Joe and I and four of our children attended the auction of Joe’s sister Carol and Pete on Saturday. Their plans are to move to Tennessee making it their future home. Carol had a bake sale too so I imagine she was quite busy last week. I was asked to go help make “fry pies” for a benefit sale in our area tomorrow but I don’t think it will work out for me to leave. If all goes well I can help out baking cookies here at home to send to the sale.

I also need to help sister Emma this week in preparing for church services that will be there on Sunday. It will be a “Rule church” so we will serve lunch to everyone during the services, which will last until 1:30 or 2 p.m.. This is where they (the church leaders) go over the rules of the church. We set two tables and people take turns coming in and eating throughout the lunch hour during the service. We’ll probably begin serving lunch around 11 a.m. After the services church members will go over the ordnung (church rules). “Rule Church” is held twice a year always two weeks before the Communion services.

Yesterday was not our church Sunday so we told Emma and Jacob and family to come to our house for a brunch. We had eggs, fried potatoes, bacon, toast, butter, strawberry jam, cheese, tomatoes, hot peppers, coffee, grape and orange juice. We also had pumpkin nut bars that Joe’s sister made, they are very good. After dishes were washed Jacob and Emma and their 5 children borrowed a horse to go the graveyard to visit Marilyn’s grave. Their horse had lost a shoe so they took ours. So sad to have to see them leave for something like that but Marilyn is in God’s hands. His plans don’t always go according to ours. We need to trust that He knows the future and we don’t.

Daughter Elizabeth left Saturday evening with her friend, Timothy, as they spent Saturday evening and Sunday at his brother’s house in Indiana.

The children have been busy sorting and carrying potatoes to the basement for storage. After they were dug up they left them out in the yard so the rain could wash them off. Now the sun has dried them and they are ready for the basement. A lot of work is involved but it feels good to see the potatoes there for winter use. The gardens are really getting the end of season look. I don’t think it will be too long before the first killing freeze.

One of Jacob’s horses died from encephalitis, a mosquito spread disease. Quite a few horses have died in this community from this disease. It works so fast that it is too late to summon a veterinarian. A lot of people are starting to vaccinate their horses against this dreadful disease. Jacob’s were here for supper before they left for home after getting back from the graveyard.

I need to get back to work, I am sewing Kevin a new pair of pants for school. His pants are all giving up on him. It seems once the pants have been handed down to the third boy it is hard for the pants not to have holes in the knees. I will share the recipe for the pumpkin nut bars that Joe’s sister made:

Pumpkin Nut Bars

2 cups sugar

1 cup vegetable oil

4 eggs, beaten

1-1/2 cup cooked and mashed fresh pumpkin (canned can be used)

2 cups flour

2 teaspoons cinnamon

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 /2 teaspoon salt

ICING

8 ounces cream cheese

1/2 cup butter

1 tablespoon milk

1 box Powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

In a large mixing bowl

TOPPING

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 350. In a large bowl, mix sugar, oil, eggs, and pumpkin. Add remaining ingredients and beat well. Pour into well-greased large 13 X 8 jelly roll pan. Bake for 20 minutes and apply icing while warm. Then sprinkle with walnuts.

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