October is National Chili Month!

Fall is upon us and it is time for chili - chili cook-offs, chili dinners, chili get-togethers - anything and everything chili! Plus, it is National Chili Month, so gather your supplies, invite the ones you love, and get ready for a tasty bowl of chili to add to the wonderfulness of spending time with the people you love!

Now, if you are like me, you are not able to eat very spicy foods, but this does not mean you are not able to enjoy a tasty, warm bowl of chili - just try my favorite recipe . . .

Praying Deeper Through the Psalms for Grandparents & Parents, Too!

Yesterday I wrote about my book, Praying Deeper Through the Psalms for Children - and shared endorsements from several people. Today I want to let you know about another book which will help you pray deeper for the ones you love - Praying Deeper Through the Psalms for Grandparents & Parents, Too! This book will guide you through 52 weeks of praying through the Psalms for your own walk with God and for the ones you love as well. It is an excellent tool for you to use to help you in your walk and makes a great gift for the parents and grandparents you know.

October is National Popcorn Poppin' Month!

Who knew there were so many months which celebrated specific foods???!!! Well, if any food is to be celebrated, popcorn should definitely be on the list! I LOVE popcorn! Popped, caramel, it really doesn't matter, I LOVE popcorn!

I thought it would be fun to share some popcorn fun facts with you which I found on-line - did you know . . . 

Praying Deeper Through the Psalms for Children is Available and WILL Make a Difference

I am so happy to be able to let you know about the new book, Praying Deeper Through the Psalms for Children! My three grandsons collaborated with me and illustrated this book so, as my middle grandson says: "children will use it and learn how to talk with God." 

It is National Pizza Month

While it would not surprise me to learn every month is "pizza month", October is actually National Pizza Month - certainly something to celebrate with the ones you love! So to start our month of celebrating pizza, let's start with some fun pizza facts - did you know . . .

Today is National Rhode Island Day

Rhode Island is the smallest State in our Country, but if you, or someone you know, is from there, today is a day to celebrate! Let's look at some of their silly laws and then some fun facts about Rhode Island - be sure to share with the children you love - did you know . . .

Tomorrow is National Do Something Nice Day!

Daysoftheyear (dot) com says; "Sure, every day is a great day to do something nice! But this day, the practice of kindness is particularly relevant as it’s time for Do Something Nice Day!" I agree, but I also agree a day to focus upon doing nice things for others is a fantastic idea for sure!

On their site (at this link) they tell about some big and small ways people have been kind through the ages - such as - 

It is Family History Month

October is Family History Month, so it is a great time to gather your family stories and share them with your grandchildren. If you - like my children and grandchildren - have an ancestor who was a famous author, came to the USA on the Mayflower, was a Native American, knighted in England, or a member of royalty, or the Swiss Guard - tell your grandchildren. If you - like my children and grandchildren - have an ancestor who was struck by lightening, survived a tornado, or who took you fishing and sang funny songs - tell your grandchildren.

grandma's chuckles - Grandma & the Quaker Oats Man, Coffee & Finding Our "Cookie Monster"!

"grandma's chuckles" are the things which make me chuckle . . . you know, the things your children and  grandchildren say and do which bring a smile to your face and make your heart happy! These are the things I don't want to forget, so I'm writing them down and sharing them with you . . . I hope they bring a smile to your face, make your heart happy, and cause you to chuckle, too . . . whether you are a grandma or not! :^) Enjoy!

So, today I'm sharing a few "chuckles" from several years ago - which still makes me laugh today . . . 

grandma's cookbook - Orange Butter Cookies!

When it comes to cookies my family tends to favor the "classics" . . .  chocolate chip-peanut-butter-oatmeal, plain chocolate chip or plain peanut-butter cookies. But every once in a while I like to try something different and this recipe, which I found on  Pinterest, is certainly one I'd like to try! After all, what could be more "yummie" sounding than orange butter cookies?!!!! And what could be a better time to try them than National Cookie Month?

Applesauce Cookies!

Since October is Homemade Cookie Month and Apple Month, it makes sense to make applesauce cookies! I enjoy applesauce cookies because they are soft, and so tasty! I have a recipe to share with you, so gather the supplies, the children you love - they will make wonderful helpers with this recipe - and enjoy making applesauce cookies . . . and of course eating them!

It is National Apple Month!

I live in West Michigan - otherwise known as "Apple Country", so since it is National Apple Month, I thought I'd share a favorite apple recipe, an apple "hint", and some apple fun facts. First, the fun facts - did you know . . . 

October is National Cookie Month!

When my oldest grandson was just two years old he was playing at his house. His mom wanted him to get ready to come to my house, so she told him they were going for a ride. He continued playing with his toys. So, she told him they were going to  grandma's house. He continued playing with his toys. Then she said, "Grandma has cookies!". She told me he climbed the stairs faster than she ever saw him move in his short life!

My middle grandson once told me when he was four years old, my "super power" was making cookies - I thought it should be super hugs, but he scowled and told me it was "definitely" making cookies!

My grandsons enjoyed cookies when they were younger!

Today is International Coffee Day!

Today is International Coffee Day! Clearly if there is something other than family worth celebrating, coffee would absolutely make it on the list! Daysoftheyear (dot) com says; "For many people, coffee is their reason for getting out of bed in the morning! It’s a morning treat, an afternoon pick me up, or even an evening drink to help stay awake. International Coffee Day pays heed to all of these and everything in between."

So, as we look at celebrating this most delicious of beverages, let's first learn some fun facts about coffee - did you know . . .