SWING AROUND THE VALLEY
I enjoy my Amish/Mennonite neighbors. After finishing some bookwork this morning, I made my weekly run for fresh eggs and milk. As much as I love freshness, there is something more that keeps me coming back each week to my farming neighbors. It is the friendships and relationships that we build with every visit.
Today when I stopped for milk, Mrs. Peachey, a Mennonite, and her children were busy in the kitchen making applesauce. Three children were coring and cutting the apples. One daughter was at the stove and another daughter was working with the food processor. I am always amazed at their cheerfulness. While pouring the milk into my glass jar we talked about making cheese. They shared their recipes and she gave me Rennet for my cheese experimentation. There is never a generation gap or cultural difference when we talk about cooking. I left feeling rather cheery myself!
My next stop was just a short distance down the road to buy eggs. Fannie is Amish. She has the brightest smile and talks rather fast. Sometimes her wit takes me by surprise. Like today when I bought two dozen eggs and a few blueberries for tomorrow’s breakfast. I wanted more blueberries but they were sold out. A pint box only half full sat on the table and she told me to take them. As my daughter and I were leaving we couldn’t help eating a few as we stepped off the porch. From the screen door we heard Fannie say “There won’t be any left for breakfast”. We all laughed.
The Amish keep to themselves but respect the “English people” as customers. They have their own church, schools, and language. I often hear them speaking in Dutch while shopping in the Dry Goods Store or as I call it the Amish Wal-mart. It surprised me today when the owner of the Dry Goods Store asked if I would take her niece home. She had kept the store for the morning and did not want the girl to walk the mile home in the rain. I was delighted that the elder woman felt comfortable to make her request as it was a testament to our budding friendship.
I returned home with freshness in my spirit as well as freshness for my cupboards.
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