A Cozy Sunday Afternoon

I woke this morning to a blustery wind blowing outside of my window.  The kind of  morning that makes you want to crawl right back under the covers and fall back to sleep.  But with a Golden Retriever puppy woofing in that urgent voice, I pulled myself up and stumbled to the door to let her outside.  She took one sniff of the freezing air and promptly changed her mind.  With much encouragment she decided to go ahead and venture out staying only as long as necessary.  Once awake I thought about the day ahead.  A perfect day for homemade beef soup.  But just like the nursery rhyme "Old Mother Hubberd" my cupboards were bare.  So after a quick trip to the local grocery store, I had a big pot of beef soup simmering on the stove.  Oh what to do with the rest of this blustery afternoon?? I could take down the Christmas decorations or create something fun in my scrapbook studio.  With Valentines Day on the way,  and my little shop at Sweetpeas needing to be replenished, it was not a hard decision to make----create!! After gathering my supplies, I set to work.  The result.............

I had such fun with these little notebooks at Christmas I thought I might make a few for Valentines Day.  The images are vintage valentines that I scanned except for the the little bluebird.  I borrowed her from the wonderful flickr site belonging to Elizabeth of Creative Breathing. 

Then I created these Valentine peek a boo notes.  I love the colors of Valentines Day---so sweet and romantic.   I hope you all are snuggled safe and warm today enjoying the peacefulness of a cozy Sunday afternoon. 

*********EDIT**********

I have had a request to share the vintage Valentine images that I used for the little altered notebooks. I have added the images.  Just click on the image to enlarge.  Happy creating.  I would love to see how you use them :)

Happy New Year!!!!

That is my wish for all of you in this new year. 

Before I rush off to welcome in the new year with my family, I thought it might be fun to share this yummy recipe with you.  I made it this morning to take along to a family gathering.  It is super easy and oh so delicious. 

Cinnamon Sugar Coffee Cake

(3) cans of Pillsbury flaky buttermilk biscuits

1/3 cup of sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon

***Cut each biscuit into quarters and roll into tiny balls.  Place sugar and cinnamon into a plastic bag.  Add the little dough balls and shake to coat.  Place coated biscuits in a bundt cake sprayed with cooking spray. 

Make sauce below and pour over dough balls

1 1/2 stick margarine

1 cup of brown sugar

1 teaspoon of cinnamon

****Bring to a boil and stir until carmalized (about 1 min.)

Bake in a 350 degree oven for 25 minutes. Cool slightly and transfer to serving platter.

ENJOY!!!

Happy New Year my friends.

Love,

Mimi

The Sugarplum Fairy

When I was a little girl, I never really had the dream as some girls do to be a ballerina.  Oh I liked to dance.  I can remember watching Laurence Welk with my parents and when Bobby and Sissy would appear my sister and I would dance together around the living room ( I think I may be dating myself....heheheh)  But the actual thought of becoming a ballerina just didn't cross my mind....until now.  On Sunday afternoon  I was treated to a performance of the Nutcracker and it was amazing!! Heidi was given four tickets and her husband and 17 year old son just were not terribly excited to attend.  It was a great girls day out with she, her daughter Jenna, my mom and me.  The whole production was one that I will remember forever.  The dancers, costumes, and scenery were simply breathtaking.  With the first act coming to a close I thought I could not love anything more than the Snow Queen and the Snowflakes.  I watched in awe as they danced so gracefully in the lightly falling snow.  But then...in the second act the Sugarplum Fairy appeared with everything you imagine a ballerina to be.  She was so beautiful, graceful, delicate, and elegant.  Her costume was amazing with it's soft pink color and glittering jewels.  She glided across that stage seemingly without effort.  I was mesmerized. 

(I tried to find a picture of her from this performance, but I could only find this one of her from Sleeping Beauty.)

Needless to say we had the most wonderful time.  Another Christmas memory that I will treasure forever....

The perfomance was held in the Benedum Center in Pittsburgh.  The theatre is so beautiful.  My picture doesn't  come close to capturing all of it's splendor. 

After this most amazing day, you could say that this "big girl" now has the dream of a "little girl"....Yes I want to be the Sugarplum Fairy.  I guess a girl can still dream---can't she.

Joyous Holiday Happenings

I love the week in between Christmas and  the New Year.  It is a relaxing week for me.  The girls are at home with their parents and the hustle bustle of Alex's schedule slows a bit with his vacation from school.  I can snuggle in my PJ's and reflect on the past Christmas season.  I had a wonderful Christmas this year spending time with  family and friends.  Christmas Eve is always spent at my parents home.  This year was so special as my whole family could be together.  The weather allowed my sister, Andrea and her family to travel home and my very best friend, Heidi and her family were able to join us as well.  My mom prepared a most delicious dinner.  We ate, laughed, and just enjoyed each other's company.

Moms beautiful table.......

Alex ,me, brother in law, Tom, sister, Andrea, best friend Heidi, Heidi's husband Rob.......

All the boys......Alex, my nephews, Hank and Isaac,  and Heidi's son, Tyler

                   Alex and my Dad

And a little Christmas Eve silliness.............

Heidi's daughter, Jenna and Alex

Christmas day is always spent at my in-laws.  Again how special that everyone was together this year.  Another wonderful dinner, gift exchange, and family time.  Because everyone was all together it seemed the perfect opportunity to take some family photos........

The whole Panormios Family

All the brothers and sisters...Alex, John, Stephen, Zoi, and Stephanie

 A beautiful family portrait..........

Cousins..............Will, Danielle and Alex

What fun it was on Christmas night to meet the newest member of our family.  Alex's brother, Stephen surprised his wife with a sweet little puppy for Christmas.  You will never guess--the puppy is our Mabel's half sister.  I could not wait until they met each other.  I also could not believe how Mabel has grown comparing her to Hannah.  I think they will be great friends. 

I hope you are all making special Christmas memories with your family as well.  With the snow swirling about tonight I think I will make a nice hot cup of tea, snuggle under a blanket and watch one of the new movies that Santa brought me.  Until next time..............

A few Christmas projects............

Kate, Emma and I have had such fun this Christmas season with our Advent calendar.  I had fun shopping for tiny treats to fill each box and the girls---well lets just say it was the first thing they did each morning when they arrived.  They each took turns opening the little door to see what treasure was inside.  Yesterday morning after opening the door and gobbling up the little chocolate inside, Emma squeeled with delight "Only THREE more days until Christmas"!!!!!!  I on the other hand thought to myself  "Only three more days until Christmas, YIKES"  I am almost ready, just a handfull  of last minute details to take care of.  Before the next few days slip by, I wanted to take a few minutes to share some Christmas projects that I have been working on with you.  My first project are these little fun peek a boo notes.  Great for gift tags.

I was so inspired by Betsy Veldman and her December 9 card project on her blog,  I decided to alter it a bit and make a few of my own for Christmas.  Instead of a card alone, I added a few blank pages inside the front and back covers to create a mini brag book.  Each little book is small enough to fit into an envelope and can be mailed just like a greeting card.  I took it a bit further and added a few blank lined papers for sending that special friend your secret family holiday recipes.

And a few fun Christmas cards using the Holiday Button Bits stamp set from PaperTrey Ink. 

Well I hope you enjoyed these fun little Christmas projects.  I am off to finish up all those last minute details before I totally run out of time.  Wishing you all a Blessed Christmas.