Delaware Grammy

For November 14th — So very grateful for a safe trip to Baltimore with our Sweet Mama. Daniel drove, and I don’t know what I would have ever done if I had needed to drive to Union Memorial Hospital during rush hour traffic. I am just so thankful that Daniel took the day off from work, and cheerfully put up with all the whims and wishes of his wife and mother in law.

Also for the 14th — I am grateful for forgiveness granted when I so desperately needed it. And I am grateful for a Bible Study lesson that did not let me off the hook with my many excuses for why I did what I did. (Oh, Lord Jesus! Will I ever learn to button my lip when I am tired, irritated or just plain giving in to my sinful heart?)

15th — I am grateful for the gals who gather on Thursday morning. They love Jesus, their husbands, their kids, each other (and some days not in that order!) but want to be women who make a difference in their world. I look into their faces and am more than a little in awe of the differing worlds in which they operate, their extended circles of influence and thank God for the opportunity I have to know each one of them. I love you gals! And each one of the children have their own special place in my heart. What incredible gifts!

16th — I woke up with a migraine this morning. It’s probably been three years since I’ve had a headache like this one. I shuffled downstairs at 5:30 to a husband who was putting away a table that we had used for crafts for the kids in Bible Study yesterday. He insisted that I take some medicine and spend some time on my chair before trying to start the day. This may seem trivial to some of you, but having that big table out of my kitchen was a big relief to me. His kindness and care for me comforted me even as I struggled to keep head up and tummy down. And then a half hour later, the meds were helping enough to get Cecilia up and showered and dressed and fed, and Nettie up and out the door for blood work. And then my beloved sisters, Alma, Sarah, and our Sweet Mama, and SIL, Polly and I went to Cracker Barrel for lunch in honor of Polly’s birthday this week, and my birthday last month. It was a special, special time. I honestly cannot remember the last time that happened, and it was like a breath of fresh air to my heart — that is carrying some heavy burdens right now on a number of fronts. And then I came home and my good friend, Ruby Donophan was finishing up some windows that desperately needed washing, and everything was so clean and bright.

And so, tonight I give thanks for a husband who provides, forgives, encourages, understands, and loves me. For my sisters and my Sweet Mama, and my sister in law. For Cracker Barrel, and their wonderful half-price sales. For sparkling clean windows, clean, starched and ironed curtains, back where they belong. For people who understand when there are things I cannot say, and for a place to go with the things that trouble me; to know that there is a place of quiet rest.

My heart gives grateful praise.

It’s all Ruthie’s fault. And Christina’s.

We were at Certain Man’s sister, Ruth and her husband, Andrew’s house almost two months ago.  On Sunday morning, while we were getting ready for church, their youngest daughter, Charity, was responsible for lunch preparations.  Ruthie sent her out to the garage refrigerator for “the chicken” that was to be put into the oven.  Charity brought in the most naked chicken you would ever want to see.  It was all big and white and just plain ordinary.  She put it into a roaster that just a little bit bigger than the chicken was, and then Ruthie said, “Put a half a cup of water on it, put the lid on it and put it into the oven until we go at 350 and then turn it back to 275 for while we are in church.”

Now I was watching out of the corner of my eye to see what else they were going to do with it.  And that was exactly NOTHING.  Charity poured a half a cup of water on that chicken, plopped the lid on top and shoved it into the oven.  No seasoning, no nothing.  Just that naked chicken in a pot.  I felt sorry for it.  Well, maybe I felt sorry for US.  Sure did wonder what was going to happen when we got home.

We went to church, had the usual service for that area of the country, visited with old friends, talked to some new ones, and then it was time to come home.  We walked into the back door at Andrew’s house to the most unbelievably delectable smell you could imagine.  It smelled just plain wonderful!  We all helped to set the table and the food around, and that chicken– THAT CHICKEN!!! It was falling off the bone, tender, juicy, and tasted like it had been tenderly smoked over a hickory fire for hours.  There were ten of us around that table and that one roaster chicken fed us all, not only adequately, but thoroughly.

Sitting around the table we got to talking about the chicken, and somehow, there mention made of a “brine” or of a recipe, or of a particular Farmhouse Cookbook that every cook should have, and eventually, someone got around to mentioning that this wonderful chicken that we had all enjoyed had been soaked in a brine that was made from a recipe in this particular cookbook.  Ruthie said that they had put it into the brine on Wednesday, drained it off on Saturday, threw it all solitary into the pot and cooked it on Sunday.  I was all ears.  And all about obtaining this recipe.  And all about finding out where I could buy the cookbook.  I was really, (really!) interested in trying this method at my own house on some hapless victims.

And so, before leaving New York, I went to a store owned by a group of Horning Mennonites close to where another one of Certain Man’s sisters lives (Rachel), and found a Farmhouse Cookbook.  Finding the right recipe was an exercise in wit and wonders, but finally I found the right one and discovered that the magic ingredient was something called “Tender Quick” that is manufactured by Morton.  Only I had not ever seen any before. (Not that I had any occasion to want to see any before, but I digress.)  However, I did think that if this store sold the Farmhouse Cookbook, it just MIGHT sell the Tender Quick.  I hunted up and down the aisle until I spied it.  They really did have it!  So I bought a bag that weighed a pound and and I bought the cookbook, and almost couldn’t wait to try it.

Life goes on, I’ve come to notice, and there just didn’t seem to be a good opportunity to try out my wonderful recipe.  There were several times when I thought that if I had only thawed out a roaster, it would be a good choice for a meal, but it never materialized.  Suddenly, the holiday season was almost upon us, and I still hadn’t tried it.

But then it came to pass that I was going to have some people for lunch later this week, and I thought and thought about what to fix.  Eldest Daughter was complaining that the fact that there was a surplus of turkeys in her freezer, so the other day, I broached with her the subject about maybe using one of her turkeys and trying out this new procedure.  Now these turkeys were gifts from Burris Foods to their employees for faithful service, given out at holidays and I had heard Jesse saying that he had rummaged through the pile for one of the smaller ones.  So, since this wasn’t to be that big a meal, I wondered aloud to Christina if she thought we could use one of those turkeys.  She was eager to donate to the cause.  I asked her to get it out at the end of last week so it would have a chance to thaw safely, and she and Beloved Son in Law were agreeable to it.  However, because of some shortage of refrigerator space, they asked on Saturday if they could bring it down to our garage fridge.  BSIL and Love Bug came in here on Saturday afternoon toting a turkey so big I did a double take.

“What in the world?!?!  That is some turkey!” I finally managed to say.

“Yep, it’s a big one,” said Jesse as he struggled to lift it up onto the cupboard.  I noticed that it was no easy feat.

“How much does it weigh?”  I queried, dubiously

“I don’t know,” said Jesse cheerfully.  “I tried to find out, but it doesn’t seem to be on there anywhere.”

I got ahold of neck of the big mesh bag then, and drug it over to the scales in the laundry room, plopped it down on top and steadied it.  A whopping 29 pounds of frozen turkey.

What am I going to do with a 29 pound turkey???

Well, I got it thawed, and I mixed the brine and I put it into it tonight.  I’m supposed to go out there every day and turn the turkey.  But now, after doing all this, and having things moving, I’m reading all sorts of information, and it sounds like I maybe shouldn’t marinate it in the brine for more than 24 hours.  Ruthie said 72.  It sounds like I could have gotten by with a lot less Tenderquick, but I made things the way the recipe in the Farmhouse Cookbook says to make it.  One of the sites says to be careful how much tenderquick you put in, or it might be too salty.  I put in three cups of tenderquick for at least 40 cups of water.  I think what the recipe calls for is 1 cup of tenderquick to 10 cups of water.

I am really feeling a bit anxious here.  What if the brine is too salty?  Or not salty enough?  What it the turkey shouldn’t be in the brine for three days?  What if 24 hours is all it should be?  What if my company doesn’t like it?  What if it doesn’t taste the same and I don’t like it?

And for pity’s sake!  What am I gonna do with all them thar leftovers???

Well, for one thing, on this, day 13 of being thankful, here is something for which I am truly thankful.  I’m thankful for the high-carb diets that some of my family are on right now and their promise to take the leftover turkey off my hands.  

And I’m glad for Certain Man’s strong arms that have helped to lug that lummox of a turkey in its salty brine to the garage refrigerator to await the roasting pan.

Keep tuned for the next chapter.  

But if this doesn’t turn out okay, it’s all Ruthie’s fault.  For making this all sound so simple, and serving that wonderful chicken.

And Christina’s.  For sending me that big old gobbler.

And yet, my heart gives grateful praise. 

Day 12–

It was a long and busy day.  It started with oversleeping to the point that Cecilia didn’t have time for her morning routine before the bus.    Flying around here and then making the DART bus wait just didn’t seem feasible.  So I rather figuratively hid out in the house and Certain Man told the bus driver that the trip had been cancelled.  I will hear about it tomorrow, but that’s okay.  I told the truth.  I overslept.  And that felt so good!

Monday has its routines at Shady Acres, and this day held the usual laundry and digging out from the weekend.  I always need a day to catch up, and to get my routines somewhat back in order.  That is what good Mennonite homemakers do, I guess.  Certain Man was home because of Veterans Day, as was Nettie, but Cecilia could have gone to Center if I had, well, you know.  Gotten up in time.

Certain Man got out his leaf blower and moved a monumental amount of leaves — from off the driveway, the decks, and even part of the lawn.  He is talking about hiring someone to do the rest of the leaf removal, but we haven’t reached an agreement on that yet.  I just know that it is too big a job for him, and because of the amount of leaves, it really should be done.  We shall see.

This evening, Charis came to brighten my evening for a time.  She was in rare form, with some busy fingers and a lively little discussion going.  We decided that we were going to mix up and roll out some pie crust for the freezer for the busy weeks ahead.  I had a little more “help” than was beneficial at times, but we did accomplish our mission and there are seven pie crusts in the freezer tonight in anticipation of the coming holidays.  I always feel better when there is a “pie crust cushion” stashed away ahead of time.  Our Grandbaby’s  Daddy and Mama came to pick her and she squalled and protested and wept, but they prevailed and toted her home amidst great noise.  

And then I finished up the laundry, put ladies to bed, cleaned up the kitchen and swept the floor, and thought about the fact that I hadn’t posted my grateful praise for this twelfth day of November.  So here goes:

I’m thankful for the ability to interact with my grandbaby.  When Charis was a newborn, my knees were so bad that I couldn’t stand up while holding her.  It took both of my arms to push off the chairs of a given seat if I were to stand up.  I remember saying, “I don’t want to just be a sit on the chair and read stories grandma.  I want to do be able to do things with her, to run a little bit if I need to, to be interested and active and even throw a ball or chase her.”  God has so graciously answered that prayer.

My husband had a meeting today that he was dreading on the poultry industry front.  He desperately wanted to stay home, but was very much “encouraged” to attend.  He came home, glad that he went, having won a nice jacket as a door prize, having learned some helpful things, and having some positive exchanges with some of the powers that be and even getting two credits towards his ongoing Nutrient Management education requirements.  A man who has a better than expected time at such gatherings is a a lot more fun than one who comes home feeling like it was a waste of time.  My heart gives more grateful praise.

For a good day, for pie crusts in the freezer, for laundry done, for appointments kept.  Lord Jesus, for these I am truly grateful.

Day 11– I am thinking tonight about how God blessed Daniel and I with a family when there seemed no hope of such. First Christina came to bless our hearts and home and then followed Deborah, Raphael, Lem, and Rachel. I never dreamed the years would go so fast. I always knew that someday we would discover that all our children were somehow all grown up and I hoped that we would be friends, that the ties that bound us together as a family would hold us steady when they were all grown up. How grateful I am that our offspringins are friends with, not only each other, but also with the people that God has added over the years. First Jesse, then Jessica, then Regina, and finally, our little love bug, Charis.

And on this particular Sunday night, I’m thankful for the church family of which God has allowed us to be a part. So thankful for open hearts and honest sharing, for hope for our future and concern for our present.

And lastly, I sure am thankful for that incredible spread of food at our potluck today. Not only was it tasty, it was so pretty, and the Hospitality committee had done simple but very tasteful decorations to make The Gathering Place even more welcoming. The brotherhood exuberantly and noisily made Torre’s 13th birthday a thing of joy, and her hug and repeated thanks made me know that she felt so loved and cared for. Thanks to all of you! Your kindness to Torre is being felt by her extended family and I pray that God will use it to draw people to Himself.

Day Ten:  I’m Thankful for Saturday nights.  For the way the tiredness draws you back from the day, urging you towards the Day of Rest.  

I’m so grateful that we were taught to “keep Sunday” by not using it for shopping, eating out, or unnecessary work.  

I’m grateful for a monumental job that got done today, that of sorting and filing a small mountain of papers that have been accumulating for a very long time, sitting on top of my heart and weighing it down.  Whew!  Still have bills to pay, but I’ve straightened the roll-top desk that invites me to just stack things inside and close the lid.  This job took most of the day.

I’m grateful for fellowship with other believers who meet together at Laws Mennonite Church.  Whenever I miss a Sunday, I feel out of step somehow, and that something just isn’t quite right.  After being gone for last weekend, I’m especially eager to be “back home” with my church family.

I’m thankful for Middle Daughter, who helped so cheerfully today, and lightened my load.  We are both a bit under the weather with a head cold and kinda’ achy, but she persevered, and things got done.  I’m also thankful for Certain Man who did his usual Saturday work-a-thon.  This man deserves a day of rest!  His knee is really hurting him tonight, and I hope he can sleep.  He certainly deserves it.

His pain reminds me of something that I am thankful for every single day.  I am so grateful for my two “new” knees.  I sometimes ponder what my life was like three years ago at this time, and it wasn’t pretty.  I’ve been given so much in this particular gift.  My heart gives grateful praise.

Day Nine: I’m thankful for the current Bible Study lessons that we are having about not complaining. I certainly had to practice this virtue all day today! I kept hearing things buzzing around in my head that I had told THE GALS yesterday morning while I first waited for a prescription that was promised to be ready, then followed a construction equipment parade up Canterbury Rd at about 40 mph, with nary a chance to safely pass, then finally got up onto Governor’s Avenue where a little old man pulled out in front of me and proceeded to drive all the way to my turn off at mostly less than 20 mph. A trip that should have taken 30 minutes took 45. I was headed for a doctor appointment with Nettie, and with no time to spare, pulled into Eden Hill Medical Complex’s parking lot. 

And here is where my second item of grateful praise comes in tonight. In my possession was Certain Man’s cell phone which he had inadvertently left behind this morning. He had said he would meet me there to pick it up. He walked up when I stopped at the front entrance to unload Nettie and said, “Hon, you take your keys, give me the spare key and I will park the van for you.” It was so cold and windy, there were NO handicapped parking places nearby, and I desperately needed to find a ladies room. He had no idea of the magnitude of the gift he gave me, but it was an incredible blessing to me and to Nettie as well. We actually got to Dr. Gough’s office (third floor, farthest north corner) within three minutes of the appointed time without having “the accident” and everyone seemed glad. 

I was gratefully glad AND gladly grateful.

I just got back from returning the four Thursday night kids to their abode. Tonight was rather spur of the moment, but still pretty good. However, their presence here tonight provided the impetus for today’s grateful praise.

I’m very, very thankful that I was taught to obey. If only children (and parents!) would realize how much easier their lives would be, how much better things would go for them, how much they would gain of the good and miss of the unfortunate, they would just OBEY.

And they just might not miss out on a treat from Ms. Mary Ann for the ride home. 

Oh! Woe is me, for I’m an ogre. (But only if you disappear when it is time to go home and do not come when you are called.)

Our Girl Nettie was upset last evening. “Mary Ann,” she said, all concerned like. “You have a real problem with spiders! I’ve been killing them. They jump like crickets, but they are SPIDERS!!! You need to do something about them!” 

Yes, well. We’ve called them “Demon Crickets” because they look so evil. Like Middle Daughter, Deborah says, “It looks like a cricket and a spider had an illicit relationship. Nothing that evil looking could have come from a ‘holy union!'”

I understand that they are called (among other things) “Camel Crickets.” Are we the only family plagued by these creatures? They never have any rhyme or reason to their jumping, causing the younger generation to ponder greatly before heading to the basement for anything.

Which brings me to what I am thankful for on this 7th day of November. I’m really, really thankful that it wasn’t MY skirt that one of them jumped up into tonight when there was a quick trip made to the basement.

Sorry, Beebs!

 Correction:  This from Deborah’s comment on my facebook posting:

Deborah Yutzy I need to set the record straight. Rachel came up with the name “Demon Cricket”, and that’s her quote. I said that they looked like a spider and cricket got married and had a baby. Rachel said nothing that ugly could be from a holy union.

If any of you expected to hear a political post from me, you don’t know me very well.

I truly have nothing to say about this election.

But this is the season of Grateful Praise, and you don’t have to know me very well to know that this, of all things, is something that is very important to me.  I believe that a Godly woman should wear grateful praise as a garment, wrapped around the sharp edges of her personality, softening the scratchiness of her tendencies, and covering the naked patches of her soul where discontent or ingratitude or pettiness or even impatience would show through.

Ah, my sisters.  We’ve been given so much.  May we not forget.

And tonight, I am grateful for some really ordinary things:

The postal service.  A padded envelope, full of things for my faraway girlie’s birthday, arrived in Uganda today.  Belated, but THERE!

The highway system:  My Sweet Mama and my husband and I traveled for six hours today to get home after a wonderful weekend away.  Roads are wonderful things!

Two rows of lima beans, frozen from the weather while we were gone, which still yielded about six wonderful cups of shelled limas for a good meal later this week.

A house, clean, orderly and warm.  The weekly laundry done, folded, put away.  Curtains, left behind when I went to Pennsylvania, needing to be washed, ironed and rehung — all back where they belong.  A happy Nettie and Cecilia, well taken care of.  Middle Daughter’s conscientious and careful care, coupled with friend Normie’s filling in, and Eldest Daughter’s help made coming home a “gentle landing.”  

And now, my own bed.  Comfy, warm and clean. 

This heart gives grateful praise.