Today is Let's Hug Day!

While every day is a day to hug those you love, in my opinion, today is a day to especially focus on hugging others, "to encourage people to show affection to each other." Nationaltoday.com says, "Hugs are very versatile. Many of us hug when we wish to share our happiness with family and friends. At the same time, hugs are a staple when we are feeling low and need someone to just hold and console us. Hugs are also the perfect reconciliatory gesture when you want to make up with someone after a fight. Scientifically, hugs are known to release good hormones that can help lower your blood pressure and stress levels." Yes, hugs are beneficial, so let's learn a few more things about hugs - did you know . . .

Christmas Book Review - Christmas Gifts Which Make a Difference - the little answer book & the little answer book for children

  

If you are looking for Christmas gifts which make a difference, then today I am happy to let you know about two more books which you could add to your gift list for the adults and children you love - the little answer book and   the little answer book for children.

Today is National Build Joy Day!

So, what is "National Build Joy Day"? Well, according to nationaltoday dot com it is a day to, "give back to your community in whatever way possible and make someone’s day!" This is certainly something we all are able to celebrate and make a part of our every day lives by bringing joy to people’s lives with tiny acts of kindness. 

What might we do to celebrate National Build Joy Day - consider the following ideas from Nationaltoday - 

Celebrate Popcorn Day!

WooHoo!!! This is a day I am happy to celebrate for sure as I am a definite "fan" of popcorn as I am one who is most willing to celebrate it! My family enjoys popcorn as well and most weekends when the grands are here I end up fixing it for them.

I found the following ideas for ways to celebrate Popcorn on   Popcorn.com . . .

Christmas Book Review - & the Perfect Book for National Cat Lovers' Month

I wrote about this book yesterday, but since December is National Cat Lovers' Month, I thought I'd share it again. The summer of 2022 my husband, grands, and I went to the Humane Society to get a kitten. I wanted my grands to go with us because, first of all, they love all animals, secondly I wanted to be sure whatever cat we got was one which was able to be around my grands without being aggressive. We spent some time at the Humane Society and finally settled on a very sweet calico - which we named Candy, because she is sweet.

Last year I decided to write a story about Candy - part of it I know is true and part of it I'm imagining what it may have been like before Candy became part of our family. A Family of Her Own for Candy is this story, and this storybook is available on Amazon (you will find it at this link.) If you know a child who loves kittens, and if you may have a four-legged family member who you may have found at your Humane Society, this is a story they are sure to love!

A Family of Her Own for Candy is a great book gift idea for a child you love. Please help me spread the word by sharing this post - thank you!

December is National Cat Lovers' Month

I have a cat - her name is Candy and she is certainly loved, so a month to love and appreciate cats is something which makes sense to me. My grown kids and grandkids also have cats, so they will be happy to celebrate this month as well. Daysoftheyear (dot) com says, "This special month, celebrated each December, emphasizes the joy and companionship cats bring into our lives. With over a quarter of U.S. households owning a cat, this month is a heartfelt tribute to these cherished animal companions. The observance of National Cat Lovers’ Month is also about raising awareness of the many cats in shelters needing homes." Let's look at some fun facts about cats - did you know . . . 

Christmas Book Review - A Family of Her Own for Candy - a Great Gift for Christmas!

 

Two summers ago my husband, grands, and I went to the Humane Society to get a kitten. I wanted my grands to go with us because, first of all, they love all animals, secondly I wanted to be sure whatever cat we got was one which was able to be around my grands without being aggressive. We spent some time at the Humane Society and finally settled on a very sweet calico - which we named Candy, because she is sweet (and my middle grand said she reminded him of candy corn.) 

grandma's cookbook . . . Easy Chocolate Mousse on National Mousse Day

 

Today is National Mousse Day, so even though I have shared this recipe before, since it is mousse day, I thought I'd share it again . . . and what could be more delicious than chocolate mousse?!!! It can be complicated and a bit tricky to make chocolate mousse, so I found an easy delicious  recipe for mousse from Betty Crocker - I have made this before and it is easy and tasty - a great way to celebrate National Mousse Day!

Christmas Book Review - Give Two Books in One with the Little Ginormous, Humongous, Hairy, One-Eyed Monster Boys Adventures!

 

When my children were young and then when my grandsons were young, I always gave books as part of their gifts at Christmas. If you are a grandma or mom who also gives books at Christmas, then this is the book to give the children you love! When my grandsons were young and at my house for a sleepover, we typically made up stories at bedtime which almost always had monsters or dinosaurs in them. One night when my oldest grandson was six, my middle grandson was three, and my youngest grandson was one, we were getting them into bed when my oldest grandson said he saw a monster under his brother's bed! This was not what my middle grandson wanted to hear, so I said there could not be any monsters under his bed because the monsters were at their poppa's and grandma's house getting ready for bed on their sleepover. My grandsons found this idea very interesting, so of course, our bedtime story for the night had to have little, ginormous, humongous, hairy, one-eyed monster boys getting ready for bed and being scared because they thought they saw, teeny, tiny, itty, bitty, not-so-hairy, two-eyed people boys under their beds! 

Wolfenoot!

Yes, Wolfenoot is a real thing and while technically November 23rd is the day to celebrate it, my grands are celebrating it today, so today is the day I'm writing about it - and really, the idea behind it is to be kind to animals and people so any day and every day is the day to celebrate! So, here are the details about Wolfenoot . . .

Today is National Lemon Pie Day!

Today is National Lemon Pie Day - and while I certainly enjoy a tasty slice of lemon meringue pie, I'm thinking more about celebrating this with a cross between a lemon bar and lemon chiffon pie! To make this tasty treat I will make a butter shortbread cookie lemon bar bottom, take my lemon curd, cool it, whip the egg whites to make meringue - or use whipped cream - or a combo of the two, then fold the lemon curd and meringue/cream together - gently - and top on my cooled butter shortbread cookie crust. This will be tasty for sure!

Christmas Book Review - Don't Worry: It is Impossible to Spoil Grandchildren - A Christmas Gift Which Helps You Do What Matters the Most

  

Do you agree with me when I write about passing on a heritage of confident faith to the children you love, but are not sure where and how to begin? Do you have friends who are grandparents - or parents - who also want to pass on confident faith, but are also not sure where to begin? Are you looking for a Christmas gift for a grandparent/ parent you know which is a good read and one which will help them know how to do what matters the most?

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving! Today my mom, daughter, son, daughter-in-law, and grands are coming to our house for Thanksgiving dinner! I am preparing turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, veggies, mac & cheese, maple cornbread, and pumpkin pie. My daughters are bringing the yams, cranberries, deviled eggs, and dessert. We will have a tasty dinner together and much for which to be thankful for sure!

Christmas Book Review - Give the Gift of Understanding & Creativity with illustrate my own - Known Bible Hero book series

You are likely familiar with the Bible people from my illustrate my own - Known Bible Hero book series - Noah, Hananiah, Mishael & Azariah (otherwise known as Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego), Ruth, Joshua, Caleb, David, Elijah, Jonah, Daniel, Joseph, Hadassah (Esther), and Gideon so just think how much fun it would be to illustrate these familiar accounts . . . whether you are an artist or draw your illustrations with stick people. As much fun as it would be for you to illustrate these Bible adventures for your grandchildren, think how much more fun it would be to illustrate them together . . . and most importantly, think about the fantastic conversations you will be able to have as you work together to illustrate your books!