Plucking Simon

If your husband brings home a Turkey from the shoot, or if you are raising them yourself, here is how to get it ready for your Thanksgiving table.

First, don't be overwhelmed. It really is quite simple. Many people try to dry pluck (like a duck), however you will want to water process like you would for a chicken as plucking out the larger feathers are easier on a warm bird. The only difference between plucking a turkey and a chicken is that a turkey is bigger. I also wear rubber gloves and a full apron when doing this process. Many people don't have a pot large enough for a turkey, but what I use is a big wash tub that I keep out in the back shed. Oh my... I'm starting to get ahead of myself. Okay, here is how to pluck your turkey for your table:

1) fill a large tub or pot with boiling hot water...

2) with gloves on, grab the dead turkey by the ankles and dunk into the tub of scalding hot water.

3) use a big wooden spoon (Jacob actually made me my own wooden paddle for this process) to help saturate all the feathers and keep the bird under water for about 10-15 seconds.

4) Lay the bird on some plastic or a towel and begin plucking by the small handful, being sure to pull WITH the direction they lay on the bird. Be careful not to overdo it, as you don't want to rip the skin.

5) Any "peach fuzz" or tiny pin hairs can just be wiped off after all of the feathers are plucked.

6) Dunk the turkey in cold water to help the bird cool down faster, allowing you to work with it more.


Tips: Sometimes the dye of the larger feathers will remain on the bird after the feathers are gone. This is ok, as you can rinse most of this off with the cold bath anyway. Also, if you are raising turkeys on a farm, etc., whatever you do, do NOT name the turkey(s) first. Sarah Jo has been calling this turkey Simon for quite some time now and heart broken when she saw me give "Simon" a "bath!"

Oh, and if this post made you squeamish, I reckon you daren't ask what I do with the feet or the carunkles! Aye-oh!
God Bless,
Rebekah

Myth: Amish Kids Don't Do Halloween

Most Amish kids probably don't trick-or-treat for Halloween, let alone dress up in a costume. However, I have always let my kids participate. In case I hadn't mentioned it before, my scholars attend public school and not Amish School. Most of the classrooms always have parties. We also have a few English neighbors, such as Bunny that always invite the kids to come and trick-or-treat at their place.

I don't buy costumes or even sew them, but I tell the children each year if they want to come up with a costume, that is just fine by Jacob and me. Mostly, they dress like hobos, or old people, or fat people. They might put a little mud on their face, or some talcum powder in their hair, or stuff a pillow under their shirts. A few times the boys have borrowed a nightdress of mine and usually the girls will dress old, like Mommie. It doesn't really matter, because mostly, they just have fun.

Bunny says living out in the countryside, they don't see too many trick-or-treaters so when my children show up at their door with their empty pillowcases, she usually fills them right up with candy bars, popcorn balls and whatnot.

This year Bunny had on a long red dress and a red cape and some devil ears. It was a good thing she wore the same amount of make up she normally does or else she might have scare't the younger ones.

God Bless,
Rebekah

The Hen Party

I had some little sewing projects and hand crafts that I have wanted to work on, but just haven't had the time lately. I talked to Etta-Sue (my Sister-in-law) and we both agreed that we should schedule a time to get together to devote on our projects. Of course when she said that, I immediately agreed and then we both looked at each other smiling and at the same time said, "Hen Party!"

When Bunny came by this morning, I told her that several of the women would be coming in the forenoon for the Hen Party, and Bunny seemed particularly intrigued. She said she was surprised that Amish women had Hen Parties. I didn't know why she thought it would be odd for Amish women to have a get-together to work on their sewing or other crafts. I told Bunny she was welcome come. She said she could not wait to see what would "go down at an Amish Hen Party" and that she would definitely come! I was quite surprised, actually.

My sisters Caroline and Josie came and they brought Mommie. Of course Etta-Sue was there, and she came along with one of her sisters who is also in our church, JoAnn, and another sister who lives over in Nappannee, Lora. I invited a few of the ladies from church, and though sometimes I don't care for Jonas-Mary's bragging, I invited her and she came. She was actually quite pleasant today. Maybe she is coming around.

Bunny came and chatted with a few of the ladies and finally asked who was getting married. I didn't quite know why she thought someone was getting married, and neither did the other ladies. Bunny finally explained that a Hen Party is what the English sometimes call a "female-adult-only" bachelorette party and it usually involves lots of alcohol and what she called, "naughty games". Boy, did the ladies cackle about that one.

I explained to Bunny, that the term "hen party" just means a party for women only, and that for the Amish, it's usually when we get together to sew or craft or quilt or something. We had another round of cackling and Bunny laughed right along with us.


God Bless,
Rebekah

Apples

Apples.

Caramel Apples.

Baked Apples.

Applesauce.

Apple Butter.

Apple Cider.

Apple Cake.

Apple Cookies.

Oatmeal Apple Cookies.

Apple Dumplings.

Apple Cobbler.

Apple Pie.

Apple Cream Pie.

Sour Cream Apple Pie.

Dutch Apple Pie.

Shoestring Apple Pie.

Apple Pancakes.

Pork and Apple Stew.

Grilled Cheese & Apple Sandwiches.

Apples. That's what we've been up to the last few weeks. How about you? Oh, and the children really like eating the Grilled Cheese and Apple Sandwiches for breakfast or a snack.

It probably isn't very "Amish", but it is so simple and easy, you should try it.

My mom used to make these for our breakfast every Fall.

Grilled Cheese & Apple Sandwiches

Bread

Butter

Swiss Cheese (or any white cheese)

Thin Slices of peeled apples

Cinnamon & Sugar mixture.

For each sandwich: Butter one side of two slices of bread. Place one slice of bread, buttered side down, on hot skillet. Place a slice of cheese on top of bread, followed by a few thin apple slices, and sprinkle with Cinnamon-Sugar. Top with the second slice of bread (Buttered side up). Use spatula to carefully turn sandwich over, grilling both sides until cheese is melted and bread is lightly toasted. Eat warm! Yum!

We have made this with Jack cheese, provolone, farmer cheese and butter cheese. They are all good. I hope you give it a try!

God Bless,
Rebekah

Getting Soft(er)

I have gained about ten more pounds.
If I don't stop I'm going to be fat enough to eat on Thanksgiving!

God Bless,
Rebekah

I've Been Sailing...

... Garage Sailing, that is. Or perhaps it's Garage Saling ...

There is a huge subdivision that has an annual neighborhood garage sale every year over Labor Day weekend. Etta Sue and I happened on it about 8 years ago. Here is what we noticed. This neighborhood is filled with huge homes and people tend to do so much redecorating, they are always getting rid of perfectly good, and "nearly new" items if the items no longer "go with the new decor".

Bunny has been driving the girls & I to this garage sale for the last four years. I think this year she was actually looking forward to it more than other years. Bunny's husband drives a big vehicle. I think she called is an SUB or an SUV or something. It might have been SUB... come to think of it. Big enough to resemble a submarine. Anyway, Bunny said she was thrilled because "the man" was out of town and she would be able to "run his tank all the way to empty". I informed Bunny we would of course pay her for gas like we always have. Bunny refused. She told me and the girls that she was "making the man pay" cuz she is tired of "paying the price for him refueling elsewhere." And then she cackled louder than any hen we've ever heard. I don't know if we really knew what she meant, but we all laughed anyway...she just seemed so funny.

So a week ago Saturday, we drove up to Bonneville Cove, for what Bunny called the "Hoity-Toity-Palooza". Again, I don't really know what she meant, but she was making wise cracks and giggling, so we laughed too.

I found a new set of dinner plates, 4 ice cube trays (that I needed as mine were all cracked), church socks for the boys, nearly new dish towels in a pale sage green, and lots of scrapbooks that were still in the plastic coverings. Etta Sue got a huge rug for the living room floor and lots of baby onesies and sleepers. I think that was her way of saying the next one is on his way!

Bunny met up with us afterwards. As usual, she came back empty-handed and as usual she said she spent most of the day eavesdropping from the "plastic ladies" to get the "latest scoop".

Oh my word, that Bunny is a funny one.

So, did any of you have some good finds this summer?

God Bless,
Rebekah

Tips for Milking

1. Tie the cow to a sturdy post.
2. Clean the teats with warm, soapy water to "bring down" the milk. Dry gently with paper towel.
3. Place bucket underneath the udder.
4. Sit so you can move away quickly if the cow becomes upset.
5. Apply Vaseline to your hands.
6. Wrap your hands around two of the teats.
7. Squeeze the base of the teat.
8. Squeeze down to push out the milk, keeping your grasp at the base. Be gentle but firm.
9. Repeat with your other hand. Most people prefer to alternate (right hand, left hand, right hand, etc.)
10. Continue until the udder on the side that you're milking looks deflated.
11. Move on and repeat process with other two teats.
    

I admit, at first it seems "udder-ly" impossible...(tee hee)...but by and by you'll get the hang of it.


God Bless,
Rebekah