Family Fun Idea - Photo Scavenger Hunt!

  

If you are looking for fun ideas to use with the children you love this Summer, then I have a fun idea for you . . . 

Go on a photo scavenger hunt! Just give them a list of things to find and a camera and send them out to search around your yard or in a park, or any place you choose. They can look for items and when they find them, take a picture to show you when they get back!

Today is National Sugar Cookie Day!

Today is National Sugar Cookie Day, so let's look at some interesting information about this familiar cookie which I learned on NationalToday.com. They say, "the Moravian settlers, German Protestant immigrants who founded Nazareth, Pennsylvania in the 1700s, are credited with creating the first American sugar cookies. Initially called 'Nazareth Cookies,' these treats were baked in the shape of a keystone, symbolizing their new home state. Their culinary traditions brought forth a simple yet versatile cookie which has since become a beloved staple in American households, evolving into the sugar cookie we know and love today."

Thoughts From a "Lost Canadian" About . . . Milk in a Bag???

As a "Lost Canadian" I have been focused on learning about my "new" Country - Canada, and have enjoyed learning about their many, amazing National Parks. But now I want to focus on some of the things which make Canada unique, interesting, wonderful, and ways they are different than the USA - today I'm sharing with you what I've learned about something which is certainly unique, interesting, different than what I'm used to in the US, and potentially wonderful . . . milk-in-a-bag.

Yes, milk-in-a-bag! This is what I've learned on line about milk-in-a-bag . . . 

Daylily & Standard Flower Shows at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park This Weekend!

I have been writing about Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park quite a bit lately - there is a lot of wonderful things going on there - but I want to let you know about two special things happening this weekend which are free for anyone to enjoy! First of all the Daylily Show and then the Standard Flower Show!

Maple Ice Cream!

Last Wednesday was Canada Day and since I am working on getting my Canadian citizenship (since my ancestors were Canadian, this is something I can now do because of Canada Bill C-3 - check it out, you may be able to do the same thing!), I thought it would be fun to find a recipe for homemade maple ice cream! Happily I found one online . . .

just for fun - Today, July 8th, is National Milk Chocolate with Almonds Day!

Mmmm! I do enjoy chocolate and almonds, so a day to celebrate these delightful treats sounds like a good idea to me! Especially since chocolate is good for you and almonds are good for you . . . combining the two has to mean this sweet treat is actually good for us . . . right??!!!

I thought it would be fun to share some almond fun facts with you on this delicious day - so I looked on-line for some info to share! Did you know . . .

Thoughts From a "Lost Canadian" About Canada Being One of the Most Peaceful Countries in the World!

Yesterday I heard the news about how Canada is in the top fifteen of the most Peaceful Countries in the world. I'm not at all surprised, but I am very happy to learn this! Canada ranks 14th out of 163 countries globally according to the Global Peace Index. Canada retains its title as the most peaceful nation in North and Central America. The  Institute for Economics & Peace says Canada is a model of stability.

Make a Difference for Generations with Generations Quest Cultivate the Faith!

When we hand down the faith, we watch for those unplanned opportunities to connect life with God, His Word and how we are able to know and walk with Him. But, we also need to plan opportunities to do these things in a very intentional and purposeful way as well. Handing down the faith either tends to be something which we look forward to doing and enjoy, or something which leaves us feeling confused and unable to do effectively. Well, no matter which of these describes you, I am very happy today to let you know about a resource which gives you 52 lessons, complete with science projects, crafts and cooking activities to engage the children you love while also helping them learn about real people from the Bible, how those Bible people chose to walk with God and how they are able to do the same. This resource is called Generations Quest Cultivate the Faith! 

My Favorite Chihuly Art at Meijer Gardens . . .

Yesterday I wrote about visiting Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park to see and experience their Chihuly exhibit (you will find my post at this link.) Today I want to write about my favorite Chihuly pieces in the exhibit. While all of the Chihuly art is amazing, there are a few I especially love . . .

Today is World Chocolate Day! Celebrate with the Best-Ever Chocolate Cake!

 

Today is World Chocolate Day, 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 100lbs), I rarely eat it, but I do fix it for others.

So, when I found the recipe I'm sharing with you today and tried it . . . well, I knew I had to share it with you because it is the best chocolate cake I've ever had! (I found the recipe in my Better Homes and Gardens New Cook Book) What could be a better way to celebrate World Chocolate Day, than with the Best-Ever Chocolate Cake???!!! :-) Or, if you have a special event coming up where a chocolate cake would be the perfect addition . . . or, if you would just like to brighten your family's - and your own - day, bake up this best-ever chocolate cake! But first, some chocolate fun facts . . . did you know -

Thoughts From a "Lost Canadian" About Immigration

There has been a lot of talk in the USA, and around the world, about the recent Supreme Court decision which upheld the 14th Amendment to the Constitution of the USA about birthright citizenship. In a 6-3 decision, the Supreme Court struck down a 2025 executive order by the Trump administration which sought to end birthright citizenship. The Court’s decision reinforced longstanding interpretations of the Constitution, which have been in place for over a century, firmly protecting automatic citizenship for children born to undocumented parents or those with temporary legal status.

Tomorrow is National Koi Day!

Yes, tomorrow - July 7th - is National Koi Day. I did not know there was such a thing as a "National Koi Day", but whenever my husband and I take our youngest grand to Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, he is always SO happy when he is able to see the Koi swimming in the pond at the Large Waterfall! So, I thought it might be fun to learn a few things about Koi - and share them with you!

Make Some Orange Swirl Ice Cream!

My youngest grandchild asked me to make orange swirl ice cream - I have a new ice cream maker attachment for my KitchenAid Mixer which I reviewed at this link. So, of course I looked for a recipe to make orange swirl ice cream! I am grandma - what else would I do? I am happy to share the recipe I found online with you . . . 

Chihuly at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

This past Saturday I was able to visit Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids, MI to see - and experience - Chihuly at Meijer Gardens - it was an incredible experience from start to finish! I have to say before I write about Chihuly, the staff and volunteers at Frederik Meijer Gardens are everything you would want them to be - they are kind, respectful, helpful, cheerful, knowledgeable, and seem truly happy you are there at a place they clearly value.