Gina Alfani

Tuesday, February 17, 2026

A Burst Of Sunshine

The sunshiny day has left me with that burst of sunshine and energy. It is hard to describe that feeling, but when I read the graphic I realized that is how I am feeling. This is one of the reasons why I love living in Florida. The sunshiny days are phenomenal and the happiness felt results in kindness. At least it does for me.

I've been very productive in getting my blog posts done. A beautiful day can have a huge impact on a person's mood and energy. I never thought about that until today. It is especially amazing with the extended grief I have felt. Feeling happy now is like extra happy.

My focus has been on slow cooker recipes. Even though I am retired and could cook all day, I have other things to do and using the crock pot to cook is perfect for me. I did appreciate it in my working days. Coming home to a delicious smelling meal after a hard days' work would make a bad day good.

Happy Tuesday everyone! Check out my new blog posts!

NEW BLOG POSTS

Gina's Italian Kitchen

Chicken Pot Pie Recipe Collection UPDATED

Hot Fudge Cake

Slow Cooker Pork and Black Bean Nachos

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Slow Cooker Pepper Steak

Slow Cooker Roast Chicken

Slow Cooker Roast Beef and Gravy

Slow Cooker Beef Enchiladas

Subtropical Gardening

Vegetables That Thrive in Containers

When to Start Your Herb Seeds Indoors for the Quickest Spring Harvest

Mandevilla Care in Pots

Raised Garden Bed Ideas

Spider Plant Watering Tip

DIY Terrarium: A Woodland Version

Leafy Greens to Start from Seed Now for an Earlier Spring Harvest

Growing Onions from Seed Successfully

Fabulous Frugalista

Homemade Lemon Soft Scrub

DIY Dawn Powerwash

LaBelladiva

Tote With Many Pockets

DIY Milk Carton Coin Purse

Homemade Candles In Granny's Candy Dish

Woven Hearts Table Runner

Monday, February 16, 2026

Cravings and Obsessions

Well I don't eat or cook with jalapenos. But I will take a box of chocolates.

I'm still obsessed with the coverage of the missing lady. Poor lady. As I research the articles online, the television is right there, always turned on. I watch the independent journalists on You Tube who are on the scene day and night. They are very obsessed.

The chocolate cravings are still with me since I have not yet gotten it out of my system. Actually preparing posts for my food blog keeps me hungry for all types of food. Today it is roast beef and mashed potatoes with gravy.

There are lots of new food blog posts . . . check them out!

Have a wonderful week everybody!

NEW BLOG POSTS

Gina's Italian Kitchen

Snickerdoodle Bundt Cake - 2 Versions - From Scratch and Semi-Homemade

Turtle Cake

Mole Poblano Chicken

Brussels Sprouts in Alfredo Sauce

Chicken Cheesesteak

Creamy Chicken and Mushrooms With Egg Noodles

Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Fudge Lover's Cream Cheese Cake

Mini No-Bake Chocolate Cheesecakes

Lobster - Cook It Perfectly Every Time

Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta - 2 Versions

Ribs - Informative Info and Recipes UPDATED

Grilling/Smoking . . . A Collection of Recipes UPDATED

Gulf Coast Style Sheet Pan Shrimp Boil

Sunday, February 15, 2026

Happy days!

We are finally having our usual bright sunny days which remind me that Spring is near. Happy days!

I have focused on air fryer recipes since that is what I use now instead of my oven. It is so much easier.

Not much to say except check out my new blog posts!

Have a wonderful Sunday . . .

NEW BLOG POSTS

Gina's Italian Kitchen

Crispy Caesar Chicken Cutlets

Air Fryer Breakfast Frittata

Air Fryer No Knead Bread

Air Fryer Turtle Cheesecake

Air Fryer Blooming Onion

Chicken Tetrazzini

The Best Rice Pudding

Subtropical Gardening

How to Paint Plastic Plant Pots To Look Expensive

How to Grow Potatoes in a Vegetable Garden

Propagate Basil for an Endless Supply of Fresh Herbs

Azalea Bush Care and Growing Tips

How to Grow Pothos and Keep It Happy and Healthy for Years

Fabulous Frugalista

Say Goodbye To Stains On Cast Iron Pans With Two Unexpected Kitchen Ingredients

Should I Let My Battery Die Before Re-Charging?

LaBelladiva

Dog Sweater Sewing Pattern

DIY Denim Dog Toys – Recycled From Old Jeans!

How to Sew Easy Baskets with 10″ Squares

How to Upcycle a Candle Jar into a Cute Pin Cushion

Friday, February 13, 2026

Happy Valentine's Day Eve

If you are going to make a special Valentine's dinner or sweet treat, today is the day to get started. If you have no idea what you are going to make, check out the links in my food blog, Gina's Italian Kitchen, for lots of choices.

I decided that Door Dash will be delivering my special dinner and sweet treat to myself from a special restaurant. My next grocery order will include chocolate. They will be thoroughly enjoyed and I will celebrate the two great loves in my life. I was a very blessed woman!

Happy Valentine's Day Eve . . . whatever wonderful things you plan for the weekend!

NEW BLOG POSTS

Gina's Italian Kitchen

Best Mini and Individual Desserts

Garlic Parmesan Skillet Bread

Sloppy Joe Bubble Up

Basic Pancakes

Why Tomato Paste Belongs in Every Kitchen (and Why Tubes Beat Cans)

Black-Eyed Peas - lots of recipes UPDATED

Ribs - Informative Info and Recipes UPDATED

Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers

Cherry-and-Cream-Cheese Hand Pies

Chocolate Cream Cheese Cupcakes

Valentine's Day Recipes

Subtropical Gardening

Miniature Greenhouse DIY

How To Grow Basil Easily In Water

Peace Love Happiness

Too Much Freedom

A Love Letter to Valentine's Day

Wednesday, February 11, 2026

My Heart Smiles

Valentine's Day has been on my mind and it gives me mixed feelings since The Captain passed away. But like the flamingoes, my heart smiles when I think of him.

Anyway, I have posted several heart DIY projects for those crafters out there. I had already posted the sweet treats which you can find in the last couple of home page blog posts or just go to Gina's Italian Kitchen.

I'll be posting more Valentine's Day related posts before the day comes.

Hope the rest of the week is a good one for you!

Check out my new blog posts . . .

NEW BLOG POSTS

Subtropical Gardening

Why Plant Basil With Tomato Plants

DIY Birdbath from a Vintage Lamp

Bugs You Should Never Kill in Your Garden

How to Make Homemade Bird Seed Ornaments

Best Way To Start Tomato Plants From Seed Indoors

DIY Vintage Snack Set Bird Feeder

Fabulous Frugalista

How To Remove Rust From Stainless Steel The Right Way

LaBelladiva

DIY Valentine’s Day Button Heart

Mug Rug Pattern With Heart Applique

How to Sew a Scrap Felt Heart

Heart-Shaped Oven Mitts

Too Much Freedom

That is me, off in lala land, still thinking about chocolate and became obsessed with the news coverage for the missing lady.

This is the "too much freedom" of retired life and not really having anything to do that has to be done now. You can also call it procrastination. In Italian, we say "domani" . . . I'm not sure about the spelling, but it translates to "tomorrow." My mom and I have a running joke about the domani mentality.

As it turns out, this post turned into a post for Peace, Love, Happiness with the same title. That is why writing is good therapy!

As usual, I have posted lots of new blog posts that are listed below.

Happy Hump Day!