Gingerbread Dog Biscuits

If you and your pup are feeling festive here is how you can make your own yummy Gingerbread Dog Biscuits.

Gingerbread Dog Biscuits
Ingredients
1.5 cups flour* (see notes below)
1/2 teaspoon ginger
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 cup water
4 tablespoons vegetable or canola oil
1/4 cup molasses

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 325.
2. Cover cookie sheets in parchment paper.
3. Mix together all ingredients.
4. Let rest for 15 minutes.
5. Roll out onto a lightly floured surface to 1/4 inch thick.
6. Using holiday themed or bone-shaped cookie cutters (large or small) cut out the cookies.
7. Place on baking sheet and bake for 12-20 minutes depending on size and crispness.

NOTES: You can use all-purpose flour, wheat flour (I do not it gives Jack BAD gas) or oat flour (which is oatmeal broken up in a food processor). I use half all purpose and half oatmeal flour.

** The above recipe is for treats only and should not replace your dog’s regular meal plans. Always check with your veterinarian regarding new additions to your dogs diet.

Winter To-Do List

I find that I appreciate the seasons a little bit more when I make a list of things to look forward to. Here's what's on my winter to-do list. What's on yours?

1. Go ice skating downtown Detroit at Campus Martius Park
2. Make snow angels
3. Make a gingerbread house
4. Build a snowman
5. Enjoy a horse drawn carriage ride
6. Bundle up and go for a walk through the woods
7. Run a wintery 5k
8. Take a drive to see Christmas lights
9. See a Christmas themed play
10. Have a winter bonfire outside
11. Take class and learn how to knit socks

Puppy Chow Almonds

I absolutely love "puppy chow" and had a serious craving for it this weekend. However I didn't have any Chex cereal so I improvised with almonds, and the result was amazing. The recipe is so ridiculously easy you'll want to make some tonight.

Puppy Chow Almonds
Ingredients
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup dark chocolate (milk or semi sweet will work as well)
4 cups plain almonds (mine are from Oh! Nuts)
1.5 cups powdered sugar

Directions
1. Melt peanut butter and chocolate together in a saucepan.
2. Add the almonds and stir until coated.
3. Transfer almonds to a ziplock bag (make sure some powdered sugar is at the bottom).
4. Add the rest of the powdered sugar.
5. Shake to coat.
6. Enjoy! They're addicting.

Gift Tag Ornaments

Attached to a bow on a gift or wrapped in a pretty box, giving ornaments is a Christmas tradition in my family. I decided that it was about time I started partaking in this tradition, however instead of buying ornaments I would make my own. This year I decided to make them using my Great Grandma's applesauce ornament recipe. Here you'll see how I used this recipe to make snowmen for friends.

 {I bought mini letter stamps from Michaels}

 {press them into the dough after you cut them all out}

Apple Sauce Ornaments 

not edible

Ingredients

• 1 cup (plus more for rolling) ground cinnamon 

• 1 tablespoon nutmeg

• 1 tablespoon ground clove

• 1 tablespoon all spice 

• 3/4 cup applesauce (I used Walmart brand)

• 2 tablespoons Aleens tacky glue 

Directions

1.  In a medium bowl mix spices, stir in applesauce and glue.
2. Work mixture 2-3 minutes with your hands to form a ball.

          • Too dry? Add more applesauce

          • Too moist? Add more cinnamon

3.  Divide into four equal parts. Roll to 1/4 inch thick on a cinnamon covered surface; cut into desired shapes with a cookie cutter.
4. Use a straw to place a hole at the top.

5. Place on a cookie sheet and allow to dry 4-5 days - your home will smell fabulous.
6. Be sure to flip the ornaments over after two days so they'll dry on both sides.

7. Add a ribbon.
8. You can also paint the ornaments like I did here.

Jack's Christmas Wishlist

 {Scottie Dog Toy Set by Harry Barker}

I was going to wait until next week to post Jack's Christmas wishlist, but since some of these stores are offering some fabulous deals for Black Friday I decided to post early. Now check out Jack's Christmas Wishlist perfect for any pup!

{Preppy Personalized Dog Collar by Harry Barker}

 {Pup-permint Mocha by Three Dog Bakery}

 {Martha Stewart Pets Snowman Bottle Cruncher}

 {Beg Nog Latté by Three Dog Bakery}

 {EZ-Groom Pet Cologne}

 {Top Paw Crinkle Flattie}

{ThunderCoat}