Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Parks - A Membership Gives You the Gift of Nature and Art!

 

My husband are definitely treating ourselves to a membership for the fourth year at Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park. We heard as you get older it is very beneficial for our health for us to spend time in nature and around art, so since we live in West Michigan where for at least part of the year there is snow and nature is not very "inviting", we decided to get the membership as along with the amazing gardens and sculptures they also have a huge tropical conservatory - nature and art are available all year!

Make the Most of Being a Grandparent with The DNA of Grandparents & Parents Who Hand Down Confident Faith

 

If you are looking for a book to help a parent or grandparent you love make the most of handing down confident faith, consider this book - The DNA of Grandparents & Parents Who Hand Down Confident Faith.

In this book I look at how our physical DNA is a truly amazing and essential part of who we are, as it holds the "code" or instructions for the things which make us unique as well as for the things we share. It connects us with the generations who came before us; as well as with those who come behind. It is the core of who we are physically. 

crafting with grandma - Paper, Stuffed Hearts!

I was browsing on Pinterest and found a great idea for making paper hearts . . . not the typical, one-dimensional paper hearts you might first think of, but big, puffy, beautiful stuffed hearts!

Follow this link and you'll find all the directions . . . this is a simple enough pattern you could have your grandchildren make them to give their parents or school teachers! I think it would be fun to make smaller hearts and then give them to the secretaries at school and church - and a smaller size would be nice for shut-in neighbors, too!

Winter Fun with a Waterballoon Igloo!

 

A couple years ago I saw a post on facebook about a waterballoon igloo, so today I had to share this idea with you! You will find photos of it and information about it at this link, but I think it looks like you take your waterballoons, let them freeze, then layer the balloons by putting snow around them as you build.

Try Praying Deeper Through the Psalms for Children

When we trust God, we are steadfast and are able to experience His perfect peace. This is certainly what we want for the ones we love; at all times, but especially now with the ongoing wars in Ukraine and Israel, and the uncertainties of day-to-day life in 2026. Our grandchildren (and/or young children) may especially feel fear as they see and hear about the things going on in this world.

If ever there was a time to help them learn to be people who talk with God, this is it. So, to help you with this, I want you to know about my book, Praying Deeper Through the Psalms for Children. Look what people are saying about this book - 

crafting with grandma - LOVE with Handprints!

 

When you have little ones at your home, chances are you will also have little handprints . . . on the windows, on the doors, on the furniture . . . in lots of places! Well, one day when I was browsing on Pinterest, I found the best idea ever for using those little hands . . . and feet, to make a gift which will be absolutely treasured by anyone who receives it!

All you need is paint, something to put the prints on; could be paper, canvas, wood, t-shirts, glass . . . whatever you choose and, of course, little hands and feet!

Choose to Seek and Believe the Truth

One of the most important things we will ever do for the children we love is to model for them and to teach what it means to choose to love everyone and to be people who speak and believe the truth. While it may be especially easy to love our children and grandchildren, sometimes we may be surprised to discover we are not actually people who speak and believe the truth because we do not actually seek the real facts so we are able to believe and speak the truth.

Adventures with Candy!

 

I have three books in my new Candy the Kitten . . . And Me! series of books and wanted you to know of an extra option for getting all three stories - a three in one book -Adventures with Candy!  In this book you will find A Family of Her Own for Candy, Candy's Favorite Place, and What Makes Candy Purr? - all three stories about Candy the kitten, which are sure to be loved stories if you have a child in your family who loves cats!

Things I Love About the 4N1 - a Unique Mobility Rollator/Chair

  

Miracle Mobility sent me their unique and award-winning 4N1 to review so I am able to try it out in a variety of settings and let you know all about it. If you or someone you love is experiencing mobility challenges, the 4N1 may be the perfect resource for you as it combines a rollator, electric wheelchair, a wheelchair others are able to push someone in, and a power assist chair into one amazing item! Today I will share a few of my observations about it so you are able to consider it for yourself or someone you love.

crafting with grandma - Valentines Day Bird Feeder!

 

Valentine's Day is just a little over a month away, so if you are looking for a simple craft which your grandchildren could do . . . and one which has a purpose, then look at this great idea I found  on  Pinterest  for a Valentine's Day Bird Feeder! You'll find the simple directions at this link . . . my grands made this when they were younger. 

What Makes Candy Purr?

For the past few days I've been letting you know about the new books in my Candy the Kitten . . . and Me! books - today I want to let you know about one the children you love are sure to enjoy - What Makes Candy Purr? In this fun story children will get to learn about the things which make Candy, a sweet little calico kitten, purr. And, not only will they discover the things which make Candy purr, but they will be surprised to learn about animals which are not cats, but still are able to purr . . . such as bears! Did you know bears purr? In What Makes Candy Purr? the children you love will enjoy discovering not only about the things which make Candy purr, but will be surprised to learn about other animals which purr, too! 

crafting with grandma - Valentines Day Salt-Dough Hand-Print Hearts!

 

If you have been reading grandma's cookie jar for long, you know I love crafts which involve  making hand and/or footprints of my grands . . . they grow up so very fast, so being able to save a "moment in time" when they are "little" (even when they assure me they are no longer "little", but are "big"!) is something I cherish!

So, when I was browsing on Pinterest and saw a salt-dough hand-print heart, I knew I had to do two things . . . make some with my sweet grands and share the recipe with you! 

Family Fun Idea - Photo Scavenger Hunt!

 

If you are looking for fun ideas to use with the children you love this year, then I have a fun idea for you . . . 

Go on a photo scavenger hunt! Just give them a list of things to find and a camera and send them out to search around your yard or in a park, or any place you choose. They can look for items and when they find them, take a picture to show you when they get back!

Candy's Favorite Place!

Today I am happy to let you know about another of my new books in my Candy the Kitten . . . and Me! series of books - this time, Candy's Favorite Place!

In Candy's Favorite Place, children will get to learn where Candy, a sweet little calico kitten, loves to spend time. She really likes to be a cat in a box and a cat on her princess pillows, but there is one place where she really loves to be and children will enjoy discovering Candy's Favorite Place!