Grandma Stories» Books

Kids In The Kitchen Gooseberry Patch Cookbook Recipes

Grandma — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 11:00:10 +0000

The Gooseberry Patch cookbook for kids called Kids in the Kitchen includes recipes that kids of all ages, including preschoolers, toddlers and older kids can enjoy the fun of cooking in the kitchen with mom or dad, or even Grandma and Grandpa.

Kids need to be in the kitchen rather than being shooed away, so children can learn the basics of nutrition, healthy food choices, correct portion sizes and much more. Gooseberry Patch cookbooks are not just for adults, and as a Grandma who raised 6 kids and now has two grandchildren, I love the great ideas found in these cookbooks for kids.

Cooking with kids in the kitchen is a fun activity that should be encouraged rather than discouraged. The Kids in the Kitchen: Recipes for Fun cookbook was designed exclusively with little kids in mind, and the list of recipes found in this cookbook will help little chefs want to learn how to cook lots of good food!

Kids in the Kitchen Cookbook for Kids

This delightful Kids in the Kitchen cookbook is loaded with recipes and goodies kids can make themselves, like “breakfast banana split” and “easy-as-pie spaghetti bake” plus crafty recipes like “homemade face paint”. This children’s cookbook includes thoughtful safety reminders, fun facts and charming full-color artwork too. The wipeable cover and 80 durable pages is kid-friendly and makes a great gift for kids.

The recipes and fun ideas in this cookbook are all easy and quick for kids to prepare and make. A review of the cookbook says, “This cookbook is filled with a lot of wonderful recipes that the kids can really make and they taste great. There is also craft recipes; play clay, face paint, bubble mix, dog biscuits and Goopy goo. Our family has really had a lot of fun with this book—a must have!”

Another reviewer says, “I noticed the cookbook because of the cover and bought it and the monkey measuring spoons for my 8-year old granddaughter. The recipes are kid friendly. My favorite is the breakfast banana split. We love the recipes in the back for bubbles, goop, etc.”

The list of recipes in this kids cookbook goes on and on. Besides those already mentioned, other breakfast meal recipes include things like “toad in the hole”, “jam surprise muffins” and more. Snack recipes include “bagel pizza”, “ham & cheese roll-ups”, “baked French fries” and delectable dessert treats like “crispy monkey pops” that even little kids can make.

Dinner type meals include recipes like “Texas straw hats”, “baked mac & cheese”, “easy cheesy quesadillas”, “easy-as-pie spaghetti bake” and much more. Sections include Breakfast, Anytime Snack, Dinnertime, Desserts and Just For Fun. Little kids will be thrilled to use their imaginations to create new ideas, and there are also adorable kid sized small kitchen utensils like the monkey measuring spoons and the kids apron set that are just the right size for kids.

Kids in the Kitchen Year’round Fun Cookbook is another fun cookbook by Gooseberry Patch with kid-friendly recipes for celebrating year ’round holidays…Halloween, Christmas and Valentine’s Day. You’ll even be ready for fun holidays like Friendship Day and Ice Cream Day. Kids will love the recipes for “funny-face pizzas”, “jungle malts”, “twistin’ tomato pasta” and “howlin’ good snack mix”…while parents and grandparents appreciate the safety tips to keep kids safe while cooking in the kitchen.

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Children’s Books New Releases of Hot New Children’s Books

Grandma — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 11:00:13 +0000

What are the best brand new children’s books and hot new releases of children’s books for kids? Time will tell if the children’s books listed below will make it on the list of top children’s books of all time or not, but kids love books regardless of whether they are new books or “old” classic books.

USABookNews.com, the premiere online magazine and review website for mainstream and independent publishing houses, announced the winners and finalists of THE NATIONAL “BEST BOOKS 2009″ AWARDS (NBBA) on October 20, 2009. Over 500 winners and finalists were announced in 130 categories covering print and audio books. Awards were presented for titles published in 2009 and late 2008.

Below are the winners and finalists of some of the best new releases of children’s books that are expected to be amongst the most popular children’s books in 2010.

Children’s Activity Book

Winner:
The More We Get Together: Nurturing Relationships Through Music, Play, Books and Art by Gari Stein

Children’s Educational

Winner:
My Choices Make Me Who I Am by David and Mutiya Vision, illustrations by Ignacio Alcantara

6 Finalists:
Jacob Has Cancer: His Friends Want to Help by Heather Cooper, RN, Heather Paschal, RN, Melanie Williams, RN and illustrated by Lindsey McMillion

Davy Brown Discovers His Roots by Keely Alexander & Velani Mynhardt WitthÃ¶ft, illustrated by Manuela Pentangelo

Jaspa’s Journey: The Great Migration by Rich Meyrick

The Moose with Loose Poops (Dr. Hippo) by Charlotte Cowan, M.D., illustrated by Penelope Neal

Fraidy Cat by Melinda Chambers, illustrated by Sue Ann Maxwell Spiker

Kyle’s Colorful Life by Drema McNeal, illustrated by Kasey Short

Children’s Fiction

Winner:
Anna Smudge: Professional Shrink by MAC

7 Finalists:
Why Do I Have To? by B. Annye Rothenberg, Ph.D., illustrated David T. Wenzel

Forest Secrets: A Fairy Houses Mystery by Tracy Kane & Kelly Sanders, illustrations by Tracy Kane

Running Home by Jennifer Charron Ward

The Grey Ghost (Wolf’s Apprentice) by Julie Hahnke, illustrated by Marcia Christensen

The Idea Miners: The Lost Lake Dig by P.W. Cross

The Last Fairy by Augustine Campana

The Secret of the Sacred Scarab by Fiona Ingram

Little Wolf’s Adventure: A Medicine Dream and Warrior Ghosts by Nona Burroughs Babcock

Children’s Mind/Body/Spirit

Winner:
Another Sad Mad Glad Book – The Anatomy of Your Attitude by Chuck Stump & Jim Strawn

7 Finalists:
Where Do We Go? by James F. Weinsier, illustrated by Cliff Beaman

Sarah’s Waterfall: A Healing Story by Ellery Akers, illustrated by Angelique Benicio

The 4Fairy Scents: 4Fairy Tales: Book 1 by Tina Marie Mayr

What Are You Thinking? by Valerie Ackley, illustrated by Lori Nawyn

Fraidy Cat by Melinda Chambers, illustrated by Sue Ann Maxwell Spiker

Grandpa, Do It! I Do It, Too! by Grandma Sue

Make Your Dreams Come True by Karen Reed Hadalski

Children’s Non-Fiction

WinnerÂ :
Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Seeing Is Believing! by Geoff Tibballs

3 Finalists:
Nana, What’s Cancer? by Beverlye Hyman Fead and Tessa Mae Hamermesh, illustrated by Shennen Bersani

Soil: More Than Just Dirt by Jerry Wermund

Tween You & Me: A Preteen Guide to Becoming Your Best Self by Deb Dunham

Children’s Novelty & Gift Book

Winner:
Elephant, Elephant Come Alive! by Steven P. Winkle, illustrated by Christie Mealo

2 Finalists:
Meet President Obama America’s 44th President by Angi Ma Wong

Tressi’s Magical Chest Series – Samantha and the Legend of the Whispering Trees by J.A. Kundert

Children’s Picture Book – Hardcover Fiction

Winner:
Darryl and the Mountain by Lynne Emily Ozgur, illustrated by Ismail Abay

8 Finalists:
Circus Fever by Alva Sachs, illustrated by Patricia Krebs

Beautiful Moon by Dawn Jeffers, illustrated by Bonnie Leick

Can’t Catch a Butterfly by Michelle Zimmerman

Kid Canine – Superhero! By P.T. Custard, illustrations by P.T. Custard & David Pearson

Nicholas, that’s Ridiculous! A Story About Being a Boy by Christa Carpenter, illustrated by Mark Wayne Adams

Nico & Lola: Kindness Shared Between a Boy and a Dog by Meggan Hill, photography by Susan M. Graunke

The Little Green Pea by Alison Barber, illustrated by Paige Keiser

Too Tall Alice by Barbara Worton, illustrated by Dom Rodi

Children’s Picture Book – Hardcover Fiction w/ Audio CD

Winner:
Tino Turtle Travels to Kenya – The Great Safari by Carolyn L. Ahern, illustrated by Neallia Burt-Sullivan

2 Finalists:
The Ugly Caterpillar / La Oruga Fea by Carl Sommer, illustrated by Greg Budwine

The Belly Button Fairy by Bobbie Hinman, illustrated by Mark Wayne Adams

Children’s Picture Book – Hardcover Non-Fiction

Winner:
What Does It Mean to Be Global? by Rana DiOrio, illustrated by Chris Hill

8 Finalists:
Let My Colors Out by Courtney Filigenzi, illustrated by Shennen Bersani

A Is for Anaconda: A Rainforest Alphabet by Anthony D. Fredericks, illustrated by Laura Regan

Alfred Nobel: The Man Behind the Peace Prize by Kathy-Jo Wargin and illustrated by Zachary Pullen

S Is for Save the Planet: A How-to-be Green Alphabet by Brad Herzog and illustrated by Linda Holt Ayriss

Raising Lucy – The True Story of Raising an Orphaned Wild Goose written and illustrated by Carol Muzik

Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! Twist Series: Human Body by Camilla de la Bedoyere

Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! Twist Series: Space by Dr. Mike Goldsmith

Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! Twist Series: Wild Animals by Camilla de la Bedoyere

Children’s Picture Book – Softcover Fiction

Winner:
Four Pals at the Park by Angel Tucker and Robert A. Rohm, Ph.D.

6 Finalists:
Claire Bear Presents the Pilot Alphabet by Sue Hughes, illustrated by Wang DaiYu

Danny the Dragon Meets Jimmy by Tina Turbin, illustrated by Aija Jasuna

Mabel Takes a Paddle by Emily Chetkowski, illustrations by Susan Spellman

Spitz A Cat With Attitude by Carolyn Garriott, illustrations by Jason Weibel

What Can We Do Next? The Adventures of Lexie and Lolly by Toula Magi

Hooray for the Circus: A Story of Sam the Lamb by Ginger DeVine, illustrations by MikeMotz.com

Children’s Picture Book – Softcover Non-Fiction

WinnerÂ :
Be A Thinker Not a Stinker: A story for kids and the big people they love by Sammie & Tudie

8 Finalists:
A Child’s View of a Prairie by Susan C. McDermott

Amazing Creatures, photography by Deborah Oelrich

AUTISM ABC by Dr. Sherry L. Meinberg, illustrations by Rachael Mahaffey

Daddy Loves You: Whispers of Wisdom from a Father’s Heart by Michael J. Hervey, II, M.D.

Gene the Pumpkin Man: 50th Year of the Pumpkin Farm by Carol Rhodes

Herman The Jester and The ABC’s of Art by Rafael Filion

I’m Not Weird, I Have SPD by Chynna T. Laird

Nettie Does the NCT: North Country Trail by Lorana A. Jinkerson, illustrated by Toby Mikle

Jeff Keen, President and CEO of USABookNews.com, says of the awards, now in their seventh year, “The 2009 results represent a phenomenal mix of books from a wide array of publishers throughout the United States. With a full publicity and marketing campaign promoting the results of NBBA, this year’s winners and finalists will gain additional media coverage for the upcoming holiday retail season.”

A complete list of the winners and finalists of the USA Book News’ “Best Books 2009″ Awards in other popular categories are available online at USABookNews.com.

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Top 10 Children’s Books of 2009

Grandma — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 15:27:23 +0000

One of the best activities grandparents can do with their grandchildren is to read children’s books to them. Of course, as children get older and are able to read books on their own, Grandma and Grandpa can still help teach the importance of reading by having some of the best children’s books of all time available for kids to read.

The New York Times has released a list of what it believes to be the top ten children’s books of 2009, and there are a couple kids books listed here that even I had never heard of, but will definitely take a close look at adding some of these children’s books to our library.

Here is the top 10 children’s books list from the NY Times:

Top Ten Children’s Books

#1 – Duck! Rabbit! by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Tom Lichtenheld

#2 -Guess Again! by Mac Barnett; illustrated by Adam Rex

#3 – Dogs Don’t Brush Their Teeth! by Diane deGroat and Shelley Rotner

#4 – Crow Call by Lois Lowry; illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline

#5 – Elephants Cannot Dance! By Mo Willems

#6 – Creature ABC by Andrew Zuckerman

#7 – How Do Dinosaurs Say I Love You? By Jane Yolen and Mark Teague

#8 – Pick a Pumpkin, Mrs. Millie! by Judy Cox, illustrated by Joe Mathieu

#9 – The Composer Is Dead by Lemony Snicket; illustrated by Carson Ellis; music (included CD) by Nathaniel Stookey

#10 – The Snow Day by Komako Sakai

Reading kids books to grandchildren is just as much fun as when we read children’s books to our kids when they were young, starting when they were babies and as the children got older. You’re never too young or too old to enjoy reading books, and reading children’s books to grandchildren is a favorite thing to do for many grandparents.

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Getting Out Of Debt On Your Own – Personal Finance Blogs to Help Get Out of Debt

Grandma — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 20:38:37 +0000

Grandpa and I have been working hard on getting out of debt, or more specifically, getting out of credit card debt, on our own. Like many other Americans who are dealing with debt from credit cards and/or loans etc, working hard to reduce or eliminate debt from credit cards became our New Year’s Resolution after Christmas last year.

Of course, there is such a thing as good debt, such as paying for a mortgage that creates home equity – which after a period of time allows homeowners to sell their house at a nice profit if the housing market is right for homeowners to sell their home. Right now, the housing market sucks due to the economy, so there’s no way we’d be able to sell our house even if we wanted to, at least not for the kind of money we’d want and need to get for it.

Anyway, in order to help us meet our goals of getting out of debt completely, we made the tough decision to really tighten our financial “belt” so to speak and focus our time and energies on paying off all credit cards and loans as quickly as possible. One debt-inducing expense each year has been the amount of money that is often spent buying Christmas presents for everyone on our xmas list. We are generous gift givers, to a fault.

As the Christmas season rolls around each year, it seems there have been more and more names needing to be added to our Christmas gift list, and something has to give. Between family, friends, adult children, grandchildren, parents, grandparents, bosses, co-workers, etc – the gift giving list and available monies has its limits, especially considering our efforts to get out of debt rather than increase our debt.

As much as we’d like to be able to continue buying everyone gifts for Christmas, as well as gifts for those we haven’t bought for in awhile, getting out of debt has to be given first priority. We’re not getting any younger either. Call it selfish if you wish, but we’re focusing on ourselves and our needs, for a change.

Getting out of debt once and for all means creating and sticking to a tight budget and not creating new debt, so that any and all remaining income from our jobs and money made from being a freelance writer and blogger goes to paying down debt until there is a zero balance on any and all credit cards.

“Getting out of debt on your own” means we are doing this on our own, rather than trusting our money and credit history to possible debt consolidation scams and schemes we hear so much about it on the news and online. A friend of mine was kind enough to buy Dave Ramsey’s book called The Total Money Makeover along with the accompanying Total Money Makeover Workbook as a gift for Grandpa and I to help us in our efforts to get out of debt the smart way.

Getting Out Of Debt Blogs

I’ve been reading many of the top personal finance blogs found online for quite some time now and will continue to do so. There are hundreds of “get out of debt” blogs online, with helpful tips about easy ways to reduce debt quickly, written by knowledgeable and experienced financial experts. Many of my favorite personal finance blogs are authored by people paying off debt just like you and I, who are “blogging away debt” and explaining their journey to a debt-free life on their personal finance blogs, for free.

We don’t need consumer credit counseling help either, and there are a lot of scams regarding those too, so thanks but no thanks. Creating a budget that we can and will stick to isn’t rocket science. Coming up with some easy and simple ways to pay down credit card bills isn’t hard either.

We’re eating out less. We’re watching rented movies at home instead of spending money at the movie theater and on expensive snacks. I quit smoking and the money saved by not buying cigarettes goes towards paying down credit card debt. Brown bagging lunches, instead of eating lunch at restaurants, creates a sizable savings each week that goes towards paying off debt.

We’re also creating a grocery budget, which will help to eliminate needless spending at the grocery store on things we really don’t need to be eating. The fact that we’ve set a goal of losing some weight over the next few months will also help reduce our grocery bill too, since we won’t be spending nearly as much money on snacks and junk foods. We’re well on our way towards getting out of debt, having already paid off a couple credit cards so far, and there’s no stopping us now.

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Great American Smokeout – November 19, 2009 – Too late, I Quit Smoking Already

Grandma — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 14:52:46 +0000

The Great American Smokeout was held yesterday, November 19, 2009, wherein smokers join together to quit smoking or using tobacco products of any kind at least for the one day. Funny thing is, I already quit smoking and didn’t even know about the “smokeout” until this morning when I heard about it online.

I’ve lost track of how many times I have tried to quit smoking, but nothing seemed to stick. The various stop smoking aids like Chantix pills scare the beejeebers out of me, and the nicotine patch was never something I wanted to try either. Why? Because trying to quit smoking with the “help” of products that have nicotine in them doesn’t make any sense to me. Nicotine addiction is what keeps smokers smoking, so it makes no sense to me to attempt to quit smoking and rid myself of nicodine addiction by continuing to take nicotine into my body.

What surprised me most when I finally did quit smoking was that it was not hard to quit smoking at all. Really, it wasn’t hard at all. Quitting smoking was easy, for me. No patches, no nicotine gum, no so-called quit smoking aids were used to help me quit. All it took for me to stop smoking once and for all was reading a book. Yeah, I know, how in the heck can reading a book help someone quit smoking?

I was nervous and scared about the reported side effects smokers talk about experiencing when they finally put out that last cigarette. The withdrawal symptoms are scary enough to keep a smoker smoking for life, just to avoid having to deal with the “pangs” and stress about quitting. I didn’t experience any withdrawal symptoms at all. None. Zip, zero, nada. No feelings of “I gotta have a cigarette right now or I’m going to kill someone”. Nope.

“Weaning” myself off of nicotine with stop smoking aids sounds more like torture to me. Cutting back on the number of cigarettes smoked each day didn’t cause me to stop smoking either, although it did help reduce the expense of buying cigarettes to some degree. Quitting smoking “cold turkey” as they say really scared me. Cold turkey methods sound like torture too, as if a smoker trying to quit is going to experience so many crazy symptoms as they try to quit, that family and friends would be wise to stay far, far away…until the homocidal tendencies diminish or disappear.

All it took for me to quit smoking was to read Allen Carr’s book called The Easy Way to Stop Smoking. Yes, really. Funny thing about the book was Allen strongly recommends in the book that smoker’s continue smoking until they have finished reading the book. I just couldn’t manage that. Halfway through the book, I put out my last cigarette and I know for a certainty that I will never again light up another cigarette for as long as I live. No withdrawal symptoms, no crazy mood swings, no “pangs” for a cigarette. Nothing at all.

Allen Carr explains in the book the easy way method to quit smoking, and considering the fact that Carr smoked no less than 100 cigarettes a day (WOW!!!) and his method worked for him without any negative side effects or withdrawal symptoms etc. Allen Carr smoked 5 packs a day! If he could quit smoking “just like that” after being such a heavy, chain-smoking chimney, I knew I could quit my habit of smoking less than a pack a day. Quitting smoking was easy, and I’m very proud of me for doing it. Next on my To-Do list is continuing my efforts to get my weight back to where it was a few years ago, and I’m headed in the right direction. Yeah me!

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Gooseberry Patch Christmas Books, Cookbooks, Calendar, Gifts and Recipes

Grandma — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 16:04:26 +0000

Christmas will be here before you know it, and if you like Gooseberry Patch Christmas cookbooks loaded with great country recipes as much as I do, you will love the new Gooseberry Patch cookbook. As a mother and grandma, cooking is not just a necessity but is also one of many fun activities or hobbies to be enjoyed. When I discovered the Gooseberry Patch company a few years ago, I was immediately hooked on the delicious recipes found in all the cookbooks I could find to buy.

Needless to say, I’ve been starting my own collection of Gooseberry Patch cookbooks that I will have a great time experimenting with when the kids and grandkids come over. Since I’m an avid reader of books of all kinds, especially cookbooks with great recipes and stories, I was thrilled to receive my very first cookbook by Gooseberry Patch.

I have so many recipe cards filling recipe boxes in what I jokingly refer to as “Grandma’s Kitchen”, I really need to take the time to use the organizer I bought from Gooseberry Patch, and then choose a couple of my best recipes to send to Gooseberry Patch for possible inclusion in their next cookbook.

Seriously, if you haven’t heard of GooseberryPatch, you are missing out on some of the best cookbooks and recipes available thus far. Even kids get in on the cooking action with the Gooseberry Patch series called Kids in the Kitchen, and if you haven’t yet seen the Kids in the Kitchen Kit with book included, now that makes a great Christmas gift for kids who enjoy cooking. (making mental note right now)

I’ve also been meaning to buy some of the cookware, serving bowls and dishes, and the braided baskets and placemats the Gooseberry Patch company makes are already on my Christmas list. I’ve already ordered the new Gooseberry Patch Christmas cookbooks11 and 12, and they should be arriving sometime next week.

Gooseberry Patch Cookbooks

Even if I don’t receive any of the Gooseberry Patch gift items from my Christmas list for Christmas this year, you can bet I’ll go right out and order them for myself. I’m sure I’m not the only one who ever buys Christmas gifts for themselves, right? Considering the fact that I’ve been gathering recipes and doing some initial cooking/freezing in preparation for Thanksgiving and even Christmas, the brand new Recipes for Kindness Cookbook by Gooseberry Patch will come in very handy.

Gooseberry Patch is donating a dollar from each purchase of their new cookbook called Recipes for Kindness to the Feeding America charity, and I’m happy to do my part to help needy families in America. Gooseberry Patch will even send you a free catalog!

Recipes for Kindness is the first book in a new series of cookbooks, with lots of good ideas for little acts of kindness we can all do to be kind to others, plus some of the best holiday inspiration and recipes Gooseberry Patch customers will enjoy.

By the way, the full-color watercolor artwork in this new collectible cookbook are beautiful. This soft cover cookbook has 48 pages of great recipes and is 5 Â½ inches sq. Check out this brief video of Gooseberry Patch founders Jo Ann and Vickie talking about the Recipes for Kindness cookbook.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Gooseberry Patch has a large variety of cookbooks for kids, and my grandchildren and I will have lots of fun incorporating cooking many of these recipes into our usual activities. Oh, I must not forget to tell you that the Gooseberry Patch 2010 Calendar is the coolest thing ever and I can’t wait for it to get here because I have special dates, parties and family occasions coming up that I must keep track of since we do a lot of entertaining.

I can’t possibly list all of my favorite things from Gooseberry Patch, but I can tell you that my Christmas list is growing by the day! These Gooseberry Patch Christmas ornaments are the cutest things ever, don’t you agree?! I’ve got my eye on a couple of the Gooseberry Patch quilts and throws, the 3-piece set of Cast Iron Cobbler Pots (plus the cobble mix), and the Christmas nightlights are very cute too.

There are so many Christmas-themed serving bowls, baskets and tablecloths for me to choose from, it’s hard to me to choose just one. I’m glad that Gooseberry Patch offers gift certificates too, since I admit to being one of those Grandma’s who has everything already and is hard to buy for. Not anymore!

Since I love to cook and try out new recipes, Gooseberry Patch cookbooks is probably one of the best Christmas gifts for grandparents my children or grandchildren could buy for this old grandma. This grandma’s kitchen is going to be smelling really good over the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays especially with all the cooking I’ll be doing, and I bet my kids and grandkids won’t be able to stop eating once they have tried some of my newfound recipes from Gooseberry Patch.

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2010 Gooseberry Patch Calendar by Gooseberry Patch

Grandma — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 02:36:30 +0000

The Gooseberry Patch calendar is on the top of my list of favorite things from the Gooseberry Patch company, and now the 12-month 2010 wall calendar and appointment scheduling calendar are available. This year’s calendar is filled with tried and true (and delicious!) recipes, with unique recipe ideas surrounded by unforgettable watercolors throughout the calendar, with plenty of room to jot down special occasions and dates to remember.

Since I couldn’t decide between the 12-month Gooseberry Patch wall calendar and the appointment calendar, I ultimately decided to buy both calendars since I always carry a planner or appointment scheduler in my purse. Since Christmas is coming and a few people I know love to cook and have started a collection of cookbooks, I’ll be buying a few cookbooks from Gooseberry Patch as gifts for them as well.

Have you heard about the Gooseberry Patch company yet? Gooseberry Patch is a thriving mail-order company based in Delaware, Ohio. Neighbors Vickie Hutchins and Jo Ann Martin founded Gooseberry Patch in 1984 over the backyard fence even though neither had any business experience; Martin was a first-grade teacher and Hutchins was a flight attendant & legal secretary. Let that be a lesson to you: always follow your dreams, and don’t let anyone tell you your dreams aren’t worth chasing.

The Gooseberry Patch company is currently operated from a 52,000-square-foot building that includes retail Gooseberry Patch products, wholesale and web sale divisions. Gooseberry Patch has been allowing customers to submit recipes for inclusion in their Gooseberry Patch cookbooks since 1992, with over 6.8 million cookbooks sold to very satisfied cookbook-loving customers.

Gooseberry Patch Christmas

Christmas this year is of course going to be full of gift giving, and for my friends who love to cook, what better Christmas gift could I possibly give if not for Gooseberry Patch cookbooks and gift items? Did you know that Gooseberry Patch has over 100 recipe-filled cookbooks? I’ve heard great things about the slow cooking, crock pot recipes too, and I’ll be trying out those recipes now that autumn is in full swing.

Gooseberry Patch has grown to where they have over 500 items under $20.00, and with many families struggling to get by in this economy, being able to buy Gooseberry Patch products like nightlights, cookbooks, organizers, calendars, country crafts etc so cheap is a very good thing.

Jo Ann and Vickie, who shared a love of collecting antiques, gardening and country style decorating, decided to open a mail-order business right from their kitchen tables! I wish I had thought of that! Gooseberry Patch outgrew the kitchen table-style business and ended up moving to the country, where store shelves were stocked not only with their own line of cookbooks and calendars, but also kitchenware, enamelware, bowls and other wonderful items.

Gooseberry Patch has recently released their new cookbook called “Gooseberry Patch Christmas” book 11, and is described this way: “Every year Gooseberry Patch brings homespun charm to the holidays with its popular annual Christmas book, and the eleventh edition is no exception. Reflecting the latest trends in decorating and entertaining-while keeping a close eye on tradition-the pages brim with all-new ideas for handcrafted decorations and gifts, keepsakes, activities, and yummy recipes from Gooseberry Patch’s family of readers.

With beautiful photography, simple instructions for crafts and recipes, easy-to-use recipe and craft indexes, and beloved Country FriendsÂ® illustrations, this series helps make treasured memories and establish new holiday traditions.”

I don’t know about you and what kind of cookbooks or crafts you like, but I simply love Gooseberry Patch and everything the company offers. Trying new things and creating fond memories of cooking with my children and grandchildren is an activity I’ve always enjoyed, and I can only hope that others enjoy Gooseberry Patch as much as I do.

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Celebrate Grandparents Day – How to Celebrate National Grandparents Day

Grandma — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 16:22:47 +0000

Did you celebrate Grandparents Day this year? This year, 2009, marked the 30th anniversary of National Grandparents Day on Sunday, September 13th. According to a recent poll, millions of Americans and Canadians are said to have celebrated Grandparents Day and it made me wonder if the holiday celebrating grandparents is getting the attention it deserves.

Do you celebrate Grandparents Day? What things did you do to celebrate and honor your grandparents or great-grandparents on or near Grandparents Day? Did you visit your grandparents, send them a card, play games, take part in any activities or buy your grandparents a gift at all? It’s common for preschool and elementary schools in the U.S. to participate in making arts and crafts for grandparents, sing songs for and about grandparents, and some grandparents visit their grandchild’s school on the holiday.

Another poll about Grandparents Day showed that many adults have never heard of Grandparents day, don’t know anything about its origin and history, and don’t even know when Grandparents Day is observed. So, when is Grandparents Day and why do we celebrate National Grandparents Day in the first place?

Grandparents Day

Grandparents Day is a special holiday celebrating Grandparents on the first Sunday after Labor Day and is celebrated in the U.S. and Canada, while Grandparents Day is celebrated in the United Kingdom on the first Sunday in October.

Next Grandparents Day Dates in the U.S:

September 12, 2010

September 11, 2011

September 9, 2012

September 8, 2013

Grandparents Day Facts and History:

In 1970, Marian McQuade of Fayette County, W.Va, spearheaded the campaign to have a national Grandparents Day, primarily for lonely elderly patients in nursing homes and shut-ins, but also in hopes of persuading grandchildren to tap into their grandparents vast wisdom, knowledge and experience. McQuade is the mother of fifteen children, grandmother of forty, and great-grandmother of three.

The first presidential proclamation making Grandparents Day a national holiday was issued in 1978 by President Jimmy Carter, and one has been issued every year since then proclaiming the first Sunday after Labor Day as National Grandparents Day.

Grandparents Day Activities

Typical Grandparents Day activities include playing games, singing songs, making arts and crafts with grandparents, giving speeches, reading books or poems, as well as giving a meaningful gift to your grandparents to show your appreciation and love for them. If your grandparents or great-grandparents are still alive, consider yourself fortunate and celebrate the fact that you and your family still has time to enjoy them during the years they have left on this earth.

Considering Grandparents Day songs, the two most popular songs for Grandparents are “The Grandparents’ Song” by Shana Banana (the official theme song of National Grandparents Day) and “You Raise Me Up” by Josh Groban. The lyrics for these songs are incredible. Those songs are said to be the best grandparent songs but there are many other songs for grandparents to download, play for your grandparents, or as sing along songs for elementary or preschool children to sing for their grandparents.

It should come as no surprise that the role of grandparents has greatly increased over the years, with many grandparents raising grandchildren and being solely responsible for the care and keeping of their children’s children. Grandparent custody of grandchildren has skyrocketed over the years for many reasons, and the number of disabled grandparents caring for their grandchildren whose income is below the poverty level is out of control.

2009 Grandparents Day facts by the U.S. Census Bureau press release include:

6.2 million – The number of grandparents whose grandchildren younger than 18 lived with them in 2007

2.5 million – The number of grandparents responsible for most of the basic needs (i.e., food, shelter, clothing) of one or more of the grandchildren who lived with them in 2007. These grandparents represented about 40 percent of all grandparents whose grandchildren lived with them. Of these caregivers, 1.6 million were grandmothers, and 932,000 were grandfathers

1.8 million – The number of grandparent-caregivers who were married in 2007

1.5 million – The number of grandparents who were in the labor force and also responsible for most of the basic needs of their grandchildren

930,000 – Number of grandparents in 2007 responsible for caring for their grandchildren for at least the past five years

482,000 – Number of grandparents whose income was below the poverty level and who were caring for their grandchildren

732,000 – Number of grandparents with a disability who were caring for their grandchildren

586,000 – Number of grandparents who spoke a language other than English and who were responsible for caring for their grandchildren

$44,469 – Median income for families with grandparent-caregiver householders. If a parent of the grandchildren was not present, the median dropped to $33,453

71% – Among grandparents who cared for their grandchildren in 2007, the percentage who lived in an owner-occupied home

Not only do parents deserve to be recognized and shown appreciation for all they do for their kids, but grandparents need and deserve recognition, gratitude, love and attention, with or without National Grandparents Day being set aside as a holiday.

As with any holiday, commercialism and pressure to buy gifts is over the top, so if you don’t decide to buy gifts for your grandparents, at least put Grandparents Day on your calendar and remember to call, visit or send them a card to let them know you remembered their day.

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Personalized Children’s Books and Personalized Baby Memory Keepsake Books

Grandma — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 02:19:27 +0000

Children’s books that are personalized for a baby, toddlers or kids of any age makes for some fun reading activities for grandparents with their grandchildren. As a grandma who loves reading books, having a variety of children’s books to read to my grandson and granddaughter from the time they were born is an activity to be enjoyed to the fullest.

Even though my grandchildren are very young, with my granddaughter being a little baby and my grandson being a little over a year old now, I can see the advantages and benefits of reading books to both of them at every opportunity possible.

I’ve always been a big fan of classic children’s books, and I can still remember how much fun I had as a mother reading to my children and having my kids read to me. Now that I’m a Grandma with two grandkids to play with and enjoy, I’m looking forward to reading children’s books to them each chance I get.

Children’s Personalized Books

Of all the children’s books that I want to read to my baby granddaughter and baby grandson, my favorite books are the personalized children’s books that have their personal names included. How fun it will be to see their little faces light up as I read personalized books to them and they suddenly recognize their own name being spoken throughout the book saying, “Grandma, I see me!”. By the way, if you haven’t seen the cute books for babies and kids at www.iseeme.com, you really should check them out – they are adorable books to say the least.

As a new Grandma and what I would refer to as a young grandmother, I’ve spent a lot of time reading books for grandparents so that I can do the best job possible caring for and loving my grandchildren, while also being mindful of the fact that I’m not the parent and I’m not the one who makes important decisions regarding how they are raised.

It seems silly to me now that I initially felt like other new grandma’s who would say, “Don’t call me Grandma!” I don’t feel that way anymore, and I happily accept the “Grandma” nickname and will wear the title proudly.

Ever since I learned that I was going to become a Grandma, I’ve worked tirelessly to find the most unique baby books I could find, and that includes “brag” books and memory books to fill with photos, handwritten stories, poems and famous sayings.

Personalized Kids Books

An important memory I want very much for my grandchildren to remember long after I’m gone are the many hours of Grandma reading children’s books to them from the time they were tiny little babies. All the years of reading to my grandchildren while sitting on my lap are memories I want to treasure myself too.

I hope when my grandchildren are all grown up with children of their own, they always remember their Grandma and Grandpa reading children’s story books about Disney characters and such, but especially the personalized books for kids that are just too cute. I don’t know why I keep trying to spell these books as personalised books with an “s” instead of a “z” when I know how to spell it correctly. Oh well, don’t mind me.

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Grandma Purse Book – My Granny’s Purse Book for Grandchildren

Grandma — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 11:00:54 +0000

The Grandma Purse Book is a children’s book but it is also a purse! Some people are so ingenious and crafty, and this Grandma is definitely getting My Granny’s Purse Book for when the grandkids come over. What fun!

My Granny’s Purse is a purse/book for children authored by Paul Hanson, who has also created My Mommy’s Tote and My Grandpa’s Briefcase for children. The Grandma Purse Book is a cardboard pocketbook stored in a clear plastic box, and it opens up to reveal a collection of fun items such as a mirror and comb, a wrench and a heart-shaped box of chocolates. Some objects are removable, like the cardboard keys and sunglasses, but it’s a shame that you can’t really see out of the glasses.

Synopsis: Open Granny’s purse (yes, she said it’s OK) and enter a treasure chest of mementos and magic. A unique, fourteen-page die-cut storybook crammed with interactive features and surprises for ages 3 and up, it contains a whole life waiting to be discovered.

Peek inside Granny’s notebook. Try on her sunglasses. Check yourself in the mirror. Play with her keys. Look at her photos, read her letter, tie a bow, try on Granny’s rings, wear her scarf. Not only is Granny’s purse a veritable playground for little girls, but piece by piece it creates a portrait of an adventurous, independent, contemporary grandmother, imbued with spirit and gumption. This Granny’s a traveler (and has the passport filled with stamps to prove it). A self-sufficient handyperson with her wrench and compass. A collector of lives and memories. And a genuine softie, with handfuls of treats ready to dispense.

She is also a very wise woman: “My mommy says, ‘You should never look in a lady’s purse.’ My granny says, ‘Never say never!’” “My mommy says, ‘Clean up your room!’ ‘Never throw anything away,’ says granny.” And while mommy always says, “Sit still, please!,” there’s granny: “Let’s go! . . . Life is an adventure!”

My Granny’s Purse is illustrated in full color, has a Velcro closure, and comes in a clear plastic, stackable gift box. Jam-packed with fun things, it’s really a story about love between the generations. What a spectacular and fun gift idea between grandma and grandchildren that is, and it keeps cute little fingers and curious minds out of Grandma’s real purse.

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