crafting with grandma - Photo Ornaments

In keeping with my, "let's get ready for Christmas" posts, I thought I'd share with you another idea I found on Pinterest for making your own custom, photo ornaments! These ornaments are simple, inexpensive and would make a great project for you to work on with your grandchildren so they can give them to their parents!

grandma's Christmas give-aways - Cuisinart 3-in-1 Cook Central!

Yes, I'm in the mood for Christmas! I've been making fun hats for my sweet grandsons (you'll find the post about the Agent Perry hats I made at this link) and I'm working on Minion hats right now! I'm already tucking away gifts for my family for Christmas and am busy collecting little items for the grandsons to open between Thanksgiving and Christmas. (Each time they are at my house between Thanksgiving and Christmas they will get to open one gift! Why, you ask? Because I'm grandma! And, I LOVE Christmas!!!)

I've also been busy lining up special give-aways for my third annual month of Special Christmas Give-aways! So far I've announced the Bitty Baby doll give-away from American Girl (you'll find the post at this link) and today I'm happy to announce I'm giving away one Cuisinart 3-In-1 Cook Central!

crafting with grandma - Melted Snowman & I Spy Ornaments!

As I said yesterday, Christmas is just around the corner, so . . . I thought it would be fun to share two more ideas with you for ornaments which I found on Pinterest! Both of these are fun, simple and ornaments which you could involve your grandchildren in making - they could give them to teachers, coaches, neighbors . . . to anyone for whom they need to have a nice, little gift!

Today is National Coffee Day - Let's Celebrate with Chocolate & Coffee Cookies!

If you are my son, then every day is Coffee Day! But, for those of us who enjoy coffee, but do not have signs on the back of our vehicles which say, "powered by coffee", today is National Coffee Day!

crafting with grandma - Christmas Heart Ornaments!

Christmas is just around the corner and as I was browsing Pinterest I found an idea for a sweet smelling ornament which would make a fun project for you to make with your grandchildren! It just uses applesauce and cinnamon - the reason it is sweet smelling - and a little time to make dozens of heart ornaments! Just think of all the wonderful things you could do with these little hearts . . . 

Today is National Good Neighbor Day!

While we should certainly be good neighbors every day, today is a day to especially be a good neighbor! In Luke 10 Jesus taught everyone is our neighbor and we need to be good neighbors; people who have and show mercy to others! Get your grandchildren and think about things you can do to be a good neighbor to your neighbors. Maybe you could . . .

Today is Native American Day!

America was "discovered" by explorers from Europe and is now a country which is made up of people from many nations; we truly are a "melting pot", but the first people who lived here, the Native Americans, were here long before it was "discovered" by explorers. Today is a day to celebrate Native Americans!

I Have a Winner!

I'm happy to announce Deb Obie is the winner in my Diamond Candle Give-away (you'll find the review at this link). Thank you Deb for reading grandma's cookie jar (I'll email you the code for getting your free candle) and thank you Diamond Candle for sending a candle for me to review and for making another available for me to give away!

grandma's bookshelf - Arlo's ARTrageous Adventure! - I'm Giving One Away!

When I was little, the most special books had lift-the-flaps and pop-ups and I loved them! So, when I was invited by Sterling Children's Books to review a new lift-the-flap book I was thrilled, not only because I still like these books, but because I noticed my grandsons loved them, too!

Today is Johnny Appleseed Day - Celebrate with Apple Cider Lollipops!

Since I grew up - and currently live - in West Michigan, Johnny Appleseed was someone I learned about as a child! Today is Johnny Appleseed Day, so I thought it would be a fun day to share with you! 

So, first some background info I found on-line about Johnny Appleseed. "He was born in 1774 as Johnny Chapman, this nurseryman became a legend while he was still alive, because he grew apple trees and supplied apple seeds to the early American settlers. He was and still is a legend. During the movement out west, he traveled and planted apple trees along the way. There is said to be a link between him and Arbor Day. Johnny Appleseed Day is at times celebrated on both dates, because he was born on September 26th, 1774 and March 11th is believed to be the date of his death."

Special Month of Christmas Give-Aways!

In just a bit over two months, my third annual Special Month of Christmas Give-Aways will begin! While I have fun give-aways all year long, the month of November is a special month of special give-aways! I've been arranging for some pretty wonderful give-aways . . . I've already posted about the Bitty Baby doll I'm giving away from American Girl and I'm also giving away a 3-in-1 Cooker from Cuisinart which I'll post about next week!

grandma's chuckles - Kisses are Weird!

I have three grandsons; Josiah is five, Caleb is two and Shane is seven weeks old. I LOVE EVERYTHING about being a grandma . . . the hugs, the kisses, the sweet smiles, reading books, playing games, making cookies . . . the list goes on and on! One of the wonderful things about being a grandma is being able to hear all the sweet things a grandchild says once they begin to talk . . . usually there are a lot of really funny things they say, too!

Two Days Until My Diamond Candle Give-Away!

Yes, you have likely noticed the countdown on the entry form which you can see on the top right side of this blog for the Diamond Candle give-away! There are only two days to go before someone wins a lovely candle and a ring worth between $10 and $5,000!

grandma's bookshelf - The Buccaneering Book of Pirates - I'm Giving One Away!

Last Thursday - September 19th - was, "Talk like a Pirate Day" and I posted review and give-away of a fun Pirate book (you'll find it at this link), so today - even though it isn't a Pirate-type day, I want to let you know about another book and give-away . . . this time its for The Buccaneering Book of Pirates!

Agent Perry the Platypus Hats!

I have started work on my Christmas gifts for this year . . . starting with crocheting Agent Perry the Platypus hats for my grandsons! My grandsons love the tv show, Phineas and Ferb . . . for good reason . . . it is funny!

Get 10 Free Photo Christmas Cards Today!

Yes, today only if you order from Shutterfly, you will receive 10 free photo cards! Christmas will be here before we know it, so get jump start on your Christmas to-do list and in the process, get ten FREE cards!

Just follow this link and use the code FREECARDS . . . there are a LOT of card design options for you to pick from - the most difficult part of this will be choosing which card you want to get!

I'm going to choose photos of my family and a card which communicates the Reason for the Season and order 10 cards today! What about you? Which card do you like?

crafting with grandma - Clothes Pin Ornaments

Believe it or not, Christmas is just around the corner! In three months we will all be celebrating with our family and friends . . . so, if you would like to get a bit of a head start on making gifts check these adorable ornaments I found on Pinterest - all you need is paint and clothespins!

Today is Elephant Appreciation Day!

Today is Elephant Appreciation Day . . . since you all are likely like me and do not have any elephants as pets, I thought it would be fun on this special day set aside to appreciate elephants, for us to take a moment and learn a few fun facts about these creatures! Did you know . . .

Today is International Rabbit Day!

When my children were young, they each had a pet rabbit - Tiffany named her's, Snowball and Dave named his Indiana Bunny . . . Indy for short! Bunnies are soft and gentle and do make nice pets. In fact, after dogs and cats, worldwide Bunnies are the third most popular pet!

The Circus Had Dragons!

Last night my grandsons and their dad and mom went to the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus . . . and it is not understating things to say they had an absolutely incredible time!  I received a phone call from Josiah as they were on their way home and he told me the circus had dragons!!!! Not "real" dragons, of course, but dragons which were the size of real dragons . . . and one even breathed fire!!!!! He was definitely impressed!

I Have a Winner!

I'm happy to announce Stephanie (nurse mommy) is the winner in my LORAX (BLU-RAY/DVD/2 DISC/COMBO) give-away! (You'll find the review at this link) Thank you Stephanie for reading grandma's cookie jar (please message me your address by September 22, 2013 so I can have it sent to you) and thank you NBC for making this give-away possible!

Help End Cancer and Domestic Violence with Mary Kay!

A couple days ago I posted about a small and easy way we can all help end cancer which affects women and domestic violence . . . by buying a lip gloss from Mary Kay. How is this possible? One dollar from each lip gloss purchased will be donated to the Mary Kay Foundation which has the goal of trying to end both of these things. You'll find the full post at this link, but there is still time to order a lip gloss - or two . . .

Josiah's Fifth Birthday, the Circus & Snickerdoodles!

Today is Josiah's birthday . . . he is five years old!!! The years have flown by! It has been five of the best years ever - filled with hugs and kisses from sweet Josiah! Along with LOTS and LOTS of laughing as he is a VERY funny boy!

Today is Rice Krispies Treats Day!

Wow! A day to celebrate both cheeseburgers and rice krispies treats!!! What could be better? :-) These sweet, crunchy, sticky and tasty treats have been enjoyed by children - and adults - for decades!

I found a website with 20 recipes for rice krispies treats . . . just follow this link and you'll find recipes for peanut butter rice krispies treats, malt ball rice krispies treats and eighteen more fun recipes sure to bring a smile to the faces of your grandchildren!