Instead of giving a gift that may last but a short time, give the gift of an experience. It will last a lifetime with the wonderful memories you’ll create together. Give an experience you can share with your grandchildren. The gift of an experience is a great Christmas gift, too…and Jenkinson’s Aquarium is a fun place to visit during the winter school vacation!

On Valentine’s Day we did just that. We took our two granddaughters, ages 3 and 7 1/2, to Jenkinson’s Aquarium on the Boardwalk in Point Pleasant. We had a fun day …

Happy Birthday

May your dreams soar
like kites.
May your hopes
fly high.
May you smile often
and love like there
is no tomorrow.
May all your tomorrows
be magic.
~ Ashley Rice ~
© This copyrighted poem is reprinted with permission from Ashley Rice.

Happy Birthday
Like a rainbow, you bring
color to ordinary places.
Like a sunset,
you add brilliance.
Like a river,
you know the way.
With the patience of the
forests, you wait for
your dreams to grow.
And like the most special
flower in the garden…
you grow stronger
and more beautiful
every day.
~ Ashley Rice ~
© This copyrighted poem is reprinted with permission from Ashley Rice.

Teen years can be difficult ones for most everyone going through that stage of life. Often an inspirational poem can set young persons on to the right path of being true to themselves. Being True to Yourself is an inspirational poem written by Ashley Rice giving encouragement to do just that…being true to yourself. Her poem can also be used for graduation, too. Ashley Rice’s poems and other inspirational items can be found on Blue Mountain Arts.

Being true to yourself
takes guts. First, you’ve got
to face everything around
you and figure out …

I’m a member of the Sandwich Generation. This membership places me in the middle of the family order. On one side, I love, cherish, and worry about our children and their children. It’s only natural. On the other side, I love, cherish, and worry about the elder parent side. It’s only natural.
As a family grows, so does the love…and the worry. My step-mother is now 90, a young 90. She drives, travels, and exercises. Her age is beginning to catch up with her, which also is only natural. I spoke …

Are you looking for special cupcake recipes? Here are 3 to enjoy cooking with your grandchildren. On my drive home from work yesterday, I listened to an interview with food writer Nigella Lawson (on NPR.org) who shared some of her favorite Valentine’s recipes: Love Buns, Chocolate Cherry Cupcakes, and Butterfly Cakes…. Enjoy making these with your grandchildren…and yourself, too, on any day…not just  Happy Valentine’s Day!
Love Buns (Cupcakes)
Recipe is reprinted from NPR.org who reprinted it from Feast: Food to Celebrate Life. This recipe has not been tested by NPR or Nana.  This recipe …

A PLACE IN YOUR HEART
By Ashley Rice
I would like to have a house with a window
to the sea and a tiny garden right outside.
I’d sit out front and listen to the trees
and smile as the world went by…
I would like to have a place with a window
to your heart, so I would know what you
were feeling all the time. I’d watch your days
and listen to your dreams and give you
part of everything that’s mine.
I would like to have a house with a window
to the sea and a place in your …