grandma's cookbook - Chocolate Lasagna!!!

Chances are you are wondering about this post . . . what kind of recipe could possibly be called, "chocolate lasagna"? Is it good? It does have "chocolate" in the name, so doesn't this mean it must be tasty? But, chocolate "lasagna"???

Well . . . have no fear!!!! This is a dessert which will leave you heading for the store to get the ingredients, for sure!!!  My daughter, Tiffany, posted this recipe on her facebook and when I saw it, I knew I had to share it with you! 

Today is Not Really the Great American Grump Out, But Let's Celebrate It Anyway!

If you have been reading grandma's cookie jar for very long, you know I like to share with you silly holidays and special days . . . after all, when it is chocolate day, or pie day, or cookie day, or donut day, or ice cream day, who wouldn't want to celebrate with the ones we love???!!!

Well, today is not really the Great American Grump Out Day - it is the first Wednesday in May, but since we are starting the new year, it seems like it is a great time to focus on not being "grumpy, and it made me smile, so I thought I'd go ahead and share it with you anyway . . . On-line it says, "The Grump Out asked sour pusses to suck it up and refrain from getting their grump on -- at least for 24 hours. This includes no grumping, no frowning, no grousing, complaining, punching, slapping, hitting, or killing . . . FOR ONE WHOLE DAY. On this day you will knock it off with your grouchy thing and put a lid on it --- just for 24 hours. (It's not for a lifetime, just a mere 24 hours. If you get your 8 hours of sleep it means you only have to go for 16 hours.) After that you can go back to your old self again."

They also gave the following:

The Little Ginormous, Humongous, Hairy, One-Eyed Monster Boys Adventures!

    

Recently I shared how when my grands were young and at my house for a sleepover, we typically made up stories at bedtime. They almost always had monsters or dinosaurs in them. One night when my oldest grand was six, my middle grand was three, and my youngest grand was one, we were getting them into bed when my oldest grand said there was a monster under my middle grand's bed! This was not what my middle grand wanted to hear, so I said there could not be any monsters under the bed because the monsters were at their poppa's and grandma's house getting ready for bed on their sleepover. My grands found this idea very interesting, so of course, our bedtime story for the night had to have little, ginormous, humongous, hairy, one-eyed monsters getting ready for bed and being scared because they thought they saw, teeny, tiny, itty, bitty, not-so-hairy, two-eyed people under their beds! 

Do Something Nice Today

October 5th is actually Do Something Nice Day, but of course I think every day should be, Do Something Nice Day, and doing so makes the world and the coming year better, so let's make today a day where we focus on being nice to others - and then continue to do so each and every day! So . . . what can we do to be nice to others? Hmmm. What about . . . 

Just for Fun - National Soup Month!

Yes, this month is National Soup Month! Since January tends to be a chilly month, I can not think of a better month to cook, eat, and enjoy  soup!  

I looked on-line and found a site which has 31 soup recipes for, "31 Days of Soup"! I think I'll be making chili, chicken noodle, and beef noodle soup this month . . . . although we do also enjoy potato soup and pea soup as well. 

Today is Not the International Day of Awesomeness, But Let's Celebrate Anyway!

The International Day of Awesomeness is actually on March 10th, but I do think every day is a day to celebrate the people in your life and of course they are awesome, so why not make a point to celebrate them today! And as the last year ends and the new year begins, it seems like a perfect time to celebrate for sure.  When I first saw this "special" day, I wasn't sure if I'd write about it, but then I saw the following quote on the web page for the day; "No one's perfect, but everyone can be awesome!" and knew I had to write about it!

Get Out, Start the New Year by Moving with the Alevo Alu!

   

Do you, or someone you love, have challenges with mobility? If so today I want to take time to write about the Alevo Alu as this rollator will "open the door" for you to get out and enjoy being more mobile or mobile with more confidence. 

If you find you are having difficulty getting around whether due to a medical issue or age, but want to be able to get out and move more, consider getting a rollator to help you do so! (If you do not know what a rollator is, picture a walker with wheels.)

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! I hope 2026 is filled with opportunities for you to connect with the ones you love, build memories, and strengthen your love for one another! 

Fun New Year's Craft Ideas!

Now 2025 is ending and 2026 is beginning, if you are looking for a few fun craft ideas which you can enjoy with the children you love, take a look at these ideas I found on  Pinterest . . . 

grandma's cookbook . . . Muddy Buddies

 

Muddy Buddies are a fun treat to make - and eat! I've been making them pretty much every weekend for a few weeks because there is someone I love who comes to my house for a sleepover on Saturdays and this person LOVES Muddy Buddies! If you want to make them for someone you love, try this recipe - from the Chex website - with your grandchildren . . . it is sure to be a favorite!

Make a Difference Today!

While today really is not National Make a Difference Day - it is actually the fourth Saturday in October, I do believe every day is a day to make a difference, and what is a better way to end a year and start a new one? So let's make a difference today! National Make a Difference Day says; "Initiated in 1990, this is a national day devoted to helping others by doing volunteer work in the community. The activity can be almost anything. On this day, millions of Americans participate in community improvement projects taking the form of clean-ups, fix-ups, painting and repair in poorer neighborhoods, parks and municipal facilities. It doesn't matter what project you take on. It doesn't matter whether you help a non-profit organization, the community, your town, nursing home, a church, a food kitchen, or any other group in need. What matters is that you participate."

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 -