Today is National Indigenous Peoples' Day

Today is National Indigenous Peoples' Day! This is a day to appreciate and pay respect to the people who first came to this land - the Native Americans.

Christmas Book Review - Maybe . . .

If you have been reading grandma's cookie jar for long, you know I love books for children! Reading books to children from their youngest ages increases their vocabulary, helps them learn to talk sooner, helps them learn to read sooner, and gives them a solid start for doing better at school. Plus it is fun to read to children! Especially when they are little and snuggle in your lab so you are able to read to them - makes fantastic memories! So, since I received a wonderful box of books yesterday from Candlewick Press, I am very happy to share these books with you, The first is a very fun and relatable story about little monkeys and tigers . . . Maybe . . . by Chris Haughton.

It is National M&M's Day!

What is your favorite type of M&M's? I personally LOVE their peanut butter M&M's, but also like their almond M&M's, too! Well, whichever is your favorite, today is the day to enjoy it as it is National M&M's Day! Days of the year (dot) com says, "Invented in 1941, these tiny little bits of candy coated chocolate have made a huge impact on American history throughout their more than 80 years of life!" Let's look at some fun facts about these tasty candies - did you know . . . 

It is Cookie Month - So Make No-Bakes!

 

My family enjoys no-bake cookies - and I make them from time to time because the way I make them they are a healthy and tasty way to increase fiber, protein, and flavonoids! Today I am very happy to share with you my recipe for no-bakes - especially since Cookie Month. You will need . . . 

Today is National Vermont Day

If you or someone you love lives in Vermont, today is a day to celebrate as it is National Vermont Day! So, let's look at some of their silly laws and interesting facts - did you know . . .

grandma's cookbook - Spritz Cookies

I LOVE Spritz cookies! I love the buttery flavor and the crisp, yet soft texture and the fun shapes you can make with a cookie press. I love the memories I have of making Spritz cookie with my mom and of course I love the taste of these classic Holiday cookies! I mean, what would Christmas be without Spritz cookies???? Well, of course Christmas is so much more than Spritz cookies, but they are one of my favorite parts of the Holiday season!

And, Spritz cookies are wonderful all year - even if we typically think of them at Christmas. So, I thought I'd share a simple Spritz recipe with you. 

Today is World Egg Day

Eggs are eaten all over the world and can be fried, scrambled, boiled, poached, and added to other things to make delicious dishes - they are well worth being celebrated! So, let's learn a few things about eggs - and be sure to share with the children you love - did you know . . .

grandma's cookie jar - Baked Apple Cider Donuts!

I love donuts! I really enjoy apple cider, so when these are combined for a baked donut, in a recipe I found on  Pinterest, and it is Apple Month, well, I'll have to try it for sure! I have some shaped cookie cutters - maybe it will be fun to make shaped donuts with these cutters. 

"Children Are the Best Teachers in the World!"

I was looking through the NIV Mom's Devotional Bible from Zondervan the other day and ran across something written by Mary Hollingsworth which I want to share with you . . . Tiny Teachers -

"Children are the best teachers in the world. They teach young women how to be mothers and young men how to be fathers. They teach older men and women how to be grandparents. They even teach other children how to be brothers and sisters.

grandma's cookbook - Dinosaur Cookies!

When my grandsons were younger they loved stories about monsters, dinosaurs, bears, cars, super heroes, and even spiders . . . of course I'm not so happy about the spider part! So, one day when I was at the store and saw a dinosaur cookie cutter, well, I had to get it and plan to surprise them with dinosaur cookies! 

The boys came to my house and I had a sugar cookie recipe waiting in the refrigerator so we got to work making . . . and of course sampling . . . dinosaur cookies! It was - as one might expect - great, tasty fun!

Today is National Stop Bullying Day

I'm sure we all agree we do not want the children we love to be bullies or to bully others, so a day focused on stopping bullying is a positive thing. Bullying is a nationally-recognized issue, and there are many resources for parents, teachers, victims of bullying, and bystanders to help stomp out the problem. Help the children you love know the following ways to stop bullying . . .

Make the Most of Being a Grandparent with The DNA of Grandparents & Parents Who Hand Down Confident Faith

 

If you are looking for a book to help a parent or grandparent you love make the most of handing down confident faith, consider this book - The DNA of Grandparents & Parents Who Hand Down Confident Faith.

In this book I look at how our physical DNA is a truly amazing and essential part of who we are, as it holds the "code" or instructions for the things which make us unique as well as for the things we share. It connects us with the generations who came before us; as well as with those who come behind. It is the core of who we are physically. 

Today is World Octopus Day!

Octopuses are clearly one of the most odd and interesting creatures living on Earth, so a day to celebrate them makes sense! I will share some fun facts about these unique animals - please be sure to share with the children you love - and then some ideas you might use to help the children you love make their own eight-legged friends. Did you know . . .

Praying Deeper Through the Scriptures

 

Over the past few years I have written several books which guide parents and grandparents in praying through the Scriptures for their own walk with God and for their children/ grandchildren's walk as well. I led the G@P (Generations at Prayer) group at my church and we worked through my books, so last year I wrote a new book for my group to use with a focus on praying both Old and New Testament passages for the children we love who are walking with God and those who are not. Praying Deeper Through the Scriptures is available in paperback and makes a fantastic gift for the parents and grandparents you love!

Look what Wayne Rice says about my book -