I’m the Digi-Gram, right?  The Digital Grandmother.  The ‘ONE’ who knows technology, uses technology everyday at work, at home, and at play.  I know what I’m doing, right?  Right . . .

Well, I’ve tried something new, something I’ve never done before.  And that is to record a video chat.  (I’m experienced in video chat just not the recording of it.)  For the most part, things went well.  There are a couple of times that my computer screen was pixelated but it only lasts a couple of seconds.  Hopefully it’s not too bad.  (And, hopefully I’ll figure out what went wrong so it won’t happen again.)

I’ve compressed the movie down from a 7.44 gigabyte movie to a 39.5 megabyte movie.  I hope it is not too big for you to download to watch.  Please — feel free to give me feedback about your ability to watch the movie (e.g. if it took forever to load).  You can send your comments to digigram@grandmaideas.com.

I invited Stephanie Ford, an expert in children’s literature, to share with us a list of books that are good for grandmothers to have in their personal library to read to grandchildren when they come for a visit — or to give as gifts to their grandchildren.  Here is Stephanie ’s list that you can print off for your use. She also mentioned an online children’s literature book club that you can check out.

Now.  For the video.

Happy reading!
Digi-Gram

Friday the 13th in February sneaked up on me and caught me unaware (just like my youngest son likes to do to me). Argh!  So, I didn’t do anything for it. No party.  Nothing fun.  Boring.

I vowed I would be Prepared (with a capital P) for Friday 13th in March!

This day would be a great day to have a party with your grandchildren!  If you’re going to party, you’re going to need food, right?  Well, I discovered a FABULOUS salsa recipe that is extremely easy to make and absolutely delicious. It would be a fun one to make with your grandchildren and serve at your party. Here’s the recipe.

Black Bean and Pineapple Salsa
one 15 ounce can of black beans, rinsed
two 8 ounce cans of crushed pineapple
one can corn
one can petite diced tomatoes
1/3 cup Italian salad dressing
1/4 cup chopped cilantro

Combine all of the ingredients. (Since I love cilantro, I like to put in 1/2 cup instead of just 1/4 of a cup.) Serve with tortilla chips. Yum!

You’ll probably want to have something to drink at your party. Here’s an easy, refreshing slush to make.  Again, one that is easy to make with grandchildren.

Great White Punch
3 cups sugar
11 cups water
1 six ounce can limeade
Mix together and freeze. Remove from freezer about 3/4 hour prior to serving. Mash with a fork and add 2 liters of Sprite.

Now all you need to do is come up with some ideas of things to do with your grandchildren.  How about these?

• Watch Freaky Friday (maybe try the original one from 1976)
• Snack on fortune cookies (if you watch the newer version of the Freaky Friday movie)
• Gather items for dress up and everybody (Grandma included) dresses up for the evening
• Make and fly kites or windsocks (maybe a windsock from a sleeve or pant leg??)
• Make wind chime from old silverware
• Make cute, colorful headbands
• Make tie dyed t-shirts
• Design paper airplanes and have a contest flying them

Hope this gives you a few ideas of things to do
Digi-Gram

I’ve had a thought rumbling around my little gray matter lately. Finally decided to do something about it. Finally.

I make posts about things that I am interested in.  Things I think are fun.  Things I think are useful.  Quite me centered, huh?

However, I’ve been thinking that maybe I ought to ask my dear readers what they are interested in, what they would like see, what would help them.

As I look at my statistics, one of the pages that gets the most hits is the one about soap carving.  That surprises me.  Don’t know why, but it just does.  So, what I’ve been thinking is that maybe I ought to come up with some simple patterns to use for soap carving.  But, I don’t want ot put lots of effort into creating the patterns if nobody will use them.  Would any of you be interested in free patterns for soap carving?

How about ideas for celebrating a grandchild’s birthday?  Anybody interested in that?  What about activities to do with teenagers?  Tips about traveling with grandchildren?  Tips for teaching a skill to a grandchild?  Tips for taking naps with grandchildren?

Please feel free to e-mail me your thoughts and suggestions.   Send your messages to:  grandma@grandmaideas.com.

Thanks for your input — and thanks for visiting my site!
Digi-Gram

(Don’t ya just love the graphic I’ve used here?  Looks just like me, huh?)

Funny how things just come your way when you really aren’t seeking them. Like more ideas of things to make for Valentine’s Day. It might be getting too close to Valentine’s Day to do some of these things. If so, make note of them and then you’ll be prepared for next year!!

I’ve got to say up front that I am not crafty. (My husband say’s I’m shifty . . . but not crafty . . . what a play on words . . . ) However, I have discovered The Artful Crafter’s web site. If you click on the posts for February, you’ll find lots of fun Valentine’s Day ideas.  You’ll find ideas for etching hearts on glasses, a Valentine pillar candle, and a fun, fun, fun, crayon heart card.  Plus more!

The Craft Elf has some easy projects that you could do with your grandchildren:  beaded heart pin, heart magnets, heart head band, Valentine person, a door hanger, and more.

	Here are directions for pin weaving hearts to be used on a card.  I’m thinking that all of you clever grandmas out there could also think of ways to use the hearts instead of putting them on cards.  I’m new to this pin weaving thing . . . you might be too.  If so, you can take a lesson from the Craft Connection.
	Crafty I’m not. But I am a seamstress. Albeit not too currently involved in sewing. However, I do believe that I could make this darling raggedy heart pillow! If you click on the link at the bottom of the page, it will take you to more fun raggedy projects to make: heart coasters, button heart pillow, and a candle mat.

Enjoy!
Digi-Gram