He understands English a lot better than he can talk it. He came home from school on one of his first days said in German and he said he made a new“little friend” and I asked him in English: “what is his name” and he said “5.” I think he got mixed up and thought I was asking him how old his friend was. So when I asked him what his teacher’s name is and he said “18.” I think that’s because he thought she looked really young.
Meanwhile, Lovina, 6, is enjoying all-day kindergarten. She is eager to learn and that helps so much. Joseph, 8, is in the second grade and he says he feels so tall compared to some of those younger children.
Loretta, 10, is now in fourth grade and Benjamin, 11, has entered 5th grade. He likes the changing of classes every hour. Verena is in the sixth grade . We sure do appreciate the schools concern and helpfulness as she works through her recovery.
Susan, 14, is home-schooling 8th grade here at home. She picks a place with a desk upstairs to do her work. She usually gets her lessons done and can then help me with work too. Elizabeth, 16, is doing some house-cleaning for other people so some days she is not home. My husband Joe has been off work since September 2 and will go back to his job the 14th. After he goes back they will only be working three days a week, which I am not sure for how long. We are hoping work will pick up soon for him, but we do have so many blessings to be thankful for.
We had a few light frosts last week but not were a killing frost. It was different to be closing windows at night because it had cooled off so much.
Last week we washed all the curtains and windows. It sure does look better now that they are clean. I don’t like looking at those dirty windows. It seems it doesn’t take long for them to get fingerprinted up again. We spent Saturday at Emma and Jacob’s to help them to prepare for upcoming church services which will be in two weeks.
Before leaving for Emma’s, we had a quick breakfast of grilled cheese sandwiches and eggs. We took the buggy pulled by our horse Ginger and it started raining, so I am glad for these covered buggies. I am still getting tomatoes, cabbages, green peppers, and hot peppers, but my cucumbers are mostly done for the season. With these light frosts we are expecting an early killing freeze. So Joe has the garden all tilled up except for those parts. Emma is going to take some of our horseradish and make horse-radish pickles for church. We’ll probably be over there the next two weeks helping her.
The men and boys were digging up potatoes and Emma’s until they were rained out. Joe and our boys had dug up ours over the previous days. We ended up cleaning their basement and doing some odd-end jobs.
Today, Sept, 12, Jacob and Emma’s oldest child, Elizabeth, is 14. I didn’t get to go to church so I could not wish her a happy birthday.
Verena wasn’t feeling too well this morning so Joe and most of the other children went to church. Around 15 minutes after they left she started with one of her post-consussive episodes. I was relieved that we decided not to take her. I miss not being able to go when she is in this stage she keeps a person busy and there is not any time to relax. I think only someone with experience would know what our family has been through. It can be very stressful on the family but we pray for patience. We want to let God lead the way. He sees the future and we don’t. Let us trust in Him to guide us through this time of trial.
Joe is helping our 81-year-old neighbor lady across the road. He is assembling a storage building for her. She has been a widow for many years and stays very active and is always working outside. Probably what keeps her so young. She has done a lot for us already so it is nice to return the favor.
Cauliflower Cheese Soup
2 tablespoons chopped onion
1/4 cup butter
2 tablespoons flour
4 cups milk
1 teaspoon salt
1 medium head cauliflower cooked and chopped
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
Dash of pepper
In a large pot, cook onion and butter until the onion is tender. Blend in flour. Add milk, seasonings and cauliflower. Cook until smooth and slightly thickened, stirring frequently. Add cheese and stir until melted. Serve immediately.
