Fun Dino Matching Game . . . I'm Giving Two Away!

This morning I was working on my posts when I received a wonderful surprise . . . my daughter in law Jackie came over with my grandsons, Josiah and Caleb! What a delight! While they were here, Josiah "found" a game I recently got in for review, so we played it and I have to say, it is a wonderful game for young children! Not only am I now able to tell you about this game, but also let you know The Learning Journey is making two available for me to give away!

crafting with grandma - Make Your Own Hat with Duck Tape!

Around my house Duck Tape is held in high regard! After-all, the world is held together by Duck Tape! :^) So, when Duck Tape began to produce tape in colors and patterns, well, needless to say, it got my attention! I love taking a few minutes to browse the Duck Tape website to see some of the creative things people are making with Duck Tape and decided to share a fun pattern with you for making your own Duck Tape Baseball Hats!  This craft is one you could use to help your grandchildren make their own hats . . . ones which are very unique and affordable! Brainstorm with your grandchildren to determine the colors you want to use for your hats and design a "logo" to represent your grandchildren, family or something they like to do . . . of course use Duck Tape to make your logo! Have fun with your hats! :^)

I Have Two Winners . . .

I'm happy to announce Sylvia Perkins and Jenn White are the winners in my Boca Java tea give-away! (You'll find the tea review at this link) Thank you Sylvia and Jenn for reading grandma's cookie jar (please message me your address by August 5, 2012 so I can have it sent to you - lyndafreemanatcd@gmail.com) and thank you Boca Java for sending tea for me to review and for making additional tea available for me to give away!

Summer Outdoor Fun!

As I browsed on Pinterest the other day, I noticed the plans for making a giant outdoor game . . . so I took a closer look! This game looks like it would be great fun for a family to play on a warm summer day! Set it up on a deck, driveway, sidewalk . . . and then have fun all summer long!

Manners for our Grandchildren (re-run)

I'm very happy to report Josiah is growing up to be a polite young man! It is very obvious his parents have invested the time in teaching him to show good manners. We were playing on my porch the other day when I burped - quietly - and said, "Excuse me!" Josiah said, "You are excused!" He is very quick to say, please, thank you and you're welcome! Last night when we were at McDonalds, I asked him if he was going to eat any more of his chicken nuggets, he said, "Certainly!" He is so polite . . . and very cute in his politeness! 


In this day and age far too often there seems to be a lack of manners. We, however; can make the choice to show good manners and teach them to our grandchildren. I have a dear friend, Maralee McKee, who is the Manner's Mentor! Maralee makes manners, "Simple, Savvy and Sincere!" She has the answers to all our manners questions and quandaries! She wrote about Bodily Noise Etiquette and has given me permission to repost her sage advice!

All the Ways I Love You, Recordable Storybook - I'm Giving One Away

Over the past few months I've had the opportunity to review a couple Hallmark's Recordable Storybooks . . . so far I've shared, You're a Hero! with you! Today I want to share another one with you; All the Ways i Love You. I love these books! What a wonderful gift they make for grandchildren as they allow you to record yourself reading the story and then your grandchildren can hear "you" read to them any time they want! I'm happy to say, I will be giving one, "All the Ways I Love You" away, but first, my review . . .

Two Book Give-Aways on About the Children's Department

On my other blog, About the Children's Department, I'm giving away two books I thought you might like to know about . . . one is a second-chance give-away, Princess Hope and the Hidden Treasure, which I'm giving away on July 30th, and the other is Princess Faith's Mysterious Garden, which I'm giving away on August 10th. Check the links and get in on these give-aways!

Family . . . a True Gift From God!

Family. What is a family? The On-Line Dictionary defines family as, "a. A fundamental social group in society typically consisting of one or two parents and their children. b. Two or more people who share goals and values, have long-term commitments to one another, and reside usually in the same dwelling place."

I like this definition. "Two or more people who have long-term commitments to one another." Who on earth would we be more committed to long term than to our family? When God created people He created them to live in a family. Both the Old and New Testament speak to the importance God places on the family. God wants families to grow together to know and serve Him. Sometimes families do a great job of this and other times families struggle with their relationships, but this "long-term commitment" is part of what can keep families together!


I found a great quote on-line; "Family members share a special relationship. They offer unconditional love, honor and respect to each other. Early on the Bible shows the benefits of a family, with God recognizing anyone associated with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Even remotely belonging to this family brought blessings. These blessings still apply to family members today as their strong bonds are enjoyed."

grandma's favorite things . . . Cross Pens!

I have always loved writing! It is a good thing since I write a lot! I also love to write the old-fashioned way . . . by hand and preferably with a fountain pen! A few months ago I wrote about my favorite fountain pen, the Cross Sauvage Azurite Blue Crocodile Fountain Pen; today I want to write about another Cross pen, the Cross Torero Braided Black Leather Rolling Ball Pen!

I Have a Winner!

I'm happy to announce Christine Sarkauskas is the winner in my MOGO second-chance give-away! (Check this link for my review) Thank you Christine for reading grandma's cookie jar (Please message me your address by August 3, 2012 so I can have it sent to you - lyndafreemanatcd@gmail.com) and thank you MOGO for sending some of your fun product for me to review and for making more available for me to give away!

Another Second-Chance Give-Away!

I recently reviewed Boca Java tea and gave some away, the people who won did not get their addresses to me, so I had a second-chance give-away. The people who won did not get their addresses to me, so I'm trying one more time with another second - or third-chance give-away. Please believe me, Boca Java tea is amazing and this is a wonderful prize!

crafting with grandma - Make Your Own Fireflies!

One evening last week happened to be up late in our livingroom. The lights were off and all of a sudden, I saw a bright, neon-like light flying around the room! It was a firefly which had gotten in the house! It was very bright! So, when I saw this firefly craft on Pinterest, I had to share it with you!

Another Second Chance Give-Away . . .

I recently reviewed MOGO and held a drawing for a really fun MOGO prize package, but the winner never got their address to me, so I'm having a second-chance drawing on July 27, 2012 for this MOGO prize package! (Check this link for my review and a listing of all the things in the prize package)


If you would like to be included in the drawing for the MOGO prize package, please comment below! Thank you for reading grandma's cookie jar!

grandma's cookbook - Orange Butter Cookies!

When it comes to cookies my family tends to favor the "classics" . . . chocolate chip-peanut-butter-oatmeal, plain chocolate chip or plain peanut-butter cookies. But every once in a while I like to try something different and this recipe, which I found on Pinterest, is certainly one I'd like to try! After all, what could be more "yummie" sounding than orange butter cookies?!!!!

I Have Two Winners . . .

I'm happy to announce Rosella Rowe is the winner in my second - third chance give away for the book, Bizzy Bear, Off We Go! and Paula Michele is the winner of the book, How Many Jelly Beans? (you will find the reviews at this link) Thank you Rosella and Paula for reading grandma's cookie jar (please message me your addresses by August 1, 2012 so I can have them sent to you) and thank you Candlewick Press and Chronicle Kids for sending the books for me to review and for making additional books available for me to give away!

grandma's bookshelf - Pop-Up London

The 2012 Olympics begin in just three days in London, England! If you are like me and will not be making the trip to England to see the Olympics, consider getting this pop-up book which will allow you to "see" all the sights.

grandma's bookshelf - No More Diapers for Ducky . . . I'm Giving One Away!

Potty Training! Two words which simultaneously bring fear, frustration and joy to parents and grandparents! The thought of no more diapers, well, little compares to how wonderful it is, but for most children, potty training is a goal which can seem like it will never be accomplished.  When my children were of "potty-training-age", our doctor told us to approach it from a "relaxed" perspective. She said if we were tense and frustrated about potty training, then our children would be as well. She said children learn to use the potty when they are ready and if we follow their lead, the whole process is easier on and better for everyone.


We followed her suggestions and encouraged our children with the idea of how wonderful it would be to no longer have to wear those "yucky" diapers. We talked about how happy they would be to be children who were big enough to wear big girl/boy pants and yes, we did have an "incentive" for each of them . . . when they were potty trained they were able to go out with their dad for a treat and to buy something special at the store. What did you do to help your children become potty-trained?


Well, along this line, I am happy to share with you a cute book which helps children think about using the potty. No More Diapers for Ducky! is cute, simple and has a message we all want our grandchildren/children to understand!

I Have Two More Second-Chance . . . or Third-Chance . . . Giveaways!

I recently reviewed two wonderful books for children and had a give-away . . . the winners didn't get their addresses to me, so I had a second-chance give-away . . . again, the winners didn't get their addresses to me, so . . . let's try one more time! I'm having another give-away for Bizzy Bear, Off We Go! and for How Many Jelly Beans? I really loved both of these books . . . Bizzy Bear, Off We Go! is an excellent book for little ones - a first book with movable parts, tabs to pull and a fun story - all in a board book for durability! How Many Jelly Beans? is a fun book which helps children understand large numbers like 1,000, 100,000 and 1,000,000! 

Vote for . . . Christmas PJ Gift Tradition

I have been sharing the ideas of five ladies - two grandmas and three moms - who shared what they do to build relationships, create memories and establish traditions with their grandchildren/children. I'm asking you to vote for the idea you like the best - the one you'd like to try with your grandchildren/children. So, I last shared Nicci Di Flumeri's "Parade Photo Tradition" . . . so today I'm sharing about Nichol Tone's Christmas Eve PJ Gift Tradition. (I'm taking them in the order they were submitted to me)


Nichol Tone is a mom who said, "Each day I make special for my children and myself, but every year .... On Christmas Eve, we all get to open one gift; which is our christmas pajamas. This is a tradition my mom started and still continues to do with her children and grandchildren. So we all wake up Christmas morning in our christmas pajamas."

crafting with grandma - Crocheted Cowboy Boot Slippers

I'm in the mood for Christmas! Yes, it is in the 90's outside today, but   Christmas, nonetheless, is what I'm thinking about! Specifically, I'm thinking about some cute cowboy boot slippers I'm going to crochet for my grandsons   for Christmas this year - of course I found the pattern on Pinterest.

crafting with grandma - Simple Summer Fish!

If you are looking for a fun craft even your youngest grandchildren can enjoy working on - and your older grandchildren can use to show their great creativitiy - then take a look at this sun-catcher fish craft I found, of course, on Pinterest!

I Have a Winner . . .

I'm happy to announce Paula Skinner Hafner is the winner in my second-chance Boca Java coffee give-away! (You'll find the review at this link) Thank you Paula for reading grandma's cookie jar (please message me your address by July 28, 2012 so I can have it sent to you) and thank you Boca Java for sending coffee for me to review and for making additional coffee available for me to give away!

Vote for . . . Parade Photo Tradition!

I have been sharing the ideas of five ladies - two grandmas and three moms - who shared what they do to build relationships, create memories and establish traditions with their grandchildren/children. I'm asking you to vote for the idea you like the best - the one you'd like to try with your grandchildren/children. So, yesterday I shared about Elaine's "Advent Angels/Camp Gram" (she updated me yesterday on this year's "Camp Gram" and said, "our 'first ever' Camp Gram was last weekend. WOW....what a weekend it was. We Grandmas (and Grandpas) had a GREAT time and I think the kids did, too -- ages 3, 3, 6, 7, & 8. Having a friend come capture the priceless moments was an added blessing. When we've done Advent Angels we've had 'staged' pics, but we have some PRICELESS pics of spontaneous moments now. The nature hike was one of the highlights...and the twilight boat ride with the grandpas...and finding an 'abandoned' turtle shell....and doing hobo dinners...and sleeping in the cool indoor tents lined up wall to wall...and learning about the 'sticky white oozing stuff' from the prickly pear cactus being what Indians used for war paint....and doing leaf rubbings....and making bird feeders...and playing Red Rover....and reading books...and, and, and! It was all great fun and we'll be doing this again next year I'm QUITE SURE!!!!! ") and today I want to write about Nicci Di Flumeri's "Parade Photo Tradition" . . . I'll be sharing the last one tomorrow. (I'm taking them in the order they were submitted to me)

Nicci DiFlumeri is a mom who shared what she is doing to establish a tradition with her daughter! She said, "I have one child - my husband and I both grew up as only children. We have made a tradition of driving back to New York from Boston to go to our hometown parade every 4th of July. It was my absolutely favorite holiday growing up with the best memories of knowing most of the people in the parade and waving, catching candy and waving flags! We go to the same church with the same, now grown up friends who I used to watch the parade with. This is my daughter's first picture and I take one each year - so far three of them - all taken in the exact same spot! This is a tradition i always want to keep. I love my small home town and my friends!"

Vote for . . . Advent Angels/Camp Gram!

I have been sharing the ideas of five ladies - two grandmas and three moms - who shared what they do to build relationships, create memories and establish traditions with their grandchildren/children. I'm asking you to vote for the idea you like the best - the one you'd like to try with your grandchildren/children. So, yesterday I shared about TiF's "Summer Camping Tradition" and today I want to write about Elaine's "Advent Angels/Camp Gram" . . . I'll be sharing about the others each day for the next two days! (I'm taking them in the order they were submitted to me)

crafting with grandma - Free USA Map Puzzle!

While most children are likely enjoying their summer vacation, school does begin in just a little over a month, so, if you would like something fun you could do with your young grandchildren to help them get ready for school, check out this free USA map puzzle I found on Pinterest!

Vote for . . . Summer Camping Tradition!

As you know, I'm having my first "grandma contest" on grandma's cookie jar and the polls are open for you to cast your vote for the idea you like the best! I have five ladies - two grandmas and three moms - who shared their ideas for     what they do to build relationships, create memories and establish traditions with their grandchildren/children. I'm asking you to vote for the idea you like the best - the one you'd like to try with your grandchildren/children. So, yesterday I shared about Lori's "Grandma's Boot Camp" and today I want to write about TiF Murray's Summer Camping Tradition . . . I'll be sharing about the others each day for the next three days! (I'm taking them in the order they were submitted to me)

TiF Murray is a mom who said, "Our family loves tent camping,  so every summer we try to get a few trips in. Typically we spend time at one local campground and two out of state. We like to go to a new place each time and are luckly enough where we live it is easy for us to go to a beach or mountain to camp! Last year we did a trip to Cape Henlopen, DE which offered great early morning dolphin watching and ocean filled days. We also camped near Harrisburg, PA which was full of mountains and we had these huge boulders on our site which our girls climbed all over. This trip was very memorable because it rained the whole weekend! We found ourselves tent-bound, but still had a great time! We just love camping and letting our girls be adventurous, getting dirty, sometimes lost on a hiking trail and just spending time together to reinfouce the bond which God has given us! :-)"

crafting with grandma - Glow-in-the-Dark Bowling Fun!

While there are certainly many places in the world which should be "fun" places for our grandchildren to be, places where they want to be, grandma's and poppa's house most certainly should be at the top of the list! While we can not build a roller coaster in our back yard, we can have lots of fun and interesting things for them to do when they are here, so I tend to browse Pinterest with this in mind. It was on one such "browse" I found an idea for something simple and fun which we can do . . . build a "glow-in-the-dark backyard bowling alley"!

Second-Chance Give-Away . . .

I recently reviewed Boca Java coffee and said, "I enjoy a good cup of coffee in the morning with my breakfast, but finding a coffee which is truly good, one which isn't bitter, can be a challenge. At least it was a challenge until I found Boca Java Coffee! I have had the opportunity to review some Boca Java Coffee and I will be giving some away!" I gave away two bags of coffee, but only one winner got their address to me, so . . . I still have one bag to give away!

101 Verses That Stick . . . I'm Giving Some Away!

God's Word is powerful and living . . . as Hebrews 4:12 says, "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." (NIV) It is for this reason we read it. It is for this reason we study it. It is for this reason we memorize it. God's Word is unlike any other words because it is God's words!

Vote . . . For Grandma's Boot Camp!

 As you know, I'm having my first "grandma contest" on grandma's cookie jar and the polls are open for you to cast your vote for the idea you like the best! I have five ladies - two grandmas and three moms - who shared their ideas for     what they do to build relationships, create memories and establish traditions with their grandchildren/children. I'm asking you to vote for the idea you like the best - the one you'd like to try with your grandchildren/children. So, today . . . and each day for the next four days - I'm going to talk about one of the ideas! (I'm taking them in the order they were submitted to me)

The first lady who shared what she does with her grandchildren, is grandma, Lori Layne. Lori shared her idea for "Grandma's Boot Camp" and told how she plans and prepares for a week of special opportunities to learn and have fun for her six grandchildren - and for children of people she knows. Boot Camp runs from August 13th - 24th and four children will be sleeping over each night. Lori says  they will be making, "bird seed ornaments, volcanos with lava, music videos, bubble wants, library reading time, pajama party day, veggietales movie day and may be adding elephant toothpaste and chocolate peanut butter bugles!" Lori said she is trying to get a neighbor to come and talk with the childrne about horses and ferriers as well as someone to come and teach the children to play chess! It sounds like great fun!

grandma's cookbook - Chocolate & Peanut Butter Bugles!

As I browsed on Pinterest the other day, I saw a recipe which looked like something grandchildren would love to make . . . and eat! I thought it might make a fun treat to fix on a rainy day in the summer . . . if such a day actually happens this year . . . at least where I live! It could also be the perfect snack to make with your grandchildren when they have a sleep-over at your house! The snack? Chocolate and Peanut Butter Bugles!

I Have Two Winners . . .

I'm happy to announce Kathy Williams and Wanda Wilson are the winners in my second-chance Boca Java tea give-away! (You'll find the review at this link) Thank you Kathy and Wanda for reading grandma's cookie jar and thank you Boca Java for sending tea for me to review and for making additional tea available for me to give away!

grandma's bookshelf - Peter Pan Pop-Up Book

This book is part of my prize package for the "grandma contest" for which the polls are currently open - please vote if you have not already done so! I love pop-up books! They add so much "fun" to any book, so when you combine a classic story with pop-ups and sound, well, you have a book which is sure to be enjoyed!

I Have a Winner . . .

I'm happy to announce I have a winner in my MOGO prize package give-away! (I have the email for the winner, but not their name - their email begins with "Broken" - I have emailed the winner and she/he has until July 24, 2012 to get their address to me!) You will find a review of MOGO and a listing of the prize package at this link. Thank you for reading grandma's cookie jar and thank you MOGO for sending some of your product for me to review and for making the prize package available for me to give away!

Summer Fun . . . Water Pinata!

I don't know about where you live, but here in West Michigan it is HOT! It has been in the 90's and higher more this summer than at any time I can remember . . . so, when I saw this pin on Pinterest, I knew I had to share it with you! If you are looking for something fun to do with your grandchildren on a hot summer day, look no further because what could be more fun than a water pinata?!!! :-)