grandmas cookbook - Orange Zest Butter Cookies

When it comes to cookies my family tends to favor the "classics" . . . chocolate chip-peanut-butter-oatmeal, plain chocolate chip or plain peanut-butter cookies. But every once in a while I like to try something different and this recipe, which I found on Pinterest, is certainly one I'd like to try! After all, what could be more "yummie" sounding than orange butter cookies?!!!!

Summer Fun - Lawn Twister

I remember the game, "Twister" from when I was a child, so when I was browsing on Pinterest and saw a pin for "Lawn Twister", well, I had to share it with you! All you need is spray paint and something big and round to use as a stencil - this lady used a pizza box lid which she cut into a circle. Check this link for the details and on the next warm summer day when your grandchildren are over, grab some spray paint, a pizza box lid and get ready for some fun they will remember all their lives! (Don't worry, the paint won't hurt your grass and as it grows and you mow it, it will be gone!)

Yes, The Truth Is As Plain As The Nose On Your Face

I heard something the other day which is absolutely true - unless I look in a mirror, or cross-eyed, I am not able to see my own nose. This does not mean my nose is no longer on my face - just I am not able to see it. Others are able to see my nose - it is actually one of the first things we see when we look at people.

This made me think about the old saying, "It's as plain as the nose on your face." Sometimes we think something is not real, not there, because due to whatever is going on in our lives, we do not see what we valued and what was part of us for so long . . . we do not see our own "nose". So, we think our "nose" is not really there - we may even think it was never there, but to others who see our "noses", they are, "as plain as the nose on our face!"

Read the full post at this link.

crafting with grandma - Make Your Own Fireflies

Summer evenings at this grandma's house often means fireflies flying around outside. My grandsons have enjoyed catching the real thing, so, when I saw this firefly craft on Pinterest, I had to share it with you!

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day from Grandmas with Heart. We, as grandmas, are blessed to see the impact a godly dad and grandpa are able to make on the generations who come behind. Thank you for handing down the faith - it matters what you do.

Happy Father's Day!

#grandpas #handingdownthefaith #itmatterswhatwedo #grandparentingonpurpose

Hot Summer Fun

Today where I live in West Michigan, it is typically supposed to be 80 degrees, but it is not . . . currently, as I write this at 4:30 it is 67. But, eventually it will be warm . . . or at least warmer! When it is warm, what could be more fun than making and playing with sponge bombs! I found this link on Pinterest, but when I tried to follow it to the site with the directions, it told me it had been reported the site had spam, so I found another one for you!

Our Grandchildren Are Meant to Be & We Are Meant to Make a Difference!

Did you know studies show the average child attends church, at best, one hour every other week. This means they are only receiving about 26 hours a year of your church's programming. Yes, I said 26 hours a year! Even the children who are there every week, still only receive about 52 hours a year. I'm sure you agree it is insufficient in either case.

The leaders in your church's Children's Ministry are not able to be with the children you love all the time - this is why God gave the primary responsibility for reaching and discipling children to their parents and grandparents. So, today I want to write about something important. We grandparents must make handing down a heritage of faith to our grandchildren a priority.

Steven Curtis Chapman wrote a song a few years ago called, Meant to Be. I won’t put all of the lyrics here – take a moment to look them up on-line – but I will share a few lines . . .

Summer Fun

As I browsed on Pinterest the other day, I noticed the plans for making a giant outdoor game . . . so I took a closer look! This game looks like it would be great fun for a family to play on a warm summer day! Set it up on a deck, driveway, sidewalk . . . and then have fun all summer long!

I Have a Winner

I'm happy to say, Jan Harpe is the winner in the giveaway for Pinky Got Out! You will find my review - at this link. Thank you Jan for reading grandma's cookie jar (please email me your address - lyndagcj@gmail.com by June 17, 2019, so I am able to arrange to have it sent to you) and thank you Crown Books for Young Readers for sending one for me to review and for making another available for me to give away!

Happy Children's Day!

It is Children's Day - celebrate the children you love! Let them know how very much you love them and how they make your family complete. Tell them God knew what He was doing when He put them in your family - and you are ever so thankful He did!

And, Children's Day is the perfect time for you to recommit to be purposeful when it comes to handing down the faith - it is what matters!

Happy Children's Day!

#grandmas #handingdownthefaith #itmatterswhatwedo #grandparentingonpurpose 

Tomorrow is Children's Day - Celebrate!

Tomorrow, Sunday, June 9, 2019, is Children's Day. Before I share a few ideas for celebrating, let's look at a bit of history on Children's Day. 

"Children’s Day  observations in the United States predate both Mother’s and Father’s Day. The day to celebrate children dates from the 1860s and earlier. The Methodist Episcopal Church at the Methodist Conference of 1868 recommended the second Sunday in June be observed annually as Children’s Day. The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in 1883 designated the 'the second Sabbath in June as Children’s Day'

Chase’s Calendar of Events cites Children’s Sunday and notes The Commonwealth of Massachusetts issues an annual proclamation for the second Sunday in June.

    Numerous churches and denominations currently observe the second Sunday in June including the African Methodist Episcopal Church, African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, and the Church of the Nazarene."

The website - nationalchildrensday.us says; "American families and the entire country need this day to love, evaluate, and commit to the betterment of our children." If you are already planning to enjoy the day celebrating the children you love - go for it! If you have not planned to do anything to celebrate Children's Day, consider the following ideas . . . 

Today, June 7, 2019, is the Last Day to Get Your Free Kindle Copy of Science, the Bible & Fun

If you were thinking about getting your own free Kindle copy of my book, Science, the Bible & Fun, today is your last day to do so. If this is the first you have heard about the opportunity for you to get your own free Kindle copy, today is the last day for you to do so.

This Children's Day go to TreeRunner Adventure Park

This Sunday, June 9th, is Children's Day. It is a day to celebrate the  children in your family. It is a day to set apart and let them know how thankful you are they are part of your family. It is a day to have fun!

So, if you are looking for an idea of something special you could do with the children you love to celebrate them, show how thankful you are they are part of your family and to have fun, consider visiting TreeRunner Adventure Park.

My local TreeRunner Adventure Park in Grand Rapids, MI allowed my son, daughter-in-law and three grandsons to visit their park, so I would be able to share their experience with you.

Get Your Own Free Kindle Copy of Science, the Bible & Fun!

My grandsons are enjoying the start of their Summer Vacation - I have three happy boys who will be at my house tomorrow. Throughout the Summer, my grandsons will be at my house for at least two days during the week while their parents are at work - and for either their Friday or Saturday night sleepover as well. I am a very blessed grandma.

While I want their Summer break to be a time where they are able to relax, play outside (I live in the country and my house is on a acre, so I have lots of room for them to run and play), there are days when it rains (I live in Michigan and it can be rainy here) and times when they may need help thinking of something to do with their time. It is in times such as these when my book, Science, the Bible & Fun, comes in handy.