My Christmas Carols for You - TobyMac & Tasha Layton - Christmas Hits Different

Christmas tends to be a time of joy with family and friends, but for some of us, Christmas is a sad time, difficult time, challenging time - if you struggle and if Christmas is different for you this year, this song is for you. You will find TobyMac's and Tasha Layton's song, Christmas Hits Different at this link. If your Christmas is "hitting" "different" this year, please consider this song a big hug.

My Top Five Reasons I Love to Spend Time with My Grandsons

I love to spend time with my grandsons. Without a doubt, even though these three, sweet boys have more energy on a slow day than I even think of having, I love to spend time with them! This photo was taken eight years ago in those days of "more energy" when they were seven, four, and two; I loved spending time with them - and continue to love doing this today. Even though there are other things I could do; I LOVE to spend time with them.

So, today I thought I'd share with you my Top Five Reasons I Love to Spend Time with My Grandsons . . . 

Today is National Brownie Day!

Brownies are such a wonderful treat and if any treat should ever deserve a day to be celebrated, Brownies should absolutely qualify! Happily today is National Brownie Day! Let's start our celebrating with some fun Brownie facts - did you know . . . 

My Christmas Carols - Wrap Me Up

I recently heard a new Christmas song by Jimmy Fallon and Meghan Trainor called, Wrap Me Up and I knew I had to share it with you on my Christmas Carols for this year. You will be able to find it at this link.

I love the humor and the message in this song - if you would like to sing along, here are the lyrics . . . 

just for fun - Silly, But Real Laws in Alaska!

Get ready to laugh! As I looked up some silly, but real laws in Alaska, I had to stop for a moment because I was laughing! I truly do not understand why anyone would feel the need to actually make a law for many of these; but honestly, I'm glad they did because now we all can have a good laugh and share these silly laws with our grandchildren . . . to spread the laughing! After all, laughing is good for our health!

Did you know in Alaska . . . 

It is Tie Month - Let's Make Some Snakes

  

December is Tie month, so I thought it would be fun to share with
you some fun "tie facts" I found online. Did you know . . . 

The necktie originated from a silk scarf worn by Croatian soldiers - it became known as the cravat.

Marv Beloff invented the wooden bow tie in 1993. He has nine basic homemade styles and insists the only things you have to worry about when you wear them are, "termites and fire."

Christmas Gifts Which Make a Difference - Praying Deeper Through the Psalms for Children

   

So far this month I have been sharing with you books and resources which you are able to add to your own "tool kit" of books/ resources which will equip and empower you to hand down confident faith and also make wonderful Christmas gifts which make a difference. 

Today I am so very happy to let you know about another resource; Praying Deeper Through the Psalms for Children. This book is unique in two ways; first, it is specifically written and developed for children ages four through 14 to help them learn to pray by praying the Psalms back to God and secondly, my grandsons collaborated with me on developing, writing this book, and by providing most of the illustrations!

My Christmas Carol for Today - Christmas Time is Here

While I picture Charlie Brown when I hear this song, I love how Michael W Smith and Vince Gill combined their considerable talents to present Christmas Time is Here - you will find it at this link.

I'm posting the lyrics in case you would like to sing along . . . 

Four Steps to Making Great Memories with Grandchildren!

I so appreciate the following devotion from the Grandmother's Bible! It was written by Bobbie Wolgemuth and is entitled, I Will . .  I Will . . .  She says, "Psalm 9 contains a great 'I Will' activity list to remember when you spend time with your grandchild. First, start with an attitude of praise. Tell the Lord what you are thankful for. Count your blessings, name them. It will be easy to have a heart full of thankfulness after you've named even a few. Your heart will be full and running over with the kind of attitude that pleases God and spills over on the young ones with the love of the Savior. Second, tell the kids what God has done in the past. One of our greatest resources as grandmothers is the history we have lived. Everyday miracles fill our memory banks.  Pull a few past marvels out of your memory treasure chest and tell your grandchild of the Lord's wonders. Third, be a happy grandmother. Open the door with a smile and a hug. Let your face show the gladness of the Lord. Your inside joy should envelop your grandchildren with every encounter, no matter where you are. The fourth 'I will" is my favorite: sing. Sing with your grandchildren. Leave a song in their hearts."

grandma's cookbook - Surprise Inside Cookies!

Monday I shared a tasty cookie recipe with you for National Homemade Cookie Day. Yesterday I shared they delicious Peanut-Butter Cup Cookies recipe and today I wanted to share one more recipe for Chocolate Kisses Surprise Inside Cookies instead!

My Christmas Carol for Today - Michael Buble' - Let it Snow

I live in Michigan and Sunday morning, it was beginning to look like Christmas (at least from my childhood) as it was snowing. Everything was so pretty. Today it looks more like Christmas from the last few years (no snow on the ground and the forecast says to expect warm - 40's - weather.) So, regardless of what it looks like outside, my song for today makes me smile - I hope it will bring a smile to your face as well . . . 

grandma's cookbook - Peanut-Butter Cup Cookies!

Since yesterday was National Homemade Cookie Day, I thought I'd share another cookie recipe with you today. I saw this recipe on Pinterest so today is a the day to share it with you! I love how this is a fairly simple recipe and it is one the children you love will have fun helping you make - I'm sure they will love putting the peanut-butter cups in the cookies! (Of course, they are very likely to sample a few peanut-butter cups as well!)

crafting with grandma - Crocheted Minions and Perry the Platypus!

Ten years ago for Easter I made my grandsons stuffed Perry the Platypus toys - I hid them in the house so after they went on an egg hunt in the yard, they were able to come in and look for another special surprise! The boys loved their Perrys - they developed a soft, and well-loved look, and since they were made with love, I'm really happy the boys enjoyed their Perrys!

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 and updated content as well! Look what Tim Kimmel (Family Matters) and Dr. Scott Turansky (National Center for Biblical Parenting) have to say about it -