I remember them being one of my favourite things about the holiday season.  Everyday my sister and I would run downstairs, open a little paper door and get a chocolate (before breakfast)!!  This year our family has a fabric Christmas tree with numbered ornaments because (as we all know) the chocolate advent calendars are just NOT what they used to be. 

So here are some advent calendar ideas to get everyone into this wonderful tradition I love so much!

This cute idea for anyone who knits is from CasaSugar

This is such a great way to use mixed media.  Look closely – it’s a cookie sheet!  There’s scrapbook paper, chipboard letters, ribbon, magnets.  This looks like a really fun project or gift idea!  From Making Memories.

I’m not as much a fan of this one as I was last week.  You can find this one at Target or at Home Outfitters in Canada.  It looks okay in the picture, but it’s actually quite small in real life.  I’ve seen it for $15 state side but here in Canada this one is a pricey $40.

Now this – THIS – is the Advent Calendar to reign over all other Advent Calendars.  Does it look familiar??  This is an exact replica of the one Chevy Chase had in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.  I would give an eye tooth for this one.  (Well not really).

From Christmas Advent House.   They cost $595 US each, plus $89 US shipping. The house also has to be ordered a year in advance.  Dimensions 31.25″ W x 21.5″H x 11″D. 22 pounds.  22 POUNDS!  Hokey Smokes!

I am happy to have found this but… that is some price tag.  Maybe if I win the lottery.  Think – family heirloom – family heirloom… nope still too expensive.

Another Halloween past.  Another Successful party!  Everyone had a great time last night at the Haunted Housewarming (even recovering Baby Cupcake who trick-or-treated for the first time!)  Once again – there was way too much food.  To think that I even had a worry!  Check out these photos!

It is Monday.  Housewarming is Friday.  OMG… really…. that is not a lot of time.  I’m starting to feel the crunch that every hostess feels about this time.  The co-ordination crunch.  Do I have this, when should I make that, supplies check, costume check… what am I missing – etc.

As soon as I am done this post I am off to do baking for the party.  I thought that maybe this would be a good time to share with you some of the treats I am thinking of making for the big PAR-TAY.

Of course, I have to give credit to my fellow bloggers who shared all their great Halloween ideas recently and totally inspired my menu!

First is:

Vampire Cupcakes by Baking Bites 

Vanilla Cupcakes with Cherry Filling for the blood!

 Second:

Bakerella’s  Pumpkin Pecan Chocolate Chunk Cookies With Maple Brown Butter Frosting (what a mouthful!)

These look to die for! Can’t wait to try them!

Third:

Cake truffles and Candied apples like the ones featured here by Williams Sonoma

And what about that Halloween tree??  Well I couldn’t really find any hardcore inspiration on the web for one… Halloween tree’s just aren’t that popular… yet.  I’ll push the movement   But I did find an all right one over at Better Homes and Gardens

Papa and baby Lily on Father’s Day

• Fresh soft bread, regular sliced buttered lightly on one side
• Medium eggs
• Thin sliced breakfast meat (back bacon, prosciutto, ham)
• Grated cheese
• Fresh herbs
• Salt and Pepper

1. Gently fold a single slice of bread into a standard muffin cup buttered side down, molding it into the sides of the pan. If bread is too old it may crack. Continue until you have as many “cupcakes” as you need.
2. Bake molded bread at 350*F until bread is slightly toasted… this prevents the eggs from oozing through the soft bread.
3. When bread is toasted line the bottom of your “cupcakes” with the thinly sliced meat.
4. Crack an egg over the meat.
5. Top with shredded cheese and herbs
6. Bake until eggs are done to your likeness

I very much prefer this to the standard bacon and eggs breakfast because this is a one pan meal, baby!

“It’s my Party!”

The second thing I will catch you up on is my Little Cupcake’s 1st birthday invitations! I am so excited for her party! I had decided on a bumblebee theme oh so long ago and when this picture was taken of my little one I knew where I wanted to use it!