The month that I have dreaded so much has arrived!
The anticipated "dark" days of November have been surprisingly gentle so far,
unusually and almost eerily warm ...
expected waves of sadness and also with much happiness ...
PTL!
I pray the gentleness continues as my family and I remember ...
An unusually colourful October went by so quickly!
The Fall colours were especially brilliant this year.
My busyness was a welcome distraction once again.
At the end of September and first weekend in October I was
privileged to be involved with helping to set up some exhibits for the
BiCentennial celebration of the first Amish settlers in SW Ontario!
200 years ago, my ancestors came to farm and live out their lives here.
They came from the Alsace Lorraine regions in Europe to find a better life,
and freedom of religion.
Many were granted crown land on which to farm and live.
We heard many stories about how they co-existed with the First Nations peoples,
stories that were heard for the first time by many participants.
We sang soul healing "old" hymns from the German Ausbund and early hymnals!
I was moved and blessed by the whole weekend!
Below is a collage of pictures of some of the displays.
It was a well planned and very interesting weekend plus ... in addition to several Sunday evening hymn sings at various churches,
there were some well researched and interesting bus tours of the historical areas,
and a traditional bean soup lunch.
"Bona Supp" was a favourite meal in my childhood years!
The tables were beautifully set
with the traditional bowl of
apple butter to accompany the soup.
And - always - the cinnamon to
sprinkle on top!
“Cook the navy beans till soft and tender”
1 Cup dried beans yields approx. 2 ½ cooked beans. Overnight Method – place beans in kettle and cover with 4 cups water to 1 cup dried beans. Cover and let stand overnight (at least 8 hrs.) Simmer till tender in soaking water. Quick Method – place beans in kettle and cover with 4 cups water to 1 cup dried beans. Bring to a boil and cook for 2 minutes. Cover, remove from heat and let stand for 1 hour. Return water and beans to a simmer and cook till tender. Cooking time for navy beans is approx. 1 hour. Tip – add 1 tbsp. fat to cooking beans to control foaming.
“Add milk and salt and pepper to taste – heat but do not boil”
“Pour hot soup over buttered farmer’s loaf bread cubes and several strands of saffron”. Sprinkle with cinnamon.
My sister remembers mom putting the buttered bread and saffron in the bottom of her large pickling crock and pouring the hot soup over the bread. She served the soup right from the crock.
I don't remember that we added a dollop of apple butter to the soup but it certainly was slathered onto a generous slice of buttered bread!
What a treat!
October also brought ...
A sweet new kitten named - Spinach
Thanksgiving - so much to be thankful for ...
Glowing trees ...
Sunrises ...
A new something, something ... ?? Stay tuned.
Halloween with "Wreck-it Ralph and Venellope Von Schweetz!
All in all, October was good.
November has taken us to see the "Imagine Van Gogh" installation in nearby London.
What a treat to watch this 7 year old take it all in ...
Praying that November continues to be gentle as I go down thissometimes very lonely path ...
Till next time ... be good to yourselves and live each day to the fullest!
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What gorgeous photos of your corner and your family!
ReplyDeleteYour November is my May so I understand some of your
trepidation. No one can really "get" all of what each person
is experiencing. I am so glad that God is proving Himself
mighty and faithful in walking with you through it. You can
count on more good November days, more gentle November
days.
The celebration and presentation of your ancestors' arrival in
Canada looks so well done and so very interesting. The soup
certainly sounds interesting. I'll take your word that it is also delicious.
You are never under obligation to visit my corner, Rosella, though I do
enjoy finding a comment from you. I know how dull my world
has become and my expectations have slipped to zip. 😏
Thanks for your kind words Vee. I know - that soup doesn't sound or look very appetizing but it truly is a hearty one! My mom even grew her own navy beans and I remember the "threshing" by hand of the bushel baskets of beans. Stay well my friend and a gentle November to you as well.
DeleteRosella, I pray with you (and with many others) that these days will be gentle. Our Lord is meek and gentle, and even though grief is a tragic part of a fallen world, He walks through it with His children.
ReplyDeleteFall looks stunning in your area! Thanks for sharing your beautiful pictures. I want to go to "Imagine Van Gogh" . . . what a fun way to experience his art!
I think my favorite picture in this post is the one of the adorable kitten with the sweet little pajama-clad, barefoot children admiring him. Precious!
Aw thanks Cheryl - your sweet words brought me to tears. I too love that picture of the children admiring their new kitten. Unfortunately "Purrl" met a tragic end and "Spinach" has come to help with the healing. Stay well my friend!
DeleteThank you Anneliese! I do hope you come for a visit again to my corner ... Stay well!
ReplyDeleteThankful that your dreaded month has started off gently. Continued prayers as you walk through this season. I can't even imagine doing life alone after all these years. Thankful that you have a dear family nearby to share the simple pleasures of life with. Smiling at the pic of the new kitten!
ReplyDeleteYour Amish BiCentennial celebration sounds most interesting. Your people have been in Canada for a very long time! I'm sure there were many amazing stories shared. We have Mennonite friends living in Switzerland and have learned a lot about the migration of Mennonites to North America from them.