Good morning! Stillness reigns in our aft countryside as another dawn breaks. An occasional crowing from Austin’s bantam rooster reminds me that my dream of living on a farm has come true. We may not have all the animals I’d like to have, but it’s a start. Next spring, when Julia joins our youth group, she’ll also have reached the mark where she gets to ask for that miniature cow she’s been dreaming about. Several years ago, when the question kept popping up, I told her she’d have to place the idea on the shelf until she’s 15 1/2. It’s getting here faster than I thought it would. Oh my, we’ll see. A cow would be nice with all that rich cream, but then goats are more user-friendly for families with children who will be doing the milking. Anyway, for now we’ll take today. Julia will hopefully be able to finish training Anchor, our little pony, for Jesse to ride.
Elijah’s newest endeavor has brought many smiles to his face ,this fall he’ll have his first tag to go deer hunting. Jesse is not so much into hunting just yet; he said he’d rather go riding. Hosanna suggested Jesse could give Elijah a ride back to the woods on his pony, so they could work together with their different interests.
Austin enjoys wildlife. He’d take taming and caring for small animals like squirrels or chipmunks any day. Yesterday he rescued a baby chipmunk from one of our kittens. He’s feeding it and seeing if he can nurse it back to health. This morning he was up bright and early to check on it and feed it.
Joshua, who is the littlest of them all, has taken a liking to Kanoa, our English Cream Retriever, even though she has nipped him several times. Each time it happened he was brokenhearted, but he always ends up being quite forgiving.
Though I’m not a dog lover at heart like some of you, I’ve taken a liking to Kanoa and enjoy having her around. She likes playing fetch and we’re teaching her how to shake hands.
Hey, I just got back. Speaking of animals, Selah has been a highlight for all of us, we just got back from a drive with her. There is little, if anything, quite like going on a drive with an open wagon in the countryside. It’s a double blessing when I’m getting to the bottom of the barrel with the energy to lead out in my little family. The clip-clop and gentle breeze have a way of setting everyone at ease. Now that we’re home, Julia is making a simple supper. I’m eager for it, but I admit I feel something on the inside that is not just about eating supper. As the horse slowly made her way up the driveway to cool off before being unhitched, we were discussing bygone days. Though she does not remember, when Julia was a little girl and we lived in the trailer, our Sunday night supper usually consisted of a hamburger dip where we’d empty out the fridge and stir it all together. Sometimes we’d snip flour tortillas into wedges and deep-fry them to dip into our concoction. I’d often start on it and then Daniel would come help me wrap it up and give his opinion on the taste.
Now when my teenager suggests she could make it, why not cheer her on? There are those times it feels easier to stay in a rut and not face the realities, but then who wants to live in the myth of a protective cocoon that will only keep us from new growth?
Speaking of stretching, this week looks like a good one. I’m excited, but I’ve also had to let go of worrying about not having everything down pat. So here it is: the youth from Danville, Ohio are planning to come to our house Friday morning and stay through Saturday after lunch, Lord willing. They are simply coming to help us! Wow. At first when I heard it I felt like laughing and crying, it meant so much to me. Now, weeks later, we have nice long lists of things around the house and farm with options of what to tackle. Many hours have been put in , by others as well, to plan and prepare for the event. On Friday evening our local youth, youth leaders, and some neighbors will also be joining, which will make for 80 people at supper. Yes, bring it on, I love people and I love seeing things flow when everyone is out for the good of others. All the food is being brought in — whoopee!
I’ll be back to fill you all in. In the meantime, know that you can and do make a difference right where you are today. It need not be grand ... a word of life generally carries more weight than a thousand words of criticism. And as I was reminding my children, every word we speak is documented. Are mine worth listening to?
Homemade Hamburger Dip
2 pounds hamburger, browned (salt and pepper added while browning)
1 pound Velveeta cheese
2 cups barbecue sauce
2 cups pizza sauce
1 tsp. chili powder
1 tsp. Worchestshire sauce
1 tsp. onion powder
1 tsp. garlic salt
Peppers
Onions
1 tsp. liquid smoke
Dip Instructions
Over medium-high heat brown the hamburger and then drain. Then add spices and sauces and continue to heat over medium heat.Add cheese last. Heat just until thoroughly warmed and then serve.
Gloria Yoder is an Amish house-wife in rural Illinois. She is the third writer of The Amish Cook column since its inception in 1991. Yoder can be reached by writing: The Amish Cook, P.O. Box 157, Middletown, Ohio 45042.
