DIY Advent Calendar

                                    Today I wanted to share our advent calendar with you. I remember growing up we had this cute little calendar that we hung up every year to help us countdown to Christmas. It had a picture of a snow covered cabin with a lit up tree in the window, the calendar part of it had little pockets and a cute little mouse that we would move each day. I remember fighting with my brothers over who got to move the mouse each day! I wanted to have something like that for my kids and just couldn't really find one I liked in the store that also didn't cost an arm and a leg!
             
                                    After much thought, I decided that the kids and I would make one together so it would be special. So we pulled out the felt and got to work! The end result was this cute little thing you see above (well not that little) and my kids LOVE IT, which is what I wanted :)

My kids and I made this super easy advent calendar a couple years ago, so I have no pics of the process but as stated...it is soooooo easy!

What you need:

• Large piece of green felt
• Small pieces of felt in different colors
• Puff paint
• Glue (I used hot glue, but you can use whatever glue you like)

Make it:

1. Start by folding your green piece of felt in half lengthwise (think hot dog style) and trace a tree shape along folded edge. Cut it out and unfold....Now you have a tree!

2. Cut out your star and 24 "ornaments" out of the various colors of felt. We did circles because that was easiest for the kids to cut out, but you can do any shapes you like ;)

3. Place all your ornaments on the tree so you can get the placement right before you glue them down. Once you have it the way you want it glue them down along the edge leaving the top UNGLUED!

4. Use your puffy paint to draw the numbers on the ornaments   

       ...... let it dry

           .......fill with treats and activities

                 .......and your done!

So, so, so easy to do and the kids have fun helping! I like to put a small treat (1 per child) in each ornament along with a different Christmas related activity, we just check it each day starting Dec 1st.

Some examples of fun xmas activities that we do are:

• Write a letter to Santa
• Draw a picture of the North Pole
• Drink hot coco with marshmallows
• Watch a Christmas movie
• Make Christmas cookies
• And so many more.....

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Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread Cookies

I have 3 words for you.... PUMPKIN BREAD COOKIES!

First let me say that these are not the prettiest looking cookie, but they sure are delicious!

I have seen many variations of this cookie on pinterest over the past couple years so I cannot remember exactly where I got this from...I have changed it slightly though :)

So my family is completely in LOVE with these cookies and they never last more than a day or two! They are soft, moist, chocolaty, and delicious! They taste like you spent all morning making them but they take only about 20 mins from start to finish! Best part is they are vegan!! I am always looking for easy vegan recipes....always making everything from scratch can be tiring.

What you need:

• 1 box of spice cake mix
• 1 tsp of pumpkin pie spice
• 1 15oz can of Libby's pure pumpkin
• 1 cup (or more) semi-sweet chocolate chips ( I use Ghirardelli) 

To Make:

  1. Start with Preheating your oven to 350 degrees. Mix the pumpkin and pie spice together thoroughly, then add cake mix. Stir until completely mixed, it may seem dry at first....just keeping mixing!

This is what it should look like...it will be very thick!

2. Add your chocolate chips and mix. Or you can go without and they are still super delicious....like pumpkin bread on the go!

3. Drop spoonfuls of the batter onto a cookie sheet ( I like to put foil down so it is easy clean up). You can put these pretty close together because they do not spread much.

4. Bake at 350 for 11-15 minutes (depending on the size of your cookie). Stick a toothpick in center of cookie, they are done when it comes out clean. 

These are fresh out of the oven!

5. Let them cool for a few and enjoy them while they are warm....easy peasy! Store in a covered container, do not be alarmed if they look squishy - they will be more moist after being stored overnight. I like to reheat them in the microwave for 7 seconds before eating so the chocolate chips are gooey again....YUM!

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All Natural way to unclog your drains!

Today I am going to share with you THE MOST AWESOME way to unclog your drains! It is inexpensive and safe for the environment, kids, and pets.

                        So for those of you out there who have ever lived with a man (or is a man) knows that a clogged toilet is an unavoidable situation from time to time! The other night after ungodly amounts of plunging, my poor hubby could not unclog the toilet :(  So, I said "No prob! I'll go to the store tomorrow and get some Drano." When I get to the store I am shocked that not one of the 50 items they had are safe to use on a toilet! What the heck!! So what do I do? I google that shit! I'm not paying a plumber to come out and do it. I find many options, most of which don't seem like good possibilities, then I see the baking soda and vinegar way and figure it's worth a shot.

*Side Note: due to the grossness of this post there will be no photos, your welcome :)

                       I get home with my bottle of vinegar and my box of baking soda and get to work. Now just so you know what I'm working with....the water is clear, everything wanted to go down but got stuck somewhere deep in the pipes. So I pour in the baking soda, then the vinegar and I am skeptical that it will work. Suddenly it starts to smell horrible and the water gets "murky" and I am hoping that means its working. I go to the kitchen to get a bucket of hot water and come back a few minutes later....it now smells & looks much worse! I start to pour in the hot water and it isn't going anywhere, it's just filling up the bowl and I am starting to freak out that all I did was make it worse!! So I bust out the plunger and it quickly starts draining, I pour in the other half of the water to clean out the bowl. I then flush as a test to make sure it is indeed cleared....Ahhh Success!

                      This process cost me less than $2 and took about 8 mins! I will never use those expensive chemical drain uncloggers again! I have seen this method used for sinks but never for the toilet. So what exactly is the process you ask?

Items Needed:

• 1 small 16oz box of baking soda (.50 cents)
• 1 large bottle of vinegar (the one pictured is small, you will need more vinegar for a toilet) (.88 cents)

How To:

1. Pour the entire box of baking soda in toilet 
2. Slowly pour the entire bottle of vinegar into toilet. You will need to stop a couple times because it will foam up. 
3. This needs to set for a few minutes to work it's magic. While you are waiting get a large pot or bucket and fill with hot tap water. DO NOT use boiling water, it can cause the toilet to crack, just get your tap as hot as you can.
4. Hold the bucket about waist level and pour slowly into toilet. Use plunger if needed (like I did). Be sure to pour the entire bucket of water in the toilet.

*This process can be used on sinks as well, just use much less of all items but follow the same process.

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Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie

Who doesn't LOVE chocolate AND peanut butter! This smoothie is super delish, simple to make, will give you some energy, and good for you - it's packed with lots of protein, healthy fats, even fruit! It's great after a workout or as a meal replacement. So good even your kids will love it!

Of course I am sporting mine in my Starbucks tumbler :)

Here's what you need:

• 1 cup Dark Chocolate Almond milk (I like Silk brand)
• 1 Small  Ripe Banana
• 2 tbsp Peanut Butter
• 1/2 cup Frozen Strawberries
• 1 scoop Chocolate Protein Powder of your choice
• 1 cup Ice
• Small Squirt of Lite Hershey Syrup (not necessary but I love chocolate!)

* Makes 1 smoothie

Prepare:

Put all ingredients in a blender, except the peanut butter & protein powder, and blend until smooth. Add Protein powder & peanut butter on top (make sure it is in the center away from edges so it doesn't end up sticking to the sides) and blend again until smooth. You can now taste test and see if you need more ice for texture or chocolate syrup for flavor. 

Enjoy the deliciousness!

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Deluxe Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal

I don't know about you, but I am not a big fan of oatmeal :( I know it's good for me but its kinda got a weird texture and is not as tasty as lucky charms! Deluxe gourmet apple oatmeal is my solution....and now my kids will not eat it any other way :) What I love most about this is that it is so simple and tasty.

Here is what you need:

• 1 apple
• 3 1/2 cups water
• 2 cups oatmeal
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 tsp almond extract
• 1 tbsp cinnamon
• brown sugar
• slivered almonds
• walnut topping

* Variations we like: skip the apple (prepare everything else as stated) and after the oatmeal is done cut up banana slices over the top. Sometimes we also like to add a little shredded coconut.

* makes 4 generous servings

Cook:

1. Put water and vanilla & almond extracts in pan on high, bring to a boil.

2. While you are waiting on water to boil, peel and cut your apple into little cubes and set aside.

3. Once water is boiling add oatmeal and cinnamon, stir.

4. Add apple when oatmeal is almost done cooking (we want them to still be a little crunchy). Mix well and let it finish cooking.

5. Separate into 4 bowls, add your desired amount of brown sugar and mix well. Then top with almonds and walnuts and enjoy the tastiness!

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Chocolate covered oranges!

Chocolate Covered Oranges!

Looking for a yummy snack that you don't have to feel so guilty about eating or giving to your kids? This is it! 

For Valentine's day I was making these delicious peanut butter eggs for my family as a special Valentine treat and had chocolate left over so I decided to peel a mandarin orange and dip it in there. My family ended up loving it so much that now I make them often. They are so easy, quick, and Delicious!

Here's what you need:

1. 3 mandarin oranges

2. 1 cup chocolate chips (I use Ghirardelli semi-sweet)

3. 2tsp coconut oil

4. Cookie sheet covered with wax paper

Prepare:

Step 1:

Start by peeling your oranges, set aside.

Step 2:

Put your chocolate chips and coconut oil in a pan and put it on low to med heat. If you put it too high you might burn your chocolate. Stir often.

Step 3:

Put wax paper on your cookie sheet or plate while your chocolate is melting. Continue to stir chocolate until completely melted and smooth. Remove from heat and let cool for a few minutes.

Step 4:

Drop your orange slices in chocolate a few at a time, making sure to coat the whole slice in chocolate. I use a fork to get underneath the orange and scoop up (do not stab the orange). Tap on side of pan a couple times to get the excess chocolate off, then place on cookie sheet.

Step 5:

Repeat step 4 until all slices are covered. Place cookie sheet in freezer for about 15 minutes, just enough for the chocolate to harden. Remove from the wax paper and store in covered container for up to a week in the fridge (though they probably won't last that long!).

Sit back and enjoy the deliciousness you just created!

Hope you like this quick and easy treat, and enjoy devouring them as much as my family does!

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Cute Little Valentine's

                       I decided to make these little Valentine packs for the boys class this year. I was in the Valentine section at the store and decided I just couldn't spend the money on some little cards that will be thrown away later that day (as a fellow mom, I know you just throw those things away too....otherwise the dog gets a hold of it and make a mess). 

                        

                       I wanted to give them something they would be able to use, so I know my money and effort are not just be thrown away. So here's what I did:

Items Needed:

• Paint chip notepads
• Little pens
• Little boxes of Valentine stickers (got mine at Dollar Tree)
• Dums Dums suckers, or other small candies
• Treat bags (Mine are Wilton brand, 4inch x 6inch, I got them from baking section)
• Stapler
• Valentine bag topper (you can find many printables online or make your own)

Prepare:

1. Used this tutorial to make the little paint chip notepads. I just put a staple in it to make it go faster, in the tutorial she sews it. Just be sure you put the staple low enough down so you can tuck the cover into it (the first one I made I put the staple too high, good thing I only ruined 1! ). See picture below for finished note pad.

My finished notepad is about 2.75" high x 2.25" wide

2. So if you want to make your own topper like I did, here are a few simple steps to do it. Open Microsoft Publisher and pick invitation cards. Go all the way down to blank sizes and pick size 4.25" x 5.5". Use clipart, pictures from your computer, and text boxes to create your topper. I just used a simple heart clipart and some fun fonts to create mine. Be sure when you are making it that you keep it on the bottom half of the page so you have room to fold it in half over the top of your baggie.

Here are mine after I cut them apart.

Finish:

       I made an assembly line to package these up. I put each bundle of items in seperate bowls (pens in one bowl, notepads in another, etc.) and placed a pile of bags in front of each kid. I did the first one to show them how to stuff each bag, then let them go crazy!

      They put 1 notepad, 1 pen, 1 box of stickers, and 2 suckers in each bag. I then folded the Valentine toppers over the top of the baggie and stapled it shut. 44 baggies later and we were done! my kids loved them, and really enjoyed getting to hoard the leftovers :) This didn't take nearly as long as I thought it would since I had my little slave laborers helpers stuffing the bags for me!

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