Thoughts From a "Lost Canadian" About Maple Syrup

Earlier this month I wrote about the "Great Maple Syrup Heist" (You will find my post about it at this link.) 3,000 tons of maple syrup—worth a massive $18 million CAD was stolen in 2012 by siphoning $18.7 million CAD worth of syrup from a heavily guarded reserve in Saint-Louis-de-Blandford, Quebec, and then replacing it with water to avoid immediate detection. The sticky thieves were eventually arrested, convicted, and sentenced to prison. This was the "Great Maple Syrup Heist".

Today I thought I'd write about Maple Syrup again and share some of the extremely interesting things I've learned about Canada and Maple Syrup - did you know . . .

Hand Down Confident Faith with the little answer book for children

   

I want you to know about Barna's and Gallup's recent polls - for a very important reason . . . because we must stand up and take action to stop the loss of the ones we love. If someone does not speak up and ask others to join them, how will grandparents, parents, and church leaders know there is a way to stop what is happening? 

You & How You Feel Matters

 A few words of encouragement today - a Dr. Seuss Quote I find one worth considering is . . . "Don't cry because it is over - Smile because it happened!"  This is a quote which makes me stop and think as there are things I agree about with it, and things I do not. Certainly as we go through life, there will be times we rejoice and times when we wonder what is happening. But there are going to be many times when we may not "smile" because something happened and when we may cry from relief when things are over. I feel this way nearly on a daily basis with all the things happening in our country and world right now. I guess the thing I want to say for today is, as you go through life, how you feel and the things you experience matter. Your feelings are valid. Your feelings matter. If people tell you to "get over things" or to "look on the bright side", you need to feel the freedom to feel whatever you feel because your feelings are legitimate and they do matter.

grandma's cookbook - No-Bake Cookies!

Around my house there is a cookie which whenever I make them, never stays around for long . . . the no-bake cookie! And, since yesterday was Peanut Butter & Chocolate Day a no-bake cookie with peanut butter and chocolate is definitely the kind of cookie to make if you are making cookies today! Try my grandma's recipe with your grandchildren . . . it is sure to become a family favorite!

Thoughts From a "Lost Canadian" About Wildfires - in the US and in Canada

I currently live in Michigan and so I have heard a significant amount of news about the smoke from the Canadian fires - and have been able to see the smoke outside my windows for many days. I'm happy to say yesterday and today the smoke has reduced to nearly nothing! This is wonderful news.

But, I have to stand up and speak up - in this case, I have to write about the appalling response to the smoke and fires from some elected officials in Michigan and throughout the country. Threatening our neighbors, Canada, with tariffs or anything else while they are dealing with these horrible fires is a despicable thing to do. We should be rushing to ask how we can help - not condemning our dear neighbors - especially when in this country we have wildfires which send smoke into Canada.

And I have to share some facts - because the truth does matter - at least it should . . .

the little answer book Is For You

    

I have noticed several articles lately about how our grown children and grand children are leaving their church and more importantly, their faith because of Trump and the republicans. They are unable to match what they have been taught about loving others and the Bible with the things coming from the massively corrupt criminal in the white house and those who continue to follow him. I know I personally have struggled greatly with all of this as well. I have had to hold to the evidence for God being real and how when you read about Jesus, He is nothing like the maga/trumplicans. It has, however; been difficult.

Do you have someone in your family who once walked with God, but no longer do? Someone who at one time went to and was active in their church, but today they say they are not even sure if God is real? Or, do you know someone for whom these things are true?

Today is Peanut Butter and Chocolate Day

 

There are SO many ways to combine peanut butter and chocolate for truly enjoyable treats - whether you make cakes, cookies, candies, pies - all are wonderful for sure! So a special day to celebrate this tasty combo makes perfect sense. I'm going to share with you my family's favorite recipe for homemade peanut butter balls, but first, let's look at some fun facts for peanut butter and then chocolate - did you know . . .

Today is Vanilla Ice Cream Day, So Make Lemonade Pie!

Yes, today is Vanilla Ice Cream Day, and while you could certainly enjoy a bowl of vanilla ice cream - possibly topped however you most enjoy - you could also use this day to make Lemonade Pie! You will learn more about vanilla ice cream at this link, but I thought I'd share a few fun facts as well - did you know . . . 

Thoughts From a "Lost Canadian" About Nunavut Day

Sadly, I missed Nunavut Day as it was July 9th and commemorates the passage of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement, establishing Canada’s largest and newest territory. This significant day honors the Inuit people’s self-determination and the unique culture of the Canadian Arctic. So, while I missed the actual Nunavut Day, today is a good day to celebrate this modern milestone as well by learning about Inuit traditions, supporting Indigenous businesses, and advocating for northern communities.

Life on the Amazing Goldilocks Planet

  

I'm very happy to share about a 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"?

Let's All Be People Who Live Lives of Compassion to ALL

 

I have shared in the past some interesting and wonderful things I learned about my great grandpa Badgerow. Today seems like a good time to share it again. He was orphaned the day before his 11th birthday, raised by his sisters, finished the 8th grade, and became a small business man - he had a grocery store/gas station in Sparta, Michigan.

Homemade Lemon Blueberry Ice Cream for National Ice Cream Month!

Apparently my nephew and his wife enjoy making ice cream and last weekend they made lemon blueberry ice cream, which of course, sounds very tasty, so today I'm very happy to share a recipe for this delightful treat with you - since it is still National Ice Cream Month!

Today is a Great Day to Make Your own Book!

If you are looking for something fun you could do today with the children you love, especially if you are stuck inside because it is hot or smoky outside - consider doing something creative - make your own book! Consider making your own unique story or sit down together and make your own unique "twist" of a favorite book. When my grands were younger they loved Dr. Seuss' There's a Wocket in My Pocket - and one day they made their own version of this story - complete with fun illustrations!  

First, some history of books, which I found on-line . . .

Family, Ancestors, History

I have lived most of my life in West Michigan, just thirty minutes from beautiful Lake Michigan. I lived for a few years in Northern California, two hours from Oregon, where I met my husband - but I was born in West Michigan and have lived most of my life here. Of course I knew my dad and my grandpa, but my great-grandpa died before I was born. Along with not knowing him, I also did not know - until last week - my great grandpa was born in Argenteuil, Quebec, Canada, and my great-great grandpa and great-great grandma were born in East Hawkesbury, Prescott, Ontario, Canada, and Argenteuil, Quebec, Canada. And I did not know about my many other ancestors as close as just great-great grandparents were born in Canada - six of them - and more before them!