JEAN'S POST

This is a busy time right now.  As usual we are taking care of the animals, growing crops in the field, taking care of the food storage and getting Tom an Ruth's house up.  The outside of the house was done in a day with all our friends and relatives working.  It's the inside they are working on now.  We work on the inside when we can.  Thomas and Ruth are still in Edward's house.  We have our roadside stand up again this year.  David said that no woman is to go down to the stand alone.  If two or more can't go, then stay home and let people put their money in the jar.  He is still concerned about what happened to those Amish girls a few years back.  He says we are more important to him than
crops, flowers, canned goods or baked goods.

Margaret is coming more comfortable in our home.  We had a hard time getting her with the folks her age until we had a young folks get together at our house.  It was on a Saturday night and the folks were from age 16 and older.  We had a soft ball game and volley ball game for them to play, after which we had food and soft drinks for them to eat.

At first, Margaret just set up the tables and put out the food.  We figured at least she was doing something among the people.  A man about her age, came up to her and started talking.  It seems he was a  Foster Child that had recently moved into a home in our area. Another man brought him to the party so he could meet more Mennonite men and ladies in the area.  I told Margaret she could stop setting things out and go talk with this gentleman, but she didn't at first.  She ate with Michael and Edward and the ladies they had sitting with them.  I don't think the fellows were two happy but they didn't say anything.

At prayer and singing time, the ladies sit together and the men sit together.  After prayer and singing some of the folks decided on one last game of volley ball before they went home.  I noticed that Margaret and her friend were together on the same side of the team.  She is good at that game.  She really hit those balls.  Scored a few points for her team.

Margaret went to the last folks group.  Her gentleman friend brought her home in his buggy.  We are so glad to see her out meeting people.

School starts soons.  Our schools start in August, but they get  out in May.  Some of the boys have to take off in the fall to help with fall harvest.  David,  our youngest, starts school this year.  He does not want to go.  Sees no reason for it.  Working the farm is all he needs to know.  We are trying to change his mind.  Either way his mind goes - he still has to go to school.

Be With God,
Jean

AMISH LAMB FARM

Looked to see if I had any pictures and I do have a few.  These pictures are of an Amish lamb farm that I took last May.   Will probably have pictures now and them when I can until I get better and get out to take pictures.

MARILYN SPEAKS

Just want you to know that I have been in the hospital for the last month and a half.  Just got home from the hospital today.  That is why I haven't been on New York State of Mind.

Put the above picture on, just because I like that picture.  Hope to be having more pictures on soon.

Marilyn

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND - ANTIQUE AUTO SHOW

Went to get groceries during Memorial Day Weekend and found this antique car show in a section of the parking lot.  These are just some of the cars.  Will have more on later.

JEAN'S MANDARIN SALAD

JEAN'S MANDARIN SALAD

1/4 cup sliced almonds
1 tbsp plus 1 tsp sugar
1/4 head lettuce
1/4 head Romaine lettuce
1 cup chopped celery
2 green onions with tops, chopped
11 oz drained mandarin oranges
Sweet-Sour Dressing

Cook almonds and sugar over low heat, stirring constantly until sugar is melted and almonds are coated.  Cool and break apart, store at room temperature.  Place all lettuce, celery and onions in plastic bag.  Pour Sweet Sout Dressing into bag, add oranges.  Close bag and shake until salad greens and orange segments are well coated.  Add almonds and shake.

SWEET-SOUR DRESSING FOR MANDARIN SALAD

1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 tbsp sugar
2 tbsp vinegar
1 tbsp snipped parsley
1/2 tsp salt (opt)
Dash pepper and red pepper

Shake all ingredients in lightly covered jar.  Refrigerate.  Use with Mandarin Salad.

NOTE: Do Ahead Tip: Before dressing is added, bag of salad greens can be closed tightly and refrigerated up to 24 hours.

BARNS - AGAIN !!

Did some driving around in Amish and Old Order Mennonite areas and got a few pictures of barns.

Sorry, I set the timing wrong this morning.

ELMER'S POST

These last minute posts are hard as I can't think as fast as I use to anymore.  The older I get the worse the memory.  Someone else, who shall remain nameless, was going to do this, but either something came up or they forgot, so you are stuck with me.

I guess, I will make Marilyn part of this post.  She said she is glad that May is over.  During that month, she had two friends, pass away.  Her last aunt passed. That month marked her brother's passing, two years ago.  Also, a friend's wife passed away.  They were close friends of hers - like second parents.

The man whose wife passed, had given posts to Amish Stories about driving an Amish Bishop to Pennsylvania after the school shoting back in October 2006.  I asked Marilyn why she never asked him to do more posts.  It's been 11 years since those posts and he has never had one on New York State of Mind.  She never thought of him.  He is not Amish or Old Order Mennonite, but a Englisher Minister.

I have met him and his wife as have David, Jean's husband, and old Order Mennonite Bishop Joseph.  His house is on a lake, and our fire department was called to pump the basement during a storm several years ago.  During conversation, we discovered we all knew Marilyn.  We also found out he knows the Amish Bishop of another area close by.  So manybe Marilyn can talk him into putting a post on here, sometime.

Anna and Marilyn are going to the doctor again this coming Friday, she has a three month appointment.  At this time, Marilyn is losing weight and not dieting. Also, she is very weak at times.  Anna has some questions to ask that doctor, too.  I told them both to take notes, so they will know what to ask when they get there.

Now is plowing and planting season is here.  I think I have most of it done.  Anna is planing her garden.  Also, she is planting flowers.  We are keeping busy.  It is nice to see all the fields that have been at rest this winter, come to life with the plowing.  To plant and start to plant life and food.

Also, now that I stop to think, I think Pierre should do another post.  He hasn't been on in a long time.
I haven't got much to say, so I am going to end it here.

Trust God's Wisdom,
Elmer