NEW YORK STATE OF MIND'S SECOND BIRTHDAY !!!!!

JEAN

It hardly seems that our second year has flown by. It hardly seems we have completed two years. I want to thank you all for coming and reading my posts. Martha's, Elmer's, Anna's, Edward's and more.  All your comments are really appreciated.

It is you that make us keep on going.  We couldn't do it without you reading our posts every day and making your comments.  It is also the many that read, but do not comment.  All of your asking questions, lets us know what you are interested in and what to write in our posts.  Some days it is hard for us to know what to write about.

I special thanks Elmer and Anna for coming.  Especially Elmer for taking over when I decided to cut back on posts.  I thought he would be great here with his sense of humor.  Anna has been great in her many different subject posts.  She seems to know just the right thing to say.

Also, I would like to thank Marilyn for the countless hours she puts into taking pictures, traveling to Amish and Mennonite areas, and places of interest.  She also puts in more countless hours putting the posts together everyday.  As I understand, it is not an easy job to do.

Many of you have donated to Marilyn's gas and camera expenses and we really appreciate.  But if anyone else would like donate you can send to mab112148@yahoo.com  With her birthday and Christmas coming up, don't forget her expenses.  We don't want anyone to give up paying their bills or giving to their church or anything like that, but if you have a little extra, please remember her.  I know she won't like me to say this and doesn't want to put this on, but I will make her.

We look forward to starting our third year.  I hope we have things that you enjoy. Maybe we can get Grandmother Olive to put a post on.

Again, I thank you all for coming to New York State of Mind.

Be With God,
Jean

MARILYN

Well, I can't believe that we have completed our second year on New York State of Mind.  I thank Richard, again, for making this blog and helping with my problems.  I thank Jean, Martha, Elmer, Anna and the many more who put the posts on.  None of them are paid or under any contract.  They do it because they want to and I greatly appreciate each and every one of them.

I also thank you all that come and read the posts.  Both Jean and I really appreciate it along with your comments and questions.  It gives us both ideas of your interests so we know what to put on.  As Jean said, sometimes I don't know what to put on.  I try to put on things that I think will interest you.

Also want to thank those of you that have contributed posts, food pictures, pet pictures, Amish pictures and more.  I greatly appreciate all that you have given me.  Everyone is greatly appreciated and I enjoy putting them on.

I do appreciate all the money that you have contributed not only for the camera, but for my gas,  It was so very kind of you and appreciated.  You are wonderful people.  I never expected anything like that.  You are so kind.

I thank not only those in the United States, but those in the whole world for your coming.  I try to put on things that I think will interest you.  Some of choices have been good and some not so good.  I am doing better this year than last as I don't believe I had to remove a post this year.

I am writing this on Saturday night, so the facts might be higher on Tuesday, but here is some general information you might enjoy.  This will be post 574 that has been on since we were founded.  We have 49 members, but lots more read and leave comments.  Our total page viewers as I write are 640,880 (we had 84,092 last year).  In the month of September we had 87,986 (we had 10,111 last year).  We have 2,000 to 3,000 page viewers a day.  We have even hit 4,000 a day.  The posts that had the most viewers this year were:Palmyra - Four Famous Churches ( Jan 12, 2014), Gorham Fire Department (May 10, 2013), Maybe These Will Cool You (July 20, 2013), The Walls Come A Tumbling Down (July 21, 2013) and Amish , Mennonite and Englisher Roadside Stands (September 27, 1213).  I can't believe how much larger we got in the last year.

You are the reason that I do this.  I hope to have some new and different posts this coming year.  Things that I hope interest you.  As Jean said, maybe we can get Grandmother Olive to do a post in the coming year.

While I have your attention there are a couple of things we would like to mention.  We hope everyone would like the Christmas Recipes back.  Jean wants to get these started NOW.  So if you are looking for a special recipe, please let us know.  The last two Christmas' we did these in just a few days.  We don't want to do that this year.  So if you are looking for a special recipe, please let us know as soon as possible.

Today I will be on and off the computer as my boss has to go some place today and I will be the boss today.  My job is from 9 AM until 1 PM.  Then I am scheduled (if I am not too tired) to go on a cruise down the Erie Canal today with a group of people from our apartments.  I have wanted to do this my whole life and now I have the chance.  It is from 2:30 to 5:30 PM.  So, as I said, I will be on and off until I get home from the cruise.   It is suppose to rain today, but I hope it doesn't during the cruise because I would like to get some pictures to put on here.

I went by Dutchland Foods Grocery Store in Marion, New York today (Saturday) and it still isn't open yet.  They have flowers in the windows so I assume they will be opening soon.  I will keep an eye on it.  Hope they let me take pictures inside.

Ann will be on Thursday this week as we have taken her day with our Birthday.

Thank you all, again, for coming - you make New York State of Mind what it is today. It is hard to believe we have completed two years.  We are now starting number three.  I hope to have posts ahead that will interest you and keep you coming.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, NEW YORK STATE OF MIND,
Marilyn

ELMER IS BACK TO ANSWER SOME OF YOUR QUESTIONS

Someone asked about me and the cell phone I have when Bishop Eli spoke to me at this house.  Could the people have spoken to me rather than the Bishop?  Yes, and some did including Anna, but I did not heed my mistake.  Do we have rule as to when the Bishop must be informed.  Yes, we do.  If I had stopped using the cell phone so much, when people spoke to me.  What was the final wrong I did was when they were building our house.  We ran short of something and rather than going to the shanty phone, I took out my cell and called the store.  When I looked up, there were about twenty people staring at me including Bishop Eli.  Bishop Eli did not say anything at that time.  He waited until our house was done and invited us for dinner when he spoke to Anna and myself. I have learned from my lesson.  Bishop Eli was kind, but firm.  Another problem with some of the people is that Eli and I are close friends.  They sometimes feel that Bishop Eli would be easier on me doing something wrong that he would someone else, which is not true.  He told me that it was very hard to speak me about the phone and hope that it would not hurt our friendship.  I told him it would not hurt our friendship and it didn't.  Even though he is my friend, he has to treat me as anyone else.  As Bishop he must treat everyone alike when it comes to church and religion.

Do we have dogs?  Yes, we do,  We have Basset Hounds that we raise and sometimes sell.  Right now, we have two females and one male.   We have one spayed female named Belle, the other is Sandy (she is sandy color and white) and our male is Duke. Once a year I mate Sandy and Duke, then try to sell the puppies.  Usually I do.  One year when Belle and Duke mated, I couldn't sell the puppies so I was going to take them to the Humane Society.  On the way there, I passed the school as the children were getting out.  My puppies never made the Humane Society.  Every once in a while I see one of Belle and Duke's puppies all grown up now.   So I learned if we don't sell them, to take them to one of the local Amish or Old Order Mennonite Schools - as all of them find a home in one of the students home. All the children want them.  I never had a parent send one back.

Usually, we do not bring the dogs into our home.  They sleep in the barn unless it is going ot be really cold outside.   Then Anna convinces me we should bring them in.

We also have lots of barn cats in our barn.  Most of them were strays or someone left them out near where we live.  They seem to find us.  We try to get them fixed, but sometimes they are with kittens when we get them.  At our barn, they are feed  and taken care of.  We and our grandchildren play with them.  We feel that all animals are gifts from God and it is our job to take care of them and treat them well.

How do we feel about permits and whatever we need to build the house, barns, etc. ?  I wish they didn't have them.  But as long as everyone has to go through it, we go along with it.  If it were just for the Amish, then I would be upset, but seeing it is for everyone we must go along.  Although we did forget to get one for the greenhouse.  When we went to get them for Hannah and her husband's house, and barn, we told them.  The building inspector came out and looked at the greenhouse and we went back with him and got the permit.  He explained that usually people are fined for not getting a permit when we put it up, but he knew it was a mistake on our part and with all the permits we were getting for the two houses, and barns, it was easy to forget.  So he just charged us for the permit, which we thought was nice considering we were in the wrong.

When we had 300 cattle we tried to raise food for them, but we always ran out before the next crop, so we had to go buy some.  We hope with our smaller amount of cows, we will be able to raise enough.

We sell our calves either on our farm or at auction.  Many times when our calves are born word gets around.  By the time they are selling age, we have someone who wants to buy one.  If that doesn't happen, then we take it to the local animal auction and sell it.  Of course, sometimes we keep one.

In our house, we have only one wood burning stove.  We also have propane and wood burning heater.  We try to use the stove as long as we can.  But when it gets colder, we use the wood burning.  When it gets really cold, we turn on the propane.

Right now we have enough wood for the winter from what we cut down for our house, barn and to clear land for farming.  We will not be able to do this next year as we don't have that many trees left and what we do have left we want for shade in our yard for summers.  So after this winter, we will have to buy it either from  Amish or Old Order Mennonite people that sell or at a commercial store.

Either Anna or I go to meat locker about once a week.  During the Thanksgiving, Christmas Season more often and others time less.  But usually, we go once a week.

Yes, as Amish and Old Order Mennonites that do not have electric move into this area, Jean and David could run out of room.  But, if that did happen, there is room for them to add on their barn.  They have put some money aside from the money they are taking there now, just in case that happens.  Right now, they have a lot of room, but they want to be prepared, in case they have to add on in the future.

I know I have more questions to answer, but I will answer them in a future post.  Please keep them coming.

Anna will post and tell you about our Thanksgiving and Christmas as they get closer.  I told her, we don't have that far off.

Also, Anna and I have both agreed to give up our posts if Grandmother Olive would like to put on a post or several posts at anytime.  We hope that might encourage her.

Michael is already planning for his and my birthday on October 31st.  Jean and David invited Anna and I to their house for dinner that evening.  I guess Michael is planning ahead.

It hasn't been announced at church, but John told Anna and I and Sarah's parents that they are getting married on November 14th, which is a Friday.  They want to get married on Anna and mine's wedding anniversary.  Usually Amish get married on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, but our anniversary is on a Friday, so they will get married on a Friday at Sarah's house.  Anna promises she will tell you about the wedding, when it happens.  I guess we know where we will be on our 30th anniversary.  Anna and I do think it such an honor that our son wants to get married on our anniversary.

I know that tomorrow is a special day  for New York State of Mind.  Anna and I wish NYSOM the very best.

Guess I have covered everything for now.  If I haven't, I will call and have Marilyn but on what I forgot.

Trust Gods Wisdom,
Elmer

ST. PATRICK CATHOLIC CHURCH, MACEDON, NEW YORK

St. Patrick's Church is one of the newer ones in the area - it was build in the 1950's.  This church is the second Catholic church that was there.  In the top center of the front of the church is a statue of St. Patrick.  One one side is a plaque of the keys and the other side a clover.  The fourth picture is of the side of the church.  Picture six is of the rectory and the last building is their storage building.  It is a beautiful church on the inside.

HORSES AND CHILDREN SHOWING THEM AT WAYNE COUNTY FAIR

First picture is of Fred, I mentioned in the 2013 Memorial Day post.  As we were walking to our cars, he said let's go see the horses, so I followed him.  I am 65 and Fred is 23 years older than I am and I couldn't keep up with him. I had to keep asking him to slow down.  After seeing the horses in the barn, Fred wanted to see the children showing their horses which are pictures 3-11.  It was raining at the time.  The last four pictures are of the inside of the barn.  Fred and I had a good time - we are still talking about that day.

GRABBERS II - FARM

The first post on New York State of Mind is my first Amish post that I had on Amish Stories of the Grabber Family. When Richard founded New York State of Mind, he put that post on here as the first one.  Grabbers were the first Amish I had talked to in this area and the first that allowed me to take pictures of their barn, carriages and house.

Recently I was driving down a road and I saw a sign to the Grabbers having vegetables and maple syrup for sale.  Now I thought I was a long way from the Grabbers I knew.  Either I made a lot of wrong turns or this was a different Grabber Family and I had to check it out.  This was a different Grabber Family.  So I will call them Grabbers II.

This Grabbers farm is much bigger than the first Grabber families.  In addition to raising vegetables, they also make maple syrup.  Picture 9 is the building where they make the maple syrup.  In pictures 10-12 are the horses and flat bed in front of the maple syrup building.  It looks like they are hauling wood to prepare for when they make maple syrup in the winter.

FALL IS HERE FOR 2014 !!!!

Yesterday as the sun was starting to set, I thought I would take some pictures around where I live.  I must say, my favorite is the last picture, I plan on getting that framed and hang it in my apartment.  Fall is finally here !!!!!

GRANDMOTHER OLIVE'S PUMPKIN RECIPES

Someone wanted pumpkin recipes so I thought I would give you some of mine.  When I started cooking many years ago, I used many Old Order Mennonite recipes, but I also used Betty Crocker, too.  These recipes have come from Betty Crocker, but so long ago, I don't know if they are in the current recipe books.  In these recipes you can use fresh or canned pumpkin.  I thought I would start with how cook pumpkin - then I have a recipe. There are two ways to prepare pumpkin, you can boil it or you can bake it.  I will give directions for both.


COOKING PUMPKIN

TO BOIL:
Heat 1 inch salted water (1/2 teaspoon salt to 1 cup water) to boiling.  Cut 1 1/4 pounds pumpkin into 1-inch pieces (about 1 1/2 cups pared) for 8-inch pie or cut 2 pounds pumpkin into 1 inch pieces (about 2 1/2 cups pared) for 9 inch pie.  Add to boiling water.  Cover and heat to boiling. Cook until tender about 30 minutes, drain.  Mash pumpkin until no lumps remain.  1 1/4 or 2 cups mashed cooked pumpkin.

TO BAKE:
Heat oven to 400 degrees.  Cut 1 small pumpkin (about 4 pounds) into halves,  remove seeds and fiber.  Place pumpkin cut sides up in oblong baking dish; pour water (1/4 inch deep) into dish.  Cover and bake until tender, about 1 hour.  Scoop pumpkin from shells, mash until no lumps remain.  About 4 cups mashed cooked pumpkin.

PUMPKIN PIE

8-INCH
Pastry for 8-inch One-Crust Pie
1 egg
1 1/4 cups canned pumpkin or Cooked pumpkin
2/3 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1 1/4 cups evaporated milk

9-INCH
Pastry for 9-inch One-Crust Pie
2 eggs
1 can (16 ounces) pumpkin or 2 cups Cooked Pumpkin
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1 2/3 cups evaporated milk

Heat oven to 425 degrees.  Prepare pastry.  Beat egg(s) slightly with hand beater; beat in remaining ingredients.  Place pastry-lined pie plate on oven rack; pour in pie filling.  Bake 15 minutes.  Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees.  Bake until knife inserted in center comes out clean, 8-inch pie 35 minutes longer, 9-inch pie 45 minutes longer; cool.  Serve with whipped cream.

PUMPKIN COOKIES

1 cup sugar
1 cup canned pumpkin (or cooked pumpkin)
1/2 cup shortening
1 Tablespoon grated orange peel
2 cups all-purpose or whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup chopped nuts
Light Brown Glaze (see below)

Heat oven to 375 degrees.  Mix sugar, pumpkin, shortening, and orange peel.  Stir in flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt.  Stir in raisins and nuts. Drop dough by teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet.  Bake until light brown, 8 to 10 minutes.  Immediately remove from cookie sheet; cool.  Spread with Light Brown Glaze.

To make chocolate chip-pumpkin cookies - Substitute 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips for the raisins.

LIGHT BROWN GLAZE

1/4 cup margarine margarine or butter
2 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 to 2 tablespoons milk

Heat margarine in 1 1/2 quart saucepan over medium heat until delicate brown.  Stir in powdered sugar and vanilla.  Stir in milk until smooth.

I got Betty Crocker on my computer and saw this great recipe for Pumpkin Pancakes.  Grandmother Olive came me her permission to put the receipe on.  Marilyn

PUMPKIN PIE PANCAKES

1 egg, beaten
1 1/4 cups fat-free skim milk
2 cups Bisquick Heart Smart Mix
1/2 cup canned pumpkin or cooked pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix)
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
Real maple syrup, if desired

Into medium bowl, mix all ingredients except syrup until smooth.  Batter will be thick.  Spray griddle with cooking spray, heat over medium-high heat. For each pancake pour about 1/4 cup batter onto hot griddle.  Cook until bubbles form around edges.  Turn pancakes, cook about 3 minutes or until golden brown on bottom.  Serve with maple syrup.

•