Thoughts From a "Lost Canadian" About Canada Being One of the Most Peaceful Countries in the World!

Yesterday I heard the news about how Canada is in the top fifteen of the most Peaceful Countries in the world. I'm not at all surprised, but I am very happy to learn this! Canada ranks 14th out of 163 countries globally according to the Global Peace Index. Canada retains its title as the most peaceful nation in North and Central America. The  Institute for Economics & Peace says Canada is a model of stability.

Make a Difference for Generations with Generations Quest Cultivate the Faith!

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 either 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! 

My Favorite Chihuly Art at Meijer Gardens . . .

Yesterday I wrote about visiting Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park to see and experience their Chihuly exhibit (you will find my post at this link.) Today I want to write about my favorite Chihuly pieces in the exhibit. While all of the Chihuly art is amazing, there are a few I especially love . . .

Today is World Chocolate Day! Celebrate with the Best-Ever Chocolate Cake!

 

Today is World Chocolate Day, so in honor of this most important day, I'm re-running my recipe for the best-ever Chocolate cake! Don't you just love chocolate cake?!!! Aren't there days when chocolate cake is the best thing you could possibly eat? Well, I do love chocolate cake and there are days when chocolate cake most certainly does put a smile on my face - although since I've been working the past six years to lose weight (and have lost 100lbs), I rarely eat it, but I do fix it for others.

So, when I found the recipe I'm sharing with you today and tried it . . . well, I knew I had to share it with you because it is the best chocolate cake I've ever had! (I found the recipe in my Better Homes and Gardens New Cook Book) What could be a better way to celebrate World Chocolate Day, than with the Best-Ever Chocolate Cake???!!! :-) Or, if you have a special event coming up where a chocolate cake would be the perfect addition . . . or, if you would just like to brighten your family's - and your own - day, bake up this best-ever chocolate cake! But first, some chocolate fun facts . . . did you know -

Thoughts From a "Lost Canadian" About Immigration

There has been a lot of talk in the USA, and around the world, about the recent Supreme Court decision which upheld the 14th Amendment to the Constitution of the USA about birthright citizenship. In a 6-3 decision, the Supreme Court struck down a 2025 executive order by the Trump administration which sought to end birthright citizenship. The Court’s decision reinforced longstanding interpretations of the Constitution, which have been in place for over a century, firmly protecting automatic citizenship for children born to undocumented parents or those with temporary legal status.

Tomorrow is National Koi Day!

Yes, tomorrow - July 7th - is National Koi Day. I did not know there was such a thing as a "National Koi Day", but whenever my husband and I take our youngest grand to Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, he is always SO happy when he is able to see the Koi swimming in the pond at the Large Waterfall! So, I thought it might be fun to learn a few things about Koi - and share them with you!

Make Some Orange Swirl Ice Cream!

My youngest grandchild asked me to make orange swirl ice cream - I have a new ice cream maker attachment for my KitchenAid Mixer which I reviewed at this link. So, of course I looked for a recipe to make orange swirl ice cream! I am grandma - what else would I do? I am happy to share the recipe I found online with you . . . 

Chihuly at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

This past Saturday I was able to visit Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids, MI to see - and experience - Chihuly at Meijer Gardens - it was an incredible experience from start to finish! I have to say before I write about Chihuly, the staff and volunteers at Frederik Meijer Gardens are everything you would want them to be - they are kind, respectful, helpful, cheerful, knowledgeable, and seem truly happy you are there at a place they clearly value. 

Thoughts From a "Lost Canadian" About Yoho National Park

For the past 47 days I've been writing about the amazing National Parks in Canada - I have greatly enjoyed learning about these Parks and look forward to the opportunity to visit some of them! Today I'm writing about the last one on my list - Yoho National Park on the western slopes of the Continental Divide in British Columbia. It is considered an "alpine wonderland in the Canadian Rockies" and is a park your entire family can enjoy together!

crafting with grandma - Let's Make Puzzle Crafts!

  

Today is NOT actually National Puzzle Day - January 29th was, but it is rainy today, so what do you do on a rainy day with grandchildren? Make something fun!

While I was never a huge "fan" of assembling puzzles, I LOVE crafts with puzzle pieces! Not only are puzzle crafts interesting and unique, but they tend to be inexpensive as most of us have puzzles in our closets which are missing at least a piece or two . . . or they can be purchased at garage sales for typically less than a dollar! I'll share some fun puzzle craft ideas with you, but first some fun puzzle facts, did you know . . . 

Make Time for What Really Matters

 

Yesterday I was thinking about when my grands were younger and they spent a lot of time at my house - sleepovers and when their parents were working. Now they are older, so while they still come over nearly every weekend for a sleepover (I am SO blessed!), they do not typically come over in the summer during the days. 

just for fun - Today, July 5th, is National Graham Cracker Day & a Recipe for Ice Cream Pie!

 

Today is National Graham Cracker Day! All grandparents know about graham crackers . . . or at least we know most grandchildren enjoy them! But what is the "history" of the graham cracker? I looked on-line and found the following . . . 

Thoughts From a "Lost Canadian" About Wood Buffalo National Park

I've been writing about the amazing National Parks in Canada, because this "Lost Canadian" wants to learn about her new country and there are two National Parks left. Today I'm writing about the largest National Park in Canada - Wood Buffalo National Park!

One of the Most Important Things I Do as, "grandma"!

We are through the first month of Summer; July is off and running and this was one of my favorite times of the year when my grands were younger. Why, you ask??? Because all the, "back-to-school" sales will be starting!