FREE Photos!

If you are like me and took some photos of your grandchildren for Resurrection Sunday . . . or even recently and just have not had them printed up yet, check this great offer from Shutterfly! They are offering 101 FREE prints through now and Tuesday, April 22, 2014!

"That's Why the Egg is Empty!!!"

We celebrated Resurrection Sunday yesterday with my family. The boys decorated eggs and I sat down with Josiah and Caleb and went through the Resurrection Eggs - Josiah enjoyed discovering what was in each egg and listening to why it was there. When the last egg was opened, he was surprised it was empty and thought I had lost the item which belonged in it. I told him Jesus' tomb was empty because He was risen! Josiah got a big smile on his face and said, "That is why the egg is empty!!!"

crafting with grandma - Mother's Day Gifts!

Mother's Day is just a few weeks away, so if you are starting to think of things you could help your grandchildren make for their mother, check this wonderful site I found on Pinterest for 51 excellent ideas!

Follow this link and you'll find free printables and dozens of ideas which use simple items you can find around your house or on a nature walk . . . or buy at the store for just a little!

Special Birthday Give-Away - The Amazing Spiderman 2 Prize Pack

Question for you:  are there any Marvel Comics fans in your household? If so, I think you'll be THRILLED with this special opportunity for everyone and a fun prize package for one of you! 

The Amazing Spiderman 2 comes to theaters this May - so if your grandchildren enjoy superheroes like my grandsons do, you are likely to have some excited grandchildren as the release of The Amazing Spiderman 2 draws near! I thought it would be fun to share the preview trailer with you for The Amazing Spiderman 2 and then let you know about a free Family Discussion Guide which you can download and use with your grandchildren! First, the movie trailer . . . 

grandma's chuckles . . . I'm doing, "A Really Good Job of Being Grandma!"

Last week was Spring Break, so Josiah and Caleb spent a few days and nights at our house! We had fun hanging out, baking cookies, doing science projects, reading books, making up new stories, playing games and just being together!

On Wednesday night when Josiah went to bed, he told me, "You do a really good job of being grandma!" 

While it is extremely easy to, "do a really good job of being grandma" to these three sweet boys, my heart is oh, so happy!

grandma's cookbook - Lemonade Ice Cream Pie

I've been debating for a few days what I want to fix for dessert for our Resurrection Sunday dinner . . . I've known for a couple weeks I'm fixing a ham, mashed potatoes, corn on the cob, roasted asparagus and homemade bread, but had not decided on a dessert. However; today I decided . . . Lemonade Ice Cream Pie! This pie is so tasty - and simple to make . . . I think I'll have Josiah and Caleb make it and thought you might like the recipe as well!

You just need four ingredients . . . 

Special Birthday Give-Away - Pig Puppet from Folkmanis!

Over the years I've been blessed with the opportunity to review - and give away - a number of amazing puppets from Folkmanis. I love their puppets because not only are they great puppets, but they are the most wonderful, plush toys, too! If you get a puppet from Folkmanis, you can be certain attention has been given to design, style and quality; and no matter who you give it to, they are certain to love it!

So, when I was given the opportunity to review - and give away - some of the new puppets from Folkmanis again this year, I was very happy to do so!

crafting with grandma - Two Minions Completed!

I'm crocheting purple minions for my grandsons this year - last year I crocheted Perry the Platypus' for each of them. So far I have two completed and am almost finished with the third and final one. I thought I'd show you a photo and give you a link to the pattern in case you want to make one . . . Children's Day is the second Sunday in June; you have plenty of time to make them by then if you want to!

Special Birthday Give-Away - Puddle Pug!

I love picture books and I love stories which are cute and fun; so when an author and illustrator are successful at combining these, I'm a happy grandma! Plus, when they also include a point and message, well, then I'm a very happy grandma! I can assure you I am a very happy grandma after reviewing a new book from Sterling Publishing . . . and am happy to share it with you today!

just for fun - Silly, But Real Laws in Alaska!

Get ready to laugh! As I looked up some silly, but real laws in Alaska, I had to stop for a moment because I was laughing! I truly do not understand why anyone would feel the need to actually make a law for many of these; but honestly, I'm glad they did because now we all can have a good laugh and share these silly laws with our grandchildren . . . to spread the laughing! After all, laughing is good for our health!

Did you know in Alaska . . . 

Special Birthday Give-Away - Shutterfly Stainless Steel Travel Mug

If you have been reading grandma's cookie jar for very long, you have likely noticed how much I love photos of my grandsons and am always thrilled to get something with their sweet faces on it! So, when Shutterfly gave me the opportunity to order and review one of their new 20 oz Stainless Steel Travel Mug, I was very happy to do so!

Celebrate Resurrection Sunday!

In one week we will be celebrating the most important day in history - the day Jesus rose from the dead! If He did not rise, our faith would be in vain, but He did and because of this we can receive forgiveness for our sins and know the joy which comes from walking with Him!

Special Birthday Give-Away - Cuisinart Griddler

I am very happy to announce, Cuisinart sent me one of their Griddlers for me to review . . . and they are making another available for me to give away! What is a Griddler, you ask? Well, it is a very versatile, counter-top appliance which you can use to fix practically any meal all day long!

Just for Fun - It's Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day!

Today is Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day! Who knew there was such a "day", but apparently there is! I looked on-line and found the following information about Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day . . .