Monday, October 21, 2024

Fun Facts & a Recipe for National Pumpkin Cheesecake Day

A few years ago my son and family gave me an instant pot for Christmas. Since it didn't explode the first time I used it (I was afraid it would) I have since found I love cooking with it and have even used it to make cheesecake! Now, I personally do not enjoy cheesecake, but most of my family loves it, so from time to time I make one - since it is National Pumpkin Cheesecake Day, it seems like it may be the day to do so!

Before I share a recipe for Instant Pot Pumpkin Cheesecake, I thought it would be fun to share some fun pumpkin facts. Did you know - 

Today is Everyone Writes Day!

I love writing! I also love working on writing projects with my grandsons, so a day which encourages children to write is a day I believe to be well worth celebrating!   While technically Everyone Writes Day is celebrated in England, I think it is a day which should be celebrated everywhere because we all know how essential it is for the ones we love to become people who read. When my grandsons were young we spent many evenings reading books and also making up our own special stories, from time to time they even turned one of their stories into a book for me; in fact, one of my favorite birthday presents ever was the book my oldest grandson made for me titled - Super Josiah Saves Grandma from all the Robot Spiders in History! This book is on my refrigerator and when I see it, it always makes me smile!

Sunday, October 20, 2024

crafting with grandma - Let's Make Apples

 

Fall is upon us and since tomorrow is National Apple Day and October is National Apple Month . . . it is a great time to gather the children you love, the necessary supplies and have fun making these little apples!

Tomorrow is National Apple Day

October is National Apple Month, but tomorrow is National Apple Day. Since  I live in West Michigan - otherwise known as "Apple Country", we can not have enough "apple times" for sure, so I thought I'd share again a favorite apple recipe, an apple "hint", and some apple fun facts. First, the fun facts - did you know . . . 

Saturday, October 19, 2024

National Cookie Month - So Let's Make Cookies!

Yes, October is National Cookie Month and while the end of the month is nearing, it is still National Cookie Month, so let's make cookies! Today I have a tasty recipe which you may never have tried before - Lemon/Lime Honey Butter Cookies  gather the children you love and enjoy making - and eating these cookies - you will need . . .   

Today is National Kentucky Day

If you or someone you love lives in Kentucky, today is a day to celebrate as it is National Kentucky Day, so gather the children you love and let's learn about some of their silly laws and some interesting facts about Kentucky - did you know . . . 

Friday, October 18, 2024

Christmas Book Review - Mr. Fox's Game of "NO!"

I have one more book from Candlewick Press to share with you and it is a fantastic book to give to a child you love this Christmas - Mr. Fox's Game of "NO!" by David LaRochelle and illustrated by Mike Wohnoutka.

Today is National Alaska Day

If you or someone you love lives in Alaska, today is a day to celebrate as it is National Alaska Day! Gather the children you love and let's learn together about some of the silly laws in Alaska as well as their fun facts - did you know . . .

Thursday, October 17, 2024

Christmas Book Review - Have You Seen My Monster

When my grandsons were younger I reviewed the book, Have You Seen My Dragon?, and they loved it! So, when I saw Candlewick Press had another book - Have You Seen My Monster?, by Steve Light, I knew I had to review it for my Christmas Book Review, so if you are a grandma (or grandpa/parent) who gives books for gifts to the children you love at Christmas, you would be able to learn about this fantastic new story!

Tomorrow is is National Chocolate Cupcake Day!!!

Tomorrow is National Chocolate Cupcake Day - you are likely to want to celebrate this one! So to celebrate this incredibly fabulous day, I'm sharing with you a recipe for chocolate cupcakes! Just follow this link and you'll find what looks like an amazing recipe! And, along with the recipe, how about some fun chocolate cupcake fun facts - did you know . . .

Wednesday, October 16, 2024

Christmas Book Review - Dinosaurs: A Pop-Up Book

If you are a grandma (or grandpa/parent) who gives books at Christmas and a young child you love is a fan of dinosaurs, then Dinosaurs: a Pop-Up Book from Candlewick Press and illustrated by Ingela P. Arrhenius is a book to get for them.

crafting with grandma . . . Granny Square Cat!

Since today is Global Cat day, I thought I'd share a pattern I found on Pinterest for a granny square cat! If I had a granddaughter, I'd make one for her . . . if my grandsons were younger, I'd make one for them. For today, I'll share this pattern so if you want to make one, you'll have the link! (If you follow this link you'll find a photo tutorial to help you make your own granny square cat!)

Today is Global Cat Day

Do you have a cat? We do. Candy is our calico cat, we got her two years ago from the local Humane Society, and since today is Global Cat Day, I thought I'd share some ideas about how to celebrate.

Initially the idea behind Global Cat Month is to confirms one thing — we have loved our cats since the beginning of time — or close to it, and to promote the humane treatment of cats. So, let's learn a few things about cats - did you know . . . 

Tuesday, October 15, 2024

Christmas Book Review - 101 Dogs An Illustrated Compendium of Canines

My children and now grandchildren have been huge fans of dogs, so when I saw Candlewick Press/Big Picture Press had a book with 101 dogs, I had to get it to review! 101 Dogs An Illustrated Compendium of Canines, is this book and is written by Nicola Jane Swinney and illustrated by Romy  Blümel  and if someone you love is also a fan of dogs, then this could make a great gift for them.