Christmas 2020 Gift List - NIV Beautiful Word Coloring Bible for Girls

I was recently invited to review a new Coloring Bible for Girls and I have to say, if you have a granddaughter - or daughter - or special young lady ages eight and up who enjoys art, this is a Bible which will provide them some wonderful ways to connect with God's Word and makes a truly special gift.

Christmas 2020 Gift List - Four Games from Bible Games Central - and I'm Giving Some Away!

I was recently invited to review some Bible Games from Bible Games Central. With Christmas just less than two months away, I'm happy to share information about these games and announce a fun giveaway as well!

This Christmas Impact & Inspire with the "Life on the Goldilocks Planet" Curriculum & Book Series

Christmas 2020 is just under two months away and is one of the special times of the year when we grandmas (and grandpas/parents, too) have an opportunity to impact and inspire the ones we love. For the coming month, I will from time-to-time share gift ideas with you. Today I am sharing some excellent reasons for you to give the gift of confident faith with the "Life on the Goldilocks Planet" curriculum/book series to children, parents, and grandparents on your gift list this year . . .

grandma's cookbook - Pumpkin Pie Sugar Cookies

I was browsing on Pinterest this morning and found what looks like a fun, simple and most important - tasty recipe for mini pumpkin pies . . . made in muffin pans with sugar cookie crusts! Now, doesn't this just sound delicious?!

Build Memories to Hand Down a Confident Conviction

 

When we share memories with our grandchildren, we are helping them connect with the past. This is why it matters for us to tell them the ways God has worked in the lives of their family who came before them - as you do this, they will see God is real and is still working in the lives of real people in their own family. This matters.

Craft - Thankful Turkey Mobile

With Thanksgiving around the corner our focus tends to turn to being thankful. Today I'm happy to share a simple craft with you which you could make with your grandchildren to help them think about being thankful.

Your Thanksgiving Inventory . . .

Thanksgiving 2020 is likely to be different than previous Thanksgiving celebrations. The CDC just released their recommendations for Thanksgiving in light of covid (you will find them at this link.) Shorter dinners. Celebrating with fewer people. Limiting gatherings to people from your local area. Yes, for many Thanksgiving 2020 will be different than previous Thanksgiving celebrations. But, different does not mean our Thanksgiving celebration this year will not be a time to remember and celebrate our blessings - just different.

Having said this, Thanksgiving is just around the corner . . . so today, this post about being thankful is for you and is for fun! Are we truly thankful people? Do we get so "caught up" in the busyness of life we don't spend time "taking inventory" of all God's many, many blessings in our lives?  Take a moment to watch this skit about "Your Thanksgiving Inventory" from the skitguys - it is sure to bring a smile to your face . . .

grandma's cookbook - Butternut Squash Bread!

This is the time of year to look for, find, and use butternut squash. If you find one, here is a recipe to use it to make bread. You'll find the recipe at this link and I changed it in the following ways . . . 

crafting with grandma - Crocheted Denim Purse!

I was browsing on Pinterest this morning and saw a pin for a great crocheted purse - using old denim jeans! It would make a wonderful gift and with Christmas just a touch over three months away, you would have time to make one for someone on your gift list!

Hand Down Confident Faith with Blue Dragons, Eyelash Vipers, Civets, Red-Lipped Batfish & More!

Well, it was a busy Summer and Fall around this grandma's house! My grandsons helped with the development of four books designed to engage children, teens, young adults, adults, and help grandparents/ parents hand down a confident faith. They tested a water-balloon launcher, made "bugs" and then spent time shooting them off plants outside with water-guns, tested recipes, enjoyed science projects, made tie-dye shirts, created hover-crafts, participated in an egg drop activity and many more activities chosen to engage children/teens/adults and help make the message of our books "stick"! Most importantly, we have been able to have important conversations about why we are able to believe in God and trust Him with confidence.

crafting with grandma - Unique Map Gift Idea!

 I was browsing on Pinterest this morning and found one of the funnest ideas I've ever seen

. . . a photo map! What is a, "photo map" you ask? Well . . . it is where you take a photo in every State (or country) you visit and cut it to the shape of the state (or country) then glue it on another map! I LOVE this idea! What a fun gift this could make and what a fun way to show and remember the places you have visited! You'll find all the details for making this at the following link.

Book Four is Available - Red-Lipped Batfish, Giant Purple Squirrels, Kakapo & More!

 I am very happy today to let you know about a new book in the Life on the "Goldilocks Planet" series . . . book four - Red-Lipped Batfish, Giant Purple Squirrels, Kakapo & More! In this book/curriculum tool for grandparents/parents, you will find twelve unique animals with full-color photos, fun facts, activities, quotes from scientists, and questions to get you talking - all designed to enable you to hand down a confident faith.

grandma's cookbook - Mini-Apple Pie Cookies!

Fall is kicking off here in West Michigan - my maple trees are turning deep red, bright yellow and orange and the local apple orchard has fresh-picked apples available for sale! Yes, Fall is here!

crafting with grandma - Make a Crocheted/Rope Basket!

I was browsing on Pinterest this morning and found a link for directions for making a rope basket - I thought this might be a great item which you could help your granddaughter make and then fill with special treats for a great gift she could give her mom, parents, or friend this Christmas! Or, you could make a few and then have your grandchildren fill them with treats for their parents, a teacher or an elderly neighbor!