Today is International Stand Up to Bullying Day

I'm sure we all agree we do not want the children we love to be bullies or to bully others, so a day focused on stopping bullying is a positive thing. Bullying is a nationally-recognized issue, and there are many resources for parents, teachers, victims of bullying, and bystanders to help stomp out the problem - even though it is now harder to do since our president is a bully. But there are still things we can do to help the children you love know the following ways to stop bullying . . .

The Great American Pie Month - Banana Cream Pie

Today is the last day of the Great American Pie Month, so I thought I'd share a recipe for a tasty Banana Cream Pie! This recipe is also from Taste of Home and is one you could again have the children you love help you make - and enjoy of course! And, yes, the photo is from them as well.

The Great American Pie Month - Possum Pie

Have you ever heard of Possum Pie? I had not, until yesterday when I found this recipe, so since we are coming to the end of the Great American Pie Month, I thought I'd share it with you. It is another recipe from Taste of Home - and the photo is from them as well.

Friday is National Pancake Day - Get Ready to Celebrate!

Friday is National Pancake Day - who doesn't love pancakes, so a special day to celebrate and enjoy them, totally makes sense! I have a tasty Apple Pie Pancake recipe to share with you, but first, some fun pancake info - did you know . . .

The Great American Pie Month - Chocolate Chess Pie!

I have never had or made a chocolate chess pie, but after finding this recipe, I'm thinking it may be on my list for a special treat to fix for my family! What is chocolate chess pie, you ask? Well, Taste of Home says, "Although originally from England, chess pie is considered a southern classic in the United States. Think of the pie filling as that of pecan pie, only without the pecans! And since chocolate makes everything better, it will be hard to resist this chocolaty twist." Since chocolate does make everything better,  here is the recipe so you can try it this weekend with the people you love! And, thanks to Taste of Home for the photo!

Today is International Tongue Twister Contest Day

One day twelve years ago when my grands were at my house, my then four-year old grand sat down and read several books . . . as you might imagine, there is no shortage of books at this grandma's house for them to read! It made my heart happy to see them choose to take some time to just enjoy reading books!

After a bit, he found me in the kitchen working on fixing lunch and said; "Grandma! I just read, Fox in Socks and my tongue is NOT numb!!!" If you have not read this classic book lately, on the back cover it asks, "Is Your Tongue Numb?" My sweet grand was pretty happy he had read all those tongue twisters out loud and did not end up with a numb tongue! It made this grandma happy, too, and remembering this today it makes me happy again - because of the wonderful memory and because today is International Tongue Twister Contest Day!

The Great American Pie Month - Blackberry Pie

Blackberries are a very tasty and healthy fruit and they make a fully enjoyable pie, so today I'm happy to share with you are recipe for blackberry pie - but first some fun facts about blackberries - did you know . . .

Today is National Chocolate Covered Nut Day

I personally LOVE dark chocolate covered almonds! I eat a few each day because they are good for me, and because I LOVE them! So, when I saw today is National Chocolate Covered Nut Day, I thought I'd share this tasty day with you! Did you know . . .

Saint Patricks Day . . . Get the Story from VeggieTales!

In less than a month it will be St. Patrick's Day, so I thought I'd share about how several years ago VeggieTales told the story of Saint Patrick on their Sumo Of The Opera and Lessons from the Sock Drawer DVDs. I found it very interesting and informative . . . I had never really heard the story of St. Patrick before. So, if your grandchildren ask why people celebrate St. Patrick's Day, pull out VeggieTales and show them the story behind the day!

crafting with grandma . . . Blarney Stones!

I am not Irish - I do have an ancestor who was Scottish, and who was shanghaied from Scotland, brought to American and sold as an indentured servant . . . but this is another story entirely! However, Irish or not, I have heard of the Blarney Stone! I went on-line to get the "facts" straight . . . if such a thing is possible for the story of the Blarney Stone!!! . . . and will share them with you . . . 

Today is National Banana Bread Day!

My family enjoys banana bread . . . for good reason; banana bread  tends to be moist, soft, and flavorful . . . in short, it is a tasty treat for sure! So, when I discovered it is "National Banana Bread Day", I had to share this bit of news with you! Nationaltoday (dot) com says, "Money was so tight during the Great Depression that people refused to throw away rotten food — thus ushering in the era of overly ripe bananas in banana bread." Here are some fun facts about banana bread - did you know . . .

The Great American Pie Month - Pumpkin Mousse Pie!

Oh yes, I just wrote, "Pumpkin Mousse Pie!" and since February is the Great American Pie Month, today is the day to share my recipe so you are able to make one to enjoy with the ones you love! But first, some fun facts about mousse - did you know . . .

Fun at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

If you live in or near West Michigan, you not only know what Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park are, but have likely visited it; more than once. If you do not live in this area of the country, you may not be familiar with them, but today I'm very happy to share with you about this amazing and beautiful place where you and your grandchildren will be able to explore, discover and have tremendous fun together!

I'll start with sharing how they describe themselves and then what my family thinks of them; Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park says . . . 

The Great American Pie Month - Pumpkin Pie Bites!

I really love pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving, but not only - I love it at any time of the year . . . not only is it sooo tasty, but it is sooo good for you, too, or at least the pumpkin is! So, when I was browsing on  Pinterest and saw Pumpkin Pie Bites, well, I had to share the recipe with you!