I grew up with the saying, "A penny saved is a penny earned." On a recent morning television broadcast, I heard how to save almost painlessly over $600 in one year. On day one, put one penny in your savings jar. Thereafter, each day add one more cent toward your daily savings jar deposit. In … Continue reading A Penny Saved Is A Penny Earned
There are numerous sayings I grew up with. One of them, “Cleanliness is next to godliness,” was a favorite of my mother as she instructed our family to wash our hands before eating to rid them of germs. But also, after eating to keep our house furnishings clean. It was a good practice then and … Continue reading Cleanliness Is Next To Godliness
Thank you, my blog readers, for allowing me to have some of your time this past year as I shared my thoughts on various topics. I hope you picked out the posts that interested you and maybe found something you could benefit from—whether it was humor, crafts, recipes, activities for children, poetry, music, or reflections on … Continue reading Best Wishes for a Happy and Healthful New Year 🎉
As I was recently going through some old family documents, I came across a United States Postal Service first class stamp with the denomination of six cents. “Wow!” I thought. “When I sent a Christmas card this year, the cost was ten times as much-sixty cents.” The stamp had never been used to send a … Continue reading In the Beginning…
I remember a game passed along in the Carlisle family, now still finding interest down to the fourth generation---passing from my father to me, to my children, and to my grandchildren. My son says he has done research trying to find an earlier origin of the game, or to see if there is another family … Continue reading Carlisle Family Christmas Eve Gift Game
During the fall and winter months—or anytime, for that matter—taking a little extra time to prepare a special treat to eat can help take our minds off things that may be challenging in our lives. Here is a favorite recipe of mine for Sweet Potato Pie. Sweet Potato Preparation 2 cups cooked sweet potatoes drained … Continue reading Nonny’s Favorite Holiday Recipes – Sweet Potato Pie
Recently in doing some cleaning out and reorganizing, I discovered five old Barbie dolls which I recognized as having originally belonged to my younger daughter when she was a preteen. Unfortunately, their legs and hair had become sticky with age. I was planning on giving them to her but thought, “Ugh! Will she even want … Continue reading Getting out of a Sticky Situation: Tips for a Quick Refresh of Old Barbie Dolls
As a child I knew my Dad had a strong work ethic, both at home and on the job. And I was used to seeing him occupied with fixing something such as malfunctioning plumbing or painting inside and out to keep our house looking well-kept. When I was in grade school he began working at … Continue reading Still Putting Bread and Butter on Our Family’s Table
Have you ever heard that saying, “Money is the root of all evil”? Where does that come from? Shakespeare? Let’s see, maybe it’s Benjamin Franklin. He left behind a lot of words of wisdom. Or is it from the Bible? Just might be that you are nodding your head and saying, “O, yeah, that’s a … Continue reading Money Is . . .
If your gift list includes youngsters who are beginning explorers in the wonderful world of reading, my latest children's books will instruct in a delightful way. Perfect for spring holidays, end-of-school graduation/recognition ceremonies, birthdays, and fill-in-the gap summer reader/activity books. For those recipients who live close by, have the books sent directly to you so … Continue reading Nonny Day books for Spring!
As I was recently going through some old family documents, I came across a United States Postal Service first class stamp with the denomination of six cents. “Wow!” I thought. “When I sent a Christmas card this year, the cost was fifty-eight.” The stamp had never been used to send a piece of mail, but … Continue reading In the Beginning…
Dear Nonny's Blog Readers, I'm excited to share with you the news that the Sitka School District in Alaska will be using my book Sweet Potato Pie, Oh My! as a part of a sweet potato pie kit giveaway. The school district is distributing to fifty Sitka students and their families a kit with all … Continue reading Nonny’s Books are headed to Alaska! (New Project with Sitka School District)
Hello Nonny's Blog Readers! This year I've been pleased to share good times with you as we published the third book in the Nonny Day Series. All three are available for purchase through Amazon, and Volume 2 is on sale right now for under ten dollars.** VOL 1. Sweet Potato Pie, Oh My! VOL. 2 … Continue reading Nonny’s Children’s Books for the Holidays
A few years ago my younger daughter and I were fortunate enough to be able to travel to Spain and Portugal and have in our itinerary an added excursion by ferry to Morocco. To this day I can still envision the café in Tangier where we sat at a low table sipping hot sweet mint … Continue reading Try Moroccan-Style Mint Tea (Recipe) plus Photos from our trip to Tangier!
This month of April 2021 I am celebrating three years of writing a weekly blog post called Nonny's Blog! I have posted every Friday morning, usually around 9:05. Thank you when you have taken the time to read my poetry, lyrics, snippets, essays, inspirational thoughts, children's stories, and light-hearted greetings. Especially in these times of … Continue reading 3 Years of Nonny’s Blog and Counting!
I remember a game passed along in the Carlisle family, now still finding interest down to the fourth generation---passing from my father to me, to my children, and to my grandchildren. My son says he has done research trying to find an earlier origin of the game, or to see if there is another family … Continue reading Carlisle Family Christmas Eve Gift Game
TURKEY TROT is an outdoor game my family has played while celebrating the Thanksgiving season. You could easily adapt it to other times of the year as SANTA SLEIGH RIDE, BUNNY HOP, etc. Use your imagination to come up with other variations and have fun! Let's enjoy the crisp outdoors. Time for the TURKEY TROT … Continue reading Holiday Outdoor Fun: Turkey Trot or Whatever Suits the Season!
COVID-19 has probably changed the way you are going to celebrate Thanksgiving this year. However, may I suggest you make my Sweet Potato Pie for your intimate group even if the big family gathering is not in your plans? Think about trying out one of the recipes included in my children's book Sweet Potato Pie, … Continue reading Get a Boost from Sweet Potato Pie (Recipes)
A few years ago my younger daughter and I were fortunate enough to be able to travel to Spain and Portugal and have in our itinerary an added excursion by ferry to Morocco. To this day I can still envision the café in Tangier where we sat at a low table sipping hot sweet mint … Continue reading Need a Boost? Try Moroccan-Style Mint Tea! (Recipe)
When I was a young child and a pre-reader, I was introduced to the nursery rhyme, “Mary, Mary, quite contrary. How does your garden grow?” Back then I never wondered why she was contrary. But as I grew older and planted gardens of my own, I found out why she was in such an unhappy … Continue reading Nonny . . . How Does Your Garden Grow? (photo gallery)
Last week I was excited to share with you the news of the publication of my latest children's beginning reader/activity book. It's called Sweet Pickles Among the Marigolds: A Rhyme of Garden Fun. Today I'll give you a sneak peep between the pages with a recording of my sing-along song Pick Some Pickles! You'll find … Continue reading New song, new website, new book… Celebrate with me!
If you happened to catch my blog a couple weeks ago, you may recall that there was a seven inch papier-mâché Wise Man from the family manger scene who was noticed to have a red polka dot tie under his chin when it came time to pack away Christmas decorations one year. As you and I bring … Continue reading The Wise Guy With a Bow Tie Strikes Again!
Whew! After all the "run here/run there" and "do this/do that" of the holiday season, do you feel like a wet sponge that has been completely wrung out? Expecting too much of ourselves and others can leave us exhausted and maybe even let down. Here is a basic relaxation technique I've run across at various … Continue reading Whew! Nine Steps to Regaining Calm After the Hectic Holidays
Just thought I'd share a couple of new activities that we added to our recent Family Thanksgiving Celebration: a snowball fight and a time of testimony! Those two might not sound complimentary but enrichment of our lives involves physical activity to keep our bodies strong. And quiet, reflective times to give us inner peace. As … Continue reading New Thanksgiving Activities Added This Year!
Reading the Christmas Story from The Holy Bible, God's Word Reenacting the Christmas Story with Manger Figurines (Be mentally prepared that a piece may get broken. One year we had a Wise Man lose his head on his journey from the Far East to Bethlehem as a grandchild was treating him like an action figure.) … Continue reading Family Christmas Eve Traditions (Photo Gallery)
Announcing the release of the Kindle version of my children's book for only $1.99... I'm excited to share with you, my treasured blog readers, the release of the Kindle ebook version of my children's beginning reader Sweet Potato Pie, Oh My! It contains the same beautiful illustrations, fun narrative, and informative tips and activities as … Continue reading My Ebook is out! $1.99
We all seem to have certain dishes which are "must haves" as we plan holiday menus for get-togethers with family and friends. If sweet potato pie is not already on your list, how about trying out one of the recipes included in my recent children's book Sweet Potato Pie, Oh My!? One is a traditional … Continue reading Maybe a Sweet Potato Pie for your Holiday Get-together? (Recipes)
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