just as grandma's cookie jar should always be full of good things, this blog will be full of good ideas, information, activities and reviews of things to help grandma . . . and grandpa, mom and dad too . . . pass on a heritage of faith to the children in their lives!
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While I was never a huge "fan" of assembling puzzles, I LOVE crafts with puzzle pieces! Not only are puzzle crafts interesting and unique, but they tend to be inexpensive as most of us have puzzles in our closets which are missing at least a piece or two . . . or they can be purchased at garage sales for typically less than a dollar! I'll share some fun puzzle craft ideas with you, but first some fun puzzle facts, did you know . . .
Over the past years I have written a few times about the Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park - typically about their amazing "Butterflies are Blooming" in March and April where thousands of butterflies are in the Tropical Conservatory or their "Christmas Around the World" in November and December. Three years ago my dear husband and I decided to give each other the gift of a membership to the Park. We decided on a grandparents membership - which allowed us and our grandchildren 18 and younger - to visit as often as we liked in the coming year. We added the guest option where were able to bring a guest as well and I have to say, we loved our membership! We thought this was a great membership plan, but Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park are making it even better! This year we will be getting the Friends & Family Plus membership - it will let us continue to enjoy unlimited admission for us, and two adult guests, and eight children under age 18 AND a 10% discount at the gift ship and in the cafe and new ice cream parlor! We will absolutely be renewing our membership next month!
We are just a couple weeks away from Valentines Day, which means we are just a couple weeks away from February 15th! You ask why you should mark your calendar for this day? Because it is the day after Valentines Day. Of course you realize this - it is obvious, so why does this matter? Because . . . it is the day all the heart-shaped candies go on clearance!!!! If you haven't already, make plans to head for your local store first thing on the 15th and pick up some to have on hand for special surprises from grandma! Just think of all the things you could do with heart-shaped candies . . . if you have them . . .
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Nearly every Saturday our grands come over so they can spend the night! Sunday morning I fix breakfast . . . they usually choose sausage, bacon, eggs, waffles, and coffee! Sometimes, they choose blueberry pancakes, so since today is Blueberry Pancake Day, I thought I'd share my pancake recipe with you!
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Valentine's Day is getting closer, so I thought I'd share with you an idea I found on Pinterest for sharing love with people you love - a countdown to Valentine's Day! It could a fun idea to adapt to use with your grandchildren . . . while the link I originally used no longer works, I still love this idea!
A few months ago I wrote about one of my limited edition toppers for my Pair Eyewear glasses - the Black Holographic Flakes! Pair Eyewear says, "This shiny black Top features iridescent flakes scattered throughout." and I say it is an absolutely beautiful topper! The black shimmers and the holographic flakes add pops of color with every move of your head - what isn't there to LOVE about this wonderful topper! I was SO happy to add it to my collection and am very happy to let you know it is once again available and would make a fantastic choice to brighten your day or to give as a gift for someone you know and love who has Pair Eyewear - or plans to get it.
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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!)
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.
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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 . . .
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!
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!
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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!
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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.
