Jesus is the Reason for the Season

Season's Greetings! May this post find all of you well. I hope you have enjoyed a wonderful Christmas with your families.

Our children woke up Christmas morning to quite a shock. They all enjoyed their gifts, and the little kids are still working on their stocking goodies.

Getting to church today proved to be a little difficult. In addition to the snow showers we are having, the heavy windchill makes things even colder. But the Bontragers had their garage heated up and thankfully the ministers kept us all awake. I think they must have been cold too, as they didn't seem to go as long as they sometimes do. Of course most of the ministers preached of the birth of our Savior and the true meaning of Christmas.

Afterwards at the meal, it was good to finish passing around some of the Christmas cards I still had, and greet friends and neighbors. And we had a real treat when the host family announced the young singles would be doing a short singing for us. Normally the young singles do their singings on Sunday nights. But since it is a holiday weekend, the family talked the singles into singing during the meal instead.

They sang a few of the hymns from the Schwartz's Song Book and some Christmas Carols as well. It was really nice to hear celebrations in song, as Jesus is the reason for the season.

God Bless,
Rebekah

Shh...

Well, it's that time of year when everyone seems to be bustling about for holiday preparations. Bunny had a crew at her house yesterday in the forenoon. They were hanging twinkle lights all around. The children like to look at her twinkle lights from the upstairs bedroom window. Lora Lee says it looks like Angel kisses, and Esther Sue says they look like stars dancing on Bunny's roof.

Jacob and I have finally decided what to get the children for Christmas this year. Here is the plan:

Jr & John Levi - New fishing poles. They have had the same ones since they started school, and Jacob says Lehman-Chucky told him about a good deal on poles at a shop over in Goshen.

Ruth Ann - being 12, Ruth Ann said she just wants some new dresses. I've already sewn her a new one for church, but the big surprise will be that I am buying her a handbag too. I found a nice black one over at the WalMarts and there is a cute black wallet with an embroidered flower on the clasp that I think she will like.

David Jay - We are getting him a basketball. He is always out playing with the neighbor boys and for his birthday last year, Jacob put up a basketball hoop out on the back of the garage. So, now he won't have to use his brother's old ball.

Jed & Malon - are both going to get their own pocket knives. They don't have one yet, and that is about the age the other boys got their first pocket knife. Jake says Varns & Hoover has some really nice ones the boys would love.

Sarah Jo, Esther, Lora Lee, and Gracie - are each getting a new baby doll to play with. They will also each get a new church dress as well, and I am just about done with the last one.

Oh, and the boys are all getting a new knit cap too. So, this Saturday, I will use some of the egg money I've been keeping in the coffee can for Christmas and Jake and I will go into town and do our shopping.

I know not all Amish families do this, but we have the children bring their socks out by the wood stove Christmas eve and Jake and I fill them with treats. Each of the children usually get a candy cane, an orange, a chocolate bar and a package of nuts. They just love it.

I know it is a little vain, but I am so excited, I can't wait!


God Bless,
Rebekah

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