Gran Jan's Joy = ZEKE

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

Excited, Energized, and Eager for Esther!!!

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

Christmas on Our Farm

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!

Siesta Ornament Exchange 08

This Ornament Exchange has been a wonderful blessing because I had our very own Siesta Patty 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 gift card 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

Christmas Blessings

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

CARAMEL CAKE RECIPE

This cake is down to the last 2 or 3 pieces! My boys love to warm this up for about 10 seconds in the microwave! It is so good and I especially like the icing. Hope you try it for your family!
CAKE
· 2 sticks of butter
· 3 cups of sugar
· 6 eggs
· 2 1/3 cups all purpose flour
· 1 tsp salt
· ¼ 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 or one 9x13 pan
3. Cream butter and sugar until fluffy
4. Add eggs one at a time, beating after each addition
5. Sift flour, salt and baking soda together
6. Alternately add flour mixture and sour cream to batter, stirring well
7. Stir in the vanilla
8. Pour the batter into prepared pans and bake 25 to 35 minutes (round), 45 minutes for 9x13
9. Let cakes cool in pan for a few minutes; then turn out onto cake racks to cool completely.

ICING
2 cups packed dark brown sugar
2 sticks of butter
½ cup evaporated milk
½ tsp. vanilla extract
4 cups powdered sugar

1. In large heavy saucepan, combine brown sugar, butter and milk
2. Cook over low heat until the butter melts
3. Increase heat to medium and cook, stirring constantly for 2 minutes longer
4. Remove pan from heat and stir in the vanilla
5. Gradually mix in the confectioners’ sugar
6. Let icing cool slightly, then frost cooled cake

So rich and especially good with a cup of coffee or glass of cold milk!

Blessings, Georgia Gran Jan

My Little Butterball Grandboy

Good Evening Friends:

Just a quick post to say hello to y'all. My family had a wonderful Thanksgiving - I made a great Caramel Cake (I'll post the recipe soon). The food was good - the fellowship sweet - blessings abound.

It was my little grandson's first Thanksgiving and he was so sweet all day. His bib said "Gobble, Gobble!" He is almost 4 months old now, and is such a little butterball himself. I wanted to gobble up lots of kisses and so that is what I did!

I am so very thankful for this baby boy - he is bringing great joy to us all! As we draw closer to Christmas I can't help but think about the baby who brought JOY and HOPE and PEACE to the world that first Christmas.

That baby was God Incarnate - Emmanuel - God With Us. God robed in flesh - born to die. Hallelujah, what a Savior!

Much Love to You All, Georgia Gran Jan