~ All is Well ~

Weekend away

Good Morning to all    It is a little overcast here in the St. Louis area at this time.   Today I am : finishing laundry,baking cookies and babysitting a little boy who is off of school today due to parent teacher conferences.

I am catching a nasty cold that seems to be circulating around. Both of my kiddos have it and now dh and I are coming down with it as well.

We are going "back home" this weekend to visit and attend my nephews 6th birthday.  The last time we were there was early August, so a much needed visit is definitely in order.      Have a great weekend!!!

All is Well,

~ Janny ~

Praise Report !

It's a great morning!    A dear sweet young lady (that I watched grow up at our church back in the Ozarks)  called me last night to tell me that she is pregnant.

Now that is wonderful news in itself, however what makes it so totally awesome is that she and her husband were infertile.  They have been trying to start a family now for 4 1/2 years.   The couple spent all the savings that they had and then became over burdened with debt once they attempted fertility treatments and several in vitro procedures that  were unsucessful.  In fact the poor girl nearly died and was hospitalized for over-stimulated ovaries and complications from the treatments.   After that painful and traumatic experience they focused on her getting healthy again and pursued hobbies and other interests.

They decided that they would forgo any further treatments and pursue the adoption route.     Well would'nt you know ........ she began to have bouts of fatigue and other syptoms of early pregnancy. It did not even dawn on her at first to think she could be pregnant.   She finally realized that  "Aunt flo" was indeed late.  Scared and nervously she took the test and lo and behold two big fat lines appeared indicating a POSITIVE result!!   All natural,no fertility treatments and in God's timing!!  

Its's interesting to me how many women in the Bible had fertility issues. However God heard their prayers and knew the desires of their hearts and in his perfect timing and will blessed them with the precious gift of life in their womb.

"Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is His reward".

Psalm 127:3

~ Janny~

I'm back and All is Well....

Yes, its really me!  I have returned     First of all, I can not believe that this much time has lapsed since my last entry.   I'm sorry to say that I have not been able to keep up with reading others blogs either.   So I do hope ~All is Well~ with everyone.    You may notice that I have changed the title name of my blog. Originally it was "Remembering Cedar Hill"(which was our little homestead nestled in the Ozarks).   A quick re-cap: We had to relocate from the Ozarks to the  St. Louis area due to dh's job.  I have started re-blogging and have changed the name to "All is Well".   The  reason for the change is simply this.......I LONG to move back and think about it quite a bit.  However......rather then be grumpy,depressed and upset about my circumstances,  God has shown me I must be content where ever I am and with what ever I have.  Although this has not been an easy lesson for me, it has been a very necessary one!  

So welcome to my revised blog "All is Well" (cuz, really it is ! )

~ Janny ~

OH My Goodness!

Hello,

I can not believe it has been since Dec 2006 since I have been here.

Time just gets away from you. Speaking of time, I also cant believe that it has been over 2 years now since we left our little homestead nestled in the Ozarks.   We keep trying to find our way back home, but God has not yet made the path known.    We thought it looked good for awhile, when dh was offered a job  with another health care industry back home. However due to the debt we have occured (credit cards) 2 car payments and various other things, we could not take what they offered to us.      It made me sick!  Its sooo easy to start to live a little bit at a time beyond your means.   Now can you guess what my goal in life currently is?    To become debt free!    Our tax money will go towards our debt reduction.  I am making it a priority to clamp down on all expenses.  I am trying to read every thing that I can get my little hands and eyeballs on to motivate ,encourage and provide me with all the info I can retain to get back on track.   

Self reliant, simple living, debt free and healthy country living  is what I am shooting for!   I've got the place and land~just have to find our way back!

Nice to be back~Hope all is well with everyone as I have no idea because I have not read a blog since DEC.

Blessings,

~ Janny ~

Wed. happenings

We had a lovely Christmas and our home now looks like a toy store exploded in it. LOL!    Hard to believe we will soon be ringing in the new year. It seems like I just got used to writing 2006 and now we will be moving into 2007.   Still working on my "lifestyle changes" for 2007.

I have been super busy with the holidays and kids,family and life in general. But has'nt everyone..LOL!

I am really tired so I think I will turn in for the night.  G' nite :O)

~Janny~

Monday, Monday..

Good Mid morning,

I am dragging a bit this overcast Monday. I pray I am not coming down with the tummy bug that seems to be circulating all thru our area. Because I am dealing with some serious waves of Nausea.  So much to do this time of year, are you all finished with everything?? LOL!

I will hopefully get some more presents wrapped today while Caitlyn is napping and Caleb at school.   This week is Calebs party at school, the next day is Caitlyns party at her little preschool (she attends 3 hours-2 days a week).  I am helping out at both and need to get some games and goodies lined up.  

Tonite is tae kwon do and homework with ds.   Tonites dinner~ roast, potatoes,carrots and popovers.  I am thinking about what "life style"

changes I want to implement for the year 2007~I'll keep you posted on  these once I decide..LOL!  Enjoy the rest of your day :)

~Janny~

pretty wed.

Another beautiful day today in the mid 60's with warm golden sunshine.

 Felt more like a Spring day then a day in the month of December. Oh I'm not complaining mind you, :) however it is kind of hard to be dreaming about that "white Christmas".  LOL!!

Today I put together some "Coffee baskets" for Christmas gifts.  I purchased *a few* of the various flavors of big Folgers cans of coffees when a local store had them on sale for 4.50 a can.

I have been adding them to baskets I have or have purchased (at a frugal price).  I will also add different flavored creamers, cocoa packets, coffee mugs  and a scented candle.  To me(a coffee drinker) this is like the perfect gift...LOL!  Time for homework with ds.

Tonites supper- Talapia fish, steamed broccoli, shell noodles with cheese sauce and ww rolls. Have a blessed evening.

~Janny~

Tuesday happenings

What strange weather we have here in Mo. Today it was 63 degrees and sunny. Last week there was snow and ice on the ground and in the teens.  I cant believe Christmas is so near. It seems like the older I get the faster the holidays come.

Today~ I placed all the clothes (larger sizes) of the kids that they will wear in the future into two rubber maid boxes.  They each have one with their name and the assorted sizes of clothing that are in the box.

Played several kiddie card games with ds,  read books to dd, washed clothes, caught up on some emails I needed to respond to and even had time to watch a tv show while dd napped.  NOt bad for a tuesday!

Oh yes, have already completed homework with ds and his reading for school as well.   Tonite ds has tae kwon do again.  Supper tonite is baked chicken, garlic mashed potatoes, whole wheat dinner rolls and green beans.   Have a blessed evening :)

~Janny~

bit of a boring day

It was overcast here today and looked as if it might rain, It never did but just had that "gloomy" look outside. I am afraid I lacked motivation and did not get a whole lot done.  Did order some bargains on amazon.com for Christmas.  Got ds a sponge Bob skate board for 6.99. Got dd a Dora scooterskate 7.99 and  dora roller skates 3.99.

plus free S/H with order of 25$ or more.  Now off to take ds to tae kwon do. 

~Janny~

calm Sunday

We are having a nice calm and relaxing Sunday afternoon here at my ole homestead today :)   ds is playing some games quietly in his room, dd is watching a "Max and Ruby" cartoon, dh is actually in the kitchen baking cinnamon rolls he made from scratch. I thought I would grab a few minutes between folding laundry to do a blog for today.  The rest of the snow and ice are melting. Even though the sun is not really out, the temp is above the freezing level and gently melting what is left from the storm.  I am gearing up to try once again and put a rotating menu in place. So I will be looking over all my TNT recipes and a few new ones to try. I'l keep you posted if I run across any winners.

Bless ya this Sunday afternoon!

~Janny~

not the day I planned

Today did not go as I had planned thats for sure.  I had organized my list on everything that I wanted to get done and every where i wanted to go.  One thing stood in my way and interfered in every thing that I attempted to do today.  He had a different plan and priorities.

He was a little grouchy and tired as well.  (staying up too late watching old star trek re-runs maybe?).    Oh well, husbands have been known to be like that have'nt they?  LOL!

~Janny~

Lots to do this time of year

Oh so much to do this time of year.  I have definitely been making my lists and checking them alot more then twice..LOL!

Did massive cleaning today. I am amazed at how much I can de-clutter and still have so much stuff!  Tommorow will be a busy one.  I have the day lined up with lots of kid oriented activites. The local library is having festivities and fun for the kids. They will be getting to see a *reindeer* and get their picture taken with it.  The church does an event where you can take your kids and they get to "go Christmas shopping". They have gently used or new items all laid on tables and the kids get to pick out gifts to purchase for family or friends. They love it!  Tommorow nite will be a Nativity walk at a friends church.  Tonite? Ds has tae kwon do and then we will have family movie nite and pizza.

Take care and stay warm!

~Janny~

English Toffee

It is very cold here today. A high of 18 degrees but with the wind chill factor it is like -1.  I have a nice toasty fire burning in the woodstove.

Caitlyn is enjoying a Christmas movie and playing with a yo-yo.  Ds is at school and will enjoy a history lesson today as they are going to "churn" and make butter the old fashioned way.

Later today I have a dental appt. to get my teeth cleaned.

I am going to be making one of our favorite family Christmas candies for ds's class.   Its English Toffee and oh so yummy!  Here is the recipe if you would like to try it this holiday season.

                                   English Toffee:

               1 cup butter    one bag 6oz. chocolate chips

               1 cup sugar    1 cup finely chopped walnuts(or nuts of choice)

                candy thermometer

1. Warm a cookie sheet in oven.

2. Combine butter and sugar in sauce pan. Cook over high heat.

3.Stir constantly with wooden spoon until mix is at "soft crack" stage

    (280 degrees).

4. Reduce heat to med-high, stir until "hard crack" stage(300*).

5.Pour on warmed cookie sheet and spread out with rubber spatula.

6.Immediately add chocolate chips (spread them out gently as they melt). Let sit for 5 minutes.

7. Add nuts and press into melted chocolate chips.

8. Cool, uncovered in fridge. When hard, break into pieces ~  yum!

~Janny~

where does the time go?

Happy Holidays  to everyone!  I can not believe how long its been since I last blogged.  Time just gets away from you does'nt it?

I promise I am going to attempt to be more consistent with my blogging efforts :)

We had a massive winter storm here in the St. Louis area. We lost power for a couple of days, and from what I understand there are still people with out power.  Thank God for our wood stove!  We basically "camped" out in our living room with candles,camping lanterns and the wood stove burning for warmth.  The kids loved it and thought it a great time.  Dh and I on the other hand were VERY thankful when the power finally came back on.   Ds was out of school for several days due to bad weather, back today though (big smile).

Today was a baking day. Used up some bananas that were going bad in some flax seed muffins.  Whipped up a batch of molasses cookie dough~which is in fridge chilling.  Laundry and folding clothes while listening to Christmas music. Dd is napping away, she has a bit of a cold. Lots of viral illnesses going around this time of the year.   Is everyone ready for Christmas?  I still need to purchase a gift for my  parents.  They are so hard to buy for.   Hope all is well with everyone.

Blessings,

~Janny~

a rainy Friday

It has been raining practically all day today. I am hoping it will clear up a bit for this evening. We are going to go to a  fall walk at an old Historic Govenors house. Its suposed to be educational for the kids and provide them with dressed up characters from the past telling stories of life in the 1800's.

Tonite is a simple stand by for supper- spaghetti,garlic cheese biscuits and salad.

Ds has been out of school for the past several days due to teachers meetings.  So I have been trying to keep the troops busy here...yep, I'm tired! LOL!

I used up some apples that were starting to turn bad in an apple crisp. Purchased ground beef on sale for $1.18 lb separated and divided into 1 lb. each to freeze. 

Still trying to tighten the old grocery budget.

Tommorow promises to be a busy one. Harvest party to attend and a visit around the square with the kids to collect treats from the local merchants.   Hoping all is well with you.

~Janny~

Chilly this evening

It is a bit chilly out there this evening. I'm looking foreward to a toasty fire in the fireplace when it gets a bit colder.  Nothing that exciting going on . The usual...laundry,household chores,children and cooking.

I am really trying to change the way we eat to include more healthy and whole grain type foods. I am having trouble with my cholesterol and triglycerides being elevated. Hence the change in diet.

I have managed to squeeze  pleasure reading books in. I just finished a book by Joyce Meyer about taking care of yourself and getting fit.

Well, time to start getting ready for supper. Tonite~seasoned baked talapia fillets, brown rice made in chicken broth and a deluxe broccoli veggie stir fry.

Have a wonderful evening :0)

~ Janny~

Ahh friday

Autumn is in the air today. It is a lovely 67 degrees at the moment. The trees are adorned with red, yellow,  brown and various green leaves.  A scarecrow and a couple of oversized pumpkins sit on our  porch.  Our Fall flag flys and flaps gently when an Autumn breeze blows its way.  

 Little sis enjoyed helping me make and bake chocolate chip cookies this morning. But she especially enjoyed eating a bit of the cookie dough. I cant blame her like mother like daughter..LOL!

To welcome the Fall season,  a delicious scented "Gingerbread" candle is burning and filling the air with a warm and welcoming fragrance.

Can you tell that I just love this time of year?   I hope you are enjoying this feeling of Fall Friday.

Warmly,

~ Janny ~

My Prayer for today

Heavenly Father,

 My heart is heavy  over the recent school tragedies that have occurred.

 Father, I pray that you send your holy spirit to comfort those who are mourning and who have lost their loved ones.

Jehovah -Rapha~Provide the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual healing to those who have been effected by these hainous crimes.

Jehovah-Shalom~ Provide your peace and minister as only you can Father.

In prayer,

~Janny~

Time just flys

I cant believe how fast time seems to slip by. Are you all as busy as I am? I did get my bubble bath that I last posted on. It was so relaxing, I told dh that I am going to make it a point to take one at least once a week. I encourage you all to take a bubble bath in an effort to relax and take time for yourself.   Lets declare this month of October the official

~Take a Bubble Bath~ month!    News on the homefront....

Does not look like dh is going to accept the job back home. Financially we /they are not able to make it work.  It was depressing but obviously this is where God wants us for now.   We went to an awesome "out pouring service" yesterday at a HUGE church in saint louis.  I had never heard of Perry Stone before and it was truly a pleasure to hear him preach.

We are desparately trying to continue to pay down our debt,  I would love to be able to be debt free and live more self sufficient.

I am still trying to cook everything from scratch and trim my grocery bill down as much as possible. They had 10 lb bags of chicken leg quarters for 4.90 a bag  at the local market so I bought 2 and divided them up in freezer bags for meals.

We have four of us in the family. Me, dh,ds who is 6 and dd who is going to be 3 this month. How much do you all spend a month on groceries?  Also what way works best for you to shop?  Weekly, every other week, or monthly?

Blessings,

~*~ Janny ~*~

Bubble bath plan

I started thinking today as I was cleanining the bathroom. We have a large garden corner tub that I never get to enjoy. I always take showers and even then feel like I have to hurry and get in and out. So tonite after I get the children to sleep, I am going to run a nice warm bubble bath, light a scented lavender candle and take the time to relax and enjoy the bubble bath. It will be my night to pamper myself a bit.  I will shave my legs, give myself a pedicure and paint my toe nails , and moisturize my poor dry skin and last but not least~end it with a facial.

Its so easy to forget about taking care of yourself when you are so busy taking care of  your family.  So thats my plan and hopefully I will be sticking to it...LOL!