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When my grandchildren were young, I came up with a great idea to give their parents a break.

I would gather the children from school and prepare one of their favorite dinners (noodles with burger).

We played outside if the weather permitted or did crafts and games inside. A sheet across the living room floor substituted many times for an outdoor picnic.

Before I returned them home, I always had their favorite bedtime snack available–graham crackers and milk.

They’d smash and mash the crackers in a glass or cup of milk and gobble the contents down.

The crackers can be purchased in many flavors and some are low fat. Add them to skim milk and it provides a healthier snack for children.

This is a terrific way to give busy parents a break and provide quality time with the grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

My grandchildren today still love graham crackers and milk and can always find a box of the gems in my treat cupboards.

Enjoy!

 

Valentine’s Day is a time to show our love and affection.

Listed below are a few ideas on how to bless others the days prior to February 14th.

• Stick a heart shape note in a lunch bag or on a coffee mug/iced drink container telling the person how much they are appreciated.
• Tape an “I love you” sticky to your child’s bedroom door and add other notes leading up to Valentine’s Day.
• Pay it forward at a fast food drive-through, restaurant, or coffee shop and surprise someone by picking up their tab.
• Post a card on your neighbor’s door or surprise them with a special treat.
• Send a card to a Veteran.
• Deliver cookies to a service person’s family.
• Bless a shut-in with a bouquet of flowers or box of candy. Better yet, take time for a short visit.
• Prepare a meal or dessert for someone who has returned home from surgery.
• Make cookies with your children or grandchildren and deliver to a relative you don’t see often.

The ideas are endless.

                                                   Happy Valentine’s Day!                                                                      

 

My lovely neighbor is in her nineties and doesn’t drive. Sometimes I’ll drop by her house with a bowl of soup or a dessert to let her know I’m thinking about her. One time, I made strawberry shortcake, topped it with whipping cream, and raced to her house so she could eat it before the cream melted.

She welcomes me in, but I always visit on her front porch.

Just before Christmas, my granddaughter and I stopped at her house to drop off a small gift. Because I was busy delivering items, my granddaughter took the gift to the door and sang a verse of Silent Night to my neighbor.

When my granddaughter returned to the car, she handed me the lap blanket package.

I couldn’t speak as my eyes filled with tears. The gift touched my heart. Hours of work went into the gorgeous piece. I will cherish it forever.

My friend, Ruth, is very creative too. She sews, knits, crochets, and is a master at crafting. She made an angel Christmas wreath from Swiffer Dusters and a lap blanket for a member of my family who resides in a nursing home. Not only did she do that, but she made several to be divided among the residents.

I may never knit, sew, or become a master at crafting, but I have friends with enormous talents.

These projects could be done by one or many. And when shared, the blessings grow.

My cat loves the lap blanket too.

Today in the preschool classroom at my church our teacher, Becky, had the most wonderful pinecone craft for the children to make.

I asked permission to post this easy, fun project.

If January is an indicator, snow will cover our area for a good two months. I’m a nature enthusiast and feed my birds all winter long. In severe weather seed is hard to find.

You will need pinecones. I purchase bags of them after Christmas when they go on sale. You may have pine trees to gather from.

Birdseed.

Twine or wire and wrap around cone before proceeding.

Peanut butter, knife, and plate. Spread peanut butter over pinecone.

Place pinecone in seed and pour seed over cone until completely covered.

These make wonderful gifts in the winter months for shut-ins or bird lovers. What a joy to sit by a window with a cup of coffee or hot chocolate and watch our feathered friends feed.

Have fun. I’m making mine as gifts.