Monthly Archives: May 2021

Grandma’s Bookbag

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If you want to see other posts in my Grandma’s Bookbag series, see this link.

Through these almost thirteen years of reading to grandchildren, the Usborne touchy-feely book series “That’s Not My . . .” has been a top favorite. We have three of those books, but when I am at our married children’s homes, I see others in the series.

Our three books are:

That’s not my tractor (Titus2’s Amazon affiliate link are in this post–see our privacy policy).

That’s not my train (you’ll have to toggle to the different options, because the paperback and hardcover link wouldn’t show up)

That’s not my truck

These board books are toddler books designed for interaction. On each page, we learn why the tractor, or whatever the theme of the book might be, is not “my tractor.” It might have windows that are too shiny. On that page, the child can look into the shiny train windows. Perhaps the next page tells us the train has a side that is too bumpy where the child can run his fingers over a corrugated insert. The book ends with, “That’s my train” and the special reason why.

In addition to that cute theme on each page is a little mouse, bunny, or bird. That gives something else to ask interact with the child concerning. They can point out the animal when asked where it is after looking around the page for it. And I can teach them the animal and how to find it if they too young to do it on their own.

Two of those books, we bought twelve years ago and the other, I purchased used. They are all still in good shape and part of my toddler Grandma bookbag.

“And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and
become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom
of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little
child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3-4).

Happy Mother’s Day!

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Happy Mother’s Day to our amazing mom! She faithfully raised and homeschooled 8 kids for many years, giving her prime years to us. Mom is a grandma to 17, mother-in-law to five, Mom to eight (now spanning three decades, 20s, 30s, and 40s), and wife to Steve for almost 50 years. She has a true servant’s heart and invests daily in those God has placed in her life, from her own family to our church and to those she knows through the Titus2 ministry.

We love you so much, and we rise up and call you BLESSED!

Mom invested a lot at Anna Marie and Christopher’s homeschooling the kids on different occasions
She and Dad enjoy time in the mountains often in August if it works out
Dad and Mom love doing projects together
Mom loves her daughters-in-law, and here she is with Anna
Her weekly times with Axton and Elliot are very special.
Teri and Steve Maxwell

“Her children arise up, and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praiseth her…

“but a woman that feareth the LORD,
she shall be praised.” (Proverbs 31:28, 30)

Maxwell’s Basic Homemade Granola

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We’d like to share our simple, granola recipe that we love pairing with yogurt.

Maxwell’s Granola Recipe

Preheat oven to 350º. 

Heat on the stove just to boiling: 
1/2 cup butter 
1/2 cup honey 

Add 1 tablespoon vanilla after butter and honey starts to boil. 

While butter and honey are heating, mix in a big bowl: 
6 cups Rice Krispies (we use the off-brand ones from Aldi)
5 cups rolled oats 
3 tablespoons cinnamon 

Add the butter/honey mixture to the dry ingredients and stir well.

Divide into two cookie sheets with sides. We use a pan liner on our cookie sheets.

Bake at 350º for 20 or so minutes until it’s looking a little brown. We usually stir at 10 minutes and switch the pans from top to bottom.

Remove from oven and stir granola in each pan.

Turn oven down to 250º, return pans to oven, and bake until granola reaches desired level of crispness, usually 20 to 30 more minutes. We take ours out to stir and swap the pans top to bottom every 10 minutes.

There are many other things you can add to granola, but our girls enjoy this plain version.

“But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all
things, which is the head, even Christ” (Ephesians 4:15).

Pretty Exciting

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Our granddaughter, Abigail (12), asked if Teri would edit a report she wrote on a classic, short story. Teri edited and commented on it and set it on the counter for Abby to pick up. Since the report was facedown with the last page up, which contained Abigail’s summary paragraph, I read those three neatly, handwritten lines. I was delighted and amazed by what Abigail said. Here it is:

“While this story is interesting, it has no value. It does not teach the reader anything. So, while it does entertain you, you are not any wiser, and you have not learned anything while reading this story.”

Today entertainment is often the goal and justification for many (most?) children’s activities. I wish I’d had the wisdom at Abby’s age to evaluate the things I was spending my time on growing up as to whether they would help me grow in wisdom. Way to go Nathan and Melanie (Abby’s parents)! 

“All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient” (1 Corinthians 6:12).