The Decorating Has Begun

                                        These are my tea cup and Santa sleigh pin cushions.


Hi Everyone,

I hope all are having a great day today.  Yes the decorating has begun.  Today I started with one of my china cabinets.  I took everything out of it, cleaned, stored what I usually have in it and then put all of my Christmas mugs and other dishes as well as some snowmen.  Through the years of teaching elementary school and preschool I have gotten a lot of mugs.  I also collect snowmen and I thought it would be nice to do one of my china cabinets in snowmen and Christmas dishes.  Check out the photos that I took.  Please remember I am not a photographer so the pictures are not that great but I know you will get the idea.  I hope you all enjoy them.  I will take more through out the holidays and post them as well.

Thanks for stopping by and visiting me here in Nana's Parlor.  You are always welcome here so stop by anytime.

Love, Hugs, and God Bless You,
Janet (Kristy and Abby's Nana)

                                                   Full view of my china cabinet.

                                                   Middle front view.

                                                    Side one view.

                           

                                                     Side 2 view

                                         Above and below are close ups of my tea cup and Santa sleigh pin cushions.

Last Day of November

Hi Everyone,
 
   It is so hard to believe that it is the last day of November.  Christmas is just around the corner.  Today my daughter-in-law Brittany came over and her and I made homemade turkey raviolis for Christmas dinner. This is the second year she has helped me and I am so thankful.  We made 8 dozen raviolis.  They are in the freeze.  Jim and Jimmy went to K-mart and when they came back Brittany and I were just about done so we all sit down and had pie and coffee.  It was so nice to just sit and talk.

Now I am just sitting around doing not much of anything.  When I made the filling for the raviolis this morning I made extra and added it to the leftover gravy and made a kind of stock for soup.  See my kitchen blog for the soup recipe.  It has become a tradition to have this kind of soup on the Saturday after Thanksgiving.

Well next week we start decorating for the Christmas holiday.  I am looking forward to it.

Well I better go for now, I want to post that recipe on my kitchen blog.  Thanks for stopping by and visiting me here in Nana's Parlor.  Stop by anytime you are always welcome here in Nana's Parlor.

Love, Hugs, and God Bless You,
Janet (Kristy and Abby's Nana)

Friday Thanksgiving

Hi Everyone,

Just thought I would check.  Had a great day today.  Started cleaning my china cabinets.  Got one done, another to go, plus my curio.  Those will be done next week.  No black Friday shopping for me.

Jimmy and Brittany came over for Friday Thanksgiving.  It was great.  After we ate and talked a while we watched The Son of Flubber with Fred Mc Murray.  It is so funny.

Tomorrow Brittany and I are getting together and making homemade turkey raviolis which is for Christmas dinner.  We did it together last year too.  Jim and Jimmy will be doing some things for Christmas.  Looking forward to the day.

Well I am going to close for now.  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 (Kristy and Abby's Nana)

Happy Thanksgiving

Hi Everyone,

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone.  May God bless you this day and every day.  This is not a long post, I just wanted to let everyone know I wish you all the best.

Thanks for always stopping by and visiting here in Nana's Parlor.  You are always welcome, stop by anytime.

Love, Hugs, and God Bless You,
Janet (Kristy and Abby's Nana)

Check out the Kitchen

Hi Everyone,

Just wanted to let everyone know that I have posted my Hannakkak recipes on my kitchen blog.  Please go visit me in the kitchen.

Love, Hugs, and God Bless,
Janet (Kristy and Abby's Nana)

Hannakkak

Hi Everyone,

Today is the first day of Hannakkak and in a little while I will begin cooking our Hannakkak supper.  As I said in yesterday's post I will put some recipes on my kitchen blog.  My pumpkin pies are done and I have a Kentucky pecan pie in the oven now.  I also just took out of the oven Kentucky pecan tassies and a cinnamon roll.  I try to never let extra dough or filling go to waste, I use it all in other things.

Well tomorrow is Thanksgiving.  I love the aroma of the house during the day when things are cooking.  I love the busyness of the day and then the relaxing in the evening.

Well I am going to close for now.  Stop by my kitchen blog tomorrow and check out the recipes that I will post hopefully later today.  Thanks for stopping by and visiting with me here in Nana's Parlor.  You are always welcome here so stop by anytime.

Love, Hugs, and God Bless,
Janet (Kristy and Abby's Nana)

Getting Ready

Hi Everyone,

Sorry it has been a while since I last posted, busy, busy.  I hope everyone is doing well and getting ready for Thanksgiving.  It is my favorite meal of the year to prepare and cook.  Here in PA we are getting SNOW.  It is beautiful.  I just pray that everyone is safe on the roads as many will be traveling.

Today I will finish up with some last minute cleaning and starting preparing for tomorrow and Thursday. Tomorrow is the first day of Hannakkah and since my husband is part Jewish we will be having a Hannakkah dinner.  Today I am going to make carmelized applesauce for the potato latkes.  I will post a dinner menu and some recipes on my kitchen blog hopefully tomorrow evening.  Also tomorrow is my pie making day and some food prep for Thursday.  I will also post a menu and recipes possibly Thursday evening.

Saturday my daughter-in-law will be over and her and I will be making turkey raviolas for Christmas dinner. That is a tradition.  I did it with my mother-in-law who taught me how to make them and now I am passing that knowledge on to Brittany.  I will post more details about that in a latter post.  Maybe next week.

Well I better close for now.  Thanks for stopping by and visiting with me here in Nana's Parlor.  You are always welcome here, stop by anytime.  I would love to here about your family holiday traditions.

Love, Hugs, and God Bless
Janet (Kristy and Abby's Nana)

Great Message from God's Word

Hi Everyone,

I hope everyone is having a great resurrection Sunday.  Jim and I just finished our lunch and I decided I wanted to post this blog early so that I could share with all of you about the great message that was preached in church today.

Our guest speaker at church was Pastor Barnhouse our missionary to Zambia, Africa.  His message was moving and inspirational.  He talked about how Jesus never gives up seeking us even after we have accepted Him as our Savior and Lord.  What a comfort to know that truth.  Pastor Barnhouse has such a sweet and gentle spirit about him and God is using him mightily in the bush of Zambia.  He and his family love the Lord and serve Him greatly.  It is an honor to know him.

Verses of reference from this morning's message:
Luke 15:1-8

Jesus is diligent as He seeks those who are lost and those who have accepted Him as their Savior.  I hope this Bible reference will be an encouragement to you

Thank you for stopping by here at Nana's Parlor and visiting, you are always welcome, so stop by anytime.

Love, Hugs, and God Bless,
Janet (Kristy and Abby's Nana)

Evening Out

Hi Everyone,

Just wanted to drop in and tell you about my evening with my son Jimmy, his wife Brittany and her sister. They took us to supper, Mexican and then to the movies to see Thor, The Dark World.  It was a great evening.  I really enjoyed myself.

Tomorrow is church.  Pastor Barnhouse, our missionary to Zambia will be preaching since Pastor Skelly is in Israel.  Pastor Barnhouse is an awesome speaker and Jim and I enjoy hearing from him.  He always give a good message.

Well I am going to close for now.  Thanks for stopping by and visiting here at Nana's Parlor.  You are always welcome here so stop by anytime.

Love, Hugs and God Bless,
Janet (Kristy and Abby's Nana)

Thursday

Hi Everyone,

Just another day here in the November home.  Did some cleaning and laundry.  Also have been working on some art/collage journal pages.  Tomorrow evening Jim and I are going to Jimmy and Brittany's for dessert and a movie.  So looking forward to spending the evening with them.  What a great way to spend a Friday evening.

We are all getting excited about our new granddaughter that will be born next month.  The expectant parents are ready and waiting for this precious miracle from the Lord.  The Lord has blessed them with everything they need to get started as new parents.  Of course Nana can't stay out of the baby department at Wal-Mart.  If I had my way I would buy one of everything, well maybe two of everything in different sizes.

PapPap is looking forward to just holding and cuddling our new granddaughter.  It is such a blessing when your child begins to have a family of their own.  Jimmy is our baby and now our baby (well a grown man now) is going to become a father.

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

Love, Hugs, and God Bless,
Janet (Kristy and Abby's Nana)

Got Snow!!!

Hi Everyone,

I hope all of you are having a warm and cozy day today.  Here in Vandergrift, PA Jim and I are warm and cozy in our home, while it is snowy and cold outside.  The snow is beautiful but it is melting quickly.  I love the beauty of snow, especially on pine trees.

How is the weather where you are?  I hope what ever the weather is for you that you love and enjoy it. Some people think of vacationing on a beach in the tropics, yea that sounds nice.  But give me a mountain cabin with large glass windows, a lite snow falling, hot cocoa and my Jim, not that is a vacation.

Today though I am cleaning and doing some laundry.  Will be starting supper here shortly, so I am trying to keep a little busy.

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

Warm and Cozy Love, Hugs and God Bless,
Janet (Kristy and Abby's Nana)

Freedom Sunday

Hi Everyone,

I want to share with you about our Freedom Sunday at church.  Every year our church recognizes the veterans.  We call it Freedom Sunday.  Many vets were there and it is an honor for me to stand with those who have served.  When I was in the military I served during peace time, so yes, it is an honor to stand with those who served during war time.  Pastor Skelly preached on Gideon and his army of three hundred that defeated the enemies army.  It was very good.

Jim and I are home now and we just finished dinner.  It is so nice to be home where it is cozy and warm.  It is really chilly outside,.  The leaves are almost all off of the trees and on Tuesday they are calling for snow. Well it is that time of year.

Well it is time to go.  Thanks for stopping by and visiting here in Nana's Parlor.  You are always welcome, stop by anytime.

Love, Hugs, and God Bless You,
Janet (Kristy and Abby's Nana)

Baby Shower Day

Hi Everyone,

I hope all of you are having a super great day today.  This afternoon I will be going to my daughter-in-laws baby shower.  Her mother is hosting a baby shower for her with family and friends.  I look forward to next month when little Dolcie will be born.  God is so good to bless us with another granddaughter.  It will be wonderful to welcome little Dolcie to the family.  My son is going to be an awesome Dad, he loves kids and Dolcie will definitely be his little princess.  I think Brittany will be a good Mom too.  Right now she is still working but once little Dolcie is born she will be a stay at home home.  I admired Jimmy and Brittany for making this decision for Brittany to stay at home.  She is looking forward to being at home and taking care of the baby.

Well I am going to close for now.  Thanks so much for stopping by and visiting here in Nana's Parlor.  You are always welcome, stop by anytime.

Love, Hugs, and God Bless,
Janet (Kristy and Abby's Nana)

Busy, Busy Monday

Hi Everyone,

I had a busy day today, well at least the first part of the day.  Cleaned the downstairs and did some laundry.  I don't mind, I love being a homemaker.

It is getting colder here in PA, but it is November, that time of year.  The leaves are falling faster every day.  I hate to see them go, they are so beautiful this time of year.  Pretty soon the house will be filled with all the aromas of the holidays.  Can't wait.

This coming Saturday is my daughter in law Brittany's baby shower.  Yes I am going to be a Nana again, a little girl.  We are all looking forward to welcoming her into our family.  She will definitely be a welcome addition.

Our granddaughters in California a practicing for the upcoming Nutcracker ballet, they are both preforming in it as well as my daughter.  My oldest granddaughter Kristy has 4 or 5 different dances in it.

Well it is getting late so I better go for now.  Thank you all for stopping by and visiting here in Nana's Parlor.  You are always welcome, stop by any time.

Love, Hugs, and God Bless,
Janet (Kristy and Abby's Nana)

Quiet Sunday Afternoon

Hi Everyone,

I hope all of you are having a quiet Sunday afternoon.  Jim and I just got home from church and dinner out.  It has been quite a week for him and I.  Jim spent Thursday and part of Friday in the hospital.  He was at the doctors on Thursday for a pain in his upper chest.  They sent him right away to the local hospital, where test were run, he was observed all night and then a stress test was done on Friday.  Everything came back clear and good.  Praise the Lord, God is so good.  So it is very nice to have a quiet day.

Well November is here and preparations for Thanksgiving will be underway.  I love Thanksgiving, even the prep for it.  I love to make pies and cook the meal.  As usual I will be making of course pumpkin pies and a Kentucky Pecan Pie, minus the Bourbon.  I will cook the turkey in the traditional way and sweet potato casserole, along with all the other goodies that go with this meal.

I would love for anyone to share their recipes and ideas you have for celebrating this great American holiday.

Well I am going to close for now.  I would if you share with me your holiday traditions.  Thanks for stopping by and visiting here in Nana' Parlor.  Stop by any time, you are always welcome.

Love, Hugs, and God Bless,
Janet (Kristy and Abby's Nana)

Beautiful Monday

Hi Everyone,

I hope all of you are having a great day.  Here in Vandergrift, PA we are having a beautiful autumn day.  The temp is to hit around 56 degrees or so.  Not bad considering it is almost November.   Today I have been cleaning and doing some laundry.  In a bit I plan on making a meatloaf for supper along with mashed potatoes and a veggie.

At the end of the week Jim and I will be going grocery shopping and getting the things we need for the upcoming Thanksgiving dinner.  Some much to do, but this is one of my favorite meals to prepare.  I truly love to cook and bake and this time of year is the best time to do both.

Well I am going to close for now and see what else I can get done.  Thanks for stopping by Nana's Parlor and visiting.  You are always welcome here, stop by anytime.

Love, Hugs and God Bless,
Janet (Kristy and Abby's Nana)

Late Saturday Evening

Hi Everyone,

I know it is late but I wanted to check in any way.  I hope all of you have had a great day.  Here in Vandergrift, PA if was cold but sunny out.  Kept busy with some laundry and cleaning.  Was able to work a little in my craft room and also started a new mini album.  Not finished with it yet, hopefully tomorrow evening I can work on it.  It is all pink with lace, flowers and of course pearls.  When it is finished I will be doing a video on it and I will let you know.

Since it is late I am going to close for now.  Thanks for stopping by and visiting here in Nana's Parlor.  You are always welcome, stop by anytime.

Love, Hugs, and God Bless
Janet (Kristy and Abby's Nana)

Fall is in the Air, and Winter is Just Around the Corner

                                         This picture was taken from the parking lot at our church.
                                               


Hi Everyone,

I hope all of you are staying warm.  Here in Vandergrift, PA it is chilly.  Last night we got a call that we must boil the water due to a filter failure at the water resevoir in the area.  We are dealing with the situation and I know the Lord will bring us through.  It is a little extra work, but hey a little work never hurt anyone.

I have been working in my art journal and planning some altered art projects.  I have a few things in mind but I have to wait till payday to get the supplies I need to do them.

I am posting some pics with this post of what autumn looks like here in our area.  I hope you enjoy them.

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

Love, Hugs, and God Bless,
Janet (Kristy and Abby's Nana)





More views of the autumn foliage taken from our church parking lot.  Enjoy the beautiful autumn colors.

Crisp Tuesday

Hi Everyone,

I hope all are having a great day.  It was a beautiful fall day today.  Bright sunshine, but don't let that foul you, it was chilly out.

Got plenty of work done today, with cleaning and cooking.  I want to share with all of you what I made for supper today.  Oven roasted deer chops surrounded by potatoes, cooked slowly in the oven in its own juice, gravy and french style green beans.  It was yummy.  With the leftovers tomorrow we will have deer stew with homemade dumplings.  Looking forward to that, a great fall meal, the kind that keeps you warm inside.

I have been planning my grocery list for next month.  Thanksgiving is one of my favorite meals to cook.  We are having a very special guest this year for this holiday.  Our granddaughter who we adopted back in 2010 will be here.  We are so looking forward to having her with us for a few days.  She goes to Lycoming College out near Scranton, PA.

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.

Love, Hugs, and God Bless You,
Janet (Kristy and Abby's Nana)

Cozy in the House

Hi Everyone,

Yes it is one of those days where you just want to stay in the house where it is cozy and warm.  I love days like this.  I have spent most of the day working either in my art journal or on an altered canvas.  It is finished and I just uploaded a video on YouTube.

Tomorrow is church which is a highlight of the week for Jim and I.  Our church's missions conference ended on Wednesday evening.  What a great conference.  It is so exciting to hear what the missionaries are doing on the mission field.  Wednesday evening was my time to be in the nursery.  I love being with the kids, they are great.  When I am in the nursery it is with the toddlers.  During missions conference we always have a lot more kids than normal and it is wonderful to be with these little ones while Dad and Mom share with the adults about their mission field.

Well I am going to close for now.  Thanks for stopping by and visiting here in Nana's Parlor.  You are always welcome.

Love, Hugs, and God Bless
Janet (Kristy and Abby's Nana)

It is Friday

Hi Everyone,

I hope everyone is having a gorgeous day today.  Yesterday it rained and was chilly.  Today the sun is out and it is beautiful.  God is so good.

Jim will be working outside cutting the hedges.  It will probably be the last time this year.  The leaves are turning quickly.  That is one thing I love about fall, the changing of the leaves.  Right now I am working on an art journal for the four seasons.  I am just about done with fall, I will be working on winter next.  I love the changing of the seasons.

Well I having cleaning to do and finish up the laundry, last load.  I must get back in my craft room and get things straightened out so that I can work in it.  Got to run.

Thank you for stopping by and visiting here in Nana's Parlor.  You are always welcome.

Love, Hugs, and God Bless,
Janet (Kristy and Abby' Nana)

Cold outside, Warm and Cozy inside

Hi Everyone,

I am back.  Took my my Mom home yesterday.  She had be recovering at our house since her hip surgery and she could not wait to get home.   She is 80 years old, will be 81 in November and is very independent and sometimes stubborn.  I am glad she is still active.  One of her favorite things to do is go to the senior center, have lunch and play cards with her friends and bowl on the wee.  At the high rise where she lives a lot of the ladies there get together in the evenings and play UNO in the community room.  So if that makes her happy I am happy.

Jim and I have spent a quiet day at home.  I got some laundry and cleaning done and now I am watching some shows on the computer and working on my art journal.  It is just so good to be at home with my hubby.  He is the best.

Well I hope to post daily.  Please don't hold me to it, but I am going to really try.  Thanks for stopping by and visiting here in Nana's Parlor.  You are always welcome. come by any time.

Love, Hugs and God Bless,
Janet (Kristy and Abby's Nana)

Check Out my Kitchen Blog for "A Marriage Made in the Oven"

Hi Everyone,

Hope all of you have had a wonderful day.  I would like to invite all of you to visit my kitchen blog and check out "A Marriage Made in the Oven."  Today a chicken and a pig were married in my kitchen oven.  Yes, that sounds funny, but what I did was I took a roaster chicken, stuffed it with red and green pepper and wrapped it with bacon and basted it with chicken broth and orange juice.  Wrapping the chicken with bacon helps keep it moist and tender.  So come on over to my kitchen blog and visit for a while.

Thank you for stopping by and visiting.  You are always welcome in my parlor.  Stop by any time.

Love, Hugs and God Bless You,
Nana (Kristy and Abby's Nana)

Monday

Hi Everyone,

Sorry it has been a few days since I last blogged.  My Mom is now here with us.  Her surgery last Thursday went well and she is doing well with her recovery and recup.  It is a real joy to have her here with us.  It is an honor to take care of her.  She has done so much for me throughout the years and I want to give back to her a little of what she has done for me.  God is so good.

I hope all of you are doing well.  I will try to post some vacation pics soon.

Thanks for stopping by and visiting here at Nana's Parlor.  You are always welcome here.  come by anytime.

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

Friday

Hi Everyone,

What a great this Friday has been.  Slept in a little, it was so nice.  Jim and I enjoyed breakfast together and then I did some cleaning and laundry.  Tomorrow I am hoping to get a lot more done.  We are really enjoying this beautiful fall weather.  It was so pleasant today.  God is so good.

Plans are to pick up Mom  on Sunday at the hospital and bring her here for a few weeks for recup.  she did so well with her surgery yesterday, the Lord was really with her and guided the surgeons hands as her operated.

Well I know this is short but I am going to close for now.  Thanks for stopping by and visit here in Nana's Parlor anytime.   You are always welcome here.

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

Long Day

Hi Everyone,

I got home from my western road trip on Tuesday at 12:00 noon and then Wednesday I went to my Mom's and then today took Mom in for her hip surgery.  Everything went well and I will be bringing her here to my house on Sunday for her recup.  Sorry it has been so long since I posted.  It has been a busy few weeks.

While on my road trip, my daughter, granddaughters and I toured the Corn Palace, Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Yellowstone National Park and The Grand Teton's National Park.  I will eventually post pictures but I want to go through them and see what ones I want to post before I do.  We saw a lot of animals, beautiful nature, and even saw some snow.  It was great seeing the snow through the eyes of my granddaughters who saw snow for the first time.  They were too small when they moved to California to remember snow it was like seeing snow for the first time.

Well I better close for now, it is getting late.  I will try to post more regularly.  Thanks so much for stopping by and visiting.  I appreciate all of you.  You are always welcome here in Nana's Parlor.

Love, Hugs, and God Bless,
Janet (Kristy and Abby's Nana)

It's Monday

Hi Everyone,

Hope of you are having a great day.  Here in Vandergrift, PA it doesn't know whether to rain or shine.  Right now the sun is out about ten minutes ago it was raining.  Oh well, we need both and you never know there may be a rainbow some where.

Starting to get excited about my upcoming trip west.  Checking things out on places we want to stop.  Watching some videos too.

Well I better close for now.  Thanks for stopping by and visiting.  You are always welcome here at my parlor.

Love and Hugs,
Janet

Sunday Morning

Hi Everyone,

This will be a short post.  In a few minutes Jim and I will be off to church.  Looking forward to hearing a great message from the Word of God.  Today we will remember a good friend whom the Lord called home to be with Him yesterday morning.  Jim and his friend Jim worked together at Allegheny Ludlum stainless steel mill in Leechburg, PA for years.  My Jim remembers having lunch together and praying together.  He will be sadly missed.

Well I must go for now.  Thanks for stopping by and visiting, you are always welcome here.  Please pray for the family of my husband's friend Jim.

Love and Hugs,
Janet

Beautiful Saturday

Hi Everyone,

I hope everyone is having a super day.  When I got up this morning the weather was a bit chilly, but the sky was clear and the sun was shining.  Fall is just around the corner and Jim and I are relishing the last of the tomatoes from the garden.  We had tomato toast sandwiches for breakfast and along with our fish and fries tonight for supper we are having a tomato/onion salad.  I avoid buying tomatoes at the store.  They are just not the same.

Yesterday Jim brought home our new car.  We really needed a new one.  The other car, a jeep, we had for 15 years and it was giving out on us.  So we bought a new car, a cadillac deville, used, but it is beautiful and in excellent condition.

Well I am going to close for now.  Thanks for stopping by and visiting, you are always welcome here.

Love and Hugs,
Janet


PS  Check out my kitchen blog for my tomato salad recipe.

One Week to Go

Hi Everyone,

Just checking in.  Next week at this time, Lord willingly, Tiffany, my granddaughters and I will be on our way west.  We are looking forward to the trip.  We have plans for stopping at several different places and I am hoping to get some good pictures, especially  nature ones.    Soon I will be posting on a new page here at my blog of some special pictures I have taken this summer, in California, here at home and on the trip.  Please keep checking back to see when I post them.

Well I better close for now.  Thanks for stopping by and visiting.  Stop by any time, you are always welcome here.

Love and Hugs,
Janet

Pleasant Wednesday

Hi Everyone,

Sorry it has been almost a month since I last posted.  It has been a full month with my daughter here and the granddaughter.  She has spent some time in Ohio with her in-laws, but a lot of time here and Jim and I love spending time with my granddaughters.  We have done some crafting and baking.  The girls started school last week.  They are homeschooled and their Mom brought school work for the trip.  I have had the opportunity to help with the schooling.    I homeschooled Tiffany and now she is homeschooling her daughters.

Tomorrow Tiffany and the girls are going to visit in Ohio one more time before we leave next week for our trip west.  It is going to be a great trip.  Tiffany and I have many things planned with stops in different places. The girls will be able to see things that a lot of kids only read about in school.

Well I am going to close for now.  Thanks for stopping by and visiting.  Come visit any time.

Love and Hugs,
Janet

Beautiful Sunday Afternoon

Hi Everyone,

Sorry I did not post yesterday, I was quite busy.  Today is a beautiful day here in Vandergrift PA.  The message at church was awesome.  Pastor Rousey preached today because Pastor Skelly and hi wife Wanda are in Australia celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary and also ministering while they are there.

Yesterday I was busy.  Picked tomatoes out of the garden and made about four quarts of spagetti sauce to freeze.  I also bake a muffin cake.  It was so nice doing those things and I love being in the kitchen cooking and baking.

So is your day going?  I am going to run for now.  Thank you for stopping by and visiting.  You are always welcome here.  Stop by any time.

Love and Hugs,
Janet

Just Another Rainy Day

Hi Everyone,

Just another rainy day here in Vandergrift, PA, but it is so good to be home with my wonderful husband Jim. He and I did get to sit out on the patio under our canopy while it rained a little and it was so nice.  I love those times when you just sit and talk and enjoy each others company.

Well are things that need done so this is going to be a short post.  I need to straighten the kitchen and vacuum the downstairs.  Some laundry needs to finish in the dryer and folded.  Then I will probably work on my art journals or some other crafty thing.  Supper is going to be steaks and tomato/onion salad.  The tomatoes are coming in and they are so good.  Nothing like a fresh garden tomato.

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

Love and Hugs,
Janet

Back from on the Road

 Shopping at The Grove in LA.  Top: Tiffany with Kristy and Abby.  Bottom: Me with Kristy and Abby.

Hi Everyone,

Yes it has been well over a month since I have blogged.  July 5 I flew out to my daughters place in Nipomo, California and was there for 3 weeks and then her and I with my two precious granddaughters drove back here to the east.  I will be here for about a month or so and then back on the road to drive back to California and then fly back to PA where my husband will probably not let me out of his sight for quite a while.  I miss him so much when I am gone and it is so good to be back home with him for a while.

On our way back we stopped at the Grand Canyon, Meteor Crater and Laura Ingalls Wilder's homes in Missouri.  My granddaughters loved every minute of it and I love seeing their excitement.  My daughter homeschools so this was a great educational trip.  They journaled each night on the road of what they saw and did that day.  On our way back we will be going a different way, Grand Tetons, Mt. Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Manitou Cliff dwellings, Garden of the Gods, Pikes Peak, etc. and they will journal all of that too. We talk about everything they see.

I will try to blog as much as I can while I am home, but when I get back from the trip west I will try to blog everyday.

Well here are some photos of the trip.  Enjoy!!!  Thank you for stopping by and visiting.  Please leave a comment.

Love and hugs,
Janet

 Top picture was taken at the Grand Canyon: Me, Abby, Kristy, and Tiffany.

Bottom picture was taken at Meteor Crater: Tiffany and Me in the back, Abby in front of Tiffany and Kristy in front of me.

Busy Saturday

Hi Everyone,

I hope everyone is having a great day.  It has been pleasant here, but I hear a storm coming in.  The last few days it has been raining off and on.  No complaining, it is keeping the garden watered, as well as the weeds.  Jim has most of them cleared out.  I did laundry and baked a cake.

We sat outside for a while after supper and it was so pleasant.  Our backyard is our little piece of paradise and we love it.

Have you visited my garden page?  You will understand what I mean when you see the pictures of our garden and flowers.

Well tomorrow is church and it is a time Jim and I enjoy.  We love our church, the people.  We are thankful for it and for the Word of God that we hear preached so truthfully.

Well I am going to close for now.  Have a pleasant evening.

Love and Hugs,
Janet

Coffee on the Patio

My pink lilies have bloomed.  You can see them and other flowers from my garden on my garden page.  Enjoy your visit there.

Hi Everyone,

Jim and I after having breakfast in the kitchen we went out to the patio to have coffee and do our Bible Study together.  We really enjoy this special time were we can be outside, enjoying the beauty of God's creation and opening His word for inspiration and encouragement.

I have uploaded some more garden and flower pictures to my page called My Garden.  Please stop by there and enjoy what God is doing in our backyard as He brings beauty there for us to enjoy.

Tonight is Bible study at church.  It is a special time during the week that we can get together with others to pray, seek God and study His word.

I will close for now.  Thanks for stopping by and visiting.  Enjoy your visit to my garden and stop by anytime, you are always welcome here.

Love and Hugs,
Janet

87 and Hot

Hi Everyone,

Just a quick post to check in with everyone.  Sorry I didn't post yesterday, it was a great day.  Church in the morning and then Jim and I were out at the boarding home where Jim preaches once a month.  It was so enjoyable.  The folks at the home are so very sweet.  One of the residents sang a special for us.  She sang "In the Garden."  That is such a precious song and she did it so gentle and sweet.  Our friend Mary Jordan came and played the piano for us since Jim's cousin Betty couldn't make it because she is not feeling well.  It was so good to have Mary with us.  We did miss Betty.

Today has been one of those days that you just want to stay in the house out of the heat.  Praise the Lord for AC.  Jim spent his day working on his Bible teaching for tomorrow when we go to the High Rise in Lower Burrell.  We also love spending time with the folks there too.  They are so precious.

Jim and I are so blessed to be able to go and share God's Word and His love with others.  Our lives are richer and fuller because God has allowed us to be part of spreading the good news of Jesus and salvation.

Well I am going to close for now.  Thanks for stopping by and visiting.  Stop by anytime you are always welcome.

God bless  you all.

Love and Hugs,
Janet

Busy Sewing Day

Hi Everyone,

Today was a very busy day with doing laundry and sewing new curtains for our guest room.  We have turned our son's room into a guest room.  I call it the teddy bear room because I have put all of my teddy bears in there.  I have approximately 40 - 50 stuffed teddy bears.  I also collect other teddy bears that are breakable so they are kept in my curio cabinet.    Any way I made new curtains because the ones that I had in there I made special for Jimmy.  Now that he is married and has a house of his own I wanted to change the theme in that room a little.  I kept wall color for now but changed the curtains.  I will have to take a picture sometime  of the curtains and post it.

Well I am going to close for now.  Thanks for stopping by and visiting.  You are always welcome here.

Love and Hugs,
Janet

My Garden Page

Hi Everyone,

I hope everyone is having a beautiful day.  Summer is here, the weather is warmer, the AC is on in the house but the view from the patio is beautiful.  Jim and I had our coffee and did our Bible Study out on the patio this morning and I also took some pictures of our garden and the flowers.  I decided to add a page to my blog where I can share those pictures with you.  My pink lilies have not bloomed yet but my bright red ones and my red and white variegated ones are gorgeous.  The daisies are also blooming and they too are some of my favorite flowers.

Jim and I have been enjoying fresh garden salads from the lettuce in the garden along with green onions.  I love having a garden and look forward to the tomatoes coming in.  I will be home for most of August and I will be able to do some canning, but also enjoy tomato salads and tomato toast sandwiches.

Well I am going to go for now.  Enjoy this beautiful that the Lord has made, rejoice and be glad in it.   Thanks for stopping by and visiting.  Come by any time, you are always welcome here.

Love and Hugs,
Janet

Beautiful Day

Hi Everyone,

I wish I had a computer where I could actually share what a beautiful day it is here in Vandergrift, PA.  When I woke up this morning the sky was a powder blue, the trees are a lime green and a forest green, the birds are singing happy in the trees, and the gardens are bursting with all the colors of the rainbow.  To me our backyard is like paradise.  God is so good.  His creations are marvelous beyond words and I thank Him for creating all these wonderful things.

This evening is church and I work in the nursery.  I love being with the kids and the lady I work with is great.  We work as a team which makes things go smoothly.

Last evening Jim and I went to the high rise in Lower Burrell where he taught a Bible study.  The folks there are so great and we enjoy sharing our time with them.  We are going to be there next Tuesday evening as well.

Tomorrow is Ladies Bible study at church and we will be studying Deborah from the Old Testament.  It is an interesting study and I am enjoying it.

Well I am going to close for now.  Thanks for stopping by and visiting.  Stop anytime you are always welcome.

Love and hugs,
Janet

Gone Too Long

Hi Everyone,

Sorry I have been gone for several days, but I am back.  I hope everyone is having a great day.  It is sunny and beautiful here in PA and we are really enjoying this wonderful weather.  Later this afternoon my husband and I are going to our son's house for dinner.  He and his wife are having us over for dinner to celebrate Father's day.  That is very nice of them.

Jim, my husband, has spent a good portion of the day there helping our son put up kitchen cabinets in their kitchen.  I am sure that will help with storage in the kitchen.  You know you can never have enough storage, especially in the kitchen.

Well, I am going to close for now.  I will try to do better at posting.

Love and Hugs,
Janet

Sunday Evening

Hi Everyone,

I hope all of you have had a great day.  It is 11:27 pm here in Vandergrift, PA.  It has been a great day.  Church this morning was awesome.  Pastor Skelly always has a super great message and this evening was the recap at church on our Youth Conference.  It is called Powerhouse.  There was around 900 teens that attended.   Some came from New York, New Jersey Maryland, Upper Michigan and all across PA.  The speakers were awesome and there was loads of fun, food, and fellowship.

I also got to see a friend from Ohio.  I miss seeing her at church each Sunday and Bible Study on Thursdays.  She is living with her daughter in Ohio for now.  She said she will be back in for a visit probably in August.

It was just a all around good day, and I thank the Lord Jesus Christ for it.

Well I am going to go.  I will post again tomorrow.  Thanks for stopping by and visiting.  You are always welcome here.

Love and Hugs,
Janet

Quick Post

Hi Everyone,

This is going to be a quick post.  Today has been super busy, cleaning and laundry.  Worked on several scrapbook layouts from my trip to CA in February.   Also worked on a canvas that I am doing for a friend.  When everything is done I will post pics.

Hope everyone had a great day.

Thanks for stopping by and visiting.  You are always welcome here.

Love and Hugs,
Janet

Pain

Hi Everyone,

This is going to be a little short.  My neck and back are giving me some trouble.  I have an appointment at the chiropractor in a little while.

It is a gloomy day today and I will be glad to get back home after the appointment.  When it is like this I would just rather be at home.  There no place like HOME.

Well I am going to close for now.  I may try to post again later.  Thanks for stopping by and visiting.  You are always here.  God bless you all.

Love and Hugs,
Janet

Sleepy Day

Hi Everyone,

I call this a sleepy day because it is rainy outside and sometimes that makes me just want to sleep all day.  No I don't sleep all day, but I like to just stay inside were it is cozy.  I really don't mind days like this.  Jim is down stairs in his tool and work room painting the shelves that will go up in the dining room for my different china pieces (tea pots, etc).  My china cabinets are just too full and they need spread out so you can see each one.  I am sitting here working on my art/collage journal.  Maybe later I will go down to my craft room and work on a canvas that I am doing for a friend.

As I was remembering D-Day I listened to some songs (military hymns) on YouTube.  Brought tears to my eyes.  Jim's (mine too) uncle served during WWII and was on Iwo Jima.  He was one of 12 from his company of a couple hundred that left the island a live.  I also remember my Dad who served during WWII. One of the gentlemen from the church in Leechburg, PA was at Normandy and came home.  How grateful I am for the men (women) too who served and serve now.  They need our love and support.  God bless the US military and America.

Have a super great day.  Thanks for stopping by and visiting.  You are always welcome here.  See you again tomorrow.

Love and Hugs,
Janet

Good Afternoon Wednesday

This is my interpretation of graffiti art.  

This is the first graffiti art journal page I did for the 2013 challenge on a site I belong too.  It was really fun to do.  The one above is the second one I did.

Hi Everyone,

I hope all of you are having a great afternoon.  It is very pleasant here.  Jim and I sat outside and did our Bible study this morning and it was wonderful.

I got some cleaning done, a roast is cooking in the slow cooker, and I finished a second graffiti art journal page.  I will post pictures.  No it is not like the graffiti you see out in public.  It is part of a challenge on the art journal site I belong to.   I am not into the graffiti you see in many of the cities.

Tonight is church and it is my turn to work in the toddler nursery.  Yay, I love being with the kids, they are so sweet and the ladies I work with are awesome.  Children are a gift from God and it is a pleasure to help take care of His children.

Well I am going to close for now.  Thanks for stopping by and visiting.  Stop back any time you are always welcome here.

Love and Hugs,
Janet

Top Tabs

Hi Everyone,

I have added top tabs to my blog.  Check them out.  One is the gallery of my mixed media/altered canvas.  I will be adding other tabs eventually.  Please leave a comment and let me know what you think of the new arrangement.  The side pictures will eventually be moved to a tab.

Love and Hugs,
Janet

Yesterday's Lunch at Johnny Rockets

This picture is looking into Johnny Rockets from the mall.

Hi Everyone,

Sorry I didn't post yesterday, I guess the day just got away from me and I forgot.  I will try not to be so forgetful.  Well as the title said Jim and I had lunch/dinner at Johnny Rockets in the Pittsburgh Mills Mall.  Very nostaligic.  The food was good but very expensive, so that will be our one and only time eating there.  We also stopped at Staples for ink for the computer and then to Michael's.  I wanted to get some dabbers and I also picked up some washi tape and paint for doing my art/collage journaling.

I took some pictures of Johnny Rockets and will post them.  Today I did some cleaning, baked a cake and have been working on an art project for the aft journaling site I belong to.  It is a word graffiti challenge and it is a lot of fun.

Well I am going to close for now.  Thank you for stopping by and visiting.  You are always welcome here.

Enjoy the pictures.

Love and Hugs,
Janet

Inside Johnny Rockets

This sign and the ones above are some of the Coke ad posters.

Jim checking out the music selection

Looking out into the mall from inside Johnny Rockets

I remember these music boxes from when I was a kid.

I had the original burger and fries.

Jim had the patty melt and fries.

Sunday Afternoon

This is a view of the Pacific Ocean from the front lawn of the Santa Barbara Mission.  I was there in February of this year.  It was a beautiful visit.

Hi Everyone,

Just got home from church and eating out.  What a great message at church this morning.  I love to hear God's word preached.  Pastor Skelly is a great pastor and truly loves God's Word.  This afternoon he is giving the commencement address at two local public high schools.  That is so exciting.

It is a beautiful afternoon, bright and sunny and the flowers on our front porch look so beautiful with their colors of bright purple, pink and yellow.  Our azaleas are in full bloom.  The gardens in the backyard are also doing well and really brighten up the back.

Well I am going to close for now.  Have a super afternoon and evening.  Thanks for stopping by and visiting, you are always welcome.

Love and Hugs,
Janet

Busy Day of Shopping

Hi Everyone,

Sorry I am posting so late but today has been super busy.  Jim and I were out shopping all day and this evening we were just relaxing.  He has gone to bed and I just finished uploading a video.  I will post it below.  The video is about using the magazine postcards that are inserted inside and making art journal tags with them.

I have been working on my art journal a lot lately.  I will eventually do a video on it but I am not ready to do that at this time.

Well tomorrow is church and Jim and I are looking forward to being in God's house praising and worshipping Him and learning from His word.

I will close for now and will post again tomorrow.  Please check out the video.  Thanks so much for stopping by and visiting.

Love and Hugs,
Janet


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZ3MMLMjQj0

Our Backyard Sanctuary Chapter 1

My favorite rose bush in our backyard.  Enjoy the pictures below  of our backyard.

Hi Everyone,

What a gorgeous day it is outside.  The sun is beautiful and the sky has pillowy white clouds scattered across  its baby blue hue.  The birds of course are singing their daily songs as they fly from tree to tree.

The day before yesterday I took some pictures of our backyard, especially around the one rose bush.  I love roses.  Their scent is intoxicating, their softness as a satin pillow, and their rich red color just bright up the yard.  I just have to share these pictures with you all and I hope they will bring a smile to your face.

Please enjoy my roses and the pictures of our little sanctuary we call our backyard.

Love and Hugs,
Janet

PS I will do a post tomorrow with pictures of our irises and more backyard pictures.

You can see through the rose bush out patio with the canopy.

When I took this picture I was standing under the oak tree.

Here I was standing on the other side of the rose bush looking up at  the oak tree.

A rose from the rose bush.

God's Word

The Word of God

Jim reading Psalm 27

My turn to read.

Hi Everyone,

I hope all are having a bright and sunny day.  It is beautiful here in Vandergirft, Pa. the sun is shining, the birds are singing and God is so good.

Jim and I decided to have our coffee and do our Bible study on the patio today.  It is so nice to be under the canopy on the patio, feel the breeze, listen to the birds and read God's word together with my wonderful husband.  We finished reading and studying Psalm 27.  The book of Psalms is one of my favorite Old Testament books.  Tomorrow we will begin Psalm 28.  I love how God's Word ministers to your heart, guide and directs you through the leading of the Holy Spirit.

I have some pictures of Jim and I out on the patio.  I am going to run for now and I may post later.  Have a super day everyone and comments are always welcome.  Thanks for stopping by and visiting.

Love and Hugs,
Janet

Beautiful, Sunny Wednesday

Hi Everyone,  Here are some projects that I completed last night.  The milk glass pin cushion is for a friend.  Uploaded video of these two projects is below.

Tea Cup Pin Cushion spilled over/

Side two of the tea cup pin cushion spilled over.

Milk Glass Pin Cushion

Top view of Milk Glass Pin Cushion

Front view of Milk Glass Pin Cushion

It is a beautiful and sunny day here in Vandergrift, Pa.  Jim and I have already sat out on the patio and enjoyed our morning coffee this morning.  However, it is getting warmer as the day goes on so we turned on the air conditioner since it is suppose to reach close to 90 degrees today.

I just finished uploading a video on my latest creations and I want to share it with you.  I also took some pictures of our backyard and the flowers that have started to bloom, but I will post them on a different video.  Enjoy the video and please leave a comment.

Love and Hugs,
Janet



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3alYMi32hg

Tuesday Evening

Hi Everyone,

I know it is later than I normally  post, but is has been one of those days.  I hope all of you have had a great day.  Our day started our rainy, but by supper it was very pleasant out, the sun was shining and just plain nice. out.  Tomorrow it is suppose to go the 90 degrees, not really looking forward to that, but we are going to Praise the Lord any way because He is so good.

Today I made two pin cushions.  I will be doing videos on them tomorrow and will post them here on my blog.  They turned out really cute.  One is for a friend and the other one is a tea cup but a tea cup turned on its side with the pin cushions sort of spilling out with flowers.  It is purples, blues and white.  I really like it.

I am thinking about starting to sell my creations, so be looking for an ad to be posted soon about it.

Well I better close for now.  I will post again tomorrow.  Thanks for stopping by.

Love and Hugs,
Janet

Happy Memorial Day

Hi Everyone,

Happy Memorial Day!!  I hope all of have had a great Memorial Day.  We celebrated today with family and friends by having a picnic here at our house.  What a blessing.

Today I remember many in my family who have served their country, my Dad, Walter S. Keys, Jr, uncle Tim Townsend, uncle Eugene Keys, uncle William Keys, my brother in law, Sonny (Alfred) November.. Thank you to all you have served.

I will post tomorrow.

Love and Hugs,
Janet

Good Morning

last years Stargazer Lilies.  They are one of my favorite lilies.  Enjoy!!!

Hi Everyone,

Good morning!  I hope everyone is having a great Sunday morning.  It is 8:30 am here at our house.  We will be having breakfast and then off to church for the morning service.  This afternoon Jim preaches at the Boarding Home.  Looking forward to hearing God's Word at church and at the home.  The sun is out and shining and it looks like a beautiful day out.

Maybe this evening we can go for a walk out at the lake.  We will see.

Well I know this is short.  I will try to post again later.  Have a super day.  Thanks for stopping by.  Please leave a comment.

Love and Hugs,
Janet

Good Morning Friday

Here is another picture of a double page from my art journal.  I titled it Growing in Grace.  That is the theme  for our church this year.  I used pictures of seed packs (I reduced them to a small size) as flower pots for the flowers on the page.  

Hi Everyone,

Here I sit at my computer ready to share with all of you my plans for the day.  It is cold a rainy outside.  It is a relief from the hot and humid weather we have been having.  Today Jim and I must go shopping for the picnic on Monday.  You know those last minute items you have to get right before a picnic.  We are having family and friends over and looking forward to sharing the day with them.

I will also be doing cleaning today because tomorrow I will devout to baking for the picnic.  Brittany and I are going to get together and make rhurbarb pies, (we grow it and every year at this time I make pies).  I may also make some cookies.  You can never have enough desserts especially for a picnic.

Last night I started to prep another art journal.  I have some old books and decided to use them.  They are not real thick so these will not be large art journals.  Besides that I have never altered an old book to be used for an art journal.  This is really taking me outside of my box.

Well I better go for now.  Enjoy your day.  Thanks for stopping by and let me know you were here by leaving a comment.

Love and Hugs,
Janet

It's a Rainbow Art Journal Page

This one of my favorite art journal pages.  I call it Rainbows.  I love the bright colors and the big colorful daisy.  On the left side of the page is a Haiku that I wrote.  Writing Haiku's is another thing I like to do.  Please enjoy!!!

Hi Everyone,

Well it is a very rainy day here in Vandergrift, PA.  But that is alright.  I went to ladies Bible study this afternoon.  It was very good.  We finished our study on Sarah and began our study on Rebekah.  We are learning how the women of the Bible made a difference and what we can do to make a difference in our lives, in our families and in the world around us.

I have been working on one of my art journal pages.  I am really having a good time making them.  In the evenings when I can I have been catching up on my scrapbooking, especially my CA trip in February.  That too is a lot of fun.  I love to create and my husband Jim is such an encouragement to me.  I thank the Lord every day for Jim, my life is rich and full because Jesus, my Savior and Lord picked Jim out just for me, to be my husband and love of my life.

I have included a picture of one of my art journal pages.  Perfect for this rainy Thursday.

Well I am going to close for now.  Enjoy your day where ever you are.  Please leave a comment and share your day with me.

Love and Hugs,
Janet