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!
On my other blog, Grandmas with Heart, I wrote a post today which I hope is both encouraging and challenging, so I thought I'd share it with you. I wrote - You may be a committed prayer warrior who spends time every day talking with God on behalf of the ones you love and know. For you prayer may be as much a part of your life as breathing. But, you may be a person who struggles with praying. You may find prayer is something with which you struggle, so if this is you, take heart! While you may struggle with prayer, while you may find the day has slipped by and you did not stop to pray, take heart! God is always thinking about you!
I am happy to say Shakeia Rieux is the winner of Around the World in 80 Puzzles. (You will find all the details at thislink.) Thank you for reading grandma's cookie jar (please message me at lyndagcj@gmail.com by December 7, 2018, so I am able to have it sent to you) and thank you Candlewick Press for sending one for me to review and for making another available for me to give away.
I am happy to say Jan Harpe is the winner of Interrupting Chicken and the Elephant of Surprise. (You will find all the details at thislink.) Thank you for reading grandma's cookie jar (please message me at lyndagcj@gmail.com by December 6, 2018, so I am able to have it sent to you) and thank you Candlewick Press for sending one for me to review and for making another available for me to give away.
On my other blog, Grandmas with Heart, I share an idea each Wednesday for "Mystery Bags" - a way to engage your grandchildren in learning about walking with God. I thought you might also enjoy today's "Mystery Bag" - I said . . .
I am happy to say Kellyr78 is the winner of Flip Flap Dogs. (You will find all the details at thislink.) Thank you for reading grandma's cookie jar (please message me at lyndagcj@gmail.com by December 4, 2018, so I am able to have it sent to you) and thank you nosy crow/Candlewick Press for sending one for me to review and for making another available for me to give away.
It is #GivingTuesday - I would love to recommend an amazing ministry which serves families - the Christian Grandparenting Network. Learn about them at this link. Today on #GivingTuesday, Facebook and PayPal will MATCH any gift you make. Whether you donate $5 or $500, every little bit helps. Thank you in advance for giving feet to the Gospel! Donate here: https://www.facebook.com/donate/2324641477608205
I am happy to say Laura Waltz is the winner of Dog Man: Lord of the Fleas. (You will find all the details at thislink.) Thank you for reading grandma's cookie jar (please message me at lyndagcj@gmail.com by December 3, 2018, so I am able to have it sent to you) and thank you graphix/Scholastic for sending one for me to review and for making another available for me to give away.
I am happy to say Tina Hendrickson is the winner of one Folkmanis Reindeer Puppet. (You will find all the details at thislink.) Thank you for reading grandma's cookie jar (please message me at lyndagcj@gmail.com by December 2, 2018, so I am able to have it sent to you) and thank you Folkmanis for sending puppets for me to review and to give away.
I am happy to say Joan Salsbury is the winner of If You're Groovy and You Know It, Hug a Friend. (You will find all the details at thislink.) Thank you for reading grandma's cookie jar (please message me at lyndagcj@gmail.com by December 1, 2018, so I am able to have it sent to you) and thank you Orchard Books/Scholastic for sending one for me to review and for making another available for me to give away.
This morning I posted on my other blog - Grandmas with Heart - about a way to help our grandchildren focus upon giving in a season where the focus is often upon receiving. I wrote . . .
“Christmas time is here. Happiness and cheer. Fun for all that children call, Their favorite time of the year!”
Ah, yes . . . Christmas time is here, or at least many believe so, since we celebrated Thanksgiving yesterday, many of us put up our Christmas trees yesterday (guilty as charged!) and today people are out shopping for bargains. Christmas time is here and while children are likely to focus upon the gifts they hope to receive . . . as for many children it is their favorite time of year, I believe it is the ideal time to redirect their focus to giving to others! So . . . here are my Top Five Reasons for Focusing Our Grandchildren upon Giving at Christmas . . .
I am happy to say Mary Beth Dawson is the winner of Mac Undercover - Mac B. Kid Spy. (You will find all the details at thislink.) Thank you for reading grandma's cookie jar (please message me at lyndagcj@gmail.com by November 30, 2018, so I am able to send it to you) and thank you Orchard Books/Scholastic for sending one for me to review and for making another available for me to give away.
I am happy to say Latanya T is the winner of one Grip-N-Gulp Blue Seahorse Kids OTF Bottle. (You will find all the details at thislink.) Thank you for reading grandma's cookie jar (please message me at lyndagcj@gmail.com by November 29, 2018, so I am able to send it to you) and thank you nalgene for sending one for me to review and for making another available for me to give away.
I am happy to say Gala is the winner of The Assassination of Brangwain Spurge. (You will find all the details at thislink.) Thank you for reading grandma's cookie jar (please message me at lyndagcj@gmail.com by November 28, 2018, so I am able to have it sent to you) and thank you Candlewick Press for sending one for me to review and for making another available for me to give away.
I am happy to say Paula Michele Hafner is the winner of Where's Waldo? The Spectacular Spotlight Search. (You will find all the details at thislink.) Thank you for reading grandma's cookie jar (please message me at lyndagcj@gmail.com by November 27, 2018, so I am able to have it sent to you) and thank you Candlewick Press for sending one for me to review and for making another available for me to give away.
I shared an idea on my other blog - Grandmas with Heart - this morning about how to help our grandchildren/children learn to be thankful people in 2019. I said;
I am happy to say Jenny Quimby is the winner of DC Comics: Secret Hero SocietyDetention of Doom. (You will find all the details at thislink.) Thank you for reading grandma's cookie jar (please message me at lyndagcj@gmail.com by November 26, 2018, so I am able to have it sent to you) and thank you Scholastic books for sending one for me to review and for making another available for me to give away.
I am happy to say Tina Hendrickson is the winner of oneRed Frangipan Adjustable Cane with Wooden Handle. (You will find all the details at thislink.) Thank you for reading grandma's cookie jar (please message me at lyndagcj@gmail.com by November 25, 2018, so I am able to get it to you) and thank you Harvey Canes/House of Canes for sending one for me to give away.
I am sharing this request, because I know so many of you are prayer warriors. My cousin has been through a terrible battle with cancer. We thought it was gone, but it returned as an extremely difficult leukemia. She just completed a series of chemo - four weeks of constant chemo, two weeks off, followed by four weeks again of constant chemo.
One week from today is my oldest grandson's favorite holiday - Thanksgiving. He told us last night it was his favorite holiday, because he gets to eat turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy! I am planning to fix a smoked turkey, roasted turkey with apples, mashed potatoes, mashed squash, stuffing, squash rolls and gravy. My daughter-in-law is bringing the veggies, my daughter is fixing applesauce and my mom is making the pumpkin pie. A fairly traditional menu, but I am absolutely looking forward to it - as is my grandson! What are you planning to fix for Thanksgiving this year? If you need a few spices to add to your menu, take a look at this wonderful offer from I received in my email this morning from the Spice House . . .
I am happy to say Tina is the winner of Douglas, You're a Genius!. (You will find all the details at thislink.) Thank you for reading grandma's cookie jar (please message me at lyndagcj@gmail.com by November 22, 2018, so I am able to have it sent it to you) and thank you Random House for sending one for me to review and for making another available for me to give away.
On my other blog I wrote about how a few years ago I involved my three grandsons in making my Christmas cards. The boys helped draw the design on the cover, I wrote the inside greeting and then the boys prayed with me for the people who received our cards. We prayed the coming year would draw the people who received the cards closer to Jesus. Yes, the drawings looked like a seven year old, four year old and two year old helped to draw them . . . after all, the boys were seven, four and two at the time, but the cards were the best Christmas cards I ever sent, because the boys helped make them and most importantly, they prayed with me for the people who received them.
I was recently invited to review three Art Journals from Ellie Claire and today I am delighted to share with you my opinion of these Art Journals, highly recommend them for a thoughtful, unique and lovely gift and announce a giveaway for one of them.
I am happy to say Leela is the winner of Reagandoodle & Little Buddy. (You will find all the details at thislink.) Thank you for reading grandma's cookie jar (please message me at lyndagcj@gmail.com by November 19, 2018, so I am able to have it sent it to you) and thank you Harvest House for sending one for me to review and for making another available for me to give away.
My seven year old grandson LOVES origami. He often grabs paper at my house and an origami book I have and next thing I know, he has created another origami masterpiece! At least to this grandma they are definitely masterpieces!
I am happy to say Mary Beth Dawson is the winner of theHillsong Kids - Can You Believe It!?DVD from Hillsong Kids. (You will find all the details at thislink.) Thank you for reading grandma's cookie jar (please message me at lyndagcj@gmail.com by November 15, 2018, so I am able to have it sent it to you) and thank you FlyBy for sending one for me to review and for making another available for me to give away.
I came across this quote a few months back and thought when it snowed, I'd share it with you all. So, since it is snowing out my window this morning, I'm happy to share it with you. Each of our grandchildren are wonderful, precious gifts from the hand of God! Not only did He gift us with each grandchild, but He made each of them unique and special in their own way. Our grandchildren may all look alike, or you may have one with brown hair, one with red hair and one who has blond hair (as do I).
I am happy to say Paula Michele Hafner is the winner of Ground Saigon Cinnamon from the Spice House. (You will find all the details at thislink.) Thank you for reading grandma's cookie jar (please message me at lyndagcj@gmail.com by November 15, 2018, so I am able to have it sent it to you) and thank you Spice House for sending one for me to review and for making another available for me to give away.
I was recently invited to review the new Hillsong Kids - Can You Believe It!? DVD and today I'm happy to share my opinion of it with you - and announce a giveaway for one as well.
For several years now, I have been blessed with the opportunity to review and give away some of the most incredible, plush and beautiful puppets. Today I'm very delighted for the opportunity to let you know about more puppets from Folkmanis - and yes, announce a giveaway as well!
Six years ago we held a cookie recipe contest, so today I thought it would be fun to share with you once again one of the tasty recipes from our contest. If you did not try this six years ago, be sure to do so today! This recipe was submitted by Jackie Wieda and is for Snicker chocolate Chip Cookies! Jackie said; "I have to make a batch of these every year because my husband just loves them!" You will find this recipe is simple to make - bake up a batch to surprise and delight your family today!
I am happy to say Jennifer McLeod is the winner of the book, No Frogs in School. (You will find all the details at thislink.) Thank you for reading grandma's cookie jar (please message me at lyndagcj@gmail.com by November 12, 2018, so I am able to have it sent it 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 love peanut butter and think every month is a month to celebrate the tasty treat, but since November is apparently peanut butter lovers' month, it is a great time to share a simple way to turn a favorite recipe into an even better recipe . . . peanut butter toll house cookies!
I am happy to say Bakersdozen is the winner of a special box of Red Heart yarn(You will find the review at this link.) Thank you for reading grandma's cookie jar (please message me at lyndagcj@gmail.com by November 7, 2018, so I am able to send it to you) and thank you Red Heart for sending yarn for me to review and give away.
As we enter the month of November and "head" towards Thanksgiving Day, I thought it would be encouraging to focus upon being thankful. So, since today is Thursday and Thanksgiving Day is on a Thursday, I thought I'd observe, "Thankful Thursdays" on my other blog - Grandmas with Heart - and share a verse or two each Thursday to help us focus upon being thankful and encourage us to model to and teach our grandchildren to be thankful as well. It seems like a good idea to share these posts with you as well.
All three of my grandsons enjoy playing chess . . . especially when they play against me, because they always win! So, when USAopoly said they would send me one of their new to review, I was very happy to be able to include it in this year's Christmas Gift Review and Giveaway . . . yes, I am able to give one away!
I am happy to say Mary Beth Dawson is the winner of HOLY ROAR(You will find the review at this link.) Thank you for reading grandma's cookie jar (please message me at lyndagcj@gmail.com by November 3, 2018, so I am able to arrange for you to receive your CD) and thank you Bowyer & Bow/FlyBy for sending one CD for me to review and for making another available for me to give away.
On my other blog, Grandmas with Heart, I wrote a post today which I hope is both encouraging and challenging, so I thought I'd share it with you. I wrote -
