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!
Eight years ago I wrote a book to help, encourage, and challenge grandparents and parents - Don't Worry: It Is Impossible to Spoil Grandchildren! and thought it might be fun today to share with you some of the "buzz" . . . what people are saying about this book - and neither of these two people are related to me!
It is VERY cold outside today - as I write this it is three degrees out - which is actually "balmy" compared to yesterday when it was -20 - yes, -20! At any rate, people I love spent the night here last night and more people I love are coming over for lunch, so I just made two loaves of Honey, Maple, Oat Artisan Bread - one is gluten free - because the warmth it will add to the house - and the amazing aroma will help with it being so cold outside! If you would like to make some, too, I will share the recipe with you. Before I get to the recipe I want to say this bread just takes minutes to mix by hand, you let it rise for a few hours, then pop it into the oven for about 40 minutes - this is all there is to it!
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Muddy Buddies are a fun treat to make - and eat! I've been making them pretty much every weekend for a few weeks because there is someone I love who comes to my house for a sleepover on Saturdays and this person LOVES Muddy Buddies! If you want to make them for someone you love, try this recipe - from the Chex website - with your grandchildren . . . it is sure to be a favorite!
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If you are looking for a book to help a parent or grandparent you love make the most of handing down confident faith, consider this book - The DNA of Grandparents & Parents Who Hand Down Confident Faith.
In this book I look at how our physical DNA is a truly amazing and essential part of who we are, as it holds the "code" or instructions for the things which make us unique as well as for the things we share. It connects us with the generations who came before us; as well as with those who come behind. It is the core of who we are physically.
Today I want to share something with you once again, which I originally wrote ten years ago . . .
“My three grands are young; seven, four, and two years old. I love these ages, because they are just the right size for time in grandma’s lap – which of course, just fills my heart with joy! I know when my own children were young, they were the same way, but as they grew up, “lap time” came to an end. So, I treasure these few years when my grands are young. I enjoy the things they say and do which make me laugh and I love opportunities to snuggle them in my lap.
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I LOVE peanut butter! It is one of my favorite foods for sure! So, when I saw on daysoftheyear (dot) com, today is National Peanut Butter Day, well, I had to let you know so you can celebrate it as well! They said, "Who doesn’t love peanut butter? So let’s celebrate Peanut Butter Day. This auspicious occasion was created many years ago, to allow peanut butter lovers to celebrate the creation of this wonderful food.
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When we hand down the faith, we watch for those unplanned opportunities to connect life with God, His Word and how we are able to know and walk with Him. But, we also need to plan opportunities to do these things in a very intentional and purposeful way as well. Handing down the faith tends to be something which we look forward to doing and enjoy, or something which leaves us feeling confused and unable to do effectively. Well, no matter which of these describes you, I am very happy today to let you know about a resource which gives you 52 lessons, complete with science projects, crafts and cooking activities to engage the children you love while also helping them learn about real people from the Bible, how those Bible people chose to walk with God and how they are able to do the same. This resource is called Generations Quest Cultivate the Faith!
Apparently I missed a "holiday" which I would have enjoyed celebrating . . . yesterday, January 22nd, was National Polka Dot Day! I enjoy wearing glasses with polka dots - they add such a fun touch to my glasses for sure! (I'm wearing my Pride Party Dots topper and Holiday Bauble with Foil Crystal topper both from Pride Eyewear.)
I read about this "spotty" holiday and learned it is intended to celebrate Minnie Mouse - she does wear polka dots. But I think it is a day to enjoy these dots beyond the Mouse for sure! Here are a few ways to celebrate - even the day after the technical "holiday" -
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Mmmmmm! Pie Day! I'm all for this day; after all, what isn't there to absolutely LOVE about pie??!!! Sweet pies or savory pot pies . . . in my opinion, it is difficult to go wrong with pie!!!
Just for fun, I thought I'd "search" the web to look for any Pie Day fun facts and found a few . . . 
I'm very happy to share a new 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"?
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I am blessed to live in West Michigan - the home of Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park. From time to time I post about it here on grandma's cookie jar - for good reason . . . it is an amazing place! For the past three years my husband I and got a Grandparents & Guest Membership - we are able to go as often as we like, bring our grands, and a guest with us - which is something we have done a lot - nearly every week - over the past three years! It is almost time for us to renew our membership and we are absolutely doing so!
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You are likely familiar with the Bible people from my illustrate my own - Known Bible Hero book series - Noah, Hananiah, Mishael & Azariah (otherwise known as Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego), Ruth, Joshua, Caleb, David, Elijah, Jonah, Daniel, Joseph, Hadassah (Esther), and Gideon so just think how much fun it would be to illustrate these familiar accounts . . . whether you are an artist or draw your illustrations with stick people. As much fun as it would be for you to illustrate these Bible adventures for your grandchildren, think how much more fun it would be to illustrate them together . . . and most importantly, think about the fantastic conversations you will be able to have as you work together to illustrate your books!
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Yes, I know Saturday is a few days away, but I wanted to let you know about this fun day so you are able to plan to celebrate it with the children you love. "Talk like a Grizzled Prospector Day" is on Saturday and I did find a link online for how you can talk like a grizzled prospector! Here are a few prospector-type words and their definitions . . . and you'll find the complete list at this link. Prospector Talk for Beginners . . .
