ELMER GIVES US SOME THOUGHTS FOR 2014

Being Amish, we do not consider New Year's Day a holiday or religious day.  We go about our chores like we do six days a week.  As you probably know we only do what we have to on Sunday, the Lord's Day.  But, on New Year's Eve, it does not mean I don't think of the past year and how it flew by.  Also, I think of good times this year and the not so good times of the year.  Things maybe that I should have done, but didn't or did do but shouldn't have.  So I thought, as we get close to New Year's, I would share some of my thoughts with you.

Matthew 6:14-15 reads "For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if you forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." I stop to think if I have forgiven everyone their trespasses against me.  We have communion twice a year and before we receive it, we must go to whoever we have offended and ask for their forgiveness before we receive communion.  If people come to us, we must forgive them.  But, I sometimes wonder if I really forgive people or do I say I did, but still have a grudge or resentment inside that I haven't forgiven.  When I think of something that happened years ago, I wonder, if I still remember it, and did I forgive them?

Also, I wonder if I was worthy the forgiveness that people have given me.  Have I tried to change my ways so I do not do it again?  I remember a friend of mine - we grew up together, were friends together, and all of a sudden one day he wouldn't talk to me.  Try as I may he wouldn't tell me why.  Finally a mutual friend told me that something I said kiddingly had offended my friend.  My friend was upset.  I went to his home and apologized and explained that I had not ment it that way.  He forgave me.  But still, I wonder sometimes if I have done that to one person have I done it to someone else.  I try never to do that again.

It's not just the big things we ask forgiveness.  I forgave the man, who many years ago struck our buggy with his car that seriously injured one of our daughters.  But, did I ask Anna for forgiveness in an disagreement we had the other day?  Did I forgive the person that cut me off in traffic?

I also wonder if I think too much of the past and not the future.  Anna tells me "we can't live in the past" and she's right but how many times do I try.  Now there is nothing wrong with having memories of the past, but do I spend too much there.  Our way to the Lord is not in the past, but in the future. 

Which leads to another thought-if God has forgiven me-have I forgive myself??? I know there are things in my life that weren't the right thing to do at the time, as I look back.  A few were down right dumb.  I have asked the Lord to forgive me and He has- why can't I forgive myself?    Are we greater than God? No ! Then I must forgive myself.

Wonder also, if I have thanked the Lord for all the wonderful gifts He has given me.  Many of His gifts, I might not even be aware of or ignored.  I want to make sure He is thanked.  Sometimes I have asked Him for things and have not received, but that was His answer.  It was something I did not need or now was not the time. 

So as I go into the New Year, I try to dump all the sins that I have done.  I always ask the Lord to forgive me.  When 2014 comes, I want to start clean with the Lord.  I don't make promises of being sinless that I can't keep.  In fact, the only promise I do make is that I will love the Lord, my family, and whatever the Lord puts before me.  I don't know what is coming in 2014 but I know that the Lord will see me through no matter how good or not so good.

I didn't mean to go on so, but I hope that I gave you some things to think about with the coming New Year.

Anna and I wish you all a very Happy 2014,
Elmer

THERE WILL BE A SPECIAL RECIPE ON JANUARY 1, 2014 BY ELMER'S WIFE, ANNA. YOU SAUERKRAUT PEOPLE WILL LIKE THIS ONE. THIS IS ANNA'S FIRST RECIPE ON NEW YORK STATE OF MIND.

PIERRE'S "THE BARK"

Just wanted to remind everyone that with this cold weather coming to please remember to let your pets into your home at night.  Like it says if you are cold, they are cold.

Also want to tell everyone that Santa was at our house again this year.  I didn't get as much as I did last year, but I know Santa went overboard because it was my first year with Mom.  This year, I got some toys, and dog food.  I was very happy with all I got.

Still wonder how that Santa gets in the house without me hearing him.  Mom says he comes in the sliding glass door as we don't have a chimney, but still I should hear him.  I tried to stay awake for him, but I just couldn't do it.  Now I have to wait until next year. Mom says this is the last time I have to wear this Christmas suit until next year.  I am very happy.

Hope you all have a Very Happy New Year,
Pierre and Marilyn

MENNONITE BICYCLE RIDERS AND BUS-HAITI AUCTION

I still have a lot of pictures that I haven't had on here from the Haiti Auction in June this year.  These are of the Mennonite boys and their bicycles.  Also a big bus of Mennonites came in from Indiana.

ELMER HAS A POST ON MONDAY.  IT IS DIFFERENT THAN MOST HIS POSTS.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

And the angel said unto them,

Fear not: for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

St. Luke 2:10



MERRY  CHRISTMAS
        FROM

Marilyn
Jean and Family
Martha and Family
Elmer and Family

JEAN'S CASSEROLE DINNER

 

I know in this picture, you can hardly see the man with his two dogs.  He and sometimes his wife, walk them in our area every day and has done so since before I moved in here eight years ago.  His two dogs are exactly alike and we asked him where he got them. One he got from a breeder, but the other one comes with a story.

When he and his wife purchased the first dog, they bought her brother along with her.  After having the two dogs for a few years, the brother dog got sick and passed away.  They thought of buying another one but the breeder didn't have any and they didn't know anyone else that bred toy poodles in the area. The female poodle they have, doesn't bark.  She can if she wants to, there is nothing wrong with her, but she doesn't bark. 

On Christmas Eve years ago the man and his wife were woken up by a dog barking.  Of course they woke up and immediately went to their dog who was awake but not barking.  The man got out of bed to find out where this barking was coming from.  He opened the front door and there was this poodle dog standing in front of his door.  The dog was cold, covered with snow, so he let it in.  Poor dog was so cold and covered with mud, they gave it a warm bath, fed it and kept it in separate room from their other dog.  They couldn't get over how this new dog and their dog looked so much alike. 

The two dogs tried to see each other.  Next morning the owners called the vet and left a message on her answering machine to make an appointment the day after Christmas, but the vet got the call on Christmas morning.  She said her family wasn't coming until the afternoon and if they wanted to bring the dog in, she would see it on Christmas Day.  So off they went to the vet. 

The dog got a doggie physical and was in great condition.  She gave it all it's shots so the two dogs could be together.  The new owners named the dog Christmas because they found him on Christmas Eve, but everyone calls him Chris for short.

The two dogs after looking each other over became fast friends.  Day after Christmas, the owners put an add in the paper and asked around the area to see if they could find the previous owner.  They had people call that said they would buy the dog or take the dog, but no one claimed  it as their dog.  Of course the people had no plans on selling or giving it away to anyone but it's owner.  No one claimed the dog, so he has become a member of their household.  That was over eight years ago.  The owner laughed and said he wished the dog could talk and tell of his life before they got him.  They believe he is a special dog because he came on Christmas Eve.

JEAN'S CASSEROLE DINNER

1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can cheddar cheese soup
Less than a can of milk
2 cans of drained tuna (could also use ham, turkey, or chicken)
package of noodles

Mix mushroom soup, cheese soup, milk and tuna.  Cook, drain and rinse noodles.  Combine all ingredients, put in casserole dish, bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour.  (This is an excellent way to use left-over meat in place of tuna).

THERE WILL BE A POST TOMORROW AND FRIDAY.  ALSO ELMER WILL HAVE A POST ON MONDAY.

JEAN'S CHRISTMAS POST, WREATHS AND CHRISTMAS COFFEE

I thought I would tell you of how we spend our Christmas.  One of the questions asked was if we put candles in our windows.  We use to, but this year we bought electric candles that we have in our windows.  With three small ones, we were afraid that one of the candles might get knocked down and cause a fire so we went electric this year. 

When David and I went to school, we would not get time off from school except Christmas Day and the next day, but that has changed.  The children will be off school this year from Wednesday until Friday.  On Monday, December 30th, they will return to school.  We do not make a special day of New Year's Day like the public schools do.  It is just another day, but we change the calendar. 

We start our Christmas on Christmas Eve, where David will do a reading from the bible on the Birth of the Christ Child.  He explains what this means to all of us.  Then we will have prayer.

On Christmas morning, David, Michael, Edward and I fast, but I make breakfast for Katie, Susan and David Jr. After their breakfast we go to meeting (church).  When we return, we will open the presents among us.  Outside of our immediate family, the only other people coming are Katie's great-grandparents.  David will again, read the Bible telling of the Birth of the Christ Child and we will have dinner.  After dinner, we will open presents from Katie's great grand-parents and give them the gifts we have for them. 

Depending on the snow we have, the children may go sleding, or ice skating or skiing or if no snow play games inside.  Us adults will  probably be talking in the living room.  Before dinner, Katie's great-grandparents will leave as they do not see well at night.  We will make sure Katie is there when they leave to say good by. 

On Christmas we only do the chores that we have to do.  We don't do any chores that we don't have to.  So after the milking, we have our dinner.  Before going to bed David again reads about the Birth of Christ and we have prayers.

December 26th is second Christmas.  This is a day with our family.  My parents are having at their house this year where all the family goes. David's parents will be there, too. Again, we do not do chores that we do not have to.  We will exchange gifts.  My Father will read about the Birth of Christ before dinner.  Dinner will be served at 12 noon on the dot.  My Mother serves meals at a set time for lunch and dinner.  Noon for lunch and six o'clock sharp for supper.  We have to laugh sometimes as my Mother will not change the time - no matter what.  She does give on the time breakfast is served.

After dinner, the children will play.  The men will chat in the living room and we ladies in the kitchen.  We will get the kitchen cleaned up.  When milking time comes, we all go to our homes. 

After dinner, before bed time David reads in the Bible about Jesus dying on the cross.  David explains that we must realize that Jesus not only was born to teach us and lead us, but He gave His life for our sins.  If Jesus can forgive us, we must forgive others.  Also we must not celebrate Jesus Birth and Death just on Christmas and Easter, but every day.

December 27th, we take down our decorations.  We go back to doing all our chores.  At evening David asks us if we have kept Jesus in our hearts.  He encourages us  not to let the religious bible readings of Christmas and Easter leave our hearts. 

So this is how we celebrate our Christmas.  We hope you have a very Blessed and Merry Christmas.

Be With God,
Jean and Family




JEAN'S CHRISTMAS WREATH


30 Marshmallows
1/2 c. butter
1 tsp vanilla
3 1/2 c cornflakes
2 tsp green food color
small red candies for decorating

Combine marshmallows, butter, vanilla and food coloring in double boiler.  Heat until marshmallows are melted.  Gradually stir in flakes.  Drop from teaspoons on wax paper.  With hands shape into wreath.  Decorate with red candies and/or maraschino cherries.  You can also make about 30 smaller wreaths about 2 inches in diameter. 

JEAN'S CHRISTMAS COFFEE

8 cups of hot coffee
1/2 cup sugar
4 tsp chocolate syrup
1 cup heavy cream
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
whipped cream
candy canes

Mix first five ingredients.  Pour into steamed glasses or Irish coffee mugs.  Place generous helping of whipped cream in each mug and garnish with a candy cane.  Serves 10-12

Children enjoy helping to make the Christmas Wreaths.

JEAN'S WHITE CHRISTMAS CANDY AND AMISH SUGAR COOKIES

JEAN'S WHITE CHRISTMAS CANDY

1 lb. white chocolate or almond bark
1/2 cup peanut butter
1 1/2 cups Rice Krispies
1 1/2 cups Spanish peanuts. 

Melt white chocolate and peanut butter, then blend together.  Add Rice Krispies and Spanish peanuts.  Drop by teaspoon onto wax paper.  Store in covered container when cool and firm.

AMISH SUGAR COOKIES

1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup powdered sugar
1 cup corn oil
1 cup margarine
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
4 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp soda
1 tsp cream of tartar
1/2 tsp salt

Cream sugar, margarine, oil, vanilla, and eggs.  Add flour, soda, cream of tartar, and salt. Chill.  Drop from teaspoon or form into balls.  Butter bottom of flat glass: dip into granulated sugar and press down lightly.  Bake at 350 degrees until light browned.  About 10-12 minutes. 

JEAN'S CUT OUT COOKIES

JEAN'S CUT OUT COOKIES

1 cup shortening
4 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 eggs, beaten
1 cup sugar
4 Tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon soda

Cut shortening into flour as in pastry and add salt.  Combine eggs and sugar and beat well.  Combine milk, vanilla and soda.  Add alternately with flour to eggs and mix well.  Roll out 1/4" thick and cut with fancy cutters.  Place on ungreased cookie sheet and bake at 400 degrees for 10-12 minutes.  Cool, frost and decorate. 

TURKEY FARM AND TREATS FOR DOGS, CATS AND BIRDS

This is the farm that I took pictures of last year and earlier this year.  Elmer, Anna and I stopped here to get pictures of these turkeys.  Of course I got the car stuck in the mud along side of the road.  I was worried Elmer and Anna were going to get out and push, but I got it out without anyone getting out.  Elmer said he wouldn't have pushed my car, but have gone to the Old Order Mennonite farmer and asked him to get his horse to pull the car out.  I wonder if these turkeys will be here after Christmas. Pierre wanted me to put some recipes on that owners could make for their pets. So here they are.        

GINGERBREAD MAN FOR DOGS
2 cups whole-wheat flour
3/4 cup old fashioned oats
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp garlic powder
2 eggs
1/2 cup molasses
1/3 cup oil

Place dry ingredients in medium mixing bowl.  Blend with whisk.  Add eggs, molasses and oil.  Mix until blended.  Mixture will be crumbly.  Place dough on waxed paper.  Knead until smooth.  Roll 1/4 inch thick.  Cut with cookie cutter or into rectangles.  Place on sprayed baking sheet.  Bake at 325 degrees for 30 minutes. 



MEOW TREATS

20 saltine crackers
1/2 c. whole-wheat flour
2 tsp chicken bouillon
1 (3 oz) can chicken or tuna
1/4 cup water

Place crackers in a large plastic bag and crush or place in food processor on pulse.  Place crushed crackers into medium bowl and add remaining ingredients, mixing well.  Finish mixing with your hands. Shape into balls the size of marbles.  This is a no-bake treat.  Store in freezer and thaw as needed.

BIRD CAKES

1/2 cup beef suet, chopped
1/2 cup peanut butter
1 cup mixed birdseed
2 1/2 cups cornmeal
10 paper-lined muffin tins
10 6 inch pieces of cord

Cook beef suet in heavy skillet over low flame until melted.  Combine peanut butter, birdseed, cornmeal and melted beef suet.  Spoon into lined paper muffin tins.  When partially hardened, insert 6 inch loop of cord in the middle by poking a hole in the cake with an ice pick.  Remove cakes and hang when thoroughly hardened.  Can be stored in freezer.

MARILYN'S MOTHER'S CHRISTMAS FRUIT BREAD

CHRISTMAS FRUIT BREAD

2 cups milk scalded
1 Tablespoon sugar
2 Teaspoons salt
1 cake fresh or 1 package granular yeast
1/4 cup lukewarm water
3 cups enriched flour
1/2 cup shortening
3/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons grated lemon peel
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
2 beaten eggs
1 cup chopped candied fruit peel
3/4 cup chopped blanched almonds
2 cups seedless raisins

Combine milk, 1 Tablespoon sugar and salt; cook to lukewarm - add yeast - soften in lukewarm water.  Add 3 cups flour; beat thoroughly.  Let rise until light and bubbly.  Thoroughly cream shortening and sugar.  Add lemon peel, vanilla, nutmeg and eggs.  Stir into sponge mixture.  Add remaining ingredients; mix to make smooth, soft dough.  Let rest 10 minutes. Knead on lightly flour surface until smooth and elastic.  Place in greased bowl: cover with damp cloth and let rise until double.  Punch down.  Shape into two loaves.  Bake on greased cookie sheet at 350 degrees for 1 hour.

My Mother passed away many years ago, but according to her,  this recipe came from my great-grandmother, to my grandmother who brought it to this country from Ireland, to my Mother and now to my sister-in-laws and me.  I thank Jean for figuring out the temperature to bake these at and how long.  My Mother didn't put that on the recipe she gave me.  My Mother made these only at Christmas Time.  Hope you enjoy them.

Marilyn

PEANUT BLOSSOMS COOKIES

PEANUT BLOSSOMS COOKIES

1 3/4 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 unbeaten egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
milk chocolate candy kisses

Sift together flour, soda, and salt.  Cream together butter, peanut butter, sugar and brown sugar, creaming well.  Add egg and vanilla, beat well.  Blend in dry ingredients gradually; mix thoroughly. Shape dough into balls using rounded teaspoonful for each.  Roll balls in sugar and place on ungreased cookie sheets.  Bake at 375 degrees for 8 minutes.  Remove sheet from oven and place a solid milk chocolate candy kiss on top of each cookie pressing down firmly so that cookies cracks around the edge.  Return cookies to oven and bake 2 to 5 minutes longer until golden brown.

JEAN'S SWEET POTATO CASSEROLE

JEAN'S SWEET POTATO CASSEROLE

3 1/2 cups mashed sweet potatoes
1 stick butter
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup white sugar
1 cup shredded coconut
2 beaten eggs

Mix together and place in baking dish.  Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.

1 cup brown sugar
1 stick butter
1 1/2 tsp flour

Mix above ingredients until they form little balls the size of peas.  Sprinkle on top of potatoes.  Sprinkle 1 cup of nuts on top and bake an additional 20 minutes. 

JEAN'S POST AND SPRITZ COOKIES RECIPE

Thank you all regarding your comments on Katie.  Her great-grandparents have a year to decide if they want to take back the adoption, but the judge doesn't think they will.  They are just not use to our way of life and want everything for Katie.  We are working on the birthday and Christmas presents.  Also they do not like that she does chores especially outside chores.  We explain that we are teaching her and she is not a slave as they say.

The Christmas Season is upon us and we are baking cookies, making candy and more.  Some of the goodies that we make will be given to friends and those that are unable to make their own.  Of course, lots of it will stay here and be eaten.  Some of the recipes, we only use for Christmas time. 

My next post will be on how we spend Christmas.  Marilyn and I were talking about not having a post the week of December 30th, but Elmer said he would like to do one that day, so Elmer will be on. 

We asked Katie's great-grandparents to come to our home for Christmas dinner but, as yet, we do not know if they will come.  They are more than welcome.  So we will see what happens.

Michael and Edward would be joining the other young folks by going caroling.  They will be giving gifts of goodies to the people they go caroling too.  When they are done, they will end at Martha and Joseph's house where they will have refreshments and do more singing.  If there is enough snow, Bishop Joseph said he would take them caroling in their sleigh.  If not, they will go in buggies. 

Well, I better get back with those cookies and candy making.

Be With God,
Jean








SPRITZ COOKIES

1 cup margarine or butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 egg
1 teaspoon almond extract or vanilla

Heat oven to 400 degrees.  Mix margarine and sugar.  Mix in remaining ingredients.  Place dough in cookies press; form desired shapes on ungreased cookie sheet.  Bake until set but not brown, 6 to 9 minutes.  Immediately remove from cookie sheet.

Bow Tie Cookies: Stir 2 ounces melted unsweetened chocolate (cool) into margarine mixture.  Place dough in cookie press with star plate; for 2 1/2-inch bow ties on ungreased cookie sheet.  Place cinnamon candy in center.  Bake 9 to 10 minutes.

Chocolate Spritz: Stir 2 ounces melted unsweetened chocolate (cool) into margarine mixture.

Christmas Decorated Spritz: Before baking, top cookies with currants, raisins, candies, nuts, slices of candied fruits or candied fruit peels arranged in attractive patterns.  Or after baking, decorated with colored sugars, nonpareils, red cinnamon candies and finely chopped nuts.  Use drop of corn syrup to hold decorations on baked cookies.

I have used this recipe for years.  It is a recipe I got from Betty Crocker's Cookbook many years ago. Jean

JEAN'S PLAIN SOFT CUSTARD

JEAN'S PLAIN SOFT CUSTARD

2 cups milk
2 whole eggs or 4 egg yolks
1/8 teaspoon salt
4 Tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Scald the milk in the top of the double boiler.  Beat together slightly the eggs, sugar and salt.  Add the hot milk to the egg mixture, mix thoroughly and return to the top of the double boiler.  Cook over hot water, stirring constantly until the egg coats the spoon.

I hope this is the recipe that one of you requested. If it's not, let me know, I have another one, but it is much longer than this one.    Jean

JEAN'S AMISH POTATO FILLING

JEAN'S AMISH POTATO FILLING

4 Tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
1/2 cup chopped celery
2 Tablespoons chopped onion
4 cups soft bread cubes
1/2 cup boiling water
3 large eggs, lightly beaten
2 cups milk
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
2 cups mashed potatoes

Melt butter, add celery and onion.  Cook until tender.  Pour over bread cubes and mix well.  Add boiling water to bread and mix well.  Add remaining ingredients, mixing well after each addition.  The mixture should be very moist.  Either stuff in bird or place in well - greased casserole and bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. 

AMISH LAMB FARM AND MAMIE EISENHOWER'S FUDGE

I was driving down the road and saw more lambs than I ever seen so I had to stop and take these pictures.  I hope you enjoy them.    Marilyn

 

MAMIE EISENHOWER'S MILLION DOLLAR FUDGE

4 1/2 cups sugar
Pinch of salt
2 Tablespoons butter
1 tall can evaporated milk (1 2/3 cups)
1 8 oz jar marshmallow cream
2 cups walnuts or pecans
1 12 oz package semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 12 oz bar sweet chocolate

Combine sugar, salt, butter and milk in saucepan and boil for six minutes, stirring constantly.  Combine the remaining ingredients in a large bowl and pour the syrupy mixture over all.  Beat until thoroughly melted and mixed.  Pour into two 6-inch square pans or one 13 x 9 x 2-inch pan.  Cut into squares and store in a tightly covered box.  Makes 5 pounds of fudge.

This is a recipe that was in the newspaper many years ago and has been passed down in our family.  I could not remember who Mamie Eisenhower was, but Susan informed me that she was President Eisenhower's wife. 

Be With God,
Jean

DOREEN'S CORN BREAD PUDDING

Corn Bread Pudding

(original recipe from thepolohouse.blogspot.com)Corn Bread Pudding

 

Ingredients:

 

1 can creamed corn

1 can sweet corn, drained

1 stick butter, melted

1 box Jiffy corn bread/muffin mix

8 oz. sour cream

 

_________________

 

Mix all ingredients together and pour into a 9 x 13”

buttered casserole baking dish.

 

Bake at 350 degrees for 30-45 minutes

or until golden brown on top and around the edges.

 

Serves 8-10

 

(Note from Doreen:  I couldn’t bring myself to put in that much butter,

so I cut it down some, and the dish still came out great)

 

JEAN'S OLD FASHIONED MINCEMEAT RECIPE

JEAN'S OLD-FASHIONED MINCEMEAT

3 quarts chopped apples (cored but not peeled)
4 quarts cooked meat, boned and ground with a coarse chopper blade
1 lbs raisins
1 1/2 cup cider or 1/2 cup vinegar and 1/2 cup water
2 1/2 tsp cinnamon
2 1/2 tsp allspice
3-4 cups light molasses or the same amount of brown sugar

Mix all ingredients together and cook until hot.  Put the hot mixture in pint jars and cold pack for 20 minutes.  Makes 8 quarts.  One quart makes two pies. 

JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON.

CHRISTMAS RECIPE A DAY

Just want to remind everyone that a Christmas Recipe a day starts tomorrow.  I think you will like them.  We still have some recipes to get on, but should have them done this coming weekend.

If there is a post that day, the recipe will be at the bottom of the post. 

Jean and I hope that you enjoy them all.

Marilyn

JEAN TELLS ABOUT KATIE

People have asked about how Katie is going in our household and I thought I would tell your how she is doing.  Katie is fitting into our household very well, most of the time.  She still misses her parents.  Also she wishes we had a television that she could watch, that she could wear slacks instead of dresses, and that we drove something faster than our horse and buggy.  Also, our meetings (church) are still hard for her as they are so long.

Like the rest of the family, Katie has chores that she has to do in our home and outside.  She has been taught how to get the eggs from the chickens.  Also, she knows how to feed some of the small animals.  Inside, she sets the table, helps pick up laundry and is learning measurements of baking in the kitchen.  Cleaning and picking up are not her favorite jobs, but does it, after encouragement.  Her major cleaning job is to dust some of the furniture.  Also, she is to pick up her toys when she is done, which she does not always do.

Also, we are teaching her to read, count and speak Deutch .  She is doing well on all that we teach her.  In our schools most of the children speak Deutch and have to learn English.  She speaks English and has to learn Deutch. 

Lately we have been having problems with her great grandparents who want her to learn more of the ways of the world.  They like our long dresses, but think we should allow slacks sometimes and shorts in the summer.  We have tried to explain that is not our way.  Also, when at their house, they allow her to watch television, which we do not. 

Katie's Birthday is coming up soon.  They will have Katie part of that day.  What we weren't suppose to know is that they are having a big party for her, which is fine.  But she will be receiving lots of gifts, that we do not approve of and they want to bring them in our house.    Bishop Joseph tried to talk to them, but they said she is their granddaughter and they can do what they want.

Also, Christmas is coming and they want to take Katie to see Santa Claus.  Bishop Joseph said he would allow it, once.  When Michael and Edward each came, they were allowed to go the world way if they wanted to the first Christmas here.  We will explain to Katie who St. Nicholas was.  But, according to her grandparents, we are not allowed to tell Katie that Santa Claus is not real. 

They also want us to have a Christmas Tree.  We explained how we decorate our home and if she wanted a small tree in her room, she could have it, but not in the living room.  Again her grandparents are upset.  They also have purchased Christmas Gifts for Katie that are not allowed. 

Our way is we only have a few gifts for each person.  We do not have stacks of presents.  They want to bring several gifts for Katie to have under a tree that we aren't going to have.  We tried to explain that it would not be fair if Katie got lots of presents and the rest of the children didn't.  Although we have room for all the gifts and could explain to the rest of the family why they aren't getting the gifts Katie is, we feel that it is not right. Michael says they are spoiling her - David and I agree with him. 

Katie goes with me where I go.  When I go to quilting, grocery store, library, visiting and more.     She meets children her own age and is making friends. 

Thought you might be interested in a recipe that I have for making dough Christmas Ornaments.

DOUGH CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS

2 cups all purpose flour
1 cup salt
l cup water
Food coloring

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Mix together flour and salt.  Start adding water (it will take more or less, depending on the humidity).  Stir into a ball and knead 7 - 10 minutes.  Work in as much flour as possible, as one needs a firm dough.  Food coloring may be added with the water.  Cut out or form into desired shapes.  Place on cookie sheet and bake until rock hard.  A piece 1/2" thick will take about 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 hour to make. 

Pricking with needle will help so it does not bubble.  Cover with at least three coats of paint or varnish to keep moisture out.

Be With God,
Jean

MARILYN'S THIS AND THAT

First off, our Christmas Recipe list will start on December 11th instead of 12th as Susan brought it to Jean's and my attention the fact that Jean has a recipe on December 11th which is on a Wednesday.  Seeing it is a Christmas Recipe, why not start a day early?  So we did.  If it is the day a post is on, there will be a recipe at the bottom of the post so there will be a recipe a day. 

Second, a while back there was a post that Jean had on (February) about two Amish young men that had killed several puppies.  I just found out what their punishment was by the judge.  Both were given 30 days in jail.  In addition they had to pay $500.00 each and neither are allowed to own dogs for the next 15 years. 

Another interesting thing is Elmer, Anna and I drove by a house that had been on the post of the man mowing the lawn on the riding lawn mower that had the fancy wheels on it (October 25th).  Well, the house has been torn down.  There is some machinery still there and Elmer seems to think that someone is going to be building a new house there.  As it is not to far from their farms, Elmer, Anna, David, Jean, Joseph and Martha are going to keep an eye on it for me and let me know if something happens, especially if they start building a new house. The man driving the lawn mower was Mennonite, Joseph is going to see if it is a member of his meeting (church).  If so, he will see what he can find out about it, so I could take pictures.  I didn't know the house was going to be down or I could have shown Joseph the pictures of the man on my computer, but I hadn't brought my computer.  Joseph wanted me to send the pictures from my computer to his in-laws computer so he could see them there, which I did.

Elmer, Anna and I went around today looking for Amish pictures for New York State of Mind, but we didn't do well.  Everyone we went to see wasn't home.  The businesses were closed except one. that would not allow me to take pictures.  This was the first time I had been refused, but I thanked them for allowing me to see their store.  We ended up eating lunch at Elmer and Anna's.  Elmer has another area where Amish are located that he wants to take me too.  He will call their phone shanty's and see if he can make an appointment so we won't have to go through this again.

Well, I guess that is all I have for now.  If I think of something more, I will add it on.  Christmas Recipes start on Wednesday.

God Bless,
Marilyn

CEMETERIES I SAW ALONG THE WAY