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!
It truly matters for us to tell our grandchildren - and to show them - how much we love them no matter their age or location. Make it a priority today to call, email or visit your grandchildren just to tell them how much you love them - it will make a real and powerful difference! (This is from my new facebook page for Grandmas with Heart. A group of grandmas - Linda Ransom Jacobs, Sherry Schumann, Cathy Jacobs, Deb delVillar, Naomi Murray and myself - have joined together to produce resources which will equip and empower grandmas (and grandpas and parents) to hand down a heritage of faith. We are working to find publishers who will "get on-board" with us so this project will be able to move forward - it would be tremendously helpful for as many people as possible to "like/follow" the Grandmas with Heart facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/Grandmas-with-Heart-130560861034115/) and our twitter account (@gm2heart) Please help us spread the news!)
I'm happy to say Shaun is the winner of one photo blanket of their choice from Collage.com(You will find the review at this link).Thank you Shaun for reading grandma's cookie jar (please email me - lyndagcj@gmail.com - by December 5, 2017 - so I am able to send your prize to you) and thank you Collage.com for sending blankets for me to review and give away!
I thought it might be nice after five years to update grandma's cookie jar's logo . . . so, it is just a bit different . . . what do you think? I made it for free and am able to use it for free as long as I give credit to the site where I made it . . . which I'm happy to do. I made this logo at - https://logomakr.com. If you need a logo, not only will you be able to design and make your own logo, but use it as well - as long as you give credit!
By the way - do you like it better in blue or red?
What cookie do you make the most for your grandchildren? At my house the favorites are straight up peanut butter and peanut butter toll house! This is from my new facebook page for Grandmas with Heart. A group of grandmas - Linda Ransom Jacobs, Sherry Schumann, Cathy Jacobs, Deb delVillar, Naomi Murray and myself - have joined together to produce resources which will equip and empower grandmas (and grandpas and parents) to hand down a heritage of faith. We are working to find publishers who will "get on-board" with us so this project will be able to move forward - it would be tremendously helpful for as many people as possible to "like/follow" the Grandmas with Heart facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/Grandmas-with-Heart-130560861034115/) and our twitter account (@gm2heart) Please help us spread the news!
Last year my grandsons made a simple, but fun - and very cool - snowman ornament. The only supplies they needed were clothespins, white paint, permanent ink markers, orange felt and scraps of cloth. They painted the clothespins white and let them dry. Once they were dry, they drew simple faces, glued on a felt carrot nose and then we tied a strip of cloth on them for scarves. Voila! Snowmen ornaments! These ornaments clip on to the tree branches and make a fun addition to any tree!
I'm happy to say Tina (with a granddaughter) is the winner of one Nanea - American Girl Beforever Doll(You will find the review at this link).Thank you Tina for reading grandma's cookie jar (please email me - lyndagcj@gmail.com - by December 4, 2017 - so I am able to send your prize to you) and thank you American Girl for sending one for me to review and give away!
There are many things in life which we are not able to depend upon, but God's Word is NOT one of those things! It absolutely WILL accomplish what He planned for it; so be intentional and faithful about sharing it with your grandchildren! (This photo is from Grandmas with Heart - please check them out at this link and share them with the people you know.)
It is reasonably safe to say by now I've established I LOVE Christmas! It is also reasonably safe to say you all likely know I enjoy making ornaments . . . and if there is a snowman involved I will be very happy! So, when I was browsing on Pinterest and saw some cute, easy ornaments with snowmen options, well . . . I had to share them with you!
I'm happy to say Gala is the winner of one Folkmanis Donald Duck Puppet(You will find the review at this link).Thank you Gala for reading grandma's cookie jar (please email me - lyndagcj@gmail.com - by December 3, 2017 - so I am able to send your prize to you) and thank you Folkmanis for sending one for me to review and give away!
The best gift you will give your grandchildren is the example of what it looks like to live life as someone who loves God with their all and loves others - grandparents are the second-most influential people in the lives of their grandchildren (second only to parents), so your example is powerful and truly does make a real and lasting difference! (This photo is from Grandmas with Heart - please check them out at this link and share them with the people you know.)
When it comes to making Christmas ornaments, I love two things - a project which is simple enough for my grandsons to enjoy and a project which results in a fun snowman! Today I'm very happy to share with you one of my favorite ornaments which meets both of these "requirements" . . . melted snowman ornaments!
I'm happy to say Jennifer McLeod is the winner of one Shutterfly 50x60 Sherpa Fleece Photo Blanket(You will find the review at this link).Thank you Jennifer for reading grandma's cookie jar (please email me - lyndagcj@gmail.com - by December 2, 2017 - so I am able to have your prize sent to you) and thank you Shutterfly for sending one for me to review and give away!
If you live near your grandchildren make time to spend some "laptime" with them in the coming week - put your arms around them and tell them how much you love them! Tell them how thankful you are God gave them to you and how you know He knew what He was doing when He created them! "Laptime" like this has value which lasts a lifetime.
Even though we do not yet have snow here in Michigan, I thought it would be fun to share another snowman ornament craft with you. Five years ago on grandma's cookie jar I held an ornament contest. Many of you shared your favorite ornament craft with us and one of you was Lori Layne. Lori shared a craft and said, "I made this ornament last Christmas.It is a simple knit and fun to send in the mail to those you love!" Lori sent me the link for a free Ravelry pattern; free Ravelry downloadA fluffy snowman card, knitted in garter stitch using a textured double knitting and oddments of 4 ply. If you would like to knit a gathering of snowmen ornaments, check this link!
I'm happy to say Latanya is the winner of The Twelve Days of Christmas in Michigan or whichever available State you might choose(You will find the review at this link).Thank you Latanya for reading grandma's cookie jar (please email your address - lyndagcj@gmail.com - by December 1, 2017 - so I am able to have your prize sent to you) and thank you Sterling Children's Books for sending one for me to review and give away!
Each year I make a special hat for my grandsons . . . we do live in Michigan and it does get cold here during the winter . . . I want their sweet heads to stay warm!
Christmas is just around the corner - if you, like my six-year-old grandson keep track of the number of days until Christmas - it is 30 to go as of today, November 25th! So, if you are looking for an idea for an ornament which your grandchildren can actually make, I thought I'd go back into my "archives" of ideas and found this fun ornament I originally found on Pinterest!
Howard Wallace, P.I and Shadow of a Pug - Howard Wallace,(You will find the review at this link) and Kellyr78 is the winner of one Minnie Mouse Puppet(You will find the review at this link).Thank you Jan and Kelly for reading grandma's cookie jar (please email your address - lyndagcj@gmail.com - by November 30, 2017 - so I am able to have your prizes sent to you) and thank you Sterling Children's Books and Folkmanis for sending these for me to review and give away!
On this day where we may think about sales and gifts we want to purchase, take time to focus upon giving the gifts which matter the most - give the gift of your time to those you love; give joy and happiness; give patience, but most of all give love! Share God's great love and be certain to voice and show your love to those who God has gifted to you! (This photo is from Grandmas with Heart - please check them out at this link and share them with the people you know.)
I'm happy to say Alicia Anne is the winner of one Shutterfly Photo Pillow(You will find the review at this link) and Gaye Valle is the winner of one year of Generations Quest, (You will find the review at this link)Thank you Alicia Anne and Gaye for reading grandma's cookie jar (please email your address - lyndagcj@gmail.com - by November 29, 2017 - so I am able to have your prizes sent to you) and thank you Shutterfly for sending one pillow for me to review and give away!
I'm trying something new this year with the turkey - I'm baking a boneless turkey breast (almost 10lbs) in my convection oven. I made an herb butter which I spread on the top and then covered with sliced apples. I put the skin over these and will grate a little orange peel on it before I put it in the oven.
I'm happy to say Tracy Taylor is the winner of Pirates of the Caribbean Battleship Board Game(You will find the review at this link).Thank you Tracy for reading grandma's cookie jar (please email your address - lyndagcj@gmail.com - by November 28, 2017 - so I am able to have your prize sent to you) and thank you USAopoly for sending one for me to review and give away!
Making it through the growing up years can be difficult for
our grandchildren, but it is much easier when they are surrounded by friends who love and want to follow God. Pray for them to make friends with others who will encourage them to love and follow God - and pray they will be a friend who encourages others to do this as well. (This photo is from Grandmas with Heart - please check them out at this link and share them with the people you know.)
It is the time of year where we look for the "perfect" gifts to give to the people we love - gifts which are "fun" and will bring a smile to the face of the ones who receive them. I know I am looking forward to seeing happy faces as my family opens their gifts. However; along with the gifts which are "fun", this year consider giving a gift which has the potential to help draw you and the ones you love draw closer to God!
I'm happy to say Sid Ogg is the winner of the book You Must Bring a Hat!(You will find the review at this link) and Gaye Valle is the winner of one CD from Kutless - Alpha / Omega(You will find the review at this link) Thank you Sid and Gaye for reading grandma's cookie jar (please email your address - lyndagcj@gmail.com - by November 27, 2017 - so I am able to have your prize sent to you) and thank you Sterling Children's Books and BEC Recordings/Flyby for sending these for me to review and give away!
I typically do not post articles on grandma's cookie jar which are written by others, but since I thought you might be interested in learning about the new movie, THE STAR, I decided to make an exception and share with you the following review . . .
I was asked recently if I’d like to review THE STAR movie, based off of the very first Christmas, from the animal’s perspective surrounding Christ’s birth. This was something I had never done before, but was excited about giving it a try.
I'm happy to say Virginia is the winner of one Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Hand Puppet(You will find the review at this link.)Thank you Virginia for reading grandma's cookie jar (please email your address - lyndagcj@gmail.com - by November 26, 2017 - so I am able to have it sent to you) and thank you Folkmanis for sending one for me to review and give away!
I'm happy to announce Sarah Yurga is the winner in our cookie recipe contest and is the winner of her own photo cookie jar from Personalization Mall! Check this link for the details about this wonderful cookie jar - it would make a terrific Christmas gift . . . especially filled with cookies! Sarah, please email me at lyndagcj@gmail.com, so I am able to connect you with the person who will help you get your photo cookie jar. Thank you to everyone who shared a cookie recipe and everyone who voted!
You have a family faith history - if your family is one where generations have loved and followed God, then you have a long family faith history. If you are the first in your family to love and follow God, then your family faith history has just begun, but either way, you have a history of how God has shown His faithfulness to you. If you do not pass on your family faith history, how will your grandchildren know the ways God has shown His love and faithfulness? Be sure to tell them your family faith history - consider getting a journal and start writing it down - so future generations will not forget! (This photo is from Grandmas with Heart - please check them out at this link and share them with the people you know.)
I'm happy to say Carmen VanDeursen is the winner of the NIV, Beautiful Word Coloring Bible(You will find the review at this link.)Thank you Carmen for reading grandma's cookie jar (please email your address - lyndagcj@gmail.com - by November 25, 2017 - so I am able to have it sent to you) and thank you Zondervan for sending one for me to review and for making another available for me to give away!
How has God showed His faithfulness to you as you go through life? Tell your grandchildren! It is one of the most powerful things you can do to hand down faith! (This photo is from Grandmas with Heart - please check them out at this link and share them with the people you know.)
I'm happy to say Nicole Lancaster is the winner of the very fun book, We Wish for a Monster Christmas(You will find the review at this link.)Thank you Nicole for reading grandma's cookie jar (please email your address - lyndagcj@gmail.com - by November 25, 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'm happy to say Elizabeth Brooks is the winner of oneFolkmanis Mickey Mouse Puppet(You will find the review at this link.) Thank you for reading grandma's cookie jar (please email your address - lyndagcj@gmail.com - by November 24, 2017 - so I am able to send it to you) and thank you Folkmanis for sending one for me to review and give away!
Christmas is just one month and eight days away . . . not very long actually. So, if you like to make gifts for people you love, and like to help your grandchildren do the same, check this idea for clay pot snowmen. It is a fun craft and one you could have your grandchildren make - even smaller ones - to give to their teachers. Over the years I've made a number of different types of snowmen to decorate with and give as gifts, but this clay pot snowman is my personal all-time favorite snowman!
Far too often this world makes our grandchildren think they are "less than", or need to be something other than who God created them to be if they are to find true "happiness". But, the truth is God knew what He was doing when He created them - He did not make any mistakes at all! They are exactly who God created them to be and they are full of value - be sure to communicate this truth to them on a regular basis. (This photo is from Grandmas with Heart - please check them out at this link and share them with the people you know.)
I'm happy to say Tarter95 is the winner of God's Great Love for You (You will find the review at this link.) Thank you for reading grandma's cookie jar (please email your address - lyndagcj@gmail.com - by November 22, 2017 - so I am able to have it sent to you) and thank you Zonderkidz for sending one for me to review and for making another available for me to give away!
With Thanksgiving just around the corner, think about the things in your lifetime which meant the most to you. It is very possible, many of those were "small" things - the time someone called you when you needed encouragement, the smile on your child's/grandchild's face, the time your spouse surprised you with flowers, the hugs from your grandblessings! These things - and many more - are "small" things, which mean so much to you.
I'm happy to say Paula Michele Hafner is the winner of oneShutterfly Photo Cup(You will find the review at this link.)Thank you Paula for reading grandma's cookie jar (please email your address - lyndagcj@gmail.com - by November 21, 2017 - so I am able to have it sent to you) and thank you Shutterfly for sending one for me to review and for making another available for me to give away!
Life has it's difficult times for all of us, but through it all, God is always faithful! Share with your grandchildren how God has been faithful in the past, what He does to show His faithfulness now and how you know He will be faithful tomorrow. This photo is from Grandmas with Heart - please check them out at this link and share them with the people you know.
I'm happy to say Tina (who posted about the gingerbread tradition) is the winner of 'Twas the Evening of Christmas(You will find the review at this link.)Thank you Tina for reading grandma's cookie jar (please email your address - lyndagcj@gmail.com - by November 20, 2017 - so I am able to have it sent to you) and thank you Zonderkidz for sending one for me to review and for making another available for me to give away!
The voting just closed in the third week of round one of voting - Sarah's White Chocolate Pretzel Cookies received the most votes. We are ready to move to our final week of voting - whoever submitted the cookie recipe which receives the most votes will win the photo cookie jar from Personalization Mall! You may vote for either White Chocolate PretzelCookies - submitted by Sarah Yurga (you'll find it at this link) Shirley's Peanut Butter Cookies - submitted by Tina (you'll find it at this link) Jennifer M's Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies or Leela's Dark Chocolate Chunk Peanut Butter Pecan Cookies (you will find both of the recipes at this link).
So, which of these cookie recipes do you like the best?
We grandmas know something our adult children do not . . . we know how quickly children grow up. Our grandchildren are growing up - very quickly. Take time today to pray for them to grow to be people who love and walk with God and make it a point this week to share with them what you do to love and walk with God. This photo is from Grandmas with Heart - please check them out at this link and share them with the people you know.
I'm happy to say Sarah Yurga is the winner of Goodnight, Little Bot(You will find the review and details for entering the giveaway at this link.)Thank you Sarah for reading grandma's cookie jar (please email your address - lyndagcj@gmail.com - by November 19, 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 was recently invited to review a new CD from Kutless - Alpha / Omega. I did not really know much about this band - or thought I did not - but thought they were probably a "metal" type band, which members of my family enjoy, so I said I'd do it. (I thought I could always have them help me by listening to it and letting me know what people who like Metal thought of it.) I was in for a huge surprise - a wonderful surprise when I listened to it . . . I sing most of the songs on the CD in church! Songs like "Your Great Name", "Strong Tower" and "Your Love Awaken Me" are some of my favorite worship songs! Not metal - worship! So, today I'm extremely happy to let you know what I think of Kutless Alpha / Omega and announce a special giveaway as well!
It truly matters for us to tell our grandchildren - and to show them - how much we love them no matter their age or location. Make it a priority today to call, email or visit your grandchildren just to tell them how much you love them - it will make a real and powerful difference!
