We are also glad for the school staff’s consideration and helpfulness with Verena during this school term. Verena will be 13 next week already. It is so hard to believe our third child is entering the teenage years. May they always let God guide them through life.

We enjoyed Thanksgiving dinner and Jacob and Emma’s house. I cooked and stuffed the 21 pound turkey here at home first, before we left for Emma’s. The turkey was put into a covered roaster and then in a cardboard box. The turkey fit nicely under the buggy seat for the ride to Emma and Jacob‘s. The warm turkey also made the buggy smell good made the floor feel nice and warm! Emma and Jacob had set the table for us all to sit down and eat when we arrived. We were a total of 18 at the table. Baby Marilyn is still missed dearly and it seems we should still see her smiling that sweet little smile of hers. She is in God’s care and we know there is a reason for it all.

Daughter Elizabeth joined her friend Timothy on Thanksgiving for a brunch with his family. That worked out real well because they were then able to join us for noon dinner at Jacob’s. On the menu was turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, gravy, corn, lettuce salad, vegetables and dip, cheese, deviled eggs, hot peppers, homemade bread, butter, and jam. For dessert we had pumpkin, cherry, apple crumb, pecan pies, pumpkin roll, and ice cream. There was a lot of food leftover but it made for some easy meals the next day. We spent the afternoon playing games, singing, and visiting. The day went way too fast.

On Friday we did laundry but it was so cold and windy outside that we decided to hang the clothes to dry in the basement. Clothes dry very well with the coal stove in full gear now. We plan to do laundry again today and with the temperature below freezing we will again hang the clothes inside.

Saturday we had a short visit from Uncle Joe and Aunt Betty of Geneva, Indiana. Their plans were to visit my sisters Susan and Verena and Emma and Jacob and family after they left. After that they were planning to visit with brother Albert on their way back home.

Yesterday we had a quiet day just here at home, relaxing and just taking it easy. In the afternoon the children enjoyed a pony ride. It warmed up into the mid-40s so they decided to hitch our pony Stormy up and go for a ride. With cold weather arriving the children are getting out their hats, gloves, and so forth. Joe put up some coat hangers but they are soon filled with all the extra coats. Once the snow arrives then will come the boots and snow pants too.

Here’s a Christmas cookie recipe I would try.

White Christmas Cut-Out Cookies

1 cup shortening

2 cups white sugar

2 eggs

1/2 cup cream or milk

1 teaspoon soda

1 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon lemon extract

1 tablespoon vanilla

5 cups flour

Preheat oven to 350. In a large mixing bowl, cream shortening and sugar. Add eggs and beat well. Mix in cream, soda, salt, extract and flour. Roll very thin, almost paper thin. Cut out with cookie cutters of your own preference. Bake at 350 for 5 minutes or until the edges are golden, the cookie dough is very thin so they do not need to bake long. Cool and decorate.

AN AMISH CHRISTMAS: FREE SHIPPING now being offered. From now through Dec 15, the Amish Cook’s “An Amish Christmas” by Elizabeth Coblentz, Lovina EIcher, and Kevin Williams will be for sale. This 100-page booklet is filled with holiday recipes, Thanksgiving blessings and Christmas memories. This is an updated reprint of the original “Amish Christmas” first published in 1992, with additions by Lovina Eicher and her children. Cost is $12.99 plus shipping. To order visit www.oasisnewsfeatures.com/special, call (513) 849–9158 or send $12.99 to Oasis Newsfeatures, P.O. BOX 157, Middletown, Ohio 45042. All phone and internet orders will ship same day from Amazon. Any books ordered before Dec. 15 will be guaranteed arrival by Christmas. Visit amishcookonline.com for more recipes and videos.