April is National Month of Hope

April is National Month of Hope, so let's look at ways we are able to be people who live with hope and extend hope to others. Daysoftheyear (dot) com says, "The  National Month of Hope seeks to act as a reminder that there can always be brighter days ahead!" 

grandma's cookbook . . . Easy Chocolate Mousse on National Chocolate Mousse Day

Today is National Chocolate Mousse Day, so even though I shared this post a couple months ago, since it is chocolate mousse day, I thought I'd share it again . . . and what could be more delicious than chocolate mousse?!!! It can be complicated and a bit  tricky to make chocolate mousse, so I found a delicious recipe from Betty Crocker - I have made this before and it is easy and tasty - a great way to celebrate National Chocolate Mousse Day!

Get Your Copy of The Little Ginormous, Humongous, Hairy, One-Eyed Monster Boy's Adventures!

  

Yesterday I wrote about my picture book for children - The Little Ginormous, Humongous, Hairy, One-Eyed Monster Boy's  Adventures!  and today I want to let you know about the second story in this book - The Little Ginormous, Humongous, Hairy, One-Eyed Monster Boys & Their Not-So-Peculiar, Scary, or Terrifying Discovery! 

In this fun story the little ginormous, humongous, hairy, one-eyed monster boys discover teeny, tiny, itty, bitty, not-so-hairy, two-eyed people children are moving into a house down the street. At first, the monster boys think this is a peculiar, scary, and terrifying thing, but then they decide to go see what they are really like and discover the teeny, tiny, itty, bitty, not-so-hairy, two-eyed people children are actually very much like them! 

Today is National Children's Picture Book Day!

Today is National Children's Picture Book Day! We all likely had a favorite book when we were young - I loved several Dr. Seuss books, Ten Apples Up On Top was one of my favorite Seuss books for sure! When we think of children's picture books, we certainly think of books by Dr. Seuss - especially since last month I shared a Dr. Seuss quote each day of the month! Well, today is a day to remember your favorite picture book from when you were a child and to share books with the children we love as well. One of the reasons that National Children’s Picture Book Day is celebrated on April 2 is because renowned fairytale writer Hans Christian Andersen’s birthday also falls on the same day.

crafting with grandma - Footprint Robins!

Okay, if you have been reading grandma's cookie jar for very long you know I love hand and foot print crafts for little ones! Not only are they fun and cute to make, but they give me a moment in time to save so I can remember a day when my sweet little ones were small! Well, the other day when I was browsing on  Pinterest I found a craft for making  footprint robins! Talk about adorable!!! And, since Spring has arrived and the robins have returned, well, what could be better than making footprint robins!!!!

Make Anytime Funtime with The Little Ginormous, Humongous, Hairy, One-Eyed Monster Boy's Adventures!

  

If you have young children in your life, then you know how important it is to read books to them - it sets them up for a lifetime of learning - and it is just fantastic to snuggle together and read a book together at bedtime - or anytime! I read many books to my children and most recently to my grandsons when they were little, and we enjoyed making up our own stories, too!

April is National Soft Pretzel Month

Yes, April is National Soft Pretzel Month - so of course while you might celebrate by buying some soft pretzels, it would be so much more fun to gather the children you love and make your own tasty soft pretzels - don't worry - it is really pretty simple to do! I'll share a recipe shortly, but first, some info on National Soft Pretzel Month - did you know . . . 

He is Darth Vader. I can NOT hug him!

Don't you just love it when your grandchildren show their imagination? Well, seven years ago when my youngest grandson was three, he looked at his Poppa and said; "I'm Kenobi, Kenobi." Then ran at him to attack! Apparently Kenobi, Kenobi (Obi Wan Kenobi) decided Poppa was Darth Vader and had to attack him! Kenobi, Kenobi did very well - defeated Darth Vader. I asked him if Poppa might be tired (after about 20 minutes of running full bore at poppa, arms - light sabers - flailing) and maybe he was in need of a hug. To which he said (rather indignantly) "He is NOT Poppa. He is Darth Vader. I can NOT hug him!" Of course he can not!

Happy Resurrection Sunday!

Happy Resurrection Sunday!

Praying Deeper Through the Psalms for Children

Today I'm writing about a book written by my grandsons and I - it is more than just a book; it is a tool to help your grandchildren ages four through 14 learn to know and talk with God for themselves.   Praying Deeper Through the Psalms for Children 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!

It Just Takes a Few Simple Words

One time, a few years ago, when my grandsons were at my house, my then six-year-old grandson was talking  when I told him something which had a huge impact on him. I looked at him and said; “Do you know why I know God loves me?”

The Dr. Seuss Quote for Today -You're On Your Own . . .

We've been looking at Dr. Seuss quotes for the past month and today is the  last one. It has been fun to look at some of the many Dr. Seuss quotes and then to think about them in the light of God's Word. So . . . the final Dr. Seuss Quote for today is, "You're on your own. You know what you know. And you are the one who'll decide where to go . . . " Well . . . we do know what we know and we can decide where we will go, but we are not on our own and if we are wise, we will ask God to show us the way we should go! Consider Psalm 25:4,5, "Make your ways known to me,  LORD; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth—teach it to me— because you are the God who saves me. I put my hope in you all day long." 

Make the Most of Being a Grandparent - Don't Worry; It is Impossible to Spoil Grandchildren

I've been writing for several years about how important it is for us, as grandparents to hand down a heritage of confident faith. One way I do this is to let you know about resources to help you as you do this. In Don't Worry; It is Impossible to Spoil Grandchildren, along with sharing some of my "cute-grandson stories", I talk about important things for grandparents to think about and keep in mind as they focus on handing down a heritage of confident faith to their grandchildren.  Today I thought I'd share another "look" at the book with a short excerpt from my book . . . 

just for fun - No-Bake Berry Pie!

What is your favorite pie? Around my house Chocolate, Peanut-butter Pie is the family favorite, but another long-time favorite is Cherry Cream Cheese Pie, so I thought I'd share a simple recipe with you which you may top with any berry you like - cherry, blueberry, raspberry, strawberry - whatever you like. Yes, I know, the berry pie we typically think of is a baked, traditional pie, but in case you have a craving for a berry pie, but are looking for something just a bit less traditional, check this recipe . . .