The best gift for Mother's Day? Something written or created by her children or grandchildren of course!

I was reminded of this recently. It was my youngest son Travis' birthday. My husband asked our grandson (Travis' son) what he would like to get his dad for his birthday. He went through the usual list of daddy-gifts, and then said, "My dad has everything. I want to get him a card and write on it, 'I promise from now on I will listen to you.'" When my husband told me that, my heart melted, and I told my husband, "That's exactly what he'll get him." Poppa took him shopping that day to pick out a card, and I helped my grandson write his promise to his dad. What a treasure that is. 

​I think things like that are the best gifts of all. A heartfelt promise written in your own hand. A poem to your loved one that you compose. A sweet essay about your mother. Those are wonderful gifts!

A questionnaire about mother for older kids~

I did this a few year ago with my grandkids for their dad on Father's Day. There are some great questionnaires online. They were older, so I printed out the questionnaire and had everyone go to their own corner and answer the questions. Then I printed their answers in a book. But you wouldn't have to go so far as to publish an online book. You could simply have them answer the questionnaire and fold it up in a sweet Mother's Day card.

I'll post a website with appropriate questions about mother at the end of my blog. Some examples are:

• How are you and Mom the same?
• What is the most important thing Mom has taught you?
• What is something Mom always says to you?

A questionnaire about mommy for the younger kids~

There are online questionnaires that are more appropriate for younger children. You can ask the questions and record their answers. You can do it in person, or over the phone or during FaceTime. And once again, tuck it inside a card and send it to their mother. Also, I'll give you a link for these questionnaires for the younger kids. Some examples are:

• My mommy likes to play ___ with me.
• My mommy likes to eat______.
• My mommy likes to read ____ to me.
• My mommy is the best at _______.
• My mommy laughs when ____.

Asking the younger kids questions about their parents, turns out to be the best fun of all.  When my oldest son was four, he went to a child development lab at a local high school. At Thanksgiving, he was interviewed (as were all the students) for a cookbook for their mothers. One of the questions was to share a recipe from his mother. I can't remember the recipe, probably how to cook a turkey, but his recipe began, "My mother washes the dishes once a week and then she . . . " I still laugh about that one.

So I hope you'll interview your kids, grandkids or even great-grandkids. Their responses to such questions are priceless!

Sample questionnaire for the young kids:

​www.cupcakediariesblog.com/mothers-day-questionnaire-free/

Sample questionnaire for the older kids:

​www.imom.com/printable/15-questions-for-kids-to-answer-about-mom/

My blog about a questionnaire for dads:

​www.gigisseasonings.com/blog/archives/05-2018

I found another craft idea for us retired folks! Painting bricks or pavers. 

Yes, it happened again. I paint kindness rocks, and I was on Pinterest looking for more ideas for my simple, little rock art. And lo and behold, I found an idea for painting on bricks. So if you're looking for a hobby, or simply want to mix things up in your craft room, you might want to try this. 

My husband is a gardener, so I knew I had to paint him a brick to place in his garden. 

Very simple directions for this little craft. You can buy bricks or pavers at your home supply store. You might even have some stashed in the corner of your yard or in your garage. Then just get some craft paints specifically for outdoor use, and some acrylic to seal it when you're finished, and you are done.

You might want to make one for your yard, garden or front door. Or perhaps a friend or relative for use in their garden or entranceway. I think they are really sweet.

After I completed the paver, I looked for a place to put it in one of my husband's gardens. I tried several locations.

Next you'll want to decide on the sentiment or quote you want to write on the brick. I considered several, and I'm sure you'll know exactly what you want to write. I tried to keep it as short as possible. Here are some ideas:

• Welcome to my garden (or home, porch or patio)
• Live Love Laugh and Garden
• Home Sweet Home (by a front door)
• Poppa's Garden
• The Glory of the Garden
• Secret Garden
• My Happy Place
• "Best place to find God is in a garden."

And there you have it--another craft idea to add to your repertoire. Retirement can be the best time of your life. It's fun to fill it up with lots of crafts, sports, travel, and other activities. Go for it!

The link to that last brick idea:

​​bkwilliams-catskidsandcrafts.blogspot.com/2011/08/brick-craft.html

Calling all grandparents! I found another way to use those photos on your phone!

I recently did a blog about using your phone camera to take pictures of gratitude. You can either create a photo gratitude journal, or simply scroll though them at the end of the day to count your blessings. www.gigisseasonings.com/blog/pictures-of-gratitude

Then I realized I had a lot of photos on my phone, and that I really should do something with them. I found numerous websites, and tried out some of those ideas. I shared them with you in another blog: www.gigisseasonings.com/blog/making-use-of-the-photos-on-your-cell-phone

With this week's blog, I'm sharing another idea I found--decoupaging photos on a block of wood.

My husband had some 2x4's that I decided I could use. I had him cut me blocks that were 4x8. That turned out to be a good size for this project. I stained them before I proceeded.

Next I played around with various photos I wanted to use. I opted for a favorite photo of my grandkids. Then I searched through vacation pictures and pictures I had taken on walks around my neighborhood.

But wait! There's more! There are other materials you can use for your decoupage. You can use a stretched canvas that you get at the craft store; a slate tile, and even a 12x12 terra-cotta floor tile. The list is endless.

So there you have it--more craft ideas with those photos on your phone. Besides enjoying them as you scroll through your phone, or placing them in a gratitude journal, you can decoupage them to display around your home and enjoy again and again.

And if you're looking for a craft idea to fill your days, this just might be it. 

Until next week!