Sunday, March 31, 2013

HAPPY EASTER, EVERYONE

                                          JESUS, HAS RISEN !!!!!


HAPPY EASTER FROM ALL AT NEW YORK STATE OF MIND




I saw the sun rise this morning while walking Pierre.  I ran inside, got the camera and took the picture.  The cross was taken at the church that I attended service at this morning.


I just took Pierre out for a walk and found this basket outside of my door.  Having never married, so I don't have human children, and most of my family have gone to be with the Lord, I haven't received anything for Easter in many years and wasn't expecting this.  This was made by a little girl age 4 and a little boy 20 months.  Their grandparents live in our apartment complex.  I was really surprised to see this.  When I finish this post, I will write them a thank you note. 
 
Marilyn

Saturday, March 30, 2013

JEAN'S HAM RECIPES FOR EASTER LEFT OVERS


We have received requests for ham recipes for leftovers from Easter Sunday.  Here are three:

BE WITH  GOD,
JEAN

SCALLOPED POTATOES AND HAM WITH CHEESE

2 1/2 lbs potatoes (about 8 med.)
3 tbsp butter or margarine
3 tbsp flour
salt and pepper
3/4 c. milk
3-4 oz. Cheddar cheese, shredded
1/2 c. finely chopped onion
2 c. diced ham

Heat oven to 350 degrees.  Peel and cut potatoes into slices to measure about 5 cups.  Melt butter in saucepan oven low heat.  Blend in flour and seasonings.  Cook over low heat, stirring until mixture is smooth and bubbly.  Remove from heat.  Stir in milk.  Heat to boiling stirring constantly.  Boil and stir 1 minute.  Add chesse, stirring constantly until melted.

In greased 2 quart casserole, arrange potatoes in 2 layers, topping each with half the onion and ham, 1/3 of the white sauce.  Top with remaining potatoes and saute.  Cover: bake 30 minutes. Uncover: bake 60 to 70 minutes, longer or until potatoes are tender.  Let stand 5 to 10 minutes before serving.

HAM, SWEET POTATOES AND PEACHES

In a flat pan, surround ham slice or ham with sweet potatoes and peaches halves.  Put ground cloves in peach juice in can and pour over the whole thing.  Bake 350 degrees for 35 minutes.

HAM AND CHEESE MELTAWAYS

1 lb. ham
1 lb, Swiss cheese slices
1 c. soft margarine
2 tbsp mustard
1 1/2 tsp poppy or celery seeds
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
12 sandwich rolls

Chop ham and cheese into small pieces.  Cream butter until light and fluffy.  Add muster, seeds and Worcestershire sauce.  Mix well.  Add ham and cheese and blend until mixture is of even spreading consistency.

Spread on sandwich rolls and wrap each in aluminum foil.  Bake at 275 degrees for 30 minutes.


How do you sleep at night?
Do you count sheep
or do you talk
to the Shepherd?

JEAN, OLIVE, MARTHA, THEIR FAMILIES AND MYSELF WISH EVERYONE A
HAPPY EASTER.. 

Marilyn


JEAN WILL BE BACK MONDAY WITH HER POSTS

Friday, March 29, 2013

JEAN'S ORANGE DROP COOKIES

JEAN'S ORANGE DROP COOKIES

1 c. Orange marmalade
1 egg
2 c. flour
1/2 c. shortening
1 tsp. baking soda

Cream shortening.  Add marmalade and egg; mix well.  Add soda.  Add flour gradually, and mix well.  Drop onto cookie sheet by the teaspoonful. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes.  Makes 2 dozen.

This recipe reminds me of spring.  I seem to make them more in the spring and summer.  Hope they remind you of spring, too.


God without man is still God,
man without God is nothing.

Thursday, March 28, 2013

JEAN'S MACARONI AND CHEESE





JEAN'S MACARONI AND CHEESE

2 tbsp butter or margarine
2 cups elbow macaroni (6-7 oz)
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 quart milk
2 cups (8 oz) shredded cheese

In oven, melt butter in 8 X 11 X 2 dish ( I use 9 X 13).  Add macaroni, salt, pepper, stir to coat.  Sprinkle with cheese.  Pour milk over and bake uncovered 1 hour at 350 degrees.


WHAT IS CHARITY?
It's silence when your words would hurt.
It's patience when your neighbor's hurt.
It's deafness when some scandal flows.
It's thoughtfulness for others woes.
It's promoptness when stern duty calls.

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

JEAN'S CREAMSICLE SALAD


JEAN'S CREAMSICLE SALAD

1 (3-oz) pkg orange jello
1 (3-oz) pkg. tapioca pudding (not instant)
1 (11-oz) can mandarin oranges
1 (3-oz) pkg vanilla pudding (not instant)
1 (8-oz) ctn. Cool Whip topping
3 c. water

Bring water to a boil, add in Jello, vanilla and tapioca pudding, stir well and bring mixture to boil.  Cool completely.  Fold in oranges and Cool Whip.  Chill throroughly.



To have what you want
is riches,
but to be able to
do without is power.


Tuesday, March 26, 2013

JEAN'S BROCCOLI CASSEROLE

JEAN'S BROCCOLI CASSEROLE

1/4 c. chopped onion
4 T. butter
2 T. flour
1/2 c. water
8 oz. Cheez Whitz
2 (10 oz) pkg frozen, Chopped broccoli (or use fresh) thawed and drained
3 eggs, well-beaten
1/2 c. cornflake crumbs

Saute onion in butter  until soft.  Stir in flour and add water.  Cook over low heat until thick.  Blend in cheese.  Combine sauce with broccoli.  Add eggs.  Turn into greased 1 1/2 quart casserole.  Cover with crumbs.  Dot with butter.  Bake at 325 degrees for 30 minutes. 

This is a dish that we make all year around at our house. 

Be With God,
Jean


Give some attention to the interruptions on the journey of life.
They may be God's way of keeping you on the right road.

Monday, March 25, 2013

HEFEZOPF

Jean, Her Mother, Her Grandmother, Olive, and myself looked for this recipe and could not find it.  Olive remembered per Step-Mother making something with braids, but couldn't remember what it was called or how it was made.  When all else failed, I turned to the computer.  We thank Recipes from a German Grandma that was contributed by Sylvia for this recipe. It also told you how to make this if you had a bread machine.   If you are of German heritage, Recipes from a German Grandma has recipes, a cookbook you can buy, music and more are on there. You may want to take a look on your computer.     Marilyn

STEP 1: MAKE HAGELZUCKER

2 cups of sugar in a baking tray with walls...spray with previously boiled water to avoid bacterial growth when crust builds use fork to scrape, repeat several times until you have consistecy that is suitable for your usage...let air dry over nightbefore you put in a container.

STEP 2: MAKE THE HEFEZOPF

3 cups bread flour
3 eggs
1 1/2 Tbsp salt
1/3 cup sugar
1 cup warm water (about 100 degrees F)
2 Tsp yeast quick rise
pinch of saffron (I use 6-8 drops yellow good color) for the warm water

Let the yeast soak in the warm water with 1 tablespoon sugar for 15 minutes till foamy.Add the eggs and saffrom or food color and mix.  Add the rest of the sugar, salt and then the flour.  Add a bit more of flour if needed to make a firm dough but not TOO firm-enought so it's not sticky. 

Divide into 3 equal pieces and braid, place on greased cookie sheet, cover with moist towel and let rise until doubled in size (about 45 minutes).  Brush with egg wash (1 egg beated with little rosewater) sprinkle with Hagelzucker.

Bake on same cookie sheet 20-30 minutes at a preheated 350 degree oven.  You know when its done when you tap with a wooden spoon and it sounds the same in the middle as it does on the ends.

Jean has never made Hefezopf, but at her request, I will be bringing my copy off the computer,  to her house this weekend.  She would like to make it before Easter.



Christ is the head of this house, the unseen guest at every meal and the silent listener to every conversation.

Sunday, March 24, 2013

JEAN'S NEVER FAIL CHOCOLATE CAKE

 
 
JEAN'S NEVER FAIL CHOCOLATE CAKE

1 egg
1/2 cup shortening
1/2 cup cocoa
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup sour milk
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp soda
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup hot water

Put in mixing bowl in order given.  Do not mix until last item has been added.  Then beat well and pour into greased cake tin or cupcake tin.  Bake in a moderate over (350 degrees) for about 30 minutes or until cake springs back when lightly touched.

This cake recipe has been passed from generation to generation in our family.
Be With God,
Jean

CHRISTIAN CAKE

1 c. thanks to God
1 c. good thoughts
3 c. of forgiveness
1 c. of kind deeds
2 c. sacrifice for others
3 c. of compassion

Mix thoroughly.  Add tears of joy, sorrow and sympathy for others.  Flavor with little gifts of love and kindly serve.  Fold in 4 cups of prayer and faith to lighten other ingredients, and raise to texture of great heights of Christian living.  Bake well at a high degree of human kindess, and serve with a warm smile.


The church used for pictures during Holy Week was chosen because of the cross in the front and the age of the church.  It was built over 200 years ago and was moved over 100 years ago from it's previous location to this one.  If you look at the beams in the attic you can still see that each one was numbered so it could be taken apart at it's old location and put together at the present one.  I am in no way, trying to favor or force any religion on anyone. Just thought the cross and age of the church fit well with Holy Week.   

Saturday, March 23, 2013

EASTER RECIPES AND MORE COMING

Jean's Easter Recipes start tomorrow, go through and including next Saturday.  Hope that you enjoy them.

I will be on when I can be, but my friend Nancy's husband, Butch, is going in for surgery next Tuesday.  As Nancy is handicapped and can't drive, I will be driving her back and forth to the hospital which is about 25 miles one way from here.  So I may not be on here as much as I usually am.  Prayers would be  appreciated.  We have been friends for almost 50 years. 

Good news is Mabel, Vickie's Doggie, Pierre's internet girlfriend is doing much better.  The vet says she may be getting off her medicines.  Mabel is getting back to her being herself.  She had her fourth birthday, yesterday.  Happy Birthday Mabel.  Your prayers have helped so much.

My back is also much better than it was before and I really appreciate all your prayers.  It was so kind of you to remember me in your prayers.

I am not trying to push any particular religion, faith, etc. in using these pictures.  The reason I chose this church was because of the cross in front of the church.  That cross is there 365 days a year.  In one of the recipe posts, I tell a little about the church.  But I don't want anyone thinking that I am pushing any certain religion.I'm not   

On April 1st,  Jean has her posts.  On Wednesday she has the recipe back that I had to take off while she was moving.  She has cut the recipe so you don't have to make so many cookies.  We have  checked and re-checked this recipe to make sure it is right this time.

I hope to have some interesting posts coming up and Pierre has a a few, too.  Just thought I would let you know what it coming up in the future.

Jean, Martha, Olive and their families plus myself with Pierre wish you all a Happy Easter.  I think this saying at Christmas is true in Easter: "Jesus is the reason for the season."

Marilyn

P.S.
I was in Newark, New York today and the Newark Diner is open again for those of you that were interested in the post I had a while back.  It was closed because the owner was in the hospital, but he is out now cooking again.

Friday, March 22, 2013

DYE EASTER EGGS FROM PLANTS

I came across this while I was looking for recipes, the other day.  Marilyn misunderstood me (she's right-Marilyn), we do not dye our Easter Eggs.  I  thought this might be of interest to some of you.  This s how to dye Easter eggs from plants.

Plants for Colors

Blue-red cabbage head (shredded), blueberry fruit (pale grey blue), red onion skin, iris, (blue flower parts only), pansy flowers, violet flowers.

Brown-flowering quince bark, walnut hulls, ground paprika, bark of the scarlet maple.

Green-flowering crab apple (leaves and bark), iris flower, blue and yellow pansy flowers mixed, black oak bark shredded.  Using alum as mordant makes a beautiful green.

Orange-yellow onion skins, dried sassafras root, bedstraw roots and oats.

Red-crab apple flowers, cranberry fruit, red peony petals, red tulip flowers, beet roots.

Tan-coffee (stewed as a strong drink), tea leaves (stewed strong), red maple bark (rosy tan)

Yellow-ground apple tree bark, buttercup weed flower, forsythia flower, whiteskin onion, yellow tulip flowers, yellow pansy flowers, ground tumeric with vinegar.

Make sure eggs are hard boiled.  Chop or shred coursely one or more cups of fresh material or two or more cups dried material such as bark, roots and spices.  Put dye items in muslin bag tied at top.

Glass, enamel or stainless steel dye pots should be used.  Don't use copper or aluminum.

Add 4 cups of rain water or tap water, if it is not too hard.  Simmer dye items for 30-90 minutes.  Add 1 tbsp white vinegar to set dye.

Eggs that are precooked have a lighter color than raw eggs that are put into the dye for 20 minutes.  Turn eggs very often.  Dry on paper  towel. 

Old Order Mennonite  eggs, on Easter, show that Jesus has risen and it is time to rejoice.  It also shows that Jesus is solid, we can count on Him at all times.  Candy, we make in egg shape, is in honor of Jesus.

Grandmother Olive, Martha and her family and myself and my family wish you all a Happy Easter. 

Be With God,
Jean

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

JEAN'S BLESSING PIE

 
BLESSING PIE
 
CRUST;
 
22 gingersnaps, crushed
5-7 tbsp butter or margarine melted
 
Crush gingersnaps and mix with melted margarine; pat into a pie plate and bake at 300 degrees for 10 minutes.  Cool.
(A spicy crust signifies the many treasures of a giving and receiving relationship (1 Kings 10:10 and 10:13)
 
FILLING
 
1 (8 oz) pkg frozen whipped topping, softened
1 (8 oz) can crushed pineapple, drained
1 (3.4 oz) pkg pistachio instant pudding
1/2 c. almonds, slivered
3/4 c. coconut, flaked
 
Blend whipped topping with crushed pineapple and pudding mix; top with slivered almonds and flaked coconut.  Chill.
(A cool, green filling symbolizes serenity-Psalms 23:2, pineapple, coconut and almond represent the fruits of the spirit-Galations 5:22-served with a generous helping from the blessing passage-Deuteronomy 28:2-6.
 
Thought you might like this recipe for Holy Week or Easter.
 
Be With God,
Jean
 
 
FRIDAY, JEAN HAS SOMETHING FOR ALL YOU FOLKS THAT COLOR EASTER EGGS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Monday, March 18, 2013

JEAN'S DAY

There have been several requests for my daily schedule.  No two days are ever alike as I never know what may come up-which I think is like every household.  Right now is not farming seasons so I am not doing things now that I will be in a few months like planting the garden, having our roadside stand, etc.

David and I like to get up at 5:00AM.  That gives us some time to read out bible, pray and talk between us.  If David has been out to a fire or with the ambulance, I let him sleep until 5:30, then I wake him for milking.  I get dressed and am down stairs at 5:15 putting on the coffee and starting breakfast.  David gets the rest of the family up.  Michael and Edward get dresssed for milking and go with David.  Susan gets dressed, goes to feed the chickens and bring in the eggs.  I help David Jr. get dressed and he helps set the table.  After breakfast is started, I pack school lunches for Susan, Michael and Edward. Sometimes Michael and Edward buy lunch at school, if it is something they really like.

Michael, Susan and Edward come in,. take a shower if necessary and change their clothes for school. We eat breakfast.  Michael and Edward have to be waiting in front of our house for the school bus that comes between 6:45 and 7:00.  Susan's buggy comes by about 7:30 to take her to school.

After breakfast David feeds the pigs, works on the farm machinery to makes sure it will work in the spring and presently is ordering all the seed we will need.  He also does painting and some interior work on peoples home from word of mouth.  He will do odd jobs until planting season starts.

I do the breakfast dishes and get the meat out for our dinner meal.  If I am making soup or stew for lunch or dinner, I start that cooking.  Monday, Wednesday and Saturday are laundry days.  David Jr. and I go through the bedrooms and bathrooms collecting the laudry.  We take it to the basement and wash it the washer and hang it out to dry unless it is really cold, like in the 20's or below, -then I use the dryer.

Daily I go through the house dusting, running the cleaner, straightening, etc.  Then I go to the greenhouse to check on how our plants are doing-feed them if necessary, more water, etc.  At 10:30 David comes in the house, if he is home, we have a cup coffee and a piece coffee cake, cookies, etc. Then we get back to work. 

Tuesday, Thursday and on Saturday are baking days.  After breakfast I start baking our breads, pies, cakes, cookies, etc.  On Saturday, Susan, is home from school and she can either help me back in the kitchen or do the laundry. 

After lunch at noon, I put David Jr. to bed for his nap and I try to catch up on my sewing.  Darning socks, patching slacks, making new clothes especially for the children they grow so fast. 

Michael and Edward get home from school first, so I have milk and a treat for them when they come in the door. David and I talk with them about school, chores, whatever for about 15 minutes.  Then Michael and Edward change into work clothes and help David with chores.  Susan gets a treat and we talk with her for 15 minutes when she comes home, then she changes and does chores-which are usually helping me in the kitchen or doing house cleaning.

The men milk the cows which means we have dinner at about 6:30 to 7:00. Sometimes Michael and Edward have homework to do.  If not, we play board games, read, or just sit and talk.  When the days get longer, we will go for buggy rides, walks, horse riding, and maybe the boys friends with get together for a game of soft ball. 

At around 8:30 David goes and checks the barn to make sure everything is all right with the animals.  He returns and we have bible reading and prayers.  We make sure all the children are in bed before David and I go to bed. 

I am sure there are things I have left out.  Like sometimes we have to go to the grocery store or seed store.  Sometimes we go to rummage sales and alike.  No two days are alike.  This is just a general schedule of our day.

Be With God,
Jean

 

Friday, March 15, 2013

DOREEN'S CUSTOM DOG HAIR SPINNING


I’m Doreen and I live on a small farm in New York State with my husband, two Collie dogs, three sheep, and “Oliver”, my angora rabbit.  Luckily all of my animals are fiber producing pets because I’m a Fiber Artisan by trade. Although I wear many hats and have dabbled in most of the arts, my main focus is spinning and weaving.

  

My husband and I have restored our 19th century barn, and in one section we created a spinning and weaving studio. This is a picture of our barn just as a rain storm passed over and this beautiful double rainbow appeared.

 

I’ll talk a little about my spinning in this post.

 

I’ve always been interested in history and the simplicity of spinning on an old fashioned spinning wheel. I have three antique wheels, and although they are working wheels, they have worn parts and are a bit fussy to spin on, so I keep them for decoration only. I’m self-taught and purchased several new spinning wheels that are made in Poland and New Zealand. These new wheels are what I do all of my spinning on.

 

After having horses my whole life, I decided to get a few sheep to keep as pets and have their wool to spin. The horses are gone now, but I have an Icelandic ewe (female), and two Shetland ewe sheep. Gabrielle (Gabby), Jazzlyn (Jazzy), and Lucinda (Lucy). When I walk into the pasture they come running over to be scratched. But if a stranger is with me they’re extremely frightened and won’t come anywhere near me.  They’re sheared once a year in the Spring, and the wool that is harvested from them, each weigh about 3-5 pounds.  Gabby is gray, Jazzy is black, and Lucy is white. Because these girls are my pets, I keep all of the wool for myself so I can spin the yarn and make items for my family and friends.

 

Through this journey I developed a very unusual business. I knew that dog hair could be spun into yarn, and since we have Collies, I have an endless supply of fiber to learn on.  Dog hair is much harder to spin than wool because the length is short and it’s very slippery compared to the way wool fiber sticks together.  After a lot of practice I developed a technique of spinning dog hair, and became proficient enough to start a business called Custom Dog Hair Spinning, where customers from all over the country send me their dog hair to be spun into yarn and have a keepsake or product made for them.

 

The purpose of the spinning wheel is a very simple process where a loose mass of fiber is gradually drawn out, and the spinning wheel adds twist to the lengthening strand and turns it into yarn. Picture a plate of spaghetti and when you scoop up a fork full, more keeps attaching itself, and the higher you lift the fork, the never ending length of noodles just keep coming with no end in sight. It’s the same principal as the spinning process.  You start with a pile of fiber, and as you slowly pull a small amount out (which is called drafting), more fiber keeps attaching to the strand, and it’s pulled into the spinning wheel which twists the strand and makes a strong yarn. Then it continues to wind into the wheel and onto a bobbin as the amount of yarn grows. While you’re drafting if there is a break in the fiber length, you simply overlap a new piece and as it enters the twist section, it’s magically attached and you continue as usual. 

 

The process of drafting and twisting is basically how all yarn and thread is made for the clothes we wear. Commercial yarn and thread are made in factories with enormous machines, but they’re doing the same process as my simple spinning wheel, but on a much larger scale.

 

Fiber Arts is a passion for me, partially because of the connection with the past, but also because it’s a tactile trade, and it feels wonderful to have a lovely fleece of wool, alpaca, silk or dog hair run through my fingers. By engaging in this historical craft, I can produce a useable product with only my hands, without electricity or even noise.  I love to sit in the solitude of my studio with the only sound being the whorl of the spinning wheel, while looking out the window at my sheep peacefully gracing and my Collies laying at my feet.

 

Thank you Marilyn, for letting me tell my story.

 

Doreen

If you would like to contact Doreen, go to:
www.CustomDogHairSpinning.com/
 

Thank you Doreen for your post.  I really enjoy and appreciate your doing this for us. 

Marilyn
 

Thursday, March 14, 2013

EASTER RECEIPE WEEK

The votes are in !! Jean will have a recipe a day starting on Palm Sunday until and including Saturday, March 30th.  There won't be a receipe on March 31st as that is Easter Sunday.  Posts will resume on April 1st.

Jean was wondering if anyone had any suggestions as to what type of recipes you would like on.  She thought she would keep them in line with Easter and Spring.  Any suggestions would be appreciated.  During Easter Week, I will be on to leave comments and check them. 

Also, I try to keep up on any SPAM that gets on here.  But, if you do come across Spam on here, please let me know at lincolnlady1121@yahoo.com  I remove them as soon as I spot them, but sometimes I don't catch them righ away. I would appreciate it.

So if you have any recipe suggestions, please let us know.

Marilyn

TOMORROW DOREEN'S POST ON HER SPINNING WHEEL IS ON.  HER WORK IS DIFFERENT THAN MOST PEOPLES.  THAT'S ALL I'M GOING TO SAY !!!

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

JEAN'S HOT CROSS BUNS

 
HOT CROSS BUNS
 
1 cup scalded milk
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup shortening
1 yeast cake softened in 1/4 cup warm water
4 1/2 cups flour (about)
3 egg-yolks
1 cup raisins (opt)
 
Add scalded milk to salt, sugar and shortening.  When lukewarm, add yeast and one and one-half cups flour.  Beat well and let rise until very light.  Add the egg-yolks, raisins and the reamining flour. Knead lightly and let rise until double in bulk. Roll out dough to one inch thickness and cut into rounds.  Set those close together on a greased pan and let rise.  Glaze the surface of each bun with a little egg-white diluted with water.  With a sharp knife cut a cross on top of each bun. Bake about twenty minutes in a hot oven (400 F).  Just before removing from the oven, brush with sugar and water.  Fill the cross with a plain frosting.
 
This recipe is one I bake several times during lent - even other times of the year.  As soon as I bake them, the are gone. 
 
JEAN AND I HAD A DISCUSSION LAST NIGHT AND ARE GOING TO LEAVE IT UP TO YOU.  WOULD YOU LIKE A RECIPE A DAY FOR HOLY WEEK OR FOR US TO TAKE THE WEEK AS A VACATION.  WE CAN GET THE RECIPES UP THIS WEEK FOR HOLY WEEK.  SO WHAT YOU WANT IS WHAT WE WILL DO.
 
DON'T FORGET TO COME ON FRIDAY AS DOREEN HAS SENT US A POST ON SPINNING ON HER SPINNING WHEEL. 
 
 
 

Monday, March 11, 2013

JEAN ANSWERS MORE QUESTIONS

 
Thought I would answer some more questions that you asked me.  Please keep them coming so I know what you are interested in.
 
I think the Christmas Memory that will be dear in our hearts was Christmas in our old house.  David had grown up there.  We bought it and owned it for several years.  Our family has many memories there and I think they will be in our hearts.
 
If someone does not marry, it depends on their finances. If they are working and have enough money, they may buy their own home or small farm.  Some live with and take care of their parents until their passing.  Usually, if they take care of the parents, when the parents pass, they get the house or farm.  Our former teacher lived with her parents until they passed.  Her brother got the farm, and told her she could live there, but she had enough money so that she could buy a small farm, which she and her husband live on. 
 
We usually name a child with a name from the Bible.  Sometimes we name them after a relative or both.  Like our son David, is named because his Dad, grandfather and great-grandfather were all named David. The name David is also in the Bible.  Susan, David and I named because we just liked the name. 
 
The wedding dress or suit is worn at our passing (death) because it is worn at the wedding and our death notes the end of husband and wife being together on earth.  It says in our wedding "until death do us part" and when one passes we are parted on this earth.
 
Not many Old Order Mennonite have Dawdy Houses.  We are having one built on our new house, but not everyone does.  If parents need to move in, they usually move in the house with the children or the children move in with them.  We are building a Dawdy House because David's parents have their farm up for sale so my grandparents will be moving in with us.  They would prefer their own house.  Also, when David and I get older, we would like a place where we could go.  As we are building our new house, the dawdy house will also be a new house.  From the outside people won't notice there is one, but we are adding a two bedroom, living room, kitchen and  full bathroom.  Our porch will extend to cover the dawdy house.  There will be a door on the porch and one from the dawdy house to our main house. Because Grandma will be moving in-we are getting a wood burning stone along with our electric stove in the kitchen.  Grandma is going to teach me how to use the wood burning so we will be able to eat without using the coleman stove or the grill. 
 
My friends find it hard to believe that others would be interested in the way we live and the things we do.  We feel we live a borning lifestyle.  I never considered my posts a great influence on at least some of the readers.  If my posts leads someone to know the Lord better then I am happy. 
 
Be With God,
Jean 


THIS FRIDAY DOREEN  HAS GIVEN US A SPECIAL POST ON HER SPINNING ON HER SPINNING WHEEL.

Friday, March 8, 2013

OLIVE'S YOUNGER YEARS

 
My Father use to say: "You can't miss something you never had." I don't think that would fit into today, but it did back when I was a child.  I was born in 1936.  My Mother died of pneumonia a few months after I was born and my Father remarried a year or so later.  So my step-mother was the one I remember as my Mother and the one I will call Mother here.  She lived to be 98 and died  two years ago.  I was number 10 in the children my Father had.  When he married my step-mother-they had another five children -that lived.  They also had two that were still born. 
 
I was born between the Great Depression and World War II.  We lived on a farm in the country.  We had a wood burning stove.  The stove and fire place were the only heat in our house.  I can remember getting up on some cold mornings with my bare feet touching that cold floor.  It made you get dressed fast and downstairs.  We didn't have any indoor plumbing except for a pump for water in the kitchen sink-and it was cold water.  When we wanted hot water to do dishes or bathe, we heated it up on the stove.  We didn't have showers or bath tubs in those days, so we took our bath on Saturday evening in a large black tub in the middle of the kitchen floor.  The girls went first, and then the boys.  We didn't change the water between who used it.  When all of us children were done, the water was dumped and refilled for Mother, then Father.  If you got dirty before Saturday, you took a bar of soap and went out by the outside pump and washed up.  You took a bath with your clothes on-outside.
 
Washing was another job.  We didn't have washing machines back then so we used our big tub that we took a bath in to wash our clothes in.  Our clothes were washed using a scrub board like the one shown above.   In those days, you didn't change your clothes all the time, like today, if you had a spot on you wore it the next day.  Only on Sunday, did you dress with your Sunday go to meeting clothes.  Your best set of clothes.  At that time, we ladies all dressed in black, seven days a week.  I still wear black most of the time, because that was how I was brought up.  Today my grandchildren like Jean try to get me into a dress with flowers on the front, which I do at home, but when I am going some place outside of our home, I wear black including Sunday. We still all weat black on Sunday.
 
My parents were wonderful people especially when I look back at 15 children.  They treated us all alike.  If there were any favorites, we never knew.  Although we didn't have much money, we had love, food, meals,clothes, home and meetings (church).  We  didn't know we were poor in those days.
 
In my day, you walked to school.  There were no buses.  We went to the public school, but in our area, the school was a one room school house.  I think the big school buildings of today were coming in, but I never went to one.  School started in September, but even though school was going we took off the end of September and first part of October for harvest time..  Although school went until June, we left school the end of April for planting season.  Only went to school until age 14, then we left.  Back then we had to keep a report on what we learned working at home until we were age 16.  I believe, it's 18 now. 
 
At home , as soon as we were old enough, we learned to feed the animals and get the eggs.  Us girls had to also do chores around the house.  Bring laundry for washing, set the table, simple things.  The older we got the more important the job.  My Mother taught me to cook.  Back then, you never thought of teaching a man how to cook.  Also, we learned sewing, quilting, knitting, and more.  Mother made our clothes until we learned how to do it.  Back then, you never thought of going to a store to buy clothes.  Rich people did that and we were far from rich.  I also knew how to milk cows, work the horse drawn farm machines, planting garden, mow the lawn with a hand mower and whatever else needed to be done.  Both boys and girls knew how to do outside chores. 
 
Back in those days, there weren't as many doctors as today and you couldn't afford them anway.  We had the mumps, chicken box, measles, scarlet feaver, yellow feaver, pneumonia and in the late 1940's and 50's polio.  There were no shots back in those days and you went through them.  Mother would make all sorts of medicine with herbs and alike.  Some made it-some didn't.  We lost one of my brothers with scarlet feaver although all us kids got it.  Lice was another we got back then.  My mother, myself and Marilyn's mother used the same thing back then but DON'T use it today is gasoline.  If we or our children got lice, we washed their hair in gasoline, let it set and washed it out with soap.  I use to soap those heads four or five times after that gasoline.  Now days you can go to the drugstore or doctors office for lice.  If you went to the doctor back when I was a child, they would tell you to cut your hair off-which is against our religious beliefs.  Gasoline would kill the lice.  So that's what we used. 
 
We had activities back then, too.  I can remember sliding down the hill, ice skating, fishing, and even hunting.  Albert still calls me a tom boy.  I can handle a shot gun as good as any man or so he says.  We also went to taffy pulls, dinners, singings and more when I was young.  At home we played games, soft ball, and alike.  Our yard swing was a wooden board hung from our tree.   
 
Albert and I got married when I was 16 and he was 18.  My parents weren't really happy that I chose him.  Mother said years later that she and Father had made a mistake in not wanting me to marry Albert.  They had the wedding at our home, but weren't happy. Albert stuttered and back in those days they tought if you couldn't talk right, you couldn't learn.   I am glad times have changed. Over the years Albert got over the stutter, but still talks soft and a bit slower than most.   Albert didn't learn to read until he was in his 60's.  School just passed him over, but he did know farming and building.  He still figures how much lumber they need for Jean's house, how much nails, etc.  Because Jean asked, he will lead the building of her house.  He said hers would be the last that he leads, but he's said that before. 
 
Albert and I had 12 children-10 are still living.  We have 83 grandchildren, 111 great grandchildren with two on the way and five great great-grandchildren..  Before you ask, this includes Michel and Edward, Jean and David's son and almost son plus David Jr. and Susan.  All live close by except two of our sons and their children live out of state. We do have large family picnics.   
 
Well I guess I told you most of my life.  We've had a lot of great times and hard times, but the Lord has led us through.  Am I glad we have electric, indoor plumbing, gas tractors and more-I sure am.  But I never missed what we didn't have-until I got it.
 
Follow God.
Olive
 
 
  
 
 
 
 

Thursday, March 7, 2013

PIERRE'S THE BARK

                                                                   Mabel

Hello,
I thought I would introduce you to my internet girlfriend named Mabel.  My Mom and her Mom, Vickie,  talk a lot on the internet and they led us to meet.  My Mom's grandmother's name was Mabel so that makes doggie, Mabel special to her, too.

Mabel is a silver toy poodle.  As we are both poodles, we became fast friends.  It also helped that she is a girl and I am a boy. 

Lately, Mabel has been having lots of problems with her back and neck.  She has to take pain pills and still is in pain.  This has been going on since May.  Her human  parents have taken her to the vets lots of times and have done what they told them to do, but still she has these problems.

I threw my back out for one evening and knew how that hurt, but it went back into place.  With Mabel it must be real bad pain and it won't go back in place.  My Mom says this is a trait in poodles, but it usually goes in place within a week or so, but Mabel's won't.

I was wondering if those that believe in praying for pets would pray for my friend, Mabel.  Some people don't pray for pets, but some do.  So if those that do would pray for Mabel, it would be greatly appreciated. 

Mom asked Jean if she prays for pets.  Jean says animals are God's creatures and their family pray for their animals and other animals when people ask.

So, if those, of you that believe in praying for animals could pray for, my friend,  Mabel, it would be greatly appreciated. 

Love to all,
PIERRE

FRIDAY OLIVE IS ON WITH HER MEMORIES





Wednesday, March 6, 2013

JEAN'S IRISH SODA BREAD

With St. Patrick's Day coming on March 17th, I thought you might like this recipe. I make this in our home.

JEAN'S IRISH SODA BREAD

2 cups flour
1 1/2 tsp sugar
3/4 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp caraway seeds (opt)
3 Tbsp butter
2/3-3/4 cup buttermilk
1/4 cup currants or raisins
Milk for brushing

Combine flour, sugar, salt, baking soda and caraway in a food processor or a large bowl.  Cut butter into flour until mixture resembled coarse meal.  Add up to 3/4 cup buttermilk to make a soft but not sticky dough.  Add raisins, knead dough until smooth, about 1 minute.  Shape into a 5" disc and put in a baking pan.  Cut a 1/4" deep cross in the top.  Brush top with milk.  Bake until golden, about 35 minutes at 375 degrees. 

PIERRE'S THE BARK IS COMING TOMORROW

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

I THREW MY BACK OUT !!!

I lifted something I shouldn't have on Sunday and it didn't bother me until today.  I have some medicine from the MD doctor and if they don't work, I will contact my chiropractor.  Just wanted you to know in case I don't answer as fast as I usually do. 

All the posts will come on automatically.  Tomorrow is Jean's Recipe, Thursday is Pierre's the Bark and Friday is Olive's Childhood Memories.  If I don't contact as I usually do, I am laid up.  I will come on as often as I can, but they won't be as often as I usually do. 

When I get on I will copy all the questions and comments for Jean.    Just want you to know where I am if you don't hear from me.

Thank you,
Marilyn

Monday, March 4, 2013

JEAN TELLS OF SUNDAY MEETING


Thought I would tell about our meetings (church services) on Sunday in answer to some of the questions I received.
 
We must have all the chores done, breakfast eaten, and be dressed for Sunday meetings.  Our meetings start at 9:00 AM on Sunday mornings.  Old Order Mennonite has its own meeting building (church building) that we go to every Sunday.  It was built and used by another religion many years ago.  When Old Order Mennonite first came in this area, they bought the church for meetings.  We had planned to build another one, behind this one last summer, but because of building the new school we are waiting on the meetings building.  The picture at the top is of our church.
 
The second picture shows what  the interior of our meeting building  looks similar to.  There are no stained glass windows, crosses or pictures, etc. on our walls.  They are plain.  Also, there are no carpets, tiles, etc. on the floor-it is wood.  Most of us sit on backless seats except we do have a few chairs with backs for the senior adults who might need them.  Our songleaders table and minister's bench  are not risen like some churches-they are on the same level as our chairs.  As this meeting building only has one entrance, the senior men, men and boys enter first.  Senior ladies, ladies and the girls enter next. If we had built this church-there would be no steeple at the top like the one we now have  and there would be separate entrances for the men and ladies.
 
Men sit on one side of our meetings, women on the other, boys section is across from the men, girls section is across from the ladies.  There is a room where the men put their coats and hats and one for the ladies.  Also, is the council room for the Bishop, Deacon and Ministers to put their coats and hats-also where they meet before service.  It is also used if one of us wishes to speak with one of them before or after meeting. 
 
Our meeting begins at 9:00 AM with an opening hymn led by our songleader. We have no music.  While we are singing our Bishop, ministers, and deacon come in from the council room and are seated. After the first hymn our minister reads a verse or verses from the Bible.  Then our deacon advises us of the second hymn.  After our second hymn one of our ministers welcomes us and gives us the first sermon-after which we kneel for silent prayer.  After our first minister is seated, our Bishop or second minister reads Bible verses and gives our second sermon.  When their second sermon is done the Bishop or minister returns to his seat.  After second sermon, Bishop, first minister and deacons offer testamonies.Testamonies are an addition, correction or usually agreement with the second sermon.  After testamonies we kneel for silent prayer.  After prayer, our songleader advises us of the hymn that we sing.  Then the minister that gave our second sermon gives Benediction.  Afrer Benediction our Bishop says The Lord's Prayer.  Then we sing our last hymn.  When we are done singing our deacon gives announcements.
 
After service we like to stand and talk.  Usually it's the men together, boys together, girls together and the ladies together.  In the spring, summer or fall, it might have been announced the week before of a dinner or picnic at someone's house.  Someone just decides they would like to have everyone over so we all bring a dish to pass.  We haven't done that at our house very often because we didn't had enough room at our old house, but look forward to having everyone over when we get our new house built. When we stay talking, we do so for about a half hour or so. 
 
Meeting usually lasts about two and a half hours to three hours.  Afterwards we talk for about a half hour.  If we go to a dinner or picnic we are usually there until about a half hour before milking time so we can get home, change our clothes and do chores before dinner. 
 
We have Communion twice a year.  One is on Good Friday and the other is  a week or two before Christmas.  Our Baptism is held in late October after harvest time.  Weddings are held in our homes and can be held any month-but usually after harvest in the fall or winter.  Sometimes a wedding is held after meeting, at meeting building,  on Sunday - usually it's a senior widow and widower getting married. 
 
You may have heard your Grandparents say they are going to : "Sunday go to meeting".  I believe that was taken from our church as we call our Sunday "meeting day" rather than church Sunday.  I may be wrong.   
 
I hope you enjoy reading about our Sunday meeting (church service)/
 
Be with God,
Jean
 
 
FRIDAY OLIVE WILL BE BACK WITH SOME OF HER CHILDHOOD MEMORIES
 
 

Saturday, March 2, 2013

DO SIGNS REALLY MAKE SENSE ?

Does that mean they can only go four miles with the carriages?
Do the deer know they should cross here?
Cow Crossing
I decided to remove the last post I had on.  If it upset people then it should come off.  That really wasn't my idea when I put it on, but I guess it turned out to be that way.  In our area, we don't have have a big Amish or Mennonite tourist area with brochures telling when the Amish and Mennonite live.  Because I know Jean and David, I know where the Mennonite and some Amish are.  Aside from that I have to locate Amish by newspaper articles or word of mouth. 

When I saw the address of the man, I just went for the pictures of the Amish farm, not to offend him, but I guess that's what I did anyhow.  So I removed the post and will be more carefull.

If I upset or offended anyone, I am sorry. That is not what I ment to do.

Marilyn