did you know - Helmeted Hornbills!

In a small area of Thailand and Indonesia, you may discover a unique, odd-looking bird – the Helmeted Hornbill, and when I think about it, I remember Job 12:10 –

“In his hand is the life of every living thing.”

The Earth is full of the creatures God made; some of them are quite unexpected; like the Helmeted Hornbill. Let’s take a closer look at this bird . . .

grandma's cookbook - Chocolate & Peanut Butter Bugles!

As I browsed on  Pinterest the other day, I saw a recipe which looked like something grandchildren would love to make . . . and eat! I thought it might make a fun treat to fix on a rainy day in the summer . . . It could also be the perfect snack to make with your grandchildren when they have a sleep-over at your house! The snack? Chocolate and Peanut Butter Bugles!

did you know - Fairy Penguins!

Living along the southern coast of Australia, and the entire coasts of Tasmania, and New Zealand is a tiny penguin known as the Fairy Penguin. See what we learn about God’s creation in Genesis 1:20 –

And God said, “Let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the heavens.” 

Let’s look at a unique birds God created which does not fly through the air, but does “fly” through the sea -

Summer Fun - 100 Free Things Kids Can Do!

I love to do things with children - especially if it is free to do the things! So, when I was browsing on Pinterest and saw a Pin which said, "100 Free Things to Do With Your Kids This Summer" I had to check it out! The link leads to a blog called,  digitalreflections and I'll share just a few of the 100 free things . .  . be sure to follow the link and see which ideas look like something you and your grandchildren can do and do at least of few of them this summer!

did you know - Psychedelic Frogfish

Found only in the waters around Bali and Ambon Island, Indonesia, is the  Psychedelic Frogfish.  They make me think of Genesis 1:20 – “And God said, “Let the waters swarm with swarms of living creatures.”

Let’s see how Psychedelic Frogfish show us they are one of the “living creatures” God put in the waters –

More Summer Fun . . . Water Balloon Pinatas!!!

Okay, if you want to be prepared for the upcoming hot summer days when the children you love are at your house, what could possibly sound more fun than making - and  breaking - water balloon pinatas???!!! Just think of all the fun you could have with your grandchildren and a bag of balloons!!! I found this idea on  Pinterest and then bought a bag of balloons, because as much as my grands love to play in and with water, I knew this was something they were sure to LOVE - and they did!

did you know - Hoatzin

Living exclusively in the Amazon basin is one of the oddest birds on Earth – the Hoatzin. This bird makes me think of Psalm 33:6 – By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and by the breath of his mouth all their host.

Let’s take a closer look at the Hoatzin, which was made by God and learn how He designed it “just right” -

There May Be Pirates at Your House!!!

If you have young grandchildren and want to have some fun with them this summer at your house, consider "inviting" "pirates" to your home. When my grands were young we had a pirate who apparently buried "treasure" in the sandbox at my house! My grands were busy that summer digging for treasure in the sand box and lo and behold, they found some!

This "pirate" may, or may not, have look a lot like me; well, okay, it was me! I thought it would be lots of fun to bury "treasure" in the sand box - things like bottles of bubbles, plastic cars to play with in the sand box, and anything else I found which the grands would enjoy digging up. 

When they were at my house, they checked to see if the "pirate" had been back to bury more treasure. Sometimes there was treasure to be found; other times there wasn't . . . after all, you never could tell when a pirate might stop by!

did you know - Peacock Mantis Shrimp

 

Peacock Mantis Shrimp are a surprising example of why we are able to believe God is real and the Bible is true as they show us how God designed it “just right”! Look at what Jeremiah 32:17 says – “Ah, Lord God! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you.”

Let’s see how the Peacock Mantis Shrimp show us nothing is too hard for God.

Summer Fun . . . Vacation Memory Jars!

Summer is the time for many special times and memories . . . some of which are created on vacations! If your grandchildren are going on a vacation this  summer, or will be doing something special during the summer - consider helping them make their own Vacation Memory Jars! I found this idea on Pinterest and thought I'd share it with you!

did you know - Pygmy Hippos

Living in West Africa is an animal people outside of there didn’t even know existed until 1911 – the Pygmy Hippo. It makes me think of Jeremiah 27:5 - It is I who by my great power and my outstretched arm have made the earth, with the animals that are on the earth.

God absolutely knew what He was doing when He designed Pygmy Hippos as one of the animals which evolved on the Earth. Let’s learn what makes them so unique.

It is National Burger Day

I think it is safe to say, most Americans enjoy a good burger, so a day to celebrate this favorite food will likely be a tasty day! I thought it would be fun on this day of the burger, to find some burger facts; did you know . . . 

did you know - Giant Clams!

 

Living at the bottom of the warm Indian and South Pacific Oceans you may discover a very unique animal – the Giant Clam. When I see it, I think about what it says in Nehemiah 9:6 –  “ You are the Lord, You alone. You have made the seas and all that is in them; and You preserve all of them.”

Let’s see some of the special things about Giant Clams which God made and how they help us know God designed and created them on purpose –

May is National Get Caught Reading Month

May is almost over for 2025, but today is a good day to remember it is National Get Caught Reading Month - according to daysoftheyear.com they say, "reading is not just fun; it’s a powerhouse of benefits. It boosts our understanding of the world, lights up our creative minds, and enhances our empathy towards others." Reading is wonderful for us at any age, so let's consider a few benefits of reading and then some possible book choices - did you know . . .