Momisms, by Gina Meyers

Besides graduating college, one of my greatest accomplishments is being a mom. Momisms, are words that only mom's use. These are found in popular movies, like, The Christmas Story, when the mom tells her son that wants a Red Ridder Be Be Gun. "you'll shoot your eye out!"

What fascinates me about Momisms is they are instinctual. I became a mom when I was 25, and from that time onward, my lexicon changed. My way of thinking changed really!

So, here is a small list of some Momisms, feel free to start a conversation with your mom friends and add to the list.
“If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all.”

(Inserting middle name when they are in trouble)

"Did you send a thank you note?"

"Did you brush your teeth?"

"Did you turn off the lights?"

"Did you do your homework?"

"Turn off the cell phone!"

"Because I said so."

"We don't call it farting, it is passing gas."

"Don't make me turn this car around!"

"Good job!"

"I am so proud of you."

"Way to go."

"Curiosity killed the cat."

"Just you wait until your father comes home!"

"Don't cry over spilled milk".
"Just cause your friend did it, doesn't mean you should too!"
"I don't care what your sister, brother said, I am talking to you."
"No, the cat doesn't need a bath."
"No, I don't think the cat appreciates it when you try to dress it up in a halloween costume."
"Stop being barefoot, put on some shoes."
"Aren't your feet cold, put on some socks."
(My kids can never find anything in the house, it is as though they never lived at home.)
I am forever hearing, "mom, where did you put my shorts, my socks, my pants.
"You can't use the excuse the dog ate my homework, even if he did."
"You know there are starving children in China, eat your dinner."


http://www.ginameyers.com

How Well Do You Know Your Burn Notice Characters, by Gina Meyers

My name is Gina Marie Meyers and I am not a spy, or something like that. My kids, Lauren and Lucas about six or seven years encouraged me to watch Burn Notice. I agreed with them about Monk, but wasn't ready to watch Burn Notice until about four months ago. I thought it had something to do with a doctor working in a burn unit. My Amazon Prime Account is where I have been watching it from and I decided to forgo Netflix and just have Amazon Prime, so I decided to give it a try.

Oh my goodness, it literally is the best action, drama adventure I have ever watched. It is fun, funny, the characters are refreshing and semi-predictable.

Here is the opening scene and even though I could skip it, I rarely did.

"My name is Michael Westen. I used to be a spy until....."We've got a Burn Notice on you your blacklisted. (Whistles). When your burned you've got nothing. No cash, no credit, no job history. Your stuck in whatever city they decide to dump you in. "Where am I?"..."Miami". You do whatever work comes your way. You relie on anyone who's still talking to you. (Laughs). A trigger happy ex-girlfriend. "Should we shoot them?" An old friend who used to inform on you to the F.B.I. "You know spy's bunch of bitchy little girls. Family too. "Hey is that your mom again?" If your desperate.  "Someone needs your help Michael?" And a down and out spy you met along the way. "That how we do it people". Bottom line as long as your burned your not going anywhere."

So, let's have a little fun with the trivia.


1) What country is Fiona from?

A. USA
B. South America
C. England
D. Ireland



2) What is Michael's middle name?

A. Allen
B. Alan
C. doesn't have a middle name
D. Darrin


3) What is Michael's favorite flavor of yogurt?
A. Blueberry
B. Vanilla
C. Plain
D. Strawberry


4) Sam loves to drink which two beverages?
A. Margaritas and Wine
B. Wine and Mojitos
C. Mojitos and Beer
D. Beer and Pina Coladas


5) In the beginning of the series, Fiona has a what?
A. British Accent
B. Irish Brogue
C. No accent
D. Spanish accent, rolls her R's.


6) Michael has a what?
A. Sister
B. Brother
C. Brother and Sister
D. Dog


7) Jesse is who?
A. Michael's brother
B. Another spy who Michael burned
C. Fiona's brother
D. Sam's enemy

8) What is Madeleine Westins' biggest habbit?
A. biting her nails
B. smoking
C. eating
D. watching TV

9) Sam Axe has a big what?
A. Chin
B. Nose
C. Ears
D. Personality


10) Who is Carlos?
A) Michael's brother
B. Jessie's friend
C. Sam's brother
D. Fiona's boyfriend

Cookbook Author Gina Meyers Books For Sale

Love at First Bite: The Unofficial Twilight Cookbook

The international phenomenon known as Twilight fever has ignited excitement in the kitchen. Delectable delights to satisfy the appetites of the humans can be found in the fictional book Twilight. Love at First Bite: the Unofficial Twilight Cookbook is meant to offer a satisfying array of warm, lovely dishes that anyone of any age can cook with ease and enjoyment. To help the reader determine the level of skill involved in preparing each dish, the recipes are labeled "easy", "medium", or "hard". One fork means "easy", two forks, "medium", and three forks means it is a "difficult" or "hard" recipe. Filled with forbidden love, action, and danger, so brace yourself, and bring your very best table manners and your appetites. Don't forget your forks. Beautiful Bella Swan will be serving up some scrumptious delights to satisfy even the pickiest puritan "vegetarian" vampires. Intertwined in the pages of Love at First Bite, you will find Bell's Lasagna, Harry's Famous Fish Fry, Mushroom Ravioli, Blushing Bella Punch, just to name a few. Your senses will be filled deep with the sweet aroma of mouthwatering I Dare You to Eat Pizza Edward, and sinfully delicious Red Velvet Cake. You know when the rooster crows, it is time to awaken your sense of taste and take a Bite at Dawn to Lemon Blueberry cake, Plum Pecan Waffles, or Grand Slam Sundae. Red juicy ripe vine tomatoes marinated in raspberry vinaigrette tempts the taste buds and is a featured salad in the There Are Cold Cut Sandwiches in the Fridge section. Pucker up and take a long cool sip of Sparkling Honey Lemonade in a citrus salt rimmed glass, one of the virgin recipes found in the beverage chapter. Give into your epicurean temptation and take a bite into Love at First Bite: the Unofficial Twilight Cookbook. The recipes will leave you breathless and hungry for more. Besides luscious recipes, you'll also find cast lists for Twilight, New Moon, and Eclipse, as well a Twilight Party Planning Checklist, Bella's Prom Planner, and tons of trivia. Also find invaluable resources on upcoming Unofficial Twilight Conventions, Twilight Cooking Classes and more. ISBN-13: 978-1450222006 $50.00

The Unofficial Harry Potter Cookbook: From Cauldron Cakes To Butterbeer & More

Smuggle in some muggle magic with The Unofficial Harry Potter Cookbook: From Cauldron Cakes to Butterbeer And More! Inside this new and improved edition of The Unofficial Harry Potter Cookbook: From Cauldron Cakes To Butterbeer, you will find all things sugary to satisfy your sweet tooth, including Ron’s Love Spell Sugar Cookies, Butterbeer Cupcakes, Pumpkin Juice, Hermiome’s Precious Potion, Mulled Mead, Rock Cakes, Treacle Crisp, Pumpkin Fudge, Yorkshire Pudding, Cauldron Cakes, King’s Cross Butterscotch Bars, Harry’s Tea and Get Out Of a Jam Cookies, Cockroach Clusters, and much, much more, if you dare. ISBN-13: 978-1463555054 $30.00

The Magic of Bewitched Cookbook: Clients, Cookery and Cocktails

Want to cook fun easy meals while remembering one of your Beloved 1960's sitcoms Bewitched? "Well", as Samantha would say hop on your brooms with an appetite and take a nostalgic flight back to yesteryear with The Magic of Bewitched Cookbook: Clients, Cookery and Cocktails. A magical cookbook with plenty of culinary classics that unthaws the proverbial TV dinner and brings to life delectable desserts, mouth watering main dishes, scrumptious appetizers, yummy breakfast treats, satisfying soups and sandwiches, and beverages sure to please any mere mortal. Find out what Darrin Stephens favorite meal is and what's boiling in Serena's Saucy Guide to Life, get advice from Bewitched's resident boss, Larry Tate with his little black book of hangover remedy cures. Get Gladys Kravitz, world's noisiest neighbor sugar cookie recipe, fly on over to the Clients Coming Over In An Instant Appetizers, and pull up a chair in the Tales of Toadstools and Barstools with Dr. Bombay's Sure to Cure Favorite Home Remedy drink. The Caldron is stirring up a tasty Witches Brew in Madison Avenue Mocktails. The Magic of Bewitched Cookbook has helpful kitchen tips, trivia tidbits, rare photographs, a listing of McMann and Tate Advertising Clients, an index and great recipes! No magic wands needed, just cooking the old fashioned messy mortal way! ISBN-13: 978-0595477609 $50.00

The Magic of Bewitched Trivia and More
	Witch-ever way you look at it, The Magic of Bewitched Trivia and More book is a magical, must have. An enchanting accompaniment to any Bewitched lovers collection. It's an out of this world galaxy guide to trivia, recipes, fun facts, never before seen photographs, and much more. It's FAN-tastic, FAN-tabulous, and a fun read! ISBN-13: 978-0595315574 $50.00

The Magic of Bewitched Trivia by Gina Meyers

Best Witches and much success with this and all your other books."Kasey Rogers, Louise Tate from Bewitched. "Gina Meyers pays respect to one of the classic television shows of our time. In the process, we discover more than just an entertaining and nostalgic sitcom, but one that has earned a place in our social fabric. Black cloak fabric, that is! Marcella Carrillo, book reviewer "This is a very involved book about Bewitched, even if you didn't know much about the show, you do after reading this book." Anne M. Morrall, Australia Bewitched Fan The Magic of Bewitched has totally cosmic trivia, fabulous fun facts, rarely seen photographs, 101 Things To Know About Bewitched, and lots more! ISBN-13: 978-0595447442 $50.00

Everyday Italian

In my Italian-American household and my Taste of Italy Cooking Classes, fun gatherings have always centered around good food, and great conversation. Everyday Italian focuses on the simple pleasure of cooking healthy, easy to follow, time tested recipes. Everyday Italian is resplendent of the fresh & seasonal ingredients found in Italy. With the spirit of Italy in mind, you will enjoy creating family favorites such as Aunt Rose’s Tallerina, My Mama’s Artichoke Cheese Squares, The Brooklyn Mama’s Brusetta, Chicken Cacciatore, Veal Scaloppini, Zucchini Italiano, Torte Angelica, Nonie Julie’s Anise Biscotti Cookie, and a whole lot more. Buon Appetito. Besides tasty Italian recipes, you will find fun quizzes to test your knowledge. You Know You Are Italian When, Hot to Spot a Real Italian, How To Embrace Your Inner Italian Mama, and Memories of Italian Cooking, and a Handy Weights and Measures Guide. ISBN-13: 978-1492993735 $50.00

Dorm Room Essentials Cookbook

You are getting ready to go off to college, congratulations! Now you can impress the girl or boy down the hall as she or he walks by your door, they will smell a wonderful aroma, what are you cooking? Inside Dorm Room Essentials Cookbook, a college cookbook, you will find gluten-free recipes, vegetarian specialties, gourmet recipes, desserts; appetizers just to name a few. How else do you expect to stay energized for early-morning classes and late-night study sessions? With Dorm Room Essentials Cookbook as your guide, you will find great resources that will help the beginning cook understand cooking abbreviations and terms, make substitutions in recipes, and convert to and from the metric system. There is even a Cooking Essentials Guide to the best products on the market as well as The Well-Stocked Dorm Room Pantry Checklist. To assist the budding dorm room chef in determining the level of skill involved in preparing each dish, the recipes are labeled "easy", "medium", or "hard". Bachelor's Degree means "easy", Master's Degree, "medium", and Doctorate Degree, "hard". Most recipes found in Dorm Room Essentials Cookbook are Bachelor's Degree Level, or "easy". With Dorm Room Essentials Cookbook, you not only get well balanced meals that are easy to prepare in your dorm room, but you also get a bonus: there are Holistic Healing Exercises, and a section on How to Make a Dreamboard. These are perfect for the dorm room resident who wants to be able to create a well-rounded lifestyle. ISBN-13: 9781502486998 $50.00

Dorm Room Dining

You are getting ready to go off to college, congratulations! Now you can impress the girl or boy down the hall as she or he walks by your door, they will smell a wonderful aroma, what are you cooking? Inside Dorm Room Dining, a college cookbook, you will find gluten-free recipes, vegetarian specialties, gourmet recipes, desserts; appetizers just to name a few. How else do you expect to stay energized for early-morning classes and late-night study sessions? With Dorm Room Dining as your guide, you will find great resources that will help the beginning cook understand cooking abbreviations and terms, make substitutions in recipes, and convert to and from the metric system, and a well stocked dorm room pantry checklist. In addition, is a handy list of cooking basics (foods and tools) that are perfect for the dorm room resident who wants to be able to create simple, delicious snacks and meals with minimum effort. With Dorm Room Dining, you not only get well balanced meals that are easy to prepare in your dorm room, but you also get a bonus: The Eight Keys To Balance, Five Elements To Produce Harmony In Your Environment, Six Inexpensive Cures To Health, Wealth, Prosperity, Understanding The Yin And Yang Energy, and Rules For Being Human. ISBN-13: 978-1466232976 $25.00

Manifesting Magnificence: A Personal Growth Workbook

Shine in 2018! Manifesting Magnificence is a personal growth workbook with uplifting exercises to promote positive benefits in the areas of mind, body, and spirit. Mindful living includes creating vision boards, healthy recipes, financial health advice, parenting advice from a psychologist, meditation exercises from a yoga instructor and so much more! Create the feeling of what you want NOW. Chapters include: Using The Law of Attraction and Dreamboards to Live Fully (Visionary Anita Rani), Tune in, Tap in, Turn on, An Easy Guide to Meditation ( Yoga Master, Richard Parenti), The Building Blocks of Self-Esteem (Clinical Psychologist Dr. Allan G. Hedberg), Move Past Your Obstacles and into your Magnificence (Drama Therapist Cecelia M. Klinger), The 21st of Every Month, A Plan for Keeping Your Life in Balance (Professor Linda Ferrari), Feel Good Food Recipes (Cookbook Author Gina Meyers), Tips for Parents (Artist Liz Longo), Brother John the Runner and the Old Abbott (Alan Hill) and much more! Ideal for divorced or separated people. ISBN-13: 978-0692345191 $25.00

The Twin Pomegranates Wine Cookbook

Things just taste better with wine, it is a fact that every great cook knows. Cooking with Twin Pomegranates wine is simply superb. Inside The Twin Pomegranates™ Cookbook, you will find appealing appetizers, mouthwatering main dishes, cheering cocktails, and delightful desserts. Pomegranate wine has medicinal qualities and impressive health benefits. Pomegranate wine has been known to improve one’s health, lower bad cholesterol in the blood, preventing heart disease and certain studies have shown pomegranate wine to destroy cancer cells. Dionysos was the God of wine, fruit, and viticulture. Euripides said, “where there is no wine, there is no love.” Ernest Hemingway pledged, “Wine is the most civilized thing in the world.” Napoleon stated, “In victory, you deserve champagne, in defeat, you need it.” The Twin Pomegranates Cookbook has helpful and healthful tips, yummy recipes, full color photographs, and even a handy weights and measures and substitution guide. There is a guarantee that drinking one glass of Twin Pomegranate wine may promote smiling. To your health, à votre santé. ISBN-13: 978-0982503997 $50.00

101 Things To Know About I Dream of Jeannie & Bewitched

Did you know that the theme songs from “I Dream of Jeannie” and “Bewitched” have lyrics? Did you know that Jeannie, the resident genie from the hit ‘60’s sitcom “I Dream Of Jeannie”, made magic by blinking her eyes? And did you know that Samantha Stephens, the lead character in the 60’s magical hit sitcom “Bewitched” was a squeaky-clean suburban house-witch who tried hard to abstain from twitching her nose and playing her witchy craft in order to please her uptight advertising executive husband, Darrin? 101 Things To Know About I Dream of Jeannie & Bewitched answers those questions and more. In this bonus feature, also receive the theme song lyrics, stories told by real life Bewitched Fans, and tons more!!! ISBN-13: 978-1461053088 $25.00

Bite at Twilight

The international phenomenon known as Twilight fever has ignited excitement in the kitchen. Delectable delights to satisfy the appetites of the humans found in the fictional book Bite At Twilight: Vampires, Forks, & Knives, is meant to offer a satisfying array of warm, lovely dishes that anyone of any age can cook with ease and enjoyment. Whether you are planning a Twilight-Themed Birthday Party, just a simple get together with friends, a Halloween party, or just what to try your creative hand to some culinary delights you are in luck. Filled with forbidden love, action, and danger, brace yourself, and bring your very best table manners, and appetites. Don't forget your forks. Beautiful Bella Swan will be serving up some scrumptious delights to satisfy even the pickiest, puritan "vegetarian" vampires. Intertwined in the pages of Bite At Twilight Cookbook: Vampires, Forks, & Knives, you will find Bell's Lasagna, Harry's Famous Fish Fry, Mushroom Raviolis, Red Velvet Cake, Blushing Bella Punch, and much more. Besides mouthwatering recipes, you'll also find a Twilight Party Planning Guide, and for the teenagers, Bell's Prom Primer. "I bought this cookbook on a whim, and love it! The recipes are easy. I made the mushroom ravioli and my family loved it".-Diana, Philadelphia, PA, Amazon customer "Gina, this is brilliant! I have a teen daughter who needs a boost like this to get her nose out of her Twilight books and into the kitchen." Laurie Vengoechea, San Diego Cooking Examiner ISBN-13: 978-0615282954 $25.00

Unofficial Harry Potter Cookbook: From Muggles To Magic

Smuggle in some muggle magic with The Unofficial Harry Potter Muggles To Magic Cookbook. Inside this new and improved edition of The Unofficial Harry Potter Cookbook: From Cauldron Cakes To Butterbeer, you will find all things sugary to satisfy your sweet tooth, including Ron's Love Spell Sugar Cookies, Butterbeer Cupcakes, Pumpkin Juice, Hermiome's Precious Potion, Mulled Mead, Rock Cakes, Treacle Crisp, Pumpkin Fudge, Yorkshire Pudding, Cauldron Cakes, King's Cross Butterscotch Bars, Harry's Tea and Get Out Of a Jam Cookies, Cockroach Clusters, and much, much more, if you dare. With The Unofficial Harry Potter Muggles To Magic, you will conjure up easy to follow recipes that have been thoroughly researched and taste tested. Harry Potter fans will delight in recreating their favorite delicacies so smuggle in some muggle magic and try your hand or magic wand at Potter Stew, Hogwarts Best Bruscetta, Lasagna, Banoffi Inspired Pizza Pie, Christmas Coconut Soup, Dumbledore's Delightful Dumplings, and much, much more. ISBN-13: 978-0982503959 $25.00

The Little Gourmet Goes Around The Globe

Smuggle in some muggle magic with Indulge your sophisticated palate, be the envy of your friends, embrace your inner chef and learn to cook easy, exotic, culinary masterpieces with, The Little Gourmet Goes Around The Globe. A cookbook designed for “foodies” ages six to sixteen who have an insatiable desire to be the next Top Chef! The Little Gourmet Goes Around The Globe, is packed with flavorful dishes from the regions of Italy, France, England, Ireland, Mexico, Thailand, China, Hawaii (Polynesian), and Japan. Gourmet recipes such as Thai Coconut Soup (Thailand), Ginger Chicken Stir Fry (China), Corned Beef and Cabbage (Ireland), Fruit Kabobs (Hawaii), Tea and Jam Cookies (England), Crepes Suzette (France), Pasta With Roasted Red Peppers (Italy), Chiles Rellenos Soufflé (Mexico) and dozens more healthy, fun, yummy gourmet recipes. ISBN-13: 978-1460916209 $25.00

How To Cook Like A Hot Italian Mama

In my Hot Italian Mama household, fun family gatherings have always centered around good food, great conversation, and lively interchanges. Let The How To Cook Like A Hot Italian Mama Cookbook be your guide to: economical ingredients, enjoyable, tasty recipes, and easy to follow instructions. Enjoy The How To Cook Like A Hot Italian Mama Cookbook with sure to please simple, easy and incredibly quick Italian inspired recipes. The How To Cook Like A Hot Italian Mama Cookbook takes into consideration what you have in your refrigerator or pantry. Mouthwatering recipes such as The Brooklyn Mama Bruscetta, My Italian Mama’s Artichoke Cheese Squares, Mushroom Ravioli, Yellow Squash and Tomato Parmesan, Pasta with Creamy Garlic and Walnut Sauce, Veal Scaloppini, Spaghettini Primavera and dozens more inspirational dishes. Gina Ferrari serves up easy, tasty Italian main dishes as well as simple desserts sure to be crowd pleasers. Buon Appetito. Besides tasty Italian recipes, you will find fun quizzes: You Know You Are Italian When, Hot to Spot a Real Italian, How To Spot A Non-Italian, How To Embrace Your Inner Italian Mom, and True Italian Stories. ISBN-13: 978-0982503904 $50.00

County Fair Winning Almond Joy Cheesecake

Almond Joy Cheesecake Bars

1 package of chocolate graham cracker cookies
6 Tablespoons of butter, melted
16 ounces of cream cheese, room temperature
1 large egg
1/4 cup of granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon of coconut extract
1/3 cup of chopped almonds
1 cup mini chocolate chips
1/2 cup of sweetened shredded coconut

Directions: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a 8x8 baking dish with parchment paper, add the pulverized chocolate graham cookies, in a medium bowl, stir together the chocolate crumbs and melted butter. Press the crust into the bottom of the lined baking dish. Bake for 10 minutes, set aside and cool. Next, in a mixer, blend cream cheese, egg, sugar, vanilla extracts, coconut extract until smooth and creamy, 2 to 3 minutes.
Gently fold in 1/2 cup of mini chocolate chips, 1/2 cup of shredded coconut and chopped almonds. Spread the mixture over the crust. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of mini chocolate chips over the top. Bake for 30 minutes or until the edges are golden and the cheesecake is set in the center. Chill for 3 hours and cut into squares.

Cookbook Author Gina Meyers

Fall into Fall with these FEEL-Good Movies, by, Gina Meyers

Yes, it's September and a sure sign that it is still summer, but some beacon of hope that fall is on its' way. Yesterday, in fact where I live was  85 degrees Fahrenheit.

Almost ready for your Hallmark filled Christmas? Well before you pop the popcorn, and uncork the sparkling cider, let's mull over some falling into the fall feel good movies, sure to get you in the holiday spirit, or just feel good before your Christmas movie obsession commences.

The truth is I've been paying for Netflix and haven't been watching, Amazon Prime seems to be my one stop shop, so before I cancel my Netflix membership, I thought, I'd see how well Netflix's selection of Rom Coms is going. It's going....

The movies I am mentioning/reviewing:

Both stories involve romance and remodeling, a Chip and Joanna Gaines sort of story fictionalized.

Falling Inn Love

Romance and remodeling collide when a corporate executive wins a New Zealand inn that lacks curb appeal.


The real story is that the American just looses her job, breaks up with her commitment phobic boyfriend, drinks too much wine one night and out of desperation goes online and enters a contest to win an Inn/Bed and Breakfast. She wins the Inn, but falls into some sticky situations once she arrives in a foreign country, New Zealand. The Inn is old, dilapidated, and haunted. The only one who can save the day seems to be an uppity Aussie hell bent on making the American's life difficult. But that's only the beginning. 




The Lakehouse

A magical, fantasy tale about an architect, a doctor, their dreams and their lives. Their lives, though separate by space and time, collide as the Lake House has magical abilities to transform space and time while healing both Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves from their hopes, dreams, lives, and fortune. A serendipitous tale that supersedes time.

Thoughts of the day

Thoughts of the day:

"Other peoples poor decisions should not affect us negatively financially and yet they do."

"Institutions selfish ways impede upon our rights as consumers."

"God gives us difficult situations to see that the gifts we have our enormous."

"We take in others peoples opinions because we want them to accept us and if we do what we want verses what they think is best for us, we run the risk of self-sabotaging."

Thoughts on Chris Cuomo REACTION, "A OK in my book" by, Gina Meyers

I am 1/2 Italian, 1/4 Sicilian, and 1/4 English, Irish, French Canadian, and Indian Sioux. My family settled in Rowley Massachusetts two years after the Mayflower. On my "American" side, we have documentation to our pedigrees. But I am not a dog, lol, so I am a bit confused as to why people are concerned that Chris Cuomo was called a name and he reacted and then apologized for reacting.

Since when do people that are being attacked need to apologize for losing their cool?
Why can't we loose our cool and get angry when being verbally attacked?
We are supposed to rise above blatant prejudice and hatred?

Ummm, why?

A very long time ago, I had an intellectual discussion with my full-bloodied Italian mother, single mom, English professor in High School & College by career choice. I explained to her that "sticks and stones will break my bones, but names will never hurt me" is a blanket false statement. Plenty of times people have called me names, and a very small handful--rather maybe two fingers (and I'm not talking the middle, and no I am not crossing my fingers), I've been threatened with physical violence (from two girls in particular, one in 6th grade and another in 8th grade). Names do hurt and if people say mean things to us, we are supposed to react in kind by defending ourselves. We are HUMANS, not machines.

Every body has a different approach, set up or not, Chris Cuomo did no wrong by verbalizing his feelings, he's lucky the guy that called him a FREDO didn't get a fat lip. Just my opinion.

I am as American as Apple Pie, but I've never watched the Godfather. I've never watched it because I heard it depicts Italians as mobsters, I prefer Mickey Blue Eyes where a British Hugh Grant pretends to be an Italian Mobster by the name of Mickey Blue Eyes to keep his fiancee Gina's family at bay.

Sticks and stones can break your bones and names will hurt you if you let them. How you respond either by ignoring, approaching, punching, I'm sorry that's your business. You cannot help your first instinct after all.

Lucky for me I've never see The Godfather and lucky for me I haven't (cross my fingers) been called racial slurs in front of my face.

Now go on and live life as usual.

That's all for now!

By the way, it smells as rat since apparently Chris Cuomo's family is in the political business.
Not taking political party lines or anything of the sort, but I'm human and so is Chris Cuomo.

There is another saying, "Ignorance is bliss", being happy in your own little bubble in such a heated time kinda makes sense.

Actress Diane Keaton, Summertime Pick Movies!

Diane Keaton Movies

There are so many great movies starring Diane Keaton, here are a few of my favorites.


1) Hamstead
2) Book Club
3) The Big Wedding
4) Because I Said So

I decided not to do the Face Aging App

Why do the Face Again App, we are humans, we are supposed to age gracefully, however, if we don't there is always Paris, and Plastic Surgery, LOL. 

Christmas in July, by, Cookbook Author, Gina Meyers: White and Chocolate Frosting, Black and White Cookies, Pumpkin Cookies

White and Chocolate Frosting, from scratch

4 cups of powdered sugar
1/3 cup boiling water
1 ounce of semi sweet or bittersweet chocolate, melted

Directions: Place powdered sugar in a bowl. Gradually stir in boling water until it is a thick able spread mixture, add more water if needed and add more powdered sugar if too watery by the teaspoonfuls. Next, divide the sugar mixture into two bowls. Add the melted chocolate into one half, leaving the other half white. Decorate each cookie, half with white frosting, half with chocolate frosting. Place the frosted cookies on a wire rack or plate to dry.

Black & White Cookies

4 3/4 cups of all purpose flour
1 teaspoon of baking powder
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
1 cup of unsalted butter, softened
4 eggs
1 cup of milk
1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon of lemon extract
White & Chocolate Frosting

Directions: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly grease two baking sheets. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside. In a large mixing bowl, cimbine the sugar and butter, beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until fluffy. Beat in eggs, milk, and vanilla and lemon extract. Stir in the flour mixture until the cookies are just mixed. Drop the cookie dough by tablespoonfuls onto the baking sheet about 2-inches apart. Bake for 15 minutes or until edges are slightly browned. Makes two dozen cookies approximately.

Pumpkin Cookies
1/2 cup of butter/margarine
1 1/2 cups of granulated sugar
1 egg
1 cup of canned pumpkin (with spice already in the mix)
1 teaspoon of baking soda
1 teaspoon of baking powder
2 1/2 cups of flour
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1 teaspoon of nutmeg
1 teaspoon of cinnamon

Optional: 1/2 cup of diced almonds, or 1 cup of chocolate chips (mini)

Directions: Cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Beat in egg, pumpkin, and vanilla. Mix and stir in flour, baking powder, salt, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Add to creamed mixture and mix well. Add more flour by the tablespoonfuls, if needed. Add almonds and chocolate chips, if preferred. With a spoon, drop mixture by teaspoonful onto a greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. Once baked, remove from hot cookie sheet and let cookies rest on a plate or cooling rack.

It's Christmas in July, check out Gina's cookbooks today: https://www.amazon.com/Gina-Meyers/e/B0039KMPSS%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share

Meet Poet A.C. Vasquez

Gardens

I took a walk out on the moon and picked a flower for you

In case you wondered where I wandered as you slept

I lay awake while your dreams rose and fell and danced around the room

Whispering secrets that I smiled to know they kept

The window made a sudden screech as it slid open for me

I plucked the sound out of the air and placed it back

Your dreams stopped dancing and all stared at me with faces so mean

But you stayed sleeping so they let out quiet laughs

My steps made ripples in the sky as I moved further from you

Leaving a trail of stars to find my way back home

It was a long and lonely walk until my feet met the moon

Where everything was made of sound and colors sang instead of shone

That’s where I found a single flower wrapped in silence and grey

The only life upon the dark side of the moon

It looked up at me with indifference as I pulled it away

And followed every star that lead me back to you

I slipped in through the open window and your dreams slid it closed

I placed the flower, silence, and grey, upon your heart

When I awoke I found a garden, from that flower, had rose

It’s no surprise; I knew your love would do its part

                                                                                A.C. Vasquez

Gina's Favorite Movies with a lead character having a British Accent

Do you agree?

* Love Actually
*Nottinghill
*About Time

and my number 1 favorite movie with a lead character having a British Accent, wait for it, ......The Holiday!

Making a Significant Positive Impact on your business, by Gina Meyers

http://www.serendipitymediagroup.com

Owners don't always know what they want, they are so busy juggling demands that they are thrown into a lot of directions.

What owners do know is that they need to manage, delegate and treat their employees well. I am listening to the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, by, Stephen R. Covey.

Balance your life in a week, increase productivity
Plan your week, each week, before your week begins
Take 20 minutes, write down the important roles in your life, friend, community volunteer, mom, yourself, don't forget yourself. You have an obligation to sharpen your own saw.




Organizing your life by the week

Step 1:
Write down the important roles in your life:



Helping you to maintain balance will be a key to the success to prioritizing your life.

Step 2:

Choose the big rocks
What is the most important thing I can do in this role this week in this position I am in to be the most productive.

Step 3:
Schedule your big rocks, schedule your other activities around the other BIG rocks.

One minute questions to ponder.
* What is the most important thing I can do in this role this week that would make the most positive difference? * What one thing could you do that you absolutely know would have a significant positive impact on your business?

Top 4 Books and Learning Tools I've read or listened to this Summer, by, Gina Meyers

If you are an entrepreneur like me, you juggle your small business, others' ideas and businesses, family life, your full-time job, all with a smile. This summer, though sizzling and just getting started, I've already learned some wonderful insights. Where will you be in five years? Not, the usual perfunctory thoughts, rather, you'll be the same in five years except for the people you meet and associate with and the books you've read. From my reading, and my usual habits of having a notebook in the car with me, I've learned to put many of my thoughts into one minute insights, so here are some of the top books and learning tools I've read or listened to this summer.

1) Susie Moore, How to be your own publicist https://susie-moore.com/
2) The Amazing Power of Deliberate Intent, by, Esther and Jerry Hicks
3) The Five Love Language, by, Gary Chapman, a must read for anyone who wants to enhance their person, business relationships. It will improve your family life as well. Identifying what love language you are makes a world of difference in all of your relationships.
4) The One Minute Entrepreneur, by, Ken Blanchard and Don Hutson


One minute insight:
1) You will be the same in the next five years, except for the people you meet and the books you read.
2) Get good at solving others peoples problems, people pay people to solve their problems for them.
3) Positive energy trumps negative thinking any day.
4) Identifying what love language you are makes a world of difference in all of your relationships.

If you would like to learn more about how I can help you with your small business, or as a budding writer, feel free to reach out to: http://www.serendipitymediagroup.com. As a marketing coach, I consult for $25.00 per half and hour or $50.00 per hour. I can help you market better, promote and create a brand, help you to publish the next best selling books, enhance your social media, increase your sales.

Summertime Must Watch Movies, Summer Lovin' Gina's Top Ten Movies

Ok, I am not a movie expert, however, I am a television popular culture expert, specifically of the Harry Potter, Twilight, Bewitched, and I Dream of Jeannie version. I am also a cookbook author and a publisher, and a mom, so I guess I know a thing or two about digestible movies fit for the "inner child" in you or for your teenager to watch with you. Maybe even your significant other, though none of the movies I am suggesting are serious Rom Com movies, though they do tend to teeter in that direction, however. So put on your seatbealts and see if any of my Summer Lovin' Movies are drive in worthy, I mean, "get out the microwave popcorn" and pull up a seat in your living room.


1) Splash, make a splash with this classic.
2) Grease, The Musical
3) Defending Your Life (can rent on Amazon Prime)
4) The Week of (on Netflix)
5) Murder Mystery (on Netflix)
6) Casino Royale
7) My Girlfriend's Boyfriend (auto download or purchase on Amazon)
8) To Rome with Love
9) Always Be My Maybe (on Netflix)
10) Little Italy (with Emma Roberts, can purchase on Amazon)

Summer Lovin' at Papagni Winery

Chicken Marsala with mushrooms and capers & Papagni Chardonnay

Chicken Marsala with mushrooms and capers

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, washed

salt & pepper to taste

3 Tbsp. butter or ⅛  cup of Olive Oil

1 cup marsala wine

1 cup chicken broth

2 Tbsp. capers, drained

1 cup mushrooms, sliced

Directions: Place  3 Tablespoons of  butter in a skillet over medium-high heat or ⅛ of a cup of olive oil. Next, add the 4 chicken breasts and brown about 3 minutes on each side. Once chicken is nearly cooked, reduce heat and add mushrooms, capers, marsala wine, chicken broth and simmer. Bring to an almost boil, then reduce and simmer until chicken is cooked thoroughly. Add more mushrooms and marsala wine if needed. Salt and pepper to taste, if you want to thicken the sauce, add a teaspoon of cornstarch or a Tablespoon of flour.

Gina Meyers is the author of Cook Like a Native Italian and Cook Like a Hot Italian Mama, by, Gina Ferrari. https://www.ginameyers.com

Pairs well with Papagni Chardonnay

https://papagniwines.com

2012 CHARDONNAY (RESERVE)

WHITE WINE

Silky texture, elegant, balanced — this limited production, hand-crafted Chardonnay was gently whole cluster pressed then fermented in new French Oak barrels and aged sur-lie for ten months. 750 ML  ALC 12.5% BY VOL

Things just taste better with wine, it is a fact that every great cook knows. Cooking with wine is simply superb. Inside The Flavors of The Valley Food & Wine Pairing Cookbook, you will find appealing appetizers, mouthwatering main dishes, wonderful wines and delightful desserts. Discover one of my cookbooks today!

Food and Wine Pairings with Papagni Wines & Italian Classic Recipes, by Gina Meyers

Third generation valley farmer, grape grower, and wine maker Demetrio Papagni has the flavor of the valley in his veins. His family legacy has been growing grapes for wine making which started back in Bari, Italy. Demetrio's family dreamed of making fine wines and came to the Central Valley in 1912 and started on their American Dream. This tradition continues today and he is proudly the owner of Papagni Winery in Madera, California. In this section of The Flavors of The Valley Cookbook, I have taken local wines and paired them with main dishes, appetizers, and even desserts.

He's   stayed true to his Italian Roots by creating unique varietals such as the signature Alicante Bouchet.  You can visit the wine tasting room on weekdays by appointment and all weekends. It is located at: 9505 Road 30 1/2 Madera, Ca 93636. They can be reached by calling:

(559) 673-5754. Or by going to his website: https://papagniwines.com/

Purchase Papagni Wine Here!

Stay up-to-date with Cookbook Author Gina Meyers

Spice-Rubbed Salmon with Cucumber Relish & Capers

The bold spice rub works well with rich-flavored salmon and would also be tasty on pork. Serve with an angel hair pasta, mashed potatoes or even a spinach salad.

1 Tablespoon of brown sugar

1 teaspoon of garlic powder

1 teaspoon of dried oregano

1 teaspoon of ground cumin

1 teaspoon of chili powder

1 teaspoon of paprika

½ teaspoon of salt, divided

¼ teaspoon of dried thyme

4 (6-ounce) salmon fillets, skinned

Extra virgin olive oil or Olive Oil Cooking Spray

2 cups of chopped cucumber

½ cup of chopped red bell pepper

¼ cup of chopped onion (red preferred or white onion)

2 Tablespoons of chopped fresh mint

1 Tablespoon of capers

1 Tablespoon of cider vinegar.

Directions: Preheat the broiler. Combine first six ingredients, ¼ teaspoon of salt, and dried thyme; rub evenly over fish. Place fish on a jelly-roll pan coated with cooking spray. Broil eight minutes or until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork. Combine ¼ teaspoon of salt, cucumber, and remaining ingredients; serve with fish. Yield: 4 servings (serving size: 1 fish fillet and about ½ cup of the cucumber relish)

Pairs well with Papagni Petite Syrah

2011 PETITE SIRAH

RED WINE

This generously proportioned rich and jammy wine has an exotic bouquet of black cherries accented with tobacco, black pepper, cocoa and anise. A touch of smoky oak rounds out the long and lush palate. Not a wine for the faint of heart! Pair it with roasted and grilled meats of all kinds, as well as pastas with bold red sauces. 750 ML ALC 14.5% BY VOL

Stuffed Bell Peppers

1 pound of lean ground beef

1 package (10 ounces) of frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry

1 egg

2 cups of cooked rice

1 cup of shredded Cheddar Cheese

5 Green bell pepper (or red, orange, yellow)

1 can (14 ounces) of tomato sauce, spaghetti sauce

Oregano, salt and pepper, sage, thyme (optional)

Directions: In a medium sized skillet, brown beef until completely cooked with no red showing. Drain. Place spinach, cooked beef, egg, and cooked rice in a large bowl and mix well with a spoon. May add oregano, sage, thyme, salt and pepper and onion flakes also may stir in tomato sauce. Grate cheddar cheese and mix into the large bowl with the rice sauce mixture, may reserve some cheese for topping. Next, wash and clean bell peppers, cutting off tops of peppers, and cleaning out the insides. Spoon rice mixture into peppers, top with extra cheese.  Bake in a 350 degree oven for thirty minutes or until bell peppers are slightly tender.

2014 BARBERA

RED WINE

"This classic Italian variety from the Piedmont region is a well-structured fruit forward luscious wine. Our Barbera has aromas of blackberry, blueberry and elderberry wrapped in a bouquet of cedar, nutmeg, cola and a hint of clove. This Barbera is well balanced with bright acidity and supple tannin on a long smooth finish. Pairs well with spicy Italian pizza, peppercorn steak, glazed pork loin and stuffed bell peppers." ~ Demetrio Papagni, Proprietor 750 ML ALC 14.8 BY VOL

 

 Chicken Cacciatore

3 pound whole fryer chicken, cut into pieces and washed

½ cup of Extra-Virgin Olive Oil

¼ cup of flour for dredging

Garlic, 2 cloves, minced

2 Tablespoons of chopped fresh parsley

Dash of garlic salt, to taste

1 pinch of thyme

2 sage leaves, or 2 teaspoons of sage spice

1 sprig of rosemary

1 small can of Italian Stewed Tomatoes, chopped

1 small can of tomato sauce

1 jar of button mushrooms or 1 container of fresh mushrooms, washed and sliced

Directions: Cut and wash chicken pieces. Next, dredge the washed chicken pieces in flour to coat lightly. In a deep-frying pan, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add uct pieces of chicken, sprinkle with garlic salt, cook until chicken has browned. Once browned, add the herbs and spices, as well as the tomato sauce, chopped tomatoes, and mushrooms. Cook on high heat for thirty minutes or until chicken is completely cooked.

Pairs well with Papagni Nero D’Avola or Papagni Zinfandel.

2013 NERO D’AVOLA

RED WINE

Our Nero d'Avola is medium bodied, fruity wine that showcases bright and fresh aromas of ripe strawberries and raspberries that lead to a super silky palate just exploding with ripe red berry expression. A beautiful everyday food wine that will pair well with light tomato based pasta sauces, pork chops, veal and its a great match for burgers and buffalo wings too! 750 MLALC 13.5% BY VOL

2015 ZINFANDEL

RED WINE

Our 2015 Zinfandel is grown at our Papagni Vineyard in Madera. Rich aromas of raspberry, black cherry, and dried fruit compliment a bouquet of anise, allspice, cedar and black pepper. Luscious flavors of plum and raspberry are wrapped in silky tannins and a smooth, warm finish. Serve with black-pepper steak, carnitas, or rosemary braised lamb shanks. 750 ML ALC 14.5% BY VOL

Aunt Rose’s Tallerina

3 Tablespoons shortening

1 Onion, minced

1 Pound ground round

1 Can, (26 ounce) tomato soup

1 (15-ounce) Can tomato sauce

1 Cup cold water

2 Tablespoons salt

2 Cups uncooked broad egg noodles

2 Cups canned corn

1 Can, (6 ounce) ripe pitted olives

1 Cup grated cheddar cheese

1 can, (4 ounces) mushrooms, pieces and stems preferred.

Directions: Melt shortening in a large pot on medium; add onions and cook until brown. Next, add meat and cook thoroughly. Add tomato soup, tomato sauce, noodles, water, and salt. Cover and cook over low heat for 10 minutes. Remove pot from stove and add corn, mushrooms, and part of the cheddar cheese. Stir and then pour mixture into a baking dish 1 x 8 ½ inches. Cover with remaining cheese, and bake at 350° for 50 minutes.

Papagni Wine Choice: Petite Sirah:

Pair with Papagni Wine such as Petite Sirah. Rich and jammy, the Papagni Petite Sirah has an exotic bouquet of black cherries, pepper, cocoa and anise. Goes well with richer pastas such as Tallerina and meats such as Corned Beef.

 

Wedged Tomato Salad with Fresh Mozzarella

4 red ripe vine tomatoes- cut into wedges

6 slices of Fresh mozzarella

½ cup of Balsamic Vinegar

¼ cup of Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1 Tablespoon of granulated sugar

Indian Malabar Peppercorns, twist shaker two times around

Dash of sea salt

1/2 teaspoon of Herbs De Provence

¼ teaspoon of Thyme

¼ teaspoon of Basil

¼ teaspoon of Rosemary

Directions: In a medium sized bowl, place tomato wedges, balsamic vinegar, sugar, extra virgin olive oil and all ingredients together, toss. Marinate the ingredients by placing in the refrigerator. There are many different varieties of tomatoes that make this salad tasty. You may use Grape Tomatoes, which are intensely sweet, however, they are smaller than a traditional ripe vine tomato and therefore don’t need to be cut into wedges. The Campari Tomato can be cut into slices or wedges and is the perfect balance of sweetness and acidity. 

Papagni Wine Choice: Pinot Grigio

Drink Papagni Wine Pinot Grigio with a Chicken Mozzerella or a light and flavorful Wedged Tomato Salad.

 Purchase Flavors of The Valley Cookbook on kindle for .99 cents

Things just taste better with wine, it is a fact that every great

cook knows. Cooking with  wine is simply superb.

Inside The Flavors of The Valley Cookbook, you will find appealing

appetizers, mouthwatering main dishes, cheering cocktails, and

delightful desserts. http://www.ginameyers.com 

Coming soon, Farm to Table: The Papagni Wine Cookbook, celebrating the seasons of the central valley with wine and food pairings. Central California's San Joaquin Valley, living the legacy with pioneering farm families.