Valentine Sweets

Do you love Valentines Day as much as I do? What could be better than a day to remind those dear to us just how much they are loved. Whether they are reminded with a bouquet of flowers, a box of candy, a pretty handmade card or just a simple kiss it's the thoughtful reminder that means so much. There is something about Valentines Day that reminds me of a simpler, innocent time-- creating Valentine cards with paper doilies, glitter, glue and construction paper. I can still remember making my Valentine box to hold those special cards from classmates. Always hoping that cute boy would sign his card with "love". How special those boxes looked covered in aluminum foil and glitter.

This year I decided to start making my cards a little earlier than usual. It's much more enjoyable to take my time and create rather than rush to get them done. Here is a little peek at two that I have completed.

In the next couple of weeks leading up to Valentines Day, I will be posting more about this wonderful day. Before I close this first post I wanted to share two more of my favorite Valentine traditions.......

Pretty glittered hearts......

and these sweet little conversation hearts always make me SMILE

The Bluebird of Happiness

Oh the weather outside is frightful......It has been snowing outside of my window for days. Not a lot of snow just enough to be a nuisance and the temperatures are going to dip below freezing tonight. I so long for the days of Spring. Those sunny warm days with blue skies, blooming flowers and happy chirping birds. It was those very days that became my inspiration for a new series of soldered charms, the bluebird of happiness series. This series reflects the happiness that comes with the sound of each little songbird happily welcoming Spring. The back of each charm has a tiny piece of vintage sheet music along with a thoughtful sentiment. They are all available in my etsy shop---www.mgpscrapbooker.etsy.com
If you are like me you will be counting the days until Spring---only 65 more to go.

Christmas in Review Part 2---Christmas Day

I was determined to figure out how to download the rest of the Christmas photos from my new camera to my computer without any assistance. I am a fairly intelligent person and can usually figure things out. "I CAN do this " I said to myself. I got the instruction manual and read it from cover to cover. I was ready to give it a try. OK so it didn't work the first time, maybe I just misread something. Well when it didn't work the second, third or forth time I set it aside to try again later. When I woke this morning to a snowy day, I thought this would be a good day to catch up on things and to "try again later" Besides five days had past since my last post and before I let things slip by any longer I wanted to share these photos with you. I refreshed my mind with the instruction manual and gave it my best shot. Oh this camera must be broken I thought and gave in to ask for assistance from my husband. I quickly explained to him how I had done everything right and how this camera must be broken. He pulled up a chair and let's just say in a matter of less than five minutes my pictures magically appeared right in front of my eyes---you guessed it on my computer. Oh well from now on if at first I don't succeed, I'll just ask Alex. So without further delay here are the rest of my Christmas pictures.......

Alex and Alex

Alex with his YaYa

Alex with this cousin, Will

Alex and his cousin, Danielle

Uncle John's dog, Ouzo. The perfect name for a dog belonging to a Greek family don't you think.

Ouzo thinks he is a lap dog

A friendly game of Christmas football between Uncle Stephen and Alex

PaPoo and Yaya got Alex a set of weights for Christmas. The rest of us could hardly lift them.......

Uncle Stephen and Aunt Kim

We had a wonderful Christmas day at Alex's parent's house. Enjoying a delicious meal of grilled lamb along with the company of family one of the best things about the Christmas season.

Christmas in Review--Christmas Eve

I say it every year..... "I can't believe the holidays are over already." and this year was no exception. For some reason Christmas 2008 arrived before I was completely ready and was over much too soon. What a lovely holiday it was. Christmas Eve is so special to me. My sister and her family, my family and I, and my best friend Heidi and her family all gather together at my parents home for dinner and to exchange gifts. This year we tried a little something different. We usually have a formal sit down dinner but instead this year planned a snack dinner. My mom prepared a table full of wonderful appetizers and we all ate until we thought we would burst. In previous years when our children were smaller, I can remember how they would rush through dinner so the present opening could begin--- claiming all the while that they were just not hungry. Now that they are older, dinner has become more important to them--it is amazing how much food those growing boys can put away. Oh don't get me wrong there is still plenty of excitement over the presents. I don't think that will ever go away no matter how old they get.

My nephews, Hank and Isaac with Alex.

Heidi's children, Tyler and Jenna with Alex.

Each year Heidi and I take a picture with our boys---it is fun to see how much they have grown. Each now almost a head taller than us.

Me with my mom and my sister.

Grandma and her boys.

We had such a nice time visiting, laughing, and remembering past Christmas's. Before we knew it, it was late into the night and I had forgotten all about the gifts that still needed wrapping before Christmas morning. We all packed our things and headed for home with the anticipation of the surprises Christmas morning would bring.

I do have some pictures from Christmas morning to share with you but they were taken with my NEW camera that Santa brought and I am still learning how to upload them to my computer. Stay tuned for Christmas part two with Christmas morning pictures.......

Merry Christmas

Luke 2 : 3-14

3And everyone went to his own town to register. 4So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5He went here to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. 8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." 13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

At this special time of year, I thank God for all of my blessings---my family, friends, health and all of my daily needs. I pray that we would all remember the true meaning of Christmas and would take time to thank God for the greatest gift of all----His Son Jesus. I wish you all a Blessed Christmas as you spend time with your loved ones.

With much Love,

~Mimi~

Annual Cookie Bake

This time of year is filled with yearly traditions. With out these special things the season just would not be the same. The annual cookie bake is one of these special traditions. It is an event that I look forward to each year not only because I go home with dozens of yummy cookies but also because I get to spend the day with my two very best friends---my Mom and Heidi. We take turns hosting the event and this year the cookie bake was held at Heidi's home. She has a beautiful home--so warm and welcoming--the perfect place to spend time with each other laughing, talking, sharing, and of course baking. We are each in charge of bringing the ingredients for two cookies --even our choices have now become a tradition. I am responsible for the Snickerdoodles and the Chocolate Chips.......

My mom takes care of the Thumbprints, Hershey Kiss Cookies, Peanut Butter Cookies, and the Chocolate No Bake Cookies. She always brings more than she is supposed to....

And Heidi's contribution is the Sugar Cookies and her mom's recipe for Apricot Tort....

Here are the sugar cookies just waiting to be iced

After baking for most of the morning, it is always nice to stop for a bit to eat some lunch. Heidi made the most delicious chicken salad and served it on whole wheat bread. It was so good I just had to have the recipe. I thought I would share it with all of you.....

Chicken Apple Salad

1 13oz can of chicken--shredded

1 large Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored, and chopped to make 1 1/2 cups

1/3 cup dried cranberries

1 stalk of celery, chopped

1/3 cup fat-free or light mayonnaise

1/3 cup fat-free or light sour cream

1 TBSP lemon juice

1/8 tsp ground cinnamon

handful of chopped pecans--optional

Shred the chicken into a large bowl and add apple, cranberries, celery and pecans. In a small bowl mix together the mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice, and cinnamon. Add sauce mixture to the chicken mixture. Serve on whole wheat bread. Enjoy!!!!!

It was sure nice to take time from the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season to spend time with two people who are so special to me. Now I think I will go and have one of those yummy cookies with a nice warm cup of tea......

Walking in a Winter Wonderland

I love the fact that I live in an area of the country that fully experiences all four seasons. Autumn, with all of it's magnificent colors and Spring, with it's bursting blooms of newness have always been my favorite. Winter however comes in at the bottom of my list. I am not fond of the frosty weather and as for the snow and ice I could definitely do without them. When I was learning to drive, my dad always taught me that you should not drive at night or in the rain and never, never in the snow. As I got older, I mastered the skill of driving in the rain and at night however I could never get the hang of snow driving. Oh yes I am one of the crazy people who listen to the weather daily and if there is even a hint of snow I dash off to the grocery store to buy bread, milk and toilet paper as if I may never get there again. So I was not surprised this morning that we would have snow on the ground. Our local weatherman warned of it's coming and I was prepared. I was surprised however at it's beauty. The snow was wet and heavy and covered everything like a blanket of white. I quick grabbed my camera to capture the winter wonderland just outside my window........
I hope you are somewhere sunny and warm, but if you live in a wintry state like me, take time to enjoy the snow----it can be quite beautiful. Have a wonderful Winter weekend where ever you live.