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!

grandma's cookbook - Blueberry Lemonade Cheese Cake Pie (No Bake!)

 

Since it is National Blueberry Month, it is a great time to try new desserts for get-togethers and if the dessert is a tasty no-bake recipe it could not possibly be more perfect! I was browsing on Pinterest   and found a recipe for Raspberry Lemonade Cheese Cake Pie, but thought it could easily be switched to Blueberry Lemonade and had to share it with you!

You'll find the recipe at this link - I'd make the following substitutions . . .

Happy 4th of July!

This is from  nationalgrandparentsday.com! It brought a smile to my face when I saw it a few years ago, so today, on the 4th of July, even though my grands are not "little" firecrackers, I thought it would still be nice to share it.

Thoughts From a "Lost Canadian" About Waterton Lakes National Park

I have written about some very large National Parks in Canada, so today I'm writing about the smallest National Park - Waterton Lakes National Park, but even though it is the smallest it is still in the top ten most visited National Parks in Canada - and is a great place to take the entire family!

Summer Reading - Fluffle Bunnies - Buns Gone Bad

 

Two years ago I received a package of wonderful books from Penguin/ Random House Canada/Tundra and today I'm sharing with you again about one of these books - it was so excellent, it is absolutely well worth getting for the children you love if you didn't already do so. One of the best and most important things we are able to do for the children we love is to surround them with books from their youngest ages, read to and with them, because when we do they will begin talking sooner, they will have a larger vocabulary, will begin reading sooner, and will do better in school. Plus, all this reading and spending time together will help build strong relationships with you and the children you love.

So, this Summer be certain to surround the children you love with books - such as Fluffle Bunnies - Buns Gone Bad by Anna Humphrey and Irma Kniivila.