THOMAS AND RUTH'S WEDDING BY ANNA

Well, Thomas and Ruth are now married.  Marilyn came to Elmer and my house first because I borrowed a black skirt from our Englisher neighbor that Marilyn could wear with a black blouse.  While she was there, I took Marilyn's measurements so I can make her a blouse and skirt she can wear to Amish or Old Order Mennonite service, wedding, etc.  It will not be exactly Amish style, but not exactly Englisher style.  I want the skirt short enough so she can drive her car wearing it.

We car drove from our house to pick up Bishop Eli and Emma - then went to Jean's house.  Finally decision the wedding and dinner would be held inside the house.  They were afraid that it would rain outside. Jean and I agreed that Marilyn sit next to me so she would be next to someone she knew.  I wasn't needed in the kitchen so we sat in the seats closest to the kitchen - in case I was needed.  Like with either the Old Order Mennonite or us Amish - the men sit on one side of the room - the ladies on the other.

The bride and groom were in one of the bedrooms upstairs with their attendants.  Attendants are two singles girls that the bride chooses and two single men that the groom chooses.  Ruth had two of her close friends.  Thomas had Michael and Edward.  The four attendants are witnesses to the wedding.  Some of their friends that are dating couples bring up the gifts that people bring.  After all the gifts are brought up, the single ladies go in one room and the  single men go into another.

Ruth was dressed in a light blue dress with a white kapp (cap).  Thomas wore a black dress suit with a white shirt.   They will pack both of their clothes away tonight or tomorrow.  These clothes are only worn two times - for their wedding and for their funeral.

When all us adults were seated, we were given a sip of wine and a cookie.  These remind us of John 2:1 -10 where Jesus turns the water into wine.  David, Jean's husband, called the names of all the dating couples as they came down the stairs.  If there was a single fellow that is not dating, they will match him up with a single girl about his age who is not dating.  They remain a couple for the rest of the wedding day. The dating couples sit in another area from the adults.  They are divided with men on one side and ladies on the other.

After the dating couples are seated, the ministers, brides parents and Bishop Joseph go upstairs to speak with the bride and groom.  When they return, the service starts and lasts for about 2 hours and then the wedding vows.  Shortly before the wedding vows two Old Order Mennonite Ladies and myself went into the kitchen so Jean, Ruth's Mother and Grandmother Olive could see and hear Thomas and Ruth's vows. Wedding ends with Bishop Joseph's Blessing, ministers blessings and prayer.

There are no wedding rings, kisses, dancing, etc.  Thomas and Ruth went upstairs while they changed the board seats into tables and seats.  The tables were dressed (plates, silver ware, etc.).  When the ladies were finished dressing the tables, Thomas and Ruth came down and sat at one end of the table with their attendants beside them..  Dinner had to be served in shifts. There were almost 400 people there.

After the dinner, the men started singing and those of us ladies not working in the kitchen sang with them.  The rest of the ladies were cleaning up the table and starting the evening meal.  We sang and chatted until about three o'clock when all us adults and little children went home.

As all we had to show Thomas and Ruth was an Amtrak train picture, Bishop Eli and Emma along with Elmer and myself told what our gift was.  They were very happy - thrilled was more like it  about being able to go to Pinecraft.  We explained that when we can all get together, who is going when.  They thanked us very much.

What happened after we left, you will have to get a post from Thomas and Ruth. Usually, the Bride and Groom spend their first night at their parents house to help clean up the house, the next day.  David said they didn't need the help, but he still wasn't going to let them go over to their house.  So Thomas and Ruth will stay at Jean and David's house while Jean and David sleep over at Thomas and Ruth's house.  Old Order Mennonite single folks especially boys - same as some Amish folks like to go over to the house and disturb the new married couple by making noise, pulling pranks and alike.  David said the surprise will be on the folks because he will come outside not Thomas.  If they young folks come around David and Jean's house - Grandfather Albert and Grandmother Olive can handle them.The next night they switch houses.

It was a Blessed lovely wedding.  We wish them many happy years the Lord's way.  Also we wish them many children and rich crops.

Trust God's Wisdom,
Anna

PALMYRA, NY - PALMYRA HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT

Palmyra, New York Highway Department pictures shows the equipment that keeps our roads open.  In picture six shows the salt for the winter roads.  I took these pictures back in August and forgot I had them until I went though some pictures this morning.  Sure takes a lot to keep our roads together.

ANNA TELLS ABOUT BUGGIES AND THE WEDDING

Marilyn is changing this around a bit this week.  As you can see, I am giving a post on the difference between out buggy and the Old Order Mennonite buggy, today.  Tuesday, will be pictures.  Wednesday either Marilyn, Elmer or myself will do the post on Thomas and Ruth's wedding.  Thursday and Friday will be pictures.

Elmer decided I will be the best telling about buggies this time.  The top picture is of an Amish buggy, like the one Elmer and I have.  People sometimes call in the diamond shape Amish buggy.  The lower one one is more square shape like Jean and David own.

The Amish buggy in the picture is big enough to sit two - maybe three adults in the front seat.  There is a real small seat in the back which can be fold down so we can carry groceries, packages and alike.

The  Old Order Mennonite buggy also sits two maybe three people in the front.  This type buggy can be called a courting buggy as young folks like to get these when they are courting.  Also, they are used for just two people when the children are all grown up and moved out.

Sometimes you will see these buggies longer than in the picture.  When people have a family they usually have the longer model so the adults can be in the front and the children in the back.  Buggies are like Englishers cars, in a way.  Some people drive cars that have seats for two people and some have station wagon cars.  Well, we do that with buggies.

Now these buggies are in our area.  In different areas you will find different shape buggies and colors.  Now near Ovid, New York, the Amish have gray buggies.  Some areas have yellow buggies.  Some buggies don't have tops on them like ours do.  So these pictures are just around where we live.

Well, tomorrow will be Thomas and Ruth's wedding.  Grandmother Olive and Grandfather Albert came in from Pinecraft.  Thomas didn't know they were coming home for his wedding and was surprised to see them.

The day after she got home Grandmother Olive took hold and showed Jean how to run everything like clock work.  Everything is organized.  Everybody knows what they are suppose to do.  Jean, Olive and Thomas went around as to where the wedding should be in the house or in the barn.  The barn has more room, but Thomas insisted that it be in the house.  Jean said there will be too many to fit them in the house.  In the end, Olive told Thomas you can't have everything you want, but you will this time.  The wedding will be in the house, but the dinner will be in the barn.  As us Amish are not having a wedding that day and we along with Bishop Eli and Emma will be guests at the wedding, Eli loaned them our table seats for the day.  So, the wedding will be in the house all set up and they will set up the tables and seats for the dinner in the barn.  Now the only thing we hope is it doesn't rain.  If it does the Lord will work it out.

We are looking forward to the wedding.  I know Jean has worried, but everything will come off just fine.  The wedding is the most important thing - uniting Thomas and Ruth together.

Trust God's Wisdom,
Anna

PIERRE'S "THE BARK" ME AND SANTA CLAUS

Here is my picture with Santa Claus.  As you can see, I was bit afraid of Santa, but I don't think I will be next year.  I wish I had my new harness on instead of the old, but I didn't have my new one when the picture was taken.

Mom says I am taking over the computer.  We still don't have my Birthday party pictures yet, but I will put them on when we get them.

Merry Christmas,
Pierre

AMISH FARM

Here is another Amish Farm that I saw while driving around.  I'm not sure if the horses were on this farm or not, but they fit in.  The background barns are different on the horses.  I have cows on this post, too.  I hope you enjoy this.

PIERRE WILL HAVE A POST ON TOMORROW.

CONTINENTALS - FIFE AND DRUM BAND - CAMEDEN, NY

Continentals are one of the Fife and Drum Bands that was here during the Palmyra Canal Town Days back in September.  They were from Cameden, New York  There fife and drum originated in 1850.

ANNA'S PUMPKIN BREAD

ANNA'S PUMPKIN BREAD

3 1/2 cups flour
2 tsp. baking soda
1 1/2 tsp salt
2 3/4 cups sugar
1 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp cinnamon

Mix all together. Make a hole in the center, clear to the bottom, then add:

1 cup vegetable oil
2/3 cup water
4 beaten eggs
2 cups pumpkin (canned or fresh)
raisins (if desired)
nuts (if desired)

Mix all together until smooth.  Add raisins and nuts if desired.  Bake 1 hour or until done (toothpick comes out clean) at 350 degrees.  Makes 2 loaves (in greased, floured bread pans).  Can freeze, keeps moist for a long time.