| 2012 Calendar
Date Host Presenter
Jan 8 Dee Susan & Ann
Mar 4 Juliette Juliette McD
May 6 Michele Member mixer
July 8 Cheri
Sept 9 Sandi Sandi D.
Nov 4 Diane Rachel Eryn
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January 8 Meeting
One of the benefits of being in the GaGa Sisterhood is hearing other grandmas' stories and getting reassurance--and even some solutions--for those challenges we all face in our roles.
GaGas Susan and Ann will lead us in a discussion about some of those challenges. Come prepared to talk about your own difficult experiences, so that we can have a dialogue about those times when being a grandmother isn't all milk and cookies. (This topic was so popular when we first discussed it back in 2009, I decided to bring it back.)
Our meeting will be hosted by Dee in Los Altos.
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6 Ways to Fight
Cold & Flu Germs
I hope you managed to stay healthy for the holidays. But if you didn't, you're not alone. Getting sick is one of the unpleasant consequences of large indoor holiday gatherings.
When we get together for the holidays we share love, laughs, joy and germs.
Margaret Back, a mom who was so sick of getting sick from her kids, created a cute germ-loving character named Germy Wormy who teaches children how to stop spreading germs.
You can read her 6 tips for fighting cold and flu germs by clicking here. |
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Roasted Caramel-Glazed Cinnamon Apples
 Recently, I was asked to bring a gluten-free dessert to a potluck dinner. I brought these delicious baked apples and they were a huge hit with everyone. A dollop of real whipped cream makes them truly heavenly!
3 Tbs. butter
4 firm, crisp apples halved and seeded (I like Fuji apples)
1/2 cup brown sugar
4 cinnamon sticks (about 4 inches each) halved
Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 400 degrees. Place butter in a 13x9 inch baking pan and set it in preheating oven to melt while preparing apples.
Remove pan from oven; sprinkle brown sugar over butter. Arrange cinnamon sticks evenly over sugar and place apples, cut side down, over cinnamon sticks.
Bake until apples are tender, about 30 minutes. Remove pan from oven, turn apples, cut side up, and spoon sauce over apples. Return pan to oven and continue to roast until golden brown, about 5 minutes longer. Remove from oven and let cool slightly.
To serve, spoon a half apple into each bowl, place a cinnamon stick in each core. Sprinkle with slice almonds if desired. Pass whipped cream for topping.
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Greetings!
I hope you're enjoying the holiday season. I started mine with a wonderful 8th anniversary celebration of the GaGa Sisterhood at Carol W's home.
Twenty of our members attended the luncheon and enjoyed Carol's beautiful holiday decorations adorning every corner. After lunch, we sat in a circle, as we did eight years ago at our first meeting, and told stories about what defines us as grandmas. There was much laughter and a few tears as some GaGas shared memories of their own grandmothers.
I looked around our circle of radiant women and was filled with gratitude. We are so fortunate to be living in an era when grandmas can connect with each other and celebrate the joy of simply being grandmas.
I wish you and your families a Happy and Healthy New Year, |
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What Defines You as a Grandma?
In my invitation to our GaGa Sisterhood anniversary celebration, I asked members to "bring an object that embodies who you are as a grandma." As we went around the circle, sharing what we brought, I was struck by the creative ways our members interpreted my request.
Carol W. showed us a book she made for her granddaughter's 7th birthday that includes all the wonderful things about the number 7. Her inspiration came from one of our founding GaGas, Barbara L., who created a book about "all things 7" for her granddaughter and brought it to one of our past meetings.
Sandy D. brought The Big Book of Science Activities because it's fun, educational, active, and creative, and that's how she likes to be with her 7-year old grandson.
 Jen T. held up an angora dress that she knitted for her granddaughter. Jen has a passion for knitting, which she learned from her mother who taught her handwork and sewing.
Sandi D. explained that since her son bought her an iPhone, she's become a "modern grandma" and uses 25 different apps with her 5-year old grandson.
For Donna V., a Bette Midler album evoked sweet memories of her grandson as a baby. Whenever she babysat for him, she played "I Know This Town" and swooped him into her arms to dance. She'll always remember his serious face as she dipped and swayed to the beat of the music.
 Whenever Dee G. travels, she buys musical instruments, like the small Mexican drum, for her 2 grandchildren who share Dee's love of music.
Kathleen K. held up a tiny sea shell to illustrate her love of nature that she enjoys sharing with her 5 granddaughters.
Whether we're creating art, playing games, sharing our passion or saving memories for our grandchildren, defining who we are as grandmas can have many different interpretations. But the one trait we all share is our devotion to staying a part of our granchildren's lives.
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GaGa Sisterhood Cookbook
Do you have a favorite recipe your grandmother used to make or one that you love to make for your grandchildren?
At our GaGa Sisterhood anniversary luncheon many delicious dishes lined the buffet table inspiring several members to suggest we create a GaGa Sisterhood cookbook. I've actually been thinking about doing one for a few years and now I'm making it one of my goals for 2012.
I envision a collection of recipes and stories about the foods that remind us of our grandmothers, children, and grandchildren. I'm excited about the project and need your recipes, stories, and suggestions for titles to make it a reality.
So as you're indulging in all those scrumptious goodies this holiday season, please give some thought to a recipe -- and the story behind it -- you would like to contribute and send it to me:
donnedavis@gagasisterhood.com. |
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Karen's Gingerbread Angels
 My neighbor, Karen, is one of our original founding GaGas. She recently retired and is thrilled to have more time for her creative projects. Several years ago Karen and her buddy, Lori, a former GaGa Sister, made these adorable gingerbread angel ornaments. I thought they were so cute I wanted to share them with you.
Two days before Christmas, I stopped by and found her baking Spritz cookies. She had 4 trays of perfectly formed cookies decorated with colored sugar and cinnamon hearts all ready to pop in the oven.
Her Christmas tree was filled with one-of-a-kind ornaments. Each one has a story, Karen explained. She and her grandchildren share a Christmas tradition together every year. They decorate the tree and as they hang the ornaments, Karen tells them the story of how she got each one. |
Programs for Our 2012 Meetings
It was so much fun meeting with our program planning committee on October 20. I'm thrilled with all the interesting ideas we came up with for our 2012 meetings. I'm still awaiting confirmation on our July 8 meeting.
January 8, 2012
Back by popular demand: "When Being a Grandma Isn't So Grand" will be a group discussion about the challenges of being a grandma. Susan Borkin and Ann Stevenson -- both GaGas and therapists -- will facilitate our discussion.
March 4, 2012
"Music for the Young at Heart" facilitated by Juliette McDonald. Juliette is a retired preschool teacher, singer, songwriter, performer, author, master teacher and director of young children and adult education.
May 6, 2012
"Who Are You When You're Not Grandma?" will be a combination of two of our most popular past meetings--our member mixer and the meeting where we talked about some of the other "hats" we wear. Our committee thought of
developed some wonderfully thought-provoking questions to help us share some things about ourselves.
September 9, 2012
"Disposing of Your Sentimental Possessions" will be presented by our host Sandi Dolmatch. Sandi will share some tips for downsizing collections and objet d'arts, by deciding what to toss, donate and bequeath to family and friends.
November 4, 2012
"Intergenerational Communication" will be presented by Rachel Eryn Kalish.
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The GaGa Zone
Please continue sending me pictures and stories of you with your grandchildren for the GaGa Zone.
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GaGa Sandi, AKA Bubbe, with Joshua. Look at his smile. He knows he's in good hands!
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