{peace}

(via)

I came across this quote and I find it so fitting. In life I try to be at a place of peace but sometimes situations and circumstances get in the way. I find it so necessary to get back in a place of PEACE. I usually whisper prayers to internally center myself. I also use cooking as a way to meditate and get away from it all. My mom always teases me and says, that she will come in my house and the boys will be running all over, Scott's watching TV and I am in a cool, dim kitchen chopping onions, pots boiling and I will be in my happy place.

One of the things I love so much about my husband is that he has a quiet peaceful personality. He is always able to talk me through some of the things that get me all stirred up and bring me back to a place of PEACE. I always jokingly refer to him as my own dose of NICOTINE. 

PEACE is so important to me whether at home or work and I am consistently seeking it. I know that life will happen around me, chaos and hardship...but I thrive to be at a place of internal PEACE.

How do you center yourself and get to a place of PEACE?

xoxo,

Ronita

Chuga Chuga Choo Chooo

This past weekend the boys and I along with the grands went to see the holiday trains at The Natural History Museum in Union Terminal. Boy was it fun and they both are at an age where they now can appreciate it!

Roman loved the baseball field in old town Cincinnati and Tre' loved Coney Island!

If you get a chance it's a must see!

xoxo,

Ronita

Labor Day Weekend Recap: FOOD EDITION: I probably gained 5lbs!!!

I started the weekend off with a date night with the hubby.

The boys went to the UNIVERSOUL Circus and we used one of our Groupons (I'm obsessed with Groupon) to go to an absolutely soul stirring restaurant

Local 127 where their motto is "Local 127 is a New American Eatery with an emphasis on Farm to Table Dining. Quality Local Sourcing provides only the Freshest Ingredients, prepared with a Respect for Tradition using the Innovative Tools of Today"

We enjoyed this meal so much!

The Bourbon Flip

Appetizer: Chicken Confit Wings and Chile

My dinner: Chicken Two Ways

Scott's Dinner: NY Strip with Potatoes 3 Ways 

***

Saturday morning we woke up and traveled to my little nephew's 1st birthday party!! Boy what a blast! We had so much fun and can't believe it's already been a year!

Her mom is the best baker in Columbus! You have seen her work in a previous post of our wedding.

She made our groom's cake. The birthday cake had a layer of lemon, peanut butter cup, and the bottom layer was red velvet and vanilla.

Before we left Columbus, I made the hubby stop at the world famous Jeni's Ice Cream and I finally got to taste...ooooooooh my I loved it!!!

I got the STUDY which is 4 scoops (of course) of any of the ice creams. I chose: Ugandan Vanilla Bean, Salted Caramel, Rockmill Golden Ale &Apricots, and the Sweet Corn and Berries

It was so good and well worth the trip!!!

Sunday we celebrated my mom's 60th birthday. I made a delicious homemade red velvet cake using the Neely's recipe.

Cream Cheese frosting

I even had enough cake batter left for a dozen cupcakes!

We added a bit of relaxing, cleaning the house, folding clothes (switching our clothese over from summer to fall) and catching up on some reality TV!!

It was a perfect weekend.

How was yours?

xoxo,

Ronita

Words for MOM

Part 5:

You thought you knew me,

But I did know you.

You thought you were watching me,

But I did hold you securely in my sight,

Recording every moment,

memorizing your smile, tracing your frowns,

In your absence

I rehearsed you,

The way you had of singing

On a breeze,

While a sob lay

At the root of your song.

Part 6:

The way you posed your head

So that the light could caress your face

When you put your fingers on my hand

And your hand on my arm,

I was struck with a sense of health,

Of strength and very good fortune.

xoxo,

Ronita

Words for MOM

PART 3:

Time passed steadily and drew us apart.

I was unwilling.

I feared if I let you go

You would leave me eternally.

You smiled at my fears, saying

I could not stay in your lap forever

Part 4:

That one day you would have to stand

And where would I be?

You smiled again.

I did not.

Without warning you left me,

But you returned immediately.

You left again and returned,

I admit, quickly,
But relief did not rest with me easily.
You left again, but again returned.
Each time you reentered my world
You bought assurance.
Slowly I gained confidence.

xoxo,

Ronita

Words for MOM

Part 2:

Mother,

During those early, dearest days

I did not dream that you had

A large life which included me,

For I had a life

Which was only you.

xoxo,

Ronita

Words for MOM

Just in time for Mother's Day!!!

I went to the library last night with the family after dinner and came across this great book of poems by Maya Angelou entitled Mother, A Cradle to Hold Me.

Each day until Mother's Day I will ramble off one of the poems...

I hope they inspire you as they do me...

DAY 1:

 It is true

I was created in you.

It is also true

That you were created for me.

I owned your voice.

It was shaped and tuned to soothe me.

Your arms were molded

Into a cradle to hold me, rock me.

The scent of your body was the air

Perfumed for me to breathe.

xoxo,

Ronita

I Picked Up Two Lovely Ladies at the Fruit Stand...Ms. Margaret and Ms. Mary

To top off a lovely Friday impromptu breakfast I shared with my mother dearest (I sporadically took the day off to RELAX), yesterday we spent the whole morning and afternoon together. We went vintage shopping and then to the fruit and vegetable market to pick up some items. First let me say, I forgot about this little hidden gem, Country Fresh Farm Market, in Wyoming. It has some of the best produce and their meat and cheese counter boasts some of the freshest I have ever had.

On our way into the store we stopped outside to pick through some of the fresh planted herbs and veggies, and decided we would try to grow an herb garden together, in her backyard. While we were browsing the varied selection of mint, two older ladies were there talking together. One was looking for an okra plant the other some sage. I began to speak to the older lady about what she grows in her garden and how she plants, harvests, and preserves her "crop." She told me that she is from Georgia and she grew up on fresh fruits and vegetables form her family's garden. She said she grows tomatoes, peppers, varied herbs, and her brother has a huge okra crop. We began to talk more and more about growing live fresh food, and not relying so heavily on packaged foods. I told them both about my recent strawberry canning experience and how I am so into growing and preserving my own food. They were shocked to hear of a young lady taking so much interest in what they refer to as "lost arts." Well my mom nudged me and whispered, "get their numbers maybe they can teach you some things," with a smile. I shyly said, "I would love to have your number and maybe get your pepper jelly recipe," to Ms. Margaret, and said, "I would love for you to teach me to crochet," to Ms. Mary. They were overjoyed that I took and interest and eager gave me their numbers.

The thought of having personal teachers to show me some of the "oldin' day" things that I always wonder about..I am just toooooo thrilled. You never know who you will pick up at the fruit stand (wink).

Living and Loving Life!


xoxo,
Ronita