grandma's cookbook - Valentine's Day Chocolate Covered Rice Krispie Hearts!

I have been a "fan" of rice krispie treats since I was a child. I, of course, have been a "fan" of chocolate . . . probably from birth! :-) So, when I found this recipe on Pinterest from  my blessed life for  Valentine's Day - Chocolate Covered Rice Krispie Hearts . . . well, of course I had to share it with you . . . 

February is Celebration of Chocolate Month!

A month to celebrate chocolate - what could possibly be better! Days of the Year says, "Celebration of Chocolate Month is a time when chocolate lovers unite to enjoy their favorite treat. It’s an exciting month dedicated to the rich and delicious world of chocolate.

This month-long celebration invites everyone to indulge in chocolate in all its forms, from bars and truffles to hot chocolate and cakes!" They also have several ideas for ways to celebrate - including . . .

Today is National Dark Chocolate Day

Today is absolutely a day I will celebrate - National Dark Chocolate Day! I LOVE dark chocolate - I love how it is not too sweet, but mostly I love how it is such a healthy treat! Yes, dark chocolate is actually good for you - look what I learned on nationaltoday (dot) com . . . 

just for fun - Silly State Laws in California!

Get ready to laugh! As I looked up some silly, but real laws in California, I realized we were likely to get a good laugh from these laws and have something funny to share with our grandchildren . . . to spread the laughing! After all, laughing is good for our health!

Did you know in California . . . 

Valentines Day Footprint Hearts!

I love hand and foot print crafts, so when I was browsing on Pinterest the other day and saw this cute idea for footprint Valentines, I had to share it with you! All you need is paper, paint and of course, little feet! While of course it is a craft which "fits" well with Valentine's Day, since I know many moms read this blog, it is also a fantastic craft for you to make with the children you love for their grandparents anytime!

just for fun . . . !yaD sdrawkcaB si tI (It is Backwards Day!)

 

Yes, today is truly, "just for fun" because it is Backwards Day!  "Backward Day is a day to do everything backwards. Use your imagination, and Backward Day can be lots of fun. It's especially popular with school aged kids. Try writing backwards or reading backwards. Wear your shirt with the back in the front. Eat your meal, starting with dessert. Now this is what I call fun! Walk backwards, or talk backwards. Play a board game backwards, from the finish line to the start. Are you starting to get the picture!? This day is limited only by your imagination."   

I thought it would be fun to share some Backwards Day facts - did you know . . .

Fluffy Cinnamon Biscuits!

Okay, I admit it, I have always struggled to make a perfect, fluffy biscuit. My biscuits typically turned out resembling a rock more than anything you actually wanted to eat. But, I found a recipe one day and discovered, not only was it easy and quick, but the biscuits turned out fluffy and wonderful! Plus, when you add cinnamon and make a little icing on the side for the children you love to top their biscuits with as they like, it makes a fantastic breakfast biscuit! So, while I have shared this before, since my family loves these, of course I have to share this recipe with you again.

crafting with grandma - Crayon Hearts

I found a wonderful idea on Pinterest . . . crayon hearts! You can make these from bits and pieces of old, broken crayons . . . rather than throw those old crayons away! It is very simple and fun - a  great craft for you to make with your grandchildren!

Tomorrow is National Hot Chocolate Day!

 

Yes! Since tomorrow is National Hot Chocolate Day, I thought I'd give you a "heads up", so you have time to get the things you need to celebrate - milk, chocolate, whipped cream - all essentials! So, today along with letting you know about this wonderful day, I thought I'd share some fun facts about Hot Chocolate - did you know . . .

Make a Difference

Recently I learned some interesting and wonderful things about my great grandpa Badgerow. He was orphaned the day before his 11th birthday, raised by his sisters, finished the 8th grade and became a small business man - had a grocery store/gas station in Sparta, MI. When the banks were seized by the state of Michigan and ended up taking half of depositor's money in the 1930's, he could have lost heart and quit in despair, but he didn't. He extended credit to families and let them get food from his store when they didn't have the money to pay for the food.

crafting with grandma - Valentine Heart Window Clings

Christmas and New Years Day are past and the next "big" holiday is Valentines Day, so I thought I'd share some fun Valentines Day crafts with you! I love "window clings", which make these wonderful hearts I found on  Pinterest seem like a great place to start!

crafting with grandma - It Is National Puzzle Day - Let's Make Puzzle Crafts!

 

While I was never a huge "fan" of assembling puzzles, I LOVE crafts with puzzle pieces! Not only are puzzle crafts interesting and unique, but they tend to be inexpensive as most of us have puzzles in our closets which are missing at least a piece or two . . . or they can be purchased at garage sales for typically less than a dollar! I'll share some fun puzzle craft ideas with you, but first some fun puzzle facts, did you know . . . 

Why Frederik Meijer Garden & Sculpture Park is the Best - Please Vote for It!

 

Over the past years I have written a few times about the Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park - typically about their amazing "Butterflies are Blooming" in March and April where thousands of butterflies are in the Tropical Conservatory or their "Christmas Around the World" in November and December. Three years ago my dear husband and I decided to give each other the gift of a membership to the Park. We decided on a grandparents membership - which allowed us and our grandchildren 18 and younger - to visit as often as we liked in the coming year. We added the guest option where were able to bring a guest as well and I have to say, we loved our membership! We thought this was a great membership plan, but Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park are making it even better! This year we will be getting the Friends & Family Plus membership - it will let us continue to enjoy unlimited admission for us, and two adult guests, and eight children under age 18 AND a 10% discount at the gift ship and in the cafe and new ice cream parlor! We will absolutely be renewing our membership next month!

Just a Reminder - Don't Forget February 15th

We are just a couple weeks away from Valentines Day, which means we are just a couple weeks away from February 15th! You ask why you should mark your calendar for this day? Because it is the day after Valentines Day. Of course you realize this - it is obvious, so why does this matter? Because . . . it is the day all the heart-shaped candies go on clearance!!!! If you haven't already, make plans to head for your local store first thing on the 15th and pick up some to have on hand for special surprises from grandma! Just think of all the things you could do with heart-shaped candies . . . if you have them . . .