AMISH AND OLD ORDER MENNONITE HORSES

                                              ENJOY KENTUCKY DERBY DAY !!!!

JEAN'S TWO YEARS -AMISH STORIES-NEW YORK STATE OF MIND

It is two years ago today that Jean left her first post on Amish Stories - then later to New York State of Mind.  I wanted to do something special, but Jean wouldn't let me, so I am putting on this post.  I put the picture of her old house on as she likes that picture.

She, David and I met by accident-really.  I was driving down their road when I saw their buggy coming out of their driveway.  I thought they would stop at the end where the driveway meets the road, but they didn't.  When I realized they weren't going to stop I went over in the opposite lane and off the road in the ditch just missing a telephone pole.  David and Jean got their buggy out of the road and David came running to my car to see if I was all right.  He saw I was all right but shook up and invited me into their home to calm down.  David stood there to make sure I got the car out and parked it in their driveway.

Over coffee and some of Jean's goodies, I found out that he and Jean were having a strong discussion about something and hadn't paid attention to the end of the driveway.  They decided to continue their trip to the store the next day.  We had a nice discussion and I left assuring them I was all right.

I would go back to their home sometimes as Jean had  a stand out front where she sold vegetables, plants and baked goods.  We would chat and then I would go on my way.  When I met Richard on Amish Stories, he was looking for someone Amish or Mennonite that would share their way of life with us.  After much discussion with Jean, her checking with her Bishop and David-she came on Amish Stories.  When she first came on, it was suppose to be every now and then, but she kept going one week after another. 

Over the years Jean has shared the good times of her life and the not so good times in her life with us.  She has told us about her life, religion, family and more.  Thanking Jean seems so small for all she has contributed.  If it were not for Jean there would be no New York State of Mind because she is the main reason it was started.  When Richard announced he was changing Amish Stories, Jean said she would only give her posts to Richard or myself-so Richard started New York State of Mind for me.

Jean and I have become great friends.  She has fed me at her house.  Kept me overnight when I threw out my back.  Her and David even gave up their bedroom so I would be on the first floor.  At the time I had Rickie, and let him stay in her house.  We have been places together and done things together that I wouldn't get do by myself.  I have been to Old Order Mennonite meetings, and houses.  Met Jean's family, relatives and friends.  Jean is the one that got Martha to tell of her leaving the English world to become Old Order Mennonite.  Her family helped me move from one apartment to the other. She has done much more.

We've been to rummage sales together and just sat and talked.  Two ladies just sitting and chatting over a cup of tea.  There's nothing I can't say to Jean or discuss with Jean and she with me.  She is not only Old Order Mennonite, she is my friend, confident  and sister in the Lord. 



So Jean, I say thank you for all the posts, sharing your life and your families life with us.  Hope we have many more years together doing this on New York State of Mind.  Glad we ran into each other.


Marilyn

If you would like to read Jean's First Post and the last post she had on Amish Stories-please go to Amish Stories as Richard has them near the bottom of the page on the right.  To see first Jean's post on New  York State of Mind you can go to older posts.

SEEING TOMORROW IS KENTUCKY DERBY DAY, I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE AMISH AND MENNONITE HORSES ON TOMORROW.

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MARTHA'S COFFEE CAKE

MARTHA'S COFFEE CAKE

1/2 cup oil
1 c. sugar
1 beaten egg
1 t. soda
1 c. sour cream
1 1/2 c. flour
1 1/2 t. baking powder
1 t. vanilla

Mix oil, sugar and egg.  Add soda to sour cream.  Sift together flour and baking powder. Combine dry ingredients with sour cream and oil, sugar and egg.  Add vanilla.  Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

TOPPING

1/2 c. brown sugar
1/2 c. chopped nuts
2 T. cinnamon

Spread half of batter in ungreased 9"x13" pan.  Top with half of the topping.  Spoon rest of batter on topping: then add remainder of topping.

I don't remember seeing any coffee cake recipes on New York State of Mind and thought I would give the recipe for one.   

Be With the Lord,
Martha

FRIDAY JEAN WILL HAVE BEEN WITH AMISH STORIES AND NEW YORK STATE OF MIND TWO YEARS.  A SPECIAL POST.
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MARTHA ANSWERS COURTING QUESTIONS

When I was on before you asked me some courting questions that I haven't answered, so I thought I would this week.

Boys sometimes ask the girl's father for permission to court her, but usually they don't.  When the boy comes to the house and asks to see the girl or when the parents see them together after meeting, at singing, etc. they are pretty sure they are dating.  Before the boy asks the girl to marry, he asks her parents for permission to marry her. 

When singing the young folks usually start singing religious songs: Amazing Grace, Lord's Prayer, religious songs you might sing.  After the adult leave, they sing many of the modern songs that are on the radio. Usually the last song they sing is a religious one.  I asked Erin and Kevin if anyone yodel and they said if they know how to do it.  It's not a common or popular thing though.

When Joseph and I were courting, I use to think a buggy was a buggy-they are all alike, but I found out that's not so.  Buying a new buggy is like buying a new car.  You can get the plain model or you can load it up with all the options. (See www.Amish Stories.net  Amish Buggy Shop)  It's the same with courting buggies.  You can get the plain model or you can add lots of things on it, like the courting buggy above.  A new buggy costs about $8,000. and you can start adding from there.

When Kevin got courting age, we bought a used one for about $5,000.  A lot of the fancy items are what Kevin added or paid to have put on it-the white stripes, the deer license plate, battery heater, and more.  After Kevin and Bridget married, the courting carriage went to Erin who also added a few things to it.  When we got it, we explained that this is the only courting buggy we are getting and all our boys are using the same one.  If two are courting at the same time (which hasn't happened yet), they will have to share it. 

I can't really tell you the difference between the Mennonite and Amish courting buggies.  They look pretty much the same.  There is a limit to what is allowed on courting buggies.  Some Mennonite and Amish are more stricter than others.  There is also a limit in our household of what Joseph and I will allow the boys to put on that buggy.  We feel that when one of our buggies go out that is not just transportation, but represents our religious ways. 

They do not have insulation in the buggies.  We do have a battery operated heater in our buggies plus we have coverings like blanket or quilts that we take along in the winter.

I hope that this has answered your questions.

Be with the Lord,
Martha


JEAN WILL HAVE BEEN ON AMISH STORIES AND NEW YORK STATE OF MIND TWO YEARS THIS COMING FRIDAY. THERE WILL BE A SPECIAL POST THAT DAY.

DO YOU KNOW DONNA MILLER ?

Would you happen to know Donna Miller?  The picture is of Donna Miller and her husband Michael.  Donna use to write a published newsletter titled Kindred Spirits Journal and was the owner of Kindred Spirits Yahoo Group which I can no longer get on my computer. Donna also wrote a book called: Living Frugally in an Unfrugal World.

Kindred Spirits was her desire to help women understand how God's World is relevant to them today.  I still have some of her Kindred Spirits Journals.  She and I use to talk on the computer, but as sometimes happens things come up, we don't communicate as often as we use to  and when we want to talk again, can't find each other.

Martha and I got talking about savings and control on spending money.  That made me think of the book.  In a few weeks Martha is doing a post on savings when she buys groceries.  In Donna's book are many other ways to save, but I would like her permission before I put them on.

Donna and her husband did live in Prince George, Virgina, I don't know if they still do, but my letter was returned.  I tried all the e-mails and blogs that I had for her and I can't get them either.  It isn't my computer-it's like they don't exist.

So I was wondering if anyone knows how to contact Donna?  If you want you can give Donna my e-mail of lincolnlady1121@yahoo.com and have her contact me or give me her e-mail or blog and I will contact her.   At the time I spoke with Donna, I never thought I would have a blog much less New York State of Mind. 

Any help would be appreciated.
Thank you,
Marilyn

P.S.
If my memory serves me right, I believe Donna's husband was a police officer. 

JEAN'S-GORHAM PUBLIC LIBRARY

This is the front of the Gorham Public Library where Jean and her children go.  This building was originaly a church and was turned into the library.

This is the computer section

I order a lot of Amish and Mennonit novels from my local library-many of them are sent to my library from the Gorham Library so I had to go see what that library looks like.

How many libraries do you know that have a tree in it? 

This is where you check out your books-and this is not all there is.

The original Gorham Post Office.  I don't believe they use it today-they have another one.  I really didn't expect to find the original post office behind the library-but it's neat.  I asked the librarian if she knew Jean and her family -she said they sound familiar.  Jean said that Michael and Edward use it more than the rest of the family does-although they all use it from time to time.  Michael and Edward go there to get books and use the computers. It is a very small, but beautiful library.  I really enjoyed being there and appreciate their allowing me to take pictures. 

 

Marilyn

MARTHA'S LAZY DAY LASAGNE

MARTHA'S LAZY DAY LASAGNE - Serves 4

6 oz lasagne noodles
1/4 tsp dried oregano
2 cups (16 oz) spaghetti sauce with meat (can also add extra cooked hamburger
1 Cup small curd cottage cheese
1 (6 oz) package sliced Mozzarella cheese

Cook noodles in salted water according to directions on box-drain noodles.  Mix oregano with the spaghetti sauce.  Grease 10" x  6"  x 1 1/2" baking dish (or something close) with Crisco.  Layer noodles on bottom, then cottage cheese, then cheese slices, then sauce.  Repeat.  Bake at 375 degrees for about 30 minutes.  A little more is okay.  Let it stand outside oven 10 minutes before cutting and serving. . 

Hope you enjoy it.  I serve this would a tossed salad and garlic or italian bread. 

Be With the Lord,
Martha

JEAN'S LOCAL LIBRARY IS ON FRIDAY .

MONDAY, MARTHA ANSWERS YOUR COURTING QUESTIONS.