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Grandma's Briefs

for grandmothers and others

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Grandma's Briefs is for grandmothers and others. Bits on the good, bad, humorous and heartwarming of being a baby boomer, grandparent, parent to adult children, wife and writer. Features include lifestyle articles, reviews, recipes, grandma profiles, and more.

November 19, 2021

Seasonal shopping suggestions: Toys for tots to teens

November 19, 2021/ Lisa Carpenter

Do you have a wide range of ages to shop for this holiday season? Consider the following suggestions spanning the spectrum of grandkid ages and stages—all sampled and savored by my grandsons and me.

December 28, 2020

2020 Christmas

December 28, 2020/ Lisa Carpenter

I hope everyone managed at least a smidgen of comfort and joy during their holiday festivities. As with most families, Jim and I drastically limited our time gathering with our …

December 03, 2020

Holiday gift ideas for grandkids: Books, books, books!

December 03, 2020/ Lisa Carpenter

I received a pile of books that Benjamin and I reviewed for you. We loved them, you will love them, your grandkids will love them as holiday gifts. Or any day gifts.

Take a look (and don’t miss the map book, my favorite of all).

November 06, 2020

Gifts for grandkids: 7 gift giving no-nos

November 06, 2020/ Lisa Carpenter

The Christmas my middle daughter was about 4 years old, she received the most adorable, soft-bodied baby doll. We called it “Laughing Baby,” because when the doll’s tummy was pressed, she’d let loose an infectious giggle that would set my daughter into giggle fits galore. It was precious—the first 320 times. Then it was simply obnoxious and in need of silencing.

July 06, 2020

July Fourth during Covid

July 06, 2020/ Lisa Carpenter

I hope everyone managed to eek out at least a little fun over the holiday weekend, despite Covid restrictions continuing to muck things up.

Jim and I spent the Fourth of July with this little firecracker…

May 25, 2020

Memorial Day 2020

May 25, 2020/ Lisa Carpenter

As is my tradition here on Grandma’s Briefs, there will be no GRAND Social this week in recognition of Memorial Day.

On this Memorial Day that’s unlike any other ever in our history, let’s together, express sincere gratitude for and remembrance of those who gave all for our country.

February 13, 2020

Weekly pic: S.W.A.K.

February 13, 2020/ Lisa Carpenter

Valentine’s Day sentiments for my long-distance sweeties: confetti popcorn and corny jokes, of course. Sealed with a kiss and sent off with speedy delivery!

(Do kids nowadays even know what S.W.A.K. means?)

Happy Valentine’s Day, dear grandmothers and others!

December 23, 2019

We wish you a merry Christmas

December 23, 2019/ Lisa Carpenter

Wishing you and yours a very merry Christmas and a bountifully blessed beginning to 2020!

(Grandma’s Briefs will return to regular programming — beginning with the GRAND Social link party — on Monday, January 6.)

December 09, 2019

Winner Wonderland!

December 09, 2019/ Lisa Carpenter

Winner Wonderland

Long, long ago — back in 1992, to be precise — Jim and I and our three daughters recorded on a behomoth camcorder a Christmas program for Jim’s dad and stepmom, the girls’ long-distance grandparents. The special show recorded in our living room featured several songs, most of them lip-synced, by Brianna, Megan, and Andrea individually as well as as a group, plus a finale in which Jim and I appeared.

November 21, 2019

Second serving: 15 more Thanksgiving jokes for kids

November 21, 2019/ Lisa Carpenter

When it comes to Turkey Day, corny jokes make a tasty appetizer for kids of all ages, as my 20 Thanksgiving jokes for kids post proves. So just in time for this year’s feast and fun with little ones (and big ones, too), I offer up a second serving of similarly silly stuff to giggle about as you gather together.

Grandma's Briefs

Grandma's Briefs is for grandmothers and others. Bits on life's second act and the empty nest: the good, bad, humorous and heartwarming of being a baby boomer, grandparent, parent to adult children, wife and writer. Features include lifestyle articles, movie reviews, recipes, product reviews, auto test drives, grandma profiles, and more.