Snow Days

We're buried in snow here in our little part of Canada! Wayne just busted out the snow blower and cleared off our driveway. The kids have made a couple of snow men and I've got a bowl out back collecting the fresh fallen snow for a treat of snow ice cream for later. 

My mother in law and I ventured out a bit this morning to do some last minute shopping. Thank goodness for snow tires!

We're happy to have family visit for Christmas and the kids love having Grandpa and Grandma to play with!

I had intended to do some school at least for a few days this week but instead opted for doing some much needed baking, cleaning and crafts with the kids like decorating oranges with cloves and cutting out paper snow flakes.

Every year in his stocking, Will receives a nutcracker for his collection. He's up to quite a few!

My brother has a nutcracker collection also but apparently they freak his wife out. Guess it wasn't a question he thought to ask until it was too late... haha!

And on the baking front this year, I haven't done my usual nor did I participate in any cookie exchanges but I did do the wreath cookies - they're always a favourite! I also discovered what will be a new tradition - Eggnog Rum Bread.

 As I was scraping the last of the batter into my bread pans, I snuck a taste just to make sure it was all right. I don't usually do this to be honest - I let the kids attack it. But since this batter included rum I thought I better take this one. At first taste I started groaning enough to make Wayne peak around the corner to see what was wrong. What he witnessed I can only imagine was a most unfortunate sight of his lovely wife licking her mixing bowl clean with the grace of a cat. My point is this - go make this right now. I mean it. Right now. I have never.... Do not pass go, do not collect $200, go make this RIGHT NOW. I managed to give some of mine away to my neighbours but kept the big one for myself. I hide it in the corner and sneak bites of it for a treat. 

I love how the snow covers up the dirty ground and covers it with it's clean white. The snow covered evergreen cathedrals remind me of how baby Jesus didn't stay a cute baby but lived a perfect life for lost mankind, grew up to suffer and die and proved his victory of sin, death and the devil by his resurrection. The dirty ground of sinners is covered with his white perfection through faith in Jesus. This is the gift.