crafting with grandma . . . One Purple Minion Completed . . . Two More to Go!

Ten years ago for Easter, I made my grandsons crocheted Perry the Platypus . . . I hid them in my house so they could go find them! It was lots of fun! The boys' Perrys were been well-loved, which was wonderful, since they were made with love! (You'll find the link to the pattern at this link.)

The following year, I made purple minions for my grandsons! You'll find the basic pattern I used at this link - I obviously made the minion purple instead of yellow and added a big mouth with lots of teeth, an eyelid to the one eye, dark grey overalls, longer arms and lots of crazy hair!

The Relief for Grief - Available on Amazon

The past few years have brought blessings into our lives for sure, but with covid, many have experienced loss as well, 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.

Meet Your 2024 Goals to Move More with the Help of the Alevo Alu

The start of a new year is just over three weeks away, and often means setting goals and making resolutions to try and live a healthier life. As we get older, whether due to age or health or both, these goals/ resolutions may be more difficult to accomplish, but happily there are "tools" to help us. One such "tool" is the Alevo Alu by Porsche design. If you experience challenges with mobility, or just need something to help you be more secure in your walking, the Alevo Alu is for you! And if you are still looking for a Christmas gift for someone you love who may need help feeling more stable when they walk, the Alevo Alu is the perfect gift choice!

Today is National Poinsettia Day!

According to Nationaltoday dot com, "What we refer to as National Poinsettia Day is called 'La Flor de la Nochebuena' — or Flower of the Holy Night in Mexico. Poinsettias are revered there because of a legend which recounts the story of a poor little girl who despaired of having no gift for Jesus' birthday. When an angel appears to tell the child the most important thing is to give a gift with love, the child gathers weeds from the side of a road to place in the baby's manger. Miraculously, the weeds bloomed into gorgeous red star flowers."

National today also shares some fun Poinsettia facts - did you know . . . 

My Christmas Carols - Blue Christmas by Andrea Bocelli and Reba McEntire

This may not be a combination you would have thought of, but Andrea Bocelli and Reba McEntire sing Blue Christmas in a most beautiful way - you will find it at this link.

This was a song Elvis didn't want to sing because he thought it was too, too, sad, but he did and now it is a favorite. If you would like to sing along, you will find the lyrics here . . .

My Christmas Carol for Today - Carol of the Bells by Pentatonix

I did not think it was possible to love the song - Carol of the Bells more than I do, but listening to Pentatonix sing it I realized I now love it even more! You will find it at this link.

just for fun - Silly, but Real Laws in Arkansas

Get ready to laugh! As I looked up some silly, but real laws in  Arkansas, I realized once again 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 Arkansas . . . 

Christmas Traditions

Each year after Thanksgiving dinner we put up our Christmas tree - either that evening, or on the weekend when my grandsons come over for a sleepover. They help decorate the tree and I am always so happy with the final look.

grandma's Christmas Cookie Recipe Contest - Peanutbutter Mice by Nikki!

Eleven years ago I had a Christmas cookie recipe contest - today I want to share with you again a recipe sent in by a reader - Peanut-butter Mice by Nikki Lancaster! Nikki says this is her children's favorite cookie! Thank you Nikki for sharing the recipe with us!

Praying Deeper Through the Scriptures - Try a Month for Free!

One of the most powerful things we are able to do for the ones we love is to pray for them. Some of us are seasoned prayer warriors, but some of us struggle with praying - what do we pray? How do we pray? Whether you - or someone on your gift list - is a seasoned prayer warrior or someone who struggles with prayer,  Praying Deeper Through the Scriptures is a book which will be used every day to guide whoever uses it through praying Scriptures for their own walk with God and for the walks of those they love.

Today I am happy to share with you one month of Praying Deeper Through the Scriptures to help you see what it is like -  

grandma's Christmas Cookie Recipe Contest - Ritz Peanut Butter Snowflake Cookies by Lori

Eleven years ago I held a Christmas Cookie Recipe Contest and today am happy to share with you some of the recipes submitted by readers - today . . . Ritz Peanut Butter Snowflake Cookies - sent to me by Lori Layne! Lori said, "This is one of my favorite recipes.  It is so simple I don't even need it written down to remember it." This recipe looks like it is very simple to make - and tasty! This should be a simple treat you could involve your grandchildren in making, too! Thank you Lori for sharing it with us! 

Christmas Carol for Today - Little Saint Nick by the Beach Boys

Just for fun I have to include Little Saint Nick by the Beach Boys in my Christmas carols for this year - you will find it at this link.

These are the lyrics if you want to sing along - 

My Christmas Carol for Today - Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas by Acappella

Acappella has long been one of my favorite groups, so listening to them sing Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas had to be part of my Christmas Carols, you will find it at this link. Enjoy!

Just For Fun - More Christmas Fun Facts!

Christmas is just a couple weeks away, so I thought it would be fun to look up and share some more Christmas "fun facts" which you could share with your family and friends as you celebrate Christmas! Did you know . . .