crafting with grandma - Crocheted Upside-Down Doll!

  

When I was a child, my family often vacationed in the Smokey Mountains. One year on our trip, I was browsing in a "souvenir" store with my mom and saw an Upside-Down doll. It was something I had not seen before and my mom said I could have one. The doll became one of my favorites; what's not to love about two dolls in one???!!!

This Week is Anti-Bullying Week

While it is true, this week is Anti-Bullying Week, all weeks should be Anti-Bullying Weeks. A child I dearly love is dealing with bullying at school - it is so frustrating, sad, and heart-breaking when someone you love is bullied. So, today, and every day be sure to communicate how much you love the children in your live AND be crystal clear in communicating to them how bullying anyone is NEVER acceptable.

Today is World Origami Day!

Daysoftheyear(dot)com says for all of those folks who look at a flat sheet of paper and dream of all of the exciting objects which could be made out of it, simply by folding, today is the day for them to celebrate as today is World Origami Day. Before we look at ways to celebrate, let's learn some fun origami facts, did you know . . . 

Today is International Tongue Twister Day

One day twelve years ago when my grands were at my house, my then four-year old grandson sat down and read several books . . . as you might imagine, there is no shortage of books at this grandma's house for boys to read! It made my heart happy to see him choose to take some time for himself to just enjoy reading books!

After a bit, he found me in the kitchen working on fixing lunch and said; "Grandma! I just read, Fox in Socks and my tongue is NOT numb!!!" If you have not read this classic book lately, on the back cover it asks, "Is Your Tongue Numb?" My sweet grandson was pretty happy he had read all those tongue twisters out loud and did not end up with a numb tongue! It made this grandma happy, too, and remembering this today it makes me happy again - because of the wonderful memory and because today is International Tongue Twister Day!

Pumpkin Oat Cookie Bars!

I'm making some tasty pumpkin, oat cookie bars today for a special event, so I thought I'd share the recipe with you - but these tasty treats are sure to be enjoyed by anyone at any time - special event or just because! And, to add to the fun, I'm sharing some fun pumpkin facts - did you know . . . 

It is Peanut Butter Lovers' Month

I love peanut butter and think every month is a month to celebrate the tasty treat, but since November is apparently peanut butter lovers month, it is a great time to share a simple way to turn a favorite recipe into an even better recipe . . . peanut butter toll house cookies!

crafting with grandma - Bell Candy Cane Ornaments!

Several years ago my grandsons participated in my church's mid-week Children's Ministry when they were younger, and they made ornaments for each of their teachers. One year they made, melting snowmen ornaments - white glitter in a clear glass ornament with a felt triangle for a nose, two tiny black pom-poms for eyes and stick arms - very cute and a lot of fun to make and receive!

Today is National Bittersweet Chocolate and Almonds Day

Mmmm! I do enjoy dark chocolate and almonds, so a day to celebrate these delightful treats sounds like a good idea to me! Especially since dark chocolate is good for you and almonds are good for you . . . combining the two has to mean this sweet treat is actually good for us . . . right??!!!

I thought it would be fun to share some almond fun facts with you on this delicious day - so I looked on-line for some info to share! Did you know . . .

November is Manatee Awareness Month

Swimming in just a few places in our world is a unique and recognizable  mammal - the Manatee.   They are able to live 50 or 60 years and while they are known as "seacows", they are most closely related to elephants and hyraxes. Let's take a look at a few more fun facts about these wonderful animals and then some ways to celebrate them this month . . . 

Did you know -

crafting with grandma - Fun, Excellent & Inexpensive Gifts - Puzzle Candy Cane Ornaments!

If you have puzzles in your house, you likely have puzzles with missing pieces. If this is true for you - or if you have a friend or family member with a puzzle with missing pieces which they are willing to let you have . . . take a look at this great idea for making awesome, puzzle candy cane ornaments!

November is National Children's Month

When I first saw where November is National Children's Month my first thought was "Hooray! Another 'excuse' to celebrate my dear grands!" However; this is a month to draw attention to children in need by Standing up for the rights of children and making sure their needs are met. Daysoftheyear (dot)com says; "National Children’s Month offers a special opportunity to show appreciation for, celebrate, and meet the needs of children, especially those who are trapped in a cycle of poverty. Whether advocating for the government, helping out with a children’s charity or volunteering locally, there are plenty of opportunities for making a difference on this day and all throughout the year!"

crafting with grandma - Fingerprint Snowman Ornament!

I know it feels like Christmas is a ways away since it is the beginning of November, but in just a few weeks, Christmas will only be days away! So, if you are looking for an idea for an ornament which your grandchildren can actually make, look at this great idea I found for making an ornament using your grandchildren's fingerprints to make snowpeople!

crafting with grandma - Melted Snowman & I Spy Ornaments!

As I said yesterday, Christmas is just around the corner, so . . . I thought it would be fun to share another idea with you for an ornament which has to be one of the most fun ornaments I've ever made! It is a fun, simple ornament which you could involve your grandchildren in making - they could give them to teachers, coaches, neighbors . . . to anyone for whom they need to have a nice, little gift!

crafting with grandma - Give Thanks Board! AND it is National Gratitude Month!

November is National Gratitude Month and Daysoftheyear.com says, "Being grateful can boost your mood and make you feel more connected to others. When you focus on the good things in your life, you start to notice even more positives around you. National Gratitude Month encourages people to be thankful for the positive aspects of life, shift their attention from the negatives, and appreciate the good things around them. Studies show that grateful people tend to experience less stress, better sleep, and even fewer aches and pains. Expressing gratitude can foster a supportive environment, whether in personal relationships or workplaces​​."

So, how do we celebrate National Gratitude Month and what are the benefits for being a grateful person? Consider the following ideas . . .