just as grandma's cookie jar should always be full of good things, this blog will be full of good ideas, information, activities and reviews of things to help grandma . . . and grandpa, mom and dad too . . . pass on a heritage of faith to the children in their lives!
Now days people seem to be more aware of how beneficial it is for us to drink water throughout the day and are teaching this to our children and grandchildren. Many schools encourage children to bring their own water bottle with them to school, so they are able to drink water all day while at school. So, I thought it would be fun to review a water bottle for children and asked nalgene if they might send one or two for me to review . . . I'm happy to say they did, so today I'm sharing my opinion of the two they sent - and announcing a giveaway for one of them!
I intended to post this review yesterday, so today I'll share two of my Christmas Gift Reviews - and Giveaways! First another unique book from Candlewick Press - The Assassination of Brangwain Spurge.
With Christmas just a touch over two months away, I'm very happy to share with you today an idea and a review of one of the most fun books you could give to pretty much anyone five and older on your gift list. First, the idea. I typically have "count-down to Christmas gifts" which I give my grandsons between Thanksgiving and Christmas when they are at my house. When they were younger, these gifts were things like Matchbox cars, fun rocks, etc - simple, small things just for the fun of it. This year I'm giving the boys a fun book for each of their "count-down to Christmas gifts", but it will be one book for the three of them to share each time. While this may not sound like a very great gift, the books will be fun stories or puzzle books - books they all are likely to enjoy. I will also add a fun rock and/or candy . . . because I'm grandma! So, now for the book review . . . and yes, I get to give one away, too!
It has been awhile since I made chocolate cake, so with this thought "floating" around in my mind, I thought I might make a chocolate cake this weekend - if I do, it will be my decadent chocolate cake!
Last Spring I was given the opportunity to review some wonderful canes fromHarvey Canes/House of Canes. Today I'm very happy to let you know about two more of these canes, and announce a giveaway for one lovely cane as well.
Aerial Adventure Parks are becoming popular and this past summer I was given the opportunity for my son, daughter-in-law and grandsons to visit TreeRunner Adventure Park here in Grand Rapids, MI. They LOVED the time they spent there. If you are wondering if these parks are a safe option for the children you love, I'm happy to let you know they are, and they are a fun and unique place where you are able to spend time and build amazing memories with the children you love. As much fun as you will have with your younger grandchildren/children, let me assure you, TreeRunner is not just for children and families. And, they are not just for summertime fun. When Fall arrives and the leaves change color, TreeRunner is a terrific place to go for some outdoor fun and a viewpoint on the changing colors of the leaves which you do not ordinarily have the opportunity to experience! Today I'm happy to share with you the experience of my adult daughter when she visited TreeRunner with some friends.
My grandsons love dogs (in particular Huskies). They also love funny stories. If a book is successfully able to combine the two, I know it is a book they will love - whether the dog is a Husky or not. I was recently invited by Random House Children's Books to review a new release which does this, and does it extremely well! Today I am very happy to share with you my review of, Douglas, You're a Genius!.
October is Family History Month, so it is a great time to gather your family stories and share them with your grandchildren. If you have an ancestor who was a famous author, came to the USA on the Mayflower, was a Native American, knighted in England or a member of royalty - tell your grandchildren. If you have an ancestor who was struck by lightening, survived a tornado or who took you fishing and sang funny songs - tell your grandchildren.
Last Christmas I had the opportunity to review some Hipsy Headbands and am very happy to say this year I have two more to share with you - and give away as well!
I thought I'd share an interesting stat with you today. Did you know in the USA we used about 50 billion plastic water bottles last year? Did you know on average 250 coffee drinks are sold each day at coffee drive-through businesses in the USA? If you are a person who drinks water and coffee and who buys these each day, week, month, just think about all the bottles and cups you are throwing away. Now, this post is NOT about recycling. I want to ask you to consider a different approach to your water and coffee consumption. Consider investing in a quality cup which you will be able to use day-after-day and fill with water and coffee at home. Not only will you be able to say you are not contributing to the tossing of plastic bottles and cups, but you will save a significant amount of money - far, far beyond what you spend to get a nice cup. My husband and I did this a few years ago and this works very well for us. So, today I'm happy to let you know about one such excellent cup you might consider getting to use for your water and/or coffee each day. GSI Outdoors makes a number of excellent products, but one I particularly like is their new Microlite 500 Flip which they sent to me for review.
With hurricane Michael approaching the Florida Panhandle, I thought I'd share with you the post I put this morning on Grandmas with Heart - On this day when we may be facing storms, I thought I'd share another wonderful, encouraging, powerful, true verse from the Bible and make it into a simple Scripture prayer which you may use as you face the storms which come your way - and into the lives of those you know and love. As the physical storm rages around you and/or those you love and/or the storms of life batter you physically and emotionally, please hold to the truth of God's Word. You'll find the full post at this link.
This morning I want to share with you the post I put on my other blog - Grandmas with Heart. Don't you just love this quote! It is so true! God has blessed me with His grace; His amazing, great grace. My life is filled with His joy and peace, because of His gift of grace. I had nothing to give, or offer for my own forgiveness, but God's amazing, unending love sought me out and then He lavished His grace on me. I know this. I am so thankful for this. You will find my full post at this link. Please check it out and share it with the people you know.
For my birthday, a few months ago, my sister gave me a box of amazing herbs and spices from The Spice House. Ever since I've been able to add special touches to the foods I prepare and have them turn out even better; leaving me quite "sold" on The Spice House! So, recently I asked them if they might be willing to send a spice for review and make another available for giveaway - they said yes! Which means today I'm very happy to let you know about their wonderful Saigon Cinnamon!
"Give praise to the LORD, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts. Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice. Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always. Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced, you his servants, the descendants of Israel, his chosen ones, the children of Jacob. He is the LORD our God; his judgments are in all the earth. He remembers his covenant forever, the promise he made, for a thousand generations,"
you will find these verses are followed by a prayer -
Now days people seem to be more aware of how beneficial it is for us to drink water throughout the day and are teaching this to our children and grandchildren. Many schools encourage children to bring their own water bottle with them to school, so they are able to drink water all day while at school.
