The children all left for school. Whew, while I love them more than words, a quiet house is also welcome to the mind and body. I debated where I should start on a Monday morning such as this. The floors needed a broom again, there were more things to be done before the hog butchering at our house the next two days, but none of that stuff really held the highest priority to me; doesn’t life consist of things that can’t be seen? Still there are things to be done. I grabbed the broom; some quick swipes gave the house a facelift. Amazing how so much dirt can be accumulated in such a short time.
I decided to fuel myself first before tackling some much-needed organizing in the garage, where the meals would be served throughout the butcher days. I mixed up a protein drink, sat by my desk, and opened my favorite devotional, “My Utmost for His Highest.” This specific book has a way of giving me what I need at the moment, with whatever I’m be dealing with. The book’s author, Oswald Chambers, had no idea when he was teaching college students many years ago, that one day after his passing, his inspirations would be printed and sold.
As I relished the quiet this morning, I savored those first words my eyes fell on, “Never look for justice in this world. If we are devoted to Jesus Christ we have nothing to do with what we meet, whether it is just or unjust. Jesus says, Go steadily on with what I have told you to do, and I will guard your life ...” Whew, that doesn’t give too much elbow room for self-pity or fear.
I am thankful that God understands our weakness and continually leads us on even when we stumble or fall.
Hi there, it’s bedtime by now and I am wrapping up my day by touching base with you all. Highlights from the day include having had the opportunity to chat with my baby sister who is no longer a baby, help butcher deer at my brother’s house, and tackle the long-awaited task of cleaning out the garage.
How can it be so fun organizing for how much you’ve dreaded a task? Perhaps it’s because it’s one of those things that require lots of little decisions on what to keep, what to pass on, and what to store in which drawer or tote. I’m learning as I go. It is a satisfaction all its own to end up with fewer items to put back in place than what I started out with.
There are always eager little hands to save what goes into the trash. Tonight I had a little lad ask if he could climb into the dumpster to see what he could find. Um, no, I don’t think so. Though I try to be very careful not to place anything in the trash that is of value or useful to the children, they seem to have a way of finding potential in all sorts of little trinkets. Thus, I have learned that when I am sorting through my storage totes, it works best to also have a tote for the trash to simplify the, “Mom may I keep this?” questions. No one but Mom and Big Sister Julia know what that tote full is for.
I remember all too well when I was that little girl, wanting to keep anything that represented potential. As my mom used to say when I was a teenager, “Gloria’s closet is full of endless possibilities.” At that time I was pleased with every bit of it; now I sigh a little sigh. I had not known the joy of clutter-free living. I tell my children that if they learn to live in an organized manner, whether it is in their school desk or their dresser drawers at home, they will be doing a lifelong favor for themselves. It pays to pay the price of orderliness, one step at a time.
I’ve been amazed at how much simpler life is, even in busy seasons, to have a minimal amount of things in your house. Toys are an example. The day we placed our toys in organizers on shelves out of reach of busy little hands, we had less clutter and clean-up. (I keep out one set of toys, such as Legos or magnetic tiles.) Since children thrive on using their imagination, and trying new things, they are allowed toys at any time, with the agreement that they pick them up when they are finished with them.
My sister just younger than I, is one of those people who is just orderly with everything she does. I can listen to her for a long time, gleaning tidbits she has gathered. Isn’t it amazing how there is always something to be learned from someone?
I admire my sister-in-law Regina’s ways of keeping order in her home and having her boys help with chores around the house. We were thrilled when they shared the exciting news of twin boys on the way! From the oldest teenage boy to the little girls, they are all as happy as can be about it. It will be interesting to keep watching them as they shift gears and keep going with these new additions.
Tonight Regina made a yummy Pineapple Cake. It’s been a long time since I had a cake like that, matter of fact, I had forgotten there is such a thing. Julia and I will be making one, one of these days. Here’s the recipe for you to try for yourself.
Pineapple Sheet Cake
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
20 ounces crushed pineapple, undrained
2 1/2 cup flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1 cup chopped nuts (optional)
In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients. Mix well. Pour into a greased 10 by 15 inch baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes. Cool and spread with cream cheese icing.
Cream Cheese Icing
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 tsp. vanilla
3 1/2 cup powdered sugar
Beat all together until smooth, if desired, sprinkle with 1/2 cup nuts.
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.
