Monday, November 25, 2013

JEAN'S THANKSGIVING

New York State of Mind was asked about my families Thanksgiving, so I thought I would answer.  I am glad that Thanksgiving is held on Thursday rather than Monday as Canada does as it gives us more time to prepare much of the dinner ahead.

Last Saturday at meeting (church) we prepared food baskets for those that we knew were not able to prepare a whole dinner or that could not afford a Thanksgiving meal at this time.  We made them up for both Old Order Mennonites and Englishers that we knew needed help.  After we got done, we loaded them into some of our buggies and some into a car driven by a Weaverland Mennonite and had our young folks deliver them to the people or families.  We don't want anyone we know to go without a meal anytime of the year, especially on Thanksgiving or Christmas. Our belief is that we should feed the poor and the sick.

At our home we will be having David's parents, my parents, brothers, sisters, their children, Katie's Great-grand parents, Grandmother Olive, Grandfather Albert and our immediate family.  So we should have about 90 or 100 people here, if everyone we invited comes.

I try to make ahead as much as I can like the breads, rolls, and muffins. Also I, Edward, and Grandmother Olive will make pies, cakes, and cookies for desert. The day before,  I clean the turkey and put it in the refrigerator.  I make the stuffing, salads, vegetables,  and fruit.  The men will take the furniture out of the living room and set up tables.  Susan and Katie will set the tables.  I will go around after the girls to make sure they have everything on the table.

Thanksgiving morning, the first thing I will do is stuff the turkey and put it in the oven.  Then, I or Edward will prepare breakfast.  If I am busy with the turkey when Edwards gets up, he will prepare the breakfast.  After breakfast we go to meeting (church).  Our meeting will be about how much we ask God for, but we also must remember to thank the Lord for all He has done for us.  When meeting is over, we will come home and the people will start arriving.

Every family that comes will bring some food with them-pie, bread, cookies, cake, etc.  All will be set out for our Thanksgiving dinner.  While we ladies are doing this, the children will play hopefully outside and the men will be together talking also hopefully outside.  Should it rain or snow the children will be in one of the children's bedroom's upstairs and the men will be sitting in the chairs in our living room.

Once dinner is ready, we will all stand at our places at the tables while David says a prayer.  Then we ladies will serve dinner.  It takes so long to prepare dinner, but it disappears so fast.  We ladies them do the dishes, and clean up the kitchen while the men remove the tables and chairs.  Then they move all the furniture back in.  Us ladies usually talk in the kitchen while the men talk in the living room or outside.  The children are outside or upstairs.

Later we bring out coffee or tea for the adults and milk or cocoa for the children along with cookies.  After we munch on those for a little while, we usually starting singing together.  We all sing at first, then we listen to the children alone.

When it starts to get close to milking time everyone goes home.  After our cows are milked I make a dinner usually of left overs from the turkey dinner we had earlier.  Sometimes it is a casserole dish that one of our guests brought with them.  We usually go to bed after an early bible reading as we are tired from the work that day.

School is closed on Friday.  Seeing this is deer season, David, Michael, Edward, David's Father, and Grandfather Albert (if Grandmother Olive let's him) like to go hunting.  Grandmother Olive doesn't like Grandfather Albert going hunting sometimes as he likes to think he is much younger than he is and does things he shouldn't at his age.  David or his Father keep an eye on him.

Katie, Susan, Grandmother Olive and I usually stay home in case we get a call from someone that wants their deer slaughtered and packed.  If I get a call, I call David on his cell phone so he and the boys can come back to do it.  Since we purchased our farm, this along with storing Amish meat, for them,  has proven to be a very successful business for us along with our farm. This extra money we receive, we donate part to our meeting, when they collect.  We also put some in the bank.  Sometimes we buy something extra that we need that we couldn't afford otherwise.

I hope you all have a HAPPY THANKSGIVING from my family to yours.

Be With God,
Jean

P.S. David told me to add that Jean neglected to tell that she and he went hunting on the opening day of deer season and Jean got a deer buck.  After they got it sliced up and packed, they gave part of it to an elderly Englisher couple down the road as they like venison but are unable to go hunting.  Jean made her family venison stew and it was delicious.  The rest of the meat is in their freezer. Jean is going to teach Edward how to cook venison.  None of the men got a deer that day - Jean got the only one.




13 comments:

annie said...

This sounds like a wonderful day to give thanks, with so many gathered in. Good for her getting the deer! How kind of them to share with those in need. Happy Thanksgiving! May God Bless You All!

New York State Of Mind said...

Good Morning Annie,

It is a day for all of us to give thanks. When David told me, I thought Jean did good work getting that deer.
Happy Thanksgiving,
Marilyn

Countryside Reflections said...

I still can't imagine having so many people in one house, but it sounds like a great time. I love to hear about their singing, it must sound beautiful. It's nice to hear that Edward helps with the baking and can prepare meals to help Jean. It sounds like he really has a future in cooking. And congratulations to Jean on getting a deer.

I would like some venison recipes. I've used the ground meat in dishes with good luck, but when I make anything with larger pieces like chops or a roast, it has a strong game taste. I would like to know how she makes her stew.

Happy Thanksgiving to Jean and her family. Thank you for sharing your stories. I always feel so good after reading them, like reading a good book.

Doreen

New York State Of Mind said...

Good Morning Doreen,
Will forward what you said and the request of her venison recipes to Jean. As I don't have her recipes on for next week, yet, maybe we can get her to give some of her venison recipes. Edward is really great cook, like Jean. I've had some of his cooking at Jean's and it was delicious.

Happy Thanksgiving,
Marilyn

Christine T said...

Way to go Jean! Congrats on the deer. And I have to admit that I laughed out loud at the part about Grandfather Albert. Thanks for the post!

New York State Of Mind said...

Good Morning Christine T,
Will pass on your comments to Jean. I liked when she told about Grandfather Albert, too.

Happy Thanksgiving,
Marilyn

Vickie said...

hahahaha! I love that Jean got a buck. Good for her.
It warms my heart that Edward is cooking and baking and being a great help.
Does another family member bring another turkey? They must have more than one for all those people?!

New York State Of Mind said...

Good Morning Vickie,
I agree with you about Jean getting the deer. I will have to ask Jean about if others bring a turkey. I would say someone does, but I don't really know.

Give a hug to Mabel and Henry from
Pierre and Marilyn

New York State Of Mind said...

I am waiting for the computer lady right now. She said she would be here between 9:30 and 10:00, but knowing her, she can get here early so I took a shower and got dressed. I hope she can fix it here and doesn't have to take it.

Marilyn

New York State Of Mind said...

Well, I am finally back on again. The computer lady didn't take it. She worked for 9:30 until 12:30 - then went to her Mother's. While at her Mom's something went wrong with what she did, so back she came at 1:00 and was here until about 2:30. I had to replace something and went all over to get it. She still hasn't gotten my printer to work. She thinks maybe it's time I get another one. What gets me upset is that this one isn't two years old yet. She worked on that for hours like the computer.

Marilyn

Anonymous said...

Hi Jean, Hope you and ALL your family have a great Thanksgiving Day! Many blessings! Loved the comments about G'pa Albert+G'ma Olive. I'm sure all will enjoy all that Edward contributes to the holiday meal(he sounds very talented in the area of culinary arts). And lastly-congrats on your getting the deer(and especially you're the only one in the group to be successful in the endeavor!) A blessing to you and those with whom you shared the meat. Hi Marilyn, Hope you, too, have a most blessed Thanksgiving Day. Have you special plans for the day? In Christ, Carol

Anonymous said...

Sorry Marilyn, Forgot to mention your computer/printer woes(which are unfortunately common to anyone who has anything technical)is called "planned obsolescence". Nothing is made to last anymore. Ex: my one-and-only dryer was 25yrs old before I had to get a new one. My washer's 27 years old. My Mom had 2 washers in 60 yrs-each one lasted 30yrs. My parents will be married 68yrs in March. Seems like many people+companies no longer take pride in their workmanship. Very sad. Blessings, Carol

New York State Of Mind said...

Hi Carol,
I will forward your message to Jean and her family. I am going over to a friend of mine's house for Thanksgiving dinner.

They sure don't make things like they use to. I remember my parents had a refrigerator for many years - it went from house to house when they moved. When my parents moved to Florida they sold the old one and got a new one just so it would match the kitchen in their new house. Both of parents are with the Lord now. Congratulations on your parents being married 68 years.

Happy Thanksgiving,
Blessings,
Marilyn