My Grandma Promise

For 2020 and for all time, this grandma promise is absolutely my promise . . . 

Connect with Your Grandchildren & Have Fun Each Month Doing So

Part of handing down the faith - a big part of it - is taking the time to build a close relationship with your grandchildren/children. There are certainly many ways to do this, but one way is by planning opportunities together to just have fun. These fun times together help you build a strong and close relationship as you make memories which will last beyond your own years - and give you natural opportunities to have important faith conversations while you are having fun as well.

In 2020 I am going to plan special monthly fun days with my grandsons to help build these close, strong relationships with them. Each month one of my grandsons will go through the silly holidays for the month with me and they will pick a couple of their favorites and then all of us will celebrate those silly days together on a special Saturday. For example, my youngest grandson is starting with the month of January. There are many possibilities for a "fun day" in January - for example . . .

I Have a Winner

I am happy to say Leela is the winner of Penguin & Moose! (You will find my review at this link.) Thank you Leela for reading grandma's cookie jar (Please email me your address by January 1, 2020 - lyndagcj@gmail.com) 

Thank you also to Worthy Kids for sending one for me to review and for making another available for me to give away.

Hand Down the Faith for Free with Generations Quest Cultivate the Faith!

Handing down the faith tends to be something which we look forward to doing and enjoy, or something which leaves us feeling confused and unable to do effectively. Well, no matter which of these describes you, I am very happy today to let you know about a resource which gives you 52 lessons, complete with science projects, crafts and cooking activities to engage the children you love while also helping them learn about real people from the Bible, how those Bible people chose to walk with God and how they are able to do the same. This resource is called Generations Quest Cultivate the Faith! and today through Friday the kindle version is free at this link!

Icy Sun Catchers

It is currently not cold enough where I live to try this - and the weather people say it is unlikely to become cold before next year - but if where you live at least has the potential to become cold enough to try this, gather the supplies for the perfect activity for your grands when it is cold enough . . . make Icy Sun Catchers!

Christmas Fun - Candy Cane Hunt

I shared this idea with you the last couple years - it was a lot of fun, so if you did not try it yet, consider doing so this year; and if you are new to grandma's cookie jar - this is an idea which is "tradition worthy"! What is this great idea? It is for having a candy cane hunt with the children you love - you will find at this link!

What is a candy cane hunt you ask? Well, think Easter Egg hunt and substitute candy canes and you are on the right track! I'm going to wrap eight candy canes for each grandson and put them under the tree. When the boys are at my house next Saturday, they will be able to open their candy canes, then when their parents come for supper, we will have them hide the candy canes outside - I have lots of trees with branches at the right heights for the boys and since they are candy canes, they will easily hang on the branches. The boys will get to go outside and each will be able to search my yard for eight candy canes.

Then, I will have them each take two of their candy canes to put in a bag with directions for how to have a candy cane hunt and they will be able to give it to their neighbor, so he can have a candy cane hunt, too!

We will also talk about how the candy cane reminds us of the real meaning of Christmas - 

Christmas Fun - Homemade Dog Cookies!

My grandsons have two dogs - Gimli and Roxie and their Aunt has Rosie, the basset hound. Plus, my neighbors have three dogs, so tomorrow when the boys are here, we are making cookies for all six dogs for Christmas (and people Christmas cookies for the people who love them as well!) My grandsons love dogs and they are happy to make a tasty treat for the dogs they "know" the best.

Christmas in a "Nutshell"

With Christmas just a few days away, I thought I'd share with you some Christmas thoughts . . . 

Corrie Ten Boom knew the joy of life with family and the incredible loss of her loved family in the concentration camps of Nazi  Germany. Yet, through it all, she held tightly to her faith in God, His love and His goodness. I love this quote from her . . . 

Christmas 2019 - Penguin & Moose . . . & a Giveaway on December 25, 2019

When I was a child my mom always gave me at least one book for Christmas and birthdays, so when my children were young I did the same; and now with my grandsons, I continue to do so. If you are a "book-giver", but are still looking for a book for a grandchild ages four to eight, take a good look at a new book - Penguin & Moose - it is wonderful! The publisher Worthy Kids sent it to me for review an I am delighted to let you know about it.

Christmas 2019 - Pilar Pocket Knife from CRKT

If you are still looking for a great gift for a teen or adult grandchild/ son/daughter, take a look at this wonderful new pocket knife from CRKT.

Make 2020 a Year of Handing Down the Faith Intentionally with Your FREE Kindle Copy of Generations Quest Cultivate the Faith!

When we hand down the faith, we watch for those unplanned opportunities to connect life with God, His Word and how we are able to know and walk with Him. But, we also need to plan opportunities to do these things in a very intentional and purposeful way as well. 

This is where Generations Quest Cultivate the Faith! comes in. This book provides you with 52 intentional, purposeful lessons complete with science projects, crafts, cooking along with Bible lessons, time to work with a prayer journal and teach your grandchildren/children why they are able to believe in God and trust His Word with confidence. I wrote this book to have something I would be able to use to engage my active grandsons in learning how to know, love and walk with God and I am so happy to let you know next week - December 23-27, 2019 you are able to download the Kindle copy of it for FREE!

Christmas 2019 - Scrabble World of Harry Potter Board Game

Christmas is just ten days away, but if you are still looking for a gift for someone on your list, consider this special twist to an old classic game - Scrabble World of Harry Potter Board Game. USAopoly sent me one to review and if you have a family member who is a fan of Harry Potter, this is a game they will enjoy for sure.

Create-your-own Chicken-add-in Soup

My grandsons were at my house today and I decided to make chicken noodle soup, but after thinking how different grandsons enjoyed their soup in different ways, I thought of a way to add a touch of fun - Create-your-own Chicken-add-in Soup! It is very simple - just used broth and noodles - with some herb de provence - to make a basic noodle soup. Then I made some chicken, cooked mushrooms, onion, carrot, set out more spices and let everyone create their own chicken noodle soup!

Sometimes Handing Down the Faith is Simple - & Fun

When it comes to handing down the faith to my grandsons, I of course talk with them about why they are able to know God is real and trust His Word with confidence. I help them learn to talk with God and model what it looks like to love, know and walk with God. All important, essential parts of handing down the faith. But, there are also times where I plan something simple and fun to help them learn to show their faith by showing love and appreciation to others.

This past weekend we worked on making 60 simple, fun snowman ornaments and last night they gave them to the Wednesday night Children's Ministry volunteers at our church. I want my grandsons to be quick to appreciate those who help them - especially those who volunteer their time to do so. Making these ornaments was a simple and fun way for them to do this.

If you would like to help your grandchildren make these ornaments for the volunteers at your church or neighbors, teachers at school, local firefighters or police or shut ins, you will need the following . . . 

Give a Gift Which Makes a Real & Lasting Impact

Christmas is just around the corner, if giving books is part of your gift-giving tradition, or if you would like to give your grandchildren a gift which truly makes a difference and will help them learn to walk with God, consider this book  . . .

Christmas 2019 - Fun Diaries from Fine Print Publishing & a Giveaway

My eight-year old grandson told me about some interesting books a few weeks back, so I contacted the publisher to see if they might be available for review - last week I received a box with five of the books in it, so today I'm very happy to let you know about the books - and announce a giveaway for some of them.

I Have a Winner

I am happy to say Leela is the winner of Audubon Birds Page-A-Day Calendar 2020 (you will find my review at this link.)

Thank you Leela for reading grandma's cookie jar; please email me by December 10, 2019 at lyndagcj@gmail.com, so I am able to forward your address to the publisher as they will send it to you.

Thank you also to Workman Calendars for sending one for me to review and for making another available for me to give away.

Christmas 2019 - Audubon Birds Page-A-Day Calendar - I'm Giving One Away

I'm very happy to share with you a lovely page-a-day calendar which makes a wonderful and thoughtful gift for the person on your gift list who enjoys watching birds - the Audubon Birds Page-A-Day Calendar from Workman.

I Have a Winner

I am happy to say Karin Wilde Berry is the winner of Paper Airplane Fold-a-Day 2020 Calendar (you will find my review at this link.)

Thank you Karin for reading grandma's cookie jar; please email me by December 6, 2019 at lyndagcj@gmail.com, so I am able to forward your address to the publisher as they will send it to you.

Thank you also to Andrews McMeel Publishing for sending one for me to review and for making another available for me to give away.

Clothespin Snowman Ornament

We were surprised yesterday morning to discover 3.6 inches of snow fell while we were sleeping Saturday night, so, since my grandsons spent the night, Sunday afternoon they had to go out and build snowmen - lots of them!

This reminded me of a fun craft we did a few years ago - and I thought I'd share it with you. If you are looking for a fun idea to do with your grandchildren for  Christmas which even your youngest grandchildren will be able to do, check out this fun clothespin snowman.

I Have a Winner

I am happy to say Teresa Maddox is the winner of Dog Shaming 2020 Day-to-Day Calendar (you will find my review at this link.)

Thank you Teresa for reading grandma's cookie jar; please email me at lyndagcj@gmail.com, so I am able to forward your address to the publisher as they will send it to you.

I Have a Winner

I'm happy to say Tammy Jewell Greer is the winner of one Praying Deeper Through the Psalms for Children - you will find my review at this link. Thank you Tammy for reading grandma's cookie jar - please email me your address at lyndagcj@gmail.com by December 4, 2019 so I am able to send it to you.

Christmas 2019 - CLUE: Scooby Doo! Board Game

When I was a child we always received board games for Christmas. After we all opened our games we would spend a good portion of the rest of the day around the table playing each others new games. I remember one year I received "Go for Broke" (the opposite of Monopoly) and my sister received "Careers" (which I thought was SO much fun!) Of course we also had games which were the "family's games", such as Life, Monopoly, Scrabble and Clue. I especially loved Clue, so today I am so happy to share with you about a "new" take on the old classic game of Clue - and recommend it as a fun buy for Christmas.

Christmas 2019 - More Day-to-Day Calendars & Another Giveaway!

Yesterday I was very happy to share with you two Day-to-Day Calendars from Andrew McMeel and announced a giveaway for one. Today I am delighted to share with you three more of their wonderful calendars and one more giveaway as well!

Christmas 2019 - Day-to-Day Calendars - I'm Giving One Away!

If you are looking for a personal, unique gift which will bring some fun to every day of the year, take a look at Day-to-Day Calendars from Andrews McMeel Publishing. I just recently discovered their wide variety of calendars and am very impressed. They sent me several to review and are making two available for me to give away - I'll let you know about two of their calendars and one giveaway today and three more calendars and one more giveaway tomorrow.

Christmas 2019 - Praying Deeper Through the Psalms for Grandparents & Parents, Too!

I posted a little earlier this morning about an opportunity for you to receive this book for free - it is a gift from me to you (as long as you download the Kindle copy between today, November 25, 2019 and Friday, November 29, 2019. Praying Deeper Through the Psalms is a book which will help you pray through the Psalms for one year and in doing so you will be able to grow closer to God. It will also guide you in praying for the ones you love over the coming year - making 2020 a powerful year for you and the ones you love!

Get Your Free Kindle Copy of Praying Deeper Through the Psalms for Grandparents & Parents, Too!

Today, November 25, 2019, through Friday, November 29, 2019 you are able to receive a Kindle copy of my book, Praying Deeper Through the Psalms for Grandparents & Parents, Too! Just follow this link for all the information - it is a tool to help you pray for your walk with God and for the ones you love as well and the Kindle version is absolutely free this week. 

Christmas 2019 - Go! Field Guide: Rocks and Minerals

My grandsons love rocks. They love to find them. They love to figure out what type of rocks they found. They love to collect them. Especially my middle grandson.

So, when I saw this new book on rocks from Scholastic I knew I wanted to take a closer look. Happily, they sent one for me to review and I am very happy to recommend it as a wonderful gift for any child you love who has an interest in rocks!

Christmas 2019 - Books by Tolkien

Do you have a family member who is a huge fan of the Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings? If so, consider giving them a couple books by Tolkien, which I do believe are slated to become series on an on-line streaming service.

Christmas 2019 - Praying Deeper Through the Psalms for Children - I'm Giving One Away

You may have been wondering where my Christmas Picks were for this year . . . well, wonder no more. Each day for the next couple weeks, I will be sharing with you some items I highly recommend as gifts for the ones you love. I'm starting with a book written by me and my grandsons - because I really believe it is more than just a book; it is a tool to help your grandchildren ages four through 14 learn to know and talk with God for themselves and because it takes about ten days to get it once you order it, so if you want the print/journal versions, you will need to place your orders soon to have them in time for Christmas.

Praying Deeper Through the Psalms for Children is unique in two ways; first, it is specifically written and developed for children ages four through 14 to help them learn to pray by praying the Psalms back to God and secondly, my grandsons collaborated with me on developing, writing this book and by providing most of the illustrations!

The initial idea I (Lynda Freeman) had for this book was to write a resource to help my grandsons learn to be people who talked with God; so I took the reading schedule from my book; Praying Deeper Through the Psalms for Grandparents & Parents, Too! and used it to form the basis for the book for children. Each week's passage in the children's book, matches the passage for the week in the book for grandparents and parents - making it a wonderful resource for families to use to read and pray through the Psalms for a year as children use this book and grandparents and parents us the other. Can you just imagine what it would be like to do this with the children you love?!

Each week's passage in Praying Deeper Through the Psalms for Children is written into three, age-level "nutshell prayers" . . . one with simple images non-readers will be able to learn and "read" so they are able to pray the Psalms, a simple prayer for beginning readers and a bit longer prayer for older children who read well. This is a book which you are truly able to give to your grandchildren/children ages four through 14. Look what people are saying about it . . .

Books & Resources to Give to Your Grandchildren - Christmas Gifts Which Make a Difference

Christmas is just around the corner, if giving books is part of your gift-giving tradition, or if you would like to give your grandchildren a gift which truly makes a difference and will help them learn to walk with God, consider these resources . . .

Step Into My Shoes

Today I want to tell you about an amazing resource . . . the "Step Into My Shoes" kit from Compassion International. Some of you may be familiar with Compassion - they have a child sponsorship program where they help children around the world. This new resource is an amazing tool grandparents/ parents could use at home to help their grandchildren/children better understand what lives are like for children around the world.

So, today I'm very happy to share with you my review about the "Step Into My Shoes" kit from Compassion . . . it is absolutely a resource any grandparent/parent could use with the children they love! On the cover it says; "Step Into My Shoes - See the World through God's eyes - no passport needed." I'm very happy to share with you what I found in this box . . . 

cooking with grandma - Oatmeal Pancakes

My grandsons enjoy pancakes. Since they will be at my house tomorrow morning as they are sleeping over tonight, I am thinking I will fix oatmeal pancakes for breakfast - why not add the oats since they are very good for us!

crafting with grandma - Thumb-Print Heart Charm

If you are looking for an idea you could help your grandchildren with to make for their mom for Christmas, look at this idea I found on Pinterest today for thumb-print heart charms.

You'll find the recipe and directions for making these wonderful charms at the following link - it looks pretty simple and like something even young grandchildren are able to make with a little help.

crafting with grandma - Snow People!

Christmas is just around the corner, so, if you are looking for something cute which you are able to make inexpensively 
and still have a wonderful gift for people on your gift list; check this cute snow person I found on Pinterest!

Praying Deeper Through the Psalms for Children is Available and WILL Make a Difference

I am so happy to be able to let you know the new book, Praying Deeper Through the Psalms for Children, is now available! My three grandsons collaborated with me and illustrated this book so, as my middle grandson says: "children will use it and learn how to talk with God." 

As Christian grandmas (and grandpas/parents, too) we want to hand down the faith. We want the ones we love to learn to read God's word, learn to pray, learn how to develop their own walk with God, but often we wonder how to do this. We look for resources to help us and happily, now there are many available for us (just scroll down and look at the right side of this blog to see the resources written/developed by some of the Grandmas with Heart), but this book, Praying Deeper Through the Psalms for Children is unique in how it is written/designed as a tool for you to use with the children you love.

Praying Deeper Through the Psalms for Grandparents & Parents, Too! - Free Kindle Copy

I am happy to say, November 25-29, 2019 you will be able to download the Kindle copy of Praying Deeper Through the Psalms for Grandparents & Parents, Too! for FREE! 

Christmas Gifts Which Make a Difference - Generations Quest (Get it Free November 24-30, 2019)

On my other blog, Grandmas with Heart. we write a lot about handing down the faith - for an excellent reason as it is what God has called us to do as grandparents and parents. I often hear from grandparents and parents about how they want to hand down the faith, but just do not know how to do it. This is why we post every day (at least twice) to this blog - to provide free, ideas, information and resources which will equip, encourage and empower you to hand down the faith.

It is also why several of the Grandmas with Heart are working to write books and develop resources to help you have the "tools" you need to hand down the faith. One of these tools, written by me, Lynda Freeman, is the resource, Generations Quest. I could write a lot about what Generations Quest is and how to use it with your entire family to hand down the faith no matter their age or location, but this is what it is in a, "nutshell" . . . 

Thankful Thanksgiving Turkey Book

Thanksgiving is just three weeks and two days from today! I have figured out my menu . . . well almost - either enchiladas, tostadas, tacos, nachos or roasted turkey, fluffy mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, homemade squash rolls, veggie, pumpkin pie and apple dessert! (Have you decided on your menu yet?)

At any rate, as I browsed on Pinterest this morning, I found a great idea for a craft which will help my family think about the things for which they are thankful! I'm going to have my grandsons help me make a Thanksgiving, Thankful Turkey Book (you'll find all the simple directions at this link) and then after our dinner, each person will have time to decorate a page in the book to tell/show what they are thankful for this year!

Make a Basket of Apples

Fall is apple time . . . time for apple pie, apple crumble, apple sauce, apples on their own . . . time for apples! But not all apples are for eating, so today I'm going to share with you a simple little apple which is fun to make and make a great decoration for any time of year!

Seven-Ingredient Cinnamon Rolls

My grandsons are most often quite the "fans" of cinnamon rolls, especially when I use my special cinnamon sprinkles I make with Spice House cinnamon, their vanilla sugar, their maple sugar and some regular sugar. This weekend when my grandsons are over for their sleepover, I am going to see about making some! I looked on-line and found a simple recipe for homemade cinnamon rolls - I will double the recipe!

Fun Science Project

My grandsons love science projects . . . one reason I included science projects in my curriculum - Generations Quest - Cultivate the Faith! They are such an engaging, "hands-on" and memorable way to help my grandsons learn important things. So, I am always on the watch for new projects which I can try with my grandsons.

Memorable Ways to Focus Upon Developing Eyes of Gratitude

Thanksgiving is just a month and a few days away. In the days leading up to this day where we tend to particularly focus upon being thankful, take time to be thankful - to look around you with "eyes of gratitude"; and consider challenging your grandchildren to do the same.

To help you with this, try one - or more of the following ideas . . .

It is National Make a Dog's Day

Today is National Make a Dog's Day and since my husband and I have three "grand-dogs" we love, I guess today is a fun day to celebrate! If you have a dog you love or are thinking about adding a dog to your family, today is a day to celebrate!

crafting with grandma - Sweet Wire Angel Ornaments

Christmas is just ten weeks away!!! Yes, just ten weeks and the time is certain to fly. Since it is getting chilly outside - been in the 40's and low 50's for the past few days (which in the Spring seems like a heat wave, but here in the Fall is downright chilly!), so with the chilly weather and the calendar where they are, my thoughts turn towards Christmas! If you are planning to make any gifts for people on your list . . . and/or items to decorate your own home, now is definitely the time to be working on these projects! 

With this in mind, I was browsing on Pinterest - and found a wonderful angel craft! It is wonderful for several reasons: it is inexpensive. Definitely wonderful! It is simple to make. Definitely wonderful! It is adorable. Definitely wonderful!

I Have a Winner

I am happy to say Teresa Maddox is the winner in my you choose book giveaway. (You will find the review at this link.) Thank you Teresa for reading grandma's cookie jar - please email me at lyndagcj@gmail.com by October 15, 2019 so I am able to have Santa's Prayer sent to you.

I Love You . . . All of the Time, All of the Time

I originally wrote this post four years ago - today I was reminded of it and thought I'd share it with you again . . . it is still all true . . . all of the time!

My grandsons are over - had a sleep-over last night. Caleb went to sleep in my arms and as he was settling down I said, "I love you . . . all of the time!" To which he said; "All of the time!" and I said, "All of the time!"

When I tell the boys I love them - which I do often - I usually follow it up with, "All of the time!" This is the truth. I love them when they are cute, sweet and so much fun to be around! "All of the time!" 

Get Your Free Kindle Copy Today

Today, October 7, 2019 through Friday, October 11, 2019 you are able to get for free the Kindle copy of my new book - The DNA of Grandparents & Parents who Hand Down the Faith. You will find it at this link - please download your free copy and tell the parents and grandparents you know, so they are able to get a copy for free as well.

Two Book Reviews & One Book Giveaway - You Choose!

I recently received two wonderful new books for children from Sterling Children's Books which I and my grandsons reviewed - I am very happy to let you know about them today and announce a fun giveaway - if you win, you will be able to choose one of the two to be yours!

It is National Homemade Cookie Day!

It is my firm belief most, if not all, of the people who read grandma's cookie jar are people who bake cookies - at least from time to time. So, I thought it would be fun to share a recipe with you for applesauce cookies on Homemade Cookie Day.

I live in Michigan - apple country! We have apples, lots of apples at roadside stands and in the stores, so of course I have apples at home! I found this recipe on-line - consider making a batch for your family.

Get Your Free Kindle Copy of The DNA of Grandparents & Parents who Hand Down the Faith

One week from today on October 7, 2019 you will be able to receive your own Kindle copy of my new book - The DNA of Grandparents & Parents who Hand Down the Faith. In this book I look at what it takes to develop a walk of faith, how to live as someone whose faith is real and ways to reproduce and hand down the faith to the generations who come behind you. I wrote about people from the Bible, people from time and people from today and how they did these things to develop a strong Spiritual DNA. Look at some of the things people are saying about my book!