Today is World Kindness Day!

Today is World Kindness Day - if ever we needed kindness in our world it is thing about kindness is it is contagious, and it does truly change everything. So, today make the choice to be kind to yourself - give yourself a break. Then, be kind to the people around you - take time to smile, say hello, say thank you, let someone else go first. These are all simple ways to be kind - and easy ways to be kind.

Tasters Welcome!

On the wall by the entry to my kitchen is a sign which says; "Grandma's Kitchen - Tasters Welcome!" My grandsons believe this sign . . . especially when I'm baking homemade cookies!

I'm glad they believe it, because it is true - they are always welcome to, "taste" in my kitchen! It puts a smile on my face when they "taste" and especially when they enjoy what they tasted!

Be a Babushka for Your Grandchildren

I recently read in my  Grandmother's Bible a devotion by Joni Eareckson Tada. In it she said, "When Ken and I were in Russia . . . we met many Russian 'babushkas'. The praying grandmothers . . . the stalwart saints of whom Stalin had cruelly said, 'If we can get rid of these old women, we will have the youth in our grasp.' Stalin failed. And thank God for praying grandmothers who served as a link, spanning a generation lost to atheism and connecting a new generation of young people who are asking open, honest questions about Jesus."  Then the prayer for the day, "Father of all ages, as gray hairs abound, may righteousness abound. May I never resent the encroaching years, but view them as an opportunity to deepen my life of praise and intercession."

Great Christmas Gift - Nanea - American Girl Doll

I'm very happy to share with you about one of the American Girl Dolls - Nanea - American Girl Beforever Doll (nah-NAY-ah)! Nanea is a beautiful doll and if she is a gift you give a young girl you love, this girl is sure to love her!

Today is World Origami Day!

Daysoftheyear(dot)com says for all of those folks who look at a flat sheet of paper and dream of all of the exciting objects which could be made out of it, simply by folding, today is the day for them to celebrate as today is World Origami Day. Before we look at ways to celebrate, let's learn some fun origami facts, did you know . . . 

Cozy Christmas Gift - Shutterfly Fleece Photo Blanket

A few years ago I had the opportunity to review something warm and wonderful from Shutterfly - their fleece blanket! Just being a fleece blanket - since I live in the chilly state of Michigan (it is 30 outside right now), is enough reason to think of it as, "warm and wonderful", but since it is from Shutterfly, this means there is at least one photo on it of people I love . . . and in this case, there are 6 photos on it! Yes, it absolutely is wonderful and makes a fantastic gift, so I thought I'd share it with you again today!

Things Which Fill My Heart With Joy!

There are things which bring a smile to my face and which fill my heart with joy . . . things which I experience because I am, “grandma”. For example, when my grandsons were younger and ran into my home with big smiles on their faces – I also had a big smile on my face; and joy in my heart! Now they are older and they still tend to have smiles on their faces when they come to my house - I most certainly do as well!

Celestron FirstScope Telescope - A Fantastic Christmas Gift

My grandsons are into science. They love science projects, they love to talk about sciency things, they enjoy watching science shows; basically they are extremely interested in all things science. 

One area of science which they find extremely interesting is space. My eight-year old grandson things it would be amazing to be able to travel to Mars. But, short of doing this he loves the opportunity to star-gaze. So, when I had the opportunity to receive and review a telescope from Celestron, I knew my grandsons were going to be thrilled!

Celestron sent me their FirstScope Telescope - a perfect first telescope - to try with my grandsons and then let you know all about it. 

Do Your Ears Hang Low?

I love basset hounds. I love everything about how they look - what's not to love with those long, beautiful ears, saggy, baggy skin, deep, mournful eyes, gentle, loving personality, and the most melodic of howls!!! Yes, I love basset hounds. 

But, I must say, I do come by my love for the basset hound, "honestly" as my ancestors were friends with Lafayette   and they came with him to help George Washington fight the British. One of the gifts Lafayette brought Washington was a basset hound - probably the first basset in America!

Shark Hats!

I - and my grandsons - live where it is cold in the winter (typically) as we live in Michigan. So, when they were little, I crocheted hats for them each winter - I wanted to keep their sweet little heads warm! But, I always made "fun" hats - if you have to wear a hat, it might as well be fun, unique, a "stand out" hat! One year I crocheted shark hats for each of them!

grandma's chuckles - Grandma & the Quaker Oats Man, Coffee & Finding Our "Cookie Monster"!

"grandma's chuckles" are the things which make me chuckle . . . you know, the things your children and grandchildren say and do which bring a smile to your face and make your heart happy! These are the things I don't want to forget, so I'm writing them down and sharing them with you . . . I hope they bring a smile to your face, make your heart happy, and cause you to chuckle, too . . . whether you are a grandma or not! :^) Enjoy!

So, today I'm sharing a few "chuckles" from several years ago - which still makes me laugh today . . . 

It's November - I'm Ever So Thankful I Get to Spend So Much Time With My Grandsons!

Today, November 8th, I'm thankful, so very thankful for all the time I get to spend with my grandsons! Pretty much every Friday or Saturday I am blessed to have them spend the night - I look forward to seeing them for our sleepovers! These three, sweet boys are such gifts from the hand of God and I am ever so thankful I get to spend so much time with them! (This is a photo from several years ago.)

Look at Psalm 127:3-5

Christmas Review & Giveaway - RISK®: Star Trek™ 50th Anniversary Edition

Many of us remember the original game of RISK from our childhood . . . where world domination was the goal and you had to develop a strategy to out-think and out-maneuver your opponent to achieve your goal. Well, USAopoly has a new "take" on the old game of RISK - this time it is Risk Star Trek 50th Anniversary Edition and if you - or someone on your gift list - is a fan of Star Trek and Risk, this is a great idea for them!

Inspire Cartwheels in Their Hearts

When my middle grandson was almost-seven-years-old (five years ago) he learned to do cartwheels - he had such joy when he was "cartwheeling" across the yard! Joy, absolute joy! 

So, when I read this quote from Mr. Rogers about inspiring cartwheels in my grandson's hearts, I have a very definite picture of what this looks like!