Happy Holiday's from my home to yours!

From my family to yours, we wish everyone the Merriest of all things during this holiday season!

Christmas is my favorite holiday and I absolutely love everything it is all about! I love to decorate and make the house like a winter wonderland with the sweet smell of all things yummy. I love dressing up, entertaining and being festive, even if I look corny, I'm a kid at heart! I actually love going to the mall and shopping during the busiest times, it makes me happy! I love seeing my children's faces as they see Santa out and about and the joy of Christmas morning with all our Greek Traditions! I love helping others and doing something that makes someone else's holiday a little bit better. I'm fortunate to be part of several organizations that do such amazing things for others that I can take part in those good deeds! But what I love the most, is going to church and remembering the true meaning of Christmas with my family, beyond all the commercialization of things. Let's not forget what it's really about - the celebration of the birth of Baby Jesus! Wishing everyone a holiday season with much peace, happiness, prosperity and most of all health and love!

Amherst Tree Lighting

Sunday, December 13th, 2009

Once again our beautiful town of Amherst had their Annual Amherst Tree Lighting event! We've been going to this since we've lived in Amherst and it is one of those things that makes you just totally love living in a small New England town - the togetherness of the community to celebrate! The Girl Scouts have been part of this tradition and lucky for me, I organized the singing part for the Girl Scouts for the Tree Lighting. This year they came in warm clothes, all bundled up with umbrellas, as it was raining! They were "Troopers" as they cheerfully sang their songs " Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and Jingle Bells". We make our girl scouts strong and they can weather anything! Soooo very proud of them - Great job girls!!

Many of the girls from my Brownie Troop were here singing along with other Girls Scouts from Amherst and Mont Vernon - they were awesome!

Big Brothers Big Sisters - Holiday Party

BBBS Holiday Party

Thursday Dec 10th, 2009

I was kindly invited to attend the Big Brothers Big Sisters Holiday Party in Nashua at the Holiday Inn. It was such a fun and heart warming event! Unitl now, I had not met alot of the Bigs and Littles, but tonight, I certainly did and they were so sweet - ALL of THEM! We had crafts for the kids, a nice dinner, dessert of course :) and Santa came with gifts for all the children! The best part was seeing the bigs and little together, like family, enjoying the evening and seeing the true meaning of mentoring and friendship. My heart was warm and it put life in perspective in so many ways that are difficult to explain. Thank you so very much for allowing me to be part of your special evening - I was truly inspired by what these relationships are all about!

With the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Nashua staff and holiday party volunteers with Santa, of course!

With one of my favorite people ~ Joy Barrett, CEO Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Nashua

Yessssssssssssss, I believe in Santa Claus!

With one of the little sisters - she just had to try on the crown and she looks fabulous!

Another little sis - so cute!!

Mother ~ Daughter Tea 2009

As the first snow of the season fell, it made for a perfect setting for the Mother ~ Daughter Tea with both my girls! It was such a gorgeous day filled with lots of holiday spirit as we walked in to a spectacular winter wonderland at the Bedford Village Inn. Such a special day to top off my Birthday Weekend filled with special memories for us to treasure as mother and daughters.

My girls with their matching American Girl Dolls and dresses - precious!

Holiday Story Time

3rd Annual Holiday Story Time

December 4th, 2009

Amherst, NHWith all the readers at the Holiday Storytime! It was an overflowing filled family event that made for a very festive night of great stories from some of our favorite readers! They were such a hit as they entertained all the listeners!

I had the pleasure of being the MC of the event - so much fun!! I even wore my holiday hat that can dance and sing "Jingle Bells"!

Project Linus & Brownies

Our Brownie Troop 20910 decided on their Holiday Service Project. they wanted to make something tangible to help others. so we looked into different projects and found Project Linus. Project Linus is comprised of hundreds of local chapter and thousands of volunteers across the United States. Everyone works together to help achieve the Project Linus mission which is to provide love, a sense of security, warmth and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized or otherwise in need through the gifts of new, handmade blankets and afghans, lovingly created by volunteer "blanketeers". Since 1995, Project Linus has provided over 3 million blankets to children in need.

Our Brownies (2nd graders) made 8 Fringed Fleece Blankets with loving care 0 we were so proud of them and they really enjoyed the project and hope to find out just exactly who will be the recipients of these blankets!

www.projectlinus.org

Little Einstein's "Royal Reader"

I had the great pleasure of being a Royal Reader at my daughter's pre-school. I love when I can do things that promote literacy in our schools! This year was extra special because it is the last year my daughter will be there, as she will be graduating and moving on to kindergarten next year. All the students were so well behaved and boy, did they have good listening skills - I was so impressed, but then again, not really - the school and teachers are FABULOUS!!!! I read my daughter's favorite new story "Purplicious" - it was a hit and she was so proud of her mama:)

March of Dimes ~ Signature Chefs Event

March of Dimes

Signature Chefs Auction

November 9th,2009

at

The Executive Court Banquet Facility

Manchester, NH

It's what they call "A Black Bib Event", so fitting! I absolutely adore the March of Dimes and the work they do to help babies live healthier and longer lives! It's their mission and I find it to be so profound, after all, it's how we all began and there is nothing more important than our health and well being.

The event featured delectable tasting from New Hampshire's finest chefs and the opportunity to bid on unique and desirable auction packages, whereby all the proceeds benefit the mission of the March of Dimes! Karen Dennis and Meghan Roche of the March of Dimes NH chapter put on an amazing event and should be proud of the work they do - 2 amazing women that I am so proud to know and be involved with! We raised over $35,000 at this event - that is HUGE considering our economy - Major Kudos to everyone - thank you soo very much, you have no idea how much this is needed and what good it will do!!

Lindsey Graham, Miss New Hampshire 2009 and I taking a moment to showcase the March of Dimes, a charity that I have been involved with since 2002! ~ I love them and the work they do! With friend Paula Garvey, who is immensely involved with the CF Foundation because of her daughter Rosie, came to support the March of Dimes!

American Girl Fashion Show

American Girl Fashion Show

Styles of Yesterday and Today

at the

Capital Center for the Arts

Concord, NH

November 7th & 8th, 2009

The Junior Service League of Concord presented the American Girl Fashion Show to benefit children in crisis in their community. I had the great pleasure of going to this event because my daughter was selected to be one of the American Girl Doll models ~ Rebecca, the newest American Girl doll! Can I tell you how exciting it was to watch my big girl do this? Not only does she love American Girl dolls and everything else they have, but to have the chance to be in the show - OH MY GOSH - she was THRILLED!!! All the girls were wonderful and had an incredible time! I was so excited to share this with her as both mama and Mrs. New Hampshire United States - we were soo very proud of her - she ROCK IT!

Headliner at the Capital Center for the Arts in Concord, NH With my daughter, Evmorfia as the American Girl doll ~ Rebecca, she looked just like her!

Backstage with some of the other American Girl doll models!! So darn cute!!

My girl strutting her American Girl stuff with the Rebecca doll!

Waving to the audience!

With my daughter in my official Mrs. New Hampshire role! So happy to share this moment with her!!

My daughter and I sharing a moment with these lovely ladies, Erica Lehman, Miss NH National Miss 2009, Alexa Catherine Donnelly, Miss NH National Teenager 2009, Ashley Dumont, Miss NH Jr. National Teenager.

Women's Business Center "The Entrepreneurial Spirit ~ Stories of Success"

The Women's Business Center

presents...

The Entrepreneurial Spirit ~ Stories of Success

October 20th, 2009

Southern NH University

I had the great pleasure to be a special guest at this incredibly inspirational event! Six amazing women shared their success stories who spearheaded their dynamic business ideas from the drawing board to the boardroom. They shared their philosophy and vision on how they each overcame challenges and adversity which ultimately led them to the successful businesses they run today! These guest speakers were Dr. Susan Lynch, Meg Cadoux Hirshberg, Linda Fanaras, Ginny Jawidzik, Sue Sylvester and Suzanne Bresette - all truly inspirational!

Sharing a moment with Christine Davis, Executive Director of the Women's Business Center

With my friend, Diane Durkin, Ms. New Hampshire Senior America 2009

Macy's Shop For A Cause

MACY'S ~ Shop For A Cause

Pheasant Lane Mall, Nashua, NH

October 17th, 2009

I had the pleasure of being invited to take part in the Macy's Shop For a Cause event for the Macy's at Pheasant Lane Mall, Nashua, NH. Beyond it being an incredible event to take part in and help raise funds, I was able to do it with my daughters, which makes it extra SPECIAL!

Proceeds from the event gow towards Feeding America and other local food banks as part of Macy's national "Come Together" campaign wich aims to privide 10 million mealsw for the hungry and other designated charities!

With Macy's Management and event coordinators Kathy Dobbs-GSM, Diane Nolan-GM, Mrs. NH (me) and Jay Rodrigues-GSM With Macy's team and the Alton Girls after the Fashion Show during the Shop for a Cause event. The Alton Girls in Formal wear - rock it out girls!

And Casual wear - oh yeah!

Mrs. New Hampshire United States 2009 - so proud of her girls in the Macy's Fashion Show for Shop For a Cause!

October Fest at Salzburg Square

October Fest

at Salzburg Square

Saturday, October 17th, 2009

Amherst, NH

There's nothing like Fall in New England, specifically, New Hampshire! One place that kick starts the season is Salzburg Square and their annual October Fest event! On a gorgeous Fall day, there was live music, food, fun for both children and adults and unique items to taste and purchase from all the boutique stores at Salzburg Square.

I was asked to be there by Donna, the owner of Whimsey - love this store! We had fun greeting and talking to the many people that came thru October Fest. I enjoyed making the rounds to all the boutiques and seeing all of the unique and amazing things they all carry in their stores. Saw many familiar faces and made some new friends on this beautiful Fall day at October Fest - great event for all to come and enjoy!

With all the Boutique Owners at Salzburg Square: June Holbrook (Gallery Portraits), Karen Girado (Just Naturals), Margaret Phelan (Enchanted Lace), Mike Spyridakis (Property Owner), Susan Towner (Golden Egg), Roxanne Mansell (Roxie's Fashions), Donna Travis (Whimsey Square) Kneeling L to R: Linda May (Antiques at Mayfair), Sheila Osborn (aurvara Salon), Karen Farren (Gallery Portraits), Elie Elfata (Eden Restaurant)

With Donna and Meg from Whimsey - love these ladies! These folks were amazing!!

This woodcarving was incredible! With the artists Ron Mulley and Kent McKenzie of Woodcarvings

Reflections Fashion Show

http://www.thenhmirror.com/

It’s that time of year again – time for fall foliage, apple picking and back-to-school – but more importantly, time for "Reflections".

The annual Reflections Fashion Show took place on Thursday, Oct. 15, from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at Bedford High School. This year, the NH Mirror teamed up with Families in Transition for a bigger and better show.

Several boutiques showcased their fashions on stage at the event. This year’s participants were Real Bodies of Amesbury, Junz Boutique of Nashua, Alapage of Bedford and Harley Davidson of Manchester. In addition, it featured hors d'oeuvres, a cash bar and a silent auction.

The event benefited Families in Transition and Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth.

With the wonderful ladies from Families in Transition before the show, so sweet!

With the lovely June from Junz and my first Junz outfit - sassy!

My second JUNZ outfit - LOVED this shirt!!

My last Junz outfit - LOVED this Jacket!!!

With Miss New Hampshire, the lovely Lindesy Graham

With the Victoria and her staff from Transformations Hair and Now who did an amzing job on my hair!

With my fellow Junz Models

JUNZ - Reflections Fashion Show Fitting

I'll be modeling for JUNZ Boutique for the Reflections Fashion Show. I had the pleasure of meeting June and her staff at her store. Such lovely things!! In a matter of minutes she dressed, accessorized me and got me pumped to show her fabulous things!

With June, owner of JUNZ Boutique in Nashua outside her store.

The Milford Pumpkin Festival

The 20th Annual Milford Pumpkin Festival

October 9th, 10th & 11th, 2009

Milford, NH

The Milford Pumpkin Festival is an event that my family and I have gone to since we've lived in NH. This year marked the 20th anniversary of the event - how special! Not only is it a fun family event, but for me, it's a reminder of how gorgeous NH is this time of year with all the leaves turning their beautiful colors, the smell of the fall crisp air and the togetherness of a town within our state. This is my favorite time of year in NH!

I had the great honor of being a judge for it's Annual Talent Show at the Amato Center. It was a great night spent with my fellow judges and all the amazing local talent - they were all fabulous and each act had something special to offer the audience to keep us entertained and excited! At the end of the night a 1st, 2nd, audience favorite and honorable mentions were selected! It was great show, CONGRATULATIONS to all who participated and to the winners!

With my fellow Talent Show Judges and the 1st, 2nd, Audience Favorite and Honorable Mention Winners!

With the lovely Roberta and Alan Woolfson - Pumpkin Festival Talent organizers and wonderful people!

Fall Fun with my baby girls - hayrides, pumpkins, apple picking OH MY!

My girls at the Pumpkin Festival taking in the HUGE Pumpkins!