All Things Jen

Maraia in March

2008-03-08T00:56:00.005-08:00

Mari March
Originally uploaded by ciaobella1

what a cutie!
almost 18 months

Soo Cute

2008-02-14T14:16:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentine's Day!

2008-02-14T10:00:00.001-08:00

Some Cool Stuff-

2008-02-12T14:21:00.000-08:00

Holiday Joy!

2007-12-14T09:44:00.001-08:00

mari jj xmas 2
Originally uploaded by ciaobella1

Oh by the way, you must elf yourself! Check out ours...

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1381032661

She's ONE!!!!

2007-12-13T20:28:00.001-08:00

Maraia I'm ONE 000
Originally uploaded by ciaobella1

Look at my little angel!

These are gifts I would buy for myself!

2007-12-05T11:38:00.000-08:00

She is so much fun!

2007-11-29T07:29:00.001-08:00

S7302834
Originally uploaded by ciaobella1

Almost 15 months. Everyday is something new. She makes me laugh and I'm just amazed at the things she knows already. Sometimes I'm looking at my mini me, and other times I see daddy's girl! What an angel!

Mama's Little Ladybug!

2007-11-09T11:58:00.001-08:00

More old school delights!

2007-11-09T11:39:00.001-08:00

Am I showing my age or what?

I'm 36 by the way! With a very good memory!

Look at this pumpkin!

2007-11-09T11:37:00.000-08:00

Back to Work

2007-10-22T07:53:00.001-07:00

I've been a DJ since '98. I did every kind of gig imaginable. It was my life. In addition to DJ ing, I was a music supervisor in my day job. I worked at Fox and for various companies doing licensing, sample clearance, and the ultimate: choosing music for TV and Film. Ever since I got pregnant, I kind of gave up on my DJ career. I miss it but not the hours or being out every night. The above picture is from my friends annual Halloween party that I've been DJing for years. I had just had my baby a month before and was so nervous about getting back in to it. I'm spinning again for them on the 27th of October and am preparing all this week. Nothing like new music to make you feel old and outdated!

My Vintage Embroidery Patterns

2007-09-24T14:03:00.001-07:00

These transfers were from my grandmothers friend, it's my 1st attempt at embroidering since I was a kid...Needless to say, I'm hooked...I plan on making a quilt when I'm finished!

Things To Swoon Over!

2007-08-02T10:42:00.000-07:00

Crafty Ideas

2007-07-27T10:32:00.001-07:00

Jen!

2007-07-24T13:45:00.000-07:00

even more

2007-07-20T13:26:00.000-07:00

Images for bits and pieces inspiration

2007-07-20T09:24:00.000-07:00

I'm attempting one of these for my boyfriends mother in Italy

2007-07-20T08:02:00.000-07:00

"Bits and Pieces Collage your own interpretations

We start with a 9" x 12" canvas, either raised and stretched or panel style...it's your choice . Then divide the canvas into a grid of 12, three inch squares. That is your field of play...after that the idea is to use any bits and pieces of pretty little things, ie...ribbon, papers, photos, labels, trinkets, buttons, fabric, ric rac, lace, cupcake toppers, matchsticks, toothpicks... whatever! Use paint maybe for the base color of your canvas... Go with a tight color palette or use every color you got!

More Inspiration...

2007-07-19T14:13:00.000-07:00

These are from Bitter Betty. I just love them. I think I'll try making something like these to my boyfriends family in Italy.

My Little Italian-American!

2007-07-17T06:01:00.000-07:00

Umbrella-Ella-Ella

2007-07-12T12:38:00.001-07:00

My Grandma Was Ahead of her Time!

2007-07-11T16:34:00.001-07:00

So Much Inspiration-Creative Bloggers

2007-07-11T15:39:00.000-07:00

These are projects and products that really excite me...

More Drooling...

2007-07-11T15:35:00.001-07:00

Morning Fun!

2007-07-11T13:19:00.000-07:00

Must Have..Must Order..Right NOW!!!!

2007-07-10T13:00:00.001-07:00

More Candyland Party Favors

2007-07-10T08:35:00.000-07:00

Please forgive my lack of credits to the sites I got these from. I am new to blogging and kind of forget where I find stuff. I promise to improve.

At Last

2007-07-10T07:00:00.000-07:00

Baby Jen, Baby Marco

2007-07-03T09:50:00.000-07:00

Go Baby Go!!!!

2007-07-03T09:25:00.001-07:00

Today I'm Grateful For.....

2007-07-03T07:28:00.000-07:00

1. Being sober, able to be a productive member of society.
2. Having a supportive and loving family including my boyfriend, mom, sister, and baby girl.
3. My baby Girl-whose smile and giggles light my world
4. My boyfriend's parents whose generosity is unmatchable with treating the 5 of us to a trip to Italy for a month.
5. My boyfriend's ex-wife who has been an absolute angel-letting me drive her van since she bought a new Prius.
6. That my sister has finally decided to marry her "boyfriend" of 15 years-to see her 4 beautiful daughters as flower girls and to bring the family together for something other than a funeral.
7. For a job less than 2 miles from my home doing something I like with people I like!
8. For my Mom-what a woman. She babysits my daughter everyday day and a few nights a week while I attend night school to get my long overdue high school diploma.
9. For my boyfriend Marco. He puts up with all of my bitchiness and loves me so much.
10. For Marco's 2 boys Miki and Marcello. They make me laugh and are just sweethearts.
11. That my mom made me a dress to wear for my sisters wedding after a never-ending frustration of shopping for something to wear that I could afford and fit in.
12. For my friends Valerie, Petal, and Raquel- my 3 best friends that I've known for years and years.
13. For my sponsor Meridith, who I haven't known that long, but love, admire, and respect and can tell I'll have a friend for life in her.
14. For AA and the people in my 2 groups. I feel so welcome and comfy.
15. The blogging community who gives me so much inspiration !

Gramma Nettie's Caramel Cake-My Mouth is Watering!

2007-07-02T10:34:00.000-07:00

Gramma Nettie far right and below-Audabon Jr. High Cafeteria 1962 (or so)

Above Gramma Jesse (Far Right) with her sister and husband Pocohontas, VA

This was the cake my Gram would bake for me when I begged her. She and her mom, Jessie used to be a cook in W. Virginia for the coalminers. This was one of her popular specialties. I think I'll make it for my sisters wedding rehearsal dinner this Thursday. A gift from our Grandmothers!

Caramel Cake with Caramel Frosting

2 cups self-rising flour *
1 1/3 cups sugar
1/2 cup vegetable shortening
1 cup milk
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
Caramel frosting (Recipe follows)

1. Grease and flour two 9x1 1/2 inch layer pans. Heat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Combine flour and sugar in a large bowl. Add shortening and 2/3 of the milk. Beat 2 minutes at medium speed with electric mixer, scraping side of bowl often.

3. Add remaining milk, eggs and vanilla. Beat 2 minutes longer. Pour into prepared pans.

4. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until centers spring back when lightly pressed with fingertip. Cool in pans on wire rack 10 minutes, loosen around edge, remove from pans, cool completely. Put layers together with frosting; frost op and side of cake.

* You can use 2 cups sifted all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoons baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon salt in place of self-rising flour. Sift with sugar in step 2.

CARAMEL FROSTING

1 cup (2 sticks) margarine
3 cups sugar
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla

1. Combine margarine and sugar in a large saucepan. Cook, stirring constantly, until mixture turns a light brown.

2. Remove from heat. Stir in milk; carefully bring mixture to boiling; lower heat. Put candy thermometer in mixture. Cook, stirring gently, to 238 degrees (soft ball stage). Remove from heat; add vanilla; cool to 110 degrees. Beat with spoon until mixture loses its gloss. This will take about 5 minutes. Fill and frost cake quickly before mixture stiffens.

***OR THE SHORTCUT VERSION***

1 package Betty Crocker® SuperMoist® yellow cake mix
1 cup milk
1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted and cooled
1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/8 teaspoon baking powder
3 eggs
Caramel Icing (below)

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour 2 round pans, 9x1 1/2 inches.

2. Beat all ingredients except Caramel Icing in medium bowl with electric mixer on low speed 1 minute, scraping bowl constantly (batter will be thick). Beat 2 minutes longer. Remove 1/2 cup of batter; cover and refrigerate to use in icing. Pour remaining batter into pans.

3. Bake 28 to 33 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire rack. Cool completely, about 1 hour. Fill layers and frost cake with Caramel Icing.

Aloha!

2007-06-29T08:26:00.001-07:00

Sunshine!

2007-06-29T08:24:00.001-07:00

Coming Next: My favorite old shows....

2007-06-26T13:17:00.001-07:00

Ok Somebody Stop Me

2007-06-26T13:03:00.001-07:00

These Are A Few of My Favorite Things

2007-06-26T12:13:00.001-07:00

I Regress

2007-06-26T12:08:00.001-07:00

Weebles Wobble But They Don't Fall Down!

2007-06-26T11:54:00.000-07:00

Oh The Pain!

I was about 8, past regular weebling years. My mom babysat other kids and we had a toy box full of appropriate toys for various ages. I remember watching Kroft Superstars and happened to start messing with a weeble, eventually orally fixated on removing the 2 part toy that wasn't meant to be pulled apart. I was working on that thing all the way through Electro-Woman and Dyna-girl, or was it Dr. Shrinker-when CLAMP the weeble locked my bottom lip in the most awkward way. I screamed for my mom who was fighting back uncontrollable laughter while trying to get this thing off me without tearing off a chunk of my lip. Talk about feeling like an idiot. I remember going to the hospital but I think I'm mixing up dumb memories.

Sock Monkey Hat and Blanket by Big Girl Feet

2007-06-26T08:31:00.000-07:00

ABSOLUTELY ADORABLE

Neat-o! Clutterhead suggests a craft I can DO!

2007-06-26T08:29:00.000-07:00

FUN DECOR SOLUTION FOR YOUR MOUNTAIN OF PLASTIC BAGS

ABOVE: When life gives you plastic bags, turn them into a craft! Perk up your patio with an all-weather, whimsical, washable drape that evokes apple blossoms.

I'm so excited about this!!!!!

2007-06-25T23:13:00.000-07:00

Look at That Smile!!!

2007-06-25T23:09:00.000-07:00

Father's Day

2007-06-25T23:01:00.001-07:00

Ciao!

2007-06-21T11:08:00.000-07:00

Senigallia

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Comune di Senigallia
Municipal coat of arms
Country	Italy
Region	Marche
Province	Ancona (AN)
Mayor	Luana Angeloni

Elevation	3 m
Area	115 km²
Population
- Total (as of December 31, 2004)	43,899
- Density	359/km²
Time zone	CET, UTC+1
Coordinates	43°43′N, 13°13′E
Gentilic	Senigalliesi
Dialing code	071
Postal code	60019
Frazioni	Marzocca, Montignano, Cesano, Vallone, Bettolelle, Borgo Passera, S.Angelo, San Silvestro, Scapezzano, Roncitelli, Vasari, Mandriola, Gabriella, Castellaro, Cannella, Brugnetto , Borgo Catena
Patron	St. Paulinus
- Day	May 4
Location of Senigallia in Italy
Website: www.comune.senigallia.an.it

Misa River in Senigallia.

Senigallia or Sinigaglia is a comune and port town on Italy's Adriatic coast, 25 km by rail north of Ancona, in the Marche region, province of Ancona. The small port is formed by the lower reaches of the Misa, a stream which flows through the town between embankments constructed of Istrian marble.

[hide]

[edit] History

Senigallia, spread out along the coast at the mouth of the river Misa, was founded in the 4th century B.C. by the Gallic tribe of the Senones and was the first Roman colony on the Adriatic shore. A colony was founded there by the Romans after their victory over the tribe of the Senones, rather before 280 BCE: the name is probably a later Roman corruption of Senones; the addition Gallica distinguishes it from Saena (Siena) in Etruria. The place is also mentioned in connection with Hasdrubal's defeat at the Metaurus in 207 BCE. It was destroyed by Pompey in 82 BCE, and is not often mentioned afterwards.

The Foro Annonario.

Ravaged by Alaric, Senigallia was fortified by the Byzantines, and again laid waste by the Lombards in the 8th century and by the Saracens in the 9th.

It was the second easternmost of the five cities of the medieval Adriatic duchy of Pentapolis, east of Fano and west of Ancona.

Senigallia used to hold one of the largest fairs in Italy, which dated originally from 1200, when Sergius, count of Senigallia, received from the count of Marseilles, to whose daughter he was affianced, certain relics of Mary Magdalene; this fair used to be visited by merchants from France, Switzerland, Austria, Germany and especially the Levant.

Town Hall.

Senigallia was at length brought so low by the Guelph and Ghibelline wars, and especially by the severities of Guido I da Montefeltro, that it was chosen by Dante as the typical instance of a ruined city. In the 15th century it was captured and recaptured again and again by the Malatesta and their opponents. Sigismondo Pandolfo Malatesta of Rimini erected strong fortifications round the town in 1450-1455. The lordship of Senigallia was bestowed by Pius II on his nephew Antonio Piccolomini, but the people of the town in 1464 placed themselves anew under Pope Paul II, and Giacomo Piccolomini in 1472 failed in his attempt to seize the place. Sixtus IV assigned the lordship to the Della Rovere family, from whom it was transferred to Lorenzo de Medici in 1516. After 1624 it formed part of the Papal State's legation (province) of Urbino.

[edit] Main sights

The Rocca Roveresca.

The Chiostro delle Grazie ("Cloister of the Graces").

Despite its ancient origin the city presents a modern appearance, with wide streets. Attractions include:

Palazzo Comunale, from the 17th century.
The Castle (Rocca Roveresca), of Gothic origin, was restored by Baccio Pontelli in 1492.
The Cathedral, erected after 1787.
The church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, outside the town, is one of the only two churches which he is known to have executed (the other is at Orciano near Mondavio, about 20 km to the west by road).

[edit] Celebrities

Giovanni Maria cardinal Mastai-Ferretti, who became Pope Pius IX
Gaetano Bedini (15 May 1806 - 6 September 1864) Cardinal and diplomat of the Catholic Church.
Mario Giacomelli (1925 2000) Photographer.
Ferruccio Ferroni (1920 - living) Photographer.
Fabri Fibra (1976) Italian rapper.

[edit] Twinned cities

[edit] Sources and references

"Sinigaglia" — article on the Catholic diocese, from the New Advent Catholic Encyclopædia
This article incorporates text from the Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition, a publication now in the public domain.

This Marche location article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

Jheri Curl Juice

2007-06-21T10:16:00.000-07:00

Bring back the Jheri Curl!!!

Wow, I admit I had a fake Jheri Curl in 7th grade. I put a shit load of baby oil in it so I had this greasy 'do...a big DON'T

Check out these other 80's don'ts

(I can't take credit for this compilation)

Crimped Hair.Inspired by the movie, "Howard the Duck", I spent hours in the bathroom crimping my hair with a $4.95 Conair Crimping Iron. Who knew that the "electrical shock" look would inspire a generation of bathroom beauticians.

80's Career Blouses. No matter how hard I tried, I could never get the "fema-tie" part correct- the resulting tie always looked like something worn by Colonel Sanders. I should have just said "No".

Acid Wash Jeans. My favorite pair was a pair of blue acid washed jeans by Guess! I loved those jeans so much that I would gently wash the jeans by hand and then hang them in the bathroom to dry. I cried when my brother, angry at me for "borrowing " his black polka shirt, shrunk them.

Jheri Curl Admit it, in the early 80s you wanted a curl. The amount of activator sold in the 1980's could have moisturized the world's children. Afraid of what the activator juice would do to our furniture, my parents vetoed the hair style, but did allow me to get a "dry" curl aka a "Wave Nouveau (basically a curl minus the greasy activator).

Stirrup Pants. I was working at Lerner's New York (now called NY & Company) in the mid 1990's when these pants were H-O-T! I remember one Saturday a vicious argument broke out between two customers over the last pair of medium-tall black stirrup pants. Lucky for me (but unlucky for my fashion health), I scooped up four pair (black, cream, navy blue, and hunter green) as they were unpacked in the back room. Update: They may be coming back.

Parachute Pants I'm still suffering from post-traumatic-fashion stress from wearing these pants. However for a period of time in the early 1990s, these pants were a staple of my wardrobe (soon to be replaced by flannel shirts). The remaining stock should have been burnt after Breakin 2: Electric Boogaloo.Update: These may be coming back as well.

Jelly Shoes Something is wrong when your shoes can double as lunch containers. Nonetheless, I rocked my $.99 jelly shoes like they were the hottest things since the sequined glove. I like to think of them as my Manolo's of the 80s.

Feel offended by my critique of the Jheri Curl? Want to express your love for Parachute Pants? Have a topic you would like me to address? Post your fashion mistake below.

The Last Dragon-I love this movie!

2007-06-21T10:02:00.001-07:00

I was 14 when this movie came out. I had the poster and everything.Taimak was HOT!

Reason, season or lifetime

2007-06-20T14:33:00.001-07:00

People come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. When you figure out which it is, you know exactly what to do.

When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed outwardly or inwardly. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally, or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend, and they are.

They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they act up or out and force you to take a stand.
What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled; their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and it is now time to move on.

When people come into your life for a SEASON, it is because your turn has come to share, grow, or learn. They may bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it! It is real!

But, only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons; those things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person/people (anyway); and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life.

It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.

Life is a Gift

2007-06-20T14:26:00.001-07:00

There was a blind girl who hated herself because of her blindness. Not only did she hate herself but she hated everyone else, except her loving boyfriend. He was always there for her. She said that if she could only see the world, she would marry her boyfriend One day, someone donated a pair of eyes to her and then she could See everything, including her boyfriend.

Her boyfriend asked her, "now that you can see the world, will you marry me?" The girl was shocked when she saw that her boyfriend was blind too, and refused to marry him. Her boyfriend walked away in tears, and later wrote a letter to her that simply said. "Just take care of my eyes dear."

This is how the human brain changes when our status changes. Only a few remember what life was like before and even fewer remember who to thank for always being there even when times were painfully unbearable.

Life Is a Gift

Today before you think of saying an unkind word - Think of someone who can't speak.

Before you complain about the taste of your food - Think of someone who has nothing to eat.

Before you complain about your husband or wife - Think of someone who's crying out to God for a companion.

Today before you complain about life - Think of someone who went too early to heaven.

Before you complain about your children - Think of someone who desires children but they're barren.

Before you argue about your dirty house, someone didn't clean or sweep - Think of the people who are living in the streets.

Before whining about the distance you drive - Think of someone who walks the same distance with their feet.

And when you are tired and complain about your job - Think of the unemployed, the disabled and those who wished they had your job.

But before you think of pointing the finger or condemning another remember that not one of us are without sin and we all answer to one maker.

And when depressing thoughts seem to get you down - Put a smile on your face and thank God you're alive and still around.

Life is a gift, live it, enjoy it, celebrate it, and fulfill it.

RELISH THE MOMENT, IT MAY NOT COME AROUND AGAIN!

I CAN HAS FAVORITE WEBSITE

2007-06-19T22:54:00.001-07:00

If you haven't yet checked out this website, let me show you!
icanhascheeseburger

I am always entertained by the funny photos and captions. It's creating a lot of buzz because of the slang and popularity. LOL !

Isn't this Cool???

2007-06-19T10:57:00.000-07:00

After seeing my friend wear a similar shirt, I lost my mind asking her where she got it. She told me her friend Rhion drew it and asked if I wanted one. So a week later, Rhion draws this for me, and me being the broke artist, I'm going how much do I owe you-He says what've you got? I say-about 4 bucks. He says give me one. I'm like, you've got to be kidding. He says no, you bought it you own it, do what you want with it. I was floored. Unfortunately, Rhion passed away from AIDS about a month later. I'd love to sell these as shirts and donate most of the money to AIDS patients. One of my many goals!

Sesame Street Fever- I knew I wasn't the only one

2007-06-19T08:25:00.000-07:00

When Did "Sesame Street" Get So Awesome?

2 hours 8 min ago by BuzzSugar

OK, so "Sesame Street" has always been pretty great, what with the lovable characters that made it your favorite educational program (not to mention its multiple Daytime Emmy Awards). But this announcement about the upcoming season of "Sesame Street" is both cracking me up and making me wish I had an excuse to watch this show every day.

Maybe I just missed it when I was a kid just trying to figure out my letters and numbers, but I had no idea "Sesame Street" was so darn clever. In addition to guest appearances by Tina Fey, Jon Stewart and Ellen DeGeneres, the new season will apparently be full of pop-culture spoofs, including:

"Meal or No Meal"
"A's Anatomy"
"GNN," a news network with grumpy co-anchors Walter Cranky and Dan Rather-Not

Hmm, maybe the "Saturday Night Live" writers could learn a thing or two from Big Bird and friends ...

5 comments email to a friend printer friendly version

658 views Tags: Educational TV Sesame Street TV

http://buzzsugar.com/325869

Take This Color Quiz!

2007-06-19T08:16:00.000-07:00

Color Quiz
I take this every so often, and I think it’s really cool. This one, from what I gather, is an actual study, and it’s really very neat, and some of the results are surprisingly accurate.

My Little Girl

2007-06-12T09:36:00.000-07:00

Daddy !!!

2007-06-12T08:51:00.000-07:00

Candyland Birthday Cake

2007-06-12T07:57:00.001-07:00

This is the cake I plan to make for Maraia's 1st Birthday!!!

I want this when I grow up

2007-06-11T13:49:00.001-07:00

My Gramma Nettie

2007-06-11T13:48:00.001-07:00

Above- My Grandma as a little girl approx 1922
My Grandmother and Grandfather around the first time they met. They dated and broke up and both married others. They both divorced and finally got back together and married (Pocohontas, Virginia approx 1938)

My Grandma Nettie and her half siblings-my Uncle Nathan and my Aunt Liz (her real father died when she was 2)

This is a photo my Grandfather Ed Mitchell took of the coal mines in Virginia. He worked as a coal miner but was the town photographer as well.

DISNEYLAND!!!!

2007-06-08T12:03:00.003-07:00

This bed can be yours for just $47,000.00

2007-06-08T12:03:00.001-07:00

2007-06-08T12:02:00.001-07:00

I haven't seen this picture for awhile. I almost don't recognize myself. It's funny that when you're in the moment you don't think you look all that good til you don't look like that anymore. I was hosting the 92.3 the Summer Jam Fashion Show in front of 30,000 people and I remember thinking I looked fat. How crazy is that. I wish I was that fat now!

OLD SCHOOL

2007-06-08T12:01:00.001-07:00

Full Circle

2007-06-08T12:00:00.001-07:00

I never thought I'd have a baby. I was too busy drinking and partying to slow down enough to focus on becoming a mother. I have truly been blessed with this beautiful little spirit and I have stepped up and finally become an adult at 36 years old. My baby girl Maraia is more than I could ever hope for. She was born on 9/9/06. A year to the day of my beloved Gramma Nettie. Leave it to Gram to be so generous as to leave a happy memory on the day of her passing. I miss her dearly but life has gone on. Not a day passes that I don't think of her or my dad. I see them in Maraia, I hear them in me. I thank God every day for choosing me to be her Mommy and for giving me a chance to LIVE.

'71 was a good year to be born

2007-06-08T09:34:00.000-07:00