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

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.

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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

my Boys, my boys...Proud Mommy Moments...Spring Edition

Roman has gotten through his first season of organized sports... SOCCER.

He loved it! (we are still working on removing the finger from his mouth)

Roman turned 4 and had a blast at his Bowling Party!

Tre' ran track for the first year and had an amazing season!

He made new friends and we now know what sport works for him!

Tre' did phenomal in his end of year school musical!

He was such a dapper little gent.

These little boys bring so much joy to my life. It's truly amazing to watch them grown and enjoy life.

I thank God for blessing me.

xoxo,

Ronita

what I am loving NOW!!!

nomnom...this local gelato is divine..perfect for spring!

My new seeds...I think I have a new obsession, collecting seeds...lettuce, pumpkin, rainbow chard and basil

fresh picked flowers

cookbooks from the library

Trader Joe's Crimsom Blossom green tea

our rain boots and all this rain...perfect for my seedlings

Happy Tuesday

xoxo,

Ronita

growing our own food

collards April 20th

collards May 3rd

Our community garden box is doing really well. We have had a combination of great sun and great rain.

Our collards have made great progress in just a few short weeks. We have spinach growing in the middle and broccoli further up. Our flowers and succulents are spreading pretty well and we see little sprouts with the onions, peas and carrots.

We will see about the strawberries- I hope to get at least a few!

It's amazing how much fun it is to plant a seed in the ground and watch it grow! talk about farm to table.

We are looking forward to making delicious spinach salads this summer.

Scott and I were talking last night about how efficient it would be if we could collect seeds and send them to places that lacked food. People could come together to try to grow food to sustain their family and their communities.

What a thought...

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