Sugar-free Cookies in a Jar

With the holidays right around the corner, it’s time to start planning to remember our diabetic or diet-challenged friends. Here is an idea that uses Splenda granulated sugar substitute for layered gift mixes.

This idea uses the same recipes as the Cookies in a Jar but made for people who need to eliminate sugar. Simply mix all the dry ingredients for the cookies, substituting Splenda (or any granulated sugar substitute that measures one-to-one) instead of sugar or some other sweetener.  Nuts are a great addition and healthy too. If you’re including chocolate chips, make sure you buy the sugar-free brand.

Know Your Firework Safety Tips

Our town, due to budget cutbacks, has cancelled this year’s firework display and festival. Your town may have done the same. Because of this, we will probably see more fireworks lit at home. Maybe this is not the post you want to see on Fourth of July, but it is important to study the safety tips for firework use for the benefit of your loved ones.

Happy Father's Day With Love

Any man can become a Father; it takes someone special to be a Dad.  Biologically, I didn’t have a choice in who my Father would be, however, at age 26 I chose the man who I will call Dad for the rest of my life.

I was grown and married when my Mother chose her second husband, and I supported her new happiness and very quickly grew to love this man as my own Father.  He didn’t have to care about me; he has 6 children of his own. But he opened his heart to include me, and I am grateful for that.  He has been more of a Father to me than I have ever known.

Flowers For You

I have been blessed with such a beautiful Mother in every way.  She is strong, loving, giving, funny, and very talented in anything she decides to do.  She is the wisest person I know!

Life for her at a young age was not easy, but she was strong and prevailed.  She was and still is a fighter, a survivor, and she is where I get my positive outlook on life.  My Mother is the one who taught me respect of money and I watched her squeeze every penny until they squealed.

Share Your Thoughts

Give your Mother or Father a gift that they will cherish for a lifetime. Write a simple letter in your own words sharing the memories that you hold dear.

Let your Mother know how much she is loved and that you remember the sacrifices she made for you. Remember special moments in time that you shared with your Father and let him know you appreciate him. Don’t forget about your Step-Mother or Step-Father who may have played a role in your life. Share the happy memories and your gratitude for all they do.

Fun Easter Egg Hunt

I was a Cub Scout den mother for 10 years.  Week after week I would have to come up with fun games and crafts to keep 8 rambunctious boys occupied.  If you don’t keep them actively engaged, well, they’ll quickly create their own harrowing entertainment.

One of my favorite activities was the yearly Easter Egg Scavenger hunt.  This was not your normal Easter Egg hunt, but a game of clues and hide-and-seek.  The boys loved it, and I quickly adopted it for my own family. This is best for children over 8 years old who can understand the instructions and figure out the clues.

Beautiful Homemade Basket

My memories of Easter as a child are that of church and celebrating Christ risen, a big Sunday dinner with family, a beautiful Easter dress sewn by my Mother, coloring Easter eggs, the Easter egg hunt and let’s not forget the basket full of goodies. Those same traditions I have passed down to my sons.

I still love the process of preparing the Easter baskets, even though my sons are 23 and 20. The younger they were, the easier it was to find fun little items to put into the baskets. Small toys and candy were the big items. Now they are older and one won’t eat sugar, while the other doesn’t need it with all the diabetes in our family.