Honey, Maple, Oat Artisan Bread

 

From time to time I enjoy making artisan bread - but not typically in the Summer. However; yesterday we never even made it to 70 degrees, and we may not make it there today as well, so maybe today is a day to make bread! I have a tasty recipe which I want to share with you today - in case where you live it is not too hot to bake bread. Before I get to the recipe I want to say this bread just takes minutes to mix by hand, you let it rise for a few hours, then pop it into the oven for about 40 minutes - this is all there is to it!

Once Again, Please Stand Up & Speak Up - Especially if You are a Mom/Grandma

While I believe it is essential for us to have hope, there are many days when I feel like hope is far away with all the corruption and lack of justice going on in this country. I do believe it is essential for us to all stand up and speak up because if we do not, then we are being complicit with the evil happening here in the USA. 

While we all likely were able to breathe a short breath of relief when the massively corrupt war criminal who currently occupies the white house didn't carry though on his war crime threats for the, "whole civilization to die, never to be brought back again." and the war does look like it may be over - none of us know what will happen next and only time will tell if this is a true end to the violence and war in Iran.

Thoughts From a "Lost Canadian" About Pukaskwa National Park

Two days about I wrote about Point Pelee National Park in Ontario - Canada's first National Park established for conservation and its southernmost National Park as well. Today I am very happy to let you know about another incredibly beautiful place in Ontario - Pukaskwa National Park, which is described as, "remarkably rugged"!

Candy's Favorite Place!

With Summer upon us it seems like the perfect day to let you know about another of my new books in my Candy the Kitten . . . and Me! series of books - which would make a great gift for a child you love - 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! 

Fun Facts about Grandparents & Why What They Do Matters!

 

Clearly, from the things I write about, I sincerely believe grandparents are able to make a difference with their grandchildren. There are reasons I believe this - some of them are . . . 

Ice Cream Maker & Coffee Ice Cream

I recently turned 65 - yes, 65, and my daughter gave me an ice cream maker for my KitchenAid mixer. I decided to make coffee ice cream for my family to enjoy - and will share the recipe shortly, but first I want to let you know what I think about the ice cream maker for my mixer. The first batch of ice cream I made, I missed an important piece of information. The ice cream maker works with your Kitchen Aid mixer whether it is a "tilt-head" mixer (like mine) or the newer "lift" mixer, but there is a special attachment which requires you to use either the "A" or "B" notch based on the type of mixer you have. If you use the incorrect notch, you will find making ice cream is quite a frustrating experience. Be sure you use the correct notch for your mixer.

Once I learned this important information, my second batch of ice cream was not at all frustrating - and I was able to make more coffee ice cream which my family very much enjoyed! Now for the recipe . . . 

Thoughts From a "Lost Canadian" About Prince Albert National Park

When I was a child my parents took me and my siblings almost every year to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the USA. I loved going to the Smoky Mountains and have many wonderful memories of time spent there. As I learned about Prince Albert National Park it seems to me to also be a place where families can visit and create incredible memories every year!

A Family of Her Own for Candy

   

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.

The Best Baby Shower Gift!

From time to time I write about the wonderful books Publishers send me to review - I absolutely believe surrounding our children and grandchildren with books is one of the best things we will ever do for them. The Summer is beginning, so get a new book, or two, or more, and surprise the children you love with them. Books are wonderful resources to use on rainy days, before bedtime, to start the day - at any time!

Water Balloons - 20 Fun Ideas!

  

Summer is upon us and it is likely to be hot across the country - even where I live in Michigan (although we may not even make it to 70 today), so whether it is hot where you are (such as my family in Redding, CA where it was 110 yesterday!) or will be hot soon where you are, I'm happy to share a pin for 20 fun Water Balloon games.

My grands tried the water balloon hunt, the water balloon piñata, and the water balloon launcher! We definitely ended up with up with completely soaked people and there was lots of laughing! 

Thoughts From a "Lost Canadian" About Point Pelee National Park

Growing up in West Michigan I am familiar with sweeping beaches (along Lake Michigan) and migrating birds as this area is a major flight path, where we see massive waves of nocturnal migration during both the spring and fall. So, learning about Point Pelee National Park in Ontario, Canada sounds very familiar - and like a place I would love for sure!

crafting with grandma - 4th of July Tin Can Windsocks!

It seems like Summer has barely begun, but the 4th of July is really just around the corner . . . just over a couple weeks away! So, I thought I'd share a great  craft with you which I found online - at this link. These 4th of July Tin Can Windsocks are wonderful!

grandma's new bug spray!

 

A few years ago I learned about essential oils and discovered the following recipe I'm going to share with you today for bug spray . . . summer is not far away after all! It does seem to help - but not for keeping away ticks.

"Children Are the Best Teachers in the World!"

 

I was looking through the NIV Mom's Devotional Bible from Zondervan the other day and ran across something written by Mary Hollingsworth which I want to share with you . . . Tiny Teachers -

"Children are the best teachers in the world. They teach young women how to be mothers and young men how to be fathers. They teach older men and women how to be grandparents. They even teach other children how to be brothers and sisters.