Thoughts From a "Lost Canadian" About Gathering Documents to Receive Your Canadian Citizenship

Yesterday I wrote about how four months ago I learned I am a "Lost Canadian" - I have at least one ancestor (in my case I have closer to a dozen ancestors) who were born in Canada, so with the passing this past December of Bill C-3 in Canada, I am now able to receive my Canadian citizenship through citizenship by descent. Today I want to share with you some of the documents you need to gather to receive your Canadian citizenship if you, like me, are "Lost Canadians".

CHIHULY Flori Boats at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

I have been writing about Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park which is a place where there are so many beautiful and amazing things to see all year long, but this is even more true now through November 1st as the Dale Chihuly exhibit is able to be enjoyed throughout the Sculpture Park on the edge of Grand Rapids, Michigan. I thought it would be interesting to share with you some information I found online about the beautiful sculptures you are able to see throughout the park and a bit of background on each piece - today I'm happy to give you a closer look at CHIHULY Flori Boats at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park . . .

Please Stand Up & Speak Up

     

I have posted this a few times, but with all the things which are happening in our world, I'm sharing it again today. I write grandma's cookie jar to provide ideas for ways grandmas - and grandpas, moms, and dads might connect the children they love with God and build strong, loving relationships. I share recipes, book reviews, fun facts, and more - I typically stay away from politics. But not today. People I know and love live in fear. People I do not know live in fear - and some are dying at the hands of our government - in our country and now around the world. Our government is drowning in corruption and the trump-epstein files causes great concern. I can not stay silent. I do not believe Jesus would be silent, either. So, I am sharing images I found on instagram - they say what I am thinking.

Today is National Watermelon Day!

  

While certainly every day is a great day to enjoy a tasty piece of watermelon, since today is National Watermelon Day, it is most certainly the day to do so! You will find out more about this wonderful day at the following link, but let's also look at some fun watermelon facts . . .

Thoughts From a "Lost Canadian" About Finding Out I'm a "Lost Canadian"

I have been writing about Canada and being a "Lost Canadian" for almost four months now - ever since I learned I am a "Lost Canadian". I have lived most of my life in West Michigan, just thirty minutes from beautiful Lake Michigan. I lived for a few years in Northern California, two hours from Oregon, where I met my husband (on an active volcano - the incredibly beautiful Mt. Lassen), - but I was born in West Michigan and have lived most of my life here. 

CHIHULY Mottled Trumpet Flowers & Plum Feathers at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

I have been writing about Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park which is a place where there are so many beautiful and amazing things to see all year long, but this is even more true now through November 1st as the Dale Chihuly exhibit is able to be enjoyed throughout the Sculpture Park on the edge of Grand Rapids, Michigan. I thought it would be interesting to share with you some information I found online about the beautiful sculptures you are able to see throughout the park and a bit of background on each piece - today I'm happy to give you a closer look at CHIHULY Mottled Trumpet Flowers & Plum Feathers at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park . . .

Mocha Chiffon Pie

Yesterday was National Homemade Pie Day and since my family came over for supper, and I wrote about this tasty day earlier, I decided I should make a homemade pie. I thought about the ingredients I had in my house and settled on making a Mocha Chiffon Pie - and of course, I'm sharing the recipe with you!

August is Family Fun Month!

  

While I think every month should be a "family fun month", apparently August is the official Family Fun Month! So . . . what might you do to have family fun during the month of August? Consider some of the following ideas . . . 

Thoughts From a "Lost Canadian" About Nova Scotia's Unique Features

Since the middle of April when I learned I am a "Lost Canadian", I've been learning about Canada. While I have learned many things,  there clearly are a great many things I still do not know and have yet to learn. Today I'm sharing some of the unique things I've learned about the Canadian Province of Nova Scotia, which is a special place in Canada to me as some of my ancestors are from there - we suspect they may have been Mi'kmaq First Nations People. I am happy to share with you some of the things I've found online about Nova Scotia . . .

CHIHULY Niijima Floats at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

I have been writing about Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park which is a place where there are so many beautiful and amazing things to see all year long, but this is even more true now through November 1st as the Dale Chihuly exhibit is able to be enjoyed throughout the Sculpture Park on the edge of Grand Rapids, Michigan. I thought it would be interesting to share with you some information I found online about the beautiful sculptures you are able to see throughout the park and a bit of background on each piece - today I'm happy to give you a closer look at CHIHULY Niijima Floats at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park . . .

Today is National Water Balloon Day!

  

Today, even though it will be cooler where I live, it is still supposed to be toasty warm - downright hot in many places - making it the perfect day to celebrate National Water Balloon Day! So, before you grab some balloons and gather the children you love for a fun time of water balloon mayhem, let's look at some water balloon fun facts and then a few facts about balloons - did you know . . .

Today is National Homemade Pie Day

Today is National Homemade Pie Day, so today is the day to share my recipe with you for Pumpkin Mousse Pie so you are able to make one to enjoy with the ones you love! I know, you see "pumpkin" and think it may not be a summer pie, but since it is Pumpkin Mousse Pie, it is a very wonderful summer pie! But first, some fun facts about mousse - did you know . . .

Thoughts From a "Lost Canadian" About Prince Edward Island's Unique Features

Since the middle of April when I learned I am a "Lost Canadian", I've been learning about Canada. While I have learned many things,  there clearly are a great many things I still do not know and have yet to learn. Today I'm sharing some of the unique things I've learned about the Canadian Province of Prince Edward Island. Today I am happy to share with you some of the things I've found online about Prince Edward Island . . .

Chihuly Orange Hornet Chandelier at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

As I have been writing, if you are blessed to live in or near Grand Rapids, Michigan, which is where Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is located, then you know this is a place where there are so many beautiful and amazing things to see all year long, but this is even more true now through November 1st as the Dale Chihuly exhibit is able to be enjoyed throughout the Sculpture Park. I thought it would be interesting to share with you some information I found online about the beautiful sculptures and a bit of background on each piece - today I'm happy to give you a closer look at Chihuly Orange Hornet Chandelier at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park . . .

Just for Fun!!! Animal Fun Facts - Seahorses, Tiger Sharks, Kangaroos & Giraffes!

  

Fall is not far away, and the children we love will be heading back to school, so today I thought I'd share some animal fun facts with you which you can share with the children you love - did you know . . . 

"No Cows Have Licked My Head!"

For a long time I've been saying to be sure to write down the things your grandchildren (children) say and do, so you will always remember these things. I write these things on facebook because then every year they will show up on my "memories" tab.

Yesterday I was able to remember how ten years ago my youngest grand and I were talking about cowlicks and I said he had two on his head. He then said with a significant amount of indignation; "I do not! No cows have licked my head!"

Thoughts From a "Lost Canadian" About Ontario

I have been spending the past several months learning about Canada, because since I am a "Lost Canadian", I wanted to learn about my ancestorial country - Canada. Many of my ancestors were from Canada - we believe some may even be First Nations - Mi'kmaq, which gives my family deep roots in Canada. I did not know these things until a few months ago, so it has been a surprise - a wonderful surprise for sure!

One thing I have learned about Canada, is most Canadians live in the Province of Ontario as 38% of Canadians live there. Since I was born in and have lived most of my life in Michigan, Ontario is the Province of Canada with which I am most familiar, but there are a great many things I do not know about Ontario. Today I am happy to share with you some of the things I've found online about Ontario . . .

This is the Time to Pray Deeper

   

I do still believe God is real. The past year and a half has left me wondering for sure, but there is too much evidence for God being real for me to ignore it. So, I do still believe. 

With everything going on in our country and world, if ever there was a time to pray deeply, this is it. Praying for our grandchildren (and children), and for our neighbors and world, is something we all know we need to do, but it is also something many of us struggle with. We may feel like our prayers do not even make it through the ceiling above us and do not know what to say or how to pray. Our lives are busy, so finding the time to pray can be a challenge which we may not overcome and then days go by without us spending time in prayer.

CHIHULY Red Reeds at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

As I have been writing, if you are blessed to live in or near Grand Rapids, Michigan, which is where Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is located, then you know this is a place where there are so many beautiful and amazing things to see all year long, but this is even more true now through November 1st as the Dale Chihuly exhibit is able to be enjoyed throughout the Sculpture Park. I thought it would be interesting to share with you some information I found online about the beautiful sculptures and a bit of background on each piece - today I'm happy to give you a closer look at CHIHULY Red Reeds at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park . . .

Animal Fun Facts - Did You Know . . .

I saw these animal fun facts on facebook from Neil deGrasse Tyson and thought they would be fun to share with you, so you can share with the children you love. Did you know . . .