First Michael would thank to thank everyone for the many Happy Birthday’s he received from Amish Stories. They were so kind and he really appreciates them. He couldn’t believe that they came from people not only in the United States, but other countries too. Right now he is wishing for cold weather with snow so he can use some of the items he got for his birthday. We tell him to wait-in Upstate New York he will get his wishes.
Last Tuesday evening I sent Michael down to get something out of the freezer and he came back up and told me the freezer wasn’t working. The freezer was old and you couldn’t get her to keep things cold especially when you opened it to get something out. I went down to the cellar, checked the fuses and light switches and everything seemed all right-so I called David to go down and take a look. He came back up and said the motor was gone but he could put in a new one. The freezer had belonged to either my parents or David’s parents-we can’t remember whose. When they got a new one they gave us the old one. The motor in it was the second new motor.
Also it was a long freezer and if we ever got a new one I wanted an upright one-like a refrigerator. My arms are short and if I want something in the bottom of the long freezer I had to get David or Michael to get it for me as I couldn’t reach inside. After a great discussion David and I decided it was time to get a new freezer-well I decided-David finally went along with me. David said it looks like he wouldn’t be able to get me the Christmas present he wanted. I told him the new freezer could be my Christmas present.
On Wednesday Susan had to go to school, but the public schools that Michael went to were closed. Martha’s Father agreed to take us to look for a freezers so Michael went to Martha’s house to help them do some jobs and play. We told Michael he had to be home when Susan came home. David and I took Baby David and off we went. We went in a couple of places but the upright refrigerators were too small. Finally Martha’s Dad said we were going to Sears. I found the freezer in Sears. David kept trying to talk me into a smaller one, but we need a big one with all of us in our family. While there he also had me to look at the washers and dryers too. I had the feeling he was going to buy me a dryer for Christmas. He wanted to know if I was going to buy a set-which would I buy. I showed him what I would like, but of course, he didn’t buy it. We bought the freezer, but Sears couldn’t deliver it as their trucks were out and they were booked up for deliveries until next week.
We got home at lunch time, Michael was there so I made lunch for everyone. David got on the phone and called people he knew that had a truck to see if they could get the freezer for us. One friend offered to go get it in their horse trailer-but I was hoping David would find someone else. Finally one of the firemen he knew said he would see if his boss would lend him the company truck that had an hydraulic lift on it. The boss agreed so he came over to the house, picked David and I up with Baby David and off we went. Michael agreed to stay home and take of Susan when she came home from school. He said it was his first babysitting job. I also told him we had some relatives coming for Thanksgiving if they got there before we came back (which they did) who went in what bedroom.
Off we went to get the freezer. By the time we came back it was supper time so we stopped at Kentucky Fried Chicken and got chicken, potatoes, and Cole slaw for dinner. When we got home, two of my aunts and uncles were at our house. The men got the new freezer in the basement, but you are not suppose to put food in the new freezer until it has been running 12 hours. After 5 hours I transferred the food from the old freezer to the new one and the men took the old freezer out. David offered to pay the man whose truck we had and the fireman that drove it, but none of them would take money.
Thanksgiving morning the new freezer was up and running just fine. All the food was frozen solid even though I couldn’t wait 12 hours before putting it in. I did lose a few freezer items from the old freezer as they defrosted before I could put them in the new freezer. We went to David’s parents for Thanksgiving Dinner and spent most of the day having a great meal and time together. During conversation my parents asked Michael if he had any problems talking care of Susan. He said she started to cry when she found out we weren’t home, but he took into the basement to play basketball with him. Susan said she wasn’t suppose to go into the basement and he told her when you parents are away you sometimes do things you can’t do when you parents are there.
What we told Susan was not to go down in the basement alone as David has paint, grease, oil, etc. down there. And we don’t want Susan and her and friends going down there-our reason being so Michael and his friends have a place to play without a six year old in the way. Michael needs time to play with young folks his age. We did tell Michael that he could take her down there as long as he kept an eye on her, which he did. Susan couldn’t get a ball in the basket so finally Michael put the ball her hands, lifted her up and let her drop it in. He said Susan was thrilled.
Our company left at 6:30 AM this morning when the van driver came. It is nice to have company. Now we are doing laundry which I will hang up outside. Someone asked if I have an electric washer and yes I do. I hang the clothes outside, but we were thinking of getting a dryer for me to use on rainy days or in the winter. With the cost of the new freezer, it looks like I will have to wait for that dryer.
I promised the recipe for Haystack Supper. I have a couple recipes, but they are all about the same.
Haystack Supper
1 3/4 cup-saltines, crushed
2 cups-cooked rice
3 lbs-hamburger
1 lg-onion, chopped
1 1/2 cups-tomato juice
3/4 cup-water
3 tbsp-taco seasoning mix
seasoned salt-salt and pepper to taste
4 cups – shredded lettuce
3 med-tomatoes diced
1/2 cup-butter
1/2 cup-all purpose flour
4 cups milk
1 lb-American cheese cubed
3 cups-shredded cheddar cheese
1 jar-stuffed olives, drained and sliced
1 bag-Doritos
Divide crackers between un-greased 9X13 baking dishes. Top with rice. In a skillet cook beef and onion until meat is no longer pink; drain. Add tomato juice, water and seasonings. Simmer for 15-20 minutes. Spoon over rice. Sprinkle with lettuce and tomatoes. In a saucepan, melt butter. Stir in flour until smooth. Gradually add milk. Bring to boil, cook and sir for 2 minutes. Reduce heat; stir in American cheese until melted. Pour over tomatoes. Top with cheddar cheese and olives. Serve with chips.
Be With God,
Jean
Good morning everyone and we are back in business after the Walton's Thanksgiving post. I really enjoyed doing that one and i thank everyone for sharing their memories of that show. Richard
I'm not sure about you guys but we almost hit 70 degrees on Monday, and today is supposed to be in the lower 60s but with rain all day. We will be getting more normal temps towards the end of the week and some folks even are mowing their grass myself included ! Richard
Richard – we really enjoyed the Walton's post and look forward to more of your posts like that. i am very glad to hear that Jean has a nice, new freezer – we will be getting one for Christmas as well. we only have an apartment-sized refrigerator so there is no room for long-term food storage – that will be fixed when we get our freezer. we are also getting an apartment-sized washer – we currently do all of our laundry by hand and hang it on the line to dry. having a washer will really help in the winter as we will still be able to line-dry. and during the rest of the year we will continue to wash clothes by hand as we actually enjoy it.anyway – sorry to go on about what we are getting/doing…i just can really appreciate how Jean's new freezer will take a big weight off of her mind and how it will make it easier for her to retrieve food from it. thanks Richard.your friend,kymber
Good Morning, It is a beautiful day here today-so far. It is suppose to be in the 60's today. It's suppose to be in the 40's tomorrow. When I stopped by Jean's over the weekend, the first thing she did is take me down in the basement and show me the new freezer. She has it almost completely full, too. Marilyn
I have one of the upright freezers I love it , Ours is a large capacity there are different sizes you can get ! I hope all the food in the old freezer didnt spoil ! We shop at sears for house hold items and get it delievered saves time for us ! Let the young guys do all the lifting lol !Have a wonderful day !
Jean – Sounds like Michael is turning into a good big brother!!!You all are doing a good job with him :-)Richard – I love the little towm of Lititz, too! One of my favorites! Looking forward to see your pictures ~Sara
Yay- Jean's back!I wish I had a picture of everyone in the company fire truck rumbling into the Sears parking lot!
This is a great blog! Thankful to have come across it on Facebook!
Everything that Jean has to say is so interesting. Michael has really come a long way. He's grown into a loving and responsible person. Vicki
Good Morning Richard! I really enjoyed Jean's post this morning. Sounds like Michael is becoming a great big brother! I always go to Sears to get my appliances. I always end up there anyway. (hehe) I know what it is like having a freezer go out. No fun! It has been really foggy here in Northern California. Hope you have a great day. Hi Marylin! tell Jean thank you for the recipe. God Bless all ~ Lissa
Maybe Santa will bring Jean the dryer.Thanks for the Haystack Supper recipe. It looks very good and I will definitely make it when I return home to Anchorage.Right now I am in Brick NJ enjoying much warmer temperatures and no snow or ice! Thankfully. It is nice to get a break from the cold weather. My siblings and I have planned a surprise party for our mom's 80th birthday. The party will take place on Sunday Dec. 4.
Hi,Lissa, Hi to you. Thank you for the recipe you gave me. Iwill tell Jean, hello from you.Ina it must be warm here compared to Alasla. Wish you Mother a Happy Birthday from me.Whose taking care of your doggies?Marilyn
Speaking of birthdays, Richard's birthday was November 26th and I forgot to put it on here. I wish him a belated Happy Birthday. Marilyn
♫ ♪ ♫ Happy Belated Birthday, Richard!!! ♫ ♪ ♫ Hope it is the start of a wonderful year for you!~Sara
You were wise to go w/ the bigger size. When we bought our deep freezer a few years ago, I never in a million years thought we'd fill it up. But now it's plumb full to the top w/ all the chickens we processed, and goodies from the garden. Better to have the space when you need it!
Glad Michael enjoyed his Birthday and the party.Jean- I cannot stand the chest freezers either. Too much stuff gets 'lost' in the bottom because it is buried, you can't reach it or both! Glad you got a new freezer.The washer & dryer set? If you get both, the old one can be sold or used for washing outdoor stuff only. I often look to Craigslist for used washers for the horse stuff. Saddle pads, leg wraps, blankets, etc. Nice to be able to toss it in the washer without worrying about what it will leave behind when you run your clothes through next.
Just able to get back on folks, i was at a call late this afternoon as a car almost went through a home. The girl driving was taken to the hospital and the woman who was hit was an older woman and has a few lumps and bruising. I don't think her car is totaled but the one who almost hit the house didn't look too good. Richard
And thanks for the birthday wishes Marilyn, and as a kid they were a big deal. Now its like "well another year older",lol. Most things were really wonderful being a child in some respects like birthdays and Christmas, and its a period that does not last very long because before you know it your an adult. I have i think a really good post for this Friday and those that like looking at pictures should really enjoy this one. Good night folks and thank you for stopping by. Richard
Happy Belated Birthday Richard! You have a wide variety of places to celebrate! All those Amish places! I would by me one of those scooters. Then I would have to visit the bakeries, then ride the scooter to work it all off! hehe. Sounds like a good idea to me (0: , anyway I hope you had a good one! Be Blessed ~ Lissa
Oh my! hope everyone is ok. Do you go on many calls since it is winter now?? ~Lissa
Hi Jean, Sorry your freezer 'died' —but glad you got another one without losing much from the old freezer…I have a feeling that you might get that dryer soon!!!! Love that recipe. The Haystack Supper sounds fabulous…. Thanks for sharing.Hugs,Betsy
Happy birthday to Michael I enjoyed reading this post, Richard Im glad Jean was able to get a new freezer and that she didn't lose much food when her old one stopped working. The haystack recipe sounds very good!I've visited Lancastor Country many times when my children were young. It is a beautiful place!
Happy belated birthday to Michael! Looking forward to your Friday pics!
I enjoyed Jean's story about getting the new freezer. More of my misconceptions about the Amish were dispelled. I didn't think that the Amish used modern conveniences like a freezer, washing machine, or dryer!
This is perfect:) I am seriously loving your post! It is so informative and I think my subscribers would really enjoy reading this. I would love for you to come share it at Frugal Days, Sustainable Ways on Frugally Sustainable (http://frugallysustainable.blogspot.com/2011/11/frugal-days-sustainable-ways-3.html). I really hope that you will put Frugal Days, Sustainable Ways on your list of carnivals to visit and link to each Wednesday! Warmly,Andrea @ Frugally SustainableHere's the link: http://www.frugallysustainable.com
Yes folks i hope that you can stop by Amish Stories this Friday from my visit of the town of Lititz. Even i enjoyed looking at my own pictures which is something that i don't normally do,lol. And Andrea I'm not sure if this particular post from Jean would be considered living frugally because in this case Jean had to spend money and didn't save any. Richard
And Deb since Jean is old order Mennonite most are able to have electricity in their homes, so compared to being say old order Amish that would be the biggest difference between the two. Other than that they both are very similar in being conservative and driving horse and buggy. Maybe one day ill be lucky enough to bump into someone who is new "order Amish" who to my knowledge use electricity and would be the sect of Amish that i would compare more to Jean. Richard
Love your photos, Richard!
Greetings Savoring and thanks for stopping by Jeans post. I've asked Jean to come up with a Christmas post along with some of her holiday recipes. I have not recieved that one yet and don't expect it until a few more weeks, but I'm sure it will be a cant miss post! Richard
Very fun to read about the freezer and Michael babysitting Susan. Sounds like they get along just fine. A good freezer is certainly a big help when it comes to food storage.