December is National Cat Lovers' Month

I have a cat - her name is Candy and she is certainly loved, so a month to love and appreciate cats is something which makes sense to me. My grown kids and grandkids also have cats, so they will be happy to celebrate this month as well. Daysoftheyear (dot) com says, "This special month, celebrated each December, emphasizes the joy and companionship cats bring into our lives. With over a quarter of U.S. households owning a cat, this month is a heartfelt tribute to these cherished animal companions. The observance of National Cat Lovers’ Month is also about raising awareness of the many cats in shelters needing homes." Let's look at some fun facts about cats - did you know . . . 

Christmas Book Review - A Family of Her Own for Candy - a Great Gift for Christmas!

 

Two summers ago my husband, grands, and I went to the Humane Society to get a kitten. I wanted my grands to go with us because, first of all, they love all animals, secondly I wanted to be sure whatever cat we got was one which was able to be around my grands without being aggressive. We spent some time at the Humane Society and finally settled on a very sweet calico - which we named Candy, because she is sweet (and my middle grand said she reminded him of candy corn.) 

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

 

Today is National Mousse Day, so even though I have shared this recipe before, since it is 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 an easy delicious  recipe for mousse from Betty Crocker - I have made this before and it is easy and tasty - a great way to celebrate National Mousse Day!

Christmas Book Review - Give Two Books in One with the Little Ginormous, Humongous, Hairy, One-Eyed Monster Boys Adventures!

 

When my children were young and then when my grandsons were young, I always gave books as part of their gifts at Christmas. If you are a grandma or mom who also gives books at Christmas, then this is the book to give the children you love! When my grandsons were young and at my house for a sleepover, we typically made up stories at bedtime which almost always had monsters or dinosaurs in them. One night when my oldest grandson was six, my middle grandson was three, and my youngest grandson was one, we were getting them into bed when my oldest grandson said he saw a monster under his brother's bed! This was not what my middle grandson wanted to hear, so I said there could not be any monsters under his bed because the monsters were at their poppa's and grandma's house getting ready for bed on their sleepover. My grandsons found this idea very interesting, so of course, our bedtime story for the night had to have little, ginormous, humongous, hairy, one-eyed monster boys getting ready for bed and being scared because they thought they saw, teeny, tiny, itty, bitty, not-so-hairy, two-eyed people boys under their beds! 

Wolfenoot!

Yes, Wolfenoot is a real thing and while technically November 23rd is the day to celebrate it, my grands are celebrating it today, so today is the day I'm writing about it - and really, the idea behind it is to be kind to animals and people so any day and every day is the day to celebrate! So, here are the details about Wolfenoot . . .

Today is National Lemon Pie Day!

Today is National Lemon Pie Day - and while I certainly enjoy a tasty slice of lemon meringue pie, I'm thinking more about celebrating this with a cross between a lemon bar and lemon chiffon pie! To make this tasty treat I will make a butter shortbread cookie lemon bar bottom, take my lemon curd, cool it, whip the egg whites to make meringue - or use whipped cream - or a combo of the two, then fold the lemon curd and meringue/cream together - gently - and top on my cooled butter shortbread cookie crust. This will be tasty for sure!

Christmas Book Review - Don't Worry: It is Impossible to Spoil Grandchildren - A Christmas Gift Which Helps You Do What Matters the Most

  

Do you agree with me when I write about passing on a heritage of confident faith to the children you love, but are not sure where and how to begin? Do you have friends who are grandparents - or parents - who also want to pass on confident faith, but are also not sure where to begin? Are you looking for a Christmas gift for a grandparent/ parent you know which is a good read and one which will help them know how to do what matters the most?

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving! Today my mom, daughter, son, daughter-in-law, and grands are coming to our house for Thanksgiving dinner! I am preparing turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, veggies, mac & cheese, maple cornbread, and pumpkin pie. My daughters are bringing the yams, cranberries, deviled eggs, and dessert. We will have a tasty dinner together and much for which to be thankful for sure!

Christmas Book Review - Give the Gift of Understanding & Creativity with illustrate my own - Known Bible Hero book series

You are likely familiar with the Bible people from my illustrate my own - Known Bible Hero book series - Noah, Hananiah, Mishael & Azariah (otherwise known as Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego), Ruth, Joshua, Caleb, David, Elijah, Jonah, Daniel, Joseph, Hadassah (Esther), and Gideon so just think how much fun it would be to illustrate these familiar accounts . . . whether you are an artist or draw your illustrations with stick people. As much fun as it would be for you to illustrate these Bible adventures for your grandchildren, think how much more fun it would be to illustrate them together . . . and most importantly, think about the fantastic conversations you will be able to have as you work together to illustrate your books!

grandma's chuckles - Show Love to Grandma Day & Important Conversations

Today my heart is filled with thankfulness as I remember a wonderful day nine years ago which which my grands made up to celebrate; "Show Love to Grandma Day!" All three grands sat down at the table and started drawing hearts and flowers to make pictures for me, to say, "I love you!" Even my youngest grandson (two years old) wanted to get in on it all . . . he had me draw the flowers, then he colored them!

Cacao, Peanut Butter, & Chocolate Chip Brownies - Enjoy!

My family enjoys brownies - I make them once in awhile, but thought I might make them this year for nibbling on while we put our Christmas Tree up after Thanksgiving dinner, so I thought I'd share a tasty recipe with you - 

Christmas Book Review - illustrate my own Unknown Bible Hero books - No "Ordinary" Bible Person Storybook & Great Christmas Gifts!

 

If you are not an artist, or artistic person, when you see a book which you need to provide the illustrations for, you may think it is not the book for you. But, in this case with the  illustrate my own Known Bible Hero and illustrate my own Unknown Bible Hero books, nothing could be farther from the truth! These books give you the unique opportunity to engage with the children you love in ways you never have when you read a book about a real Bible person, as since you and/or they will be providing the illustrations, you get to talk about what is happening, think through what the Bible person is saying, and basically really pay attention to the details so you are able to provide the illustrations! Just think about the fantastic conversations you will be able to have about the Bible people and how what they learned applies to you as well! These books are no ordinary Bible person storybook and they make fantastic Christmas gifts!

Today is International Cake Day - Coffee, Chocolate & Cream Layered Delight!

Okay, just the name of this recipe is enough to get nearly everyone hungry for dessert! This simple recipe is completely enjoyable . . . and is one with which you are sure to be greeted by happy faces whenever you make it - what could be a better way to celebrate International Cake Day! Yes, today is International Cake Day and actually is National Cake Day, too, so before I get to the recipe, how about some fun cake facts - did you know . . .

Be Thankful - Beware of the Thankfulness Thieves

Yes, I know Thanksgiving is just a few days away and so of course we tend to think  about being thankful this time of year, but being thankful is more than just something we think about in November; it should characterize our lives every day! In I Thessalonians 5 we read:

"16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."

These verses are talking about a heart attitude; not just a focus for November each year. So, what are those attitudes which damage or diminish this heart attitude in us; and in our grandchildren? Consider the following . . .