Summer's end: Mark it with a B

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Summer's end: Mark it with a B

As Labor Day weekend signified the end of summer for most folks — despite there being, technically, three more weeks of the sun-filled season — I must say my summer didn’t close with much of a bang. It did, though, end with a few other B words of note. A few of my favorite B words, in fact.

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Dublin over: St. Patrick's Day jokes for kids (A #TBT feature)

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Dublin over: St. Patrick's Day jokes for kids (A #TBT feature)

Dear readers: This #TBT feature originally appeared on Grandma’s Briefs March 15, 2017. Thank you for reading—and chucklin’ over—my corny collection.

Time for another round of seasonal silly stuff for kids and their keepers, be they grandmothers or others. This go-round the subject is St. Patrick and his special day.

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Love and lore

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Love and lore

Love and lore

It’s impossible to escape the fact—touted by retailers since before Christmas decor was fully clearanced off their shelves—that this Thursday is Valentine’s Day.

But… do you know the facts about that day o’ love most folks have strong love-it-or-hate-it feelings about?

I have a feeling maybe not. I certainly didn’t (til searching for something to start of this week’s link party).

So in the interest general edification…

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Babes on Jesus' birth

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Babes on Jesus' birth

Babes on Jesus’ birth!

Most folks have seen this adorable video from last year by now but it is so fun—so hilarious!—that I just had to share it again before the season ends.

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Grandma Christmas crafts matter

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Grandma Christmas crafts matter

The year my husband and I were married, his stepmom, Diane, whom I had never met and Jim hadn’t seen in years, sent us a lovely joint Christmas stocking she had made for us. She also sent an adorable handmade one for baby Brianna, who was born soon after we married.

Diane sent another precious stocking the following year, when Megan was born. And another two years after that for our baby Andie.

When Megan and Preston married and…

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Grand greetings!

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Grand greetings!

Grand greetings!

When my daughter Megan sends out her annual Christmas cards, she typically catches up on sharing photos of Brayden, Camden, and Declan she’s not gotten around to sending earlier in the year. Sweet stuff like these school pictures and sports shots enclosed with this year’s card:

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12 days of sweet holiday treats

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12 days of sweet holiday treats

12 days of sweet holiday treats!

Who could use some new ideas for sweet holiday treats? If you raised your hand (and even if you didn’t) you’re sure to find some sweet inspiration from Sweet’N Low’s “12 Days of Christmas” holiday baking campaign in which twelve bloggers were chosen to share recipes based on the verses of the holiday song.

Yours truly shared a recipe based on the verse for the third day of Christmas! I didn’t bake up any French hens, but I did share a yummy French Butter Cookie recipe—that has less sugar…

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On the third day of Christmas... French Butter Cookies to share!

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French Butter Cookies SweetNlow.JPG

I partnered with Sweet’N Low® to bring you this special “12 Days of Christmas” recipe.

The Christmas countdown has begun! This year, I’m singing along to “12 Days of Christmas” with Sweet’N Low® and celebrating the holiday season with a new recipe inspired by the classic song.

The makers of America's favorite pink zero-calorie sweetener selected a dozen bloggers—one for each day of the song—and tasked each with sharing a holiday recipe based on our assigned verses. My verse? The third day of Christmas, that of “Three French Hens” fame!

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5 screen-free gift ideas (toys!) for grandkids

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jookie.jpg

Looking for unique toys that boast no screens?

Check out these goodies reviewed and recommended by my grandsons: a smart MP3 player and a smart top, plus a slap-happy penguin, a “green” doctor’s kit, and an art projector for ages 5 to 105.

Fun stuff!

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