Thoughts From a "Lost Canadian" About Elk Island National Park

Growing up in the US I learned how massive herds of Bison used to roam out West, but then people killed them - even shooting them from trains, and in so doing they nearly killed them all. . Once numbering in the tens of millions, the population was reduced to just a few hundred wild animals in the United States by the late 1880s. A VERY sad and shameful time in the history of the US for sure, which shockingly is not only part of our history, but is something the current occupant of the white house and his administration are actively working to do again as they try to displace hundreds of bison from federal lands, citing a reinterpretation of grazing law. I hope someone stops them.

Knowing the history of the US with Bison and the current attempts to harm them, it made me so happy to read about Elk Island National Park in Canada - where they are doing the opposite - trying to protect Bison!

grandma's cookbook - Orange 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?!!!!

crafting with grandma - Polka-Dot Purse!

 

If you have been reading grandma's cookie jar for awhile, you have likely noticed I crochet a bit from time to time! I made a purse . . . this one with Polka-Dots . . . they seemed like a fun way to give a purse a unique and cheerful look!

crafting with grandma - Father's Day Mugs!

Father's Day is only a few weeks away and if you have a dad in your life who loves his morning cup of coffee, I have an idea for an amazing Father's Day gift you can involve your grandchildren in making for their dad! 

Thoughts From a "Lost Canadian" About Cape Breton Highlands National Park

I have been enjoying learning about Canadian National Parks, and the one I'm writing about today is one I have found to be very interesting, particularly if you enjoy seeing animals in their own natural habitats when you travel, as this National Park has everything you might hope to see and experience in a National Park - at least everything I might hope for! Cape Breton Highlands National Park is in Nova Scotia . . . which is a place where some of my ancestors are from!

The Little Ginormous, Humongous, Hairy, One-Eyed Monster Boys Adventures!

      

When my grands were young and at my house for a sleepover, we typically made up stories at bedtime. They almost always had monsters or dinosaurs in them. One night when my oldest grand was six, my middle grand was three, and my youngest grand was one, we were getting them into bed when my oldest grand said there was a monster under my middle grand's bed! This was not what my middle grand wanted to hear, so I said there could not be any monsters under the bed because the monsters were at their poppa's and grandma's house getting ready for bed on their sleepover. My grands found this idea very interesting, so of course, our bedtime story for the night had to have little, ginormous, humongous, hairy, one-eyed monsters getting ready for bed and being scared because they thought they saw, teeny, tiny, itty, bitty, not-so-hairy, two-eyed people under their beds! 

crafting with grandma - Crocheted Purse

As I've mentioned a time or two, I enjoy crocheting. I like to take yarn and end up with something useful, pretty - and hopefully somewhat unique! So, the other day I was browsing on Pinterest and found some free patterns for crocheted squares and I thought, "What if I took those and made three different squares which I could use to make a purse?" So, I did!

crafting with grandma - Special Photo for Dad!

Father's Day is June 21st, so if you are looking for a great craft idea which you can do with your grandchildren for their dad, check this idea I found on Pinterest! All you need for a special photo with your grandchildren, is their feet, a marker or paint, and a camera . . . plus a fair amount of patience!!! Write on your grandchildren's feet, "We <3 Dad" and have them sit with the bottoms of their feet in front of them. Now for the tricky part! Try to get them all to look at you and smile at the same time! Take the photo and then . . . 

Thoughts From a "Lost Canadian" About Bruce Peninsula National Park

Growing up in Michigan, Canada has been a close neighbor - particularly Ontario, so I was very happy to learn about Bruce Peninsula National Park - one of Canada's largest protected areas in Ontario. It looks like a place I would love to visit!

crafting with grandma - Eclectic Purse with a Sense of Whimsy and Fun!!!

I enjoy getting a new purse. I enjoy crocheting. I enjoy an eclectic "sense" of things matching or going together, yet not matching (for example, my dishes match because they are all Fiesta Square Plates, but they do not match because they each are different colors!) I enjoy a sense of "whimsy" and "fun"! So . . . when I was browsing on Pinterest  and saw a purse which fit all these things, I was inspired to try and make one of my own!!!

crafting with grandma . . . Sock Monster Puppet!!

I found a tutorial for making the cutest sock monster puppet on Pinterest several years ago . . . it would certainly make a fun Children's Day gift (which is on June 14th) - or the supplies so the children you love can make their own! Just follow the link and you'll find a tutorial with five simple steps to make your own "monster" . . . it is a great idea for all those extra socks when the dryer "eats" one and you are left with miss-matched socks!

crafting with grandma - Father's Day Photo of Love!

 

If you are looking for ideas, other than a tie :-), which you could help your grandchild give to their dad for Father's Day, check out this wonderful idea I found on Pinterest for more than just a photo . . . a Photo of Love!!!

Thoughts From a "Lost Canadian" About Auyuittuq National Park

As I've written, I am so happy to learn Canada values their National Parks and while some countries are trying to reduce their National Parks and the protections those areas have historically had in place, Canada is not only continuing to protect their National Parks, but they are increasing them as well. I have been learning about these amazing places across Canada and today I'm writing about Auyuittuq National Park, which is a national park located on Baffin Island's Cumberland Peninsula, in the Qikiqtaaluk Region of Nunavut. 

crafting with grandma - Crayon Hearts

 

I found a wonderful idea on Pinterest . . . crayon hearts! You can make these from bits and pieces of old, broken crayons . . . rather than throw those old crayons away! It is very simple and fun - a great craft for you to make with your grandchildren!