Mon.-Here we go again. Trying to write Monday's Day on Wed. Eve. Let's see. Well, the Bantons are here with us. With all of us working, we cleaned up pig roast party effects and I took the girlies for long gator rides searching for berries. Later in the eve. we went to the softball picnic and the Bantons met many old friends there.
Tues.-More gator riding. Spent several hours down at the river. Ben Philip slept in the back of the gator for almost 2 hours. Gil came down and fished and Susan jogged down with Lucy just as we were leaving. Had a cook-out with just our families and later, Kelly Ship---came over to print some tickets and then she worked on Susan's wrist and my feet. So nice when the CA neighbors from next door who came to visit have a chiropractor in the family. Flies are everywhere. We finally figured out it is from the chicken manure Phil purchased and spread as fertilizer.
Wed.-Bantons left this morning. Felt a sob coming on when I said good bye to them. So much like family that the neighbors next door thought they were our family. Still think that as far as I know because I never corrected them. Washed lots of sheets and blankets from the mancave. Made some food that the neighbors brought over because they were flying out today. Susan went to work. Alli and Nathaniel came over and we watched Anne of Avonlea and I held Nathan and got a smile or two or three. Oh, how I love him. Steve M. came over today and helped start up the model A. The guys drove it around and sang "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" and posted a video on face book. I went over to HV to clean out the fridge and heard the air conditioner going. It was at 67 and running strong. Turned it off. Hitting the sack early tonight. Susan and Philip went to youth group.
Thurs.-Sore throat and exhausted. Janelle talked me into going to Holliday Lake and meeting her and her two aunts there. It's sort of a yearly tradition. We started it two years ago and I missed last year. :) They make me laugh. Came home. Got ready. Went to ball. Last game of the season. Kept playing until the green team won and the rains came. Went to Cook Out afterwards. Have been using the car Susan drives this week since the caddy is under the weather and her doc can't see her until Monday.
Fri.-Slept in til 9. Did some stuff I haven't done for awhile like had a quiet time and exercised. I miss our 'family' that left. I miss the direction of each day bent on preparation for the pig roast and prior to that, a baby being born. But it was nice to have a chance to read and stretch. Went out to NL to think and talk a little. Then went to Judy's, Food Lion, and Walmart. Came home and M and M were here to help put things away. We chatted a bit and they headed to the river. Philip and Susan went to his ball game in FV. Phil worked in fields. I read Nouwen and fb and tidied the house. A man stopped in to get some references for electrical work, etc. for his house. Phil stopped rototilling to talk to him. Clouds are a'gathering. Is it going to storm? Oh-I also stopped at Goodwill and got some books and some videos. I love getting 8 videos for 12 bucks.
Sat.-Relaxing day with Nathan and Alli. Phil took a day to rest too. Susan mowed for several hours. I gave everything a lick and a promise and held Nathan.
Sun.-Great service at church. Visited with Tim and Sandy Smoker-Kyle's parents. We sang in Choraleer's together back in the day. Came home, ate pizza and salad, and watched two movies with the fam. and M. Free and Alli and Nathaniel came for about an hour just when my arms were aching to hold him. Phil, Philip, and Susan, went to Tommy's grad party. I am still very tired. Tidied up and about to go look at Happy Valley through the eyes of Californian friends and see what they wish they could be seeing. Checking out blackberries that weren't quite ready last week. Want to start blogging Pastor Bill's sermons. Hoping to start when I get back from my gator drive.
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
Wednesday, June 18, 2014
Morale Boosting Homemade Ice Cream Sandwiches~
The week before the Pig Roast.
Hot. Busy. Tiring. Inspiring. Hot.
So, every year, I try to make morale boosting foods.
Like macaroni and cheese.
Or Mexican tortilla mix.
Sweet tea.
Watermelon.
And this years new addition,
Homemade Ice Cream Sandwich.
First, you make the chocolate cookies.
Then, when cool, you put a scoop of ice cream in the center of one
and top it off with another cookie.
I tear off a lot of pieces of wax paper (about 12 inches long)
and build the sandwich right on top of the sheets of paper.
As soon as it is made,
I wrap it up and pop it into the freezer.
You can fill them with any kind of ice cream.
Mint chocolate chip.
Butter pecan.
Moose tracks.
We like plain old Breyer's vanilla.
If you made a vanilla sugar cookie,
you could fill it with orange sherbet,
or rainbow sherbet,
or chocolate ice cream.
After the cookie sandwich freezes overnight,
the cookie softens a little.
And it's perfect.
For breakfast.
Before lunch.
After supper.
Any time anyone needs a quick pick-me-up.
Here's the recipe I used. It's from "The Best of Mennonite Fellowship Meals"
cookbook compiled by Phyllis Pellman Good and Louise Stoltzfus.
I worked for Phyllis and her husband Merle, the summer I was 16.
I acted and sang and gave lectures on Amish and Mennonites.
It was great fun and they were great employers.
This recipe is called "Chewy Chocolate Cookies" and it was given
by Sharon Hartman.
I doubled the recipe and used butter instead of margarine
and used miniature chocolate chips instead of regular chocolate chips
which are easier to bite through when frozen
but here's the recipe according to the book.
1 1/4 cup margarine
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
2 cups flour
3/4 cups cocoa
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
2 cups (12 oz. pkg.) chocolate chips
1. In a large mixing bowl cream margarine and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla and beat well.
2. Combine flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt. Gradually blend into creamed mixture. Fold in chocolate chips.
3. Drop by tsp. onto ungreased cookie sheet. (I always spray on a little oil.)
4. Bake at 350 for 8-9 minutes. (Do not overbake; cookies will puff while baking and flatten while cooling.) Cool slightly before removing from cookie sheets. Cool fully on wire rack.)
Match cookies in size as closely as possible.
Get a dozen or more sets ready before you get the ice cream out.
You will put smiles on the faces of your family
and they might even brag about you on face book
and others may even ask if they can be adopted into your family.
Hot. Busy. Tiring. Inspiring. Hot.
So, every year, I try to make morale boosting foods.
Like macaroni and cheese.
Or Mexican tortilla mix.
Sweet tea.
Watermelon.
And this years new addition,
Homemade Ice Cream Sandwich.
First, you make the chocolate cookies.
Then, when cool, you put a scoop of ice cream in the center of one
and top it off with another cookie.
I tear off a lot of pieces of wax paper (about 12 inches long)
and build the sandwich right on top of the sheets of paper.
As soon as it is made,
I wrap it up and pop it into the freezer.
You can fill them with any kind of ice cream.
Mint chocolate chip.
Butter pecan.
Moose tracks.
We like plain old Breyer's vanilla.
If you made a vanilla sugar cookie,
you could fill it with orange sherbet,
or rainbow sherbet,
or chocolate ice cream.
After the cookie sandwich freezes overnight,
the cookie softens a little.
And it's perfect.
For breakfast.
Before lunch.
After supper.
Any time anyone needs a quick pick-me-up.
Here's the recipe I used. It's from "The Best of Mennonite Fellowship Meals"
cookbook compiled by Phyllis Pellman Good and Louise Stoltzfus.
I worked for Phyllis and her husband Merle, the summer I was 16.
I acted and sang and gave lectures on Amish and Mennonites.
It was great fun and they were great employers.
This recipe is called "Chewy Chocolate Cookies" and it was given
by Sharon Hartman.
I doubled the recipe and used butter instead of margarine
and used miniature chocolate chips instead of regular chocolate chips
which are easier to bite through when frozen
but here's the recipe according to the book.
1 1/4 cup margarine
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
2 cups flour
3/4 cups cocoa
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
2 cups (12 oz. pkg.) chocolate chips
1. In a large mixing bowl cream margarine and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla and beat well.
2. Combine flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt. Gradually blend into creamed mixture. Fold in chocolate chips.
3. Drop by tsp. onto ungreased cookie sheet. (I always spray on a little oil.)
4. Bake at 350 for 8-9 minutes. (Do not overbake; cookies will puff while baking and flatten while cooling.) Cool slightly before removing from cookie sheets. Cool fully on wire rack.)
Match cookies in size as closely as possible.
Get a dozen or more sets ready before you get the ice cream out.
You will put smiles on the faces of your family
and they might even brag about you on face book
and others may even ask if they can be adopted into your family.
Monday, June 16, 2014
Hertzler Doings~June 16-22.2014
Mon.-Busy day. Got jars ready for harvesting honey. Did wash. Ordered Melaleuca. Picked green beans. Tidied up back room. Babysat Nathan while Alli went to town. Susan's in love. She fed him but thought I should change his diaper. He slept in our big bed on his tummy and loved it. Susan mowed and weed whacked at Happy Valley. Went to softball. Susan's team won. Sat with Jenny Murphy and laughed a lot. Got more groceries. Picked Susan up in the middle of the second game. Came home. Hoping to get to bed before 10:30 tonight. Foot is bothering me. Hoping Dr. F. can unjam it tomorrow.
Tues.-Such a busy day. Cleaned the man cave and got the beds ready for the Bantons. Cleaned the bathroom out there too. Picked green beans and super cleaned two coolers to hold the ice for the pig roast. Cleaned up one section of the garage. Made two roasts, Mexican tortilla mix with bear meat, hard boiled eggs, chocolate chocolate chip cookies, (I used these to make homemade ice cream sandwiches), cooked some broccoli, did some wash, caught up with a childhood friend on face book, etc. The guys worked around here and Happy Valley, getting it all spiffed up for the Lucas's and Shippey's who are arriving today some time. Susan worked at the BH, went to the gym, and mowed around here. We both went to Dr. F this morning. I think my foot is just about back where it should be. Was able to be on it all day. Phil went to a meeting tonight and Michael went to practice some songs with Chace for the pig roast. Philip, Susan, and I, watched several Monks and hit the sack almost early. Today is the first day I didn't see Nathaniel. He is two weeks old in an hour and a half. I miss him.
Wed.-What a day. Hot. 97 but felt hotter. Mulched the front garden. Had to. Davi had torn up 3 of the 5 bags of mulch. Washed the honey extractor. Later, after work, Freeman, Michael, and I, extracted 21 pints of honey from 10 honey sleeves. Phil worked in the fields all day making hay. The guys worked around here, weed whacking, cleaning up, moving equipment, etc. I cleaned up 3 days picking of green beans and cooked them, cut up a watermelon, made a big batch of egg and olive salad, and tried to keep ahead of the game. Little Nathan and his mama came for several hours after lunch. Earlier, I did my exercises to a cooking DVD and we kept it on for the whole time they were here and the guys were into watching it too. Nathan is so happy these past few days because Mommy stopped eating cheese. It's made his tummy much happier. He smiles now when he nurses and when he is held close. He loves to be held, and if you sing to him, he falls asleep in less than a minute. He's out of his newborn clothes already. Seth Martin came over to help Phil in the fields this eve. Philip and Susan went to youth. Michael started working on writing a curriculum he liked to teach on Apologetics. I want to get back to writing a bit more. I want to start by blogging Pastor Bill's sermons. They are practical and wise and if we followed his advice, our families and churches would be all the stronger and better for it.
Thurs.-Busy day with everyone cleaning up everywhere and getting ready for the pig roast. Susan went to the gym, then to work, and came home and weed whacked and mowed. Phil and Roger are out practicing songs in the garage and Susan is singing bluesey songs. Man, can she sing. The Bantons are arriving around 10:30 this evening. The Lucas' and Shippey's are at their home across the waters. Alli called and told me about Nathan's doctor visit. He's gained 2 1/2 oz. every day. I'm headed for bed. XO
Fri-Sun.-Busy few days getting ready for the pig roast and visiting with the Bantons, Shippeys, and Lucas's, Sandy and Eldon Stoltzfus and Helen and Joanna Balmer and her son, AJ. These are just the folks who came from out of town for the pig roast. Had a great pig roast. Interrupted by tornado warnings. Wonderful eve. in our packed house listening to our kids sing the songs they had prepared plus the Lucas's and Shippey's and Blaine and Sloane shared songs. Met the Stoltzfus's at the BB for breakfast early this Sunday morning. After church took a nap and then we had a supper of leftover pork sandwiches plus some coleslaw, baked beans, and mac. salad plus ice cream. Tim and Jodi Schauer came to the picnic too but had to leave soon afterward due to the ominous black clouds and winds. I am not doing this weekend any justice but it really was a wonderful time and so many dear friends were here. Newton and Elsie Beiler came down and were visiting with the Shwanks who were here also. Alli and Freeman have been over too (and Nathan) and Jordan W. and M have been here as well. Great neighbors and friends and church family. My heart is full. Again, I think how quickly things can change. Dark clouds change plans quickly. I'm glad this community of folks are learning to enjoy each other while the sun shines because dark clouds do come quickly and we have to know how to help each other get to safety as quickly as possible. I love these people. I love my family. And I am thankful to be loved.
Tues.-Such a busy day. Cleaned the man cave and got the beds ready for the Bantons. Cleaned the bathroom out there too. Picked green beans and super cleaned two coolers to hold the ice for the pig roast. Cleaned up one section of the garage. Made two roasts, Mexican tortilla mix with bear meat, hard boiled eggs, chocolate chocolate chip cookies, (I used these to make homemade ice cream sandwiches), cooked some broccoli, did some wash, caught up with a childhood friend on face book, etc. The guys worked around here and Happy Valley, getting it all spiffed up for the Lucas's and Shippey's who are arriving today some time. Susan worked at the BH, went to the gym, and mowed around here. We both went to Dr. F this morning. I think my foot is just about back where it should be. Was able to be on it all day. Phil went to a meeting tonight and Michael went to practice some songs with Chace for the pig roast. Philip, Susan, and I, watched several Monks and hit the sack almost early. Today is the first day I didn't see Nathaniel. He is two weeks old in an hour and a half. I miss him.
Wed.-What a day. Hot. 97 but felt hotter. Mulched the front garden. Had to. Davi had torn up 3 of the 5 bags of mulch. Washed the honey extractor. Later, after work, Freeman, Michael, and I, extracted 21 pints of honey from 10 honey sleeves. Phil worked in the fields all day making hay. The guys worked around here, weed whacking, cleaning up, moving equipment, etc. I cleaned up 3 days picking of green beans and cooked them, cut up a watermelon, made a big batch of egg and olive salad, and tried to keep ahead of the game. Little Nathan and his mama came for several hours after lunch. Earlier, I did my exercises to a cooking DVD and we kept it on for the whole time they were here and the guys were into watching it too. Nathan is so happy these past few days because Mommy stopped eating cheese. It's made his tummy much happier. He smiles now when he nurses and when he is held close. He loves to be held, and if you sing to him, he falls asleep in less than a minute. He's out of his newborn clothes already. Seth Martin came over to help Phil in the fields this eve. Philip and Susan went to youth. Michael started working on writing a curriculum he liked to teach on Apologetics. I want to get back to writing a bit more. I want to start by blogging Pastor Bill's sermons. They are practical and wise and if we followed his advice, our families and churches would be all the stronger and better for it.
Thurs.-Busy day with everyone cleaning up everywhere and getting ready for the pig roast. Susan went to the gym, then to work, and came home and weed whacked and mowed. Phil and Roger are out practicing songs in the garage and Susan is singing bluesey songs. Man, can she sing. The Bantons are arriving around 10:30 this evening. The Lucas' and Shippey's are at their home across the waters. Alli called and told me about Nathan's doctor visit. He's gained 2 1/2 oz. every day. I'm headed for bed. XO
Fri-Sun.-Busy few days getting ready for the pig roast and visiting with the Bantons, Shippeys, and Lucas's, Sandy and Eldon Stoltzfus and Helen and Joanna Balmer and her son, AJ. These are just the folks who came from out of town for the pig roast. Had a great pig roast. Interrupted by tornado warnings. Wonderful eve. in our packed house listening to our kids sing the songs they had prepared plus the Lucas's and Shippey's and Blaine and Sloane shared songs. Met the Stoltzfus's at the BB for breakfast early this Sunday morning. After church took a nap and then we had a supper of leftover pork sandwiches plus some coleslaw, baked beans, and mac. salad plus ice cream. Tim and Jodi Schauer came to the picnic too but had to leave soon afterward due to the ominous black clouds and winds. I am not doing this weekend any justice but it really was a wonderful time and so many dear friends were here. Newton and Elsie Beiler came down and were visiting with the Shwanks who were here also. Alli and Freeman have been over too (and Nathan) and Jordan W. and M have been here as well. Great neighbors and friends and church family. My heart is full. Again, I think how quickly things can change. Dark clouds change plans quickly. I'm glad this community of folks are learning to enjoy each other while the sun shines because dark clouds do come quickly and we have to know how to help each other get to safety as quickly as possible. I love these people. I love my family. And I am thankful to be loved.
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