Check That Off the Christmas To Do List

I, like many of you, are working on buying all those gifts for loved ones. It seems every year I wait till the last minute to buy gifts, well not this year! I have all the ducks in a row and have already purchased all of my gifts (just need to get them wrapped). I can officially say this is the first time that has ever happened! I would like to thank Black Friday and Cyber Monday for giving me the opportunity for being done holiday shopping before December 1.

So you may be wondering what are all these wonderful gifts I bought?
1. Phillips Sonicare Electric toothbrush for my Mom

 2. Hunting "stuff" for my Dad (including tri-tronics upland training collar for his hunting dog) (my Mom and I went in on it together)

3. Armani Colonge for my boyfriend 

4. 2012 Baseball Cards for my nephew

5. Poinsettia for my Grandma (yes, a poinsettia she loves them)

Have you gotten all your holiday shopping done? Share in the comments your finds!

Super Easy Christmas Cookies

There is something about Christmas that puts a big smile on my face and I think it has something to do with sugar cookies. Who doesn't love them? I know I do but I don't always love how time consuming they can be. That is why I tried these cookies out over the weekend and to my surprise they actually worked! Who knew? 

See also Dr. Seuss Cookies here. 

This is how simple they are:

Ingredients: 

1 17.5 oz bag of Betty Crocker Sugar Cookie Mix

liquid or gel food coloring 

Sprinkles

Directions: 

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Decide what colors you want to make and how many you would like to make (this example is only two but you can make as many as you would like) Depending on the number of colors you are making split the dough evenly and add food coloring. Roll different colors together into a big ball. Then roll it out on the ocunter until you have a cylinder about 12 inches long. Cut out sections to make cookies and then roll into sprinkles. Bake 10-11 min. Makes about 3 dozen cookies. 

DIY Christmas Bulbs

While shopping in Hobby Lobby I couldn't help but keep walking past the clear Christmas bulbs. I was literally brainstorming ideas about what I could do with those and how I could make them unique. I was frantically pacing around for about two hours chicking out Pinterest and then it hit me...

I have these old (really old) Little Golden Books at home and I thought hmmm. I could rip pieces of those up add some Modge Podge and wallah handmade, unique Christmas ornaments. Right? Well to my luck my big idea actually worked out as planned in my head (which never usually turns out how I imagine)

Supplies:
Old Christmas books, or scrapbook paper of your choice
Bulbs/ornaments of your choice (I love the big bulbs best and they are easier to work with)
Modge Podge
ribbon
peanut butter cap (to set your bulb on while creating)
glitter (if desired)

Step 1: Rip up paper. Try to do this freely it looks better when you don't try to get specific images

Step 2: Paint Modge Podge on back of paper. I discovered it works better to get it very "doused" (is that a word) that way it sticks better

Step 3: Place/smooth into position. If your peices are too big they look wrinkly or can even rip. Make sure they aren't too big so this doesn't happen to you because man oh man it's frustrating

Step 4: Add another layer of Modge Podge over top to give extra coverage. I like to add more Modge Podge than necessary. I think it looks nice (gives a nice finish) and just meshes the pieces together better. 

Step 5: Attach a pretty ribbon and hang to let dry!

Healthy Dog Treats

Its safe to say I am completely obsessed with my little cocker spaniel, Teddy. I rescued him back in April and my life has revolved around him ever since. He is nothing but sweet, smiley and such a lover! However, since he is so attached, to me specifically, he has some major separation issues. My carpet is full of pee stains (YUCK) and I come home occasionally to poop also. I am trying to train but I'm finding out he needs more than just a dog bone and a thunder-shirt  I think I may need to get him on anxiety pills, which is exactly what I didn't want to do. But, what's a girl to do? I would rather he be on no medications and go the natural way but I also want to help fulfill his anxiety. Have any of you been through this before? My vet suggests the pills and says they aren't terrible for him but that he will probably be on them forever.

Well theres my .02 what I'm really here to talk about is the home-ade dog treats I make for my little pooch. Like I said, I would rather he eat natural foods and only treats that I make. If you actually read the labels it's quite disgusting what is in dog treats. I discovered this recipe and have only given him these ever since.

Teddy is probably the pickiest dog I have ever met but he chows these down in an instant. And I love it because I know what is in them, they are easy to make and they are "good" for him.

Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 cup oatmeal
1 finely chopped apple
1 beaten egg
1/3 cup veggie oil
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1/2 cup cold water
a dash of cinnamon
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease cookie sheets

First, blend flour, oatmeal in a large mixing bowl. Stir in apple, beaten egg, oil, sugar and water until well blended (sometimes I add a little more water if the mixture is too dry). Flour your workspace and spread dough out. Take a cookie cutter (I have a dog bone, heart, gingerbread man and snowflake) or you could roll dough into balls (just like cookies) put them on a cookie sheet and flatten them with the bottom of a cup.

Bake for 30-35 min or until crisp. Let cool and treat your pup!

Thoughtful, Cheap, Cute B-day Presents

So tomorrow is my Mom's b-day. She will be 30 (wink, wink ;) I like to keep my Mom feeling young so I'm getting her gifts to keep her "youthful". With the holidays so close to her birthday she usually doesn't get as much for her birthday as someone would with a birthday not close to the holidays.

I fully intend to embrace her 30'th birthday with cake, balloons, cards, presents and the whole shebang. My mom appreciates more homeade gifts than anything so I thought I could whip up a few of her favorite things.

She is really into baking lately, especially cupcakes, so I thought this would be the perfect gift. Instead of spending lots of money on gifts I plan on spending more money on the other things I mentioned, such as cake, balloons, dinner...) Along with this cute little cupcake gift box I am adding a mini muffin tin (which she has also been dying to have) It was honestly difficult to find! You wouldn't think finding a mini muffin tin would be hard to find but it was. Luckily I found one at one of my favorite stores, Hobby Lobby.

My mom loves taking baths. I thought instead of buying her bath soaps that have harsh toxins in them I would create some of my own bath fizzies. These are so cute for gift giving and they are actually useful! I saw them on MarthaStewart.com and just had to try them. To my surprise they actually worked! Find out how to make them yourself here.