Snowman Sundaes

When I saw this little ice cream snowman on Pinterest, I knew the boys would love it. I do not enjoy spending a lot of time in the kitchen so fun and easy food ideas are always a bonus! Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer was on TV last night so we had these cute snowman sundaes as a treat while we were watching the show.

Here's what you'll need:

• vanilla ice cream
• marshmallows
• Smarties for the buttons {these are Canadian Smarties with chocolate inside!}
• large black sprinkles for the eyes and mouth
• orange gummy for the nose {cut into small pieces}
• white icing
• chocolate fingers for the arms {broken in half}
• Christmas gummy bell for the hat
• Christmas sprinkles

Before you get the ice cream out, prepare your marshmallow heads.  Use white icing to stick on the face and hat. Scoop out two scoops of ice cream for the base of your snowman and mold into a ball using two spoons {I did start out using my hands but I think I was starting to get frost bite!} Pop on the head. Break the chocolate finger in half and add it for the arms. Stick on the buttons and add some Christmas sprinkles. Now you have your own personal Frosty the Snowman!

You can also cut up some marshmallows to use around the plate for snow as well {or maybe this is just  another excuse to eat a few more marshmallows!}

Here's Connor getting ready to dig into his snowman.  Matthew ate his so fast I didn't even get a chance to get a picture!

There are obviously lots of fun ways that you can decorate your snowman so have some fun at the grocery store picking out your goodies!

Only one more day to go until December first!!!

I linked up with Gluesticks, Thirty Handmade Days, Design Dazzle, Tidy Mom, Somewhat Simple, Blue Cricket Design, Tip Junkie, Thrifty Decor Chick, Under the Table and Dreaming, My Crazy Beautiful Life, Craft-O-Maniac, CRAFT, Six Sisters' Stuff, Junk in Their Trunk, Positively Splendid, I Heart Naptime, Tatertots and Jello, Thirty Handmade Days, Shabby Art Boutique, Chic On a Shoestring, Whipperberry, Crafty Scrappy Happy, Literally Inspired, The Shabby Creek Cottage, Delightful Order and The 36th Avenue.

The Creative Spark {No. 19}

Well, it's Tuesday again so you know what that means! It's party time!

I'm looking forward to another week of fabulous projects and ideas!  Feel free to link up anything you created - crafts, DIY, scrapbook projects, recipes, Holiday ideas - anything goes!

Want to link up?

• Link directly to your specific post {not the homepage}.
• Please add The Creative Spark button to your post or blog {the code is in my sidebar}OR place a text link at the end of your post. I would love for you to help me spread the word!
• Check out some of the other fabulous links. A few nice comments always inspires us to create more!
• Follow along with facebook to see if you have been featured throughout the week. I will also be posting My Sunday Sparks every week to showcase your work so don't forget to check back!

Advent Calendar Activities

Well, I am finally getting around to posting my Advent activities for this year.  I did say I was going to do it on Friday but you know how time goes!  I'm just happy everything is ready before December 1st.  So here it is all stuffed and filled

You can go here if you would like to see the tutorial.

I'm actually pretty darn excited for December to arrive. In addition to this activity advent calendar, I also have our book advent all wrapped up and waiting to go!

The kids are still at that magical Christmas age and, with Matthew being 7 this year, I am realizing that I might not have too many Christmases like this left.  We are trying to cut down on the presents this year and are spending a little extra on fun family activities throughout the month. I am hoping that we will be able to just relax and enjoy the spirit of the season with our kiddies!

December 1st - Read 'Elf on the Shelf' and wait for our Christmas Elf {his name is Paint} to arrive.  I also have some chocolate advent calendars for the boys to open {just because I remember how much I loved these when I was little!} If you have your own little Elf on the Shelf there are some fun ideas for him here and here.

December 2nd - Get bundled up and head down to the Candlelight Santa Clause Parade.  Matthew is actually pretty excited as he is going to be in the parade this year!

December 3rd - Go to the Child Development Center Christmas party {this is the kids' party for my work} and write a letter to Santa.  I found these really cute Letter to Santa packs at Michaels for $1.50.

December 4th - Visit North Pole B.C.  We went to this last year and the kids loved it!  It's basically an interactive secret Santa village with lots of displays and activities for the kids {and, of course, a visit from Mr. Clause himself}

December 5th - Watch 'Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer' in your new Christmas P.J.'s {I think this might be the last year that I am able to find matching Christmas P.J.s as Matthew is now in a size 7 and I had a hard time even finding that}

December 6th - Make a gingerbread house {and eat lots of candy!}

December 7th - Start the 12 Days of Giving Tree {tutorial to follow!}

December 8th - Go to Matthew's Christmas concert. As Buddy would say, "The best way to spread Christmas cheer is signing loud for all to hear"!

December 9th - Watch the Polar Express and make some Christmas treats.  I'm not much of a baker so I need to keep things simple!  Maybe one of these ideas...

Source: flickr.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

Source: buddingbaketress.blogspot.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

December 10th - Go pick out a Christmas tree. We have always get the boys a new ornament each year to add to the tree {and Dave and I get one too!}

December 11th - Christmas lunch at Grandma's

December 12th - Matthew's birthday! We try to have this as his special Birthday day so no Christmas activities today!

December 13th - Christmas craft with the kids {tutorial to follow!} I also need to make some cupcakes for Connor's Christmas party.  I'm thinking of making these guys.

Source: hoosierhomemade.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

December 14th - Learn 2 Christmas songs.  The kids want to do a little Christmas concert for the family on Christmas Eve so we will be practicing these until Christmas.

December 15th - Watch Frosty the Snowman and make a Christmas treat for Matthew's class.  I think these would be fun and easy.

Source: makenmold.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

December 16th - Christmas party with family friends.

December 17th - Go to Bright Nights in Stanley Park. This is a fabulous light display put on by the Vancouver fire fighters to support the Burn Fund.  There is a great miniature train ride around the park and its always fun to see all the new lights and displays added each year.

December 18th - Go to The Peak of Christmas at Grouse Mountain.  They have sleigh rides, reindeer, ice skating, and Santa's workshop.  Plus, it's always fun to be around snow at Christmas time!  The Grinch That Stole Christmas also plays in their little movie theater up there {definitely my favorite Christmas show!}

December 19th - Wear your Santa hat to the Canuck's game {this is Matthew's birthday present}

December 20th - Make Christmas presents for Grandmas and Grandpa.  {Still not exactly sure what we are doing for this one!}

December 21st - Watch Santa Clause 3 {We have already watched the other 2 this year!}

December 22nd - Make Reindeer Food.  Here is our version from last year.

December 23rd - Drive around and look at the Christmas lights.  Pick some hot chocolate up on the way home {the Tim Horton's candy cane hot chocolate came out today!!!}.

December 24th - Family Christmas Eve breakfast and watch The Grinch Who Stole Christmas.

December 25th - MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!


And just in case you are looking for more advent calendar ideas, here are a few of my favorites from around blogland

Source: pinksuedeshoe.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

Source: marthastewart.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

Source: craftberrybush.blogspot.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

Source: brownpaperpackagesep.blogspot.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

With all of the advent cuteness out there, I am tempted to make another one!  Okay guys, only two more days until Advent Season begins!

I linked up with Design Dazzle, Tip Junkie, Thrifty Decor Chick, Under the Table and Dreaming, My Crazy Beautiful Life, Craft-O-Maniac, CRAFT, Positively Splendid, I Heart Naptime, Tatertots and Jello, Thirty Handmade Days, Shabby Art Boutique, Chic On a Shoestring, Whipperberry, Crafty Scrappy Happy, The Shabby Creek Cottage, Delightful Order, The 36th Avenue, Blue Cricket Design, Passionately Artistic, Uncommon and Tip Junkie.

My Sunday Sparks {No. 18}

Hello friends! I hope you are all having a wonderful weekend.  And to those of you south of the border, I hope you had a fabulous Thanksgiving. Now that the American Thanksgiving is over as well, we can all start focusing on Christmas!

I hope you were all able to check out the amazing link ups in this week's Creative Spark. I think it was one of my favorite weeks yet! {and I was so excited to see some more Christmas ideas popping up!}  Here are just a few of my favorites.

This Marshmallow Wonderland Vignette from Today's Fabulous Finds has seriously got to be one of my most favorite projects ever.  The trees are so cute with those bases and the subway art sign is AMAZING!  And, of course, I can't stop singing that song!

I love everything about this handbag organizer from Shabby Art Boutique. What a fabulous Christmas gift this would make!

Make you own Washi tape with a DIY tutorial from Jame.  It looks fab with the Kraft paper!

Well, I know Thanksgiving is over but these little turkeys from The Seven Year Cottage are just too cute not to share!  I'm definitely saving this idea for next year!

Angie has been having a cookie week over at Echoes of Laughter. There are lots of yummy Christmas cookie  recipes as well as fun packaging ideas so make sure to check out the rest of her postings.  Isn't this take out box cute?

Thanks again to all of you who linked up and visited this week!  For those of you that were featured here or on my Facebook page, feel free to grab a featured button from the sidebar.

There is just one day left in the Shabby Apple Giveaway.  Head on over to The Creative Spark to check out all of the links and enter for your chance to win your choice of The Key to Wonderland or Key to My Heart necklaces!

Have a fabulous Sunday!

Guest Posting Over at Gluesticks

Hey guys! I'm sharing my advent calendar tutorial over at Gluesticks today.  Brandy has gathered some great advent calendar ideas, so if you are looking to create yours, head on over for some inspiration!

I will be back tonight to share all of our advent activities for this year and have a few more of my favorite advents from around blogland to show off!

Happy Shopping to all of you braving the Black Friday crowds.  I have done a little online shopping but it is just not the same!  See you soon!

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to all of my American friends!

                                                   Source: mochatini.org via Jennifer on Pinterest

While I am off to work, I hope you are all sleeping in and getting ready for a wonderful family feast!  Have a little stuffing and some pumpkin pie for me!
Enjoy the day!

Tiered Platter - Christmas Style

I have made a couple of these tiered platters now and I LOVE them! So of course I had to do a Christmas version!  

The plates and the bowl are from Target and I just picked up the glass candle holders from the Salvation Army.  They are painted with Rustoleum's Colonial Red {which is actually a much better match to the red on the plates than it appears in the photo!} and glued down with Quick Grip.

I really love having the bowl on top.  It is great for holding dips for a fruit or veggie platter, chips, or crackers.

I think this would even be cute dressed up with some greenery and pine cones or ornaments for display.  

One tip for adding the candle holders: they can appear lined up one one side and not be lined up from another view. Be sure to check all the way around {or have someone else look for you!} before gluing them down.  You can find a few more tips for making these platters here.  

Simple, cute, and functional!


I linked up with Tidy Mom, Thrifty Decor Chick, My Crazy Beautiful Life, CRAFT, Thirty Handmade Days, Chic on a Shoestring, Whipperberry, Crafty Scrappy Happy, The Shabby Creek Cottage, Delightful Order, The 36th Avenue, Sweet Little Gals, Blue Cricket Design, Passionately Artistic, Uncommon, Tip Junkie, Under the Table and Dreaming, Craft-O-Maniac, Ask Anna, Positively Splendid, I Heart Naptime, Lolly Jane, Funky Junk Interiors, Be Different Act Normal, Tatertots and Jello, The Shabby Art Boutique, The Crafty Nest, Design Dazzle and Somewhat Simple.

Guest Posting Sneak Peak

Hey guys!  I am over at The Hybrid Chick again today sharing my NOEL banner.  

Come on over and say hello!  

The Creative Spark {No. 18} and Shabby Apple Giveaway

EDIT: This giveaway is now over.  Thanks to all who entered.  The winner is #24 - Bethany.

It's Tuesday again so you know what that means! It's Party Time!

I know a lot of you are busy getting ready for your Thanksgiving on Thursday so I really appreciate you taking the time to drop in, visit, and share.

Before we get to the party, I have another giveaway for you guys from the fabulous Shabby Apple:

Your choice of the Key to My Heart or Key to Wonderland Necklace. {I love these!}

 If you are not familiar with Shabby Apple, they carry a beautiful selection of vintage inspired women's dresses, maternity dresses, and accessories.  Perfect for all of those upcoming Holiday parties!

They also have the most adorable line for little girls {Oh, how I would love a little girl to dress up!}

Here are a few of my favorite dresses and accessories.  Head on over to the Shabby Apple website to find yours!

Want to Win?

{I'm keeping this simple!}

1. Head on over to Shabby Apple on Facebook and give them a "Like".  This will also entitle you to special promotions and exclusive discounts. {MANDATORY}
For other entries:
2. Become a google follower of Clean and Scentsible, "like" Clean and Scentsible on Facebook, or follow along with me on Pinterest.

3. Blog, Facebook, or Tweet about this giveaway.  

Please leave me a separate comment for each entry and be sure to leave me your contact information!!  This giveaway will be closed on November 28 at 11:59pm PST and is only open to U.S. Residents only.

As an added bonus the folks over at Shabby Apple are offering you ALL an extra 10% off your order!  Just use the code "CleanandScentsible10off" at checkout.  Happy Shopping!!

**********

Now on to the party! Let's see what you've got!  Feel free to link up crafts, DIY projects, recipes, Holiday ideas - anything goes!  Please visit some other guests and add a text link or my party button {over on the sidebar!} to your post.  If you have any questions, just let me know!

Belle Announcements Christmas Card Winner

Hey everyone! The winner of the Belle Announcements Christmas card giveaway was

#3, Julie from Weighward Woman

Congratulations!  I can't wait to see what card you pick out!

I hope to see you back in a couple of hours for The Creative Spark!

Christmas Book Advent

Well, here's another Pinterest inspired project {from Katherine Marie Photography}!

Booktime is definitely one of my favorite times with the kids {especially on those "challenging" days!} and I LOVE advent calendars so this Christmas book advent calendar idea was perfect!

Wrap up 24 Christmas books and have your child pick one each night to unwrap and read.  A few of our books are new but most of them have been collected over the past few years {and a few of them are actually from when I was a kid!} 

If you are short on books, you could always do a "12 Days of Christmas" theme instead and cut your book numbers in half.  Or head down to your local library and take a few Christmas books out for the holidays.

If you are looking for some Christmas book inspiration here is what we have wrapped up:

Olive the Other Reindeer - J. Otto Seibold and Vivian Walsh

A Wish to be a Christmas Tree - Colleen Monroe

There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Bell - Lucille Colandro

The Polar Express - Chris Van Allsburg

Who's That Knocking On Christmas Eve? - Jan Brett

The Night Before Christmas - Clement C. Moore

The Elf on the Shelf - Carol Aebersold and Chanda Bell

Merry Christmas Curious George - Margret and H.A. Rey

Johann's Gift to Christmas - Jack Richards

How the Grinch Stole Christmas - Dr. Suess

Mater Saves Christmas {you gotta love Mater!}

The Snow Tree - Caroline Repchuk

Little Puppy Lost - Linda Jennings and Alison Edgson

What Santa Can't Do - Douglas Wood

Froggy's Best Christmas - Jonathan Landen

Snowmen at Christmas - Carolyn Buchner

Frosty's New Friends

Merry Christmas from Biscuit - Allysa Satin Capucilli

Was That Christmas - Hilary McKay

The Crunchy, Munchy Christmas Tree - Karen Grey

Corduroy's Christmas Surprise

Clifford's Christmas - Norman Birdwell

Mouse's First Christmas - Lauren Thompson

The Christmas Song - Mel Torme

A few of the books are marked with a specific number to correlate with our other activity advent calendar.  For most of the days though, the boys can just pick whatever book they want.  

So just gather up some of your favorite Christmas stories and get wrapping!

I linked up with these fabulous parties: Literally Inspired, The 36th Avenue, Sweet Little Gals, Passionately Artistic, Tip Junkie, Under the Table and Dreaming, Craft-O-Maniac, Ask Anna, Positively Splendid, I Heart Naptime, Lolly Jane, Funky Junk Interiors, Be Different Act Normal, Tatertots and Jello, The Shabby Art Boutique, The Crafty Nest, Somewhat Simple, Crafty Happy Scrappy, The Shabby Creek Cottage, The CSI Project, Delightful Order, Blue Cricket Design and Uncommon.