1,000 GIFTS, #288 to #304

September 13, 2011 1:53 AM 4
Grace gifts, still counting along the way; very thankful and very blessed.
288. A blessed Women’s Ministry Conference this past weekend on 09-10-11 with the wonderful Mrs. Esther Burroughs. She is a precious mature Christian woman who shares from her life’s experiences and all who listen benefit. She taught from John 4 and encouraged us to “splash the Living Water” as we “Go OUT of our way while ON our way…” It was glorious!
289. This is a picture from the Conference with Mrs. Esther (she is in the black and white stripes). I call it “Generational Joy.” The two young women on the left are in their early 20’s and are DELIGHTFUL! Esther encouraged us to pour into their lives.
290. Helping Hands at the Women’s Conference…how blessed we are to have a church where people serve with JOY. Thank you Cindy, Sarah, Taneea, Teresa, Pam, Doris, Lisa, Kathy, Susan, Natalie, Lanie, Mindy, Lynn, Barbara, Rounette, Karen, Charlene, Patti, Jeanette, and Cheryl.
291. Sharing a recipe for Tomato Pie with my sweet friend Lanie.
292. Moonvines…this picture was taken just a few hours ago at dusk. I love these flowers. They will bloom all night and close up in the morning…
293. Another quilt class and girl’s night out with Lanie. We learned techniques for “half-square triangles,” but we learned much more than that…quality time in the car during a road trip helps you learn each other’s hearts and prayer needs…what a gift from God.
294. Driving through this allee of trees as I leave home each morning and returning each evening and celebrating His lovingkindness in the morning and His faithfulness at night.  (Psalm 92:1-2)  So grateful for my job and the people I work with and for. Grace.
295. Looking up from my desk at work just in time to see my oldest son and his son coming in the door to see me. Zeke gave me the sweetest hug ever. He said, “I’m your boy, Gran Jan.”  He knows that blesses my soul.
296. Another great practical message from Rev. Joel Southerland as he preached from the book of Job on the value of our families.
297. Finding a long-lost receipt. Thankful. Needed it.
298. Collards and turnip greens planted in my fall garden.
299. Attending a wedding with my husband this past Saturday of a young woman named Julie who we’ve known since she was 5 years old. Her groom was injured in an accident 14 months ago. Seeing her speak vows that she has already lived by standing true to him gives me such hope for young people and marriage.
300. Two big bags of fresh peas from a friend at church – thank you Mrs. Rhoda! I love to sit and shell peas – it is so soothing.
301. Jasmine. In my garden.
302. Long bike rides with my husband down country roads, cool weather. Good exercise. Weight loss success! So thankful. 
303. Spending time with my youngest son and his son tonight. Getting to play with little Jackson, feed him, bathe him, and tuck him in was so tender for me. My daughter-in-law is taking a class and was not home. I missed her, but love seeing the home she is building for my son and grandson.
304. New books and the anticipation of reading “The Resolution for Women.” The book is by Priscilla Shirer.  Excited about participating in her on-line book club this Friday.  Details will follow on my blog.
Nighty-night sweet friends,
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September 13, 2011 1:53 AM 4

1,000 GIFTS, #270 to #287

September 5, 2011 10:52 PM 4
My heart is so full of JOY from counting blessings, the wonderful Grace of Jesus! Thanking Him today for this Multitude Monday, a rare and peaceful day off from work, a restful day.
270. A new season of Fall Bible study begins tomorrow and a kickoff brunch was held 2 weeks ago with lots of women attending – excited about studying God’s Word.
271. Two littlest grandchildren sliding down slides…they are strong and healthy and I am so thankful.
272. A pretty little cat has taken up at the farm…I hope she stays…outside for sure! 🙂
273. My daughter-in-law Carrie sent a video of grandson Zeke singing a song he wrote, “Every Day We Go to Church…”  I’ve watched it dozens of times. So thankful she shared it with me!
274. Another video sent to me by my son of Zeke asking “Gran Jan, can I spend the night with you? I really want to…”
275. Zeke spending the night…pizza, popcorn and Charlotte’s Web… I really wanted him to!
276. Celebrating my son’s 30th birthday last Monday with this post.  Lots of memories of a fine son. God’s Grace multiplied.
277. Thankful for Jeremy’s wife, who also celebrated a birthday last week…she is a gift to our family.
278. The whole family for lunch on Saturday. I love to cook for them and we had grilled pork tenderloin, hasbrown casserole (recipe here), butter peas, collard greens from my garden (frozen last winter), and these delicious cheese muffins from The Pioneer Woman. I left out the sugar and used self-rising flour. My Dad ate two plates full and that blessed me so much.
279. My two sweet daughters-in-law blowing bubbles for the babies after lunch. They are both so tall and thin…beautiful…one blonde, one brunette, both long prayed for…

280. Three sweet grandbabies chasing those bubbles…it just doesn’t get any sweeter!

281. My daughter-in-law Erin worked so HARD to get a picture of these 3…it is nigh impossible…but I love her for trying!

282. Chocolate-face Jackson…eating his momma’s mini cupcakes!
283. A pot of chili simmering on the stove all day on this wonderful Monday off from work…my husband said it was the best ever.  I love to cook, have I mentioned that? 🙂
284. More material for more quilts…these are called “Charm Packs,” and every square is 5″ and represents all the fabric in a particular line. They make quilting fun and easy because all the fabric blends together…the pink butterflies will be for my granddaughter Madie.
285. I finished Erin’s quilt and gave it to her two weeks ago. She loved all the colors and I hope she enjoys some long naps this fall and winter under her cozy quilt.
286. Just finished Jackson’s “John Deere” quilt top about 3 hours ago. I rode my bike next door to my mom’s house and hung it on her clothesline so I could take a picture. I can’t wait to quilt it. (Zeke picked out the fabric for his John Deere quilt while he was here…)
287. Yesterday our interim pastor Bro. Joel Southerland, brought a message from Job 1:20-22 and I loved this quote…”In the storms of life, our REACTION determines our RECOVERY.” I want my reactions to be right, Spirit-filled, and for His glory. It was a great message.
Count your blessings,
 name them one by one…
and it will surprise you
what the Lord has done!

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September 5, 2011 10:52 PM 4

Homemade Buttermilk Biscuits

July 2, 2011 7:13 PM 12

We are having a great Saturday here around the farm. It started this morning with a big Southern breakfast at the request of my oldest son. (Big Southern breakfast to us includes: grits, eggs, bacon, sausage, homemade bisuits and preserves, and sliced cantaloupe!) I made homemade biscuits this morning, and I wanted to share my recipe. I have the ingredients down to measured amounts – which is unusual for most Southern women and their “pinch here and there” while making biscuits!

Gran Jan’s Homemade Buttermilk Biscuits
(This makes about 10-12 medium sized biscuits.)
2 1/2 cups of White Lily self-rising flour
1 stick of frozen salted butter, grated with a box grater
1 cup of whole buttermilk

  • Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
  • Lightly grease a cast iron skillet (or baking sheet if you don’t have a skillet. I use this cast iron skillet for baking biscuits and absolutely love it! It is made by Lodge Manufacturing. 
  • Measure the White Lily self-rising flour out into a large mixing bowl.
  • Using the course side of a box grater, grate the stick of frozen butter directly into the self-rising flour. Work quickly now and mix the flour and frozen butter pieces together for even distribution. 
  • Next, make a little well in the middle of the flour/butter mixture, and pour in the 1 cup of buttermilk and mix until just combined, using a spatula. About 12-15 good “stirs” is plenty! 
  • Dump the sticky dough out onto a floured service. I use parchment paper. Flour your hands well and quickly pat the dough into a 1/2″ thick rectangle – about the size of a sheet of notebook paper.
  • Now for the folding technique – which creates the beautiful layers in your biscuits: fold your dough “rectangle” in half, then turn clockwise and fold again, turn clockwise and fold again. Smooth it back into the rectangle shape and you’re ready to cut the biscuits out now!
  • Take your biscuit cutter and dip in into some flour and go straight down and back up. Don’t twist the cutter. Place the biscuits on the skillet closely, touching each other.
  • When you’ve cut all you can out of that batch, refold your dough again a couple of times and use the cutter to finish out the dough. You may even have to roll the very last biscuit out with your hands.
  • Put the skillet in the hot oven at 450 degrees and bake the biscuits 15-18 minutes, until lightly browned.
  • Remove from the oven and brush the tops with melted butter.
  • Today I felt a little whimsical fancy and decided to use one of my antique biscuit cutters. I bought the biscuit cutters at an antique market in Atlanta several years ago. I used the scalloped edge biscuit cutter today. I have a large one and a small one. (The three small biscuits were for the grandchildren.) After breakfast my husband, son, and grandson all decided to take a swim in the pond. They had the most wonderful time and swam for almost 2 hours…which means they had hearty appetites for lunch!  These hearty appetites led to another Southern delicacy…Tomato Sandwiches!!!
I am very thankful for the garden bounty we’ve had this summer.  I love to garden for the pure joy it brings me, but the side benefit of the delicious produce is wonderful this time of year.
My youngest son and his wife and son joined us for lunch today and we had a wonderful time around the table. The grandchildren are at the age now where they can play together a bit more. Zeke will be 3 next month and Madie Ruth and Jackson are both almost 14 months old.  Good times indeed.  I am counting my blessings this Saturday, and family time is right up there at the top of my list!!!
 
Happy Biscuit Baking!
 
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July 2, 2011 7:13 PM 12

1,000 GIFTS, #153 to #170

May 17, 2011 1:07 AM 2
As I come to yet another Multitude Monday, my heart is overflowing with His goodness as I continue to count blessings, grace gifts. Including pictures makes this more than a simple list, but I pray you’ll indulge me.  As you know, “a picture is worth a thousand words…”  I’m working to one thousand gifts…so one thousand words in pictures sounds joyful too.
153.  My dearest friend is named Lanie. We were talking in the car on the way to our quilt class last week and she quoted a line from her Mother’s Day card from her husband…it sounded familiar. Can you say like-minded friends and husbands? Our husbands gave us the exact same Mother’s Day Cards! What a gift to have life-long friends.

154.  Lunch at Longhorns with a like-minded same-season-sister, Patsy. We have so much in common. She raised 3 sons, I raised two. One of her boys is married, both of mine are. We love the Word, we love our church, we love each other. It was such a sweet time and it was her treat…making it all the sweeter!

155.  A wonderful meeting in my home with my church’s Women’s Ministry Leadership Team. We accomplished so much, and enjoyed some delicious chicken salad too. I made a homemade peach cobbler.  Here is my recipe! Complete with pictures. 🙂

156.  Zeke spent the night with me Friday and we had so much fun.  He is getting older and it is getting funner (great word).  We picked blueberries and worked in the garden.

157.  And of course blueberries on Saturday morning call for blueberry waffles:
158.  I just love this picture and had to share these sweet little hands with 4 blueberries.
159.  The Instrumental worship pastor from my church, Rev. Dawson Hull attended a conference and my friend, Rev. Travis Cottrell was there leading in some of the sessions. I got this picture on my cell phone with a “Travis says hi” message and it made my day! 
160.  This is a “Blushing Bride Hydrangea” from the Endless Summer Collection.  I planted it the spring my youngest son Jonathan married his blushing bride, Erin on 06-07-08!  It blooms a pale white/pink, then turns into a very pale blue.  I love it!
161.  This is the son of Jonathan & Erin, sweet baby Jackson. He knows so many words and understands just about everything they ask him to do…he will toddle off and do whatever it is they say or do…here he is “loving Curious George.”  Sweet!  He has a first birthday coming up one week from tomorrow.
162. This past Friday my friend and co-worker Sharon and I attended the funeral for the brother of our mutual friend and co-worker, Brenda. It was one of the most inspirational funerals I have ever attended. Three preachers and a quartet!  It was a celebration homegoing and the quartet sang a song called “If You Knew Him,” by The Perry’s that is absolutely wonderful!
163. The drive to the funeral was all backroads country and it was good for the soul.  We came upon this old covered bridge.  It is in Upson County, GA and is called Auchumpkee Creek Bridge and of course is tied to the time when the Creek Indians lived in this part of Georgia. I could have stayed there all day.  Had a great time tweeting about it with my siestas!
164.  This is the first daylily of 2011 from my garden.  Daylilies are my favorite perennial. 
165.  All the songs we sang yesterday in our morning worship were about God’s holiness. “Holy Holy Holy,” then a beautiful duet by Julie and Megan entitled “No Word But Holy,” and then “Lord, You’re Holy.”  The Spirit was strong and the LORD added to His church. 
166.  Big families! Our church hosts a monthly “visitors luncheon” where new and prospective members meet and have lunch with the pastors and their families. Three of the families there yesterday had lots of children! I mean lots!  Two of them had 5 children each, and the other had six children! Hope for the future of Christian families.
167.  Our church nominated a great group of folks last night to serve as our Pastor Search Team. As God calls them to your memory, will you just pray for His will to be done?  We are searching for a Senior Pastor to come shepherd us, love us, and lead us.  Exciting times ahead for our family of faith!
168.  This is sweet baby Madie Ruth, my granddaughter, in as her momma calls it, “her girliest outfit yet.”  There’s more to come baby girl and we can’t wait!
169.  Lastly…as I sign off tonight, I just want to say it is going to be 49 degrees tonight and I am loving this gift of cooler weather.
170.  One more lastly, I planted green beans, squash and cucumbers in my garden this past weekend.  I harvested red potatoes and onions to make room for the above veggies. The tomatoes have been planted for about 3 weeks and are growing so well with the help of my farmhand, Zeke.  He was watering them for Gran Jan!
It’s been a very good week and I thank you for sharing this journey of counting His gifts with me.  Oh to grace how great a debtor daily I’m constrained to be…

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May 17, 2011 1:07 AM 2

1,000 GIFTS, #80 to #98

March 15, 2011 1:28 AM 4
MULTITUDE MONDAYS
80. Back to Bible study with my Wednesday night girls, I love them so much!
81. A homemade Chocolate Cobbler. Go HERE for my posted recipe and pictures.
82. Time in my garden with glorious warm weather on Saturday and Sunday.
                             Texas Sweet Onions!                         Daffodils!
83. Joining my friend Travis Cottrell by becoming a backer on his new worship project.
84. Assurance that Jesus Christ is the Solid Rock, even during times of devastation in our world. 
85. Thankful for Samaritan’s Purse and their gifts to help the people in Japan suffering intensely after the earthquake and tsunami.
86. Enough hair for my 10-month old granddaughter Madie Ruth to have a real ponytail.
87. The opportunity to pray with some of my co-workers this week. We are asking God to give His grace to a family in the death of two young sisters in a car accident…they were headed home from church and the weather was so stormy. 
88. Singing with our Praise Team this past Sunday morning…”Jesus Messiah” by Chris Tomlin and “I Bless Your Name” by Selah. Awesome worship.
89. Thankful that my Dad is continuing to recover well from back surgery 5 weeks ago.
90. Good conversations with my sons this week. I love them with all my heart. We are friends.
91. Calls, emails, and cards of encouragement from friends at church who know that the past months have been extremely difficult in ministry. God is doing a mighty work in our church…things are better than ever and we praise His Holy Name. Our God is Greater.
92. Helping my husband move these two cows to the pasture behind our house…I am not a cowgirl, but I had a blast! That’s Helen on the left, and Thelma Lou on the right…

 93. A new devotional book Reliving the Passion as I prepare my heart for Easter…

94. Continuing to memorize scripture with lots of friends on the SSMT…Siesta Scripture Memory Team!
95. Going to “Sonic” last night after church with dear friends Jack & Lanie and sitting outside at the picnic tables until way past our bedtime 🙂  Laughing like teenagers.
96. Enjoying these violet violas while they last…because when the warm weather cometh they will not be happy! (I like cooler weather too.)

97.  The sacred echo of this verse in my heart… James 4:14
Whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow.
For what is your life?
 It is even a vapor that appears for a little time
and then vanishes away.
98. Which is exactly why I rejoice in the simple JOY of counting to 1,000…FOR ALL IS GRACE.
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March 15, 2011 1:28 AM 4

Oh So Easy Lasagna!

February 19, 2011 1:00 AM 4
EASY HOMEMADE LASAGNA

This recipe has been a favorite in our family for a long time and is so easy to prepare. I made it often when my boys were both still in high school because you can feed a crowd! Add a nice green salad and good Italian bread and everyone is happy!

Ingredients:

One box of lasagna noodles, prepare as directed
2 lbs. lean ground beef, browned and drained
1 medium-large chopped onion (saute in olive oil until done)
1 large jar of your favorite prepared marinara sauce, or 2 small jars (28 ozs. each)
(We like the Prego Three Cheese variety.)
1 16 oz. container of Cottage Cheese
Shredded sharp Cheddar cheese (about 4 cups)
Shredded Mozzarella cheese (about 4 cups)
Shredded Parmesan cheese (about 2 cups)

1. Brown ground beef, add cooked onion and prepared pasta sauce
and simmer for at least 30 minutes – longer if you have the time.
2. Boil lasagna noodles in water, add 1/2 teaspoon of salt and about 1 Tablespoon
of canola or olive oil to the water so the noodles won’t be sticky. Do not overcook the pasta,
 it should be slightly firm as you will bake the lasagna as well.
3. Ladle a layer of the meat sauce on the bottom of a 9×13 casserole dish.
4. Next, place a layer of lasagna noodles over the sauce.
5.  Now cover the noodles with more meat sauce (be generous) and
 then dollop the cottage cheese as shown below:
6. Be more generous and sprinkle 2 cups each of cheddar and mozzarella cheeses on top!
7.  REPEAT THE LAYERS ONE MORE TIME!
 Lasagna noodles, more meat sauce, cottage cheese dollops,
and then shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses.
8. Finish with the Parmesan cheese.
9.  Bake for 30-40 minutes at 350 degrees until cheese melts
 and the lasagna is nice and bubbly!
10.  Before you slice and serve the lasagna, it is important to let it sit for 10-15 minutes.
Enjoy and be blessed!  Every day you have together with your family…every meal shared around the table…they are gifts from God. 
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February 19, 2011 1:00 AM 4

Cookbook Giveaway Winner!

December 2, 2010 2:06 AM 2

Congratulations to Terry of the Ater-Price Family Blog!  Your cookbook, “Christmas in the Country” will soon be on it’s way to you!

Thank you to those of you who shared your thankful thoughts.

I am also very thankful to each of you who visit this blog, which is basically the rambling thoughts of a blessed woman…

So thankful!
Gran Jan

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December 2, 2010 2:06 AM 2
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