My Christmas Carol for Today - Pentatonix - That's Christmas to Me

There are just eleven more days until Christmas, so today I am happy to share another of my "Christmas Carols" with you. This wonderful song is from Pentatonix - That's Christmas to Me at this link.

This song is all about Christmas memories - my memories of Christmas as a child center around time with family in our lake house where we always spent Christmas and lots of snow - because I grew up in Michigan. My memories as a mom revolve around time with my husband and children and now as a grandma it is all about time with family - and gifts as I LOVE giving gifts! What are your Christmas memories?

I have not heard this song before, so if you are like me and might like to sing along, here are the lyrics . . .

just for fun - Silly But Real Laws in Arizona!

Get ready to laugh! As I looked up some silly, but real laws in Arizona, I realized once again we were likely to get a good laugh from these laws and have something funny to share with our grandchildren . . . to spread the laughing! After all, laughing is good for our health!

Did you know in Arizona . . . 

crafting with grandma - Glowing Snowmen!

If you are planning to have your grandchildren to your home for a Christmas party or other special time this year, consider surprising and delighting them with Glowing Snowmen I found on a blog called - "Stuff by Ash" - in your yard to greet them!

My Christmas Carol for Today - Ed Sheeran and Elton John Sing "Merry Christmas"

I did not know Ed Sheeran and Elton John combined their most considerable talents for a Christmas Song, but they did - you will find Merry Christmas at this link.

If you would like to sing along, I put the lyrics here for you - enjoy . . .

Today is National Cocoa Day!

Today is National Cocoa Day so I thought I'd share some fun cocoa facts with you. Did you know . . .

• Long before people nibbled on bars and brownies, chocolate was consumed in liquid form. Historians credit the Olmec civilization of southern Mexico as being the first to roast the fruit from the cacao tree, then grind it down and mix it with water and other ingredients. Archaeologists have discovered Olmec pottery with trace amounts of chocolate dating back to around 1700 BCE.

crafting with grandma . . . One Purple Minion Completed . . . Two More to Go!

Ten years ago for Easter, I made my grandsons crocheted Perry the Platypus . . . I hid them in my house so they could go find them! It was lots of fun! The boys' Perrys were been well-loved, which was wonderful, since they were made with love! (You'll find the link to the pattern at this link.)

The following year, I made purple minions for my grandsons! You'll find the basic pattern I used at this link - I obviously made the minion purple instead of yellow and added a big mouth with lots of teeth, an eyelid to the one eye, dark grey overalls, longer arms and lots of crazy hair!

The Relief for Grief - Available on Amazon

The past few years have brought blessings into our lives for sure, but with covid, many have experienced loss as well, whether it was the loss of someone they love, the loss of being able to spend time with the ones we love, the loss of a job, the loss of fellowship with others, the loss of our confidence, to mention just a few. Some of us have also experienced loss which was not related to covid as loss is a normal part of our lives.

Meet Your 2024 Goals to Move More with the Help of the Alevo Alu

The start of a new year is just over three weeks away, and often means setting goals and making resolutions to try and live a healthier life. As we get older, whether due to age or health or both, these goals/ resolutions may be more difficult to accomplish, but happily there are "tools" to help us. One such "tool" is the Alevo Alu by Porsche design. If you experience challenges with mobility, or just need something to help you be more secure in your walking, the Alevo Alu is for you! And if you are still looking for a Christmas gift for someone you love who may need help feeling more stable when they walk, the Alevo Alu is the perfect gift choice!

Today is National Poinsettia Day!

According to Nationaltoday dot com, "What we refer to as National Poinsettia Day is called 'La Flor de la Nochebuena' — or Flower of the Holy Night in Mexico. Poinsettias are revered there because of a legend which recounts the story of a poor little girl who despaired of having no gift for Jesus' birthday. When an angel appears to tell the child the most important thing is to give a gift with love, the child gathers weeds from the side of a road to place in the baby's manger. Miraculously, the weeds bloomed into gorgeous red star flowers."

National today also shares some fun Poinsettia facts - did you know . . . 

My Christmas Carols - Blue Christmas by Andrea Bocelli and Reba McEntire

This may not be a combination you would have thought of, but Andrea Bocelli and Reba McEntire sing Blue Christmas in a most beautiful way - you will find it at this link.

This was a song Elvis didn't want to sing because he thought it was too, too, sad, but he did and now it is a favorite. If you would like to sing along, you will find the lyrics here . . .

My Christmas Carol for Today - Carol of the Bells by Pentatonix

I did not think it was possible to love the song - Carol of the Bells more than I do, but listening to Pentatonix sing it I realized I now love it even more! You will find it at this link.

just for fun - Silly, but Real Laws in Arkansas

Get ready to laugh! As I looked up some silly, but real laws in  Arkansas, I realized once again we were likely to get a good laugh from these laws and have something funny to share with our grandchildren . . . to spread the laughing! After all, laughing is good for our health!

Did you know in Arkansas . . . 

Christmas Traditions

Each year after Thanksgiving dinner we put up our Christmas tree - either that evening, or on the weekend when my grandsons come over for a sleepover. They help decorate the tree and I am always so happy with the final look.

grandma's Christmas Cookie Recipe Contest - Peanutbutter Mice by Nikki!

Eleven years ago I had a Christmas cookie recipe contest - today I want to share with you again a recipe sent in by a reader - Peanut-butter Mice by Nikki Lancaster! Nikki says this is her children's favorite cookie! Thank you Nikki for sharing the recipe with us!