Grandma Stories» Grandma

Spiked Coffee Recipes Taste Better Than Beer

Grandma — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 04:53:08 +0000

We love drinking coffee and it’s not because of any health benefits derived from coffee. No, that would be too simple. Regular, home brewed coffee tastes good to me and Grandpa, but nothing tastes better than when we create our own recipes for spiked coffee. Spiked coffee, in all of its goodness, tastes a lot better than beer ever could.

Grandpa enjoys his crown and coke on occasion too, and we’re not opposed to doing a little wine tasting from time to time either, but neither of us are big drinkers either way. Getting together with friends over the holidays usually includes trying a new brand of wine with dinner, or as an after dinner drink, but I don’t think I’ll ever become accustomed to being a wine drinker.

There’s nothing wrong with drinking wine, if that’s your thing, but I’m more of a mixed drink type person. Margarita’s with Mexican food is an all-time favorite, but offer me a cup of coffee with Baileys Irish Cream, Kahlua or whiskey in it and it’s all good from there on. I’ve seen some spiked coffee recipes online that recommend adding vodka to coffee, but that’s one I haven’t tried. Yet.

Since it’s usually over the holidays that we’ll treat ourselves to a bit of the booze, it’s often disappointing to see the current price of buying Baileys at the liquor store. $45.00 for a bottle of Baileys Irish Cream is ridiculous, so this year we opted to make our own spiked coffee at home.

Make Your Own Spiked Coffee

Making your own spiked coffee is not only easy to do but is a heck of a lot cheaper than buying the ready-mix booze at the store, considering it only costs about $20.00 for a large bottle of whiskey that will last us for awhile. I don’t know how much Vodka costs at the liquor store, but I would guess Vodka is probably cheaper than buying Baileys or Kahlua, but I could be wrong since I’ve never bought Vodka before.

Anyway, if you like coffee, you will love spiked coffee. Here is a spiked coffee recipe we have in our collection. I’m providing measurements for each of the ingredients, but feel free to spike your coffee a bit more than the recipe calls for if you’re so inclined. If you like the taste of CrÃ¨me de Menthe, that’s another ingredient sometimes included in spiked coffee recipes, but I say no thanks to that idea. CrÃ¨me de Menthe has a disgusting taste, in my opinion.

Brazilian Coffee – Recipe
3/4 oz Coffee Liqueur
3/4 oz Brandy
3/4 oz Orange Liqueur
Fill with hot Black Coffee
Top with Whipped Cream
Sprinkle Brown Sugar on top (optional)

As a matter of fact, I’m drinking a cup of spiked coffee as I write this. All I did was pour a cup of hot coffee and then I added 2-3 tablespoons of our favorite coffee creamer (International Delight French Vanilla), then add about 2 tablespoons of whiskey and stir. Some people like their spiked coffee a little more spiked than I do.

Note: I don’t know your thoughts on the difference between instant coffee and home brewed coffee, but there is no way I would even consider drinking instant, let alone make spiked coffee using instant coffee granules etc. Why would you want to ruin a good tasting recipe with instant coffee anyway?

One more thing – I don’t like the taste of whiskey by itself, so if I go much heavier on the whiskey than that, all I taste is the whiskey. How anyone can stand the taste of Scotch, Whiskey or Vodka straight out of the bottle I’ll never understand. Ick.

Similar Posts:

Grandma Nana – Nicknames for Grandma and Grandpa

Grandma — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 02:37:23 +0000

Grandma is my chosen nickname, even though I considered a variety of grandma and grandpa nicknames including “nana” when I found out I was going to become a grandparent for the very first time.

For a little while I struggled coming up with a nickname for myself because, to be honest, I truly felt I was too young to be a grandma. There’s a joke about being too young to become a grandparent, but I don’t remember how it goes anymore. Something like, “don’t call me grandma”, I think. Maybe my memory is starting to go, I don’t know.

Nana is a nice nickname I guess, but it just didn’t fit with my personality. It comes across to me as an old fashioned nickname and I’m not old fashioned one bit. Some nicknames for grandparents that I’ve seen just sound ridiculous to me. Nicknames like Busha, MomMom, PopPop, Oma and Opa, Meme and Pepe just don’t fit.

By the way, how do you pronounce “Pepe”? Is it pee-pee (I hope not) or is more like Pep-aye as in pepe le pew? Please let it be the later. I can only imagine the embarrassment of strangers hearing my grandson or granddaughter calling out “Peee Peee!!!” in the grocery store or mall. Oh heavens no!

Grandma – Nana

Gosh, some nicknames for grandma’s or grandpa’s just might get a kid in trouble if they ever called me and my husband such silly names. Like Abi-Gabbi or Butterbutt. Seriously?! Granny as a nickname just sounds too old to me. I’m not 93 (yet), and I don’t wear aprons or have rollers in my hair, so very old nicknames just don’t work very well.

Come to think of it, the nickname “Nana” doesn’t sit well with me because that is what my children used to call a “banana” when they were learning how to talk but couldn’t say it right, so they always said “nana”. Nope, Nana doesn’t work for me as a nickname but Grandma is the name that exudes honor and respect (probably because of the grey hair typically associated with grandma’s and grandpa’s), and Grandpa sounds just as respectable.

Have you ever done a search online for grandparent names or nicknames for grandparents and seen some the god-awful suggested names for a grandparent? I realize that no matter what nickname I have chosen, or that “grandpa” has chosen, our grandchildren will very likely pick their own nickname for us simply trying to call us something. No first names though, we’ll have none of that.

Grandparent Nicknames

When I was looking for a cute nickname to be called by my grandchildren, I found it especially fun to read about different nicknames from a variety of languages. Spanish nicknames for a grandma included “Abuela” which is often shortened into Lita or Litta was a name I thought was pretty cool myself.

Years ago, I knew a Spanish speaking grandmother who went by “Jefe” which was pronounced like “heffa”, and when translated it meant “chief”, or “boss” or something like that. I thought that was a pretty hip nickname but I decided that since I’m not of Spanish origin, it would probably not be a good idea for me.

The Swedish grandma nickname of “Phar-Mor” was nice too, with a comparable nickname for a grandfather in Swedish of “Phar-Phar” was at least different than the other crazy ones I’ve seen. I’m not Swedish, so that one is out too. Pop, Poppa, Gramps, PewPaw and similar nicknames are all very typical and overused. Ordinary and boring, since I’m being so honest.

Despite all the time spent looking for what I felt was the best nicknames for a grandmother and grandfather to choose from, something tells me that when our grandchildren really get to talking and try to get our attention, they’ll somehow come up with a nickname for us that will make us all laugh and giggle…and make our hearts melt.

For now, I’m Grandma and he’s Grandpa and we’ll just have to see what the cute little buggers come up with for us when they start trying to talk.

Similar Posts:

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.

Similar Posts:

Grandmother Poems – Poems About Grandma

Grandma — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 03:00:12 +0000

Grandmother poems for and about Grandma’s are a real treasure to be enjoyed and shared throughout the generations. Here is a collection of some of the best Grandma Poems on the web.

If you enjoy reading Nana Poems, Grandma and Grandpa quotes, or those commonly referred to as funeral poems or missing grandma poems like the rest of us do, you will surely enjoy these.

“As My Mother Mothers Me”

Grandmothers are mothers who are grand,
Restoring the sense that our most precious things
Are those that do not change much over time.
No love of childhood is more sublime,
Demanding little, giving on demand,
More inclined than most to grant the wings
On which we fly off to enchanted lands.
Though grandmothers must serve as second mothers,
Helping out with young and restless hearts,
Each has all the patience wisdom brings,
Remembering our passions more than others,
Soothing us with old and well-honed arts.

“Walking With Grandma”

I like to walk with Grandma,
Her steps are short like mine.
She doesn’t say “Now hurry up.”
She always takes her time.
I like to walk with Grandma,
Her eyes see things like mine do…
Wee pebbles bright, a funny cloud,
Half hidden drops of dew.
Most people have to hurry,
They do not stop and see…
I’m glad that God made Grandma,
Unrushed and young like me!
Everything my Grandma does
is something special made with love.
She takes the time to add the touch
that says “I love you very much”.
She fixes hurts with a kiss and a smile
and tells good stories grandma-style.
It’s warm and cozy on her lap
for secret telling or a nap.
And when I say my prayers at night
I ask God to bless and hold her tight.
‘Cause when it comes to giving hugs,
my Grandma’s arms are filled with love!
Grandparents and grandchildren,
Together they create
A chain of love
Linking the past
With the future.
The chain may lengthen,
But it will never part.

“What Is A Grandma”

Someone to sigh with
Someone to cry with,
To be through smiles and woes
Someone to talk with
Someone to walk with
Wherever a path in life goes,
A Grandma is a Treasure,
An all around pleasure,
To share with, to care with, and love
Wrapped with affection,
And made to perfection,
A Grandma is a gift from above

“Grandmother’s Talent”

A grandmother has a special talent
She always knows just what to do
To make her grandchildren happy
And to show she loves them, too.

At the family get-togethers
She’s the first person to look for
She can entertain small children for hours
And they always keep asking for more.

You can tell when a grandmother’s teasing
By the twinkle that shines in her eyes
She’s an expert at settling problems
For she’s loving, patient, and wise.

Her grandchildren always admire her,
Even when they are grown
They always feel proud and happy
To claim Grandmother as their own.

“Grandparents”

Grandparents are special people with wisdom and pride.
They are always offering love and kindness and are always there to guide.
They often make you feel so confident and strong.
Their arms are always open, no matter what you did wrong.
They try to help out in every way that they can.
They love all their grandchildren the same whether you’re a child, woman, or man.
They are always there to listen and to lend a helping hand.
They show you respect and they try to understand.
They give their love, devotion, and so much more, that’s easy to see.
Grandparents, what perfect examples of the kind of person that we should be!

“Grandma’s Hugs Are Made Of Love!”

Everything my grandma does
is something special made with love.
She takes time to add the extra touch
that says, “I love you very much.”

She fixes hurts with a kiss and smile
and tells good stories grandma-style.
It’s warm and cozy on her lap
for secret telling or a nap.

And when I say my prayers at night
I ask God to bless and hold her tight.
Cause when it comes to giving hugs
my grandma’s arms are filled with love!

“What Are Grandmas For?”

Grandmas are for stories
about things of long ago.
Grandmas are for caring
about all the things you know…
Grandmas are for rocking you
and singing you to sleep.
Grandmas are for giving you
nice memories to keep…
Grandmas are for knowing
all the things you’re dreaming of…
But, most importantly of all,
Grandmas are for love.

“Grandma’s Gone Computer”

In the not too distant past
I remember very well
Grandmas tended to their knitting,
and their cookies were just swell.
They were always at the ready,
when you needed some advice.
And their sewing (I can tell you)
was available–and nice.

Well, Grandma’s not deserted you,
she dearly loves you still..
You just won’t find her cooking,
but she’s right there at the till.
She thinks about you daily–
you haven’t been forsook.
Your photos are quite handy,
in the Pentium notebook.
She scans your art work now though,
and combines it with cool sounds,
to make electronic greetings.
She prints pictures by the pound.

She’s right there when you need her,
you really aren’t alone,
She’s out now with her “‘puter pals,”
but she took her new cell phone.
You can also leave a message
on her answering machine;
or page her at the fun meet;
She’s been there since eight fifteen.

Yes, the world’s a very different place,
there is no doubt of that.
So “E” her from her web page,
or join her in a chat.
She’s joined the electronic age,
and it really seems to suit her.
So don’t expect the same old gal,
cause Grandma’s gone “Computer”.

“The Little Ship” – (Maria Shriver Poem for Tim Russert Funeral)

I stood watching as the little ship sailed out to sea. The setting sun tinted his white sails with a golden light, and as he disappeared from sight a voice at my side whispered, “He is gone”.

But the sea was a narrow one. On the farther shore a little band of friends had gathered to watch and wait in happy expectation. Suddenly they caught sight of the tiny sail and, at the very moment when my companion had whispered, “He is gone” a glad shout went up in joyous welcome, “Here he comes!”

Similar Posts:

Grandma Stories – Grandma and Grandpa Quotes

Grandma — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 00:00:05 +0000

Being a grandma allows me to enjoy all the wonderful Grandma and Grandpa quotes and old sayings that didn’t have any real meaning to me until I became a Grandma. My favorite Grandma quote so far is, “What goes on at Grandma’s house stays at Grandma’s house”, and boy oh boy ain’t that the truth!

Enjoy this list of some of my favorite grandma sayings and quotes for and about grandparents and grandchildren that always bring a smile to my face. I’ll also include a few grandpa quotes too, since what happens at grandpa’s house should stay at grandpa’s house too, don’t cha think? Grandparenting has GOT to be a pat-on-the-back from Heaven above because of all our hard work while raising our own children.

Here is what I believe to be some of the best grandparents quotes and old sayings for us all to enjoy. Feel free to comment and leave one of your own favorite Grandma or Grandpa quotes or sayings as well.

Top 12 Grandma Quotes:

Becoming a grandmother is wonderful. One moment you’re just a mother. The next you are all-wise and prehistoric. — Pam Brown

Grandmother – a wonderful mother with lots of practice. –Author Unknown

If becoming a grandmother was only a matter of choice, I should advise every one of you straight away to become one. There is no fun for old people like it! –Hannah Whithall Smith

Grandmas are moms with lots of frosting. –Author Unknown

Grandmothers are just “antique” little girls. –Author Unknown

Grandmas never run out of hugs or cookies. –Author Unknown

Grandmas hold our tiny hands for just a little while, but our hearts forever. –Author Unknown

A grandmother is a babysitter who watches the kids instead of the television. –Author Unknown

If your baby is “beautiful and perfect, never cries or fusses, sleeps on schedule and burps on demand, an angel all the time,” you’re the grandma. –Teresa Bloomingdale

Grandma always made you feel she had been waiting to see just you all day and now the day was complete. –Marcy DeMaree

If God had intended us to follow recipes, He wouldn’t have given us grandmothers.–Linda Henley

My grandmother started walking five miles a day when she was sixty.Â She’s ninety-seven now, and we don’t know where the hell she is.Â - Ellen DeGeneres

Top 12 Grandpa Quotes:

Grandchildren don’t stay young forever, which is good because Grandfathers have only so many horsey rides in them. –Gene Perret
One of the most powerful handclasps is that of a new grandbaby around the finger of a grandfather. –Joy Hargrove
Grandchildren don’t make a man feel old; it’s the knowledge that he’s married to a grandmother. –G. Norman Collie
A grandfather is someone with silver in his hair and gold in his heart. –Author Unknown
The best place to be when you’re sad is grandpas lap. –Author Unknown
There are fathers who do not love their children; there is no grandfather who does not adore his grandson. –Victor Hugo
Great fathers get promoted to grandfathers. –Author Unknown
A grandpa is someone you never outgrow your need for.. –Author Unknown
By the time a man realizes that maybe his father was right, he usually has a son who thinks he’s wrong.–Charles Wadsworth
You’ve got to do your own growing, no matter how tall your grandfather was.–Irish Proverb
The reason grandchildren and grandparents get along so well is that they have a common enemy.Â - Sam Levenson
My grandkids believe I’m the oldest thing in the world.Â And after two or three hours with them, I believe it, too.Â - Gene Perret

Similar Posts:

Grandma Stories – 7 Things You May Not Know About Me Meme

Grandma — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 19:00:42 +0000

I was recently tagged with the “7 Things Meme”, and even though I have already done the 7 Things on another blog I own, I figured I could do the 7 Things meme here on Grandma Stories too.

The 7 Things Meme Rules:

1) Link to your original tagger(s) and list these rules in your post.
2) Share seven facts about yourself in the post.
3) Tag seven people at the end of your post by leaving their names and the links to their blogs.
4) Let them know they’ve been tagged.

7 Things About Me:

1). I am an American Idol Fanatic, but I usually wait until the “real” show starts with all the chosen finalists because I’m not interested in watching the people that can’t sing to save their lives. Who tells these people they can sing anyway?

2). I have a bad habit of biting my fingernails, and I have been a nail biter since I was a very young girl and am now considered to be an adult nail biter, so I always have to get my nails done professionally so my nails look nice and professional.

3). I have 2 other blogs besides Grandma Stories that I work hard to keep updated regularly, even while working a full-time job, besides my hobbies and interests in Genealogy Research and reading A LOT.

4). I talk so much about writing and blogging that my eldest daughter recently decided to start a blog of her own, but since she hasn’t updated it for a couple of months now I can’t really justify tagging her with this 7 Things Meme.

5). I have discovered that Twitter and Facebook are very addictive and I spend far too much time on both of them. I’m working at setting limits on the time I spend on Twitter or Facebook to have more time for more important things.

6). I have to keep a To-Do list for myself nearby at all times to get my housework and shopping done. Otherwise, my house would end up looking like a tornado blew through it.

7). My hubby (Grandpa) is the most wonderful man in the world, and he encourages me to write and blog as much as I like since he knows how badly I want to quit my job and become a full-time writer at home. Now wouldn’t that be crazy cool if that could happen?

Hmm, coming up with 7 people to tag with this 7 Things Meme is going to be rather difficult since I’ve done this meme on another blog and already tagged 7 people. This time I’ll just say that if YOU want to participate in the 7 Things Meme, feel free to copy the rules of the meme and post your own answers, then tag 7 people with blogs to do the same. Have fun!

Similar Posts:

GrandmaStories Welcomes You to Grandma Stories About Grandma’s, Grandpa’s, Grandchildren

Grandma — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 17:30:50 +0000

Welcome to Grandma Stories at Grandmastories.net. Grandma Stories is my new grandma blog where I will share stories about being a grandma to my grandchildren, and the roles grandparents play in the lives of their children and grandchildren.

I have two grandchildren so far; one grandson born in February 2008 and one granddaughter born in May 2009. For privacy reasons, I will be using the nicknames “Bam Bam” for my grandson and “Pebbles” for my granddaughter when sharing grandma and grandpa stories about my grandchildren.

Becoming a grandma came as somewhat of a shock to me, since both grand babies were unplanned pregnancies, but grandchildren are a blessing and I’m going to enjoy every minute of my Grandma status. I raised 6 children to adulthood, and I know all too well the difficulties and problems that go with raising children. Wow, then they become full grown adult children, and that’s when things can start to get very interesting.

Do you have grandchildren? How many do you have? Are you a young, modern grandma or a more mature grandma and/or grandpa? Welcome to Grandma Stories and I look forward to your comments, questions and participation.

Similar Posts: