grandma's cookbook - Potato, Squash, Oat Bread

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! Now I'm the grandma in this house and when my grands come over I often make bread for them!

Since today is a chilly day (it is currently 33 degrees and will only get up to 53), I thought I'd share a tasty recipe with you - homemade potato, squash, oat bread - it is wonderfully tasty for sure!

If you would like to try this recipe with the people you love, this is it . . . 

Today is a Great Day to Make Your own Book!

Today is Make a Book Day, so if you are looking for something fun you could do with the children you love, consider doing something creative - make your own book! Consider making your own unique story or sit down together and make your own unique "twist" of a favorite book. When my grands were younger they loved Dr. Seuss' There's a Wocket in My Pocket - and one day they made their own version of this story - complete with fun illustrations!  

First, some history of books, which I found on-line . . .

Thoughts From a "Lost Canadian" About the Canadian National Anthem

Growing up in the USA, I of course, know the National Anthem - the Star Spangled Banner and the history behind the song. Since I am a "Lost Canadian", I thought I should learn the history behind the Canadian National Anthem - and learn the Anthem, too. Today I am happy to share with you what I have learned.

First for the history behind the song, O Canada! -

“O Canada” came into being in 1880, 100 years before it became Canada’s National Anthem.

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! 

Water-Wars for Children's Day Fun!

June 14th is Children's Day, so, what might the children you love want to do if it is a warm, sunny day and they are at your house? 

Play in the water! And, not just play in the water, but use squirt guns if you have them.

May is Photo Month!

The month of May is Photo Month . . . although, as a grandma, I firmly believe any and all months are "photo months" since all times are excellent times for photos!

So, along with being sure to get photos of your grandchildren, encourage them to take photos of themselves (or have their parents help with this) and then send them to you!

And, just for fun, you could take "silly" photos of your grandchildren . . . they will enjoy it and you will get a smile on your face each time you see them!

Thoughts From a "Lost Canadian" on How to Find Canadian Ancestors

I've been sharing the things I've been learning about Canada and its Government and First Peoples, and while this "Lost Canadian" still has much to learn, today I want to share how you are able to find out if you are a "Lost Canadian", too! As I wrote earlier, I was so surprised to learn more than 1/3 of my ancestors were Canadian - there is a strong possibility some of them were also First Nations Mi'kmaq as well. And today I discovered my husband has Canadian ancestors from Quebec!

So, how can you discover if your ancestors were Canadian? Well, follow these steps . . . 

Candy's Favorite Place!

  

A few days ago I wrote about one of the books in my Candy the Kitten series of books - today I am happy to let you know about another one - 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! 

Children's Day - and Night Fun!

 

Children's Day is on June 14th this year - and yes, it is a real holiday. I was browsing on Pinterest  and found a really fun idea for Children's Day . . . or for a sleep-over, or a fun Summer evening . . . and it would make a great gift for your  grandchildren for Children's Day! You can make your own set, then stand back and watch the fun begin . . . be sure to have a camera handy!

Tomorrow, May 6th is the Great American Grump Out - Get Ready to Celebrate!

If you have been reading grandma's cookie jar for very long, you know I like to share with you silly holidays and special days . . . after all, when it is chocolate day, or pie day, or cookie day, or donut day, or ice cream day, who wouldn't want to celebrate with the ones we love???!!!

Well, today is not really the Great American Grump Out Day - but it is tomorrow - the first Wednesday in May, but it seems like today is a great time to get ready to focus on not being "grumpy, so I thought I'd go ahead and share it with you today . . . On-line it says, "The Grump Out asked sour pusses to suck it up and refrain from getting their grump on -- at least for 24 hours. This includes no grumping, no frowning, no grousing, complaining, punching, slapping, hitting, or killing . . . FOR ONE WHOLE DAY. On this day you will knock it off with your grouchy thing and put a lid on it --- just for 24 hours. (It's not for a lifetime, just a mere 24 hours. If you get your 8 hours of sleep it means you only have to go for 16 hours.) After that you can go back to your old self again."

They also gave the following:

Thoughts From a "Lost Canadian" About Canadian Politics

Growing up in the USA, I am fairly familiar with politics in the USA. We basically have a two-party system - Democrats and Republicans. There are a few other parties - Independents, Libertarians, and Green Party, but since the 1850's the USA has basically been a two-party system. Democrats generally supports a stronger federal government, social programs, civil rights, and environmental regulation while Republicans typically advocate for free-market capitalism, limited government intervention in the economy, a strong national defense, and conservative social values. Of course trump has completely remade the Republicans in his image - which is not a positive thing at all.

At any rate, this "Lost Canadian" wanted to learn about the political system in Canada, so today I'm sharing with you what I learned on-line . . .

A Fun Resource for the Ones You Love

In this day and age it is especially important for grandparents (and parents) to be focused upon passing confident faith to the children they love, but it can be a challenge to find resources to help us do this. Generations Quest ~ Cultivate the Faith was written for this reason and provides 52 weeks of lessons grandparents/ parents will be able to use to engage our grandchildren/children in learning how to love, know, and walk with God!

Each week there is a science activity which will engage children and connect them to the point of the Bible event. They will learn about Bible people and how to pray the Psalms back to God along with fun activities which are just for fun!

Children's Day - Yes, It Is Real!

June 14, 2026 is Children's Day! Yes, it is a real holiday . . . (If you look it up on Google, it says the USA celebrates Children's Day on the second Sunday in June - this has been the official date since the 1800's - I really did not make this holiday up!!!) :-) 

Today is National Lemonade Day - & Lemonade Ice Cream Pie!

Today is National Lemonade Day - now the idea behind this special day is to help children learn how to set up their own lemonade stands, so they are able to learn what it means to run their own business. You are able to learn more about it at this link.