Thoughts From a "Lost Canadian" About the "Whisky War"

Growing up the the USA once in awhile I have heard something in the news about the on-going "polite" war between Canada and Denmark. This "war" is known as the "Whisky War" and so since I'm a "Lost Canadian", I thought I'd learn the details . . .

Once Again, Please Stand Up & Speak Up

 

While I believe it is essential for us to have hope, there are many days when I feel like hope is far away with all the corruption and lack of justice going on in this country. I do believe it is essential for us to all stand up and speak up because if we do not, then we are being complicit with the evil happening here in the USA. 

As a mom and grandma I want the world in which those I love are living to be a place where they are safe. I want them to be able to live their lives without the shame of being part of a country which commits war crimes and murders innocent people here and in other countries. I want them to grow up treating others with love and acceptance. It is for these reasons I have to speak up once again today.

grandma's cookbook - Heart PB & J on No-Knead Artisan Bread

Sometimes when my grands were younger and I was thinking about what to fix for them, I forgot the one important thing to remember . . . keep it simple. Children usually do not care if something is elaborate or took a long time to prepare. They are often delighted with simple things . . . such as heart PB & J sandwiches!

So, as you think about something you could surprise your grandchildren with when they are at your house, consider keeping it simple and make heart PB & J sandwiches . . . or heart ham & cheese, or heart grilled cheese, or heart egg salad . . . just fix their favorite sandwich and use a heart cookie cutter - I like Wilton's Comfort Grip Heart Cutter - to turn a simple sandwich into a heart sandwich! Their faces are sure to light up when they see them!

It is National Ice Cream Month So Let's Make Peanut Butter Cup Ice Cream!

As I've been writing, July is National Ice Cream Month and if your grands are anything like mine, they very much enjoy a bit of ice cream! So, I thought today would be a great day to share a recipe I found online (which I will definitely be trying for my grands and family to enjoy) for peanut butter cup ice cream! Whip up a rich, creamy peanut butter base in a blender and churn it with your KitchenAid attachment. Add chopped peanut butter cups at the very end, then freeze for two to four hours to get the perfect scoopable consistency. 

Thoughts From a "Lost Canadian" About "The Apology Act"

Since I discovered I am a "Lost Canadian" I have been learning many things about Canada. I was not surprised to learn Canadians are considered some of the most polite people in the world as they do seem to be quite polite for sure. But I have to say I was surprised to learn about "The Apology Act", so today I am happy to let you know what I learned online about it . . .

Sweet & Fun New Additions to the Children's Garden at Meijer Gardens!

Today I am writing about one of the most magical and fantastic places in the Grand Rapids, Michigan, area which is designed especially for the children you love - although you will love this place as well . . . the Lena Meijer Children's Garden at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park. Today I want to let you know about two new additions to this wonderful area at Meijer Gardens  . . . 

July is National Picnic Month, So It is Time for a Picnic!

 

July is National Picnic Month, so I thought I'd share this post with you today. When my grands were younger they enjoyed picnics - if the children you love enjoy them as well, consider making plans for a tasty time together before school begins. Gather the ones you love, decide on a menu, make a shopping list, prepare food together, and choose the location for your picnic - be sure to bring your camera!

So, since this post is about picnics, I thought it would be fun today to share some "picnic" info with you! Did you know . . . 

It is National Ice Cream Month, So Make Blueberry Lavender Ice Cream!

A week ago Saturday some family members went with my husband and I to visit Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park to enjoy the Park and the amazing Chihuly exhibit. While we were there, we treated the family to ice cream from the new Ice Cream Parlor in the Children's Garden. I had Blueberry Lavender Ice Cream - it was SO delicious, so I looked on-line and found a recipe to share with you today for this tasty treat . . . 

Thoughts From a "Lost Canadian" About Loonies & Toonies

Growing up in Michigan, I have been a little familiar with Canadian money as occasionally I would end up with Canadian coins as they once-in-a-while mixed in with USA coins, but since I've learned I'm a "Lost Canadian" I thought it would be a beneficial thing to learn about Canadian money - and I have to say I've learned some surprising and impressive things!

Of Course Chocolate Ice Cream for National Ice Cream Month!

July is National Ice Cream Month and I've been sharing some recipes for making your own ice cream using the KitchenAid ice cream maker. Today I'm sharing a recipe for making chocolate ice cream - after all, it is National Ice Cream Month so chocolate ice cream should be part of this tasty month!

This rich 5-ingredient, no-cook chocolate ice cream uses real cocoa powder. 

It is World Skydiving Day!

Today is World Skydiving Day! I have never personally skydived, but when my husband and I have our 50th anniversary (in five years) we are going skydiving! Yes, skydiving! Only 2% of grandparents have been skydiving, so when we celebrate our 50th anniversary, we will join the ranks of the cool (or crazy) skydiving grandparents! Our daughter, son, and three grands will join us and go skydiving, too (the youngest grand will not be 18 for five years, so along with waiting for our 50th, we are waiting for them to be 18. He said if he had to skydive now, he'd say, "NO!", but believes by the time he is old enough - as you have to be 18 - he will want to skydive, too!)

I learned on-line, "The global event invites both first-time tandem jumpers and experienced skydivers to celebrate the sport and participate in world-record attempts for the most skydives made in a single day." The World Skydiving Day website says in 2024 30,351 people skydived on World Skydiving Day, last year 26,718 people skydived. Today is World Skydiving Day, so they are hoping to set a record for the number of people who skydived on one day - 

grandma's cookbook - Refreshing Blueberry, Green Ice Tea!

 

It is supposed to be hot and humid where I live for a few days again, so I thought it sounds like a good day to share my favorite recipe for blueberry tea with you! 

Whether it is hot and humid or even when it is cold outside, this tea is a delicious and refreshing drink. Try this recipe with your grandchildren . . . it is simple, quick, and so delicious! A big added "plus" is the health benefit . . . blueberries and green tea are so good for you! My husband never liked tea, until I made blueberry tea for him! Now he drinks my tea instead of pop! My grands love this tea, too . . . and the only sweetening comes naturally from blueberries . . . not sugar!

Thoughts From a "Lost Canadian" About Canada, Santa Claus, and the North Pole

Since I learned I am a "Lost Canadian", I have been learning many interesting - and sometimes very fun things - about Canada. So, for "Christmas in July", today I'm very happy to share with you some information about Canada, Santa Claus, and the North Pole . . .

Don't Worry: It is Impossible to Spoil Grandchildren Will Help You "Maximize the Gift" of Grandchildren

Do you know who V. Gil Beers is? He wrote more than 150 books, sold more than 13 million of his books, and he has been so very kind to endorse my book; Don't Worry: It is Impossible to Spoil Grandchildren