A Dog Named Christmas - Movie

This Hallmark movie was so heart warming and sweet. I loved every minute I was watching it. Just a good feel good movie where I didn't have to worry about the content. There was many wonderful family scenes in the movie around Christmas time where they family got along so well, teasing each other. Tom is a wonderful character in the movie and I think whether you loves animals or not this is a wonderful movie to sit and watch.

At the end of the movie it did say it was available on DVD at Hallmark Stores or online but CBS did air it on November 29th.

PLOT:

from Hallmark-

This holiday movie tells the tale of a developmentally challenged young man, with a penchant for caring for animals in need, who sets out to convince his family - and their whole rural community - to participate in a local shelter's inaugural "Adopt a Dog for Christmas Program."

Todd McCray (Fisher), a responsible and developmentally challenged 20-year-old, lives on a farm in Kansas with his loving parents, George (Greenwood) and Mary Ann (Emond). Both Mary Ann and George are forever inspired and impressed by the upbeat Todd, who assists with numerous chores on the farm and is known for regularly rescuing and nursing wounded wild animals back to health. George often describes Todd as having "his own way of thinking about things." However, Todd's way of thinking ends up clashing with George's when a radio promotion for the local animal shelter's first-ever "Adopt a Dog for Christmas Program" - which entails caring for a dog during Christmas week, with the option of keeping the dog for good - creates a keen desire in Todd to adopt a lonely pup for the holiday.

Though George stubbornly opposes the idea, Todd's special gifts of persuasion result in their bringing home a yellow Labrador, whom Todd names "Christmas" and bonds with immediately. Todd soon makes it his mission to ensure that all of the shelter's numerous caged dogs are brought into friendly homes for the holiday, and he uses creative and persistent means of inspiring the families in his community to do their part.


THE CAST:

Bruce Greenwood ... George McCray
Linda Emond ... Mary Ann McCray
Noel Fisher ... Todd McCray
Sonja Bennett ... Hannah McCray
Nathaniel Baptiste ... Soldier
Derek J. Finnik ... Soldier
Carrie Genzel ... Brianna Lewis
Wesley MacInnes ... Young George
Joel Mamchur ... Soldier
Andrew J. Nagy ... Soldier
Carrie Ruscheinsky ... Hailey

Blessings beyond belief...

I have to say just how humbled and blessed my family has been in the last week. I can't even explain or put into words the love we have been feeling. It really has been teaching us some things. I have been wondering for a few months now how we were going to possibly celebrate Christmas at all with our family. I know Christmas is not about gifts it is about the birth of Christ and celebrating what he had done for us and being with family. I get all that but it does sometimes break my heart that we are unable to provide anything else.

I became very okay with the fact that we were not going to be giving gifts at all this Christmas but I was going to have a huge problem trying to explain that to my 5 year old. I asked the question on a local message board and the outpouring of love and support I got was beyond words. There are some pretty incredible people in this world and I am so blessed to call them my friends. They have been so supportive in so many ways.

I was blessed at a local fellowship time by being able to participate in the gift exchange that someone purchased the gift for me to participate in. Blessed! That is all I can say. Their are special people all around us. They are in our lives for a reason. They remind us just how blessed we are at the moments when we feel the weight of the world on our shoulders.

I was blessed again this past Saturday to be voted in by a group of my peers into a position well that I was totally shocked to have been nominated for let alone voted in. Truly a humbling moment. But still a blessing and looking forward to serving in this capacity.

My Christmas wish is for everyone to feel that love not just at Christmas but every day. Life does through us curves every now and then but know that you are never alone. Reach out to your friends they can be of great encouragement to you.

Blessings!

Toffee Squares

These squares turned out wonderfully. I made them for a cookie exchange with the ladies. YUMMY!

4 1/2 cups rolled oats
1 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter, melted
3/4 cup light corn syrup
1 tablespoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups (12 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips
2 tablespoons vegetable shortening
2/3 cup (about 3 ounces) chopped nuts

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 15 x 10-inch pan.

Combine the oats, sugar, butter, corn syrup, vanilla and salt and mix well. Press the mixture into the pan, using your lightly greased hands to help the process along.

Bake the squares for 10 to 12 minutes, or until they're a light golden brown. Remove them from the oven and cool completely on a wire rack.

In a medium saucepan set over very low heat, melt the chocolate and shortening together, stirring constantly until smooth. Spread the mixture evenly over the oat base and sprinkle on the chopped nuts. Cover very loosely and chill the squares in the refrigerator until the chocolate is firm. Remove from the refrigerator and cut into squares. The easiest way to do this is to use a chef's knife to cut the bars into long strips while they're still in the pan and then transfer each long strip to a cutting board to cut into bite-sized pieces.

VERDICT: Very pleasing treat.. great for a cookie exchange as one tray made over 6 dozen.

2009 List of Christmas Shows

Time to get into the Christmas Spirit... I thought I would list some TV specials that will be on this year leading up to Christmas. Oh on a side note... Q97.5 a local station here is playing Christmas Music 24/7 you can also listen to them online. Okay back to the Christmas Specials...


Wednesday, Dec 2
· Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer – CBS, 8:00 p.m.
· Tree Lighting Ceremony at Rockefeller Center – NBC, 8:00 p.m.
· Holiday Wishes (2006) - W, 8:00 p.m.
· National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989) – AMC, 8:00 p.m.
· Christmas comes to Willow Creek (1987) – SunTV, 8:00 p.m.
· Home by Christmas (2006) – W, 10:00 p.m.
· National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation – AMC, 10:15 p.m.
Thursday, Dec 3
· Christopher the Christmas Tree – SunTV, 7:30 p.m.
· A Mole's Chrsitmas – SunTV, 8:00 p.m.
· A Christmas Carol (1938, Reginald Owen) – TCM, 8:00 p.m.
· National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation – AMC, 8:00 p.m.
· He sees you when your sleeping (2002) – W, 8:00 p.m.
· Home for the Holidays (1995) – my43, 8:00 p.m.
· Recipe for a Perfect Christmas (2005) – Diva, 8:00 p.m.
· Santa's Last Christmas – SunTV, 8:30 p.m.
· Under the Mistletoe (2006) – W, 10:00 p.m.
· National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation – AMC, 10:15 p.m.
· Tenth Avenue Angel (1948) – TCM, 11:30 p.m.
Friday, Dec 4
· Merry Christmas, Drake & Josh (2008) – YTV, 7:00 p.m.
· A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa – NBC, 8:00 p.m.
· National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation – AMC, 8:00 p.m.
· His and Her Christmas (2005) – Diva, 8:00 p.m.
· Little Drummer Boy– Treehouse, 8:30 p.m.
· Grandma Got run over by a Reindeer – CW, 9:00 p.m.
· A Fairy Tale Christmas– Treehouse, 9:00 p.m.
· Snow Dogs (2002) – Family, 9:00 p.m.
· National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation – AMC, 10:15 p.m.
· The Man who saved Christmas (2002) – Family, 10:35 p.m.
Saturday, Dec 5
· Holiday Affair – TCM, 1:45 p.m.
· Jack Frost – Teletoon, 7:00 p.m.
· White Christmas – AMC, 8:00 p.m.
· The Christmas Choir (2008) – Showcase, 8:00 p.m.
· The Christmas Shoes (2002) – CMT, 10:00 p.m.
· White Christmas – AMC, 10:45 p.m.
Sunday, Dec 6
· Christmas in Connecticut (1945) – TCM, 12:00 p.m.
· Babes in Toyland (1986) – YTV, 2:00 p.m.
· Eloise at Christmastime – CBC, 5:00 p.m.
· The Dog Who Saved Christmas (2009) – YTV, 7:00 p.m.
· Lanny and Wayne the Christmas Elves in Prep & Landing – CTV, 7:00 p.m.
· Shrek The Halls – CTV, 7:30 p.m.
· A Very Merry Daughter of the Bride (2008) – W, 8:00 p.m.
· Ernest saves Christmas (1988) – Family, 9:00 p.m.
· Babes in Toyland (1986) – Family, 10:30 p.m.
Monday, Dec 7
· Carrie Underwood: An All-Star Holiday Special – FOX, 8:00 p.m.
· How the Grinch stole Christmas (2000) – Global, 8:00 p.m.
· Stolen Miracle (2001) – W, 8:00 p.m.
· Jack Frost (1998) – YTV, 8:00 p.m.
· The Santa Claus (1994) – CBC, 8:00 p.m.
· Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town – ABC, 8:00 p.m.
· All I Want for Christmas (1991)– AMC, 8:00 p.m.
· A Christmas Carol (1938) – SunTV, 8:00 p.m.
· A Mole's Christmas – SunTV, 9:30 p.m.
· Holiday Wishes (2006) – W, 10:00 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec 8
· All I Want for Christmas (1991) – AMC, 6:00 p.m.
· Home for the Holidays (1995) – E!, 7:00 p.m.
· The Legend of Frosty the Snowman – YTV, 7:00 p.m.
· Dora's Christmas Carol – Treehouse, 7:00 p.m.
· A Charlie Brown Christmas – ABC, 8:00 p.m
· Santa Claus is comin' to town – CBC, 8:00 p.m.
· Borrowed Hearts (1997) – W, 8:00 p.m.
· Connie Talbot's Holiday Magic – PBS, 8:00 p.m.
· Disney’s Prep & Landing – ABC, 8:30 p.m.
· The Nativity (1978) – Vision, 9:00 p.m.
· Crazy for Christmas (2005) – W, 10:00 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec 9
· The Nutcracker (1993) – E!, 7:00 p.m.
· Me & Luke (2006) – W, 8:00 p.m.
· A Very Fairy Christmas – Treehouse, 9:00 p.m.
· Christmas comes to Willow Creek (1987) – Vision, 9:00 p.m.
· He sees you when your sleeping (2002) – W, 10:00 p.m.
Thursday, Dec 10
· Home by Christmas (2006) – W, 8:00 p.m.
· 2009 Hollywood Christmas Parade – MeTV, 8:00 p.m.
· Christmas Town (2008) – Diva, 8:00 p.m.
· Christmas Coal Mine Miracle (1977) – Vision, 9:00 p.m.
· A very merry daughter of the bride (2008) – W, 10:00 p.m.
Friday, Dec 11
· Santa with Muscles (1996) – E!, 7:00 p.m.
· Home Alone (1990) – YTV, 7:00 p.m.
· Holiday in Handcuffs (2007) – W, 7:00 p.m.
· Wonder Pets – Treehouse, 7:00 p.m.
· Franklin's Magic Christmas – Treehouse, 7:30 p.m.
· Yes, Virginia – CBS, 8:00 p.m.
· A Muppets Christmas Letter – CTV, 8:00 p.m.
· The Santa Clause 2 (2002) – CBC, 8:00 p.m.
· A Rugrats Chanukah – Treehouse, 9:00 p.m.
· Home for Christmas (Johnny Reid) – CMT, 9:00 p.m.
· A Mom for Christmas (1990) – Family, 9:00 p.m.
· Christmas with the Kranks (2004) – W, 9:00 p.m.
· The Christmas Stocking Tale – Treehouse, 9:30 p.m.
· Christmas in Whistler – CMT, 10:00 p.m.
Dec 12
· A Christmas Carol (1938, Reginald Owen) – TCM, 12:00 p.m.
· The Christmas Shoes – W, 7:00 p.m.
· Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer – CBS, 8:00 p.m.
· It’s a Wonderful Life – NBC, 8:00 p.m.
· The Flight Before Christmas – CBS, 9:00 p.m.
· Snow Globe – W, 9:00 p.m.
Dec 13
· The Christmas Shoes – W, 10:00 a.m.
· Snow Globe – W, 4:00 p.m.
· 12 Days of Christmas Eve – W, 9:00 p.m.
Dec 14
· Man who saved Christmas – W, 7:00 p.m.
· Shrek the Halls – ABC, 8:00 p.m.
· All she wants for Christmas – W, 9:00 p.m.
Dec 15
· Holiday Wishes – W, 7:00 p.m.
Dec 16
· Under the Mistletoe – W, 9:00 p.m.
Dec 17
· Crazy for Christmas – W, 7:00 p.m.
· Saturday Night Live Christmas 2009 – NBC, 8:00 p.m.
· Christmas in Connecticut (1945)- TCM, 8:00 p.m.
· Borrowed Hearts – W, 9:00 p.m.
· Holiday Affair (1949)- TCM, 10:00 p.m.
Dec 18
· Home by Christmas – W, 7:00 p.m.
· Frosty The Snowman – CBS, 8:00 p.m.
· Frosty Returns – CBS, 8:30 p.m.
· Santa Baby 2 – W, 9:00 p.m.
Dec 19
· Moonlight and Mistletoe – W, 7:00 p.m.
· A Muppets Christmas: Letters To Santa – NBC, 8:00 p.m.
· Most Wonderful time of the year – W, 9:00 p.m.
Dec 20
· Comfort and Joy – W, 10:00 a.m.
· Stolen Miracle – W, 12:00 p.m.
· Road to Christmas – W, 2:00 p.m.
· Most Wonderful time of the year – W, 4:00 p.m.
· Crazy for Christmas – W, 7:00 p.m.
· Miracle on 34th Street – W, 9:00 p.m.
Dec 21
· Borrowed Hearts – W, 7:00 p.m.
Dec 22
· Stolen Miracle – W, 7:00 p.m.
· Home by Christmas – W, 9:00 p.m.
Dec 23
· Me & Luke – W, 12:00 p.m.
· He sees you when you're sleeping – W, 2:00 p.m.
· Wind at my Back – W, 7:00 p.m.
· The 11th Annual A Home For The Holidays – CBS, 8:00 p.m.
· He sees you when you're Sleeping – W, 9:00 p.m.
Dec 24
· Road to Christmas – W, 6:00 a.m.
· Man who saved Christmas – W, 12:00 p.m.
· Road to Christmas – W, 2:00 p.m.
· It’s A Wonderful Life (1946) – NBC, 8:00 p.m.
· A Christmas Story – TBS, 8:00 p.m.
· Me & Luke – W, 9:00 p.m.
· Christmas in July (1940) – TCM, 9:45 p.m.
· A Christmas Story – TBS, 10:00 p.m.
Dec 25
· A Christmas Story – TBS, 12:00 a.m.
· A Christmas Story – TBS, 2:00 a.m.
· A Christmas Story – TBS, 4:00 a.m.
· A Christmas Story – TBS, 6:00 a.m.
· Crazy for Christmas – W, 6:00 a.m.
· A Christmas Story – TBS, 8:00 a.m.
· Wind at my Back – W, 8:00 a.m.
· A Christmas Carol (1938, Reginald Owen) – TCM, 9:00 a.m.
· A Christmas Story – TBS, 10:00 a.m.
· Borrowed Hearts – W, 10:00 a.m.
· A Christmas Story – TBS, 12:00 p.m.
· Stolen Miracle – W, 12:00 p.m.
· Christmas in Connecticut (1945) – TCM, 12:15 p.m.
· A Christmas Story – TBS, 2:00 p.m.
· Home by Christmas – W, 2:00 p.m.
· A Christmas Story – TBS, 4:00 p.m.
· Crazy for Christmas – W, 4:00 p.m.
· Holiday Affair (1949)- TCM, 4:30 p.m.
· A Christmas Story – TBS, 6:00 p.m.
· Stolen Miracle – W, 6:00 p.m.

What I have learned in the last year?

What a wonderful question this is. As we have gone through the last year of our lives without my husband working we have learned many things and many things have changed us all for the better I would say. Okay, not everything is for the better but most is.

My husband being without a job has changed my whole perspective on spending more than I could have ever imagined. But at the same time it has taught me so much about myself and made me truly focus on what is important.

I am posting this to help others as I know we are not the only ones in this situation right now. For those who don't know we have taken a huge pay cut this year of more than $50,000/year pay cut. They fact that we are supporting our family on so little and are still standing here to talk about it. Well that is a good thing. We are struggling at times but we praise God for what he is doing in our lives and how much closer we have all become.

We can only spend money on necessity items at this time and trust me it has to be a real necessity. My husband was down to two pairs of socks... yep two... so every day I would wash socks for him to wear the next day. And I had to really do some thinking as to whether we could afford to buy him more socks. I am happy to say that today he is the proud owner of 10 new pairs of socks, thanks Walmart! (trust me they were on sale or he might not have them)

Here are some things I have learned throughout this:

1. Inexpensive meals are good. ~ They really taste good. Just because they are cheap to make doesn't mean they are not good. I have been really creative about our purchasing and what we make with our purchases. Our budget is very limited.
   
2. I know when certain grocery stores discount their meat for the day. This is a HUGE savings. (Price Chopper discounts around 9pm at 50% off, RCSS discounts at 7am at 50% off, and Walmart discounts around 9pm at 30% off) You can not be picky about the cuts of meat you buy when purchasing this way it tends to be a hit and a miss.
   
3. I really love cooking! It gives me great pleasure to cook for my family. Oh and baking well let's just say I love baking even more.
4. Menu planning really helps us save money. I menu plan with what I have on hand so that I don't have to make extra purchases.
   
5. Grey roots are just that grey roots ~ GASP! They are not going to kill my hair, just add a bit of colour to my hair.
   
6. My husband finds a Tim Horton's coffee truly a treat as it is no longer a daily event in his life. Therefore he appreciates when he has one.
   
7. most of what we have learned throughout this is God's sustaining power in our lives. We are continuing to make it through everything that is going on in our lives. He truly has the power.

Living Frugally as possible and loving it!

We try to live as simply as possible in this house. We have been going through many changes in the last year here. My husband lost his job a year ago due to the plant closure and is in school full time and will not be done his schooling until April 2010. Seems like such a long time from now. Right now we are living off of very little. Just to give you an idea basically the same amount Ontario Works would give a family our size. So you get the idea not much at all. But we are making it work.

We shop the sales... and make the most of what we do have. For instance today we picked up 10lbs of carrots from $1.69... so we peeled them, diced them and blanched them and were able to put away veggies for our meals at the cost of 17 cents a meal. Cheaper than anything we could by and much better for us. Mind you my hands are sporting a bit of an orange glow right now. We also did corn in the fall I think 20 dozen in total maybe more so our freezer is stocked with veggies. I wish we had done broccoli but I couldn't find it for a good enough price. We love broccoli. In my freezer right now I have bags of celery, carrots, corn, peppers, onions, green beans and peas.

I make most of our meals from scratch and it is much cheaper also way better for you in the long run and seriously it tastes to much better. This week I made granola bars for the kids lunches. They are so good. The granola is so easy to make and tastes wonderful with yogurt as well. I have also made my own yogurt in my crockpot if you can imagine that it tastes really good also.

Tonight we are making Chinese food for dinner. Yep making it not buying it. Chinese Fried Rice, Beef Chow Mein and Chicken Balls. Can't wait for dinner tonight! I even texted our daughter and said... guess what is for dinner tonight. She loves Chinese food. Now her mouth is going to be watering all day at school. Bad mommy! hehehehe Yes... if the food turns out good I will definitely post the recipes for everyone to see and use at their will.

I do have a busy weekend a head of me starting tomorrow as I am working with my dear friend Lori at a hockey tournament here in town... yep in my city and not in London this weekend. I love working with Lori she is so much fun and it is wonderful to catch up with her.

Wednesday and this week Wednesday is my Friday...

My ramble for the week...

yep... it is true this week Wednesday is my Friday and is really seems strange to me. Meaning I have no more kids to look after this week. So so so strange. Tomorrow we will take the day off so to speak and Friday I might arrange a playdate for Shaylin with a friend from church.

So this week in review.

Monday - 2 children plus mine
Tuesday - 3 children plus mine
Wednesday - 2 children plus mine

it really worked out well and we were always very busy with outdoor play and cooking class, work sheets, learning about remembrance day etc. More about this on my homeschool blog.

I have been asked by a few people how I do it... keep up with my family, homeschool and childcare all under one roof and I will get into that more in another post by itself.

I can smell our dinner cooking, chicken smells really good. Chicken, rice and broccoli for dinner tonight... yummy!

My husband has an exam to write... I am guessing probably tomorrow. He said that he is almost ready to write it so I think he will be more than ready to write it tomorrow. He is doing really well with his online courses and I can't wait for him to be done in April/May 2010. It has been a long process.