I have never had or made a chocolate chess pie, but after finding this recipe, I'm thinking it may be on my list for a special treat to fix for my family! What is chocolate chess pie, you ask? Well, Taste of Home says, "Although originally from England, chess pie is considered a southern classic in the United States. Think of the pie filling as that of pecan pie, only without the pecans! And since chocolate makes everything better, it will be hard to resist this chocolaty twist." Since chocolate does make everything better, here is the recipe so you can try it this weekend with the people you love! And, thanks to Taste of Home for the photo!
Tuesday, February 24, 2026
The Great American Pie Month - Chocolate Chess Pie!
Monday, February 23, 2026
Yes! illustrate my own Books ARE for You & the Children You Love
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Spring Break will be upon us soon, so if you are looking for something fun you could give the children you love as a gift, consider getting some of the books from the illustrate my own series along with crayons, markers, and/or colored pencils. All of them are fun books which will uniquely engage the children you love in ways they have never engaged before with the accounts of Bible heroes. As they (and you) illustrate their books, they will think about what is happening, the things the Bible people said and did, and how God showed His love and grace to the Bible people . . . which will help the children you love better understand how God shows His love and grace to them as well!
The Great American Pie Month - Blackberry Pie
Blackberries are a very tasty and healthy fruit and they make a fully enjoyable pie, so today I'm happy to share with you are recipe for blackberry pie - but first some fun facts about blackberries - did you know . . .
Today is National Banana Bread Day!
My family enjoys banana bread . . . for good reason; banana bread tends to be moist, soft, and flavorful . . . in short, it is a tasty treat for sure! So, when I discovered it is "National Banana Bread Day", I had to share this bit of news with you! Nationaltoday (dot) com says, "Money was so tight during the Great Depression that people refused to throw away rotten food — thus ushering in the era of overly ripe bananas in banana bread." Here are some fun facts about banana bread - did you know . . .
Sunday, February 22, 2026
Spring Book Review - Adventures with Candy!
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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!
Fun at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
If you live in or near West Michigan, you not only know what Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park are, but have likely visited it; more than once. If you do not live in this area of the country, you may not be familiar with them, but today I'm very happy to share with you about this amazing and beautiful place where you and your grandchildren will be able to explore, discover and have tremendous fun together!
The Great American Pie Month - Pumpkin Mousse Pie!
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Oh yes, I just wrote, "Pumpkin Mousse Pie!" and since February is the Great American Pie Month, today is the day to share my recipe so you are able to make one to enjoy with the ones you love! But first, some fun facts about mousse - did you know . . .
Saturday, February 21, 2026
Spring Book Review - 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 . . . Blarney Stones!
I am not Irish - I do have an ancestor who was Scottish, and who was shanghaied from Scotland, brought to American and sold as an indentured servant . . . but this is another story entirely! However, Irish or not, I have heard of the Blarney Stone! I went on-line to get the "facts" straight . . . if such a thing is possible for the story of the Blarney Stone!!! . . . and will share them with you . . .
The Great American Pie Month - Possum Pie
Have you ever heard of Possum Pie? I had not, until yesterday when I found this recipe, so since we are coming to the end of the Great American Pie Month, I thought I'd share it with you. It is another recipe from Taste of Home - and the photo is from them as well.
Friday, February 20, 2026
Spring Book Review - Candy's Favorite Place!
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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!
Just for Fun!!! Animal Fun Facts - Seahorses, Tiger Sharks, Kangaroos & Giraffes!

Spring is not far away, so to celebrate, today I thought I'd share some animal fun facts with you which you can share with the children you love - did you know . . .
Today is National Cherry Pie Day

Today is National Cherry Pie Day - if you are like many people, when you think of cherry pie, you picture a baked crust filled with tasty cherries - and topped with a scoop of ice cream, of course! At my house cherry pie looks a little different . . . I take a half block of cream cheese and let it soften to room temperature, whip 1/4 cup sugar with the softened cream cheese so it is fluffy, set aside, and whip heavy cream until it is a nice, creamy whipped cream, fold with the cream cheese, fill a graham cracker crust, and top with cherries. Keep in the refrigerator until ready to serve and then, of course, enjoy!
Now for some fun facts about pie - did you know . . .
Thursday, February 19, 2026
Spring Book Review - A Family of Her Own for Candy
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I often review books for children from a number of publishers and always enjoy the books which tell a great story and have colorful illustrations. If the books also find a way to involve the children in the story, then the book is likely to get a high review from me. So, when I write stories for children, I work to be sure all these things are covered in my stories and my Candy the Kitten . . . and Me books definitely do these things! Today I want to share with you one of the books in this series - A Family of Her Own for Candy.