http://www.jandatri.com/blogs/gina This is Gina's Blog Fri, 20 Feb 2009 20:04:04 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en I was out and about today, doing my thing, when I met a nice man. He had ordered a coffee refill at my fave coffee house and only had plastic.  We sprung for the $1.50 because no one should be without good coffee, he thanked us and went on his way.  A ... http://www.jandatri.com/blogs/gina/entries/16 Hi All! How crazy and busy our lives are lately!  Can you agree?  I run around with several "Hats" on each day. I wake up with my mom hat and run around getting four busy little girls ready for their day. That includes, as many of you know, hair, teeth, clothes, ... http://www.jandatri.com/blogs/gina/entries/15 Hello everyone! After way too many months away, I'm back!  It's been a busy time for us, but I'm happy to tell you that I'm here full time now and I get to tell you all kinds of great MOM stuff about our crazy days with kids and cooking and ... http://www.jandatri.com/blogs/gina/entries/14 Looking back at my youth, I was blessed and cherished. I still am, but I realize now how lucky I was to grow up in the family I did.  Each day I live, I realize more and more the wonderful spot I have in life.  But, as a young Italian ... http://www.jandatri.com/blogs/gina/entries/13 Growing up as an only child, I had to be pretty creative to stay busy.  My mom would have to work all summer, so I got to spend a lot of time at friend’s houses. My best friend from 2nd to 6th grade (when I moved away)  was Kristen Dewitt.  ... http://www.jandatri.com/blogs/gina/entries/12 Memorial day is quickly approaching.  I’m sure many of you have your grocery list prepared for the picnic in the park. Maybe you are getting the boat ready for the weekend at the lake. Maybe it’s early bird shopping for the latest white sale.  But maybe, just maybe, it’s a ... http://www.jandatri.com/blogs/gina/entries/11 When I started thinking about traditions, lots of memories came to mind.  One of the most vivid memories I have is when my mom and I made a pact to celebrate Mothers Day together with dinner and a movie.  My mom raised me, just her and I, and I remember ... http://www.jandatri.com/blogs/gina/entries/10 The thought of saving our environment is a bit daunting when you think of all the things you have to do.  I was getting overwhelmed while reading a magazine about being “green”.  I thought,  “I can’t afford to put solar panels on my roof, or replace all our sheets with ... http://www.jandatri.com/blogs/gina/entries/9 I have been blessed in my life to be surrounded by good food. And not just good food, good people to share it with too!  I was raised by my mom’s side of the family, that included her parents, my Nonna and Nonno (may he rest in peace), her sister ... http://www.jandatri.com/blogs/gina/entries/8 They say variety is the spice of life. And in my case, they are right. Every week we get new recipes coming across our desk and they are as varied as they can be. Sometimes, we get one that really makes a mark on our lives. It’s just what we ... http://www.jandatri.com/blogs/gina/entries/5