20 Before Christmas Day Activities to do with the family

I decided to do a 20 list for Christmas activities to do with my family.

I will post it now and update it with pictures and links to the activities and details on how to's as I get them done.

20 Before Christmas Day Activities with the Family.

1) Bake yummy Christmas cookies/bars.

2) Make ornaments to put in the tree.

3)  Create a Christmas story together.

4)  Draw, Colour or paint a Christmas picture.

5) Read a beloved Christmas story together.

6) Watch a Christmas movie together.

7) Make a hand Christmas tree craft.

8) Write Santa a letter. There are many email options I prefer this one! :)

9)  Make/write Christmas cards together.

10) Make a Christmas countdown ( or advent) calendar together.

11) Make a Christmas Wreath together.

12)  Sing Christmas Songs together.

13) Visit santa at the mall.

14)  Go watch a Santa Claus parade.

15) Drive around looking at all the lights in the neighbourhood.

16) Make presents for pets.  (whippets)

17) Make presents for family.

18) Do a few Christmas pictures together.

19) Paint the snow outside.  ( If you have any.. if not paint the grass/ground )

20) Put up the Christmas tree and decorations!!!!

Willow's Story

Our little family wanted a little pup to call our own.  We had settled on a whippet and went looking for breeders.  We thought we had found one 45 mins away.  We were very excited on our drive up.  The "breeder" had called her a beautiful brindle with a heart of gold.  She was the last one to go and getting old at 4 months.
When we drove up to the farm I knew right away this wasn't good.  When we got out and she showed us where the pups were staying even my 8 year old pulled me aside to tell me that puppies shouldn't be kept like this.  Willow was in fact a sweet girl.  She ran around a bit outside then ran to our 8 year old ... flew into her lap.. and called her her own...
We had agreed prior to getting there that we would take a look at her, go home and think about it then return if we decided she was the whippet for us.  We couldn't leave her.. Our hearts broke at the thought of her having to stay there one more night.  The fact she had already endured 4 months was more then I could take.  We could tell she wasn't eating enough.  I had to get her out of there.  I never would usually buy from a puppy mill.. but when you are there and you have them in your arms.... you melt.. If I could have I think I would have taken all the pups.. We left with her and I held her tight the whole ride home.  I didn't have anything for her yet.  She wasn't suppose to be coming home with us that day...
Her Puppy Mill hit the news a few months later.  I was overjoyed to hear it was closed down.

We thought we had done our research.  We had found only one complaint online of someone stating it was run poorly but the mill had won back then and the people who had accused them of not taking care of their dogs ended up having to owe the "breeders" money!  I figured it was one person who wasn't happy with their dogs and were making a fuss... how wrong I was.  The web was full of people saying how happy they were with this "breeder" and their dogs.

I am beyond happy we have our Willow in our lives.  She is a drama queen and a princess.. she is high maintenance and extremely aloof even for a whippet, but I love her dearly. We have had a few health problems with her but that is to be expected... We loved her so much, that when we found out her brother needed our help... we took him in also...... but that I will leave for another time..

How could you not fall in love with this beautiful face.

Nap time for Whippets

Nothing a whippet loves more then napping with their little girl..

Life doesn't get better then this.  We "should" be doing some chores but napping often brings more joy.. 

Nap away my whipperoonies.. nap away... 

Chalkboard stairs - a work in progress

I love doing whimsical creative projects around the home.

What is more fun then chalkboards?!?

I decided my stairs needed some sprucing up and some magic!

Making chalkboard paint is EASY PEASY! All you need is:

1)  2tbsp non-sanded grout ( you can get this at almost any hardware supply store)

2)  1 cup of paint. Craft paint or even wall acrylic paint.

3)  Mix well and then PAINT! THAT SIMPLE! Do make sure to condition the chalkboard by using the side of a chalk and rubbing it all over after the paint is VERY dry. Wipe it down and you are ready to go!

I decided to go with black to REALLY give it a chalkboard look but you can make it in any colour your little creative imagination can dream up.

This was my "attempt" I thought it turned out well enough.

So I went on to do more steps a few days later. I found out that I need to use up the paint I make and not save it. It seems to bubble more easily if you save any paint.

I still have the rest of the steps to finish up and I will be doing the right side of the wall in chalkboard paint !! Will update once that is done.

Having fun with the chalkboard stairs...

First day of snow means turning on the oven!!

We had our first snow today!!! Oh the lovely white goop I shovelled for almost an hour before I had to go a parent teacher interview today.. joy!!!!

Once done with all of that and back in the warmth of the house, baking was a MUST!

We decided to try out a new recipe. I have many well loved Recipe's but we love baking out of my "Good Housekeeping Favorite Recipes Cookies!"

On the menu this snowy day was Peanut Butter Rocky-Road (smores) Bars!! Delish! it is like eating a peanut butter cookie by a campfire! The marshmallow and chocolate give it a smores appeal. I am REALLY missing summer today so this was the pick me up I need.

My 8 year old loves baking with me.. can you tell?

These are a simple bar for those peanut butter cookie lovers!

PEANUT BUTTER ROCKY-ROAD BARS

3/4 cup packed light brown sugar

2/3 cup creamy peanut butter

1/2 cup granulated sugar

4 tablespoon margarine or butter (1/2 stick), softened

1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 large eggs

1 cup mini marshmallows

1/2 cup salted cocktail peanuts, chopped ( optional .. we didn't add these)

1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chops.

1. Preheat oven to 350F. Line a 13" x 9" baking pan with foil. Grease the foil.

2. At a low speed beat brown sugar, peanut butter, granulated sugar and margarine in your mixer until blended. speed it up to high till nice and creamy.

3. Lower your speed and add in slowly your flour, baking powder, vanilla and eggs until well blended... don't forget to keep scraping your sides often with a rubber spatula!! Grab your dough out of the mixer with your hands and evenly press the dough onto the bottom of the prepared baking pan.

4. Bake for 20 mins. Take it out and add sprinkle the marshmallows and chips ( and peanuts if you are adding them ) on top. Put it back in the oven and bake for an extra 5 mins.

5. Once it is cool lift it out with the foil and place it foil and all on a cutting board. Cut 4 strips lengthwise then cut each strip into 6 pieces. If your knife keeps getting stuck with the sticky marshmallow keep wetting your knife with water.

Next.. ENJOY! - I have had 3 of these bad boys today.. oh thighs have merci on me!!!