crafting with grandma - Alphabet Animals

There are lots of things which are fun about being "grandma" . . . the giving and receiving of hugs, kisses, and smiles certainly being at the top of the list! Another fun thing is being able to help your grandchildren learn new things - such as learning their A, B, C's. So, when I was browsing on Pinterest  the other day and saw Animal Alphabet, I knew I had to share it with you!

According to a Sweet Three -Year Old!

Ten years ago on a Wednesday; back then it was otherwise known as my day with the sweet grands - my two youngest grands were at my house and my then three-year old grand told me about the things they thought were important for a grandma to do . . . I thought I'd share them with you!

Created "Just Right"! - Available for Children Ages Three to Seven!

   

During COVID my grands and I put together twelve books  -the Life on the Goldilocks Planet  series - which help us see how animals show us God is real because He made everything "just right". In these books (which I have shared with you before), you find full-color photos, fun facts, along with crafts, science projects, and recipes for the entire family to enjoy as they learn about the animals and discover how they help them have a confident faith. These books (The Life on the Goldilocks Planet series) are ideal for children ages four through fourteen - and the entire family.

grandma's cookbook . . . The Best-Ever Chocolate Cake!

Don't you just love chocolate cake?!!! Aren't there days when chocolate cake is the best thing you could possibly eat? Well, I do love chocolate cake and there are days when chocolate cake most certainly does put a smile on my face! 

So, when I found the recipe I'm sharing with you today and tried it . . . well, I knew I had to share it with you because it is the best chocolate cake I've ever had! (I found the recipe in my Better Homes and Gardens New Cook Book) If you have a special event coming up where a chocolate cake would be the perfect addition . . . or, if you would just like to brighten your family's - and your own - day, bake up this best-ever chocolate cake!

Make Time for Hugs!

Hugs are good for our grandchildren and for us, so if you live near your grandchildren, make time to visit and hand out some of those good-for-you hugs!

If you do not live near them, consider the following ideas . . .

Dr. Seuss Quotes - Just for the Fun of It!

The month of March was Dr. Seuss Month, so, I thought I'd share a few more quotes.

illustrate my own - Check Out this Series

Quite a few years ago I wrote a series of books for children about Bible people. I was motivated to do so because when you see books about Bible people, they are usually about just a few Bible people and there are so many more people in the Bible with fantastic accounts of how they were able to know and walk with God. I enjoyed writing the Bible stories, but am not an artist, so I thought maybe it would be fun to write a series of books with an "illustrate my own" "twist" - the children - and/or families - could illustrate their own books!

Today is Good Deeds Day!

While I think it would be an excellent "policy" to do good deeds every day; today is, "Good Deeds Day"! Nationaltoday.com says, "This initiative seeks to promote people giving back to their community however they can. You can volunteer, donate to a charity, or help people in your area whichever way you see fit. The beauty of Good Deeds Day is there’s no set way to celebrate it. The goal is to help others and do good for your community, fostering a sense of kindness and compassion around us. Acts of charity are never forgotten by their recipients. Spread the love on this holiday." So, on this day to do good things, be sure to do good things for others - and yourself! What kind of good things, you ask? Well, just a few good things could include . . . 

Colored Easter Egg Alternatives - Painted Stone Eggs

As I've been writing over the past few days, because eggs are SO expensive, and often difficult to find, you might be looking for other ideas for fun with the children you love this Easter besides coloring real eggs. Today I have one more idea for you - painting stone "eggs"!

April is National Soft Pretzel Month

Yes, April is National Soft Pretzel Month - so of course while you might celebrate by buying some soft pretzels, it would be so much more fun to gather the children you love and make your own tasty soft pretzels - don't worry - it is really pretty simple to do! I'll share a recipe shortly, but first, some info on National Soft Pretzel Month - did you know . . . 

Colored Egg Alternative - Birdseed Eggs!

I've been sharing ideas for Easter Egg alternatives, since, as we all know, eggs are expensive, and sometimes hard to find this year. Today I have another fun idea which you could use with the children you love in place of coloring Easter Eggs - Birdseed Eggs!

Tomorrow - April 5, 2025 is National Self-Care Day

As moms and grandmas we often tend to spend our time caring for others, and while this is a wonderful thing, we also need to spend time caring for ourselves - and teach the ones we love to do the same. This is not being "selfish", self-care is essential for our own well-being as without it we are not able to do the things we do to care for others. Nationaltoday.com explains it in the following way, "Our minds and bodies require adequate rest and care for optimal health and well-being. This day emphasizes the importance of self-care as the basis for good health. It’s also a day when individuals are encouraged to prioritize self-care and make it a habit." Let's look at a few facts about caring for yourself and some ideas on how to do so - 

Colored Egg Alternative - Rice Krispies Treat Decorated Eggs!

As I said a couple days ago, with the rising price of eggs and difficulty finding eggs, you may be looking for other options this Easter when it comes to coloring eggs, so I'm sharing a few ideas with you. My idea for today is simple, inexpensive, fun - and importantly - tasty - Rice Krispies Treat Decorated Eggs!

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

 

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