Read Aloud to a Child Day AND Take a Child to a Library Day!

Technically yesterday was Read Aloud to a Child Day AND Take a Child to a Library Day, but these are things we can do every day, so I'm writing about them today. We all know statistics show children are not progressing when it comes to reading. We also all know when we read to a child from their earliest days and when we take them to libraries, we are showing them the value of reading and children who are read to and who visit libraries do better when it comes to reading. They become people who read! "World Read Aloud Day is heavily supported by LitWorld, an organization dedicated to bringing literacy to the world at large." 

It's Ukulele Day & the Kala Learn To Play Color Chord Ukulele

Over the years I have reviewed a number of items, so I thought I'd go back and pull a few of my past reviews to recommend again this year. If you are looking for a great idea for the ones you love, consider this . . . 

If you are looking for a fun, unique gift, or just because, a ukulele might be just the thing. I contacted Kala and they sent me their wonderful Kala Learn To Play Color Chord Ukulele to review; today I am very happy to let you know about this wonderful ukulele.

grandma's cookbook - It is the Great American Pie Month and Bake for Family Fun Month, So Make . . . Apple Dessert!

February is the Great American Pie Month and Bake for Family Fun Month - these two celebrations definitely go together very well! I live in Michigan . . . otherwise known as Apple Country, so I have to have at least one go-to apple recipe! For me, it is my Apple Dessert . . . I know, not an incredible name, and not "technically" pie, but it is very close to being pie and it does taste incredible! It is very simple to make and if your family likes apples, it is a dessert they are sure to love - especially as they Bake for Family Fun during the Great American Pie Month!

Today is National Dark Chocolate Day

Today is absolutely a day I will celebrate - National Dark Chocolate Day! I LOVE dark chocolate - I love how it is not too sweet, but mostly I love how it is such a healthy treat! Yes, dark chocolate is actually good for you - look what I learned on nationaltoday (dot) com . . . 

grandma's cookbook - Peanut Butter Bars!

Peanut butter Bars! Mmmmm! Just the name has me thinking about the supplies I have and if I need to buy anything to make a batch! After all, what's not to love about chocolate and peanut butter?!!! I was browsing on Pinterest and found a recipe for peanut butter bars, so I thought I'd share it with you.

just for fun . . . !yaD sdrawkcaB si tI (It is Backwards Day!)

Yes, today is truly, "just for fun" because it is Backwards Day!  "Backward Day is a day to do everything backwards. Use your imagination, and Backward Day can be lots of fun. It's especially popular with school aged kids. Try writing backwards or reading backwards. Wear your shirt with the back in the front. Eat your meal, starting with dessert. Now this is what I call fun! Walk backwards, or talk backwards. Play a board game backwards, from the finish line to the start. Are you starting to get the picture!? This day is limited only by your imagination."   

I thought it would be fun to share some Backwards Day facts - did you know . . .

Tomorrow - January 31st is National Hot Chocolate Day!

Yes! Since tomorrow is National Hot Chocolate Day, I thought I'd give you a "heads up", so you have time to get the things you need to celebrate - milk, chocolate, whipped cream - all essentials! So, today along with letting you know about this wonderful day, I thought I'd share some fun facts about Hot Chocolate - did you know . . .

Just a Reminder - Don't Forget February 15th

We are just a couple weeks away from Valentines Day, which means we are just a couple weeks away from February 15th! You ask why you should mark your calender for this day? Because it is the day after Valentines Day. Of course you realize this - it is obvious, so why does this matter? Because . . . it is the day all the heart-shaped candies go on clearance!!!! If you haven't already, make plans to head for your local store first thing on the 15th and pick up some to have on hand for special surprises from grandma! Just think of all the things you could do with heart-shaped candies . . . if you have them . . .

crafting with grandma . . . Pounded Flower Bandannas!

Today is a "balmy" 34 degrees at 6:51 in the morning, so I'm thinking warm, positive thoughts - Spring will be here soo and there will be beautiful plants growing all around us! Flowers, leaves, even pretty weeds! Plan to take your grandchild(ren) on a nature walk and be sure to bring a paper lunch bag along with you to collect the beautiful things they find on your walk. Talk with your grandchild(ren) about the variety of colors in the things you see and lead them in praising God for using so many wonderful colors in the things He created! Encourage them to pick colorful flowers and uniquely shaped leaves as you walk through your yard and then bring them inside to make bandannas for them to wear all Spring and Summer!

crafting with grandma - It Is National Puzzle Day January 29th - Let's Make Puzzle Crafts!

While I was never a huge "fan" of assembling puzzles, I LOVE crafts with puzzle pieces! Not only are puzzle crafts interesting and unique, but they tend to be inexpensive as most of us have puzzles in our closets which are missing at least a piece or two . . . or they can be purchased at garage sales for typically less than a dollar! I'll share some fun puzzle craft ideas with you, but first some fun puzzle facts, did you know . . . 

A Year of Events at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

I often write about Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park and how it is such a wonderful place to spend time with the ones you love. Well, they just released their "calendar" of events for the year - check this out and if you live in or near West Michigan - or are planning a vacation here, make sure Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park in on your list of places where you will absolutely spend time!

This year is their 30th anniversary - and boy have they filled the year with so many incredible opportunities to strengthen your health - as being around nature and art are physically and mentally good for you and Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park is filled with nature and art! Check out just some of the fun they have planned for February and March - 

grandma's cookbook - It Is Blueberry Pancake Day - January 28th - & My Pancake Recipe!

Nearly every Saturday our grands come over so they can spend the night! Sunday morning I fix breakfast . . . they usually choose sausage, bacon, eggs, waffles, and coffee!  Sometimes, they choose blueberry pancakes, so since today is Blueberry Pancake Day, I thought I'd share my pancake recipe with you!

just for fun - Today - January 27th - is Chocolate Cake Day!

I am extremely happy to say today is Chocolate Cake Day! Here in Michigan it has been very cold and snowy for the past week, but today will be in the 30's - a real "heat wave", so what could be a better way to brighten a cold day, than with a piece of chocolate cake?!!! Even if it was not Chocolate Cake Day, it would still be a great way to brighten this day . . . but it is!!! So, let's celebrate!

Valentines Day Footprint Hearts!

I love hand and foot print crafts, so when I was browsing on Pinterest the other day and saw this cute idea for footprint Valentines, I had to share it with you! All you need is paper, paint and of course, little feet! While of course it is a craft which "fits" well with Valentine's Day, since I know many moms read this blog, it is also a fantastic craft for you to make with the children you love for their grandparents anytime!