1 month until Christmas!!!

Yeah, today marks one month until the big day!!!
Check back, coming up I am going to give out tips for holiday shopping and wrapping!

Light up Okotoks

I love this "small town event" Come and celebrate the start of the Christmas season with the annual Light Up Okotoks event, held downtown on main street. Featured events include a craft sale, late night shopping, fireworks, the lighting of the community Christmas tree, and of course, a visit from Santa. Last year they had a firetruck the kids to look around in and reindeer touring up and down the street. With bonfires on every corner, sleigh Rides and mini doughnuts - it's a perfect night out for the whole family!!!

Sleigh Ride

My very favorite Christmas song!!! Here are the lyrics for you:

Sleigh Ride

Just hear those sleigh bells jingling,
ring ting tingling too
Come on, it's lovely weather
for a sleigh ride together with you
Outside the snow is falling
and friends are calling "yoo hoo",
Come on, it's lovely weather
for a sleigh ride together with you.

Giddy yap, giddy yap, giddy yap,
let's go, Let's look at the show,
We're riding in a wonderland of snow.
Giddy yap, giddy yap, giddy yap,
it's grand, Just holding your hand,
We're gliding along with a song
of a wintry fairy land

Our cheeks are nice and rosy
and comfy cozy are we
We're snuggled up together
like two birds of a feather would be
Let's take that road before us
and sing a chorus or two
Come on, it's lovely weather
for a sleigh ride together with you.

There's a birthday party
at the home of Farmer Gray
It'll be the perfect ending a of perfect day
We'll be singing the songs
we love to sing without a single stop
At the fireplace while we watch
the chestnuts pop. pop! pop! pop!

There's a happy feeling
nothing in the world can buy
When they pass around the coffee
and the pumpkin pie
It'll nearly be like a picture print
by Currier and Ives
These wonderful things are the things
we remember all through our lives!

Just hear those sleigh bells jingling,
ring ting tingling too
Come on, it's lovely weather
for a sleigh ride together with you
Outside the snow is falling
and friends are calling "yoo hoo",
Come on, it's lovely weather
for a sleigh ride together with you.

It's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you
It's lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you

Christmas Bedding

Oh I love it... out came our Chrsitmas bedding!
Really it could be used all winter long but I only bring it out during the holiday season; it makes it seem more special!

For our spare room:




For our master bedroom:






I just love these little snowflake pillows

Cookie Swap

My SIL is a genius! Our group of girlfriends are going to do a cookie swap this year - all her idea :)

What is a cookie swap you may ask...
Well basically everyone bakes 1 dozen cookies for each person in attendance. So if there are 6 people attending you need to make 6 dozen (of the same kind of cookie) to exchange. This is a great way to try out new recipes and obtain a variety of cookies for oh I don't know... your Christmas party ;) without having to spend the time preparing each one!

She also found this helpful cookie website - 25 days of Cookies

Holiday Drinks

I found this yummy website full of drink recipes!!!
Their holiday section look especially delicious!

Here is one I thought looked good:

Chocolate whip



4 oz. chocolate milk
2 oz. cold coffee
whipped cream
shaved chocolate

Optional
1 oz. Bailey's
(for an individual cocktail)

Directions:
Fill a tall glass with ice. Add 4 oz. chocolate milk and 2 oz. cold coffee. Top with whipped cream and garnish with shaved chocolate.

Christmas Stamps!

FYI Canada Post has the Christmas stamps out and they're super cute!!!

Also find the Canada Post Holiday schedule Here

Happy Mailing!

Scrooge - It's out!

I'm a little late; it was released on the 6th...

But boy am I excited to see this one! Holiday flick for 2009
A Christmas Carol! I love this story and love Jim Carrey - what more could I ask for...

Homemade Egg Nog

Delicious Nog!

6 Large eggs
3/4 c Sugar
1 1/2 c Brandy
1/2 c Rum
4 c Milk
4 c Cream
1/2 c Icing sugar
Nutmeg to sprinkle

Separate the yolks from the whites of the eggs. Beat the yolks slowly while simultaneously adding the sugar; do this until the mixture is pale and golden. Now slowly add in the brandy and rum, then beat in the milk and half the cream.

Set aside until just before serving, then whisk the egg whites until stiff and fold them into the eggnog mixture. Whip the remaining cream and icing sugar until thick. Top each glass of eggnog with whipped cream and a shake of nutmeg. This yields eight servings.

Enjoy!

Weekly eye catcher!!!

I LOVE this one! From a recent newborn session! I will link over to his post once it's up on Tickled Pink!

Gingerbread Recipe

In light of my recent post about gingerbread houses I thought I would give you a recipe!

Gingerbread Cookies:

1 cup melted lard
1 cup sour milk
1-1/2 tsp baking soda, mixed in milk
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp cloves
1 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp nutmeg
6 cups flour
1 cup molasses
1 cup sugar

Mix all together, refrigerate overnight.
Shape and bake at 350 degrees.

Now the glue!

Royal Icing:

1 lbs icing sugar - sifted (4 to 4-1/2 cups)
3 egg whites
1/2 tsp cream of tartar
1 tsp lemon juice (optional)

Beat until mixture is firm, the more you beat the icing the firmer it will become.

To prevent a crust from forming on the top cover bowl with damp cloth.

Ladies!!!

This is pretty cute, I'm not going to lie! Don't worry it stays PG rated :)
Christmas Cutie

Gingerbread houses!!!

I stumbled across this AMAZING website all about gingerbread houses!
It is truly wonderful, I love all the fun photos and templates. Anything and everything you wanted to know about gingerbread houses & people is wrapped up in this website.

Here are a couple of examples from the site:

Spotted - Kids Nativity Set

This such a cute nativity set for children!!! I so remember when I was young wanting to play with all the pieces but knowing it was not a toy. I think "little people" are on to something here! Let the children play!!!

You can find this awesome Christmas toy/gift at sears!