Colored Egg Alternative - Dyed Marshmallows

We all remember how last year eggs were so expensive, and often hard to find, so decorating eggs may not have been high on your list for activities last year for Easter. But, I had a few ideas I shared with you for egg "alternatives" - all of which were fun ways to still celebrate with the children you love! This year, happily, eggs are less expensive and easier to find, but you may still want to use some of these ideas for fun with the children you love, so I'll share them again over the coming days. The idea for today is . . . dyed marshmallow eggs!

Family Tree

Behind my house, in my back yard is a maple tree. It is no ordinary maple tree. It is enormous! It is behind our two-stall garage and it extends far above and far to both sides. It is enormous - well, not compared to a Redwood tree . . . which is truly enormous - but compared to normal Michigan Maple trees, this one is enormous.

Bunny Dirt Cups from Kraft

Easter is just a few weeks away, so I thought I'd share a fun recipe I found for Bunny Dirt Cups from Kraft which uses jello, cool-whip, and cookies - what isn't there to love!

National Each Person is a Person of Worth Day

I'm taking a break today from my Dr. Seuss quote for the day, because today is National Each Person is a Person of Worth Day and I love the idea of a day to focus on and emphasize the value of each of us! Nationaltoday (dot) com says, "the power of recognizing others’ worth and how this recognition impacts the other person is the key focus behind National Each Person is a Person of Worth Day, which is held each year on March 24. This celebration reminds us not only is self-worth a universal trait, but how we gauge others’ worth also stays the same around the world. This day aims to get people to recognize the worth of everyone around them, and in doing so, appreciate their own." So on this important day, let's look at how to build our own self-esteem from Psychology Today so we are able to have a strong sense of worth and are able to help the ones we love do the same -

Yes! illustrate my own Books ARE for You & the Children You Love

      

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! 

"Only You Can Control Your Future!"

The Dr. Seuss Quote for today is, "Only you can control your future!"  Well . . . we do have some "say" over our future, as we can decide if we are going to move forward on something or not, but there are certainly times and situations where we do not have "control" over our futures. I do believe we are able to turn to God when faced with questions and challenges about our future, but we also have to take responsibility for the things we are able to do in regards to our future. 

Please Stand Up & Speak Up

   

I have posted this a few times, but with all the things which are happening in our world, I'm sharing it again today. I write grandma's cookie jar to provide ideas for ways grandmas - and grandpas, moms, and dads might connect the children they love with God and build strong, loving relationships. I share recipes, book reviews, fun facts, and more - I typically 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 - in our country and now around the world. Our government is being drown in corruption and the trump-epstein files causes great concern. 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.

"Because My Grandma LOVES Them!"

 

I live on an acre, out in the country, in Michigan, in the farmhouse my grandparents built back in the 1920's. In my front and side yard are five very large maple trees. In my back yard, behind the double-stall garage is the most enormous maple tree I've ever seen - it reaches far above the roof of the garage and spans beyond the sides of the garage - on both sides! It is absolutely enormous! We also have one very, very tall sycamore tree, three birch trees and several other trees - including about a dozen pine trees.

"Step With Care and Great Tact . . ."

The Dr. Seuss Quote for today is, "Step with care and great tact. And remember life's a great balancing act!" Life has it's "stages" and "moments" and we need to walk though them all with a mind for "balance" and for showing grace to others - including yourself. Yesterday I heard someone talking about how they never give themselves the benefit of the doubt or notice when they do something well, so when others do this for them, it really got them to thinking about how they should go easier on themselves. Far too often this is true for many of us, so today I want to take a minute to share affirmations I found on the verywellmind.com where they said, Positive self-affirmations are usually short, simple statements you come up with on your own based on your own needs and emotions. But self-affirmations have a more universal application, too. It’s okay to use more generalized, pre-written affirmations if you feel they apply well to you.

Here are some positive mental health affirmations to get you started:

Today is International Goof Off Day!

 

Today is International Goof Off Day! You may be wondering why we would want to celebrate goofing off, well, according to nationaltoday (dot) com, they say, "The Goof Off Day is the ideal opportunity for everyone to unwind, enjoy themselves, and have a good time. The day invites us to be a little foolish, relax, and do pointless things on this particular day. On this day, you’re encouraged to do something unproductive for enjoyment until the next day to take a break from your daily duties."

We are likely to all agree our world holds lots of stress for us, so a day to unwind, relax, and enjoy taking a break is not a bad idea. Surprisingly, there are even some health benefits for "goofing off". Did you know . . . 

Today is NOT Lemon Bar Day, But Let's Enjoy Them Anyway!

  

Today is NOT National Lemon Bar day (it is in October), but lemon bars are so tasty and a great treat to make for the ones we love, so today I'm sharing a recipe for lemon bars with you and some fun lemon bar and lemon facts. I really do enjoy lemon bars - the butter cookie bottom and soft, tart lemon topping . . . it is absolutely a wonderful treat! Let's start though with some fun information - did you know . . .

"Today I Shall Behave, as if This is the Day I Will Be Remembered!"

The Dr. Seuss Quote for today is, "Today I shall behave, as if this is the day I will be remembered!"  I really like this one! It is a challenge to all of us as we absolutely should live each day as if it is a day where we will be remembered. I want to live each day so I am remembered as a mom and grandma who dearly loves her children and grandchildren. I want to be remembered as a wife who loves and who is so thankful for her husband. I want to be remembered as a person who loves all others and who will stand up and speak out for those who need someone to do this for them.

Today is National French Bread Day

 

Today is National French Bread Day, so I thought I'd share a favorite recipe for baguettes! I received baguette pans one year for Christmas, so I found a recipe on-line which I use, but I do not steam the bread - I like a soft crust, not crunchy. I know, not a "true" baguette, but it is tasty for sure! You will find the recipe at this link.

Let's look at some fun bread facts, did you know . . . 

Meet Your Goals to Move More with the Help of the Alevo Alu

     

We all want to try and live a healthier life. As we get older, whether due to age or health or both, the goals we set to help us live healthier may be more difficult to accomplish, but don't give up! Spring is upon us and happily there are "tools" to help us. One such "tool" is the Alevo Alu by Porsche design. And, since the weather is becoming more lovely, getting out and moving is far more enjoyable! If you - or someone you love - experience challenges with mobility, or just need something to help you be more secure in your walking, the Alevo Alu is for you!