August 13, 2018

Happy hummers

August 13, 2018/ Lisa Carpenter

Happy hummers!

The hummingbirds have been more active in my yard than ever before. It's been a joy to follow them—and photograph and film them—as they enjoy our feeders and flowers on the deck. Especially my brilliant purple torenia!

August 06, 2018

(Baby) things are getting real

August 06, 2018/ Lisa Carpenter

(Baby) things are getting real!

My daughter Brianna is well into her third trimester, and things are finally getting real in terms of it seeming like a baby really, truly will arrive soon. She and Patrick completed their birthing classes last week, and they worked diligently on the nursery over the weekend in preparation for their baby boy's October arrival.

On my end, there was this yesterday, which I posted on social media... and which I can't write much on now because it makes me tear up all over again.

July 23, 2018

National #GorgeousGrandma Day! Plus, GRAND Social No. 312 link party

July 23, 2018/ Lisa Carpenter

National #GorgeousGrandma Day!

Of all the offbeat holidays, celebrations, and recognitions out there, today’s is THE perfect one for Grandma's Briefs readers: National #GorgeousGrandma Day, celebrated every July 23.

I'm unable to find details on its beginnings, but there seems to be plenty of information on suggestions for celebrating this special day, including some especially grand ones listed on the National Today website.

Considering National Today's graphic…

July 16, 2018

Global Hug Your (grand)Kids Day!

July 16, 2018/ Lisa Carpenter

Global Hug Your (grand)Kids Day!

Today is the third Monday of July which means, of course, that it's Global Hug Your Kids Day!

July 13, 2018

Flashback: 14 reasons to smile about being a long-distance grandma

July 13, 2018/ Lisa Carpenter

Dear readers: This flashback feature originally appeared on Grandma's Briefs July 1, 2014. As I'm missing my desert-dwelling grandsons today, it serves as a good reminder that there are at least fourteen things to celebrate about the long-distance grandma status. Thank you for reading this rerun.

Being a long-distance grandma can be hard on a grandmother's heart at times. There are, however, several perks to having plenty of miles between Grandma and her sweeties. Here are fourteen of them.

July 09, 2018

Happy birthday, baby!

July 09, 2018/ Lisa Carpenter

Happy birthday, baby!

My baby girl—Andrea—is 33 years old today!

Thankfully, considering Colorado’s current heat wave, a birthday cake isn't all that important at 33, and Andrea settled instead for a cookie. A cookie that, in fact, was one of those included in the recent Gramma in a Box package I received for review.

On Saturday, Andrea helped me review the July sample subscription box—meaning, she helped me decorate and create a trio of scrumptious sweets just as lucky grands would do were they on the receiving end of the subscription service—and was perfectly pleased with…

July 06, 2018

Flashback: 9 things I've kept 'for the grandkids'

July 06, 2018/ Lisa Carpenter

Dear readers: This Flashback feature originally appeared on Grandma's Briefs July 22, 2010. Thank you for reading this updated rerun!

My daughters have been grown and gone for quite some time now, but there are a few useful and/or enjoyable things from their childhood that I just can't throw away..

I'm pretty sure—or at least I'm bound and determined—that these items will one day come in handy, that they'll one day provide fun and frivolity for my grandkids.

9 THINGS I'VE KEPT 'FOR THE GRANDKIDS'

1. VHS tapes of children's movies and shows. Space Jam, Fluke, Casper and more. I can't see throwing away tapes I know kids love, but I sure don't plan on replacing them with DVDs or Blu-Ray discs (except for the…

June 27, 2018

If you give a grandma a gift

June 27, 2018/ Lisa Carpenter

Most kids know what happens if you give a mouse a cookie. Perhaps nearly as many know what happens if you give a pig a pancake. How many, though, know just what happens if you give a grandma a gift? In particular, if you give a long-distance grandma who's been oh-so lonesome for her grandsons the most heartfelt gift they've ever given?

My grandsons recently learned what happens if you give such a grandma such a gift. And trust me, it wasn't pretty.

June 20, 2018

Grandma challenge: How full can she fill forty-four hours?

June 20, 2018/ Lisa Carpenter

My desert-dwelling grandsons and their parents visited my house last week—for forty-four hours. The family had taken a road trip to Vail for a wedding, and Jim and I were fortunate they fit in a stop at our place on their way back home.

I was thrilled to host them and was determined to squish as much into the visit as possible, unsure of when I'd see Brayden, Camden, and Declan (as well as Megan and Preston, too) again.

As all three boys have birthdays in June…