She Lived 25 Years…She’s Been Gone 25 Years

August 3, 2010 12:49 PM 31
Sisters are Different Flowers From the Same Garden…

I am the oldest of four girls all named by our parents with “P.J.” inititals, Pamela Jan, Phyllis Jean, Patricia Joan, Peggy Jo; all called by our middle names. This picture was taken back in 1981 as we celebrated our parents’ 25th wedding anniversary.  (We are standing in birth order, with me on the far left.)

This past January 18th would have been Jean’s 50th birthday if she had lived. But God had other plans, and my sister died on July 19, 1985, 25 years ago.  She was only 25 years old when a tragic car accident took her life instantly.  She’s been gone for as long as she lived.  Some days it seems like only yesterday…and other days I mourn every one of those 25 years. 

I have scanned in some photos from our early years.  Every memory I have of my childhood includes my sister Jean as we were so close in age.  This could well be one of our first photos together.  I was 2 years, 2 months and 2 days old when she was born in January of 1960.

 This photograph is one of my favorites of Jean and me with our mother.
I was a brown-eyed brunette (still am), and she was a blue-eyed blonde!
 Here we are on Christmas Day – I especially love my memories of Christmases with Jean.  We loved this kitchen set, and always played “house” with our baby dolls.
We played outside for hours with this old dog.
Even though I am older, she was often my defender in squabbles.
Here we are all decked out for Easter with matching hats and dresses. 
I was 7 years old, Jean was 5, and our baby sister Joan was 9 months old.
Jo was born the very next year on Good Friday.
 This is Jean and I in front of our home in Hawaii.
Our Dad was a career Marine, and our family lived in Hawaii during
his duty there. We loved our years in Hawaii and the timing was
great as we were teenagers and we loved the beach!

A few months ago when the thought resonated in my heart that Jean had been gone as long as she had lived, I asked my mom if us girls could spend the day togther to remember Jean and celebrate her life. So that is what we did this past July 19th.  My sisters and our mom went to the cemetery and put flowers on Jean’s grave. 

There is a quote that Jean always loved, so her sweet husband had it carved into her beautiful pink granite tombstone at the bottom.  It says:

With each rising sun,
think of life as just beginning.
Show kindness and love today,
for tomorrow’s chance may be lost.

It was extremely hot that day, and we didn’t tarry too long.  But we did what we came for. We talked about how much we miss Jean, and we shed some tears. We visited our paternal grandparents’ and great-grandparents’ graves, and many of my Dad’s siblings’ graves too.  After we left the cemetery, we had lunch together and did a little shopping.  It was good to just be together.  We wanted to remember her, but not to mourn as those who have no hope! Jean had a little girl, our sweet niece Amy, who was not quite two years old when her momma died.  I texted Amy and told her what we were doing, and she was so glad.  She lives out of state or she would have joined us.  She is so much like her momma.  It is absolutely uncanny when I watch Amy and see Jean’s hand motions and facial expressions.  She did not get the privilege to raise her girl, but she lives on in her every day.  Amy is so beautiful.

This picture of Jean and Amy was taken not long before Jean died.
I cannot tell you how Jean’s death devasted our lives. The morning of her funeral was the darkest day I have ever known.  My heart was broken for my parents more than anything. Jean’s death remains the greatest loss in our family.  But this I know! Jesus gives grace and He is so faithful.  We turned to Him for comfort and He met us every time.  We miss her every day, and when the family is together, we are not complete.  But I know beyond doubt that a day is coming when we will be together again in Heaven!  Because of the atoning death of Jesus Christ on the cross and our faith in Him as Lord and Savior – we will see her again one day, alive and whole.

Blessings to you all.  Love your family every day, for tomorrow’s chance may be lost…
Jan

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Summer County Living

July 18, 2010 11:10 PM 13

Good afternoon friends! This post is what bloggers sometimes refer to as “random.”  Random is really not me. I typically have a theme…or at least a point.  But today, I just wanted to share some summertime pictures on Gran Jan’s Joy. And since Gran Jan’s Joy is really a blog about the JOYS of my life, let me begin with my three grandblessings…

Here is my oldest grandchild, Zeke, who will be 2 next month. He is wearing a tee-shirt I gave him that says, “Got Biscuits?”  Couldn’t you just squeeze him? He has beautiful long eyelashes and has begun praying out loud for us at mealtimes. Melts my heart every time.
Next is his baby sister, Madie Ruth, who is almost 10 weeks old. She is absolutely precious, a very sweet and laid-back baby. She was ready for a pool outing in this picture. She is beautiful and sleeps like a dream…

Below is my youngest grandchild, Jackson, who will be 2 months old the end of this week and is the cousin to the above two grandbabies. He has so much hair, and nary a bit of it is coming out!  He is a beautiful baby and he and I were decked out in our red, white, and blue in this July 4th picture!
More random…One day last week my husband and I went to a Farmers Market about an hour “down the road.” It was a really fun day, and these are some pictures from going the back roads.
This is a huge truck/trailer load of watermelons fresh from the field.  They were coming in by the droves. The town is Cordele, Georgia, known as “The Watermelon Capitol of the World.”  Truly. I have never seen so many watermelons in my life, and we bought a HUGE seedless one for only $2.00! 
This is a huge fig bush/tree. Have you ever tasted old-fashioned fig preserves on a homemade buttered biscuit? My, my, my. Truly a Southern delicacy and so good!  This huge bush was behind Calhoun Produce, where we bought some butter beans and crowder peas to put in our freezer. Nothing like fresh vegetables in the middle of the winter.
This is my sweet husband coming out of Calhoun Produce with the goods. He will also be willing to enjoy them when I cook them this fall and winter! He helped me with putting them in the freezer too. We had a wonderful day together.  It is so nice when the agenda is light and easy. Good times for sure.
In case you’ve never seen a house with a silo in the front yard, here it is. Maybe this is an old family farm and they just couldn’t bear to take it down, I don’t know. But it was worthy of a picture.
Well, this is a good old Georgia red-clay dirt road.  I love a dirt road on a summer day, especially when it is DRY and has not been raining.  Georgia red clay is something that even extra-action Tide has a hard time getting out of your clothes. (Especially if you are a little boy that likes to slide into home on a field of same said Georgia red clay.  “Momma, don’t wash it out, it shows I was “in the game!'”)
I would have LOVED to go inside this beautiful old country home. Isn’t it amazing? It reminds me of that big old home in Little House on the Prairie. This one is a great example of Victorian (Queen Anne) architecture (1840-1890) and was in a little town called Unadilla. I even like the way that sounds…it is pronounced you-nah-dill-lah, emphasis on the third syllable. There you go! 
This cotton field is directly across the street from my home and is part of a huge farm.  I will take pictures and post them when the cotton blooms and is harvested. You will want to go watch “Gone With the Wind.”
This close-up of a cotton bloom shows how the bloom fades to this gorgeous rose color after it opens out so white. The field will be so beautiful when it is snowy white and full of cotton bolls as far as the eye can see.
This is a half-bushel box of the sweetest Georgia peaches from right down the road in Peach County, Georgia. (Isn’t that sweet, peaches from Peach County?) These came from Lane Packing.  It is a delightful place and if you are ever heading south on I-75 you should stop for lunch and a tour. I ended up with about 17 quart size bags in my freezer for peach cobbler. Click here for my peach cobbler recipe.

This is a picture of some squash pickles I made.  They are sweet like old-fashioned bread and butter pickles.  They turned out really well and look so colorful.

Well, that is about all the random I have for now.  Hope you’ve enjoyed this “summer country living” post on Gran Jan’s Joy.  The simple things in life are the most special to my heart.  My family, the smiles of my grandblessings, the joy of God’s creation and the bounty of summer gardens. As my work week closes in and the pace quickens too much for my soul, I may just have to come back and enjoy these photos again. I hope you will too…
Abiding in Him,
 
John 15:5
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PEACH COBBLER WITH RISING CRUST!

June 29, 2010 1:34 AM 17
Peach Cobbler
(Use a 9″ x 13″ baking dish, or I actually prefer a 12″ cast-iron skillet)

INGREDIENTS (step by step pictures below)

FRUIT/SIMPLE SYRUP:
4 cups of fresh peaches, which is about 7 medium peaches
(*see note below for using canned peaches)
2 cups of water (I use 2 cups)
1 cup of sugar

 

CRUST:
1 1/2 sticks of butter (I use salted)
1 1/2 cups of White Lily self-rising flour
1 1/2 cups of sugar
1 1/2 cups of whole milk

*First* thing (even though it is step #4):
Go ahead and preheat your oven to 350 degrees and put a stick and a half of butter in your baking dish (or cast-iron skillet) and slide in the oven to melt! It helps that delicious crust set up when the butter is good and hot in the dish!

FRUIT PREP: You will “cook/simmer” your fresh fruit (about 7 medium peaches, peeled, sliced, and pit removed) on the stove top by making a simple syrup with 2 cups of water and 1 cup of sugar to bring out the fruit’s natural juices! About 7 medium size fresh peaches, peeled and sliced is about 4 cups. This cobbler is juicy, not dry or cake-y. As my friend Sophie Hudson says, this is not a biscuit and fruit! 

 

*[May use two 16 oz. cans or one 29 oz. can of peaches in heavy syrup. Do not drain! If using canned peaches, skip to step 4.]

1.  Peel and slice peaches.
 
2.  Make a simple syrup by bringing 2 cups of water
and 1 cup of sugar to a nice simmer – not a hard boil.
Allow the sugar to dissolve.

 

 
3.  Add sliced peaches to the simple syrup and simmer 4-5 minutes on medium heat.
Set aside when done.
 
4.  Melt 1 1/2 sticks of butter in an 8×8 or a 9×13 baking dish.
Or my preference, a 12″ cast iron skillet.
Once the butter is melted, remove the dish from the oven.
 
5.  Using a wire whisk, mix WELL the 1 1/2 Cups of White Lily self-rising flour and 1 1/2 Cups of sugar, removing all the lumps.  Now stir in the 1 1/2 Cups of milk, once again stirring and whisking WELL so there are no lumps and it is smooth! Whisk until creamy!

 
6.  Pour this batter over the melted butter in your dish
or warm skillet and DO NOT STIR!
 
7.  Gently ladle in the peaches and the simple syrup you’ve
cooked them in, over the batter. You don’t have to use all the syrup, 
but you will regret it if you don’t! Trust me! This is a juicy cobbler, not dry!
ONCE AGAIN – DO NOT STIR!
 
8. Slide into pre-heated 350 degree oven.
 
9.  Bake 35-45 minutes (you know your oven) until cobbler
is golden brown and crust has risen through to the top!
 
Serve the cobbler while warm and
with a scoop (or three) of vanilla ice cream on top.
This happens!
 
 
My husband likes the cobbler to be buttery, so I will often melt a little butter
and brush it over the hot cobbler before serving.
A scoop of Vanilla Ice Cream makes it heavenly!
We love the Bluebell “Homemade Vanilla” flavor.
Gran Jan
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MY RECIPE IS PUBLISHED!

June 25, 2010 5:15 PM 21
Y’all know I love to cook. I really do. I love to cook for my family! My boys love to eat and always make me feel like I’m the best cook. My husband always says “this is a feast.” They are so good to me!

Anyway, I am so excited to share with you that my “Gran Jan’s Chicken Pie” recipe was published in the newest cookbook entitled Slow Cookers, Casseroles & Skillets from one of my most favorite websites Gooseberry Patch.  Check it out!
Here is a picture of “PAGE 112” which is my recipe!!! It is a very easy and delicious chicken pie with a biscuit crust.  Sometimes I add vegetables, and sometimes I just make it with the chicken and filling and biscuit top. It is oh so good, like a comfort food should be.

And may I just say from one Georgia girl to another (that would be to Mrs. Paula Deen): “so you think your peach cobber is good? You need to taste mine!”  I’m just saying…

Gran Jan of Gran Jan’s Chicken Pie

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1977: A Bit of Heaven ~ 2010: We’re Still IN!

June 12, 2010 1:14 AM 23
Thirty-three years ago today
I took your hand in mine,
and promised before God and friends
to love you for all time…
About to depart and begin a new life
happily married…now husband and wife.
A baby-blue Pinto whisked us away
so happy and blessed on our June wedding day.
The years have been full of God’s blessings and love
serving our Lord with a call from above.
Two sons now grown who are the joy of our lives,
each of them blessed with a beautiful wife.
Three grandblessings whose lives have only begun…
sweet Zeke, Miss Madie Ruth and little Jackson.
Now older and wiser, and sprinkled with gray…
Still counting our blessings each and every day.
I love you so much, you sweet man of mine.

Thirty-three more will suit me just fine!

Happy Anniversary
All my love always,
Your bride, Jan
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Meet Our Grandson, Jackson Evan Morton

May 28, 2010 12:42 AM 17
May 2010 has certainly been an amazing month of double blessings for our family! We celebrate and rejoice in the birth of little Jackson Morton just this past Monday on May 24th. He weighed 8 lbs. 10 ozs., and was 20.5 inches long – a beautiful big baby boy! His mommy, my daughter-in-law had a wonderful delivery – short and sweet, thank You Jesus. 
This is Jackson just a few hours after he was born…
What a beautiful family…the brunettes 🙂
Hmmmmmmm…Gran Jan is also a brunette.
Perhaps Jackson got that dark hair from her too?
This is “Pop,” my sweet husband with Jackson:
These are Jackson’s maternal grandparents,
my son’s wonderful in-laws.
 Jackson is their first grandchild
and they are so very excited!
My baby boy watching his baby boy in the nursery…
This is a blanket I made for Jackson that my
daughter-in-law brought to the hospital with her.
She also wore a necklace while she was in labor
that I had just given to her for Mother’s Day.
It was the very same necklace that my husband
had given to me when our son was born.
When I saw her wearing it, I was so very touched…
When we first learned about the double grandblessings back in September and that we would have back-to-back grandbabies in May 2010, I really had no idea how it would be – I was just so thankful and VERY excited. The boys and their wives were even so thoughtful that they paid to have early sonograms so they could announce the genders to us on Christmas Eve. They gave us these stockings wrapped up as gifts and surprised us…this kind of thoughtfulness blesses us every day with these four wonderful children.  
The long-awaited month of May is almost over.  The double portion blessings are HERE and the joy begins.  I want to testify that I am committed to being the best Gran Jan ever. I will love and pray for my grands and I will be there for them – in every way possible. As long as the good Lord gives me breath, I will be there for my family.
Counting my blessings, naming them one by one…Zeke, Madie Ruth, Jackson…
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Chocolate No-Bake Cookies

May 22, 2010 9:33 PM 10
These wonderful easy-to-make cookies bring back memories of being a little girl and my own mother making these for me and my sisters.  I love making them and I hope you will too! I can’t wait to make them for Zeke, Madie Ruth, and Jackson!
INGREDIENTS:
1  1/2 cups of sugar
1 stick of butter
1/2 cup of milk
1/4 cup of unsweetened Cocoa powder
1 tsp. of vanilla
1/2 cup of peanut butter
3 cups of raw oatmeal

* Mix sugar, butter, milk and cocoa in a saucepan on top of the stove and bring to a boil for about 30-40 seconds, stirring the whole time.

* Immediately remove from heat and stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla and the peanut butter.
 * Now pour in the 3 cups of Oatmeal, mixing well.
 
 
* Drop by spoonfuls on waxed paper and let cool and set up! Do not bake!
 
ENJOY this cookie – it has to be pretty good for you with the cocoa and raw oatmeal and peanut butter…just don’t eat too many (at one time)!
Love,
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