Countdown-to-Christmas - the Hallelujah Chorus - Like You've Never Seen It Before!

When you think about songs which praise Jesus and share the good news of why He came, you have to think of the Hallelujah Chorus! Written 250 years ago, according to Wiki,  "Handel's   Messiah has been described by the early-music scholar Richard Luckett as 'a commentary on [Jesus Christ's] Nativity, Passion, Resurrection and Ascension', beginning with God's promises as spoken by the prophets and ending with Christ's glorification in heaven. The music for Messiah was completed in 24 days and at the end of his manuscript Handel wrote the letters "SDG"—Soli Deo Gloria, 'To God alone the glory'. This inscription, taken with the speed of composition, has encouraged belief in the apocryphal story that Handel wrote the music in a fervour of divine inspiration in which, as he wrote the 'Hallelujah' chorus, 'he saw all heaven before him'."

illustrate my own Unknown Bible Hero books - No "Ordinary" Bible Person Storybook & Great Christmas Gifts!

If you are not an artist, or artistic person, when you see a book which you need to provide the illustrations for, you may think it is not the book for you. But, in this case with the  illustrate my own Known Bible Hero and illustrate my own Unknown Bible Hero books, nothing could be farther from the truth! These books give you the unique opportunity to engage with the children you love in ways you never have when you read a book about a real Bible person, as since you and/or they will be providing the illustrations, you get to talk about what is happening, think through what the Bible person is saying, and basically really pay attention to the details so you are able to provide the illustrations! Just think about the fantastic conversations you will be able to have about the Bible people and how what they learned applies to you as well! These books are no ordinary Bible person storybook and they make fantastic Christmas gifts!

Countdown-to-Christmas Caroling - O Come, O Come Emmanuel - the Piano Guys

Today I'm starting my time of Christmas Carols! Each day I will share a carol/song with you as we look forward to celebrating Christmas. Emmanuel means God with us; and this is why Jesus came . . . to be with us! This is why we celebrate Christmas. When I hear the song, O Come, O Come Emmanuel I think about what it would be like if we were still waiting for Him to appear and I rejoice in knowing He has come and we can know Him because He is with us!

"I Do NOT Like That Song!!!"

Do you go caroling at Christmas-time? What is your favorite Christmas carol? 

Thinking about singing at Christmas reminded me of how eight years ago, on Thanksgiving, my grandsons spent the night - fun time to have a sleep-over! Well, the next morning we were talking about Christmas and reindeer and my husband mentioned the song, "Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer", so I sang a line of it. My then four-year-old grandson said . . . with great passion; "I do NOT like that song!!!" Then he came and gave me a big hug!

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!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving! Today my daughter, son, daughter-in-law, and grandsons are coming to our house for Thanksgiving dinner! I am roasting a turkey, making mashed potatoes, gravy, pumpkin cornbread, and applesauce. My daughters are bringing the veggies, yams, cranberries, deviled eggs, and dessert. We will have a tasty dinner together and much for which to be thankful for sure!

Christmas & Holiday Traditions at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

Tuesday night my husband and I visited Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park to see their yearly Christmas & Holiday Traditions exhibit, which is now open and it is wonderful! There are 46 trees and cultural displays and more than 300,000 colorful lights - inside and out. The Railway Garden in the Earl and Donnalee Holton Victorian Garden Parlor is wonderful - I loved all the buildings built from natural items of our own city of Grand Rapids - there is even a mini Calder sculpture - it is Fantastic!

It's Time to Think About Christmas - a Nativity Set for Each Child!

The first year my husband and I were married, he gave me a Precious Moments Nativity Set . . . this was 42 Christmases ago!

Twenty years ago, or so, I crocheted a Nativity set with crochet cotton - I wanted to be able to set it in my tree, because it is the reason we celebrate! (A few years ago when the boys decorated my tree, my oldest grandson put the shepherd on it's back looking up, so it could "see" all the lights! He is a funny boy!)

The DNA of Grandparents & Parents Who Hand Down Confident Faith - a Christmas Gift which Makes a Difference

"The DNA of Grandparents & Parents Who Hand Down Confident Faith" has a new cover, updated content, AND is available at a special Christmas price - save $2 per book for the print copy! Look what Tim Kimmel (Family Matters) and Dr. Scott Turansky (National Center for Biblical Parenting) have to say about it -

grandma's chuckles - "My Teacher Says I Talk Too Much!"

There are many things I love about being grandma . . . I love the greetings I received when my grandchildren were young and arrived at my home, or I showed up wherever they are . . . "It's grandma!!!!" (Followed by running and the giving and receiving of hugs!!!) I love the way my heart continues to be filled with joy whenever I think about and spend time with my grandsons! 

Yes, there are many things I love about being grandma, but one is definitely being able to hear when these three, sweet boys say something which leaves me laughing for days! 

crafting with grandma - Fun, Excellent & Inexpensive Gifts - Puzzle Candy Cane Ornaments!

If you have puzzles in your house, you likely have puzzles with missing pieces. If this is true for you - or if you have a friend or family member with a puzzle with missing pieces which they are willing to let you have . . . take a look at this great idea for making awesome, puzzle candy cane ornaments!

just for fun - Silly State Laws in California!

Get ready to laugh! As I looked up some silly, but real laws in California, I realized we were likely to get a good laugh from these laws and have something funny to share with our grandchildren . . . to spread the laughing! After all, laughing is good for our health!

Did you know in California . . . 

The Relief for Grief - Available on Amazon

The past few years have brought blessings into our lives for sure as many have experienced loss whether it was the loss of someone they love, the loss of being able to spend time with the ones we love, the loss of a job, the loss of fellowship with others, the loss of our confidence, to mention just a few. Some of us have also experienced loss which was not related to covid as loss is a normal part of our lives.

crafting with grandma - Melted Snowman & I Spy Ornaments!

As I said yesterday, Christmas is just around the corner, so . . . I thought it would be fun to share another idea with you for an ornament which has to be one of the most fun ornaments I've ever made! It is a fun, simple ornament which you could involve your grandchildren in making - they could give them to teachers, coaches, neighbors . . . to anyone for whom they need to have a nice, little gift!