Celebrate Life!

Grandma’s Letter to You Written by Sadie Witmer Weaver, September 2005 Adapted for this blog, 2012 by Wendy Yutzy and Wanda Stauffer I was born on December 14, 1924, on a farm in Brecknock Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. I had a very kind mother and a hard working father. I had four brothers (Aaron, Paul, Roy and Ivan Witmer) and three sisters (Anna Long) and Edna Carpenter. My older sister Elsie died of pneumonia when she was 15 months old. Since we lived on a farm, we raised lots of our own food. We had a really nice garden in which we grew our vegetables and a variety of other things. Things like herbs, peanuts, popcorn and ground cherries. To prepare our garden for planting, we spaded it all by hand. Then we raked it till no lumps were there. Spring and summer were busy times of the year for us. Summer was a busy time for us ladies in the kitchen. We “moved in” to the summerhouse in the summer. We still slept in the main house, but most of our daytime

When the world has gone crazy... Maybe I'll pick up blogging again... I started painting this scene last week.  We will see how it turns out. One of my favourite places in the world.. Twin Lakes, Ontario   

Crockpot Chili: 2-3 cans (14 fl oz) kidney beans = 4 1/2 cups 3 cans (28 fl oz) diced tomatoes  =12 cups 4 cups browned and drained ground beef 1 heaping Tbsp salt 1 heaping Tbsp chili powder 1 heaping Tbsp brown sugar 1 tsp oregano 1 tsp black pepper 1 tsp celery seed (optional) Combine all ingrediants together in a large crockpot. Simmer to bring out the flavour. High for 4 hours Low for 8 hours If you want to make it on the stove, combine and simmer at a medium heat for 1 hour. Serves 8 This is a quick fix recipe! I keep cans of diced tomatoes and kidney beans in my pantry. I also keep ground hamburger already browned in my freezer. If I know it is going to be a busy evening, or having company on short notice, this is one of my go to recipes!

Cream together: 1 1/2 cups sugar 1 cup butter 2 eggs Mix together and add to creamed mixture: 1/2 tsp salt 1 tsp baking soda 1 tsp cream of tartar 2 1/2 cups flour Shape into balls and roll in to a cinnamon sugar mixture. Bake at 350 for 10-15 minutes. Tia made these for us.  She wanted to color them red, so....  here you go...

Home Sweet Home by Wendy Silva Sticky Walls, toys all over the floor.  No matter what I do nothing stays clean.  Dirty dishes, laundry piled high and bathrooms a sight better left unseen. Screaming kids, dirty diapers and children following me everywhere.  Combing hair, finding socks that match.  Fixing toys, can be more than one can bear. Then we have baths, PJ's to get on and stories to be read at the end of the day. With kisses good night and sweet innocent faces of love, I wouldn't want it any other way. Dylan's messy face! When you are in the middle of raising little kids... Remember to do this.... To Young Mothers    by Edna Jaques Take time to hear their prayers at night, and cuddle them a little bit; Tell them a story now and then, and steal a little time to sit And listen to their childish talk, or take them for a little walk. You do not know it now--but soon They will be gone(the years are swift) For life just marches o

Spelt Berry Muffins From Wanda's Kitchen 1 1/3 c. Spelt flour 3/4 c. oats 2 tsp. baking powder 1/4 tsp. salt 1/4 c. honey (or agave nectar) 1 egg 3/4 c. milk 1/3 c. butter, melted 1 c. craisins, (or fresh/frozen blueberries, or raspberries) Cinnamon and sugar to sprinkle on top of the muffins. Combine dry ingredients well.   Add liquid ingredients and stir gently.  Do not overmix. Add craisins or berries. Bake at 400 degrees for 16 minutes.