René of the Day // 10.19.11 // STRONG Challenge

Now I'm stronger than yesterday... Now it's nothin' but my way....

Kidding. I'm sure that is not what Crossroads had in mind for this year's journey. Unfortunately I wasn't able to attend the services but if you'd like to learn more, click here to watch or listen (the website with all of the cool cards I'll tell you about is no longer up.)

The experience encouraged members in Community to meet with a group of others to discuss their faith, growth, lives and ideas over a course of 6-weeks. (I truly enjoyed the Freedom journey in early 2010 which had the same premise.) I met with one of my best friends from college, Becca, two good girlfriends from high school, Beth and Elizabeth and a new friend that Beth invited to join us, Holly. It was a wonderful group of women - all strong, smart and on different paths which made it really interesting to share each other's perspectives. Two teachers, two mommies of two, two single career women, one who just bought a home on her own and one who's preparing for her wedding next fall.

Each week we were tasked with 5 "cards" that were action items to challenge and build our strength. The "homework" was certainly a challenge - I struggle to find 20 minutes for myself many evenings when I get home from post-work obligations or social engagements, let alone to focus. Mind you, I do pray every evening but taking the time to think through these was a fantastic idea but I admit I wasn't always obedient with completing them each night - this is certainly one reason why I feel I didn't get as much from this journey as the last.

Each week had a theme: Play, Pray, Study, Train, Serve and Live. To provide an example, here are the five Strong Challenge I chose for the first week, Play:

1. Fill 'er up - Make a list of activities that energize and refresh you
2. Be grateful - Write down 10 things to thank God for
3. Plan a Sabbath Day
4. Share something you love
5. Rest from worry

I truly enjoyed taking on these challenges. Thinking of things you love to do really fills your heart with joy and it's always a great thing to remind ourselves what we're thankful for.

The Sabbath Day was accidental and amazing - MR surprised me and moved his Monday morning meeting so that we could have a quiet night together (something we rarely experience since our time together is always jam-packed weekends.) We had brunch with my extended family, went to the pumpkin patch with them, visited his sister and brother-in-law, had a dinner date at Dewey's, took an evening walk with the dog, he read a book for work as I watched DH and we went to bed early and got ready for work in the morning together before we drove home. I was so thankful for this day because it showed me how strong our relationship truly is and that this long distance thing is so worth it because we will have many, many days like this in our future when it all pans out.

Enough insight on my experience with the challenges. I was really disappointed that they didn't host the Prayer Experience like last time - I'm sure it was cost-related but it was an amazing opportunity with numerous rooms designed with activities for listening, praying and reflecting on the Freedom series. The Strong experience was just audio and I wasn't excited so I skipped out on it - perhaps I should've just given it a shot.

The best part of this experience was the sense of community I received from the girls in the group. They are amazing with their spirituality and I learned so much from the way the pray, think and act. I'm looking forward to re-grouping with them this spring for a bible study every other week, to continue growing together.

René of the Day // 10.17.11 // Yuengling Fling!

My friend Melissa called me at 3:30 on a Monday afternoon when I was at work - it worried me. She'd recently experience a family tragedy and I hadn't heard much from her since then... And I was damn glad I answered my phone! She's the food and beverage director at a country club in Cincinnati and she had two free tickets to the "Yuengling Fling" at the Hyatt downtown that evening. w00t!

What an event! To introduce the beer to local industry professionals, they filled a ballroom with unlimited availability of Yuengling - light, original and dark - The Rusty Griswolds played on stage and there was a delicious spread of favorite foods from Cincinnati and Pennsylvania (Yueng's homeland.) We grabbed a beer and loaded our plates with cheese coneys, soft pretzels with cheese and mini Philly cheesesteaks. NOM. The ice sculptures were pretty neat too - a bottle when you arrived off the escalator (see photo below) and they also served from a bar made of ice with bottles tucked inside.

We had a hell of a good time catching up and letting the beers flow... It's funny how everyone was freaking out about Yuengling coming to Cincinnati. So many of us have been rum running it here the past few years. My mom and I brought back 24-bottle boxes from Pittsburgh two autumns ago when we went to visit Falling Water and the Andy Warhol Museum. They don't sell beer in the grocery store so we went to this beer shack on top of a hill - seriously. And MR always brings some when he visits from Tennessee. It's been such a treat and now its here! Cheers!

René of the Day // 10.21.11 // US of Hey!

Saw this and LOVED it! Had to share. Enjoy!

P.S. There are not that many horses in Ohio... But there is a lot of etc. ;)

Source: Koalogist

René of the Day // 10.18.11 // New York Times Visual DNA

Take the quiz: http://nytimes.visualdna.com

My results:

CULTURE CURIOUS

You are culturally adventurous in all walks of life and love to explore different avenues of tastes and trends. Because your body is also important to you, you look for flavors that are unusual but still healthy and delicious, and you are constantly on the lookout for the next food trend. When all is said and done, you are a bit of an intellect with a tendency to do a spot of soul searching from time to time.

You're sophisticated and inquisitive with a real passion for art and culture. You pride yourself on being an early adopter of the latest music and films and always like to have a good book on the go. Your ability to bring together very diverse and even dissenting opinions is rooted in your appreciation for all points of view. You believe in immersing yourself in interesting experiences that make you look at people, places and opportunities from new angles. Being sensitive and creative you want to feel connected to the world around you and actively seek out opportunities to explore it. It's all about broadening your horizons and living life to the full. Anything else would not fulfill your curious nature. You'll love the list of The Best 1,000 Movies Ever Made, the Critics' Picks and Arts Beat.

Collage computed from my choices

René of the Day // 10.16.11 // Blooms + Berries

Going to the "pumpkin patch" is one of my favorite fall festivities! I have memories of going as many years back as I can remember... My mom and aunt would plop us on piles of plump orange gourds and snap our photos as we rolled off and petted goats and ran around with burrs grabbing onto our white rolled-down socks. As I've gotten older, I love taking my niece and seeing her doing the same things. Although we go to a different farm now, it's still a special tradition. It's so funny how three years ago we were sweating in summer clothes and the following year we were bundled up for the winter. Ohh, midwest weather, how you surprise us.

Blooms and Berries in Loveland hosts Fall of the Farm and is a wonderful experience for kids of any age... They have a massive corn maze (Kylie called it a "corn puzzle" a few years ago) that we get lost in. There's a hayride, a gorgeous field of sunflowers and tons of free as well as inexpensive activities and games for children. This year MR joined us and we had a so much fun... He didn't think my pumpkin was pretty - he called it "weird" - but I think it's very "Martha Stewart," and he bought it for me anyway :) I've suggested B&B to numerous friends, co-workers and others, especially people who Cincinnati transplants, and everyone seems to love it! 

My jack-o-lantern and the "Martha" pumpkin

Kylie hiding in the corn maze.

The best photo of the day!

http://www.bloomsandberries.com/

René of the Day // 10.13-15.11 // RT+KP=RKT

I love the hot Tomalia's!

The girls

Or something like that... What I can tell you it does equal is a wonderful love story. Three years ago one of my best friends, Kristin (KP) was living in Jacksonville, Florida, sick of the "scene" and enjoying some wine after a long Monday. She saw a commercial from Match.com and with the courage of her wine glass, decided to give it a shot. A handsome gentleman named Mr. René (RT) (yes, I am officially Miss René) from Michigan made a similar choice. They chatted... they dated... I'm abbreviating this story but they moved to Cincinnati and were engaged months later on the night of her birthday. As I sat at the bar waiting for them, an hour past their due, I caught on to the surprise. We enjoyed a bottle of champagne and celebrated. I was honored to be René #2 in their wedding. And seriously, I was so anti-online dating but look at these two. I mean, they're models. Alas, even hot, uncreepy cool people meet on the interwebs.
--

Since many of the wedding guests were visiting from out of town, we held Kristin's bachelorette party the Thursday night before the wedding weekend. We reserved the private dining room upstairs at Via Vite and stocked the girl's place setting with little candies that said "Mint to Be," tissues with a monogrammed "T" and penis straws that Miss Kristin (yes MOH has same name as bride, do we sense a trend?) and I trekked around town to 4 stores to find, including The Party Source, Hustler Hollywood, Party City and the gold mine - Spencer's Gifts. Had a great time planning the party with her (hello, Sundays at Coffee Emporium and Cafe De Wheels burger truck with bloody marys at Dutch's.) After a deliciously stuffing dinner of authentic Italian pizzas and great wine, we went to Scene Ultra Lounge for a free bottle of bubbles and played a hilarious card game that's similar to Never Have I Ever. We followed with another complimentary bottle of champagne at the new(ish) Luxe and then to Bartini for dancing with British men on a business trip - successful weeknight bachelorette party in Cincy!

The rehearsal and subsequent dinner the following night were wonderful. The Peaks are phenomenal entertainers - Kris' mom specifically designed the house for entertaining with the architect when the moved to Cincinnati from Miami, Florida in the early 90s. We enjoyed the food, company and beverages, including the fabulous apple cinnamon-infused vodka Mr. René homemade and adapted from the Bee Knees martini recipe from Bonefish Grill.

The wedding day was absolutely beautiful - an early October Saturday with bright skies and a slight breeze. We had a fantastic time getting ready with the girls and I took a video opening her lovely gifts from Mr. René. We watched "Father of the Bride" (her fav) as we waited at the church and took photos in the gorgeous garden courtyard at the church. The ceremony was lovely - Bruce was a fantastic priest and he made it fun and engaging.

The reception was an absolutely ball - wonderful food, an open bar and a great DJ - evidently MR asked them how much cash it would take to keep them going until midnight - $600 was a little high for his bid. And I loved how they had the cake toppers from both of their parents weddings on the table with their cake. It was a nice I'd love to live over again!

Congrats to you, Mr. & Mrs T - on your marriage, your new place and new jobs in Indy - can't wait to visit! Thank you for including me in your special day - it truly was perfect. I love you! xoxo

Bridal party

René of the Day // 10.12.11 // Cheers!

With celebration on my mind as Kristin's wedding approaches this weekend, I've been referencing my handy stack of books tucked into my built-in desk. Thick ones like "Words of Wisdom" and "Emily Post's Etiquette" are go-tos but I also pulled out "Extraordinary Origins of Everyday Things" - a book of 500 fascinating stories that was my grandmother's, full of interesting nuggets that you can live forever without knowledge of but acquiring it can enrich your life at most random of times. I flipped through the wedding chapter and learned that the diamond engagement ring dates back to the 15th century in Venice and that wedding cake was originally tossed at brides, instead of eaten, as a symbol of fertility.

But I especially intrigued when I came across the origin on the toast. I've posted before about Toastmasters, but this is not about public speaking - it's about intimate celebration and acknowledgement of those who are important to us. I toast or 'cheers' whenever I go out to dinner or share a man with special people - MR and my niece Kylie know to expect this from me. And so the story goes...

"Anyone who has ever drunk a toast to a friend's health or good fortune may have wondered how the word 'toast' came to designate a ceremony that involves no roasted slice of bread. The custom of a host drinking to a friend's health originated with the Greeks, as early as the sixth century, BC, and for a highly practical reason: to assure guests that the wine they were about to consume was not poisoned.

Spiking wine with poison had long been a preferred way to dispose of a political rival or suspended enemy, or to circumvent divorce. Thus, a host sipped the first wine poured from a decanter, and satisfied of its safety, the guests raised their glasses and drank. This drinking in sequences - guests following host - came to symbolize a sort of fledge of friendship and amity.

The Romans adopted the Greek penchant for poisoning (the ambitious Livia Drusilla, empress of Rome in the first century B.C. made something of a science of the practice) and the custom of drinking as a pledge of friendship. The Roman custom of dropping a burnt piece of toast into a cup of wine is the origin of the verbal usage. The practice continued into a Shakespeare's time. In Shakespeare's Merry Wives of Windsor, Falstaff orders a jug of wine and requests "put toast in't."

For many years, it was assumed that the Roman slice of toast was a piece of spiced or sugared bread, added to wine for sweetening. More recently, it was scientifically shown that charcoal can reduce a liquid's acidity, and that a blackened piece of bread added to an inferior, slightly vinegary wine can render it more mellow and palatable - something the Romans may have discovered for themselves. Our word 'toast' comes from the Latin tostus, meaning 'parched' or 'roasted.'

In summary: The Greeks drank to a friend's health; the Romans flavored the drink with toast; and in time, the drink itself became a 'toast.' In the early eighteenth century, the custom of drinking a toast took a new twist. Instead of drinking to a friend present at dinner, the toast was drunk to the health of a celebrated person, particularly a beautiful woman - whom the diners might have never met. In The Tatler of June 4, 1709, Sir Richard Steele mentions that British men were so accustomed to toasting a beautiful woman that 'the lady mentioned in our liquor has been called a toast.' In Steele's lifetime, a celebrated or fashionable Briton became known as the 'toast of the town.'

In the next century, drinking toasts acquired such popularity in England that no dinner was complete without them. A British duke wrote in 1803 that 'every glass during dinner had to be dedicated to someone,' and that to refrain from toasting was considered 'sottish and rude, as if no one present was worth drinking to.' One way to effectively insult a dinner guest was to omit toasting to him or her; it was, as the duke wrote, 'a piece of direct contempt."

So there you have it... consider this at your next dinner party or event and raise your glass.