HAPPY HALLOWEEN !!!!

Hope everyone has a Happy Halloween.  I was scared while taking a picture.  When I see someone outside I ask them for their permission to take pictures.  If no one is outside, I stay off their property and take pictures.  I was talking pictures of this one house when the front door open and this lady flew out, asked me why I was taking pictures of her house.  I explained that I wanted Halloween pictures for my blog.  She told me to delete any pictures of her house and went back inside.  So I deleted the pictures of her house.  Her house is NOT on here.

BABY ANNOUNCEMENT AND ANNA IS NEVER WRONG !!!!

 Sarah gave birth to John and Sarah's baby boy at 9:45 AM this morning at the hospital.  Baby weighed 3 pounds, 4 ounces, is in an incubator, but is doing well.  Sarah is doing well.  John is a proud father.  Elmer and Anna are thrilled.  Elmer or Anna will tell more in a post next week.

John said his Mom (Anna) is never wrong when she says when the baby will come.  She has never been wrong before and she isn't wrong now.

Elmer accidentally told me what the baby was going to be and I promised I wouldn't tell and I didn't.

I thought the picture above kind of tells what the little boy will do when he gets older.  A name has not been chosen as yet.  It is still under discussion.

This will be Friday's post, too.  How can I top this ???????  Will have a new post on Saturday.

Marilyn

GOD'S CREATURES - DEER

I forgot I had these deer pictures.  Took them earlier in the summer.

JEAN'S MOTHER'S PUMPKIN PIE

My Mother makes this recipe as my Father is diabetic.  It is such a hit, we make it at our house - none of us are diabetic, we just enjoy the taste. It helps to watch our weight, too.

JEAN'S MOTHER'S PUMPKIN PIE

1 16 oz can pumpkin (or fresh pumpkin)
2 packs artificial sweetener
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups skim milks
1 teaspoon ginger
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1.2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 egg, well beaten

Mix all ingredients together.  Bake at 375 degrees for one hour or until knife comes out clean.

JEAN TO ANSWER QUESTIONS

First, Grandfather Albert, Grandmother Olive, Thomas and our whole family would like to thank you all for your messages, prayers and thoughts.  We all really appreciate it.

Thomas is still getting use to using our last name.  Before we adopted him, he called us Jean and David, which we allowed.  The day after the adoption he got David and I alone and asked if he could call us Mother and Father.  We, of course, told him yes.  He kept saying I have a Mother and Father. Once in a while he will ask is this for real.  I just can't believe it.  We are so happy that we are his family.

Someone asked about the wedding.  While they were here for his adoption, his lady, mother and myself started deciding for the wedding.  We have ti figure about how many guests are coming.  Thomas over heard us and said not many on his side.  I told him don't be surprised - you have relatives you don't even know you have yet.

We also decide who we will get to help in the kitchen-cooking, preparing food, filling the plates, etc..  Also, we have to put in for the dishes buggy and the cooking buggy,  Also, we have to get some help to clean the house and some men to move the furniture.

Lady will have to make her dress.  I will make Thomas' wedding suit.  Of course she mus decide what color dresses she wants her servers to wear.  They also must decide who their side sitters will be.  I am trying to tell what side sitters are -  maybe like English bride maids and best man.  Side sitters are next to them at the wedding and dinners.

So we are trying to get started ahead.  Told Thomas he became my son, and is leaving already.  He said we will only be down the road.  They came to our house for meals anytime.  I think he ment that as a joke.  Michael said it also means we can all show up at their house for dinner. Thomas didn't think that as funny.

Someone also asked where we purchase the material for our clothes.  Jo-Ann's store.  Since Mennonites and Amish have moved in this area, they carry some of our material.  Some that they don't have, we order by mail.  If we get a driver there is a store in the town of Clyde and another in Waterloo.

What do we use for patterns?  We measure up the person once.  With small children you have to measure them as they grow.  Then I cut the patterns out in paper bags.  The next time someone needs something, I don't have to measure them - I just use the the paper bag patterns.  When Thomas marries, I will give my paper bag patterns to his wife.

What are "cape" dresses?  Maybe I should have Anna answer there this, but I will try.  The Amish ladies have on the dresses along with they wear an apron that goes down the front and they pin closed in the back.  When I first heard "cape" dresses, I had to ask Anna what they were.

Neither we not Anna make goat cheese.  We don't raise coats,  We have purchased some goat cheese from other Amish and Old Order Mennonite that do make it.  Have you ever had goats fudge?  That is delicious too.  Sometimes if I can get some goats milk, I make goat fudge at Christmas time.

Someone asked what clothes we make for our family.  We make our own dresses, nigh  wear (women's children's and men's), men's pants (except jeans), men's shirts, baby clothes, and children clothes.  Some make men's hats, we don't.  I got one of David's hats repaired and bought him a new one from a hat maker in Pennsylvania.  Shoes, socks and ladies stockings come from a local store like Walmart.

Old Order Amish are allowed to wear coats in the winter.  In fact, we wear jackets when it gets cool enough out.  I asked Anna about the Amish and she said she is allowed to wear a coat when the weather is cold enough.  She doesn't believe all Amish women are allowed, to wear a coat but her group and several others are during the cold months.

Someone asked if we wear knee socks or heavy socks during the winter?  We wear heavy socks or heavy pantie hose during the winter.  I spoke with Anna and they wear heavy pantie hose or wear high rising heavy socks during the winter.  Some Amish ladies wear stocking holders (girdles) that they can attack the heavy stockings or socks to.

I agree with Elmer, please keep questions coming so we know what to say in our posts.

Be With God,
Jean

ELMER ANSWERS QUESTIONS

Well. John and Sarah have decided they are going to the hospital to have the baby.  They have a driver on stand by.  If they have to, they will call the ambulance.  Anna and I think it is a good idea especially seeing that the baby is small.  The doctor is glad they chose that way.

I think going through the hospital, and talking with the doctor made them decide.  They also spoke with Bishop Eli, who told them that either way was all right especially seeing the baby was so small and might need medical attention.  It makes us all feel better.

Now we wait to see when the baby is coming.  Anna still says October.

We are also talking with Bishop Joseph and Bishop Eli to see if we can get one to tell about their lives.  I assume you mean their Bishop activities and jobs.  Bishop Eli says it is hard to do  because no two days are alike - Bishop Joseph agrees.  So we are still working on.

Why so some Amish build houses and don't but siding on them?  That is a good question especially seeing that aside from farming, I put siding on our houses.  Our house has it.  Jean and David's house has it.  Michael's Grandmother's house now has it.

Some, I have found, don't put it on because after all the expenses of building the house can't afford it.  Being Amish, if they can't afford it, they don't buy it.  The Swartzentruber are the Amish group that don't have siding on the most.  Sometimes, they feel, if the insulation is on the house, what do they need siding for.  It is a wasted expense.

One Swartzentruber family called for me for a price on putting it put on their house.  I gave them a price.  He wanted to think on it.  His wife was not happy and as we say: When Mama's not happy, no body's happy.  She wanted that siding on.  Finally he decided to put the siding on.  Well, he got the house partly done - then chores came, plowing, etc. and the job didn't get finished.  I hadn't heard from him in over a year until one day I got a call and he wanted to know soon I could get over to finish putting the siding on.  I had other jobs ahead of him, but when I finally got over there, he said he needed peace in his house.  Wife very upset because he didn't get that siding on.  I told him, I would make peace in his house and finish the job, which I did.  He and his wife walked around the house when I was done.  She said to her husband, you should have done this years ago.  When her husband gave me the check, he said finally he had peace.

That Swartzentruber customer got me a few more customers.  Men saw his house and wanted to know who did it. Women see that on the  house and want it on theirs.  Even now, every once in a while, I get a call from their group for the siding on a house.

Why is it acceptable for Amish to drink alcohol?  I didn't know it was..  We do not go into drinking establishments (bars) or order them a dinner in a restaurant.  I know many of the Amish young folk drink when they are on their rumspringa, I know I did when I was on mine, but I stopped before I got baptized.  Which leads to alcohol is allowed to use in some medicines, if necessary.  We also use wine for the blood of Christ in our church for Communion.  Each person only gets a small bit.

I also can not said say that there aren't some Amish that are alcoholic.  It is rare and as far as I know, I don't anyone, but I have heard of some people having that problem.  Of course, it is something that could be kept behind close doors or as we say in the barn.

As far as having wine in our office for an evening drink.  No.  For it to be served for a special occasion. No,  As a gift to someone.  No.

Are Amish allowed to smoke?  No.  But some of the old folks still do.  Back before it was found out how dangerous cigars and cigarettes and chew tobacco were and pipes weren't not allowed, but let's say put up with.  It was considered a waste of money that could be put to a better use, but people were ordered to stop - at least in our group.  Now, we see, it is not only a waste of money, but can cause cancer besides, it is not encouraged.  If your are seen smoking you are encouraged to stop.  But, I know my Father will go out behind the barn and have a cigar especially if he and my Mother had a strong disagreement.  He says in calms the nerves.  He doesn't do it daily or even monthly, but I know he does it.  You can smell the smoke and what he doesn't realize is so can my Mother.

Keep those questions coming in.

Trust God's Wisdom,
Elmer

THIS AND THAT PICTURES

This and That are pictures that I have only one picture of that don't fit into a post. but I want you to see.  First is an old gas pump I found standing along side the road.  Picture two is a wagon for hauling - I think.  Third is the picture of the bunny I saw along side the road.  Someone hawked at me and it took off, but the only bunny picture I have this year.Next is Harvey - the St. Bernard.  He knows how to open the doors at his house, so he lets himself out sometimes.  His owners are not to happy about that.  I was sitting on my porch chair and this bird flew up to eat some of the flower seeds.  He must not be afraid of humans.

GOD'S CREATURES - BLUE JAY BIRDS

Finally able to get good pictures of the Blue Jays.  I have been trying for these pictures for over a year.  I was so excited when I got them.  Picture 10 is of Jimmy, the problem that kept me from getting previous pictures.  The birds see Jimmy coming and they fly off so he doesn't catch them.

OLD BRIDGE BEING REMOVED

Sorry, I moved the Blue Jay's out for this bridge being moved that happened yesterday.  Also, there taking pictures was Tom The Backroads Traveler who I hadn't seen in a few years.  We chatted and took pictures while this was going on.

This bridge was to have been removed and replaced years ago.  It hadn't gotten done.  Bridge is on Canandaigua Road and covers the Erie Canal.  Today was the day the bridge was to be removed.  It was a slow process, but was really interesting to see.  There were people all around watching the process.  We heard that the old bridge was going to be broken into pieces and hauled away and we also heard part of it was being a walkway somewhere.  So I don't know which one.

They are suppose to build a new bridge here in the spring.  We shall see.

Just a little information that has nothing to do with this bridge: the NEW YORK METS are going to the WORLD SERIES !!!!

JEAN'S PUMPKIN BARS WITH CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

JEAN'S PUMPKIN BARS

4 eggs
2 cups brown sugar
2 cups pumpkin
3/4 cup melted butter
2 cups unsifted flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 cup chopped nuts (if desired)

Butter and flour a 15x10x1" jelly roll pan.  Mix eggs, sugar, pumpkin and butter.  Sift together flour, baking powder, soda and cinnamon.  Add to butter.  Stir in nuts; pour into pan.  Bake 25 minutes at 325 degrees.  \\

CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

1 3 ox pkg. cream cheese, softened
6 Tbsp or 3/4 stick butter, softened
1 tsp vanilla
1 Tbsp cream
3 cups confectioners sugar

Combine all ingredients; beat and spread on cooled bars.

JEAN TELLS OF FAMILY CELEBRATIONS

On Friday, October 16th, Thomas, legally became our son.  It was very emotional.  At the adoption was Bishop Joseph and Martha, Elmer and Anna, the lady Thomas is marrying with her parents, Michael, Edward, Katie, Susan, David Jr,. David and myself..  I think I have everyone.

Thomas had been so worried that the adoption wouldn't go through.  He worried for some reason we wouldn't be able to adopt him.  So Bishop Joseph and Martha said if anything came up and we couldn't, they would.  Elmer and Anna also said that if something happened that we couldn't adopt him and Bishop Joseph and Martha couldn't - they would adopt him.  So although the papers say that Thomas is David and mine's son, we think he has three sets of parents, now.

When the papers went through, Thomas kept asking if we were really his parents now  The judge kept saying yes.  Thomas asked if he really had parents now.  Judge said yes.  I thought he was going to squeeze David and I to bits, he held us so hard.  He kept saying, I really have parents now.  Real parents.

We have always felt that when Michael, Edward, Thomas and Katie crossed our door, they were members of our family.  It didn't matter whether we had adoption paper or not - they were ours.  But, Michael, Edward and Katie had natural parents, they remember them.  Michael's parents were not the best, but he had them.  Edward's Grandmother was his parent.  Katie remember's her parents sometimes, as they were killed in an automobile accident.

Thomas was the only one that couldn't remember parents.  All he remembered is going from Foster Home to Foster Home.  People said they would adopt him, but it didn't happen.  He couldn't believe that we were really his parents.  That our last name was his new last name.

Afterwards, with the other boys we always went out to lunch and saw some sight in the city.  Thomas said that the only place he wanted to go was to  take Edward to see his Grandmother's grave and home. He didn't want to have lunch in a restaurant, he didn't want to see anything in the city - he wanted to go home.  So we went to see Edward's Grandmother's grave and Katie's parents grave and home.

On the way home, it hit him that he, Michael and Edward were also legal brothers.  He said, we are all a family now.

At home we had a quick lunch and did our chores.  Dinner time came and we had all Thomas' favorite foods - steak, baked potatoes, cole slaw, string beans, and more.  David gave Thomas the wooden plaque that he has given each adopted child.  It has our family name in the middle and everyone's name on it with family underneath.  Thomas was really emotional over it.

In the evening Bishop Joseph and family, Elmer and Anna, Thomas' lady and her parents, my parents, David's parents, Grandfather Albert and Grandmother Olive had cake and ice cream with us.  Thomas thanked us all especially David and I for adopting him.  Then on a lighter note, he added they can get married now.  They have been planning on getting married in December, which we have been working on for a while.

My parents had a party on Saturday for Grandfather Albert and Grandmother Olive's 65 wedding anniversary at their house.  We all tried to keep it a secret and did pretty good until we had to go to their house.  Grandmother wanted to know why we had to go in the evening.  We finally talked them into it.

When Grandfather and Grandmother walked in, a lot of people said surprise.  Grandmother Olive asked surprise for what.  My Father told her for their 65 wedding anniversary.  Grandmother Olive didn't know what to say.  Grandfather Albert said it was one of the few times Grandmother didn't know what to say.

There were about 100 people there.  I won't list them all, but Elmer and Anna, Bishop Joseph and Martha, Bishop Eli, his wife and his parents, our family, friends of Grandfather and Grandmother and more.  After we all got settled, Bishop Joseph welcomed everyone and gave a brief prayer.  He spoke about how not many husband's and wives are together for that long.  One usually goes to be with the Lord before they reach being married that long.  He told some of the things mygrand parents had done in their life time - good times and bad.  He also said we are so happy that we all could be here today to celebrate.  Then he turned over to Bishop Eli would gave a prayer.

We then had cake and ice cream.  Also, most of the people brought them gifts, so they opened them.  Most of the evening was spent chatting.  Before we left Grandfather Albert got up and said a few words.  He is a man of few words.  He thanked us all for coming.  Said that looking back, time has passed so fast.  It doesn't seem they have been married that many years and the Lord couldn't have given him a better woman to go through it with. He asked us to sing hymns. When it was getting near leaving time, he asked Bishop Joseph to pray for them, which he did.

By the time we got everything backed and got home, it was almost 11:00 PM and we had to get up for chores in the morning.  After chores, we went to service (church).

So we have been celebrating this week.

Be With God,
Jean