SWISS-GERMAN AMISH FARM IN GALEN, NY

This Amish Farm in these pictures is owned by a Swiss-German Amish family.  Some of these people moved to this area from Indiana and Michigan several years ago.  They do not have indoor plumbing, electric or telephones.  As you can see, when I drove by, this man was putting siding on his house in December.  I have more pictures of Amish Farms to put on.

ANOTHER SWISS-GERMAN AMISH FARM IS COMING ON JANUARY 24th.

HAPPY NEW YEAR !! - ANNA'S AMISH PORK AND SAUERKRAUT RECIPE

Pork and Sauerkraut are a German Amish tradition that date back to Germany.  Tradition has that the pork is a sign of well - being, nourishment, progression and good luck.  The sauerkraut is believed to be seen as a sign of longevity, wealth and happiness.  It is said: "may you have as much wealth and happiness as there are shreds of sauerkraut in the pot." 

This meal can be eaten anytime of year, but is tradition to eat on New Year's Day.  There are many different Amish recipes of this Pork and Sauerkraut, but this is the way that Anna prepares it in our home.  Anna serves this with mashed potatoes and applesauce.   

Happy New Years,
Elmer and Anna
Marilyn
Jean and Family
Martha and Family

ANNA'S PORK AND SAUERKRAUT RECIPE

3 to 4 pound pork roast
1 large onion (chopped)
1 teaspoon pepper-or to taste
1 teaspoon salt-or to taste
2 pints sauerkraut
2 quarts water
1/4 cup brown sugar

Rub roast with brown sugar, salt and pepper.  Put meat in roasting pan.  Place sauerkraut and onions around the roast.  Add 2 quarts of water.  Place top on roasting pan and bake in the oven at 325 degrees for 3 hours. 

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.