Gary — Page 4

Cream Cheese Pound Cake – Recipe

February 16, 2015 9:12 PM 2

Yesterday was my sweet husband’s birthday and that man of mine dearly loves a pound cake, so I made a special one for him using my heart-shaped pan. You can order one for yourself by visiting this Williams-Sonoma Site.

RECIPE
Cream Cheese Pound Cake
3 sticks butter (softened – room temperature)
1 8-ounce block of cream cheese (softened – room temperature)
3 cups of sugar
6 large eggs (room temperature)
1 Tablespoon vanilla
3 cups White Lily all purpose flour (sifted)

1. Butter and flour the pan generously. [I used Butter Flavor Crisco, but Baker’s JOY spray is my go-to.]

2. Whip softened butter and cream cheese well, then add sugar and beat at medium speed for 3 minutes, until light and fluffy.
[I LOVE THIS MIXER. It literally makes me so happy to use it. Baking becomes an EVENT, not a routine thing. And celebrating my wonderful husband’s birthday and love for pound cake is an event in itself! AND did I mention it was also Valentine’s Day while I was baking?]

3. Add eggs one at a time, mixing after each addition.

4. Add vanilla.

5. Lower mixer speed, and slowly add sifted flour.

6. Pour batter into pan. (It is a thick batter, so it is more of a “spooning” into the pan.)7. Place in a cold oven and set temperature to 300 degrees. Bake for 1 and 1/2 hours.

There was too much batter for this pan, so the cake began to rise over the top of the pan… WOW! It rose so high I literally sliced the top off before I turned the cake out of the pan! Gary loved eating that buttery crunchy top.

8. Let cake cool about 10 minutes in pan and then gently turn onto a platter or cake plate.

Happy Birthday to my wonderful husband, Gary. I love him so much and I’m so thankful he loves my cooking and is enjoying his pound cake. These are the beautiful pink roses he gave me for Valentine’s Day. He had them waiting at the table when we went out to dinner.

I close with this beautiful picture of the clouds set in the shape of a heart framed by the valley and mountains. Enjoy your loved ones, make time to bake their favorites and celebrate love and family. Each day is a gift and treasure from the Good Lord.

Job 37:16 (NLT)
Do you understand how he moves the clouds
with wonderful perfection and skill?

February 16, 2015 9:12 PM 2

A Year to Remember…2014!

December 31, 2014 8:43 PM 1

Here I sit on New Year’s Eve, December 31, 2014. This has been a very blessed year for me and mine. We have all been healthy and strong. My husband is leading worship with more joy and passion than I’ve ever known him to, and he takes such good care of me and our home and family. Our church is growing with lots of new young families. Both my boys have experienced growth in their lives – Jeremy in ministry as a pastor and Jonathan with leadership awards and job growth in his career. My daughters-in-law are delightful – loving my sons and taking good care of their homes and children. What more could this mama desire for her family? I received a promotion and began a new job June 1st within my same organization. My parents and sisters and their families are all well. My heart is full…

Sometimes when I have the time, (or just because it brings me joy) I will scroll through the pictures on my iPhone. I did just that earlier this afternoon and picked out one (sometimes more) special favorite for every month from 2014. Letting pictures do my blogging has become common for me, so here I go again.

January 2014
Atlanta was hit with a huge snowstorm in January. This is the view from the passenger seat of my husband’s truck as we drove back home from the airport. My flight (and all flights) were cancelled for several days. I was meeting my friend and we were scheduled to fly to California to appear on the “Wheel of Fortune!” YES!!! Hopefully we will be rescheduled in 2015. We are ready to buy vowels and spin that wheel!

February 2014
This is a picture of my youngest grandchild, Abe that was on the big screens in the church where my son Jeremy (Abe’s father) is the Pastor. My husband and I were there for a special service of dedication of Abe’s life. It was also my husband’s birthday. It was a great weekend – our first time to hear our son preach since he began his ministry at First Baptist Cartersville in September 2013, just one month after Abe was born. A very special weekend.

March 2012
This is my mom on her birthday! My sisters and I took her to lunch at a fun Mexican restaurant and celebrated her life and had a great time. We always do. I love my mom and I’m thankful for her faithful, consistent life. No drama! Just love and support.

April 2014
In April I went to Callaway Gardens with a dear friend, Sharon Riley. We attended the Birds of Prey Show and I am still tickled pink with the timing of this picture of a Great Horned Owl. I literally stuck my iPhone up and snapped the shot as this great bird flew over my head. The bird’s talons touched the top of my head as it flew over…wow!

May 2014
May was so special for my three oldest grandchildren! Zeke graduated from Pre-Kindergarten, and my 2nd and 3rd grandchildren (Madie and Jackson) celebrated their fourth birthdays just two weeks apart. (Each of my daughters-in-law had children born in May of 2010.)

June 2014
A big summer shower produced some GIANT puddles here at the Morton Farm. The weather cleared and was great for puddle jumping and running followed by s’mores. This was a special memory and these two grandboys had a blast together.

July 2014
The Fourth of July was a great week! I was off work and the weather was unseasonably cool and my boys and daughters-in-law and all five grands were here. We had a big breakfast together and then they all fished in the pond. This picture was impromptu and has become so precious. I have it framed at work and here at home and on my computer desktop. I am one blessed Gran Jan!

August 2014
August 22-23 was a weekend that had been planned and prayed for since April of 2013! Our church was blessed to host Priscilla Shirer of Going Beyond Ministries for a women’s conference. All 2,200 seats of our church were filled and we had overflow seating in the choir loft. It was a glorious weekend that I will always remember. Many lives were touched and I pray that eternity will bear the results of this weekend.

September 2014
Little Miss Emery, grandbaby number four, celebrated her second birthday with a Minnie Mouse themed party. Here she is with her daddy (my son), and sweet mama. (I made Emery’s birthday shirt!) It was so much fun and she is absolutely precious. She and big brother Jackson actually spent the night last night here with me and Pop. We made cookies, watched Frozen and had a big time. Gran Jan’s JOY.

October 2014
My sweet man and I went to the beach for a few days in October. We rested, ate delicious seafood, walked on the beach, shopped, and had a wonderful time. This time away together was way long overdue. We also visited a brand new church called Sunrise City Church in Fort Walton Beach that is being planted by two young men and their wives and two other couples that we’ve had the privilege to know most of their young lives. It was a great trip with special memories.

November 2014
Back in September my best friend Lanie and I had a “sew-in” and I made these Christmas jammies for the grands. I gave them to all five of them on Thanksgiving and they donned them for a picture for me! It just doesn’t get any sweeter than this! More Gran Jan’s JOY!

December 2014
This picture was just last week on Christmas evening after our family tradition of breakfast on Christmas Day night. I love my family. As I’ve looked back over my camera roll today the themes of faith and family are everything to me. This blog is a record of the legacy I pray to leave for my grandchildren especially. I am very humbly grateful for God’s grace on my life and I sincerely mean that.

No party tonight here at home, but lots of celebrating in my heart! We have always preferred a quiet New Year’s Eve. I like to think about the year that is leaving and anticipate the dawning of a brand new year. May the Good Lord bless you all in 2015 with His great love. He is so faithful!

December 31, 2014 8:43 PM 1

Blackberry Cobbler & 37 Years of Marriage!

June 15, 2014 8:49 PM 1

It’s been a great week – Gary and I celebrated 37 years of marriage this past Wednesday on June 11th. I’m thankful for my sweet husband…for the way he leads and loves. I had no idea as a young 19-year-old bride what a great man he was. I just knew I loved him and wanted to be his wife. God in His great plan for me unfolded a happy home that now includes two sons, two daughters-in-love, and five amazing grandchildren. All because two young people fell in love and got married. Here we are…about to begin our journey. We’d only just begun… I wish you could see Gary’s baby blue leisure suit because it matched the baby blue Pinto car. He was also very proud of his white patent leather boots that matched his wide white belt. And the platform wedge shoes I had on? They are back in style today!

Today before church the discussion turned to cobblers as a group of us ladies were in the choir room. Some of us cook the fruit, some don’t, some of us sweeten the fruit, some don’t. All I know is last night I made a blackberry cobbler that my husband told me was the BEST I HAD EVER MADE! So I wanted to share my recipe that happens to be the way my mama and my Granny also made cobblers. Starting with these beautiful berries right from my garden sure made it even more wonderful!

I have posted my recipe for CHOCOLATE COBBLER on my blog as well as my recipe for PEACH COBBLER if you want to see those recipes. The blackberry cobbler recipe below is identical to the peach cobbler recipe, but I didn’t take pictures while making it last night as our “Father’s Day Celebration” grew and Gran Jan had to hurry! [First it was just me and Gary and my mom and dad. Then my younger sister Jo called and had a change of plans, so she came. Next we heard from our son Jonathan and he and his wife and two children came, so the party of four quickly turned into a party of 9!] It was great except for I sure missed my Cartersville Crew…

BLACKBERRY COBBLER – 9″ x 13″ casserole dish or 12″ cast iron skillet

FRUIT
4 cups of fresh blackberries

2 cups of water

1 cup of sugar

CRUST – the good part!
1 and 1/2 sticks of butter

1 and 1/2 cups of self-rising flour (I use White Lily)

1 and 1/2 cups of sugar

1 and 1/2 cups of whole milk

1. Pre-heat your oven to 350 degrees.

2. Put the 1 1/2 sticks of butter into your 9×13 baking dish or a 12″ cast iron skillet (my preference), and slide into the oven to melt completely.

3. Rinse the blackberries and check them to remove leaves, stems, etc., drain well.

4. Now make a “simple syrup” by bringing the 2 cups of water and 1 cup of sugar to a boil until the sugar dissolves. Stir well.

5. Add the blackberries to the simple syrup and simmer 4-5 minutes.

6. After simmering, remove the blackberries/simple syrup pan from the heat and set aside.

7. Now take a wire whisk and mix the self-rising flour and sugar well, removing ALL lumps!

8. Then pour the 1 1/2 cups of milk to the sugar/flour and whisk until creamy. It will be thin – that is fine! Just make sure it is mixed well – no lumps. No lumps!

9, Remove the baking dish with the hot melted butter from the oven, and gently pour the flour/sugar/milk “batter” over the melted butter in the pan. DO NOT STIR the batter into the butter. I repeat – DO NOT STIR!

10. Now spoon your simmered blackberries over the batter so they are evenly placed. Gently pour in the simple syrup. DO NOT STIR! You don’t have to use all the syrup, but trust me, it will be so good if you do! The cobbler will be juicy and not dry.

11. Slide the 9 x 13 casserole or skillet into your pre-heated oven and bake until bubbly and browned on top, about 45 minutes.
The Beautiful Crust (it deserves to be capitalized) will rise up through the berries and will be so delicious!

Serve warm and topped with vanilla ice cream.

This has been a great weekend that began Saturday morning with coffee on the front porch and ended this evening with sitting in the swing by the pond while Gary fished a bit off the bank. There was also blackberry cobbler making, an awesome time of worship at church, playing with grandkids, honoring my dad and husband for Father’s Day today, and even weeding the garden! Life’s simple pleasures really are the best, so don’t forget that vanilla ice cream on the cobbler…

June 15, 2014 8:49 PM 1

May 2014 Memories

May 31, 2014 9:07 PM 1

The past month has been so very busy – and as I’ve so often done in the past on my blog, I’m going to let my pictures tell the story. I really am a visual learner – and this is confirmed in my preference of sharing pictures. I see and I read and I remember…and I don’t want to forget any of these wonderful spring memories! Because my people are my heart…

I had a great time last month with a dear co-worker and friend, Sharon Riley. We spent a beautiful afternoon at Callaway Gardens, Georgia. While there we took in the “Birds of Prey” show. I had an “up close and personal” encounter with a Great Horned Owl. It was glorious. The trainer even came up and asked me I was okay after the talons of the owl touched the top of my head as it flew over. I told her I wasn’t fine…I was marvelous. It was thrilling. Look at the wingspan of this beautiful owl! And the very next week on my drive in to work, I saw one in a tree as I drove…double delight.

Two of my grandchildren are both four years old, Madie and Jackson are cousins exactly two weeks apart. More double delight! Madie is the oldest and she had a “princess party.” She told me she was actually the Queen. Indeed. I made a shirt for her to wear. All the little girls wore purple princess capes that Madie’s materal grandmother made. It was quite the event. She is quite the Queen…of our hearts.

Jackson had a “Grand Prix” tractor-truck-car birthday party. All the children brought their little cars. It was a FUN time for all! It was here at the Morton farm with lots of space to drive. My daughter-in-law even made “roads” for the children to follow. It was a great theme and the adults had as much fun as the children.

I also made a shirt in honor of Jackson’s fourth birthday. He loves orange and Gran Jan was happy to comply. He is a precious boy and we love him so much too!

Sweet notes of love from my boys for Mother’s Day. They are both fine men, respected in their work, genuine and kind. Being a mom to Jeremy and Jonathan is pure JOY to me. I am so thankful and this right here holds true for me…

My grandson Zeke graduated from Pre-K a couple of weeks ago. It was a great time! He sang his heart out, and I can honestly say it was one of the sweetest children’s programs I have ever attended. My son and his wife, and my husband Gary and I were so proud of him that our hearts were about to burst. He has brought so much JOY to this Gran Jan and is the reason this whole blog began for me… Great things ahead for this little fella – he has a heart for God.

I was able to keep my youngest little grandson for a couple of nights and my JOY was full as he napped in the same baby bed as his daddy. I am such a softie when it comes to things like that. Traditions, family legacy, God’s goodness.

My oldest son and his wife celebrated TEN YEARS of marriage in May also! Talk about family legacy, love, and the JOY of life. I am the most blessed mother-in-law. My two girls love my sons and are awesome mommas to our 5 grandchildren. You can’t put a price on any of these gifts from God! I made a scrapbook for them of their dating, engagement, rehearsal dinner and wedding. I know the grandchildren will love seeing the foundation of faith into which they were born. More gifts of God’s grace to us! My youngest and his wife will celebrate SIX YEARS next week.

Fun times abound around blueberry time here at the farm and the early varieties are bearing beautifully. Blue bounty for sure. The kids love running in and out of the blueberries with me close behind reminding the little ones, “only pick the blue ones, the blue ones, the blue ones…leave the green ones.” Who knew this would become such a fun tradition that cold day my husband and I planted those 20 bushes?

The Jasmine and petunias are so pretty right now too. The petunias are from my maternal Grandmother. They re-seed and are an old-fashioned variety that smell so good. I love that connection to my grandmother. She was a green-thumb girl and I always say I inherited my love for gardening from her. The jasmine over our porch swings is an annual delight in May. Sweet.

I love sewing for these two little granddaughters. They have brought a tenderness to me and my husband that we didn’t experience because we raised boys! We are so thankful to have these littles girlies in our lives…we enjoyed some time on the swing during Jackson’s birthday party a couple of weekends ago.

Just today I made this little outfit for Emery (Miss Hollywood above). She is a sweetheart and also spent the night here at the farm this past weekend. For one who is especially attached to her momma and daddy…she never once mentioned them! I love it – she was happy happy happy with Pop and Gran Jan.

Pop and I love our family. We literally share with each other EVERY DAY about how thankful and blessed we are. We count our blessings. We keep God’s goodness ever in front of us as reminders of His love and faithfulness. There is nothing sweeter than getting a grandchild to sleep and then holding him in your arms. Gary got Abe to sleep during Zeke’s graduation and by the smile on Pop’s face, he was enjoying the sweetness.

These FIVE grandbabies (5 1/2, 4, 4, 20 months and 9 months) are a source of great JOY and they also bring a great sense of accountability to me. I want to stay by the stuff, live strong, and show them all what it means to be a Christ-follower. I want them to know that Gran Jan believed what she lived and that Jesus is everything.

This quote helps me. Sometimes I’m so busy thinking ahead, planning ahead, and being ahead that I can miss the moments that count every day. Chasing grandyounguns through the blueberries, blowing bubbles for Jackson and Madie to jump and pop, reading to Zeke, playing with Emery, rocking Abe…quiet times in my sewing room and in my garden. Long conversations over coffee while sitting in the swing by the pond with my sweet man. Those are the gifts I cherish – that keep me centered. Faith and family.

May 2014 has been full of them. This is one content Gran Jan.

May 31, 2014 9:07 PM 1

Fabulous February – 2014

February 28, 2014 10:08 PM 2

I fully hoped with much faith that 2014 would be a “better” year than 2013 was for our family. God is faithful and was so good to see us through the trials we faced. I experienced His grace in so many ways in 2013. I wrote about it in a post entitled Triple Trials. You can’t always see God’s purposes in every season, but His peace and His presence are very real.

February has been a great month for so many reasons! Remember my blog counting to 1,000 GIFTS when I posted pictures and shared the JOY of counting His gifts of grace? Well, this post is going to be similar as the pictures tell the story…here goes!

I spoke at a retreat for pastor’s wives in North Georgia at the beautiful Georgia Baptist Conference Center in Toccoa. The theme was “Live Out Your Legacy,” and God blessed in every way. The most precious time for me was when my son Jeremy introduced me before I spoke on Friday evening. Talk about a living legacy! He made me cry my eyes out – it was a surprise and a blessing all rolled together. I love him so much! He and his brother were pure JOY to raise.

We’ve had a TRUE winter here in the South. Lots of snow and lots of fun! I’m hoping tomorrow when March rolls in…we can see some signs of sweet Springtime! I’m ready to get in the garden.

We’ve had some great meetings this month and the momentum is building! Second Baptist Church Warner Robins is blessed to host Priscilla Shirer Live this coming August 22-23, 2014. The event is open to all women and we hope that all 2,300 seats are taken! Please go to LIFEWAY to order your tickets before June 27th for a discount!

This blog began because of my JOY in becoming a grandmother. The joy continueth…

More random… My friend Jan and I auditioned last summer in Atlanta to be on the Wheel of Fortune! We did really well and made it through to the final cuts… SEVEN MONTHS LATER…we were called to go to Culver City, CA for taping, and the snowstorm of Atlanta cancelled our flights and the trip to “spin the wheel” was postponed. The fine folks at Wheel of Fortune say we are at the top of the list for rescheduling a “Girlfriends Getaway” themed week…and we hope it’s soon! “TEAM JAN” is ready to go!

Quilting is another love of mine. I made a quilt this month at my sister’s request (several months ago) to help raise funds for her son’s high school baseball program. She is in charge of the annual big fundraiser. I sure hope it does well for them – tomorrow is the big day!

My sweet husband and I had the privilege to attend our son’s church this month! It was our first time to be there since they moved last September. This Sunday was special for several reasons…it was our first occasion to attend, we were able to hear Jeremy preach a wonderful message, it was my husband’s birthday, and our youngest grandchild “Abe” was dedicated to the Lord. Our hearts were overflowing.

February 2014 has also provided some good times here at the Farm enjoying the sunsets and time around the fire pit on those rare warm days we enjoyed.

Teaching Wednesday Night Bible study is a JOY and privilege. To experience learning and growing in the Word of God is something I hope to never take for granted. This study “Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World” has been timely, rich, and wonderful!

I always see a pattern in these posts…faith and family – the two treasures I hold dear. I hope that never changes. I’m so very thankful.

Love and JOY from Gran Jan on this last day of Fabulous February 2014!

February 28, 2014 10:08 PM 2

Triple Trials – Triple Triumphs

October 14, 2013 4:38 PM 1

I’ve been reviewing 2013 often in my mind lately. When this year began, I had great anticipation for the new year. I always do. Many people do! There’s something cathartic about a new calendar, a fresh start. Conversely, there may be apprehension as we wonder what will come to pass, what lies ahead. Hopefully as believers, we’ve been taught to rest in the truth that our God is in control. However, in the emotion of waiting and wondering about what may happen or what actually does happen, we can get “trials, tests, and temptations” mixed up.

Trials are difficult life events that inevitably come to everyone as we sojourn here on earth.
Tests are difficulties God sends to reveal the depth of our character and increase our faith.
Temptations come from the enemy of our souls in an attempt to destroy us, our faith and our peace.

What lay ahead for me came in three events, in this order: my father’s bout with life-threatening pneumonia, my husband’s cancer, and my oldest son’s (and his wife and 3 of my grandchildren) physical move 3 hours away from us. Right now this very day my dad is well and playing golf, my husband is cancer-free and fully recovered in every way, and my son preached in his new church yesterday. God’s grace multiplied thrice.

I really want to share some things I’ve learned (and quite possibly have just been “refreshed” with) on my journey so far this year…both spiritual lessons and practical ones.

God is good, always good, and I know without a doubt He loves me with an everlasting love.
Grace isn’t stored up. You don’t receive grace for tomorrow’s trials. His grace is sufficient and always on time. Always.
God doesn’t bring about temptations, but He does allow trials and tests. Even Jesus endured testing (God’s Word sustained Him.) You’ll be the better for whatever it is because God can and will use it for His glory in your life.
Don’t be hurt when people go on with their lives even though you feel your world crumbling. We can’t be all things to all people and shouldn’t expect that of others.
If you do need something, ask for help specifically and then let people help you.
A strong marriage is one of God’s greatest gifts. Keeps me centered. I’m so thankful God healed my sweet man.
Lifelong friends are wonderful.
A card in the mail is a balm to the soul in a world of email, Twitter, and Facebook.
Praying is a lifeline.
Worship is wonderful – you worship from a different place.
A book entitled “The Power of Crying Out, When Prayer Becomes Mighty,” is powerful.
Your emotions will lead you astray. Vain imaginations. Conjured up conversations. Stick to the truth. God’s truth. Walk in the Spirit.
Stay focused, get alone with God.
Remember who the real enemy is. Remember that he is defeated.
Get some rest. You can’t take care of others when you’re fatigued.
A church family is another one of God’s greatest gifts. I really mean it when I ponder “what do people do without a church home?”
It is pure joy to have a family that will come through and show up and help and be there. My sons and their wives and sisters are the best.
Life is but a vapor (James 4:14), enjoy God’s daily gifts, pick your battles.
Grandchildren remain pure therapy for my soul. Even though three of the five are no longer close by, they are alive and healthy and their daddy and momma are following God’s call. What a legacy of faith.

And just as surely as God has given three of the best outcomes to my three trials, He would still be God and He would still be good if there were different outcomes. Yesterday at church we had a guest pastor preaching, Dr. Ron Lynch. He shared a quote by Major Ian Thomas:

“You can’t—He never said you could—He can, He always said He would. So let Him.”

God gave Major Thomas this message through Galatians 2:20 (Amplified Bible):

I have been crucified with Christ [in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ (the Messiah) lives in me; and the life I now live in the body I live by faith in (by adherence to and reliance on and complete trust in) the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

Lord Jesus, I can’t—You never said I could—but You can, and always said You would. That is all I need to know.

ALL I need to know.

Jan

October 14, 2013 4:38 PM 1

Spring 2013 – Lots of Living Being Lived!

June 10, 2013 11:12 PM 10

So much “living has been lived” since I blogged a month ago! Life is good because God is good, He is always good. He continues to faithfully reveal His love to me in wonderful ways. I take pictures all the time with my iPhone camera, so I really want to let my pictures do the blogging for me…as I did when I was counting grace gifts to 1,000 here on my blog the past two years. There have been lots of celebrations this month in our family! My life continues again with familiar themes of faith, family, fun, farm, and always of course…the flowers…

FAITH
June 1st marked a very special day for my husband and me – the 25th anniversary of ministry at our wonderful church! Our church family gave us a love offering and a paid vacation trip of our choosing. Last night (June 9th) we celebrated with a reception and so many memories flooded our hearts. They are precious people, a loving and generous church family. God surely blessed us when He led us there with our two little boys 25 years ago…

I was blessed to serve on the planning team for the recent Living Proof Life event in Atlanta. My church had 76 ladies attend and we had a wonderful time. Beth Moore and Travis Cottrell make a great team as the Word was shared and the Worship was divine. The last session was a celebratory time of responsive reading, singing, praying, and dedication like nothing I’ve ever experienced – unprecedented for one of the LPL events. So thankful for the time I shared with friends there.

This group of ladies with our fearless leader Mandy Parker were tremendous servants.
(Mandy is in the white blouse kneeling on the first row.)

My friend Sophie Hudson, author of this book below, “A Little Salty to Cut the Sweet” was at the conference (on the far right in the picture above). She is a genuine, precious woman of faith. I LOVE HER and this book is one I will re-read and go to often. She loves her family, her Southern heritage, and I so get her. She is one of the blessings that have come to me from “the internets.”

FAMILY & FUN
May is the month my two middle grandchildren celebrate their birthdays exactly two weeks apart! They each celebrated their 3rd birthdays with sweet parties planned by my daughters-in-law. Madie had a “Bubblegum Party” theme (since she is now allowed to have bubble gum), and Jackson had a “Jake the Pirate Party.” They each had so much fun at each others’ parties with family and friends, and Gran Jan had fun making the birthday shirts they wore at their parties. Here are the hugging cousins at Madie’s party…it just doesn’t get any sweeter!

Here is the Birthday Princess wearing her “#3 Bubble Gum Machine” shirt made with love by Gran Jan. She is a sweet girl!

Here is Jackson’s “#3 Pirate Birthday” shirt made with love by Gran Jan.

My daughter-in-law Carrie took this picture of Zeke and Madie on their last day of playschool. She couldn’t have captured a sweeter moment! It is perfection and I’m so thankful to have it here to share with you. One of my favorite pictures ever. I pray these two will always be there for each other…nothing like siblings!

We also celebrated my nephew Payton’s graduation from high school on May 25th with a HUGE FAMILY GATHERING complete with matching “Maloy Family” shirts compliments of my sister Joan. We enjoyed delicious King Crab and all the trimmings at the “Crab Fest 2013.” It was so great to have everyone together and my daughter-in-law Erin has great skills for setting up a photography shoot!

Both my boys have celebrated wedding anniversaries recently…Jeremy & Carrie celebrated 9 years May 22nd and Jonathan and Erin celebrated 5 years on June 7th. NO GREATER JOY for this mom than to see my sons and daughters-in-law building homes together!

Zeke played tee-ball with Upward Sports Ministries at our church this Spring and we had a great time watching him “play ball!”
My son was one of the coaches and we enjoyed watching him too! 🙂

Little Miss Emery is now 8 months old and brings everyone JOY with her sweet and precious disposition. She is a GOOD GIRL!

Grandbaby #5, our gender tie-breaker! (We have 2 grandsons and 2 granddaughters.)
We love you already and can’t wait to meet you in just under 3 months.

Mother’s Day 2013 was special and I’m thankful for my boys’ wives who gave me great gifts – pretty red jewelry from Carrie and this photo collage flowerpot that Erin put together with all the grandchildren’s pictures around the whole pot! I love it!

Today is Memama Morton’s 91st Birthday. She is the Morton Family Matriarch and the best mother-in-law this daughter-in-law could ever have. She loved me from the start, she prays for our family, and she has never once “interfered” with our lives. I pray I can be as good to my daughters-in-law as she has been to me. We love you so much Memama!

FLOWERS!
We’ve had a great Spring 2013. The weather has been cool and rainy, my flowers and garden are flourishing, and best of all
God’s tender mercies are new every morning…

Daylilies…

Glorious gardenias and roses… My “Blushing Bride” Hydrangeas…

Blackberries…

Wonderful sweet-smelling Confederate Jasmine over the spring arbor…

As I close this post tonight, I am thinking toward a very special day, the most special day a man and woman can celebrate. Tomorrow is our 36th wedding anniversary. Gary and I began our lives together 6-11-1977. God has blessed us with a wonderful family, a fruitful ministry, and a solid marriage based on trust and love. I am so thankful that 36 years ago as a young (way too young to be getting married) 19 year old woman that God knew what I needed and provided you for me when I didn’t even know He was taking care of me. I love you Gary – and my love for you is stronger than ever. Being your wife has been my life’s greatest joy. Thank you for taking such good care of me… even going to the blueberry garden early in the morning last week to pick blueberries for my yogurt. You’re a fine man and I’m one spoiled, blessed woman!

Love to all of you and thank you for reading all the way to the end…life’s SIMPLE JOYS are really the best,
and only made sweeter when surrounded by the love of Christ.

June 10, 2013 11:12 PM 10

Cream Cheese Pound Cake – Recipe

A Year to Remember…2014!

Blackberry Cobbler & 37 Years of Marriage!

May 2014 Memories

Fabulous February – 2014

Triple Trials – Triple Triumphs

Spring 2013 – Lots of Living Being Lived!

GRAN JAN

GRAN JAN'S JOY!

My Three Men

MORTON FAMILY ~ ESTABLISHED 1977

Jan’s Journal by Topic

Jan’s Journal

Quilting & Sewing

I Support COMPASSION – Will You Too?

Cream Cheese Pound Cake – Recipe

A Year to Remember…2014!

Blackberry Cobbler & 37 Years of Marriage!

May 2014 Memories

Fabulous February – 2014

Triple Trials – Triple Triumphs

Spring 2013 – Lots of Living Being Lived!

GRAN JAN

GRAN JAN'S JOY!

My Three Men

MORTON FAMILY ~ ESTABLISHED 1977

Jan’s Journal by Topic

Jan’s Journal

Quilting & Sewing

Joyous Journeys

I Support COMPASSION – Will You Too?