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!

Today is International Chess Day

 

All three of my grands enjoy playing chess. They often want to play chess with me when they are at my house - primarily because they always beat me. My middle grand has won games with me by making fewer than five moves - I still do not know how they did that! My oldest grand likes to play chess with me - and also often beats me with fewer than ten moves. My youngest grand will play chess with me IF he is able to start without his queen - the last time we did this he managed to get two queens back, and yes, he won. 

There are many reasons teaching children to play chess is something which benefits them - did you know . . . 

Thoughts From a "Lost Canadian" About Even More Canadian Trivia!

This "Lost Canadian" has been learning a lot about Canada - it's Provinces, Territories, National Parks, and even some fun trivia, so once again today, I am happy to share even more interesting facts - trivia about Canada with you - some of these also made me smile and some also made me think - "Wow! Impressive!"

What Makes Candy Purr?

   

For the past few days I've been letting you know about the new books in my Candy the Kitten . . . and Me! books - today I want to let you know about one the children you love are sure to enjoy - What Makes Candy Purr? In this fun story children will get to learn about the things which make Candy, a sweet little calico kitten, purr. And, not only will they discover the things which make Candy purr, but they will be surprised to learn about animals which are not cats, but still are able to purr . . . such as bears! Did you know bears purr? In What Makes Candy Purr? the children you love will enjoy discovering not only about the things which make Candy purr, but will be surprised to learn about other animals which purr, too! 

National Ice Cream Day, Birthday & Coffee Ice Cream

We are celebrating my middle Grand's birthday today, so they get to pick the menu. For desert, they chose my homemade coffee ice cream - the photo is of the second batch churning this morning. Since it is also National Ice Cream Day, I thought I'd share my recipe again with you for coffee ice cream - my whole family LOVES it!

Now for the recipe . . . 

Happy National Ice Cream Day!

 

By the way, did you know today is National Ice Cream Day?! I do enjoy a nice bowl of ice cream, but since I've been focused on losing weight (I've lost 100lbs since the start of 2020!), I rarely eat this sweet treat. I have found, however; sorbetto on a stick - especially the mini-size only has 50 calories per serving! Hooray! 

But back to ice cream - let's look at some ice cream fun facts - did you know . . .

Thoughts From a "Lost Canadian" About Canadian Trivia

Today I am happy to share some interesting facts - trivia about Canada with you - some of these made me smile and some made me think - "Wow! Impressive!"

Candy's Favorite Place

 

Since it is hot and smoky outside (at least here in Michigan) it seems like the perfect day to let you know about another of my books in my Candy the Kitten . . . and Me! series of books -which would make a great gift for a child you love - this time, Candy's Favorite Place!

In Candy's Favorite Place, children will get to learn where Candy, a sweet little calico kitten, loves to spend time. She really likes to be a cat in a box and a cat on her princess pillows, but there is one place where she really loves to be and children will enjoy discovering Candy's Favorite Place! 

just for fun - "Make Up Your Own Holiday"!

 Yes,

Today is not actually, "Make Up You Own Holiday Day!" - March 26th is, but since it is hot out and in some places it is too smoky outside to spend much time outside, if you have children you love at your house who are looking for something to do, make up your own holiday and then celebrate! Nationaltoday.com says, "Whether you wish to celebrate something profound like Use Only Recycled Paper Day or you want to give in to your randomness by paying homage to Eat Purple Food Day, the possibilities are endless. This day is literally what it stands for — making up a personalized holiday which is close to your heart." So today, I thought I'd share some fun facts about actual holidays and how to make up your own holiday - did you know . . .

Pair Eyewear - The Red Spotted Split

You may have noticed, I love spots on my glasses - I have several tops with spots because they are fun and you have so many options for colors and sizes resulting in unique and colorful looks - what isn't there to love about spots on glasses! Yes, I have another new topper for my glasses from Pair Eyewear and I have to let you know all about it! This one is from their limited edition "Lake House" collection - The Red Spotted Split - and it is SO pretty! I wish the red was a deeper and darker red - it heads towards an orange/red and a deeper, darker red would be significantly better, but I do really love the spots and the spots of different sizes - and how the design is on the top portion of the toppers while the bottom has a different design with spots and red - VERY fun for sure! I thought there wouldn't be anything I wanted from the "Lake House" collection, but I was wrong.

Thoughts From a "Lost Canadian" About the Canadian Fires - AND How YOU Can Help

I lived for several years in Northern California - at the top of the valley, just two hours from Oregon. We had mountains - seriously large mountains - on three sides . . . it was SO beautiful! But, then fires became a problem in the summer and so much land burned - I know how heartbreaking this is and I have personally been able to see the damage caused by wildfires. A few years ago my husband's sister and her husband survived the Carr Fire which was an enormous fire in the Redding, CA, area - the fire actually jumped the Sacramento River. So, as I hear the news about the fires burning in Canada, my heart breaks for the people who are losing their homes and for all the damage the fire is causing. Here in Michigan it is VERY smoky outside today, and will likely be so for a few days. Today I want to update you on what is happening with the fires in Canada . . .

Summer Book Review - A Family of Her Own for Candy

 

I often review books for children from a number of publishers and always enjoy the books which tell a great story and have colorful illustrations. If the books also find a way to involve the children in the story, then the book is likely to get a high review from me. So, when I write stories for children, I work to be sure all these things are covered in my stories and my Candy the Kitten . . . and Me books definitely do these things! Today I want to share with you one of the books in this series - A Family of Her Own for Candy.