It snowed enough last evening that we have a nice layer of white on the ground. The children were excited to see it snow.
Eight-year-old Benjamin and 5-year-old Joseph were outside after dark rolling a big ball of snow. They wanted to make a snowman, but the snow was mixed with leaves, making a dirty-looking snowman. Kevin, 2, just stood by the window watching the snowflakes falling. The boys were going through my storage totes digging out their snowpants, mittens and other winter wear. We still don't have enough hooks to hang up all these extra coats. With all the children's coats, we have quite a big collection.
We had a nice Thanksgiving at my sister Susan and Verena's house. They prepared a big turkey stuffed with dressing, mashed potatoes, mixed vegetables, salad, cheese, pickles, tomatoes, sourdough bread roll, cheese ball and crackers, pumpkin roll, pumpkin pie, cake and ice cream. After our meal, we spent the afternoon playing games.
Jacob, Emma and family were there also. We had an enjoyable day there together. Let us remember to thank our Heavenly Father for all he does for us not only on Thanksgiving Day, but every day.
Joe has been trying his luck at deer hunting lately. On Saturday morning, when Joe was back in the neighbor's woods hunting, we saw 14 deer running out of the trees and into our hayfield. We were wondering if Joe had seen them. But it wasn't long before Joe came out and said he shot a deer. We had some pretty excited children. The girls hitched our pony Stormy to the two-wheel cart and Joe and Elizabeth drove to the woods to bring the deer back. Now this afternoon when Joe gets home from work, we want to cut up the meat.
We are guessing that we'll be able to get around 65 to 75 pounds of meat from the deer. We need to have about 20 pounds ready for tonight for a man who will make deer sausage out of it for us.
Sometime soon we are going to go over to an Amish friend's house to see how she cans deer meat and makes bologna out of it. It sounds like you can just shake it out of the can and heat it and slice it. If I have enough meat leftover, I'd like to have some steaks and then try my luck making deer jerky. I'll let you know how it all turns out.
Benjamin likes to go back in the woods with Joe to help watch for deer. He told Joe not to shoot the little "Bambis," though.
The men are here working on getting the old house ready to move again. It might be able to be moved today yet. It is interesting to see how they go about moving it. It is sitting on skids in our yard.
For those looking for a good cookie to make for the upcoming holidays, try this one.
Ginger Cookies
3/4 c. butter, softened
1 c. granulated sugar
1 egg
1/4 c. blackstrap molasses
2 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
1 t. ground ginger
1 t. ground cloves
1 t. ground cinnamon
1 1/2 t. baking soda
Extra granulated sugar
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a mixing bowl, beat together butter and one cup sugar until creamy. Add egg and molasses; beat until combined. Add the remaining ingredients and mix until well combined. Roll dough into one-inch balls and roll in the extra granulated sugar. Place balls on ungreased baking sheet. Bake for five to seven minutes until barely turning brown. Allow to cool for one minute on baking sheet and then remove to wire racks to cool completely.
Lovina Eicher is Old Order Amish. She hand-writes this column from her home in southern Michigan. Anyone with cultural or cooking questions can send them to: Lovina Eicher, The Amish Cook, P.O. Box 2144, Middletown, OH 45042. Read all of her columns online at www.record-eagle.com/amishcook.
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