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Gina DiMartino

~ finding beauty in pain

Gina DiMartino

Monthly Archives: April 2012

whole wide world

29 Sunday Apr 2012

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Want a cookie?
Oh, no
Come on. They’re warm and gooey and fresh out of the oven
No, I don’t like cookies

You don’t like cookies? What’s wrong with you?
I dont know
Everybody likes cookies. I mean after a really awful no good day, didn’t your mother ever make you milk and cookies?


No. My mother didn’t bake. The only cookies I ever had were store bought
Sit down. Now. Eat a cookie.

I…I really can’t
Mr. Crick. It was a really awful day. I know. I made sure of it. So pick up the cookie. Dip it in the milk…and eat it.

I just figured if i was gonna make the world a better place, i’d do it with cookies.

* from Stranger Than Fiction

Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

yellow light

26 Thursday Apr 2012

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Today was for sure interesting, from crying at work while trying to reason with my boss, to him throwing a spatula across the store and breaking it against the wall, to a guy who yelled at me for the Hunger Games CD “We’re supposed to be ELIMINATING hunger, not making games out of it!” (ummmm…). Yeah. Interesting.

So, crying at work…There was a mix up and it’s not my boss’ fault but since I’ve been with the bux so long I am capped for pay so I should get a bonus instead of a raise, but he didn’t know how to do it and entered it wrong and therefore I get no bonus. No raise, no bonus. Really frustrating. Mostly because I’ve been desperately wanting to go to the Storyline Conference next weekend and if my bonus went through today I would have had enough money to pay for it. I have been praying that God would show me if I was supposed to go and was not expecting this to be the answer, but there it was. So I was really upset for a while and told my boss I was really frustrated and tried to see if there was anything we could do to fix it, and of course I’m crying haha because that’s what I do when I’m really frustrated. To no avail. So I just prayed on my break and THANKED God for His answer even though it was NOT at all what I wanted, because I really could have used that money. My best friend reminded me that God sees what’s coming up so He knows what He’s doing. So true! My attitude was improved after that and I kept pondering why this was happening, but trusting God that it was right.

When I came home today I had one piece of mail. From the IRS. Stating that in 2008…yes 2008 I didn’t pay enough taxes so I owe them a small amount, plus a huge amount of interest since that was oh 4 years ago and they failed to tell me. Yup. Um…God really? First no bonus then a whopping bill from 2008 that I owe to the IRS? My mom just smiled and said “that’s life!” (thanks mom). But she’s right. And again, God knows what He’s doing. I am indeed frustrated that I am now a lot more poor, but still I have peace. Oh and one more thing, I have to buy a new car.

I made lemonade. No seriously, my parents are having company for dinner and my mom asked me to make lemonade. But when my dad asked what I was doing, I simply responded “God gave me lemons today, so I’m making lemonade”. Its true. God is faithful. Money is so frustrating to me. But I have been faithful in my tithing and giving and I KNOW that He will provide me with everything I need. And I am also very thankful that I have a clear answer about whether or not I should go to the conference, because I really really really wanted to go but didn’t know if it was a wise decision to travel to an unknown city by myself and spend a lot of money for a 2 day conference. I like clear answers. I don’t necessarily like the answer, but I like the fact that I am no longer undecided.

God sees what’s coming. He knows what’s up. So I’m just following Him. I’m pretty clueless!

 

breathe today

25 Wednesday Apr 2012

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Two days off in a row and what am I to do? Its snowing outside. A wet thick snow that has attached to everything in its path. Weighing down the branches already full of blooms and leaves. It’s hard to remember that only three days ago it was 87 and we broke the record for hottest day in April. Only in Rochester… I haven’t done anything much. My nails are painted. I’ve watched some tv. I have walked A LOT, and I’ve read three books. (Yes 3 books in two days…) I’ve forgotten how good it feels to read books. To be completely lost in another world. You would think that I would be sublimely productive having two days off in a row, but no. I haven’t done anything productive. Not really. Maybe today I’ll be more successful, but I have been completely happy to enjoy this day, walk, rest, read, and hang out with the fam. Did I mention that it was snowing?

Pinterest is my addiction. And movies. And baking. And reading cookbooks. Papa and I can read cookbooks and talk about recipes while listening to classical music for hours. He knows every song and every composer. It’s quite impressive. He also now knows how to push “I’m still listening” on Pandora so it will keep playing music. Pretty impressive for an old dude. He’s so cute. We were going to make a banana cake but then he decided we should wait until next week. Not quite sure what we are waiting for.

I lunched with Rebecca, dined with Carolyn, hung out with Dea, talked to Liz for hours…Sweet friendships. I am so thankful for them all. I am really trying to focus my time on friendships that encourage my heart. Finding ways to bless others, and writing down things I am thankful for and qualities I love in people. Focusing less on me. Some people are easy. I can find tons of good things about them. Positive, adventurous, genuine, devoted, wise, honest, beautiful, artistic, loving, tender-hearted, encouraging, musical…and that’s just one person! Others are a bit more difficult. Maybe it’s because I struggle more with loving them. I don’t know. I’ve been praying that God would reveal to me things about them that I can be thankful for. I think this will open my heart to love them more. Not complaining and not gossiping is a hard task, but I do notice it changing our conversations. I do notice that I am using my words more cautiously.

Endless ramblings with no real purpose. Just for the sake of putting something down on the paper. (screen) I jump back into my crazy work schedule. Ready to conquer a few more cappuccinos.

Chicken Florentine Pasta

24 Tuesday Apr 2012

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Chicken Florentine Pasta, The Pioneer Woman

Today I was inspired by the Pioneer Woman (when am I not inspired by her…) and I whipped up her Chicken Florentine Pasta. I added to her recipe however and changed it a tiny bit. I used brown rice pasta (my new obsession thanks to Mikey) and I added mushrooms, artichoke hearts and fresh basil. It is so delicious!

With the rice pasta, this recipe is Gluten-Free and can be dairy free (leave out the parmesan) or vegetarian (leave out the chicken and substitute the chicken broth with vegetable broth) Yay for eating healthy!

You can check out The Pioneer Woman’s blog and the recipe here: Chicken Florentine Pasta, or see the recipe below. Enjoy!

Ingredients

  • 1 pound Penne or brown rice pasta
  • 4 whole Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts
  • Salt And Pepper, to taste
  • 2 Tablespoons Butter
  • 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
  • 4 cloves Garlic, Minced
  • 3/4 cups Dry White Wine
  • 3/4 cups Low-sodium Broth, More If Needed
  • 1 bag Baby Spinach
  • 2 cups Grape Tomatoes, Halved Lengthwise
  • 1/2 lb mushrooms sautéed
  • 1 can artichoke hearts halved
  • fresh basil chopped
  • 4 ounces, weight Parmesan Cheese, Shaved With Vegetable Peeler

Preparation Instructions

Cook pasta according to package directions in lightly salted water. Drain and set aside.

Cut chicken breasts into chunks and sprinkle on salt and pepper.

Heat butter and olive oil over high heat in a large skillet. Add chicken chunks in a single layer and do not stir for a minute or two in order to allow the chicken to brown on the first side. Turn the chicken and brown on the other side. Cook until done, then remove chicken from the skillet.

Turn heat to medium. Add garlic and quickly stir to avoid burning. After about 30 seconds, pour in wine and broth, stirring to deglaze the pan. Allow the liquid to bubble up, then continue cooking until it’s reduced by at least half (most of the surface of the liquid should be bubbling at this point.)

Turn off the heat. Add spinach, tomatoes, chicken, and cooked pasta to the skillet. Toss to combine; the spinach will wilt as you toss everything. Add plenty of Parmesan shavings and fresh basil and toss to combine.

Serve with extra Parmesan shavings.

*Recipe from The Pioneer Woman Cooks

** Items I added to the recipe

What Your Scars Can Really Be…

23 Monday Apr 2012

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A Holy Experience, Ann Voskamp, Scars

This blog is beautiful and I wanted to share it with you. Ann Voskamp is a poetic writer and she has such a tender and beautiful heart.

What Your Scars Can Really Be…

http://www.aholyexperience.com/2012/04/what-your-scars-can-really-be/

Cautious vs. Creative

19 Thursday Apr 2012

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Jon Acuff posted this quote a few days ago and it really stuck with me. I tend to be more cautious, but my creative side is screaming to get out!

You can be Cautious or you can be Creative (but there’s no such thing as a Cautious Creative).

A creative thinker must be fearless.
If you’re more tentative than decisive, if you’re more cautious than creative, you’ll never be an innovative business leader, and certainly not a great visual communicator.

A Cautious Creative is an oxymoron.  

From Jon Acuff taken from George Lois
http://www.jonacuff.com/blog/ 

complaining

18 Wednesday Apr 2012

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1000 Gifts, Ann Voskamp, complaining

Our sermon this week was about complaining. I am a complainer. I know I am. I come from a long line of complainers. That’s no excuse, but when its surrounding you, it’s harder to escape. Complaining is an “acceptable” sin. Meaning, we are immune to it. It doesn’t really bother or convict us. In the world we live in today, we don’t consider complaining a sin. But God does. God says to do EVERYTHING without complaining (Phil 2:14) Complaining is an accusation against God. It is a focus on the one thing we don’t have. And when we do that, we forget all the things that we DO have.

As I have been mulling these things over, one thing David said keeps repeating in my mind; “When you complain, it is impossible for you to see what God is trying to do in your life.” When I complain, I am actually blocking my vision! I CANT see what God is doing through my complaining. How mind-boggling! But it also makes so much sense. If I am too busy being ungrateful for what is going on in my life, why would God present me with something better? In the Old Testament, God actually burned up a whole bunch of people because He was so sick and tired of their complaining! Yipes! You can’t complain AND please God at the same time!

I have been searching and searching for what my next step should be. And I have been begging God to show me what to do. I wonder if my ungrateful and complaining heart has been bouncing back His answers. I wonder, if I stop complaining and start looking for the good in every situation, will I begin to see His will more clearly?  Its hard, let me tell you. Its been 3 days and I am blessed to live with and be surrounded by people who also heard the sermon who have been jumping in as soon as someone starts complaining. “Hey! Complaining!” “Do I hear complaining?” Its great. But man, its hard to stop them from coming out of your mouth. I have to be far more cautious at guarding what is coming out of my mouth.

So hey, what’s the opposite of complaining? Thanksgiving! And how awesome is that, it made me happy to think that by giving thanks more often I can hopefully eventually eliminate complaining. A great book I read about giving thanks is called 1000 Gifts by Ann Voskamp. She goes through her journey from complaining to contentment. It’s such a great book, I highly recommend it. It really motivated me to start my own list of things that I am thankful for: https://cragsandclay.wordpress.com/books/1000-gifts/
It’s obviously not complete, but I try to work on it every day. I know Ann’s site has many ideas and opportunities to help you be creative with thanksgiving: http://onethousandgifts.com/ And, there’s even an app you can get on your iPhone that allows you to list your gifts and even take pictures of them! I just downloaded it so I haven’t had time to play with it yet, but I am excited!

“Run to the cross. Remind yourself of what you deserve, and compare it to what you have been given.” (David Whiting) Ask yourself what is the most common thing that you complain about? And begin to turn it around by giving thanks. God wants to help us look and act more like Jesus, and the obstacles and situations He puts in our path are there to help Him accomplish His goal. It’s up to us how we react to them.

Blue Like Jazz

13 Friday Apr 2012

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Blue Like Jazz

Blue Like Jazz opens today at select movie theaters. It’s not coming anywhere near me but I want to encourage you if it is coming near you, go see it! Here’s a link for showings and tickets. www.bluelikejazztickets.com If the movie does well this weekend, it will open in more theaters and hopefully come to Rochester so I can go see it! If you do see it, let me know what you think!

Image

Tiramisu Cupcakes

13 Friday Apr 2012

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Today I experimented with Tiramisu Cupcakes. 

The base for the cupcakes was a white cake mix with sour cream and buttermilk added.

The cupcakes themselves didn’t come out so great. The recipe said to make marble cupcakes so they were half white and half coffee flavored. They looked perfect in the oven but then shrank down a little after cooling.

I tasted one just to make sure it was ok. Good flavor, just small and not great looking. Good thing I got to cover them with frosting. The filling for the cupcakes was made out of mascarpone cheese, sugar and strong coffee. Delicious. The frosting is the true amazement.

It is SO good. It is a cream cheese, whipped cream frosting. I have never made anything like it before and I never thought of putting cream cheese and whipped cream together for frosting but it came out awesome. So smooth and not too sweet. Great flavor and thick enough to be able to pipe it out onto the cupcakes.

I topped them with sifted dark cocoa powder and cinnamon and added a chocolate covered espresso bean. They came out so pretty. Hopefully they will be a big hit for Liz’s going away party tonight.

Here’s the recipe. I will change the cake part and try a new recipe so stay tuned for that!

Tiramisu Cupcakes
Yield: 24 Cupcakes

Cake:
1 box White Cake Mix
2 egg whites
1 egg
1/3 cup oil
3/4 cup buttermilk
3/4 cup sour cream
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 cup strong coffee
Filling:
8 oz mascarpone
1 tablespoon strong coffee
1/2 cup powdered sugar
Whipped Topping:
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 pint heavy whipping cream

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line pan with cupcake liners.
2. Sift cake mix into a small bowl and set aside.
3. In a large bowl, gently whisk egg whites, egg, oil, buttermilk, sour cream and vanilla.
4. Stir cake mix into wet ingredients.
5. Using half of the batter, fill cupcake liners about 1/3 full.
6. With the remaining cake batter, add the strong coffee and mix. (You may need to add 1 or 2 tablespoons of flour to thicken the batter.)
7. Scoop the coffee cake batter over the regular batter so that each cupcake liner is filled about 3/4. (So you have one layer of vanilla cake and a top layer of coffee cake.)
8. Bake for 16-20 minutes or until an inserted knife comes out clean.
9. Filling: Combine all ingredients in a small bowl using a spoon.
10. Topping: Using a whisk attachment on your stand mixer, beat cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth. Add vanilla. Slowly add in heavy cream and beat until stiff peaks form.
11. To assemble, cut a cone shaped piece of cake out the top of each cupcake (make sure cakes are cooled). Generously spoon in your filling. Pipe your whipped topping over the hole with the filling and top with chocolate shavings and cocoa powder.
For the website for this recipe go to:
http://www.yourcupofcake.com/2012/03/tiramisu-cupcakes.html

don’t say goodbye

12 Thursday Apr 2012

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“Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: “What! You too? I thought I was the only one.”
~ C.S. Lewis

True friends are hard to find, and a kindred spirit is one in a million. Well maybe that’s an exaggeration but I’ve had about seven kindred spirits in my life so I don’t feel like I’m exaggerating. Those people in your life who know what your thinking. Who suggest garbage plates before you even know you want one. Who stay over all night watching How I Met Your Mother, or Downton Abbey, or really stupid movies that make you laugh so hard your stomach hurts for hours. You can communicate with them just by looking at them. They’ve seen you at your worst and still love you. And you can tell them your dreams and they don’t think you’re crazy they just want to help you achieve them. They get you. Liz is one of those friends.

Today, Liz did something brave. She got baptized. She stood before her friends and family and told us about her relationship with God and publicly declared that she wants to follow Christ with her life. I’m so proud of her. I’ve known her for her whole life and it has been so amazing to see her grow into the beautiful, loving, Godly, kindred spirit that she is.

Baptism is a beautiful symbol of dying to ourselves and our new life in Christ.

It was a great time with family and friends. I’m so happy that I got to share this moment with them. 

True friends are always together in spirit.
~ Anne of Green Gables

Tomorrow, Liz is going to do something just as brave. She’s leaving. She’s packing all her stuff up in her car and moving to Kansas. God opened the door and she’s taking a huge step of faith, walking away from all that is familiar and comfortable, and leaving. And although this is making me the most sad I have been in a long time, I couldn’t be more proud. I know that God has huge things in store for her and I am so excited to see what amazing things come from Kansas. It seems unlikely. It’s so far away. I miss her already and my heart hurts because there aren’t too many people left here who get me. But she’s doing something exciting. She’s not wasting her life. She’s pursuing God AND her dreams with all that she has. She’s chasing a lion. That’s the way I want to live my life. I’m so thankful for her friendship and for her courageous heart. I love you Liz!

“Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art…. It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things which give value to survival.” 
~ C.S. Lewis 

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