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! 

NEW BLOG POSTS

Gina's Italian Kitchen

Chicken Enchilada Recipes

Chicken Enchilada Dip

Subtropical Gardening

How To Plant Pansies For Big Early Spring Color

When And How To Plant Spring Onion Sets And Why You Need To Get Them Early

Houseplants You Shouldn't Grow and Why, According to Experts

LaBelladiva

Travel Dog Bed - No Sew and Washable

How to Make a Sewing Pattern Bigger Or Smaller

What's up?

 

I'm still busy working on my blog posts.  Not much else to say.

Have a wonderful evening everybody! Check my new blog posts . . .

NEW BLOG POSTS

Gina's Italian Kitchen

Sausage Biscuit Pinwheels (With Canned Biscuits)

Jalapeno Poppers

Copycat Taco Bell Grilled Cheese Burrito

Foods You Shouldn’t Reheat in a Microwave

Subtropical Gardening

How Do Birds Stay Warm in the Winter?

Try Cardboard Gardening to Save Money and Recycle

Bring A Dying Pothos Plant Back To Life 

Monstera Deliciosa Care: A Complete Guide

Florida Freeze Recovery:  5 Things I'm Doing Right Now to Rebuild My Garden

Florida Freeze Damage 2026 — What My Garden Looks Like After the Cold

Fabulous Frugalista

How To Patch a Hole in Drywall and Other Common Repairs

Toilet Cleaning Trick That Outshines Expensive Products

How To Clean A Stainless Steel Sink So It Looks Brand-New Again

LaBelladiva

Easily Restore Brass Decor

Pretty Quilted iPad Case Sewing Pattern

Festive Weekend!

 

Are you ready for the Super Bowl festivities?  I've posted recipes for some awesome appetizers you can prepare for your gathering or take to a party you are going to.  I'll be posting more.  

I should not be working on these posts when I'm hungry!

Have a great weekend and a festive Super Bowl day!  Check out my new blog posts . . .

NEW BLOG POSTS

Gina's Italian Kitchen

Steak Carnitas Meat in the Crock-Pot

Slow Cooker Chili Mac

Tex-Mex Sloppy Joes

Company Chicken

Cream Cheese Rotel Dip

Crispy Air Fryer Egg Rolls

Slider Recipes from Food Network

Sheet Pan Mojo Chicken

Subtropical Gardening

Florida Freeze:  What To Do Next

Should You Grow Hybrid or Heirloom Tomatoes?

Fabulous Frugalista

Smart and Surprising Uses for White Vinegar at Home

Things You Never Knew Your Dryer Could Do

Peace Love Happiness

Thankful For My Struggle

The haunting of sweet treats

 

Seems like chocolate and sweet treats in general have been on my mind.  Yes, I have cheated on the promise to myself to be sugar free.  Sometimes you just have to, and I can't stop thinking about chocolate.  As I was putting my grocery list together, the sour cream cake donuts popped up as a recommendation and I could not resist.  Little setbacks will not take away my progress since I have still not had a Pepsi for at least a month.  Tomorrow is another day!

Since sweet treats have been on my mind, there are many new recipes listed on my food blog.  Wuth Valentine's Day coming up, I will be listing more.  Valentine's Day is now a sad day for me, so maybe I will have to drown my sorrows with a chocolate sweet treat.  I have found many good ones!

Have a wonderful day everyone!  Check out my new blog posts . . .

NEW BLOG POSTS

Gina's Italian Kitchen

New Orleans-Style Spicy Shrimp UPDATE

Bloomin' Onion Dip

Air Fryer Fish Sticks Recipe (Homemade) and Frozen Fish Sticks UPDATE

Strawberry Shortcake

Manicotti

Valentine's Day Desserts from The Food Network

Black Forest Cheesecake

Ghirardelli Brownie Mix Recipe

Cherry Chip Cake

How to Keep Bagged Salad Fresh, Longer

Valentine's Day Chocolate Desserts

Love Yourself First

 

We get busy on a day to day basis and forget something so important to all of us . . . love yourself first.  Take time for yourself.  Do something for you.  Do something you love.  Slow down.

When I think about slowing down and doing something you love, believe it or not, I think about making bread.  There is something so special about it.  The reward is bread like you never get at the grocery store.  

With that fresh on my mind, I posted a few articles about baking bread.  One is the ultimate guide with everything you need to know about it.  Last week I posted an article listing 93 recipes for homemade bread.  Guess it is time for me to make that french bread I have been thinking about.

Don't forget others, but love yourself first.  We can do more for others when we are happy.  Think about it.

Have a wonderful day!  Check out my new blog posts.

NEW BLOG POSTS

Gina's Italian Kitchen

Italian Ciabatta Bread - Easy No Knead 

Hash Brown Quiche Cups

Homemade Breakfast Bars

Oven Baked Potatoes

Exactly When To Use Tin Foil, Wax Paper, And Parchment Paper

Recipes for Homemade Bread and More About Bread

Cherry Dump Cake UPDATED

New Orleans-Style Spicy Shrimp UPDATE

LaBelladiva

DIY Lanyard Tutorial

Fabulous Frugalista

Everyday Uses for Baking Soda That Work UPDATE

Mardi Gras

 

That Mardi Gras tree reminds me of the garbage bags full of beads I have collected from various  Gasparilla parades.  Oh the memories . . .

With Gasparilla festivities drawing to a close, Mardi Gras always comes to mind since it happens shortly after Gasparilla.  Although I have never been to Mardi Gras, it has always interested me since it is much like Gasparilla, but even more festive.  

This week I will be focusing on the food associated with Mardi Gras and New Orleans.  

Have an awesome week!  Check out my new blog posts . . .

NEW BLOG POSTS

Gina's Italian Kitchen

Creole-Style Red Jambalaya With Chicken, Sausage, and Shrimp

Baked Penne with Chicken and Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Quick and Easy Pizza Dough, PIZZA & Gina's Garlic Bread UPDATED

Chicken Noodle Soup recipes

Southern Fried Shrimp

Cajun Shrimp Casserole

Cracked Out Breakfast Bubble Up

Cannoli Cheesecake

Apple Hand Pies

Easy Sriracha Mayo

My Florida Paradise

Gasparilla 2026

Subtropical Gardening

Why Your Aloe Vera Is Dying - How To Bring It Back

LaBelladiva

Patchwork Potholder Sewing Pattern with Pockets

Log Cabin Hexagon Potholder Free Sewing Pattern

Dog Collar Bandana

Fabulous Frugalista

Common Winter Habits That Are Running Up Your Heating Bill

A slow week

 

My food focus as been on Mardi Gras this week.

I may continue looking for more.

Not much to say.

Hope you are all having a wonderful week.

Check out my new blog posts!

NEW BLOG POSTS

Gina's Italian Kitchen

Bourbon Chicken

Shrimp Etouffee 

Fried Shrimp Po Boy Sandwich

Easy Dirty Rice

New Orleans Beignets

Subtropical Gardening

Why Your Aloe Vera Is Dying - How To Bring It Back

What it Means If Your Plant Leaves Have Brown Tips

LaBelladiva

How To Make a Dress Bigger

How To Make A Rope Bowl

Fabulous Frugalista

How to Clean Baking Sheets So They Look Brand New

The Pirates Are Here!

 

Photo source:  GasparillaPirateFest.com

Despite the unusually cold weather, Gasparilla has arrived in Tampa . . . check out my blog post Gasparilla 2026 . . . click here.

Not much to say . . . check out my new blog posts.

NEW BLOG POSTS

Gina's Italian Kitchen

Best Easy Banana Bread

Lemon Garlic Parmesan Shrimp Pasta

Fish Cakes

Crab Rangoon

Carrot Cake Muffins

Stir-Fried Garlic and Sriracha Shrimp Recipe

Subtropical Gardening

Front Yard Flower Bed Ideas for a Charming Entryway

How to Store Your Garden Hose in Winter So It Doesn't Freeze or Crack

Seed Starting Mistakes You're Probably Making

LaBelladiva

How to Make A Lip Gloss Pouch

Cute Corners DIY Cosmetic Case 

Fabulous Frugalista

Understanding Food Expiration Date Labels Made Simple UPDATE

Grocery Store Items with the Highest Markups

How to tell if your phone is hacked

Here’s What to Do When the Power Goes Out in Your Home

Pirate festival time!

 

Lately I've been gathering my jewelry supplies and the sparkly beads have encouraged my excitement to get started making jewelry again.  Actually all types of crafts have been attracting my attention.  It is in my nature to be creative and my hands are itching to get started again.  As a result, the crafty type of articles and tutorials have been calling me and I have posted a bunch and have even more that need to be posted.  

It feels so good to have desires and interests again after not wanting to be bothered with anything.  Grief does that to me and it is now confined to what I call waves.  They come and go quickly, not lingering like they did.  I'm becoming my happy self again and that's a good thing.

Gasparilla, a Tampa pirate festival time is this weekend and that means that Mardi Gras is near.  I will be focusing on these festivals this week instead of complaining about the cold weather.  Ok, maybe I'll complain a little since I hate it.  Rare freezing temps are threatening to put a damper on Gasparilla which is a local bummer.  However, the festival goes on!  I'll post about it in my blog "My Florida Paradise" which has been severely neglected, but will soon make a comeback and upgrade.

Happy Friday everybody!  Check out my new blog posts . . .

 

NEW BLOG POSTS

Subtropical Gardening

Make Compost Tea – Fertilize Plants Naturally 

How To Grow In 5 Gallon Buckets 

Secrets to Getting Christmas Cactus to Bloom More Than Once a Year

Reasons To Start A Raised Bed Vegetable Garden

LaBelladiva

DIY Fur Baby Coat – how to sew a dog coat

Make your own scrungies

How to make hair scrungies

How to Make Cute Designer Scrunchies

DIY Beach Cover Tutorial

The method of life

Going through these cold days has me hoping for an early spring, so the gardening articles have really caught my attention.  

Although I still have packs and packs of seeds and jars of seeds I harvested, it is the normal thing to go through seed catalogs in the winter time.  I'm sure many of you are having the same thoughts.  If  you are, you will enjoy the articles I have posted this week to Subtropical Gardening.

Don't have much to say except to say I'm happy, which is a major thing and I hope I can stay in this method of life.  

Check out all the new blog posts this week listed below.

Stay warm!

NEW BLOG POSTS    

Gina's Italian Kitchen

Espresso Cheesecake

Upside-Down Chili Pie

Beer-Battered Fish

Homemade French Bread

German Chocolate Brownies

Sourdough Bread

Glazed Donuts

Easy Chicken Stuffing Bake

Classic Beef Empanadas

Meatloaf With Brown Gravy

Copycat Olive Garden Recipes 

Collection of Cheesecake Recipes

Subtropical Gardening

Houseplant Problems That Happen More in Winter

Where to Find Quality Seeds For Free or Cheap

Where to Find Cheap Seed Starting Containers

Growing Tomatoes From Seed - What You Need to Know

Top 3 Mistakes Gardeners Make Growing Tomatoes – And How To Avoid Them

LaBelladiva

Sew a Handy Travel Case – Free Sewing Pattern

How to Clean Your Silver Jewelry

Thoughts of Rainbow Bridge

 

In my travels through the internet, I found a post from a crafty lady who discussed her two fur babies who went to Rainbow Bridge, how she missed them so much and wanted to find a way to memorialize them.  She touched my heart and made me realize that is what I have been needing to do for my sweet Kiki and mainly for myself.  I still have not come up with the project, but it was a reminder of how far I have come in my grief.  While it is still and always will be painful, I can deal with it and think of her as a beautiful chapter in my life.  This photo shows her sassy little personality that I miss so much.

Not much going on lately except for working on my blogs and trying to stay warm in this cold snap we are having.  I have never published so many posts since I have been blogging.  It had been a very long time and I didn't realize how much I missed it.  Now I am making up for lost time.

Have a great week and stay warm!  Hope you enjoy my new blog posts listed below.

NEW BLOG POSTS    

Gina's Italian Kitchen

Shrimp and Wild Rice Casserole

Lobster Ravioli Bake

Chicken Alfredo Stuffed Shells

Bang Bang Shrimp Pasta

Fabulous Frugal Frittata

Chicken Lazone

One Pan Spanish Chicken and Rice

Boston Cream Pie

Cheesecake Brownies

Baked Chicken Fajitas

Raspberry Brownies

Easy Almond Bear Claw

Angel Hair Pasta with Spicy Shrimp

Easy Spaghetti and Meatballs

Creamy Corn Casserole

Subtropical Gardening

How To Power Up Your Raised Bed Soil Before Spring 

LaBelladiva

DIY Sofa Organizer

Blue Jean Planter

Painted Rainbow Bridge Garden Bench

Fabulous Frugalista

Easy Ways to Make Your Jeans Last Much Longer

Safely Wash Dry-Clean-Only Clothes at Home

Everyday Uses for Baking Soda That Work

Appliance Maintenance

Tricks For Unclogging Your Kitchen Sink You Need To Know 

Things You Should Always Wash In Cold Water

Bad weekend

 

Don't have much to say.  Not really a Happy Sunday.  It has been a bad weekend for most of the US worrying about the upcoming winter storm.  Prayers for all, hope you are being safe and staying home.  I've seen the reports on the weather channels.

New blog posts follow . . .

NEW BLOG POSTS

Subtropical Gardening

How To Kill Poison Ivy Plants

Fast-Growing Houseplants for (Almost) Instant Greenery

How to Revive Hydrangeas After Frost to Ensure Lush Spring and Summer Blooms

Bulbs You Should Start Indoors Now for Colorful Blooms in Spring

Winter Pruning Tips to Give Your Trees and Shrubs a Head Start on Spring

Top 10 Plants to Grow in Dry Shade Gardens

How to Grow and Care for a Lucky Bamboo Plant

Fast-Growing Shade Trees That Will Cool Down Your Yard

Trees and Shrubs You Should Never Prune in Winter

Gina's Italian Kitchen

Cream Cheese Chicken Croissants

Peanut Butter Stuffed Chocolate Cookies

Classic Marinara Sauce

Easy Bake Taco Casserole

Orange Dreamsicle Salad

Gina's Cooking Concepts . . . Cheap Meals 101 

Mexican Rice

Cheesy Shrimp and Grits

Homemade Nutter Butter Cookies

Raspberry Cake

Quick and Easy Pizza Dough, PIZZA & Gina's Garlic Bread UPDATED

To Peel Potatoes Ahead of Time, Use This Trick Your Grandmother Knew

Honey Bun Cake

Go away winter

 

Are you starting to feel like the poor shaved llama?

I've had enough of this winter weather.  In my part of the world, it is hot 80 degree weather one week and the next week we are 30 degree nights.  Most everyone in the US will be experiencing this severe winter storm.  Central Florida will get the bad weather after it has passed everyone else.  We are getting the tail end of it.

So I have stocked up on water and food, anticipating no electricity and have all my heavy clothes ready to go.  I hate it.

Please be careful and warm everybody!  Listed below are new blog posts.

NEW BLOG POSTS

LaBelladiva

DIY Chubby Lunch Tote - Free Pattern

DIY Fabric Gift Box - Free Pattern

DIY Pleated Bag Tutorial

DIY Pretty Colored Pencil Roll 

Peace, Love, Happiness

The Scent of a Memory

Fabulous Frugalista

Understanding Food Expiration Date Labels Made Simple UPDATE

Subtropical Gardening

Why Your Orchid Leaves Are Wilting, and How to Fix the Problem

Spider Plant Care UPDATED

Things You Need to Know Before Planting a Single Pepper Seed

Things Every Snake Plant Owner Needs To Know

Do This In February for Tons of Tomatoes This Summer

Top 10 Plants to Propagate That Grow From Cuttings UPDATED

Grow vegetables from kitchen scraps UPDATED

Gina's Italian Kitchen

Swiss Cheese Bread

Apple Cinnamon Roll Casserole

Banana Bread Brownies

Boston Cream Pie Cookies

White Chocolate Raspberry Cake

Amazing Breakfast Enchiladas

Perfect Omelette (with Video)

Australian Sausage Rolls

Easy à la King Biscuit Casserole

Portobello Mushroom and Cream Cheese Taquitos

Air Fryer Fish Sticks Recipe

Easy Philly Cheesesteak

Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Calzones

Country Scalloped Potatoes

Brown Sugar Chili Chicken

Skillet Rosemary Chicken

Snickerdoodle Bundt Cake

Easy Homemade Sloppy Joe

Frosting and Icing Recipes UPDATED

Best Lemon Desserts

Old Songs

 

Music has always been a big part of my life.  Old songs do take me back to a certain place and time.  Of course, the memories of the time creep in.  I've been hearing the song "Happy Man" by Chicago in my head over and over again.  They were The Captain's favorite band and I remember the first time he played the song for me and told me since he met me, the song had new meaning for him.  I will never forget that moment.  And it has come back to me over and over again.  It is one of those memories that brings pleasure and pain.

The good news is that the great Florida weather is back for a while, but the cold is threatening to come back next week.  Maybe it is time to treat myself to a couple of days at a nice hotel at the beach. 

Hope you are all having a fabulous week!  New blog posts follow . . .

NEW BLOG POSTS

Gina's Italian Kitchen

One Pan Stovetop Parmesan Chicken and Rice

Chicken Tortellini Alfredo

Ham Tetrazzini

Black Pepper Beef Stir-Fry

Collection of Ham Posts from Baking to Leftover Ham Recipes UPDATED

Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats

Pork Tenderloin with Peppers

Hot Cocoa Brownie Cake

Strawberry Shortcake Cookies

Quiche Lorraine

What’s the Best Potato for the Job?

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Nachos

Leftover Chicken Recipes You’ll Want to Eat

Delicious Diabetic-Friendly Dinner Recipes

Subtropical Gardening

Simple Secrets To Keep Your Marigolds Blooming

Outdoor Plants You Should Always Bring Indoors Before Winter Hits

Your January Garden Checklist by Region to Start the Year Off Strong

Plants That Must Be Pruned in January or February

Vegetables to Sow in January & February No Matter Your Growing Zone

The 3 Best Marigolds To Plant In Your Flowerbeds & Garden This Year!

LaBelladiva

Dream House: 3 Yard Quilt Pattern

DIY Fabric Basket - 3 Different Sizes

Denim Clutch Purse with Outer Pocket

Not a happy Monday

 

Every time it gets cold, I have to mention that I don't know how people who live in cold climates handle it.  

After having a stretch of really good days after years of really bad days, I don't appreciate having to wear a ton of clothes to feel comfortable.  For those who don't know, I live in Central Florida, where it rarely gets real cold, so I don't want a heater.  Not until a morning like this one.  But really, I still don't want one.  We have one more cold night, then back to normal winter time of 50 degree nights.  Right now, it is the middle of the night and my house is still uncomfortably cold.

Ok, I'll stop complaining because I am so grateful that I live in Florida where we usually have beautiful weather except for hurricanes during the summer months.  God has blessed me with so much that I am grateful for.  I have everything I need.

I'm grateful for so many things.  On these cold nights and many other nights, I think of those poor homeless people who don't have a roof over their head.  I can't imagine.  I also think of those little creatures who endure the cold and really have no where to go, like the traveling neighborhood chickens who visit a couple times a day.  And the other birds and squirrels.

Blessings to all for a wonderful week that is joyous and warm.  Listed below are new blog posts.

NEW BLOG POSTS

Gina's Italian Kitchen

Moist and Easy Southern Cornbread

Dulce de Leche Cheesecake

Key Lime Mousse {Key Lime Pie in a Jar}

Keto Fajita Shrimp Dinner

Lighter Chicken Pot Pie

Kentucky Butter Cake

Air-Fryer Apple Pie Bombs

How to Roast Garlic

Carolina Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Lemon Sour Cream Pound Cake

Devil's Food Cake

Chocolate Cobbler

Subtropical Gardening

Ripen Tomatoes Indoors

Front Yard Landscaping Ideas

Statement Houseplants With Large Leaves

How To Build The Perfect Backyard Stone Fire Pit 

Creative Things You Can Do With a Tree Stump