Civic Holiday - a Wonderful Canadian Celebration!

Apparently, and most sadly, I missed a Canadian holiday - Civic Holiday - which is celebrated on the First Monday of August. The idea for this holiday is to, "unite communities across Canada every first Monday of August, though its name and traditions vary by region. This unique observance fosters local pride and offers a chance for relaxation and local festivities. Discover the diverse ways Canadians celebrate, from historical tributes to outdoor events, and find out how you can join in the spirit of community."

Upcoming Anniversary & an Important Example

My husband and I are just two days from celebrating our 45th wedding anniversary! We met on an active volcano (Mt. Lassen in Northern California) and were married on my grandpa/ma Fullmer's 55th anniversary - both sets of my grandparents and my parents had long committed marriages. They all set the example for me of loving, honoring and cherishing my husband. I never one time heard my grandparents or parents say anything negative about each other - I think this is what the vows mean - or part of it - when we commit to love, honor, and cherish the one we marry. (This is an engagement photo of us on Mt. Lassen where we met, and a wedding photo . . . we were SO young!!!)

Thoughts From a "Lost Canadian" About How Much I Appreciate Canada's Compassion

I have family members who are part of the LGBTQ+ community - you likely do as well. I have been paying attention over the past year to how often our elected officials here in the US demonize these dear people and have been appalled to watch as states pass laws to make their lives not only more difficult, but in some States (such as Kansas), nearly impossible. I have listened as some people talk about passing laws to do away with LGBTQ+ marriage and even some have talked about sending these dear ones to detention camps in their so-called Project 2025 writings.

Members of the LGBTQ+ community and their families and friends are rightly concerned about what the future may hold, but Canada takes a different view of these dear people - Canada welcomes them! Not only does Canada welcome them, but Canada will even expedite their applications for citizenship in Canada. I will share a bit of information with you on this so if you have someone you love who is LGBTQ+ and are applying for citizenship, you will have some details which may help -

CHIHULY Float Boat at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

I have been writing about Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park which is a place where there are so many beautiful and amazing things to see all year long, but this is even more true now through November 1st as the Dale Chihuly exhibit is able to be enjoyed throughout the Sculpture Park on the edge of Grand Rapids, Michigan. I thought it would be interesting to share with you some information I found online about the beautiful sculptures you are able to see throughout the park and a bit of background on each piece - today I'm happy to give you a closer look at CHIHULY Flori Boats at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park . . .

Don't Forget the Most Important Back-to-School Supply - Praying Deeper Through the Psalms for Children

The children we love will be returning to school shortly. A new year of school brings with it new relationships, new learning, new experiences, new challenges - some positive, some not so positive. Of course we want to do all we are able to do to equip the children we love so they are able to face these new things with confidence and are able to grow because of them. One of the most important things we will ever do to help them is to teach them to talk with God, but how do we do this? Clearly, if we want the children we love to become people of prayer, this takes more than praying at meals.

Today is National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day!

 

While chocolate chip cookies are a treat to enjoy any day - especially fresh from the oven, today is actually National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day! Of course this means I need to share a recipe or two with you, so I chose the first one from when my oldest grand was young and we were going to make cookies, so I asked what kind of cookies we should make and they said, "Chocolate, chocolate-chip!" So, we sat down with my computer to find a recipe and, "Yes! This is the one. It has cocoa and the other one didn't. We need cocoa to make chocolate, chocolate-chip cookies!" We made the chosen recipe, with just a couple "tweaks" which I'm sharing with you. The cookies turned out quite delightful - after all, they have cocoa, chocolate-chips, peanut butter, and sour cream in them, so how could they be anything but delicious and delightful? 

Thoughts From a "Lost Canadian" About Gathering Documents to Receive Your Canadian Citizenship

Yesterday I wrote about how four months ago I learned I am a "Lost Canadian" - I have at least one ancestor (in my case I have closer to a dozen ancestors) who were born in Canada, so with the passing this past December of Bill C-3 in Canada, I am now able to receive my Canadian citizenship through citizenship by descent. Today I want to share with you some of the documents you need to gather to receive your Canadian citizenship if you, like me, are "Lost Canadians".

CHIHULY Flori Boats at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

I have been writing about Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park which is a place where there are so many beautiful and amazing things to see all year long, but this is even more true now through November 1st as the Dale Chihuly exhibit is able to be enjoyed throughout the Sculpture Park on the edge of Grand Rapids, Michigan. I thought it would be interesting to share with you some information I found online about the beautiful sculptures you are able to see throughout the park and a bit of background on each piece - today I'm happy to give you a closer look at CHIHULY Flori Boats at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park . . .

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 drowning 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.

Today is National Watermelon Day!

  

While certainly every day is a great day to enjoy a tasty piece of watermelon, since today is National Watermelon Day, it is most certainly the day to do so! You will find out more about this wonderful day at the following link, but let's also look at some fun watermelon facts . . .

Thoughts From a "Lost Canadian" About Finding Out I'm a "Lost Canadian"

I have been writing about Canada and being a "Lost Canadian" for almost four months now - ever since I learned I am a "Lost Canadian". I have lived most of my life in West Michigan, just thirty minutes from beautiful Lake Michigan. I lived for a few years in Northern California, two hours from Oregon, where I met my husband (on an active volcano - the incredibly beautiful Mt. Lassen), - but I was born in West Michigan and have lived most of my life here. 

CHIHULY Mottled Trumpet Flowers & Plum Feathers at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

I have been writing about Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park which is a place where there are so many beautiful and amazing things to see all year long, but this is even more true now through November 1st as the Dale Chihuly exhibit is able to be enjoyed throughout the Sculpture Park on the edge of Grand Rapids, Michigan. I thought it would be interesting to share with you some information I found online about the beautiful sculptures you are able to see throughout the park and a bit of background on each piece - today I'm happy to give you a closer look at CHIHULY Mottled Trumpet Flowers & Plum Feathers at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park . . .

Mocha Chiffon Pie

Yesterday was National Homemade Pie Day and since my family came over for supper, and I wrote about this tasty day earlier, I decided I should make a homemade pie. I thought about the ingredients I had in my house and settled on making a Mocha Chiffon Pie - and of course, I'm sharing the recipe with you!

August is Family Fun Month!

  

While I think every month should be a "family fun month", apparently August is the official Family Fun Month! So . . . what might you do to have family fun during the month of August? Consider some of the following ideas . . .