Friday, January 31, 2025
It’s hard to believe that the month of January will soon be in the rearview mirror!
There are definitely things we appreciate about the month of January…
New Beginnings!
A fresh start and a time to reflect!
Cozying Up!
No permission needed to embrace the down time,
to curl up with a good book and to enjoy a warm beverage!
Time to Refresh!
Did anyone say declutter and reorganize?
THANK YOU, JANUARY!
Yes, while we’ve enjoyed the slower pace,
we won’t be too sad to see it go!
We're ready for longer days and the promise of spring
(albeit far away here in Minnesota)!
As we bid adieu to January,
we’ve got a few WEEKLY SNAPSHOTS to share with you all!
Today’s post highlights GRAND moments from our lives
that we’d like to capture and remember!
as each of us recalls a few of these important (at least to us) snapshots
from our week!
Here’s a glimpse into what’s been happening in our own GRAND lives!
Laurie is reminiscing about a fun outing she and her Little D had this week
and a memory of a February holiday long ago!
Lights! Camera! Action!
Little D and I headed to our local children’s theater on Thursday, where we enjoyed the musical Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus, based on the fabulous book by Mo Willems. As always, they did a fabulous job and I’m still singing the songs in my head!!
Little D enjoyed meeting The Pigeon and The Bus Driver after the show!
There’s nothing like live theater
and it’s even more special to share it with our Littles!
Groundhog Day Memories!
Many years ago when my children were little,
a friend had a get-together on February 2 of that year.
By chance we remembered that it was Groundhog Day!
Guessing that no one ever has a Groundhog Day party, we gave it a try! We played shadow games and everyone was encouraged to bring a “groundhog” food to share. (I won’t tell you what the main dish was called)!
My contribution was simple - chocolate pudding (dirt), whipped cream (snow), chocolate sprinkles (the shadow) and a picture of a groundhog on a stick!
I’ve never forgotten that party…
or how fun it is to think outside the box!
With Groundhog Day happening this weekend,
It’s the perfect time to celebrate with your Littles!
Will the groundhog see his shadow?
If so, six more weeks of winter await!
HAPPY GROUNDHOG DAY!
Meanwhile, Laura spent a lot of time living out of a suitcase this past week!
Lake Time!
Hubby and I headed to the lake last Friday for a long weekend!
We kept warm inside with the temps in the single digits outside!
And we were grateful for the extra blankets we could snuggle up in each night.
Our lake is a spring-fed one, so I often get a bit nervous when walking or cross country skiing on the snow covered frozen lake! No need to worry for these ice fishermen though! (Do you see their fish houses in the middle of the lake?) They know the lake well and the cold temps made things truly safe! Hopefully they kept warm, too, and caught their limit!
On the Road Again!
We got home Monday evening
and I spent the next day unpacking, doing laundry, writing bills, and then packing again.
Then, after my Wednesday morning Bible Study,
I was back on the road,
this time with our younger daughter, Daughter A.
We drove 5+ hours to Madison, where we will be for five days. The two of us (along with Hubby who will join us for the weekend) are babysitting our Littles while their mommy and daddy (our oldest, Daughter J, and her husband, our SIL) enjoy a winter getaway with friends! My GRAND Bag came with me!
It’s filled with supplies and activities for a fun weekend ahead with this cutie, our Little P,
and her big sister, our brand new three-year-old, Little L!
I’m sure by the time Monday rolls around and their parents return,
I'll be pooped!
But I also know that my heart will be bursting!
WISH US LUCK!
This week our focus at Our Grand Lives (OGL)
has revolved around the upcoming Super Bowl…
Game’s On!
On Monday, we revamped and updated a past post, one filled with our suggestions for a Super Bowl celebration, including DECOR/prep ideas, GAMES and activities for all ages and a few FOOD options to consider!
You’ll find that post here!
It’s Chili Time!
Then yesterday we shared our recipe for
QUINOA POT ROAST CHILI along with our TOPPINGS BOARD!
A delicious option for Game Day or any day!
You’ll find those recipes in this post!
P.S. Some of you have asked about the red disposable bowls I used
for individual chili bowls…
They were the perfect size - each holding 22 oz.
Here’s the link for those interested!
Super Dips for the BIG Game!
Last year we shared three of our favorite Super Bowl dip recipes!
Five Minute Corn Dip!
Buffalo Chicken Dip!
Chile Cheese Dip!
Whether you are hosting others or making it ahead of time to bring to a friend’s house, we’ve got you covered! In fact, each is easy enough that you could whip it up during the second quarter… just in time for the halftime show!
Check out this post for all three recipes!
So pick one (or more) and add it to your Game Day menu!
ARE YOU READY FOR SOME SUPER BOWL FUN!
We’ll be back next week
when our attention turns to Valentine’s Day and all its sweetness!
Thanks fo joining us today, everyone!
💗 We are delighted to join the following link up parties and blog hops! 💗
MONTHLY
SUNDAY
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
You alwasy make life looks so much fun and it's so nice to see the positives. Yes I decluttered, there was one trip to the skip, loads of recycling and a big pile of items to donate sitting in abgs in the lounge. There is no space to reorganise and rooms are being repurposed. Here's to a wonderful adn warmer february. Thanks for linking with #pocolo
Love the snapshots! Everyone seems happy, and that's wonderful. Thank you for sharing at the Crazy Little Lovebirds link party #74.
Aw, beautiful snapshots of you both!
Yay, to the end of January, I am so looking forward to spring, sunshine and blue skies.
Wishing you both a wonderful week ahead! :) x
Thanks so much for sharing this fabulous update of your life with your grands. I love reading about life on the other side of the world.
Thanks for joining us for the WBOYC linkup and happy February!
Deb from Debs-world.com
What a wonderful way to bid farewell to January and embrace the moments that make life GRAND! From theater outings to lake adventures and Super Bowl preparations, your week sounds both heartwarming and eventful. Wishing you a fun-filled weekend with your Littles—may your GRAND bag bring plenty of smiles! 😊 Donna from Retirement Reflections