a onetime deal and some are things I will work on for the rest of my life.

I love setting goals and completing them.

With that said my 30 before 30 revisited, tweaked and some additional events worth mentioning.

Here is to 2012 and beyond.

30 Goals before I turn 30: Sept 26, 2013

Pray more and worry less- continue to grow in my walk with God and understand that God is in control   CONTINUALLY

Continue to be the best wife and mommy I can be CONTINUALLY 

Visit my dad at least twice a year

Communicate more with my grandmother and Scott’s grandmother- pick their brains for family history and stories from “back in the day” - I find myself always with these two in my heart and whenever I get a free minute I love talking to them!

Take better care of my health and encourage my family to do better  CONTINUALLY

Master basic photography

Take a long train ride somewhere fun! - Probably not going to happen too expensive and boy does it take a very long time to get somewhere-with my work schedule and finances...we will see though...you never know....

Travel to visit all my girlfriends- by myself, no kids or hubby for some quality girl time (Texas; 2 parts, DC, Columbus, Cleveland, Cali, Arizona, Seattle, etc) A must THIS YEAR. So many changes!

Start a small business: I am too creative not to!!! - even if just on etsy (tooting my own horn)

Pay off at least 3 major bills: car note, student loan, credit card- become debt free - Thank God I paid off my car in 2011. Working on the others.

Organize a massive yard sale/purge all my stuff and donate the money to a battered women’s shelter

Volunteer with the boys at a soup kitchen - This past Thanksgiving we served with our church and it was such a great experience. I would love to do it again when they get a bit older and can truly understand what it means to serve the needing because in life you are only a day away from being in that position. This is something that I will want us to religiously do together.

Get on schedule to save $1,000/yr for each boy to give to them when they are 18 (set up accounts)- CONTINUALLY This year we were able to save for both boys! 

Go on a mission trip with my church - There will be a future post about this later looks like this is brewing for this year. Stay Tuned!

Get more involved at my church through a community group - Scott and I joined a couples community group and we really enjoyed it. It was very hard from a time commitment stand point but boy what a blessing. We hope to be able to reunite with our group again soon.

Skinny dip in the ocean

Reunite with Zeta- become a financial active member - I'm planning on attending the 1st meeting of the year next Saturday. Fingers crossed and saying a prayer. I think I am in a better place.

Master my sewing machine - I lucked up on a Groupon for a sewing class and I am taking it ..tomorrow...I will be sure to post some pictures!

Sew a dress from scratch

Organize a successfully romantic and super fun couples retreat for our close friends - I am crossing this off my list. although I didn't plan it for friends I did for family. We traveled to Gatlinburg for my mother's 60th birthday and we had a ball. Relaxing, beautiful and romantic.

Take French and Italian cooking classes

Write a memoir of my family’s account/story of surviving Hurricane Katrina- even if not published something to keep in the family

Make a really great gumbo without my mom’s help

Have 1 more healthy Dean baby - Everyday we go back and forth about this but as of today I am fulfilled and happy with my two amazing boys! They keep us so busy and on our toes.

Buy a house with a BIG kitchen, 4 beds, at least two baths, a man cave, big yard to share with all our family and friends - Well, with the market being the way it is right now we are content and blessed to be in our 3 bed 2 1/2 bath condo (in a great school district) and are fixing it up alittle at a time.

This dream house will be ours one day though.

Host a major holiday in my new house- where I do all the cooking

Visit vineyards in California- rent a convertible

Perfect making omelets

Howard Homecoming with Sorors

Travel to Italy and Greece - We are hoping for our 5th year wedding anniversary. We need to start planning now. This July will make 3 years!

 

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Events worth mentioning:

I completed a 4 week cake decorating class

I started and grew my own vegetable garden which I will continue to do annually

Watched my boys spread their wings: swimming, starting school, learning to read- the list goes on...

Witnessed my husband give his life to Christ

 

Not matter the goals you set for your life know that nothing is impossible!

 

HAPPY 2012

xoxo,

Ronita

 

 

 



Meeting The Neelys!!!

Oh we had a ball!!! Tre' was just as amazed to meet them as I was. Tre' loves to cook and be in the kitchen with me so we always joke that he is Pat and I'm Gina. He makes sure I know when they are coming on so I don't miss the show! These two were just as sweet and genuine as what you see on TV. I know you can just as easily print off recipes online, or get them on your iPad...but nothing beats a book that you can feel, see the beautiful pictures and read the family stories!!!

One day I'll have to get to Memphis to try their food!!!

Just a little snippet of them signing my book and me letting her know how much we love her red velvet recipe!!!

In the new cookbook it looks like there are some amazing recipes to celebrate everyday life!

I can't wait to try them all!!

First Up: Memphis Style Popcorn....for a relaxing movie night tonight with my boys. It's been a long week. Time to relax and unwind.

xoxo,

Ronita

For all the moments in your life....

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Reflection during my blog break....

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I have taken a little over a week off from the blog and gave myself time to just be. Recent events have me reflecting about how precious life truly is. We are all only here for a brief moment and all those moments whether high or low need to mean something. This past weekend, I was reminded that God didn’t put us here to judge others or to compare our lives to the lives of others. You never know their story or what they are truly going through. Focus on your life and how you can be a blessing to others. Your life is your own and no matter where you are in that life be thankful. There is always something to be thankful for and if you just look there is always something to be upset about, the key is how you respond to both.

I have been thinking about my purpose in life. Staying prayerful and quiet so I can hear what God may be trying to whisper. Until I hear him I will continue to work on being a present wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend.

Tomorrow is never promised so be present for today.

Keep pressing on...

xoxo,
Ronita

Spicing up Winter

There is something so comforting about eating spicy food when it is freezing outside...

There are two types of foods that I would have to say are my all time favorite. The first, is Indian chicken tikka masala with saffron rice and garlic naan. The second is either Jamaican Curry or Jerk Chicken, with rice and peas and fried plantains.

Last week I decided I would try my hand at making some Jamaican Curry. I got my big cast iron Dutch oven out and tried the fabulous recipe below. It was really tasty but I think I would add just a bit of flour to make the liquid thicken just a bit. Also if you are not a fan of heat, you can omit the peppers.

Ingredients

Makes 6 to 8 servings

• 2 3-pound chickens
• 2 limes, juice and grated rind
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons butter (optional)
• 3 small onions, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 tablespoons curry powder
• 3 tomatoes, chopped, or 1/4 cup tomato sauce
• 1 Scotch bonnet pepper (any color), plus 2 to 4 slices (any color)
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 4 cups water

Directions

1. Rinse the chickens with water and pat them dry with paper towels. Cut the chickens into serving pieces and place in a large bowl, reserving the backs, necks, and wing tips for stock or another use. Juice the limes and add the juice to the chicken along with the grated lime rind, coating the chicken with the juice.

2. In a large skillet, heat 1/4 cup of the oil and 1 tablespoon of the butter, if using, over high heat until very hot. Pat the chicken dry again and carefully add half of the pieces to the skillet. Fry on one side for 3 to 4 minutes, shaking and tilting the skillet a little to distribute the fat. Turn the chicken over and fry for 3 minutes more, or until golden brown. Remove the chicken to a large platter and set aside.

3. Pour out the old fat, wipe the skillet, and add the remaining 1/4 cup oil and 1 tablespoon butter, if using. Repeat the frying procedure with the remaining chicken pieces and then set aside.

4. Discard all but 2 tablespoons of oil, reduce the heat to medium, and add the onions and garlic to the skillet. Cook, stirring, for 1 minute (be careful not to burn the garlic). Add the curry powder and fry for 1 minute, scraping the bottom.

5. Add the tomatoes, whole Scotch bonnet pepper and slices, salt, and black pepper. Stir thoroughly while scraping the bottom of the pan. Add the water and mix until well blended. Return the chicken to the pan. Bring to a boil and reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover and cook for 45 minutes, or until the chicken is tender.

Read more at Marthastewart.com: Curry Chicken - Martha Stewart Recipes

I think I am going to pick up Lucinda Scala Quinn’s, Lucinda's Authentic Jamaican Kitchen, to try some of her other recipes!

Stay warm!!!

xoxo,

Ronita

My old soul...

Flipping through this fun new book somehow brings into my mind images of ...

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The famous 1920's Harlem Night Club..

Listening to the sounds of Duke Ellington and Billie Holiday on stage with their bands...

Dressed to impress...

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Enjoying one of these...

xoxo,

Ronita



Claw Foot Nostalgia...My Grandma's House

When I was a little girl I can remember traveling a very long 12 hours from Cincinnati to New Orleans in my parents old school Astro van. I remember or ride was marked with the sounds of Tracey Chapman, Marvin Gaye and Al Green. I looked forward to counting the armadillo and got excited about the thought of sweet pralines. I couldn't wait to peel shrimp and crawfish with my cousins, and get snoballs with my grandma. I couldn't wait to walk the streets of the Quarters and eat powdery biegnets!!! The one thing, though, that signaled we WERE THERE was my grandma's claw foot bathtub.

When we arrived at my Grandma's house, before I could even say my hellos and give out hugs and kisses, I had to stop in the bathroom. I ran straight into her house, through her room, and to the bathroom. I opened the door and standing there like an animal on the prowl was her claw foot tub. I can remember asking myself who in the world would want a tub with animal feet on it...well fast forward 20 years...and I can answer that question: ME!!!

 I am so romantically in love with the thought of having a claw foot tub...maybe one day in our dream house.  

Here are some that make my heart flutter and bring back those memories....

HAPPY THURSDAY!!!

xoxo,

Ronita