Thoughts From a "Lost Canadian" About Wildfires - in the US and in Canada

I currently live in Michigan and so I have heard a significant amount of news about the smoke from the Canadian fires - and have been able to see the smoke outside my windows for many days. I'm happy to say yesterday and today the smoke has reduced to nearly nothing! This is wonderful news.

But, I have to stand up and speak up - in this case, I have to write about the appalling response to the smoke and fires from some elected officials in Michigan and throughout the country. Threatening our neighbors, Canada, with tariffs or anything else while they are dealing with these horrible fires is a despicable thing to do. We should be rushing to ask how we can help - not condemning our dear neighbors - especially when in this country we have wildfires which send smoke into Canada.

And I have to share some facts - because the truth does matter - at least it should . . .

the little answer book Is For You

    

I have noticed several articles lately about how our grown children and grand children are leaving their church and more importantly, their faith because of Trump and the republicans. They are unable to match what they have been taught about loving others and the Bible with the things coming from the massively corrupt criminal in the white house and those who continue to follow him. I know I personally have struggled greatly with all of this as well. I have had to hold to the evidence for God being real and how when you read about Jesus, He is nothing like the maga/trumplicans. It has, however; been difficult.

Do you have someone in your family who once walked with God, but no longer do? Someone who at one time went to and was active in their church, but today they say they are not even sure if God is real? Or, do you know someone for whom these things are true?

Today is Peanut Butter and Chocolate Day

 

There are SO many ways to combine peanut butter and chocolate for truly enjoyable treats - whether you make cakes, cookies, candies, pies - all are wonderful for sure! So a special day to celebrate this tasty combo makes perfect sense. I'm going to share with you my family's favorite recipe for homemade peanut butter balls, but first, let's look at some fun facts for peanut butter and then chocolate - did you know . . .

Today is Vanilla Ice Cream Day, So Make Lemonade Pie!

Yes, today is Vanilla Ice Cream Day, and while you could certainly enjoy a bowl of vanilla ice cream - possibly topped however you most enjoy - you could also use this day to make Lemonade Pie! You will learn more about vanilla ice cream at this link, but I thought I'd share a few fun facts as well - did you know . . . 

Thoughts From a "Lost Canadian" About Nunavut Day

Sadly, I missed Nunavut Day as it was July 9th and commemorates the passage of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement, establishing Canada’s largest and newest territory. This significant day honors the Inuit people’s self-determination and the unique culture of the Canadian Arctic. So, while I missed the actual Nunavut Day, today is a good day to celebrate this modern milestone as well by learning about Inuit traditions, supporting Indigenous businesses, and advocating for northern communities.

Life on the Amazing Goldilocks Planet

  

I'm very happy to share about a book with you which will make a difference in the lives of the children you love.  Are you one of the grandmas (or grandpas) who are so blessed to have grown children who love and walk with God, and who are committed to hand down confident faith with you to the children you all love? Do your grandchildren want to go to church, want to talk about their walk with God, and embrace a confident faith of their own? Or, do you have grown children who, like so many their age, are no longer involved in church, who do not embrace a confident faith of their own, and/or grandchildren who tell you they are, "not into that church thing any more"?

Let's All Be People Who Live Lives of Compassion to ALL

 

I have shared in the past some interesting and wonderful things I learned about my great grandpa Badgerow. Today seems like a good time to share it again. He was orphaned the day before his 11th birthday, raised by his sisters, finished the 8th grade, and became a small business man - he had a grocery store/gas station in Sparta, Michigan.

Homemade Lemon Blueberry Ice Cream for National Ice Cream Month!

Apparently my nephew and his wife enjoy making ice cream and last weekend they made lemon blueberry ice cream, which of course, sounds very tasty, so today I'm very happy to share a recipe for this delightful treat with you - since it is still National Ice Cream Month!

Today is a Great Day to Make Your own Book!

If you are looking for something fun you could do today with the children you love, especially if you are stuck inside because it is hot or smoky outside - consider doing something creative - make your own book! Consider making your own unique story or sit down together and make your own unique "twist" of a favorite book. When my grands were younger they loved Dr. Seuss' There's a Wocket in My Pocket - and one day they made their own version of this story - complete with fun illustrations!  

First, some history of books, which I found on-line . . .

Family, Ancestors, History

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 - but I was born in West Michigan and have lived most of my life here. Of course I knew my dad and my grandpa, but my great-grandpa died before I was born. Along with not knowing him, I also did not know - until last week - my great grandpa was born in Argenteuil, Quebec, Canada, and my great-great grandpa and great-great grandma were born in East Hawkesbury, Prescott, Ontario, Canada, and Argenteuil, Quebec, Canada. And I did not know about my many other ancestors as close as just great-great grandparents were born in Canada - six of them - and more before them!

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.

More Thoughts From a "Lost Canadian" About the Canadian Wildfires

As I wrote a few days ago, I lived for several years in Northern California and remember the "Burney" Fire (it was a large fire near Burney, California, and the amazing Burney Falls.) We could see the smoke from Redding, California, (where we lived) and when the fire was out we drove up to Burney - as far as you could see there was burnt land, mountain after mountain all burned. It was heartbreaking.

So, as I hear the news about the Canadian fires, my heart breaks as I know what this will look like now, and for years to come. Eventually the land will rebound. There are plants and trees which actually need the heat from a fire to open their seeds and life will return to these areas, but it is still a devastating thing to see the results of these large wildfires and my heart goes out to the Canadians impacted by these horrible fires.

Here are the current updates as I have been able to find them online . . .

Adventures with Candy!

     

I have three books in my Candy the Kitten . . . And Me! series of books and wanted you to know of one more option for getting all three stories - a three in one book -Adventures with Candy!  In this book you will find A Family of Her Own for Candy, Candy's Favorite Place, and  What Makes Candy Purr? - all three stories about Candy the kitten, which are sure to be loved stories if you have a child in your family who loves cats!

grandma's cookbook - Peanut Butter Bars!

Peanut butter Bars! Mmmmm! Just the name has me thinking about the supplies I have and if I need to buy anything to make a batch! After all, what's not to love about chocolate and peanut butter?!!! Thursday is Chocolate and Peanut Butter Day, so I thought I'd share a recipe I found on Pinterest for peanut butter bars, so you can plan ahead and make them to celebrate on Thursday - or any day!