just as grandma's cookie jar should always be full of good things, this blog will be full of good ideas, information, activities and reviews of things to help grandma . . . and grandpa, mom and dad too . . . pass on a heritage of faith to the children in their lives!
A couple years ago I shared this recipe for Pumpkin Soft Pretzels when my grandson and I made them. Today I'm sharing it again - next weekend the boys and I are making them again . . . a double batch this time, so they will be able to combine making the pretzels (and eating them) with a service project . . . sharing them with the neighbors! The recipe is easy to make - only takes 30 minutes - and the end result - pumpkin soft pretzels - are delicious, soft and completely delightful! If you would like to try it, you'll find the recipe at this link. Enjoy!
I have three grandsons - ages four, six and nine, so around this grandma's house, stories about monsters and beasts are not uncommon and are enjoyed. So, when I was invited by Sterling Children's Books to review a new book about a beast, I knew my grandsons were likely to enjoy it. Today I'm happy to share my review with you - and let you know my grandsons loved this book!
I'm happy to say Gaye Valle is the winner of Rufus Blasts Off! (You'll find my review at this link.) Thank you Gaye for reading grandma's cookie jar (please email me your address at lyndagcj@gmail.com by September 27, 2017, so I am able to have it sent to you) and thank you Sterling Children's Books for sending one for me to review and for making another available for me to give away.
I
recently "met" (on-line) and became friends with Debbie Kinne
Guinn - the editor of HomeFront magazine. (I was invited to
write an article for the November issue.)
HomeFront magazine is a wonderful resource for parents and
grandparents - they describe themselves as; "HomeFront is a monthly magazine and parenting curriculum combined into
one – based on the 10 Environments highlighted in the book Spiritual
Parenting by Dr. Michelle Anthony. It is filled with recipes, craft
ideas, stories, and more to inspire, equip, and support you on your parenting journey. Each magazine is divided into
two sections: Family Time and Inspire, Equip, Support.
As I have mentioned before, I really love the feature on Facebook called, "On This Day". I love seeing the photos from previous years and being reminded of the fun things my grandsons said and did. Yesterday I was reminded how last year, when my oldest grandson was seven, we were talking about prayer and how sometimes it seems like God does not hear and answer our prayers. My grandson said; "God does hear and answer our prayers, it is just He knows something we do not know, so He does not answer our prayers the way we think He should." Yes, he was seven at the time! This is a truth we all need to remember, and one I'm so thankful my grandsons know at this point in their young lives.
For the past several years, my son, daughter-in-law and grandsons have participated in National Talk Like a Pirate Day, by dressing up like pirates and stopping by their local Krispy Kreme where they were rewarded with free boxes of donuts.
We always remember this fun day, because it is also my oldest grandson's birthday, but this year Kripy Keme is not participating in National Talk Like a Pirate Day. I will miss the photos of my son and family all dressed up as pirates, but maybe next year!
Just in case you are wondering, yes, I plan to start my 2017 Christmas Gift Reviews October 1st and my 2017 Christmas Gift Giveaways November 1st! And, yes, I have another lovely American Girl doll to give away again this year (Nanea the new Hawaiian doll)! I also have two beautiful photo blankets - and several other great photo gifts which you will be able to personalize should you win, a candle from Yankee Candle, puppets from Folkmanis (wait until you see the big classic Mickey and Minnie puppets!!!) Bibles from Zondervan, a great collection of books and a few other items - all in all, I'm pleased with the gifts I will be able to give away again this year! So, please be sure to join me throughout October as I review the items in this year's Christmas Gift Review and announce the giveaways - and then throughout the month of November as I give away a lot of wonderful items! It will be a lot of fun for sure.
I'm happy to say Arlene Cruze is the winner of the the fun book - Amazing Animal Friendships: Odd Couples in Nature(You'll find my review at this link.) Thank you Arlene for reading grandma's cookie jar (please email me your address - lyndagcj@gmail.com - by September 23, 2017, so I can have it sent to you) and thank you Sterling Children's Books for sending one for me to review and for making another available for me to give away.
From time-to-time I post memes from the Legacy Coalition - such as yesterday and again today. This is one they posted to their facebook page this morning and I love it so much, I had to share it with you. If you have not checked out - and better yet, liked/followed - the Legacy Coalition's facebook page, please follow this link and do so today.
There are many important messages our grandchildren need to receive from us, but one of the most important is the truth about how God moves our sins completely away from us when we ask Him for forgiveness. This world - and sadly, people in it - may hold things against them, but God does not.
I'm happy to say Gala is the winner of the yarn from Red Heart! (You'll find my review at this link.) Thank you Gala for reading grandma's cookie jar (please email me your address - lyndagcj@gmail.com - by September 21, 2017, so I can send it to you) and thank you Red Heart for sending yarn for me to review and give away.
Tomorrow - September 13th - is Kids Take Over the Kitchen Day and Peanut Day, so it seems like a great day to grab the children you love and make peanut butter chocolate chip cookie with them! But first a few fun peanut facts . . .
Yesterday was Grandparent's Day - I feel like many days of the year are Grandparent's Day for me as I am blessed to see my grandchildren several times a week. And, now they are getting older I'm able to email them to connect on-line as well . . . which I enjoy! But, aside from the joy these three boys bring me, I feel like every day is Grandparent's Day as every day I need to be a focused and intentional grandma who prays for and encourages my grandsons. I wear a photo necklace of my grandsons and each time I see it, or reach up and touch it I'm reminded to pray for them. I have a prayer journal which we fill with requests - and how God answers as well. And, I pray for them throughout each day as God brings them to mind. Yes, every day is Grandparent's Day to be intentional when it comes to handing down the faith, because these children matter; so being intentional matters. You might want to consider getting the "My Declaration" art print from the Legacy Coalition to remind you to be an intentional Christian grandparent. You'll find all the details at this link.
Thank you Tina, Leela and Carmen for reading grandma's cookie jar (please email your mailing address to me - lyndagcj@gmail.com - by September 17, 2017, so I can have them sent to you) and thank you Sterling Children's Books for sending the Gamer Squad books to me for review and for making an additional set available for me to give away.
A couple years ago I shared this recipe for Pumpkin Soft Pretzels when my grandson and I made them. Today I'm sharing it again - next weekend the boys and I are making them again . . . a double batch this time, so they will be able to combine making the pretzels (and eating them) with a service project . . . sharing them with the neighbors!
