Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park - Best in the Country in 2023, 2024, & 2025 - So Let's Vote for it Again in 2026!

 

I am blessed to live in West Michigan - the home of Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park. From time to time I post about it here on grandma's cookie jar - for good reason . . . it is an amazing place! For the past three years my husband I and got a Grandparents & Guest Membership - we are able to go as often as we like, bring our grands, and a guest with us - which is something we have done a lot - nearly every week - over the past three years! It is almost time for us to renew our membership and we are absolutely doing so!

Saturday is - Belly Laugh Day

Today I am happy to share with you another fun silly holiday on Saturday - "Belly Laugh Day" which is a day to chuckle, laugh, and celebrate the good things in life. 

My grands - all three of them, fully understand what it means to have a good, belly laugh! This, "holiday" is described as:

Help the Children You Love Know God with illustrate my own - Known Bible Hero book series

    

You are likely familiar with the Bible people from my illustrate my own - Known Bible Hero book series - Noah, Hananiah, Mishael & Azariah (otherwise known as Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego), Ruth, Joshua, Caleb, David, Elijah, Jonah, Daniel, Joseph, Hadassah (Esther), and Gideon so just think how much fun it would be to illustrate these familiar accounts . . . whether you are an artist or draw your illustrations with stick people. As much fun as it would be for you to illustrate these Bible adventures for your grandchildren, think how much more fun it would be to illustrate them together . . . and most importantly, think about the fantastic conversations you will be able to have as you work together to illustrate your books!

Saturday is Talk like a Grizzled Prospector Day

Yes, I know Saturday is a few days away, but I wanted to let you know about this fun day so you are able to plan to celebrate it with the children you love. "Talk like a Grizzled Prospector Day" is on Saturday and I did find a link online for how you can talk like a grizzled prospector! Here are a few prospector-type words and their definitions . . . and you'll find the complete list at this link. Prospector Talk for Beginners . . .

Today is National Hug Day!

With all the stress in our country (and world) on a daily basis, if ever we needed a day to hug, this is such a day for sure. Today is National Hug Day - now this is a holiday for grandmas for sure! I LOVE this one! I looked on-line at punchbowl (dot) com and found the following information about National Hug Day; "Today is National Hug Day! Whether you prefer Bear Hugs, Heart-to-Heart Hugs, Cheek Hugs, or Side Hugs, embrace your loved ones today to show your love and affection.

It is Soup Month, so Let's Make More Soup - Butternut Squash Soup!

I'm not a huge fan of squash - I like it in my bread or rolls, I like it in my stew, and I do like it as soup, so since it is Soup Month, I thought I'd share a recipe from delish for Butternut Squash Soup! You will find hints and info at this link - but here is the recipe -

Today is National Cheese Lovers Day, So - Hot & Cheesy . . . Mac & Cheese

Today is National Cheese Lovers Day, which of course, is a day to enjoy cheese! I have a tasty recipe to share - as cooking with cheese is a great way to celebrate this cheesy day - so the  cookbook - Hot and Cheesy, is a great place to find cheesy things to make and eat, since as the title indicates, it is filled with recipes using cheese! In fact the publisher says this is the "cookbook which will make cheese lovers melt!" What could be better for National Cheese Lovers Day? This book has more than 250 recipes for everything you can possibly think of to make with cheese with American and International recipes - as it says, "This cookbook covers everything from fritters, pastries, casseroles, pastas, sandwiches to pizzas and almost anything else you could top, stuff or sprinkle with cheese."

illustrate my own Unknown Bible Hero books - No "Ordinary" Bible Person Storybook

If you are not an artist, or artistic person, when you see a book   which you need to provide the illustrations, you may think it is not the book for you. But, in this case with the illustrate my own Unknown Bible Hero books, nothing could be farther from the truth! These books give you the unique opportunity to engage with the children you love in ways you never have when you read a book about a real Bible person, since you and/or they will be providing the illustrations. This means you get to talk about what is happening, think through what the Bible person is saying, and basically really pay attention to the details so you are able to provide the illustrations! Just think about the fantastic conversations you will be able to have about the Bible people and how what they learned applies to you as well! These books are no ordinary Bible person storybook!

just for fun . . . Today - January 19th - is Popcorn Day!

 

WooHoo!!! This is a day I am happy to celebrate for sure as I am a definite "fan" of  popcorn! While there is debate and confusion as to who actually began this "holiday", I for one am one who is most willing to celebrate it!

I found the following ideas for ways to celebrate Popcorn Day on Popcorn.com . . .

Orchid Show at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

This weekend - January 24th & 25th you will be able to see an amazing Orchid Show at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park - and if you live in or near West Michigan, it is absolutely well worth your time to go today or tomorrow - it runs until 5pm both days. This show is open to the public and free for any who want to go enjoy it - and enjoy it you will! But, if you also want to see the amazing orchids from Meijer Garden in their Victorian Garden and Tropical Conservatory, you will need a ticket to see them.

Make a Difference with illustrate my own - Important Things Jesus Wants Me to Know books

You are likely familiar with the Bible people from my illustrate my own - Important Things Jesus Wants me to Know book series - The Lost Lamb, The Woman at the Well, The Man with Leprosy, The Good Samaritan, The Pharisee  & the Tax Collector, The Two Builders, and Martha & Mary so just think how much fun it would be to illustrate these familiar accounts . . . whether you are an artist or draw your illustrations with stick people. As much fun as it would be for you to illustrate these Bible adventures for your grandchildren, think how much more fun it would be to illustrate them together . . . and most importantly, think about the fantastic conversations you will be able to have as you work together to illustrate your books!

crafting with grandma . . . Cold, World Snow Day Fun - a Snowman

Today is World Snow Day and where I live there is definitely snow on the ground! The weather people are saying more snow and cold weather are on the way, so . . . I guess it is time to think about a craft you can make, and enjoy, on a snowy, cold day! (One you can enjoy even if you happen to live where you do not get snow, too!)

Today is National Gourmet Coffee Day

In my family we have people who love coffee. Did I write, "love"? I should have put people who "LOVE" coffee! Yes, coffee is enjoyed in my family for sure, so a day to celebrate gourmet coffee (the type we drink) seems like something we must celebrate - although every day is absolutely a day to celebrate gourmet coffee!

I thought it would be fun to look up some gourmet coffee fun facts - did you know . . . 

the little answer book Is For You

   

Do you have someone in your family who once walked with God, but no longer do? Someone who at one time went to and was active in their church, but today they say they are not even sure if God is real? Or, do you know someone for whom these things are true?