.11 years.

11 years ago. I moved to the US leaving behind my beautiful family and country. Why did I do that? To do the most important thing I've done in my Life... get married to the one I love.

Every year is a miracle, every year something new happens. We had 4 incredibly beautiful children {more to come if God wants}, we have been missionaries the last 5 years, living in complete precariousness, with no job, no money, but always with a roof over our head, food and clothes.. everything provided by God, announcing to everybody the love of God. We are amazed every single day by the great Love God has for us. Why did He choose us? I don't know. But I bless Him everyday for the marvels He does with us and for the husband He has given me, the perfect one for me. 11 years and I love him so much.

Yesterday he took me to take a walk in Seattle.. how fun spending a little time together, just the two of us {thank you Grandma for watching the kids!!}.

I am just so so thankful.

 

xoxo to you all,

 

 

Still on vacation! and a Giveaway :)

Hello everyone!!!

I cannot believe it's already December 28th!!! Time is flying!! I've been away from the blog these last few days only because I'm not home and my daily routine is different.. I also received a new beautiful laptop for Christmas!! yaaayy!! but I'm still adjusting to the different features and especially to Windows 8... I find it a little complicated, but I'll figure everything out soon! :)

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas. We spent it with Grandma (my kids have a grandpa&grandma and nonno&nonna ) who likes to spoil us so much!! My children are so blessed to have such loving grandparents, my grandparents had a very important role in my life, I wouldn't be who I am today without receiving their love and teachings.

Oh, I almost forgot to tell you that if you want you can enter a giveaway I'm part of! You can win a free ad space on my blog and other beautiful blogs!!

Only one lucky winner will get all the prize. Just fill out the rafflecopter form below. The winner will be inform through email. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hugs to all!!!!

 

xoxo,

 

 

Merry Christmas!!

From my family to yours...

and many many blessings to you all!!

xoxo,

Christmas Break

Yes!! Today is the last day of school for my children! I have to say that they love going to school, their teachers are great, we are very blessed. I remember when I was their age I used to whine many times in the morning and ask my parents if I could stay home, that never happened with my children so far. It means they are happy.

Yesterday we went to their "Christmas Sing-along".. super cute! Especially my youngest daughter, with her 1st grade little friends.. she had an excited look on her face that was just priceless.

I'm glad to be able to spend some time with them though... even if they drive crazy after 2 minutes!! haha :)

I want to show you the presents I made for their sweet teachers... they are so sweet that I couldn't not give them some very sweet treats.. and of course... a mug-cozy each!!

And this is how I wrapped them.. {thank you Dollar Store!! you are the best!!} :)

Well, I hope they like them. It's just a little thank-you from me for all they do. ;)

I wish you all a peaceful and beautiful Christmas Break!!!!

xoxo,

Silent Prayer.

Today I will work on the Christmas presents for my children's teachers... thinking of the teachers who lost their lives in CT last Friday trying to protect their children. A tragedy that shows how desperate someone can become without Love. I'm sure that the 20 year old boy who committed this crime had never experienced Love. This is calling me to be a Christian.. St. Francis says it perfectly in his prayer and this is what I ask from God as well.

Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, forgiveness;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.


O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in forgiving that we are forgiven;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen

Hugs to All,

Peppermint Cupcakes!

So much going on in these days!!!!! We are looking for a new house, as we need to move out from the one we live in... we don't have much time. I hope to find it tomorrow and move-in in two days!! Am I asking too much?? :) I've also been busy {not too busy unfortunately} with some orders in the shop, thing that always makes me very happy.. Then the kids going to school, home-works, different meetings.... so.. what to do in this type of situation?? You know what I like to do.... BAKE!!!! It takes the stress out of me, I enjoy baking and I love the results.. he he ;) especially in the recipe that I will share with you today.

I was reading one of my favorite blogs, The Freckled Fox , when I saw the recipe of Peppermint Cupcakes!

At first I thought it sounded kinda weird, I couldn't imagine how the combination of flavors such as mint and cream-cheese could go well together, then I kept on reading and I was suddenly inspired and convinced by the gorgeous Emily {author of the blog}. I went to buy all the ingredients I needed and I started baking!

They came out so pretty....and so delicious!!! You won't believe your taste buds!!!

This cupcake is for sure a perfect treat for Christmas! The taste of the minty candy-cane makes it really special. I know you want to try it now.. so go get the recipe in Emily's blog!! You can find it HERE , it's very simple and fast to make. You won't be deceived.

Happy Baking!!!!!

xoxo, 

Red Beautiful Christmas

Hi everyone!!!

Today's post is about Christmas and especially the waiting of this immense Feast!! We all have different ways to celebrate and also to decorate. I have looked online for beautiful pictures about "Red Christmas". I think it's my favorite color when it comes to the celebration of the coming of Baby Jesus {I read somewhere that it signifies the color of Jesus' blood shed for us on the cross out of Love for all of us.. I like that explanation}.

So, what did I find....

This gorgeous garland from Etsy! Simple and cute.

Red Garland

...some shiny shimmering red nail polish!! I would love to wear it right now!!

Nail polish

A lovely set table.. for a fancy Christmas breakfast, lunch or dinner..

Christmas table

How about a fresh cocktail? I like the way the glass is decorated...

cocktail

Oh, and this dress.. from one of my favorite stores.. I just love it! the style, the color... can somebody buy it for me as a Christmas present??? haha :))

Shabby Apple's dress

And just to finish... a cute vintage image... to me it describes the surprise,  the excitement and joy.

Vintage card

Have a lovely week-end!!!

Until next time...

xoxo,

Glasses Love ♥ and Discount Code!

Do you wear glasses? ..then this post is for you!! I've been wearing eyeglasses since 5th grade.. {it was 25 years ago...mamma mia!!} I actually needed them probably one or two years before that.. but my Mom never believed I couldn't see. She had her reasons, when she was little she really wanted to wear glasses {glasses in the 50's were pretty cool, I have to say} and she convinced my Grandma to take her to the eye-doctor.. the result was that she had perfect sight! So, she never could wear the so much desired glasses and she thought I was acting like she did.

But in my case..I really could see nothing!! Glasses have been my "friends" for a long time. I recently broke mine.. and I need a new pair.. I really like the geeky type that Zooey Deschanel wears in her TV Show! 

I love how they look on her.. but.. how would they look on me?? Well, I found this super cool web-site GlassesUSA.com , where I can try glasses on virtually!! I took a picture of myself... Check it out!!

Well, would you like to see how they look on YOU? Try this widget and have fun!! :)

I'm so glad I recently renewed my eyeglasses prescription, or else I would not be able to buy them! And I'm especially glad I found this web-site.. I have a couple of promo-codes I want to share with you:

STOREWIDE OFFER - Take 15% off your entire order amount + FREE shipping (orders over $50). Code: FS15

Take 10% off any order of prescription glasses. Code: Blog10

So, what do you think? Do you need new prescription glasses like I do? This is the place for you!! So much fun to try the glasses on without leaving your home! I'm sure you'll find the perfect ones for you...

xoxo as always!!

Have You Ever Gifted a VIP?

December just started and you can already smell Christmas in the air! I had a few orders from my Shop and had a lot of fun crocheting, sewing, wrapping... it's the best time of the year!!

Thinking about presents... have you ever sent a gift to a famous person?..a so called VIP? I'm asking because..I did! A few months ago I created a cozy inspired by Rachael Ray. I love her TV shows {the one on Food Network, whenever I can watch in people's houses with cable, and her daily show}. I sent it to her, well, actually to the Studio where she works...and... I never got any answer. :( 

So, I have no idea if it ever reached her hands. Probably not. Oh well! I tried, and I can still imagine that she has it and uses it everyday, sipping her coffee in the morning. Who knows... ;)

If you are curious to see what I sent her... here it is:

I was very lucky to meet her 9 years ago {befooore all her big shows!} while she was shooting an episode of her show "40$ a day" in Denver. I could talk to her and she signed one of her cooking books.. I have a collection of them! 

Do you have any experience with VIPs? I would love to hear them!!!

That's all from me!...for now...

xoxo,

GIVEAWAY♥Cozy of your choice!!

While sipping a cup of hot, lemony, tasteful tea I invite you to participate in my very first Giveaway!! This time of year is when we like to be cozy near a warm fire-place, or just wrapped in a fluffy blanket with a cup of tea or hot-cocoa reading a good book. That's why I thought to make your cozy time cozier giving ONE of you a choice of ONE of my cup cozies! Do you like the idea? As soon as the giveaway is over, the winner will be contacted by me and will receive the prize for free! It could be for you or you could give it as a present this coming Christmas! ;) 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good Luck and Baci,

this past week-end...

Hello Everyone!!!! 

I've disappeared for a couple of days..but I'm still here!! I've just been So BuSY! 

I want to share with you a few pictures of these past days.

First of all... my Thanksgiving TURKEY!!! It came out so delicious!!..well, actually DELISH, as Rachael Ray would say, 'cause I followed her fantastic recipe:

  KISS-OF-LEMON ROAST TURKEY 

♥I love Rachael, I'm her big fan ♥

One of the things I love about my celebration of Thanksgiving is the games we play together after dinner. We forget about the messy table and play fun games! This year we played cards.. {innocent Italian games of course!} and Cranium!! Me and my husband were in the same team and we won big time!!! ;)

The next two pictures were taken last Saturday during a lovely road-trip to La Honda, CA. We went to visit my cousin and aunt.. more family time!! and beautiful landscapes....

I'm ready to go to bed now... but not before showing you the awesome pumpkin-pancakes I made for dinner! Husband and kids loved them!! I have to say, they are pretty great.. ;)

I wish you all Sweet Pumpkin Dreams...

Good Night!

xoxo,

Envelope~Bookmark DIY

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day!! Are you already cooking? I just found out I'm gonna have a few guests for dinner.. and the bad news is that my turkey is still almost completely frozen!!! I really hope it's ready tomorrow.. but why worry about that?? While the turkey sloooowly defrosts I decided to get crafty and make a few cute bookmarks with my kids. I found this easy tutorial on Pinterest, and I have recreated it for you. ;)

All you need is Envelopes, a pencil, colored paper, scissor and glue!

Draw a ♥ in the bottom corner of an envelope.

Cut it out.

Draw and decorate a ♥ on a piece of colored paper 

{you can also use some cute fabric or patterned paper}.

Cut the colored ♥ out and glue it on the envelope/heart/corner.. et voila'!! 

The envelope fits perfectly on the book page. Now you have a super cute bookmark!!

Super fun to make with the kids!!

xoxo,

Thankful.

Thanksgiving Art Print

Thanksgiving is almost here... just two more days.. I have to say that being Italian, this is not really my tradition, I'm also not too good at History, so I don't exactly know what happened between the Pilgrims and the Indians and why this is still such an important celebration after so many years... The only thing I know is that it's an occasion to give Thanks for what we have. 

For me it's a reminder of giving Thanks to God, because I know I should do it every.single.day. 

The Art Print that I picked is from FancyThatDesignHouse. It describes exactly what I feel:

• GRATEFUL, for the Love God has for me. That I see how much He provides for me and my family everyday. We live in precariousness, yet we have everything.
• THANKFUL, for my sweet little family. My husband and 4 children that surrounds me with love, and they are my daily opportunity to give my Life.
• BLESSED, in every way.

I hope you all have a very blessed Thanksgiving Day and a beautiful time with your dear ones.

xoxo,