Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park Butterflies Are Blooming Exhibit

  

If you live in, or near, Grand Rapids, MI, you are most certainly familiar with Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park. The past few months I wrote a few times about one of their special exhibits – their Holiday Exhibition - I especially loved all the poinsettias in their tropical conservatory and their Holiday train display.

Today I’m very happy to once again be writing about Meijer Gardens (as those of us who live in this area fondly call them) and their amazing Butterflies are Blooming Exhibit which you can enjoy through April 30th.

crafting with grandma . . . Pounded Flower Bandannas!

  

Today is going to be a "balmy" 64 degree day, so I'm thinking warm, positive thoughts - so, since it is Craft Month and Spring will be here soon with many beautiful plants growing all around us, it seems like a great time to share a fun craft. So, get ready to take your grandchild(ren) on a nature walk and be sure to bring a paper lunch bag along with you to collect the beautiful things they find on your walk. Talk with your grandchild(ren) about the variety of colors in the things you see and lead them in praising God for using so many wonderful colors in the things He created! Encourage them to pick colorful flowers and uniquely shaped leaves as you walk through your yard and then bring them inside to make bandannas for them to wear all Spring and Summer!

The Dr. Seuss Quote for Today - Think and Wonder . . .

 

The Dr. Seuss Quote for today . . . "Think and wonder, wonder and think!" There are so many things in life to think and wonder, wonder and think about, but I think one of the most wondrous  things to think and wonder about is God's incredible love for us! It is a very familiar verse, but it says it all; John 3:16 says,  "God loved the people of this world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who has faith in him will have eternal life and never really die!"  Just think about this!!! God loved us so much! He didn't just love us a little; He loves us so much! And, not only does He love us so much, but He gave!!! His love wasn't just love in words only . . . He gave! And then to think about what He gave . . . His only Son!!! The wonder of it all! As if all this wasn't more than enough, He gave His only Son to die for us so we will have eternal life and never really die!!! Think about this! Wonder at the amazing love of God which gives!!!

100 St. Patrick's Day Ideas!

Do you celebrate St. Patrick's Day? If so, and if you are looking for some fun ideas you could use with your grandchildren, take a look at this link I found on Pinterest . . . if you follow it, you'll find 100 ideas for recipes, crafts, decorating and more . . . lots of  potential fun for sure!

The Dr. Seuss Quote for today - You're never too old . . .

The Dr. Seuss Quote for today . . . "You're never too old, too wacky, too wild, to pick up a book and read to a child!" This is a quote I really love, and this one is 100% true! When it comes to reading to, teaching and nurturing our grandchildren, we are NEVER too old! I believe one of the best, most important things we will ever do to help the children we love is to read books to them from the time they are very young - and then encourage them to read when they are older.

Books make fantastic baby shower gifts because studies show if you read to children, they are going to talk sooner, develop a larger vocabulary, and become readers sooner as well!

It is National Craft Month - Let's Make Some Fun Crafts!

March is National Craft Month which, of course, means March is sure to be a fun month! It also means it will be a fun month to spend time with grandchildren because while we can, and should, make crafts with them all year long, a month with a focus on making crafts is one when holds the potential for great times and memories for sure!

I looked on Pinterest for a couple fun ideas which you could do with your grandchildren and am happy to share them with you . . . 

crafting with grandma - Handprint Shamrocks, Spring Flowers & Some Green Fun!

 

Yes, it is true, I have mentioned a time or two . . . or three or more :-) . . . about how much I like . . . hmmm, did I say, like? I should say, LOVE!!!,  hand-print crafts! I love them because they are usually creative and fun, plus they give a way to record a moment in time when a child was little - just look how small their hand once was!!!! I have a t-shirt I made when my children were little with their hand-prints on it. Yes, it most certainly is true, I LOVE hand-print crafts!

The Dr. Seuss Quote for today - Why fit in . . .

The Dr. Seuss Quote for today . . . "Why fit in when you were born to stand out!" I love this for grandmas . . . we can be grandmas who stand out! I know I don't want to be a "ho-hum" grandma. I want my grands to believe their grandma is the best ever! As you go through this day, take a moment to remember, while the temptation to "fit in" may be strong, each person is a unique and amazing individual, and is able to stand out just as they are!

grandma's cookbook - Forbidden Oreo Pudding Cake

 

While I rarely eat cake, I do enjoy cake. I particularly enjoy chocolate cake. When I add pudding to the cake; well, there is ever so much more to enjoy. And, when Oreos are "thrown" into the "mix" . . . "enjoyment" is an absolute "given"! So, when I saw a recipe for Forbidden Oreo Pudding Cake, I had to share it with you - since yesterday was National Oreo Day!

Books Which Make a Difference - the little answer book & the little answer book for children

   

Today I am happy to let you know about two books for the adults and children you love -the little answer book  and the little answer book for children.

As I say in my books, I am not a scientist. I am not a theologian. I am not a philosopher. I am not an apologist. I am a mom and I am a grandma. I have listened as friends have shared how their loved grown child and/or grandchild turned away from their faith. I know this is a pain more and more parents and grandparents are experiencing (as shown by the Barna studies). We must not sit back and continue to watch as the ones we love turn away from their faith.

The Dr. Seuss Quote for Today - You'll Miss the Best Things . . .

 

The Dr. Seuss Quote for today . . . "You'll miss the best things if you keep your eyes shut!" Wow! This short saying has some powerful truth in it! When I think about missing the "best things" by "keeping my eyes shut" I think about  missing out by not using the gifts and talents which are unique to each of us because we may think we are, "not enough". Far too many of us think we do not have enough to offer, or are not "enough" as we are, but the truth is we are each unique and needed just as we are!

It is National Oreo Cookie Day!!!!

 

What a fun and tasty day to celebrate!!! My grands absolutely are "fans" of Oreo cookies . . . after all, they are quite the tasty treat! Since today is National Oreo Cookie Day, I thought it would be fun to share a few, "Oreo facts" with you . . . 

grandma's cookbook - Oreo & Fudge Ice Cream Cake

 

Since today is National Oreo Day, I thought I'd help you celebrate it by sharing a recipe I found as I browsed the Oreo recipes - I came across a recipe which left me with only one word I could say . . WOW!!!!!  Chocolate pudding, Cool Whip (although I think you could easily substitute real whipping cream in this recipe), Oreos, Chocolate Fudge topping, and Ice Cream Sandwiches . . . mix all together and you have a dessert which will leave everyone who eats it saying, "WOW!!!!"

It is World Book Day & Some Fun Ways to Celebrate!

Apparently February 23rd was World Book Day - I do not know how I missed it, but since March is National Reading Month and when we celebrate Dr. Seuss' birthday, today is also a great day to think about, celebrate, and enjoy books!

So, here are a few fun ideas for celebrating with your grandchildren!

First, some history of this wonderful day, which I found on-line . . .