Nana's Parlor

Another Wonderful Tuesday

2015-06-09T12:26:00.001-07:00

Hi Everyone,

It has been a couple of weeks since I last posted, but I have been busy with my oldest granddaughter here. We are having such a great time together. We have done some baking and cooking and loving every minute of it. We have made cinnamon roll bites, tropical cupcakes and today we made homemade apple pie. Ngan loves learning new things to cook and bake and I love teaching her. The other day she made supper. We have fried rice with vegetables, oven baked fish and a tossed salad. She has introduced us to Jasmine rice and I love it, it is delicious. Friday her and I are going to make cupcakes again. I will have to post them after we do them. I will also post the recipe.

Well I better close for now. Thanks for stopping by and visiting me here in Nana's Parlor. Stop by any time you are always welcome.

God bless you,
Janet

Ngan, our Precious Adopted Granddaughter Arrives Tonight

2015-05-28T10:40:00.001-07:00

Hi Everyone,

Sorry I haven't posted in a few days, I have been busy. As stated in my last post our new baby granddaughter, Bonita Mae arrived. Jim and I went to see her the day after she was born. She is beautiful, with black hair, not sure of the eye color, she slept the whole time we were there. We also had our Memorial Day picnic, which I always start preparing for a couple days ahead of time. Which means rhubarb and strawberry-rhubarb pies are made on Saturday and potato salad was made on Sunday. The picnic was on Monday and we had a great time with family and friends. It is always good to remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

We are also getting ready for Ngan. She arrives tonight at the airport. It will be good to see her when she comes. She will be staying with us for a few months. She just graduated from college and is in search of a job. She will also be taking classes on line to further her degree.

Well I will close for now. Thanks for stopping by and visiting me here in Nana's Parlor. Stop by any time you are always welcome.

God bless you,
Janet

PS Here are the pictures I promised of my most recent lap quilt. I call it Ocean's Treasures because of the colors. I made it for a young couple in our church who are getting married in June. I also made a matching pillow. I gave it to her on Sunday and she loved it.

I made the quilt from a jelly roll that I ordered off of ebay and the backing is made from material that I had in my fabric stash. I love using jelly rolls. I am making another lap quilt from material I bought a Wal-Mart in Knoxville, TN and I cut it into jelly roll strips. I am still working on it. It needs to be done and in the mail before the end of June.

Well enjoy the pictures and please let me know what you think.

Our Precious Granddaughter Has Arrived

2015-05-22T05:45:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone,

Sorry I didn't post yesterday. We were anxiously awaiting the arrival of our granddaughter and I just lost track of time. Anyway, Bonita Mae November was born last night at 8:03 pm. She weighs 8.4 lbs. and is 21.5 inches long. Jim and I are going down to the hospital to see her this afternoon. We are so excited. We did get to see pictures of her last night when our son Jimmy stopped over our house before going home. She is beautiful. God is so good. We are so blessed to have another grandchild.

As spring moves quickly along I am getting things done around the house (spring cleaning). Yesterday as we waited for word about Bonita I cleaned some more cupboards in my kitchen, purged a few things and rearranged some stuff. Today I will probably not get much done. Since we will be off to the hospital, then Jimmy and our granddaughter Dulcie will be over for supper. Tomorrow I have a meeting at church with our Crafted for His Glory Ministry. We are starting to think about our upcoming Missions Conference in October. Yes I know that is months away, but we make blankets and quilts for our visiting missionaries as a thank you for all they do for the cause of Christ. Once we know what missionaries are coming we make the blankets and quilts in the colors of the flags of the countries where they are missionaries.

Well I better close for now. Thanks for stopping by and visiting me here in Nana's Parlor. Stop by any time you are always welcome.

God bless you,
Janet

My Newest Tea Set From Vietnam

2015-05-20T05:33:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone,

I have been meaning to post these pictures for a few days. They are of a new tea set I got from Ngan and her family. The tea set is from Vietnam and it is beautiful.

Aren't they just lovely? I have added them to my china cabinet alongside of my Japanese tea set that I got many years ago when I lived in Hawaii.

Well once again I got to close. Enjoy the pictures and stop by any time for a visit here in Nana's Parlor. You are always welcome.

God Bless you,
Janet

Spring is Here, But Days Like This, it Feels Like Fall

2015-05-20T05:26:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone,

Yes, this morning it feels like fall. BURRRRR. Sorry it has been a few days since I posted. I have been a little busy. We are preparing for our adopted granddaughter Ngan to come next week. She just graduated from college and she is going to live with us for a few months. We are so excited about her coming. She is such a lovely young lady and a joy to have around. She will be doing interviews for jobs while she is here. I know she has one in Houston, Texas and has applied for others.

Well our new granddaughter is not here yet, she's late. She was due last Thursday, but the Lord is in control and know when it is her time to arrive. We are looking forward to Bonita Mae's arrival, so is her Mom. I am waiting to see what her big sister Dulcie will think of her. This should be interesting.

Well I better close for now. Thanks for stopping by and visiting me here in Nana's Parlor. Stop by anytime, you are always welcome.

God Bless you,
Janet

Pleasant Day for Sewing

2015-05-16T17:08:00.001-07:00

Hi Everyone,

Sorry I didn't post yesterday, I got caught up in what I was doing. Then in the evening my son and his family came over and we picniced and just spent time enjoying the evening outside in our backyard.

Today I have been working on a lap quilt I am making for a friends wedding. So far I love the colors of the fabrics I have chosen. When it is complete I will post a picture of it. I did finish a lap quilt a few weeks ago for another wedding, but I have not given it to the bride to be so I will not post a picture of it till I give it to her.

Well tomorrow is church and I am looking forward to going. I love going and hearing God's Word preached and singing hymns. I love the old hymns they have such meaning and feeling.

Well I am going to close for today. Thanks for stopping by and visiting me here in Nana's Parlor. Stop by any time you are always welcome.

God Bless You,
Janer

Beautiful, Sunny Day

2015-05-14T15:27:00.001-07:00

Hi Everyone,

It has been a beautiful, sunny day here. I cleaned my second china cabinet, so they are both done. I usually do them twice a year, spring and fall. When I do I rearrange them a little. This time I was able to add my new china tea set from Vietnam. My adopted granddaughter Ngan and her family gave it to me. It is beautiful.

I also cleaned some mason jars. I have a project for them that I will do tomorrow. Hopefully it will work out the way I want it to. If it does I will take pictures and add them to the post.

Another thing I did today was cleaned and sugared about 2-3 pounds of strawberries. I will put them in the freezer tomorrow. I wanted to get them ready for when I make my strawberry-rhubarb pies at the end of the month. I will also use some for strawberry-lemonade for our Memorial Day picnic. I have also been thinking about some new recipes. When I do those I will take pictures and post them to my kitchen blog.

Well I am going to close for now. Thanks for stopping by and visiting me here in the parlor. Stop by any time, you are always welcome.

God bless you,
Janet

Busy Day Shopping with My Favorite Guy, My Hubby

2015-05-13T15:08:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone,

I have had a great day with my hubby. First we went to breakfast at King's and then to Big Lots to look at dressers for our spare room. Then it was off to Wal-Mart to get my hair cut and do some shopping. We also bought a new coffee maker. Before heading home we went to Grandma's Attic to look at dressers and found the perfect one there. It will be delivered in the next few days. We also laid away the matching desk and will get that the first week of June. They are old and very beautiful.

We are now home, the groceries are put away, we have had our supper and now we are relaxing a bit. When I get up the energy I am going to go to the basement and ride my stationary bike.

Well that has been my day so far and I feel so blessed of God for all He does for me each. Just getting out of bed is a blessing. I am so glad that the Lord Jesus is my Savior.

Well, thanks for stopping by and visiting me here in Nana's Parlor. You are always welcome to stop by any time.

God Bless You,
Janet

A Sunny, Breezy Day

2015-05-12T10:34:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone,

It is a a sunny, breezy day here in Vandergrift. I have been cleaning and doing laundry and loving every minute of it. It is so good to be home and doing all those things we do at home. I love being a homemaker. Homemakers often get a bad rap like it is so degrading. To me homemaking, being a wife and a mother and grandmother is such an honored position. There is no job on earth that is more fulfilling than being a wife, mother, grandmother and homemaker. I praise the Lord for being His daughter and allowing me to fill these precious positions.

Well this is a short post because I want to get back to work. Thanks for stopping by and visiting me here in Nana's Parlor. You are always welcome, stop by any time.

God Bless You,
Janet

It Has Been Way to Long

2015-05-11T15:42:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone,

Yes it has been way to long. From January thru April I have been taking care of my granddaughters while their parents were getting their new house ready. Then the last week of April and part of the first week of May I was away. My daughter and her family just left this morning for their new home. so I have been cleaning for most of the day. At the end of this month our adopted granddaughter will be here till possibly sometime in August. We are looking forward to her visit. She just graduated from college as a magna cum laude. We are so proud of her. She has some interviews for jobs and needed a place to stay and we couldn't be happier that she wants to stay with us. Right now she is traveling with her Mom and brother, visiting different place around the country.

Some other great news, at the end of this week we are expecting another granddaughter. We are looking forward to meeting the new, precious, bundle of joy. She will make five bundle of joys, all girls. We are so blessed of God. Praise the Lord.

I do have some plans for this summer, making quilts and other projects as well as baking. My granddaughter who is coming at the end of the month wants to learn to do cupcakes so her and I will be baking and having fun in the kitchen.

My husband has started the garden. So at the end of summer I will be canning.

Well I better close for now. I will try to keep up and not lag behind in posts. Let me know how things are going with all of you.

God Bless You all,
Janet

Happy New Year 2015

2015-01-01T08:52:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone,

Happy New Year to all of you. Yes it is 2015, hard to believe. 2014 went so fast. The Lord has been so good to me and my family. Many changes are occurring. My daughter Tiffany and her family are moving closer and there is a new grandchild on the way.

Last year I began to think of Christmases a century ago when people took time to make the gifts that they would exchange with one another. Oh it is wonderful to receive a gift card or a store bought gift, yes they are appreciated. But think about the gift that someone took the time to make and the love that went into it. So I decided to make some of the gifts that Jim and I would give. Yes we bought some gifts also, but I just thought it would be nice to make something as well. So I thought I would share with you some of the things I made to inspire you to think about possibly creating gifts to give the old fashion way.

This the pillowcase that I embroidered and embellished for my granddaughter Kristy.

This is the pillowcase for my granddaughter Abby similar to the one I made for Kristy.

I embroidered and embellished this pillowcase for my granddaughter Ngan.

I made a couple of quilts this one is for Abby.

This quilt is for Krisy.

I also made snack mats (like mug rugs), this is Abby's and the one below is Kristy's.

For my Mom I embroidered embellished two pillowcases. She is a widow so I made one that says Mom and the other says Grandma.

Well is this just some of the things I have been busy making. I am already planning for 2015. I would like to encourage you to think about making some gifts to give.

Thanks for stopping by and visiting me here in Nana's Parlor. Stop by any time, you are always welcome.

Love, hugs and God bless you,

Janet

Winter Weather has Arrived

2014-11-17T11:41:00.001-08:00

Hi All,

Just checking to let everyone know that winter has arrived in Vandergrift, PA. It is snowing outside. We have been expecting it for a few days. I am so thankful for a warm and cozy house. God is so good to me.

Today I am doing some laundry and cleaning. Which is normal for a Monday. Jim is in his office working on some Bible lessons. So it is quiet and peaceful here today.

Well I know this is short but I am going to run. Everyone have a super great day. Thanks for stopping by and visiting here in Nana's Parlor. Stop by any time you are always welcome.

Love, hugs, and God bless you,
Janet

Catching Up

2014-11-15T09:00:00.000-08:00

Hi All,

It has been a while since my last post so I want to catch up with everyone. I hope all are doing well and preparing for the holidays. It is hard to believe that Thanksgiving is just around the corner. At the beginning of this month Jim and I got our 23 pound turkey. It is in the freezer and will soon be taken out to thaw for the big day. Thanksgiving dinner is one of my favorite dinners of the year to cook, I love to cook anyway. The day before Thanksgiving is my pie pie baking day (pumpkin, Kentucky pecan (- the bourbon), and possibly apple. The day after is my turkey ravioli making day. They are made for Christmas dinner. Its tradition, my husband Jim grew eating those every Christmas day. I have been doing a lot of sewing and making things for Christmas gifts.

Well I just wanted to also let you know that I am going to post some pictures and the recipe for a cake I made yesterday. Chocolate Covered Cherry Cake, so easy and it was a hit here at our house.

Well I better run and the my kitchen post. Thanks for stopping by and visiting me here in Nana's parlor. Stop by anytime you are always welcome.

Love, hugs, and God bless you,
Janet

Wonderful Sunday

2014-10-26T19:53:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone,

What a great day we have had. Church this morning was wonderful, especially the message. Governor Corbett visited our church today. He only spoke for a few minutes because he said he was there to worship with us.

This afternoon Jim preached at the boarding home which is always nice. We just love the people there, they are so sweet. Afterwards we came home, had supper and the rest of the day and evening was nice and quiet.

Monday starts another week of chores, cleaning, laundry, changing bed sheet and cooking. I love being a homemaker, I believe that is what I am called to do. Be a good wife, mother and homemaker. What an honor.

Well I better close for now it is late. Thanks for stopping by and visiting. You are always welcome here in Nana's Parlor. Stop by any time.

Love, hugs, and God bless you,
Janet

A Walk in the Park

2014-10-25T13:36:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone,

It is so beautiful today here in PA. The leaves have all changed colors and are falling so Jim and I went for a walk in the park after breakfast. I got some pictures that I will be sharing.

Right now I am getting supper ready. We are having left overs. We are having fried stuffing with chicken and gravy, warm mashed potatoes and green beans. I still have some chicken left over for tomorrow, we will have chicken sandwiches for supper.

Here are the pictures from the park:

Well thanks for stopping by and visiting me here in Nana's Parlor. You are always welcome, stop by any time.

Love, hugs and God bless you,

Janet

Beautiful Autumn

2014-10-24T12:27:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone,

It is a beautiful autumn day here in Vandergrift, PA. The weather is in the 60's which makes it perfect weather for Jim to finish mowing the lawn. It will probably be the last time this year.

I have finished cleaning the downstairs. Early I put a stuffed chicken in the oven, covered with slices of bacon and cooking in orange juice. I have a little bacon left over so I put it in a glass baking dish with orange juice and drizzled with maple syrup and baked it until almost crispy. It is like orange flavored bacon candy.

Tonight our son Jimmy and his family are coming over for dinner and a movie. It is a Friday night tradition. Can't wait to see our precious Dulcie. It is hard to believe in two months she will be a year old. In May she will become a big sister. So looking forward to having another grand baby. I love being a Nana.

Well it is time to close and get busy. Thanks for stopping by and visiting me here in Nana's Parlor. You are always welcome, stop by any time.

Love, hugs and God bless you,
Janet

More Projects

2014-10-23T16:03:00.001-07:00

Hi Everyone, Here are some of the projects I have been working on. These projects are Christmas presents for my granddaughters in California.

The above pictures are of the quilts I have made for my granddaughters in California. They are just colorful patchwork quilts using fabric that I have collected. I love all different kinds of fabric.

The top two pictures are of pillowcases I made for my granddaughters in California for Christmas. I love to embroider and I love the design. The bottom picture is of a pillowcase I did for my daughter when she was about 3 or 4 years old. She just turned 34 years old yesterday and she is my California granddaughters Mom.

I hope you enjoyed seeing my projects. Thanks again for stopping by and visiting me here in Nana's Parlor. Stop by any time, you are always welcome.

Love, hugs and God bless you,
Janet

Too Long

2014-10-23T15:28:00.001-07:00

Hi Everyone,

Yes it has been way too long since my last post. I have been busy with a lot of sewing projects. Working on our missions conference project, Christmas presents and others, so yes I have been busy. Also enjoying this autumn weather and the little squirrel that visited us about a week ago. I got quite a few pictures of him gathering chestnuts, stuffing his face and preparing for winter.

Below are some picture of my latest projects that have been keeping me busy. I am also working on some quilted mug rugs as Christmas gifts as well.

These two pictures are of the quilt I made for our missionaries to Japan. We were instructed to make lap blankets using the colors of that country's flag. I chose Japan and ordered some fabric on ebay.

This is a baby boy quilt I made for our Crafted for His Glory ministry at church. We make blankets for babies born in our church. We also knit hats, scarves, and gloves for the kids on our bus ministry and the veterans home.

I just tried three times to add my other projects but it will not let me so I will have to try another post. Please check back in a few minutes. As always thanks for stopping by and visiting me here in Nana's Parlor. Stop by any time you are always welcome.

Love, hugs, and God bless you,
Janet

Warm Fall Day

2014-09-25T20:17:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone,

What a beautiful fall day it was here in Pennsylvania. It was warm and sunny. Jackie and I met at Classic Tent to look things over for next years Ladies Alive Bible Conference. What a great selection there is for our theme Welcome to His Garden. Then afterwards I went to Bible Study. It is always nice to dig into God's Holy Word and study it with fellow sisters in the Lord.

Well I know this is short but I did want to touch base and say hi. Thanks for stopping by and visiting me here in Nana's Parlor. Stop by any time you are always welcome here in my parlor.

Love, hugs, and God bless you,
Janet

Seasons Change

2014-09-24T13:21:00.001-07:00

Hi Everyone,

Seasons change and fall has begun. A time to get warm and cozy and what better way then with a quilt. I am having a great time making quilts and I would like to share with you two of my creations.

The blue and yellow one is a baby boy quilt that will go to our ministry at church called Crafted for His Glory. When new baby's are born in our church they receive a blanket from this ministry. The red flower and white quilt will go to our missionary to Japan at this years missions conference. Each of the ladies in our group have made either a quilt or crocheted afghan for each of the missionaries who are attending. We are so excited that we can give back to those who serve on the mission field.

Right now I am working on two quilts for my granddaughters who live in California. The quilts will be part of their Christmas gifts from Nana and PapPap.

Well I hope you like my quilts, I have truly enjoyed making them. Thanks for stopping by and visiting me here in Nana's Parlor. Stop by any time you are always welcome.

Love, hugs and God bless you,
Janet

In the Craft Room

2014-09-04T08:15:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone,

It has been way to long since I last posted here on my blog. However I have been busy working in my craft room, scrapbooking and crafting different items. I want to share with all of you what I have made and also up date all of you on my summer. This summer has really gone well. The weather has not been too bad and Jim and I have spent a lot of time on the patio enjoying our back yard. I have taken a lot pictures of the different little creatures that visit us almost daily. Jim and I enjoy our morning coffee on the patio as well as most of our suppers.

With not traveling this year I have spent some time in my craft room scrapbooking. A friend of mine has come over a couple times and scrapbooked with me. I have also done some crafting and I want to show all of you some of the things I have done. With Fall just around the corner my mind has gone to Fall decorations. I have some bought decorations, but I wanted to add to those with some things of my own.

Well what do you do with a few mason jars and a mayo jar, scrap fabric, lace, beans and string beads, Fall flowers, and mod podge? You just them all together and you get: Mason Jar Arrangements.

I also wanted to make a Fall wreath for my kitchen so I took a plain straw wreath, strips of scarp fabric, burlap, and Fall flowers and this is what I created.

My kitchen wreath.

Well I better close for now. Thanks for stopping by Nana's Parlor. You are always welcome, stop by any time.

Love, Hugs, and God bless you,
Janet

Rainy/Sunny Monday

2014-08-11T13:27:00.001-07:00

Hi Everyone,

WOW! What a day this is, rainy this morning and now it is sunny. Jim and I went to Saxonburg for his doctor's appointment and then had lunch at Kelley's Family Restaurant in Saxonburg. Kelley's is a real nice down to earth restaurant that is reasonably price and the food is good.

Last Friday I made an applesauce cake and frosted it with applesauce butter cream. Very tasty, everyone liked it. I will have to post the recipes on my kitchen blog.

I am still working on a quilt I am making for our knitting ministry at church. I have to have it done by September 27, 2014 because our missions conference is October 5, 2014 and it is for our missionary to Japan.

Well I better go for now. Thanks for stopping by and visiting me here in Nana's Parlor. You are always welcome.

Janet

From the Garden to the Oven

2014-08-05T11:47:00.002-07:00

Hi Everyone,

Just a quick note to say hi and to let you know that I have posted a recipe on my kitchen blog of a zucchini bread recipe that I altered slightly. My husband Jim loves it and for me, I don't care for zucchini, this bread is really good.

Nothing like taking what the good Lord provides in the garden and making it into something delicious. Thank you Lord for always providing for my needs.

Well tonight is Course 4 lesson 1 of cake decorating class. Looking forward to what will be taught in class.

I better close for now. Thanks for stopping by and visiting me here in Nana's Parlor. Stop by any time.

Have a super great day,
Janet

It's August Already

2014-08-04T17:35:00.001-07:00

Hi Everyone,

Yes it has been almost a month. A lot has been happening in my life and I have been so busy. This is the last month for cake decorating classes. I am excited to learn more about edible flower making.

Next month we will be winding down summer activities and getting ready for fall. Fall decorations will be coming out, summer decorations will be put away. And before you know it holiday decorating will begin. Which means the snowmen will be coming out and taking their place of honor in the china cabinet. But until then I will be enjoying summer.

Today Jim and I had a tomato/onion salad for dinner with herbs. All from the garden. I love fresh garden tomatoes. What you get in the store in the winter are not good at all. Another thing about August is there is corn on the cob. Yummy!!!. I am hoping to do some canning this month as well. Nothing like homemade tomato sauce in the middle of winter. It also helps save on the grocery bill.

Well I better go for now. I will try to be more attentive to my blogs. As always thanks for stopping by and visiting me here in Nana's Parlor. You are always welcome.

Have a pleasant day,
Janet

Something is Cooking in the Kitchen

2014-07-08T10:00:00.001-07:00

Hi Everyone,

Just a quick post to let you know something is cooking in Nana's Kitchen. Yes I posted a new recipe called Baked Mashed Potatoes. Come over and visit me in my kitchen.

On other news, tonight I start my new course in cake decorating (course 3). We will be learning all about fondant and gum paste flower making and other tricks to decorated with. I am so looking forward to this class. I have been having so much fun doing these classes and learning so much. What make it so fun is I get to do it with my friend Jackie.

Well I got to run, lots to do before class. Thanks for stopping by and visiting me here in Nana's Parlor, don't forget to stop in at the kitchen. Stop by anytime you are always welcome.

Love, hugs, and God bless you,
Janet (Kristy, Abby, Dulcie and Ngan's Nana)