René of the Day // 11.28.11 // You are...

... the cheese to my macaroni ...
... the horizon to my sky ...
... the bacon to my eggs ...
... the laces to my sneakers ...
... the jelly to my peanut butter ...
... the gravy to my mashed potatoes ...
... the smile to my face ...
... the bubbles to my bath ...
... the milk to my cookie ...
... the ink to my pen ...
... the ketchup to my french fries ...
... the water to my ocean ...
... the icing on my cupcake ...

... and the head of my turkey! :)

René of the Day // 11.26.11 // Ky's Luau!

The adult's bar

We threw a luau party for Kylie's 8th birthday, in preparation for her trip to Maui with my parents in December! She had a great time with some of her friends from school and of course the adults enjoyed the festivities, as well. We all dressed in Hawaiian gear and enjoyed local fare - Mom made kalua pig (not the drink, it's a salty savory shredded pork dish). The hula girl cake was so adorable!

With her American Girl doll, Kanani

Birthday girl!

Mom made a hula girl cake!

René of the Day // 11.25.11 // A Great Day

Lunched at Senate with Mom + Kiki and did some shopping in OTR

(Poutine: fries, local cheese curds, braised shortribs + gravy - NOMS!)

North Carolina BBQ sandwich

Visited Spring Grove Cemetery and laid wreaths and Gigi's and grandpa's graves

Late afternoon cocktail on the rooftop at O'Bryon's, enjoying the balmy day with Kiki

Bowling at Star Lanes* in Newport with the Loveland gals 

(*Loved this place! A smoke-free bowling alley? Finally! And their appetizers were above par, for sure.)

One word: poutine

René of the Day // 11.24.11 // Thanks!

Via http://www.landeeseelandeedo.com

René of the Day // 11.23.11 // T-Gives Eve

It's tradition! For at least the past three years, Becca and I go to R.P. McMurphy's on Thanksgiving Eve. Usually her favorite musician, Paul Otten, is playing. This year there was another band but we still came and invited more friends (Vale, Maura, Dave, Alex...) to join us. With our plastic green and pink Mug Night cups filled, we sang and had a great time, enjoying the friends for whom we're thankful. Cheers!

René of the Day // 11.22.11 // Healthy Cincy Chili

My hope of making a new soup every week has been a challenge with work, JLC and other evening activities but I'd still like to share some. Hungry Girl has great books and a website with healthy and appetizing recipes. When I found this post for a healthier version of Cincinnati chili, I had to share. Her Chew the Right Thing posts are sort of like Eat This, Not That.

318 calories per serving - Skyline is 760 calories per serving - woof!

Get the recipe here.

Skinny Cincy chili by Hungry Girl

René of the Day // 11.21.11 // Unbirthday!

A very merry unbirthday to me! Today is my half birthday (26.5 to be exact). So I had to share this fun video from the classic Disney movie, "Alice in Wonderful." These cats are cra.