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!
At first glance, this top frame from pair eyewear may look like it is just a pretty berry/plum/purple color, but just wait a moment! When I move or the light shines on me, color pops across the frame as this no ordinary colored frame, it is The Berry Jam Hexagon Top Frame! Talk about color, pizazz, spunk, sparkle, and fun - this top frame is absolutely all these things!
January 17th is National Tulip Day - while we are covered with snow here in Michigan where I live, apparently in the Netherlands, the 17th marks the beginning of Tulip Season. I personally love tulips - they are SO pretty and colorful! Do you have any flowers which bring you happiness to see them in bloom?
I live just 30 minutes from Holland, MI - home of the Tulip festival, and as you might imagine, tulips are a big deal in this area when they are blooming - which won't be until May. Pretty much everyone around here has tulips which bloom in their flower gardens - even people like me who have the "black thumb of death" when it comes to growing plants!
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Now we all know while there are some actual dragons in our world, such as the Blue Dragons (Blue Glaucus), and Bearded Dragons, there are not really giant reptiles which are able to fly and breathe fire. However, the idea of real dragons is interesting and can certainly add an element of fun to a story or movie - or an element of shock as well!
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I live in the house my grandparents built - my dad was born in this house and when I was a child, I often was able to have a sleepover at my grandparent's and always loved when my grandma baked bread - when it came out of the oven I always got a fresh-from-the-oven slice of bread to enjoy! What could be better!
I am thinking about making bread today - as I mentioned, it is cold outside today where I live - in the teens - definitely "chilly"! If you would like to try this recipe with the people you love, this is it . . .
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When it comes to cookies my family tends to favor the "classics" . . . chocolate chip-peanut-butter-oatmeal, plain chocolate chip or plain peanut-butter cookies. But every once in a while I like to try something different and this recipe, which I found on Pinterest, is certainly one I'd like to try! After all, what could be more "yummie" sounding than orange butter cookies?!!!! And what could be a better time to try them than on a cold day - it is only in the teens here today?
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"!
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.
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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!
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!
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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.
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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!
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!
