Cyprus To Default

According to Cyprus Finance Ministry Secretary Christos Patsalides Cyprus is going to default within days unless it receives Euro300BN.

Oddly enough there are some people who have been taken by surprise by this development.

I don't understand why, in August I wrote the following:

"Cyprus has barely managed to sell Euro23.1M of government bonds.

It achieved a "bid to cover ratio" of 1 (ie there were only just enough "punters" prepared to buy them), at a yield of 7% (the last auction in June achieved a yield of 6.25%).

A yield of 7% is "the point of no return"; it is the level at which Greece, Portugal and Ireland went with their begging bowls to others asking for a bailout.

Why is Cyprus having problems?

Around 40% of its largest banks' exposures are to Greece."

Therefore this should come as no surprise to anyone.

Greece's New Fence

Today's announcement by Greece that it has completed its "anti immigration" fence along its border with Turkey could not have come at a better time, for it seems that it is still struggling to collect back dated taxes.

The Washington Post reports:

"The European Union says that Greek tax collection is still falling well short of some key targets that need to be met to reduce the government’s staggering debt pile.

The EU’s task force to help Greece overcome the crisis that brought it to the brink of bankruptcy said in Monday’s quarterly report that Athens still has trouble to deal with old, outstanding tax claims. With 2 months to go in 2012, it was still about a billion euros behind the EU target of recovering €2 billion."

The fence will not only help prevent immigration, but also stop Greek citizens escaping from their own country.

Oh Come Let Us Adore Him

I know we all have heavy hearts and are likely to for a long time given the unimaginable tragedy in Connecticut.  It's hard to be merry and bright when your heart is breaking for so many families so close to Christmas.   I take breaks from the news because with each piece of new information about the children and adults who lost their lives and the people who loved them, it stings.  I do think there is comfort in understanding that we grieve together.  My son is too young to know what's going on and this weekend we spent some good time just being together.  He's at such a magical age and it's sweet to find joy in him.   

Many of us, me included, are back at work today, keeping on keeping on.  I didn't get much accomplished around the house this weekend, but did print out and frame this free printable from AKA Design.  You can visit their site to print one for yourself.

We will continue our Holiday Cheer link party on Tuesday with Courtney (A Thoughtful Place) featuring vignettes (tablescapes and decor are okay too).  I'll be sharing how I decorated our dining room and I'm looking forward to seeing your spaces too.  Hugs to you all today. 

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I think we're all holding our loved ones a little tighter today.  I hope Connecticut feels the world's love and prayers. 

UBS $1BN LIBOR Settlement

UBS is, according to the Telegraph, close to agreeing a settlement with UK and US regulators on LIBOR rigging.

The bank is expected to announce next week that it has reached a combined $1BN deal with US and British authorities to settle an investigation into the role it is alleged to have played in rigging global borrowing rates.

To put the $1BN into context, LIBOR is the basis for $800 TRILLION of financial products. The banks that participated in its rigging would have made billions out of this over the years.

Additionally, UBS's bonus pool was $2.79BN in 2011.

Therefore shed no tears for them!

DIY Christmas Card Display

Happy Friday y'all!  I'm definitely in the Christmas spirit over here and ready for the weekend!  Our weather has finally turned chilly and I can't stop thinking, "Baby, it's cold outside!"  Time to cuddle up!  I've had a chance to get a few thoughtful gifts for friends and family and I'm already anticipating giving.  Love that part of Christmas.  I'm thinking now about holiday food and fun as we plan to host this year.  It will be nice to stay in for the day. Eat, drink, and be merry!



As the Christmas cards arrive, we're displaying them on a festive red shutter door that I turned into a card holder.  Head on over to Jen's blog, I Heart Organizing to see how I made it (and the wreath)!

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Homemade Dark Chocolate and Natural Peanut Butter Cups

Oh my word, why didn't I ever try to make these before??  Chocolate peanut butter cups are so easy to do at home and are seriously delicious! The only ingredients are dark chocolate chips (20 ounces), natural peanut butter (1 cup), powdered sugar (1/4 cup), and salt (1/4 teaspoon).  This yields about 12 large and 12 small chocolate peanut butter cups.

Let me show you . . . 

I used Chirardelli 60% cacao bittersweet chocolate (about 20 ounces- 1 3/4 bags) and natural peanut butter from Target.  

Melt the chocolate chips in a double boiler. That is, put a small amount of water in a sauce pan and heat to boiling and put the chocolate chips in a glass bowl on top.  Don't let the water touch the bowl.  Turn off the heat when the chips begin to melt.  Stir until fully melted.  This heats the chocolate slowly so that it melts smoothly without seizing up and getting chalky and clumpy.  

To make the peanut butter filling, combine the peanut butter, powdered sugar, and salt until mixed. 

Using cupcake liners, coat the bottom and sides with the melted chocolate.  Then set aside so the chocolate sets. I put mine in the fridge for about 10 minutes.  

Then add the peanut butter mix, patting it down to flatten.  

Finally, top with chocolate and let set.  Again, I popped mine in the fridge.  

After a few minutes, you have the most delectable little chocolate peanut butter bites of goodness!

Oh, Lord, these did not last long at our house.  

I will definitely be making them again!

I'm sharing this recipe with Natasha at Schue Love for our Christmas Cheer Holiday Link Party.  Come on over and link up your recipes!  Don't forget the button:)

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Also, the $100 Staples/Martha Stewart Giveaway ends tomorrow!  Go HERE to enter!