Christmas Book Review - Give the Gift of Understanding & Creativity with illustrate my own - Important Things Jesus Wants Me to Know books

 

You are likely familiar with the Bible people from my illustrate my own - Important Things Jesus Wants me to Know book series - The Lost Lamb, The Woman at the Well, The Man with Leprosy, The Good Samaritan, The  Pharisee & the Tax Collector, The Two Builders, and Martha & Mary 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!

crafting with grandma - Glowing Snowmen!

 

If you are planning to have your grandchildren to your home for a Christmas party or other special time this year, consider surprising and delighting them with Glowing Snowmen I found on a blog called - "Stuff by Ash" - in your yard to greet them! (This photo is from Stuff by Ash.)

It is National Book Week!

While every day is a great day to read a book, this week is actually National Book Week, so, along with making time to read a book this week, consider sharing the following book fun facts with the children you love (I do this whenever I write about a "special" day as it is a fun way to connect) - did you know . . . 

National Game Week - Abducktion - and a Great Gift to Give for Christmas!

My daughter loves games and she introduced us to the game - Abducktion - it is now a favorite game to play at my house! What is Abducktion, you ask? Well, the creators describe it as, "Abducktion started in a very simple way — we wanted to make a game for grownups (and smart kids) which took only 15-20 minutes to play, just two minutes to explain, but was still strategic and competitive enough to make beating your friends and family still feel really, really good. 

Here's the premise: Players are all interns on an alien UFO, working for an intergalactic corporation which has one main function: abducting ducks. (For research purposes, duh). But, ducks need to be collected in specific formations, and you'll have to use spatial logic and cunning to rearrange your ducks before your opponents to win!"

Yes, this game has UFOs, ducks, and LOTS of family fun for sure!

Wolfenoot!

Yes, Wolfenoot is a real thing and November 23rd is the day to celebrate it. The idea behind it is to be kind to animals and people which makes any day and every day the day to celebrate! So, here are the details about Wolfenoot . . .

Pumpkin Apple Cider Donuts!

My grands spent last night at my house, so I thought it would be nice for them to wake up to fresh made pumpkin apple cider donuts! I found a great recipe at this link, (mom loves baking) and am very happy to share it with you today.

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! 

Christmas Gift Idea - The Olive Shimmer from Pair Eyewear!

As you may have noticed, I really love my Pair Eyewear glasses and toppers. Several months ago when they released a new set of colorful toppers which "shimmer", I thought it would be nice to get the Olive Shimmer - and I am SO happy I did - which is why I'm writing about them today as an idea you could use to give a great gift to someone you love who wears Pair Eyewear - what could be better than a beautiful, green, shimmery topper as a Christmas gift!

The Olive Shimmer is such a pretty shade of green and with each move of my head, the topper shimmers and sparkles - and who doesn't need a little shimmer or sparkle in their life - especially at Christmas!

crafting with grandma - Fun, Excellent & Inexpensive Gifts - Frosted Mason Jar Candles!

Christmas is often a time where we give gifts to people we love - and sometimes we make some of these gifts, so today I want to share an idea for a gift you could make and give . . . a gift your family and friends will love to receive!

Candy's Favorite Place!

With Christmas just over a month away it seems like the perfect day to let you know about another of my new 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! 

Peanut Butter Balls - A Delightful Treat for Those You Love

If you are looking for a peanut butter and chocolate recipe which is beyond enjoyable treat . . . these peanut-butter balls are for you! I made them for Dave 44 years ago and within a month and a half, he proposed to me! Wonderful things happen when you make these peanut-butter balls for people!

crafting with grandma - Christmas Wind Chimes!

 

If you are looking for a craft you could help your grandchildren make for their mom for Christmas, consider this one I found on Pinterest  . . . wind chimes!!! They will be able to decorate the clay pots however they like - just give them permanent ink pens . . . yes, I know the potential for getting ink on them is quite high, but you'll be able to remove or cover their shirts and have anti-bacterial hand gel available because a little of this takes ink off of hands . . . and arms . . . and faces . . . pretty much any skin which they may get "decorated" as well! And yes, they are more likely than not to get ink on their skin!

Christmas Gift Idea - The Chunky Knit from Pair Eyewear!

For almost a year now I have been writing about Pair Eyewear. As I've said, when I needed a new prescription for my glasses this past January, I switched to Pair Eyewear. I was very curious about their line of glasses because they had these "toppers" - magnetic "tops" which you could put on your glasses for an entirely new look. At only $30 or less per topper, it seemed to me to be a fantastic way to have more than one look for my glasses - at a fraction of what it would cost to buy extra new regular glasses. And yes, Pair Eyewear is fantastic - and brilliant!

crafting with grandma - Crocheted Raggedy Ann & Andy Dolls!

 

I have always been a "fan" of Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls! In fact, the first doll I bought my daughter was a Raggedy Ann doll! After all what isn't there to love about these sweet dolls which have been loved "friends" of children for decades??!!! Sweet, huggable and oh, so  lovable, Raggedy Ann dolls are classics for a reason!