Sunday, January 21, 2024

Today is World Snow Day

Today is World Snow Day and with all the snow we have received the past two weeks, there is no shortage of it outside for my grandsons to use to celebrate World Snow Day. This day was started by the International Ski Federation, but whether you want to ski or not, the purpose works for everyone - if you have snow. They say, "The purpose of World Snow Day is to encourage families to make lasting memories with their children, as well as to offer opportunities for children to have experiences with winter sports like snowboarding and skiing."

What might you do to celebrate World Snow Day? Consider the following . . . 

Today is Grandmother's Day!

Today is Grandmother's Day - at least if you live in Poland. If you live in France, they celebrate their grandmas the first Sunday in March. Here in the US, grandmas are typically celebrated with grandpas on Grandparent's Day which is the Sunday following Labor Day, but a day to celebrate grandmas is not a bad idea! So, since we grandmas do make a difference, I thought it would be fun to look at some quotes about grandmas . . . 

Saturday, January 20, 2024

Two Books for the Children You Love

 

Over the past few months I have shared with you my new books for children - A Family of Her Own for Candy and The Little Ginormous, Humongous, Hairy, One-Eyed Monster Boys Adventures! - today I am so happy to let you know both books are now available as Kindle ebooks - and are still available in print books as well.

crafting with grandma - Valentine Heart Window Clings

Christmas and New Years Day are past and the next "big" holiday is Valentines Day, so I thought I'd share some fun Valentines Day crafts with you! I love "window clings" which made these wonderful hearts I found on Pinterest seem like a great place to start!

just for fun - Tomorrow - January 21st - is National Hugging Day!

Now this is a holiday for grandmas for sure! National Hugging Day!!! I LOVE this one! I looked on-line at punchbowl (dot) com and found the following information about National Hugging Day; "Today is National Hugging Day! Whether you prefer Bear Hugs, Heart-to-Heart Hugs, Cheek Hugs, or Side Hugs, embrace your loved ones today to show your love and affection.

Friday, January 19, 2024

Yes! illustrate my own Books ARE for You & the Children You Love

 

The New Year has begun, so if you are looking for something fun you could give the children you love as a gift, consider getting some of the books from the illustrate my own series along with crayons, markers, and/or colored pencils. All of them are fun books which will uniquely engage the children you love in ways they have never engaged before with the accounts of Bible heroes. As they (and you) illustrate their books, they will think about what is happening, the things the Bible people said and did, and how God showed His love and grace to the Bible people . . . which will help the children you love better understand how God shows His love and grace to them as well! 

just for fun . . . Today - January 19th - is Popcorn Day!

WooHoo!!! This is a day I am happy to celebrate for sure as I am a definite "fan" of popcorn! While there is debate and confusion as to who actually began this "holiday", I for one am one who is most willing to celebrate it!

I found the following ideas for ways to celebrate Popcorn Day on Popcorn.com . . .

Winter Fun - Amaze Your Grandchildren with Frozen Bubbles!

As I've mentioned a time or two, I live in Michigan - otherwise known as the "Frozen North"! I've never been a person who enjoyed the cold; being warm is so very much more pleasant! But, the other day when I was browsing on Pinterest I found an idea for something really cool which you could do with your grandchildren in the cold . . . make frozen bubbles!

Thursday, January 18, 2024

Make a Difference 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!

Today January 18th, is National Michigan Day

Today is National Michigan Day and since I was born, raised, and live in Michigan, I thought it would be fun to learn about some silly laws in this State as well as some very interesting facts about Michigan as well. Let's start with the silly laws - did you know . . .

Heritage

When I was a child I looked forward to visiting my grandparents; and especially to sleep-overs! I have many wonderful memories of riding in my grandpa's car on the way to their house in the country for a sleep-over (they lived about six miles from my home in a small, "Norman Rockwell-town"). My grandpa always asked me to sing my Sunday school songs in the car on the way to his house . . . and I sang them at the top of my lungs! (It always embarrassed my older sister when I sang like this in Sunday school, but my grandpa loved to hear me sing - which amazed and delighted me!)

I remember the aroma of fresh-baked bread in my grandma's kitchen . . . and being given a fresh-from-the-oven slice of bread with Peter Pan Peanut butter on it . . . is there possibly a better, or tastier treat???!!!

Wednesday, January 17, 2024

Give the Gift of Understanding & Creativity with illustrate my own - Known Bible Hero book series

 

You are likely familiar with the Bible people from my illustrate my own - Known Bible Hero book series - Noah, Hananiah, Mishael & Azariah (otherwise known as Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego), Ruth, Joshua, Caleb, David, Elijah, Jonah, Daniel, Joseph, Hadassah (Esther), and Gideon 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!

Tomorrow, January 18th, is National Gourmet Coffee Day

In my family we have people who love coffee. Did I write, "love"? I should have put people who "LOVE" coffee! Yes, coffee is enjoyed in my family for sure so a day to celebrate gourmet coffee (the type we drink) seems like something we must celebrate - although every day is absolutely a day to celebrate gourmet coffee!

I thought it would be fun to look up some gourmet coffee fun facts - did you know . . . 

Homemade Bread for a Snowy, Cold Day

Where I live in Michigan the past week has been a snowy and cold one! While any time is a great time for Homemade Bread whenever it is cold and snowy outside it is absolutely a great time for homemade bread. 

I have fond memories of my grandma Bristol making and baking homemade bread . . . in the very house where I now live! I remember her giving me a fresh-from-the-oven slice of homemade bread with butter and Peter Pan Peanut Butter on it! "Yum" doesn't even come remotely close!

So, today I want to share with you a recipe which you can make for Butternut Squash Oat Bread! It is not only tasty with a beautiful, golden color, but it is also, healthy!