Do-Overs and A Focus for 2009

January 3, 2009 1:13 AM 9

Good Evening Y’all: Have you ever heard the term having a “do-over?” That’s how I feel when a new year begins – fresh and clean! A new beginning, a clean slate, a “do-over” so to speak. (My sisters and I use to give each other do-overs in games – at least once a game – for when we would mess up…we were sweet to each other that way…occasionally!) I love to keep order and make lists, even in my prayer journal. It helps me stay focused and on target, as I’ve been told by my precious and loving friends that I “tend toward ADHD.” I know I do, oh yes I do. (I have been known to leave my bathroom while brushing my teeth to go do “something else” and end up slurping the toothpaste foam until I can get back to my bathroom and finish brushing…)

Anyway, I wanted to share Psalm 15 with you all and hope it will touch your heart as it did mine. I am going to memorize it as part of my commitment to memorize scripture in 2009.

Psalm 15 (New Living Translation)
1 Who may worship in your sanctuary, Lord? Who may enter your presence on your holy hill?
2 Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right, speaking the truth from sincere hearts.
3 Those who refuse to gossip or harm their neighbors or speak evil of their friends.
4 Those who despise flagrant sinners, and honor the faithful followers of the Lord, and keep their promises even when it hurts.
5 Those who lend money without charging interest, and who cannot be bribed to lie about the innocent. Such people will stand firm forever.

I want to do all these things in 2009 (and beyond). From Psalm 15, I want to: worship in His sanctuary, enter His presence, lead a blameless life, do what is right, speak the truth from a sincere heart, refuse to gossip, refuse to harm my neighbors, refuse to speak evil of my friends, despise flagrant sinners, honor faithful followers of the Lord, keep my promises even when it hurts, lend money without interest, and take no bribes or lie about the innocent. I WANT TO STAND FIRM FOREVER!

I love y’all so, Georgia Jan

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Gran Jan’s Joy = ZEKE

January 1, 2009 3:26 AM 1

I couldn’t let 2008 slip away without posting one more time…this year has been one of great joy and God’s blessings upon our family. We added two new members – a daughter-in-love, and our first grandchild, a boy. We became empty-nesters and grandparents in a matter of weeks! My oldest son brought Zeke by for a little visit this afternoon. I took Zeke and we went to my reading chair, a very special place to my heart. We read the story of Daniel in the Lion’s Den and I told him how I hoped and prayed he would always “dare to be a Daniel.” I know he is only 4 1/2 months old, but God’s Word is so alive, and I love reading to him already. He was so attentive! I highly recommend this children’s bible book, The Jesus Storybook Bible. I look forward to reading to him often in the years ahead. Good night to all, and may 2009 dawn in our lives tomorrow and find us faithful servants to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for He alone is worthy.

Love y’all, Georgia Jan

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Excited, Energized, and Eager for Esther!!!

December 30, 2008 4:33 AM 6

This coming Sunday – January 4th, 2009 – I will begin facilitating the new Bible Study by Beth Moore, “Esther, It’s Tough Being a Woman,” at my church, and I am excited – ecstatic – eager – energized! I have no idea how many women have signed up – I’ll know in just a few days, but this I do know: whoever God chooses to bring to Bible Study will be blessed as she digs deep and determines her destiny.

I know many of you are starting this study soon as well, and some (Jenny Hope!) are already through. I love you all – thank you for your encouragement to me as I began my blog this past summer. 2008 has been full of celebrating for “Gran Jan” and my joy in Jesus is complete. I thank God for my precious grandson and look forward to all God has in store for our family in 2009.

Blessings, Georgia Jan
Romans 15:13

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Christmas on Our Farm

December 21, 2008 7:58 PM 7
MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE COUNTRY! Come for a visit to our farm, a lot has happened these past 2 weeks!
First, come down the driveway…
Then let’s ring the bell and see the new animals born these past few days… First, look at the precious baby donkey on the left below. She is 3 weeks old today and she looks JUST like her mama
(the dark jenny donkey on the left in the first picture)!
Look at the little bull below on the right.
He is only ONE day old in this picture. He looks JUST like his mama too…

And now let’s check out some other sites around the farm!
THE PECAN TREES!
Did you know pecans grew on trees? They are being harvested right now!
(I’ll post a delicious pecan pie recipe soon.)
THE POND! (Full of bass, catfish, bream and FUN for the children!)
THE SHEEP (Check out the big “shofar” horns on the Ram in the center!)

Now come in our front door for something good to eat, then say goodbye out the back door (back door guests are best)!
and y’all come back now, ya hear?

Merry Christmas and Much Love from Georgia Jan! Emmanuel – God WITH us! Hallelujah & Amen!

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Siesta Ornament Exchange 08

December 12, 2008 11:41 AM 4

This Ornament Exchange has been a wonderful blessing because I had our very own Siesta Patty’s name and she had my name – how about that??? Patty is precious and thoughtful and the gifts matched my season of life during this Christmas season. She blessed me with a box of goodies. Several ornaments – one that said “Believe” (see it there between Redeemer and Jesus) because she knew I believed God for a grandbaby that wasn’t supposed to be here! She also gave me a picture frame that said “M-I-R-A-C-L-E” because that is what I believe happened when Zeke was born against all odds. Thank God He is in control of “all odds.” She also sent me a gift card to Hobby Lobby and I applied it toward my new Christmas wreath…I am so proud of myself because I am not a crafty person. Patty introduced me (through her blog) to a drink at Starbucks called a “Caramel Apple Spice” (or is it Cinnamon Apple Spice)? Anyway, she sent me a gift card to Starbucks and I will be able to enjoy this drink several more times thanks to her generosity! You know what else I absolutely LOVED? My Christmas card from Patty. The back said “Christmas on the Farm” and I live on a farm. (Did you know my card said that Patty?) It is the prettiest card I have received all year. Thank you Patty for your generosity amidst all you have gone through – being sick and the changes in your life. You are a true blessing and I am praying that God will return your giving spirit in ways that only He can do!

Merry Christmas to all, Georgia Jan

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Christmas Blessings

December 9, 2008 12:44 AM 7

Christmas Blessings from Georgia Jan!
2008 has been an amazing year of blessings for our family with TWO new members added! First, a precious daughter-in-love back in June. She is the prayed-for wife of my youngest son (the gorgeous brunette on the far right). A home girl – the best!!! Then on a hot Sunday afternoon in August, God blessed our lives with Zeke (Ezekiel), that precious m-i-r-a-c-l-e bundle, shown here in the safe arms of his granddaddy!
The Joy of Christmas…
Come Christmastime, the treasured gifts are never made of gold.
Come Christmastime the best bequests are actually quite “old.”
A card arriving from afar with news of something sweet,
a phone call with a greeting from friends just down the street.
A blog post from a siesta with a message from her heart.
Proceeds from a cookbook in which we took a part
to bring fresh water to a land our eyes may never see,
while praying that the Living Water will truly set them free.
The joy of meeting face to face in the August Texas heat,
the event entitled Siesta Fiesta – we couldn’t wait to meet!
We are believers in this cyberspace who love the Word of God,
we keep in touch, we love and pray, and read each other’s blogs!
May you find some time this Christmas to meditate and pray,
and thank the Heavenly Father for the gifts He sends your way.
The gifts of hope and peace and salvation through His Son,
will warm your hearts and keep you close until the victory’s won.
The best of Christmastime is often tried and true,
the prayers and love down in my heart are what I send to you.
Much Love,
Georgia Jan
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CARAMEL CAKE RECIPE

December 5, 2008 1:23 AM 5

Caramel cake is a Southern delight and one of my favorite cakes to make. This recipe is absolutely wonderful. As you can see, this caramel cake is down to the last 2 or 3 pieces! My three fellas love this cake, but I believe it is Jonathan’s favorite. It is really so good and I especially like the icing. Hope you try it for your family. Let me know how it turns out. Happy baking. This is a very old recipe I’ve had since I married in 1977.

CAKE  [Makes 3 layers]
· 2 sticks of butter (room temperature)
· 3 cups of sugar
· 6 eggs
· 3 cups White Lily all purpose flour 
· 1/8 tsp salt
· 1/4 tsp baking soda
· 1 cup sour cream
· 1 T. vanilla extract

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Grease and flour 3 nine-inch round cake pans. I love to use Baker’s Joy spray.
3. Cream butter and sugar until fluffy (I use my wonderful KitchenAid stand mixer). No shortcuts here! Fluffy means fluffy. 
4. Add eggs one at a time, blending after each egg is added. 
5. Stir salt into flour, stir baking soda into sour cream. 
6. Alternately add flour mixture and sour cream to the batter, mixing well after each addition.
7. Stir in the vanilla extract. Always use GOOD vanilla! 
8. Divide the batter evenly into prepared pans and bake 25 to 28 minutes. The batter is thick. 
9. Let the cake layers cool in pans for a few minutes; then turn out onto cake racks to cool completely. Do not attempt to ice until they are completely cool. Completely cool. Completely. Cool. 

CARAMEL ICING
2 cups packed dark brown sugar
2 sticks of butter (I use salted butter)
3/4 cup of evaporated milk 
1 tsp. vanilla flavoring
4-5 cups powdered sugar (start with 4 cups)

1. In large heavy saucepan (I like to use a non-stick pan), melt the 2 sticks of butter over medium heat.
2. Add the dark brown sugar and bring to a boil. Then reduce heat and simmer the butter and sugar together for 2 minutes longer, stirring constantly.
3. Add the 3/4 cup of evaporated milk (or heavy cream) to butter/sugar mixture, bring to a slight boil again, constantly stirring. After blended, remove from heat.
4. After removing pan from heat, stir in the vanilla.
5. Pour hot icing mixture into a large mixing bowl.
6. Now add the 4 cups of powdered sugar.
7. Using a handheld electric mixer, beat in the confectioner’s sugar until the icing is smooth and fluffy.
8. Timing is everything! The caramel icing will get stiffer as it cools, so ice your cake and if needed, add more cream by tablespoon increments). If your icing is too thin, add a bit more powdered sugar. You’ll get the feel for the perfect texture! Dipping your icing spatula into a glass of warm water is helpful for a smooth presentation.

AGAIN…MAKE SURE THE CAKE IS COMPLETELY COOL BEFORE ICING!

This cake is rich and especially good with a cup of coffee or glass of cold milk! I love to make it at Thanksgiving and Christmas…and really, any time! 🙂 

Blessings, 

GranJan-BlogSignature

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