The good and bad of a 2015 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Hard Rock arriving at my door

/

Last month a 2015 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Hard Rock was delivered to my door for review. I was excited as can be—until I realized it was a standard transmission.

jeep wrangler rubicon hard rock review 

Now, I can drive a standard. I learned to drive on a manual transmission. I haven't driven a standard transmission in decades, though, and I didn't want to practice...

Read More

6 best bits: West to Westcliffe and my week driving a 2015 Subaru Outback 3.6R Limited

/

The town of Westcliffe is one of my favorite spots in Colorado. My mom had property outside of town for quite a few years, and my husband and I used to take our daughters camping there a few times each summer for several summers in a row. Some of our most memorable family fun took place in Westcliffe, with the Sangre de Cristo mountain range providing a spectacular backdrop.

Though our favorite camping spot was sold many years ago, my family and I still enjoy the scenic trip west to the tiny town—where my dad now lives. Coming around the curve just before town and seeing the Sangres spread out before us never fails to take our breath away.

subaru outback sangre de cristos

The trip to Westcliffe, with its steep grades and twisty-turny pass through the...

Read More

What I won, what you can win, plus GRAND Social No. 152 link party for grandparents

/

What I won

Those of you who follow Grandma's Briefs on Facebook or Twitter likely already know this, but... remember my "looking forward to" category from last Thursday's post? Well, here's the skinny on the "Best of" designation I am honored and delighted to have received in the 2015 Best of the Springs survey published by The Gazette newspaper.

Grandma's Briefs at Best of the Springs 

What you can win

Today is the last day to enter to win a sleek (and tough) personalized smartphone case...

Read More

6 best bits: Pikes Peak, Ute Pass, and my week driving a 2015 Chrysler 200C AWD

/

Any time I have an opportunity to review a new vehicle, a photo with Pikes Peak in the background is a must. So when a 2015 Chrysler 200C AWD sedan was delivered to my door (free for review), the first place I drove it was to a nearby parking lot where Pikes Peak towers in all its glory.

And why not, when Pikes Peak provides the best backdrop ever?

chrysler 200C

A parking lot wasn't the only spot I drove the sleek and shiny 2015 Chrysler 200C AWD. No, my husband and I decided to drive the elegant sedan up Ute Pass to get...

Read More

Picture books to share with pint-size valentines

/

Share your love this Valentine's Day by snuggling with your favorite pint-size valentine to share these these sweet (and sometimes silly) picture books. No nearby kiddo to snuggle? These fun and colorful books are short and engaging, making them ideal for sharing over a Skype or FaceTime session, as well.

picture books for valentine's day

♥

Read More

Salvaging content from disappointment

/

When I review products, my policy is to post reviews on those products my readers will appreciate. I prefer to not bash goods from good folks with good intentions whose only downfall is wares warranting a lukewarm "meh" in my opinion; I simply don't publish reviews on such products. (Though I do promise to publish warnings to steer clear of dangerous or deceptive goods, if such come my way.)

baby tub time

With that in mind, my grandsons recently reviewed a product they — and their mom — didn't find...

Read More

Last of the last-minute gift ideas, plus GRAND Social No. 136 link party

/

Last of the last-minute gift ideas

With Christmas just days away, I bet a few of us still have a couple gifts left to get. In recognition of that, I managed to get in two more full reviews of last-minute gift ideas you may want to consider.

First, there's Just Dance 2015. I love this game/workout fun. Perhaps you have someone who would love it as much as I do. Perhaps that's you that would love it is much as I do.

just dance 2015

Click here to read my review of Just Dance 2015.

Next up is one I mentioned last...

Read More

Gift ideas for grandmas to give and get

/

Time is ticking! If you're still on the lookout for the perfect gift to give — or hope to get — here are some ideas straight from Grandma's Back Room, plus two scheduled to appear there soon. I've reviewed them all (including the two reviews yet to be published), and you can get the details by clicking on the photo of each product.

gift ideas for grandmas

 

Starrytime Blanket Full of...

Read More

Nature-nurturing books for young readers

/

Though Earth Day 2014 has come and gone, every day is a great day for sharing with children books on nature and the environment. Especially picture books the kids will not only enjoy but possibly — no, probably — learn a little from.

E-I-E-I-O

Last week I received four fantastic picture books...

Read More