JEAN'S ZUCCHINI CASSEROLE

JEAN'S ZUCCHINI CASSEROLE

3 eggs
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
dash of pepper
1/2 cup cheese, grated
2 cups grated zucchini
1/2 cup onion, chopped
1/4 cup parsley

Beat eggs and oil. Stir together flour, baking powder, pepper, and cheese.  Add to egg mixture.  Add rest of ingredients and stir.  Pour into greased casserole.  Bake at 325 degrees for 45 minutes.

All the flowers of
all the tomorrows
are in the seeds of today.

EASTER STORY COOKIES

This recipe is to be made the evening before Easter, but I thought I would put it in early so you could get everything, if you decided to make it.

EASTER STORY COOKIES

1 Cup Whole Pecans
1 tsp Vinegar
3 Egg Whites
pinch Salt
1 Cup Sugar
Zipper Bag
Wooden Spoon
Tape Bible
Children

Preheat oven to 300 degrees (this is important - don't wait until you're half done with the recipe).  Place pecans in zipper baggie and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces.  Explain that after Jesus was arrested, He was beaten by the Roman soldiers.  READ John 19:1-3.  Let each child smell the vinegar.  Put vinegar into mixing bowl.  Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross, He was given vinegar to drink. READ John 19:28-30.  Add egg whites to vinegar.  Eggs represent life.  Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life.  READ: John 10:10-11. Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand.  Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl.  Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers and the bitterness of our own sin. READ Luke 23:27.  So far the ingredients are not very appetizing.  Add sugar.  Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us.  He want us to know and belong to Him.  READ Psalm 34:8 and John 3:16.  Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 - 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus.  READ Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3.  Fold in broken nuts.  Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheet.  Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus'body was paid.  READ Matthew 27:57-60.  Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close te door and turn off the oven.  Give each child a piece of tape to seal the oven door.  Explain that Jesus' tomb was sealed.  READ Matthew 27:65-66.  GO TO BED!  Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight.  Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed.  READ John 16:20 and 22.  On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie.  Notice the cracked surface and take a bite.  The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter, Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty.  READ Matthew 28:1-9

A mother's heart is a child's classroom.

ANNA'S EASY EGGPLANT CASSEROLE

The church at the top is the Old Order Mennonite building that Jean, and her family go to.  Bishop Joseph is bishop at this church and another one. I chose the church for Saturday because of the cross in front.

ANNA'S EASY EGGPLANT CASSEROLE

1 1/2 lbs.  unpared eggplant, diced
3 medium onions, chopped
2 Tablespoons butter
2 egg yolks, beaten
1/2 c. grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon salt
1 Cup dry bread crumbs

Cook vegetables in boiling water, about 20 minutes.  Drain, add remaining ingredients and pour into greased casserole.  Bake in moderate over (350 degrees) 30 minutes or until browned.

Kindness is a language the deaf can hear and the blind can see.

BARNS - AGAIN AND FIRST EASTER RECIPE FOR 2015-CHOCOLATE DROP COOKIES

Pictures of barns that I took while driving around this month.  The bottom one is a newer barn than te rest of them.  Couldn't find a yellow barn this time.  Hope I have better luck next time.

CHOCOLATE DROP COOKIES

1/2 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
1 egg
3/4 cup soured milk (add 1 Tablespoon vinegar to make sour)
1 tsp vanilla
1 3/4 cup flour
1/2 cup cocoa
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Blend four and cocoa thoroughly, set aside.  Mix shortening, sugar and egg thoroughly.  Stir in soured milk and vanilla.  Blend in flour/cocoa mixture, soda, and salt.  Mix in nuts.  Chill at least 1 hour.  Heat oven to 400 degrees.  Drop rounded teaspoonfuls of dough 2" apart onto lightly greased baking sheet.  Bake 8 - 10 minutes.  Cool.

Each day is God's gift to you.
Make it blossom and
grow into a thing of beauty.

TRAIN AT CROSSING IN PALMYRA, NEW YORK

Another train that I took pictures of last January.  Hope when the snow stops, spring comes, I will go and take train pictures again.

TOMORROW STARTS EASTER RECIPES.  THERE IS A RECIPE A DAY FROM TOMORROW UNTIL AND INCLUDING APRIL 4th.

AMISH BUGGYS

Here are some Amish Buggies that I took pictures of last December. The third was not as good as the others as the driver was going so fast you would have thought that was a car and he was on the race track.  The last one Elmer really likes.  I believe I had it on Christmas post.  Elmer keeps telling me not to get rid of that picture.

JEAN'S FRUIT MEDLEY

JEAN'S FRUIT MEDLEY

1 (20 oz) can crushed pineapple, undrained
1 lg can peaches, drained (or fresh)
1 pkg vanilla instant pudding
1 (10 oz) Pkg. frozen strawberries (or fresh)
1 pkg. orange Kool-Aid or 1 T Tang
Sliced bananas

Mix all ingredients together.  Before serving, add sliced bananas.  Can serve with whipped cream, if desired.  This can be served as a salad or as a desert.

NOTICE ON EASTER WEEK

Things are going to change next week and next week only.  Jean and I have been putting on recipes for next week.  There will be an Easter Recipe on every day starting on March 28th and the last one will be on April 4th. Also, below the recipe will be a little verse or saying.

On April 3rd, Good Friday, I have a post on by Bishop Joseph giving us something to think about at this Holy time.  He gave me the post already and I think you will enjoy it.  Also, I will have something on for Easter Sunday.

I spoke with Jean, Elmer, Anna, Martha, Grandmother Olive and myself.  We decided we are going to take the week off.  We have never done this before.  But, Jean and Anna have a lot of baking and cooking to do for their family for Easter.  The men have chores to do.  Both the Amish and Old Order Mennonites will have communion on Good Friday.  As for me, beside a day here and a day there, I haven't had a week off.  So, we are taking off.

Knowing me, I can not stay away from the computer or New York State of Mind for a week.  Probably never happen unless I couldn't get near a computer. So, I will be on and answer comments, but it won't be as often as I do it now.  If the weather is nice, maybe I will be able to get out and get pictures as I am getting low.  Very low.

We will be back on April 6th with posts and hopefully more pictures.  Also, we hope you understand our taking the week off.  If you want to contact me, during that time, leave a message and I will get it.  I just may not be as fast in getting it or answering it.

Don't leave as I have items every day this week.  Also, we hope you enjoy the Easter Recipes.

We all hope that you have a religious and Happy Easter,
Jean, David and family
Elmer and Anna
Grandfather Albert and Grandmother Olive
Bishop Joseph, Martha and family
Bishop Eli and family
Marilyn


 THIS IS THE SECOND POST.  ANNA HAS ONE ON BEFORE THIS ONE.

ANNA ANSWERS SOME OF YOUR QUESTIONS

Well our vacation is drawing to an end.  It seems we just got here and now it is time to pack up to go home.  We did have a good time and I do look forward to seeing our family again.

I am going to answer a question or two that you asked.  When I get up north and settled will answer more.  Do women ever want to wear slacks?  The only time I think it would be nice to wear slacks is when I ride the horse.  In the Bible it states that men should not wear women's clothing and women should not wear men's clothing.  We consider slacks or pants men clothing.  So we don't wear them.

Now sometimes women do wear slacks underneath our dresses during the winter when I have to work outside.  Like going to help Elmer in the barn or if shoveling snow.  The slacks come off when I get inside the house.  That is the only time I wear slacks or pants.

Are women allowed to wear tights.  What are tights?  If you mean like panty hose stockings, yes, some do.  We are suppose to wear heavy stockings.  Some ladies especially the young girls wear panty hose stocking.

Someone asked about the rosemary plant that died.  If other rosemary plants have died there, I would have the soil checked.  The soil could have gone bad, as we say.  On our farm, every five years we rest the soil.  We don't use it.  That's why if you pass an Amish farm, you might see some sections of the field used and some not.  The part not being used is resting.

I like rosemary myself.  It is excellent in cooking.  It can also be used in medicine.  So I can understand your being upset.  But have the soil checked.

I will tell your more and answer more questions, later.  I know you want more information in the way we dress.  Jean may give a post on that, too as there are a few things that are different in the Amish dress and the Old Order Mennonite do.

We got a call from Sarah the other day hoping she would get me, but got Elmer.  One of the glass windows in the greenhouse broke and she was afraid to tell Elmer or John.  Elmer wanted to know why.  She said that if something like that happened at her parents home, her Father would have been upset.  Elmer asked her if she threw a rock through it.  Sarah said no.  Then Elmer said we won't get upset and neither will John.  So Sarah told John who called us and asked Elmer where he got the greenhouse.  John couldn't figure out why Sarah was so afraid to tell him.  When she did, he said okay, we'll get it fixed, which he did.

It's still hard for Sarah to believe we don't get upset as much as her Father did.  How the glass got broken, we don't know and they don't know.  All that matters is it's fixed.  Bishop Eli said that Sarah's Father was a very stern and strict man.  He did not go into detail.

Oh, we will have to get John or Sarah to tell you about Sarah's swimming lessons while they were down here.

Well, I am going sign off kind of short this time.  Will answer more questions when we get home.  Please keep the questions coming.

Happy Easter to you all,
Anna and Elmer

ELMER TELLS OF PINECRAFT AND MORE

I thank Bishop Eli for putting on a post for me last week.  My mind just went blank of anything to post.  Anna says I always have something to say.  Maybe the paint effected my brain.

Well, our vacation is ending.  We leave on the bus this Thursday.  After talking with Albert and Olive, I think Anna and I might take the train next year.  Eli and his wife are considering it, too.

We finally got Albert and Olive's cottage all painted - two coats.  Olive told you about Albert having trouble breathing in all the paint smell.  Good thing Anna thought of it.

You asked why they can paint the bathroom green in Florida, but can't in New York.  Things are allowed in Pinecraft that are not allowed in New York.  Some people call Pinecraft the Amish Las Vegas.  What goes on at Pinecraft, stays at Pinecraft.

The cottage that Eli owns that we are staying in has electric, air conditioners, and more.  His parents cottage as does Albert and Olives cottages have central heat and air, of course electric, telephones and more that we are not allowed up north.  Same goes for colors you paint the cottages.  At Pinecraft it doesn't matter like it does up north.

At Pinecraft, most of the time, I wear jeans and elbow length shirts.  Anna wears her dress, but the stockings are gone, flip flop shoes are on.  Some people even wear shorts, but we feel that is going to far.  Of course, we all dress like we do up north for church on Sunday.

We enjoy coming here, but we look forward to getting home, too.  Eli is still trying to talk Anna and I into buying the small cottage we stayed in.  Anna and I would like one for some day, but we think now is too soon to buy one.  Of course, if we did buy it, we have a big enough family that it would be used.  It would need either remodeling or torn down and  a new one built.  Amos and Fannie's cottage was built at few years ago and we like the interior of that one.  It has more room and bedrooms than ours would have.  Every year Anna and I talk this over. We like the location because it is right next door to where Eli would be and not far from Albert and Olive.

Oh, Albert and Olive's packages arrived that Jean sent them from up north.  Jean wasn't kidding when she said a few more items she would need a moving truck. Olive sure requested a lot of items. When Olive got them all unpacked and set up in the house, it does look more like home.

Olive also gave Eli and I each our own mince pie for painting the cottage for them.  We really enjoyed those pies.

While here, I have tried to take some of the house work off of Anna, so she could have a rest.  As I am a terrible cook except on the outside grill, I took Anna out for meals many times.  Also, did the laundry.  Helped her in cleaning the cottage.  Wanted Anna to do what she wanted, too.

Olive has cooked several meals for all of us including Fannie and Amos at her cottage.  She says at home Jean, Susan, Katie and Edward love to cook so she doesn't get to do it very often.  So she enjoyed cooking and baking again.  Fannie also cooked several meals for us.  So Anna didn't cook anywhere as many meals here as she did at home.

Thought maybe the winter would be gone by the time we got home.  But, from what John says, I am wrong.  Having lived in New York State as long as I have, I should have known better. He did put the lettuce in for us on St. Patrick's Day along with his.

Thank you all for the questions you left for us.  It really means a lot for us.  Sometimes we just can't think of anything to do posts about.  If you come up with more questions along the way, please ask us.

Next Monday is Jean's day.  I don't know if we will be on before or not, but Anna and I wish you a very Blessed Easter.

Trust God's Wisdom,
Elmer

THERE WILL BE TWO POSTS ON TOMORROW.

GOD'S CATTLE CREATURES

I took the pictures of the cattle the same day I got the pictures of the deer that were on last week.  Not many people had their cattle out this cold time of year.

THE HILL I USE TO GO SLEDDING DOWN WHEN I WAS A CHILD

When I was a child, this is the house and hill we use to go sledding on.  All of us neighbor hood kids would gather and spend hours sliding down.  We had a great time back then.  As you can see, some kids still use it.  This was once a house and then turned into apartments.  I lived there when my parents sold their house and moved to Florida.  I lived in the apartment where the porch is on the side.  All of us got evicted when our landlady sold it and it went back to one house.  Since then, it was sold again, and is an apartment building again.  Wish I could get the same apartment back again.

WEAVERLAND MENNONITE FARM ON WASH DAY

As you can see, I was out taking pictures on Monday, wash day.  This farm had the most washed clothes than the others.