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!

Please Stand Up & Speak Up

     

I have posted this a few times, but with all the things which are happening in our world, I'm sharing it again today. I write grandma's cookie jar to provide ideas for ways grandmas - and grandpas, moms, and dads might connect the children they love with God and build strong, loving relationships. I share recipes, book reviews, fun facts, and more - I typically stay away from politics. But not today. People I know and love live in fear. People I do not know live in fear - and some are dying at the hands of our government - in our country and now around the world. Our government is drowning in corruption and the trump-epstein files causes great concern. I can not stay silent. I do not believe Jesus would be silent, either. So, I am sharing images I found on instagram - they say what I am thinking.

More Thoughts From a "Lost Canadian" About the Canadian Wildfires

As I wrote a few days ago, I lived for several years in Northern California and remember the "Burney" Fire (it was a large fire near Burney, California, and the amazing Burney Falls.) We could see the smoke from Redding, California, (where we lived) and when the fire was out we drove up to Burney - as far as you could see there was burnt land, mountain after mountain all burned. It was heartbreaking.

So, as I hear the news about the Canadian fires, my heart breaks as I know what this will look like now, and for years to come. Eventually the land will rebound. There are plants and trees which actually need the heat from a fire to open their seeds and life will return to these areas, but it is still a devastating thing to see the results of these large wildfires and my heart goes out to the Canadians impacted by these horrible fires.

Here are the current updates as I have been able to find them online . . .

Adventures with Candy!

     

I have three books in my Candy the Kitten . . . And Me! series of books and wanted you to know of one more option for getting all three stories - a three in one book -Adventures with Candy!  In this book you will find A Family of Her Own for Candy, Candy's Favorite Place, and  What Makes Candy Purr? - all three stories about Candy the kitten, which are sure to be loved stories if you have a child in your family who loves cats!

grandma's cookbook - Peanut Butter Bars!

Peanut butter Bars! Mmmmm! Just the name has me thinking about the supplies I have and if I need to buy anything to make a batch! After all, what's not to love about chocolate and peanut butter?!!! Thursday is Chocolate and Peanut Butter Day, so I thought I'd share a recipe I found on Pinterest for peanut butter bars, so you can plan ahead and make them to celebrate on Thursday - or any day!

Today is International Chess Day

 

All three of my grands enjoy playing chess. They often want to play chess with me when they are at my house - primarily because they always beat me. My middle grand has won games with me by making fewer than five moves - I still do not know how they did that! My oldest grand likes to play chess with me - and also often beats me with fewer than ten moves. My youngest grand will play chess with me IF he is able to start without his queen - the last time we did this he managed to get two queens back, and yes, he won. 

There are many reasons teaching children to play chess is something which benefits them - did you know . . . 

Thoughts From a "Lost Canadian" About Even More Canadian Trivia!

This "Lost Canadian" has been learning a lot about Canada - it's Provinces, Territories, National Parks, and even some fun trivia, so once again today, I am happy to share even more interesting facts - trivia about Canada with you - some of these also made me smile and some also made me think - "Wow! Impressive!"

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! 

National Ice Cream Day, Birthday & Coffee Ice Cream

We are celebrating my middle Grand's birthday today, so they get to pick the menu. For desert, they chose my homemade coffee ice cream - the photo is of the second batch churning this morning. Since it is also National Ice Cream Day, I thought I'd share my recipe again with you for coffee ice cream - my whole family LOVES it!

Now for the recipe . . . 

Happy National Ice Cream Day!

 

By the way, did you know today is National Ice Cream Day?! I do enjoy a nice bowl of ice cream, but since I've been focused on losing weight (I've lost 100lbs since the start of 2020!), I rarely eat this sweet treat. I have found, however; sorbetto on a stick - especially the mini-size only has 50 calories per serving! Hooray! 

But back to ice cream - let's look at some ice cream fun facts - did you know . . .

Thoughts From a "Lost Canadian" About Canadian Trivia

Today I am happy to share some interesting facts - trivia about Canada with you - some of these made me smile and some made me think - "Wow! Impressive!"

Candy's Favorite Place

 

Since it is hot and smoky outside (at least here in Michigan) it seems like the perfect day to let you know about another of my 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! 

just for fun - "Make Up Your Own Holiday"!

 Yes,

Today is not actually, "Make Up You Own Holiday Day!" - March 26th is, but since it is hot out and in some places it is too smoky outside to spend much time outside, if you have children you love at your house who are looking for something to do, make up your own holiday and then celebrate! Nationaltoday.com says, "Whether you wish to celebrate something profound like Use Only Recycled Paper Day or you want to give in to your randomness by paying homage to Eat Purple Food Day, the possibilities are endless. This day is literally what it stands for — making up a personalized holiday which is close to your heart." So today, I thought I'd share some fun facts about actual holidays and how to make up your own holiday - did you know . . .