Busy Day

Picked tomatoes as they were ready. Took the clothes off the line. Ironed more yet. Took the horse up to Mommy's as she has been ill. Cleaned her house and got her supper ready. Planning a candle party for Saturday in the forenoon. Took some butterhorn rolls and a plate of supper over to Bunny. Haven't seen her around much lately. She says "The Man" has been filling his oil lamp elsewhere. She was wearing sunglasses indoors. I thought that was really strange, but I held my tongue.

God Bless,
Rebekah

Iron Woman

Today took the clothes off the line. Ironed and folded. I hate ironing. I know other Amish women who take pride in their ironing. Not me. I hate it. It's a blessing however, that we are dealing with a cold front just now. Otherwise heating the iron on the stove in the middle of the summer is just awful.

In case any of you missed it I hate ironing!

God Bless,
Rebekah

I Think I CAN

Cherries! Everywhere I look, I see cherries! I am up to my elbows in Cherries!

Mommie and my sisters, Josie and Caroline along with my sister-in-law Etta Sue are coming down to help me can today. I think the children and I have picked over 50 lbs of cherries from the trees so far, and that's what actually made it into the pales. That should give about 22 or 23 qts of cherries. Except I think we will probably end up doing about 7 qts of cherry pie filling. I'll ask the girls and see what they want to do, since I always divide them up for each to take a share home.

Speaking of canning, Etta Sue was telling me over the 4th of July weekend that she cans grapefruit. Have you ever heard of that? I'll be... Grapefruit...




God Bless,
Rebekah

July 4th

A few years ago, when the farm was doing much better, Jacob and his brother, Levi, each went and bought a 2 bedroom cottage on Lake Wawasee. The cottages are right next to each other too. Oh sure, when some of the other Amish in our church heard that we bought a cottage, there were several tongues clucking. One man even told Jacob he was becoming too much of the world by purchasing a vacation home. But Jacob isn't one to listen too much to what other people think. Trust me, these are not fancy by any means. They are very basic cottages; like park model homes, but they suit us. We like to go up there each 4th of July with the kids. The kids love swimming and fishing and most of all they love watching the fireworks over the lake.

The first year, it seemed we were the only Amish out there on the lake. But now I've noticed a few more here and there. Last year we decided to do what Levi does and rent out the cottage. Mostly, we just rent it out by word of mouth, and mostly just to other Amish, since we don't keep electric in the cottages. That money, in addition to the money we make from the Flea Market, has been a big blessing to us as it has been enough to make up where the farm has suffered this year. I feel like Jacob and Levi were truly inspired to buy when they did.

There are a few weeks we don't rent out, and the week of the 4th is one of them. We like to keep that open just for our family. The kids have loved it and look forward to it.

This year we got our choring done early and headed to the lake. We had a weenie roast with Levi, Etta-Sue and their five children. Of course they all spent the day in the water as well. After cleaning up supper, we let the kids roast marshmallows while waiting for the fireworks show. They oohed and ahhed and even the little ones managed to stay awake this year.

Even though it was a lot of work, I feel well-rested. I guess it has been a while since Etta-Sue and I got together. We just laughed and laughed. I'm thankful to the Lord for such a wonderful country, such a wonderful family, and for such a wonderful weekend.

I hope you each had a wonderful 4th of July as well.

God Bless,
Rebekah