Make a Difference with Heifer International

This time of year, particularly with Thanksgiving and Christmas, we think about giving to others. Now even though we are past Thanksgiving and Christmas, we are still able to not only think about giving to others, but we are able to follow through and do something which will help others - and if we involve the children we love it makes it even better! So, if you are looking for a place where you are able to give and truly help others - and a great place for involving the children you love in giving, then check out Heifer International.

Today is National Bacon Day!

 

If ever there was a special day to celebrate, today is the day as it is National Bacon Day! At my house, bacon is enjoyed on Sunday mornings when my grands are here . . . so celebrating National Bacon Day is something we will certainly want to do. Let's start our celebrating by looking at some very interesting, funny, and surprising bacon facts - did you know . . . 

A Peek at 2026 at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

I often write about Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park and how it is such a wonderful place to spend time with the ones you love. As 2025 comes to an end, I have to say it has been a year filled with nature and art for us thanks to Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park! So, as 2026 is about to begin, if you live in or near West Michigan - or are planning a vacation here, make sure Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park in on your list of places where you will absolutely spend time - you will be so glad if you do!

As we have experienced in previous years, it looks like they have filled the year with so many incredible opportunities to strengthen your health - as being around nature and art are physically and mentally good for you and Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is filled with nature and art! Check out just some of the fun they have planned for the coming year - 

Make 2026 the Year Where You Pray Deeper!

 

Praying for our grandchildren (and children) is something we all know we need to do, but it is also something many of us struggle with. We may feel like our prayers do not even make it through the ceiling above us and do not know what to say or how to pray. Our lives are busy, so finding the time to pray can be a challenge which we may not overcome and then days go by without us spending time in prayer.

Take & Make the Time to Speak & Show Love

 

I am blessed with three grandchildren - and they are all doing what we know all grandchildren do . . . they are growing up. My oldest grand now has a driver's permit! How could this have possibly happened so fast?!

Today is International Cello Day

I love the cello. I do not play the cello, but I love listening to cello music. I love the mellow sound of a cello and especially enjoy the Piano Guys as their cellist is excellent! So, even though today is a day to celebrate the cello, it is also a day to celebrate music and those who make music. My grands so far have played the saxophone, piano, French horn, bass, acoustic guitar, and electric guitar - and I'm always happy to listen to them play music. Take time today to enjoy the cello - or whatever music the ones you love enjoy making!

Here are a few cello facts and a link where you will find the Piano Guy's music . . .

A Fun Resource for the Ones You Love

  

In this day and age it is especially important for grandparents (and parents) to be focused upon passing confident faith to the children they love, but it can be a challenge to find resources to help us do this. Generations Quest ~ Cultivate the Faith was written for this reason and provides 52 weeks of lessons grandparents/ parents will be able to use to engage our grandchildren/children in learning how to love, know, and walk with God!

Each week there is a science activity which will engage children and connect them to the point of the Bible event. They will learn about Bible people and how to pray the Psalms back to God along with fun activities which are just for fun!

Just for Fun . . . New Year's Fun Facts!

New Years - 2026, is nearly upon us and the children we love have one week before they bo back in school - unless they have another snow day - so I thought it would be fun to look on-line and see if I could find any interesting, surprising, and fun New Year's facts to share with you . . . look what I  found . . . 

Just for Fun - National Chocolate Candy Day!

 

It has been a busy week for me . . . cooking a special meal to celebrate Christmas, celebrating Christmas with my family, and time spent with the ones I love! Busy for sure, but wonderful in every way!

So, today I thought I'd take a look on-line and see if December 28th was a "special" day . . . and I'm happy to say, it is! Today is, "National Chocolate Candy Day"! Now this is a day to celebrate for sure!

Don't Worry: It is Impossible to Spoil Grandchildren - Look What People Are Saying About It!

    

I am very happy to say,  Don't Worry: It is Impossible to Spoil Grandchildren is available on Kindle and as a print version on Amazon - and it makes a wonderful gift for the parents and grandparents you know! But not only for parents and grandparents as if you are an aunt, uncle, or someone who works with children, this book is for you, too.

grandma's cookbook - Broiled, Herbed Chicken Breasts & Tater-Tot Casserole

With the New Year just around the corner, I have been in the mood for meals which are warm, comforting, and full of healthy ingredients! So, I have been working on preparing meals which are healthy and home-made; not from a box or can and using fresh ingredients. Now, when you think of Tater Tot Casserole, you may not think of healthy or fresh since it tends to be smothered in canned mushroom soup - but not my tater tot casserole! Today I's sharing my recipe with you.

Just For Fun - Today is Make Paper Snowflakes Day!

Yes, today is, "Make Paper Snowflakes Day"! Where I live in Michigan we currently have few real snowflakes outside, but since today is, "Make Paper Snowflakes Day", I thought I'd share a couple fun and surprising facts about snow, a real photo of a real snowflake, and some ideas for making some of your own paper snowflakes! 

grandma's chuckles . . . Apparently I'm, "So Easy to Operate"!!!

 

When my oldest grand was five years old they were quite the reader! Sounding out words was easy for them and they found great joy at being able to sit down with a book and read what all those words have to say! 

This of course, made me a happy grandma as I want my grands to love reading! It also gave me some unexpected opportunities to see how they thought . . . and a few good laughs as well!

Pair Eyewear Red Shimmer Topper!

On January 1, 2026 I am starting the new year with a fun touch of color and shimmer by ordering a new topper for my Pair Eyewear glasses. My insurance will be reloaded for 2026, so since January 1st is the last day of the wonderful 30% off sale at Pair Eyewear, it is the perfect day for me to order a topper I've had my eye on for some time . . . the Red Shimmer!