Jean is now accepting more questions about her old order Mennonite lifestyle, so please feel free to post your questions and Jean will answer them in future post’s. Thanks folks. Richard
One of the questions recently asked is “why Michael goes to a different school than Susan”. David and I are Foster Parents and Micheal came to us as a Foster Child. Being a Foster Child we have to go by the rules of the State of New York which means he must go to public school. Susan and David Jr are David and mine natural children so she goes to our Old Order Mennonite School.
David and I are in the process of adopting Michael. When our adoption goes through, which we believe is in October or November, then we can decide on his education. Our schools (old order Mennonite/Amish) go to the 8th grade where the public school goes for 12. Michael wants us to take him out of school when the adoption goes through as he will be finishing 9th grade in the public school in a few more weeks, but this is a matter we will discuss after the adoption goes through.
David and I are in the process of adopting Michael. When our adoption goes through, which we believe is in October or November, then we can decide on his education. Our schools (old order Mennonite/Amish) go to the 8th grade where the public school goes for 12. Michael wants us to take him out of school when the adoption goes through as he will be finishing 9th grade in the public school in a few more weeks, but this is a matter we will discuss after the adoption goes through.
We recently got one of Michael’s friends at school to our home as a Foster Child. His Grandmother went to the hospital. She has cancer and it does not look well for her right now, but she is in God’s hands so He will decide. We don’t know how long Michael’s friend will be staying but he is more than welcome here.
When school gets out the children there are chores for them to do. We have the usual feeding the animals, milking the cows, now we have the planting of the crops and the harvesting of what is ready, which will keep Michael and David busy. Susan and I will be taking care of our planting of the flowers, selling at our stand in front of the house, canning, mowing the lawn, weeding the garden between the flowers and more. This in addition to cleaning the house, washing clothes , sewing, cooking and more. To start the bake sales season of this year Martha and her girls are taking over for me and I will do some baking at home.
I recently went to the doctor check up and he felt going two the bake sales would be a strain on me. He does allow me to ride in the buggy. I tried again just a short way and it still bothers me so right now Im only go on the buggy on short trips. I can resume some more house chores, but he still doesn’t want me to pick up David Jr. It is hard on me because David Jr. wants me to lift him and I have to call maude (maid) or Michael or my husband. I will be doing some of the baking for bake sales, but as I said, Martha and her daughters will go to the Farmers Market and the Veteran’s Bake Sale for me.
When it comes to my garden Susan helps me pull out what vegetables she can, but Michael or David have to pull the rest. Sometimes if our maude has time she pulls them. Soon, we will be into strawberry season and I will not be picking. David said not to worry about it, but I do. When I do canning, David’s Mother and my Mother will be here to help maude and I. What is in our favor is that Michael’s friend that is staying at our home has worked on farms so he is working with Michael and David. We also found that he likes to cook-and is very good at it especially considering he is fourteen years old.
I don’t want you to think we always work. We brought Michael’s basket ball hoop up from the basement so he and his friends use that. Michael and his friends also play baseball at Martha’s house (they have more room that we do). We also go on walks. David and Michael have been fishing a few times this year already. Sometimes we sit on the porch or in the living room eating popcorn and drinking soda.
We also play some games inside. Susan plays with her friends-playing house, or school. They also go to the park and swing on the swings and slide down the slide. This year David thinks it would be nice if we got a Crockett set. So we are not always working, we do stop and enjoy ourselves.
Be With God, Jean
With fishing season in force-I thought you might like this recipe. Jean
1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 medium green pepper
1/2 cup chopped celery
1 28 oz can tomatoes ( I used fresh tomatoes I have canned)
1 15oz can okra
1 cup water
1/4 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp salt
1 lb fish fillet, cut in bite size pieces
2 cups cooked rice
Melt butter in large saucepan over low heat. Add onions, green pepper and celery. Cook until tender (3-4minutes). Add tomatoes, okra, water, thyme and salt. Simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add fish and cook 10 minutes or until fish is easily flaked. Spoon 1/2 cup hot rice into bowls and fill with fish mixture.
First good morning everyone on this Monday morning and beginning of another post from Jean. Last night I had some chicken pot pie for dinner along with a salad, and no I did not make this myself as this was a zooks pot pie from Lancaster. Zooks is an Amish owned and run little company based in Lancaster that makes pot pies In I believe 3 varieties, but Its the chicken that seems to be everyone's favorite. I stopped over to zook this past Saturday to get myself a pot pie which they sell frozen, and I know what some may be thinking right now "frozen" but Its very good trust me. Maybe the next time that I'm at zooks I will ask them If I can take a few pictures where those pies are made, and get some history about Zooks. Has anyone out there been fortunate enough to taste a pot pie from these Amish folks? Richard
Note to self: Ask Jean if she has any pot pie recipes so I can post them with her stories', I thought about that last night because I knew I was going to comment about pot pies in my comment on Jeans today! Enjoy the day folks. Richard
Good morning, Richard. Thanks for writing this blog!God bless!
I would love this fish gumbo! I often make catfish jambalaya – it's one of my favs!
Oh Richard, it is a pleasure to read about Jean's world. I recall you saying you are a BRONX boy, like my husband? WELL THEN, HOW DID YOU GAIN NINE POUNDS!!!! teeeeeheeee….easy to do when looking at all that FRENCH FOOD; it "INSPIRES" to go to the kitchen and whip up some NOURRITURE!I am so happy to see you come back! I hope you had a chance to "tour" and say BONJOUR to the others. HEY! I saw a horse drawn carriage, in fact TWO of them in downtown Minneapolis; a far cry from Mennonite country, but all the same, it was so pleasant.GOOD DAY! Anita
Hi There Jean (and Richard), So glad that life is working out so good for Michael… He knows that he is LOVED –and that is so important.Good Luck to his friend and his grandmother… My Daddy used to love to fish and I have a couple of sons who enjoy fishing… Thanks for the recipe. Looks delicious.Gorgeous photo of the sun.Hugs,Betsy
Hi folks I'm back home, and Anita I may have to blame those 9 pounds in part to that chicken pot pie I had over the weekend,lol. But trust me Id love to blame that virtual vacation to Paris (Anita's web site). Now If I could only find a virtual gym to work-out In! Richard
Enjoyed Jean's post, hope she continues to feel better. Thanks also for the recipe. š Have a great week!
Dear Richard and Jean,I want to thank you both for taking the time to share your insight into the Old Order Mennonite and Amish ways of life. This blog is always peaceful in nature and I always look forward to each post.I do have one or two questions for Jean – What kind of board games if any does your family play? Chess, checkers?Also, where do Old Order Mennonites and Amish acquire fabrics for their sewing needs?Thank you both!Laura
It's always fun to read about Jean and her family. The fish gumbo sounds delicious.
Laura I will make sure that Jean gets those questions,and thank you for those. Richard
I tried to post this morning but something went wrong. I hope this works. Reading Jeans post is always a great way to begin the week. It is so wonderful to be able to share in her life and I personally am so greatful. First let me say how I think it is wonderful of you and David to welcome Michaels friend into your home. Not everyone can open their home and hearts to other children.I believe God has a great plan for you and David to love and share in the lives of children who need that love. It takes special people to love someones child not of their own. When I married my husband 22 years ago he also took on my son I already had and loves all three of our children equally. I am glad you are feeling better Jean and may God continue his work in your life. God bless you and your family. Thanks again Marilyn and Richard for all your hard work also. Veronica
I would love some pot pie recipes too, LOL. Sounds like Michael is doing really well with David and Jean. What a blessing. At first I didn't think fish gumbo sounded too good. I make turkey and sausage gumbo, and we like that. I've made chicken and okra gumbo too. Now as I read the recipe the fish gumbo sounds pretty good too.
Sounds wonderful, and how nice to welcome Michaels friendBenny & Lily
How wonderful that you are adopting Michael, Jean! There's nothing more comforting than to know you are wanted and loved, which I'm certain Michael must feel. And that you have taken in his friend when his grandmother is so sick makes you very special indeed!
Thank you for sharing your life with us:) Just reading your blog makes me feel so relaxed and peaceful inside.
Never tasted Zook's but I make my own pot pie. Only in the winter though as it is now too hot to heat up the house by baking chicken. I'm so glad that Jean's family will be adopting Michael. That is a very interesting story. Have a great day Richard!
Thanks again to those folks who were kind in leaving comment's today on Jeans post. Monica I'm pretty sure that your pot pies are delicious, and considering that zooks freezes their pies they taste really excellent I think. Richard
Hope to see you folks this Wednesday as the recipe of the week is posted, and please feel free in posting your comments and questions on Jeans post during the week. Richard
I`m so glad you found my blog so I can too enjoy the stories & recipes.My fav recipe,I have to say,is the chicken pot pie.Lovely insight to a religion so private,it is well with the Lord that we can understand each others love of God.I`ll be back!phyllis in Pa
As always, I love to read about the Amish way of life. Though busy, it seems so placid. It's enviable!
Hi Richard, love Jean's post. Well, there is not to much I don't like but fist is one of them. (0: I wish I did. It's the smell of it I guess. (hehe) I am so glad that everyone is doing good at Jean's home. I have to start canning soon too! We are out of strawberry jam. No matter how much I make It's seems to disappear (hehe) (0: Anyway, Hope you all have a great rest of the week.~Lissa
First let me say how happy I am to find such a great blog about the Amish that really seems to relate the honest lifestyle of these dear brethern in Christ. I have a question for Jean and it concerns the treatment of the mentally or physically handicapped in their community. I have read ( I hope and pray it's not true) that the Amish do display some of the cruelest treatment toward this segment of our society. Just curious how Amish view the handicapped and how they as a whole relate to them?
First hello Lissa and are you saying that this blog has an odor,lol. I mean I do live across the street from a farm so maybe that manure smell is somehow getting inside my post's or comments! Vera a great question And a problem (mentally handicapped) that the Amish seem to have a little more of compared to their non-Amish counterparts. And I will foward this question incase Marilyn has not seen It to Jean to see If she can address this. Richard
Hi Vera, That is a very good question. I spoke with Jean and she has an Old Order Mennonite (what Jean is) Foster Parent Lady (like Jean is) that handles more special handicapped-both physically and mentally than Jean does. That Foster Parent also deals with Amish Foster Parents. That Lady has agreed to give us a post on how the Old Order Mennonites and Amish treat special handicapped children. Jean and David are fairly new Foster Parents and haven't had any physically or mentally handicapped children in their home, yet. They would not refuse any-they just haven't been offered any as yet. Most special children go to the Old Order Mennonite who is going to do the post because she and her husband have more experience with special children as they have been doing for many years. So a post is coming.Marilyn
LOL Richard! you are so funny. I have just been that way all my life.(0: It has been really hot here in Northern California. But I know it can get a lot worse. When I went to Ohio I got my real first taste of humidity. I didn't much like it but I did like the thunderstorms.I was thinking, maybe Jean can write a post on Quilting, or maybe their dress, prayer caps, etc. Hi Marylin, hope you are doing well.Blessings, Lissa
Hi Lissa,Great to hear from you. I am doing fine. Hope all is well with you. Marilyn