Cooking = Family Memories to Treasure!

What do you remember from when you were a child? Which family memories stand out to you when you remember being young? For me, I remember times when my family got together . . . there were always amazing things to eat as my family had excellent cooks as my grandmas and my mom could all cook! There are few things in life as wonderful as time spent with family . . . when you can add in tasty things to eat . . . well, it is the "cherry on top"!

January is Soup Month - and Penzeys has a Great Sale on Soup Bases!

January is National Soup Month and so I want to share a special offer with you for soup base - it is on sale for just today and tomorrow (January 14, 2026 and January 15, 2026), so if soup sounds tasty to you, check this special offer from Penzeys at this link - and they have several other special offers available as well!

Celebrate with the Best-Ever Chocolate Cake!

 

Today is not actually World Chocolate Day, it is July 11th, so in honor of this most important day, I'm re-running my recipe for the best-ever Chocolate cake! Don't you just love chocolate cake?!!! Aren't there days when chocolate cake is the best thing you could possibly eat? Well, I do love chocolate cake and there are days when chocolate cake most certainly does put a smile on my face - although since I've been working the past six years to lose weight (and have lost 100 lbs), I rarely eat it, but I do fix it for others.

crafting with grandma - Chalkboard Blocks

 

If you have young grandchildren and are looking for a unique and fun activity which you could make together, check this idea I found on Pinterest for Chalkboard Blocks!

The Icy Viper from Pair Eyewear

There are many things I love about Pair Eyewear, but one is how every week on Wednesday they release new limited edition designs! I have a few limited editions - the Icy Viper is one from the Winter Wonderland collection, and it is SO pretty! While it is not currently available, hopefully they will release it again soon - if they do, definitely get it as it is perfect - great color and a unique look!

It's Soup Month, So, Here's a Recipe for Broccoli Cheese Soup

Since January is National Soup Month, I thought it would be fun to share a link where you will find 30 tasty soup recipes - from the Pioneer Woman! With recipes like Turkey Noodle Soup, Broccoli Cheese Soup, and even Lasagna Soup, you are likely to find a recipe or two which sounds tasty to you!

Today - January 13th - Is, "National Rubber Ducky Day", So Let's Make Ducks!

 

Yes, believe it or not, today is, "National Rubber Ducky Day!" In 1970, Jim Henson  performed the song “Rubber Duckie” as Ernie on Sesame Street, and the rubber duck bath toy has been an iconic American symbol ever since. Rubber ducks have been around since the rise of the rubber industry in the late 1800s, but no one knows their exact origin.

The Red Shimmer Topper from Pair Eyewear!

I started the new year with a fun touch of color and shimmer by ordering a new topper for my Pair Eyewear glasses - it is a topper I've had my eye on for some time . . . the Red Shimmer!

I am so happy to finally have this topper and absolutely love the Red Shimmer topper - it is a beautiful deep shade of red and it shimmers with every move! What isn't there to love about this!

You Still Have Time to See Jaume Plensa: A New Humanism at the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

This past October I wrote about the amazing exhibit of art from Jaume Plensa at the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids, MI and today I want to write a bit more about it - you still have two months to see it! I absolutely love Meijer Gardens, they are widely recognized as a top sculpture park, having been named the Best Sculpture Park in the United States by USA TODAY 10 Best Readers' Choice Awards for three years in a row (2023, 2024, and 2025) - it won't surprise me if they are named best again this year as they are amazing! Twice a year they have a new sculpture exhibit in their main building and the current exhibit - Jaume Plensa: A New Humanism - will be available for you to enjoy until March 15, 2026 - and trust me, you will absolutely enjoy it!

Giant, Frozen Marbles!

 

Winter is here - whether there is snow on the ground, or not, it is still a great time to find fun things to do with the children we love. I do    love   Pinterest for the fun ideas I find on it. I thought I'd share with you one fun thing you might try. Granted, if you live where it is at least cold outside it will be easier to pull this off, but even if it is not cold and/or snowy outside where you live you could try this with your freezer - this is a fun activity you could try and one the children you love will never forget!

Nocturnal Garden Topper from Pair Eyewear

Yesterday I received my order from Pair Eyewear of two more toppers for my glasses, so of course today and tomorrow I have to let you know about these wonderful new toppers! Today I'm happy to let you know about a limited edition topper from the Nocturnal Garden collection - the Nocturnal Blossom topper.

I love the beauty of this topper - black background with flowers on it - with deep purple, rose, blue, and cream blooms, and green leaves - a wonderful combination for a unique and lovely topper which will give you a beautifully elegant look for your glasses which is truly unique, stands out, and is likely to generate wonderful conversations! 

Plan You Own Silly, Snowy, Family Fun Day!

 

Since Winter has arrived and there is actually snow on the ground here in Michigan, I thought it might be fun today to share some winter jokes for children which I found online . . . 

Today is International Thank You Day!

I'm all for being thankful and for letting others know you are thankful for them, so a day to especially focus on being thankful is an excellent day to celebrate for sure! Nationaltoday.com says, "International Thank-You Day is celebrated yearly on January 11. It is a day which serves as a reminder we ought to express our gratitude to those who have made our lives better in some way. What better month to reflect on this than the beginning of the year? We often forget to say, 'Thank you,' because we take it for granted or we assume others know how we feel. This day was founded to recognize the importance of always saying thank you." There is some interesting history about being thankful - did you know . . .

Don't Worry: It is Impossible to Spoil Grandchildren

 

If you or someone you love is a grandparent, consider giving them this book, Don't Worry:  It is Impossible to Spoil Grandchildren  - and it is available on Kindle and as a print version on Amazon! While it is a great book for grandparents, it is not only for grandparents as if you are a parent, aunt, uncle, or someone who works with children, this book is for you, too.