Raining and Pouring

It has been raining here the last several days. On Friday Lora Lee continued to stand by the window watching the rain come down. Finally, she asked me, "Where are the cats and dogs?" I said, "What do you mean?" She replied, "Dawdy said it was raining cats and dogs, but I don't see any." I had a good laugh over that before I could explain that her grandpa just meant it was raining and pouring.

God Bless,
Rebekah

The Flop

I don't know what happened, but I made rolls for supper last night, and they flopped. All of them. They didn't rise like they were supposed to. We ended up eating some, even though they felt heavy. I think I will cube the rest and perhaps use them for dressing later this week.

What have you made that flopped?

God Bless,
Rebekah

Husband-Wife Names

Some of you have asked a question about the way I have referred to some of my neighbor women by name. I will do my best to explain how we do.

The Amish many times will place the husband's first name in front of the wife's to distinguish which woman by that name to whom she is referring. This is common, because many Amish stick with the same old fashioned family names or biblical names and therefore share the same names.

Some people might think "why not just use the last name?" Well, many last names are the same as well. If the last name isn't as common than it would be fine to say Rebecca Stutzman to differentiate from Rebecca Stuckey. The number one last name where I grew up was Miller, followed by other common sir names such as Yoder, Troyer, Kauffman, etc. A man I know named Sam Miller was one of at least twenty Sam Millers in the county. I also know two Ernie Lambrights and two Lorene Millers in the same extended family.

So, for example, if there is more than one Rebekah/Rebecca, and I wanted to tell you about the one that is married to John and not Marvin, I would say, John-Rebecca came to help me quilt today. Then you would know which Rebecca I am talking about.

Hope this helps.

God Bless,
Rebekah

The Chiropractor and Leopard Pants

I had an appointment with my chiropractor this morning. Bunny offered to drive, but told me she wouldn't accept any payment. I figured like someone said before, she needs to feel needed. I told her yes, but only if I could do something in return. She said she would think about it.

Johnny-Sue took my little ones to tend, and off we went. Bunny promised she wouldn't drive too fast, but I think I still gripped the handle of door just as tightly as ever. She has a red sports car, and it felt like we were just a flying down the roads.

She dropped me off at the chiropractor while Bunny went to do a little shopping. When she picked me up, I noticed her back seat was full of lots of shopping bags. I asked her if it was someone's birthday. I had never seen one woman with so many bags. Bunny said it was her reward for putting up with 'The Man'. I daren't ask too many questions, but I will say that her husband is very dedicated to his job as he is rarely home.

Of everything she managed to purchase, Bunny was most excited to show me a pair of what she claimed were pants. I didn't know what to say, as first of all they looked like they were made for a small child, and second of all, they were leopard print. 'Fore I knew it I exclaimed, "People actually wear those?" Bunny laughed before tossing them back in the bag.

I thanked Bunny for driving me today. I feel so much better after my visit to Dr. Troyer.

God Bless,
Rebekah

A Golden Deed

Was able to work a little in my garden this morning. We've had so much rain I can't believe how fast the weeds are coming in. I just hope this means the vegetables will be nice and big this year too. It's been a lovely day so far, and this song has been stuck in my head all day...

Each day I'll do a golden deed
By helping those who are in need;
My life on earth is but a span
And so I'll do the best I can.

Life's evening sun is sinking low,
A few more days, and I must go
To meet the deeds that I have done,
Where there will be no setting sun.
To be a child of God each day
My light must shine along the way;
I'll sing His praise while ages roll
And strive to help some troubled soul.

This song always makes me want to do something nice for someone. I think I am going to take some daffodils over to Bunny today. I've also made some Shoo-Fly pies to go along with supper tonight. Maybe I'll take along one of those too.

God Bless,
Rebekah

Wash Day and Trades

Today is wash day. I know I shouldn't complain, but my back isn't what it used to be.

Wonder if Bunny would consider a trade... washing our clothes in her big fancy machines for a week's worth of homemade bread and apple butter.

Of course Bunny would probably just have her housekeeper, Flor do all of the work. Then I'd feel bad. Once I asked Bunny if she thought she overworked Flor. She sort of whispered, "that's what illegals like to do." I don't really know what that means, but somehow I don't think it was a compliment.

Sometimes I feel sorry for Bunny. She has no work to keep her busy. I suppose I am grateful I can still do the washing, in spite of my bad back.

God Bless,
Rebekah

Snitz Pie

Some of you have requested my Snitz Pie recipe. These are both good recipes. I prefer the second one because I think lends a little more flavor. Try them and see which one suits you best.

Aunt Clara's Snitz Pie

1 qt. dried apple slices
1 1/4 cup sugar
1/8 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
Double Pie Crust

Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Cover dried apples with water and soak overnight. Cook apples in water over low heat until soft. Mash apples along with the juice they were cooked in. Add sugar, salt, and cinnamon. Put in unbaked pie crust and add top crust. Bake at 425 degrees for 15 minutes, then at 375 degrees for 35 minutes or until done.


Mommie's Sunday Snitz Pie

3 c Dried apples
2 1/4 c Warm water
1 ts Lemon extract
2/3 c Brown sugar
Double crust, unbaked

Soak apples in the warm water. Cook over low heat until soft. Mash apples and add lemon and sugar. Pour into unbaked pie shell. Cover with top crust. Seal edges. Bake at 425 degrees for 15 minutes; then at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Serve warm.

God Bless,
Rebekah