just for fun - Today is Chocolate Cake Day!

 

I am extremely happy to say today is Chocolate Cake Day! Here in Michigan it has been very cold and snowy for the past week, we reached an all time low of -20 actual temperature, so today's temp of - 8 degrees so far is a real "heat wave"! In light of all this "chill", what could be a better way to brighten a cold day, than with a piece of chocolate cake?!!! Even if it was not Chocolate Cake Day, it would still be a great way to brighten this day . . . but it is Chocolate Cake Day, so, let's celebrate! (Although if you are like me and working to lose more weight, then the thought of chocolate cake will have to be enough!)

This is the Time to Pray Deeper

  

I do still believe God is real. The past year has left me wondering for sure, but there is too much evidence for God being real for me to ignore it. So, I do still believe. 

With everything going on in our country and world, if ever there was a time to pray deeply, this is it. Praying for our grandchildren (and children), and for our neighbors and world, 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.

Do Something Nice Today

 

I posted this a few weeks ago - but especially with everything going on in our country right now, if ever there was a time to do something nice, it is now. And, it would be a great way to show respect and concern for the families of those who have been murdered or kidnapped by our government, whether you personally know them or not.

"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 . . . 

Please Stand Up & Speak Up

I write grandma's cookie jar to provide ideas for ways grandmas - and grandpas/moms/dads might connect the children they love with God and build strong, loving relationships. I share recipes, book reviews, fun facts, and more - I stay away from politics. But not today. People I know and love live in fear. People I do not know live in fear - and some are dying at the hands of our government. I can not stay silent. I do not believe Jesus would be silent, either. So, I am sharing images I found on instagram - they say what I am thinking.

The "Buzz" About, Don't Worry: It Is Impossible to Spoil Grandchildren!

 

Eight years ago I wrote a book to help, encourage, and challenge grandparents and parents - Don't Worry: It Is Impossible to Spoil Grandchildren!   and thought it might be fun today to share with you some of the "buzz" . . . what people are saying about this book - and neither of these two people are related to me!

Honey, Maple, Oat Artisan Bread

 

It is VERY cold outside today - as I write this it is three degrees out - which is actually "balmy" compared to yesterday when it was -20 - yes, -20! At any rate, people I love spent the night here last night and more people I love are coming over for lunch, so I just made two loaves of Honey, Maple, Oat Artisan Bread - one is gluten free - because the warmth it will add to the house - and the amazing aroma will help with it being so cold outside! If you would like to make some, too, I will share the recipe with you. Before I get to the recipe I want to say this bread just takes minutes to mix by hand, you let it rise for a few hours, then pop it into the oven for about 40 minutes - this is all there is to it!

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 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. 

A "Real" Red Elephant, God's Faithful Love & Trust!

Today I want to share something with you once again, which I originally wrote ten years ago . . .

“My three grands are young; seven, four, and two years old. I love these ages, because they are just the right size for time in grandma’s lap – which of course, just fills my heart with joy! I know when my own children were young, they were the same way, but as they grew up, “lap time” came to an end. So, I treasure these few years when my grands are young. I enjoy the things they say and do which make me laugh and I love opportunities to snuggle them in my lap. 

just for fun - Today Is National Peanut Butter Day!

 

I LOVE peanut butter! It is one of my favorite foods for sure! So, when I saw on daysoftheyear (dot) com, today is National Peanut Butter Day, well, I had to let you know so you can celebrate it as well! They said, "Who doesn’t love peanut butter? So let’s celebrate Peanut Butter Day. This auspicious occasion was created many years ago, to allow peanut butter lovers to celebrate the creation of this wonderful food. 

Make a Difference for Generations with Generations Quest Cultivate the Faith!

When we hand down the faith, we watch for those unplanned opportunities to connect life with God, His Word and how we are able to know and walk with Him. But, we also need to plan opportunities to do these things in a very intentional and purposeful way as well. Handing down the faith tends to be something which we look forward to doing and enjoy, or something which leaves us feeling confused and unable to do effectively. Well, no matter which of these describes you, I am very happy today to let you know about a resource which gives you 52 lessons, complete with science projects, crafts and cooking activities to engage the children you love while also helping them learn about real people from the Bible, how those Bible people chose to walk with God and how they are able to do the same. This resource is called Generations Quest Cultivate the Faith! 

Yesterday Was National Polka Dot Day!

Apparently I missed a "holiday" which I would have enjoyed celebrating . . . yesterday, January 22nd, was National Polka Dot Day! I enjoy wearing glasses with polka dots - they add such a fun touch to my glasses for sure! (I'm wearing my Pride Party Dots topper and Holiday Bauble with Foil Crystal topper both from Pride Eyewear.) 

I read about this "spotty" holiday and learned it is intended to celebrate Minnie Mouse - she does wear polka dots. But I think it is a day to enjoy these dots beyond the Mouse for sure! Here are a few ways to celebrate - even the day after the technical "holiday" -

just for fun - Today Is Pie Day!

 

Mmmmmm! Pie Day! I'm all for this day; after all, what isn't there to absolutely LOVE about pie??!!! Sweet pies or savory pot pies . . . in my opinion, it is difficult to go wrong with pie!!!

Just for fun, I thought I'd "search" the web to look for any Pie Day fun facts and found a few . . . 

Life on the Amazing Goldilocks Planet

 

I'm very happy to share a new book with you which will make a difference in the lives of the children you love.   Are you one of the grandmas (or grandpas) who are so blessed to have grown children who love and walk with God, and who are committed to hand down confident faith with you to the children you all love? Do your grandchildren want to go to church, want to talk about their walk with God, and embrace a confident faith of their own? Or, do you have grown children who, like so many their age, are no longer involved in church, who do not embrace a confident faith of their own, and/or grandchildren who tell you they are, "not into that church thing any more"?