Weather Brings Power, Lots To Be Thankful For
Posted: December 19, 2012
Amish Cook
The weather has been nice and sunny, but cold. After a few cloudy days, we welcome the sun even more. When the batteries on our solar-powered freezer start blinking low, we are even happier to see the sun. It seems like one sunny day always recharges it for a while.
We are still glad we invested in the freezer. Since having it installed, we haven’t had to pay a cent to keep it going. With propane prices high, that’s a good thing.
Our refrigerator, stove, lights and water heater run off of propane. Also, our water is powered by a propane motor. Last week, we had a problem with the motor not kicking on when the water supply in the house was low. Susan and I wanted to do the laundry and there wasn’t any water. We decided to see if we could start it manually and it worked, until the next time.
My husband Joe checked it out and called the man who installed it to ask if it could be the starter batteries. We bought a new battery and it fixed the problem. It has been almost six years, so we got our money’s worth. As I told Joe, I guess we are spoiled now thinking we always have hot and cold water in the house. Before our move to Michigan almost nine years ago, we always had to pump and carry our water. If we wanted hot water, we had to heat it.
Our motor for the water is in an outside building and the water runs to the house underground. We had two storage tanks and when the pressure got low, the motor automatically kicked in.
Joe also installed a new gas light in the boys’ bedroom Saturday. They haven’t had a light in their bedroom since the fire in May, so they were happy. At this time of the year, it works as a heater as well.
I think now, except for a few doors we have to paint, everything is back to normal. Although, since getting more coats out for the cold weather, we are starting to see how many were burned, but we are thankful we lost replaceable things.
I am trying to sew new outfits to give to the children for Christmas. It is getting closer and I am not sure if I will get them done. Daughter Elizabeth helps me sew when she gets home from the factory. Daughter Susan has done most of the housework and laundry the past few days so I can keep sewing.
Today, Susan is baking two batches of outrageous chocolate chip cookies to take along to church services Sunday. Elizabeth leaves Friday evening with Timothy’s family to attend their Christmas gathering.
The gathering will be at Timothy sister’s Miriam near Maysville, Ky. It is a seven-hour drive one way, so she won’t be home until sometime Sunday. The house will seem empty with her not around.
If you have heard of shoofly pie, try this recipe for shoofly cake.
Shoofly Cake
2 cups flour
1 cup brown sugar
½ cup butter, softened
1 cup boiling water
½ cup molasses
1 teaspoon baking soda
Combine flour, sugar and butter by hand to make fine crumbs. Reserve ¾ cup crumbs to put on top of the cake. Mix together water, molasses and baking soda. Add to the crumb mixture and combine. Put in a 9-by-13-inch greased pan and sprinkle with reserved crumbs. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes or until done.
We are still glad we invested in the freezer. Since having it installed, we haven’t had to pay a cent to keep it going. With propane prices high, that’s a good thing.
Our refrigerator, stove, lights and water heater run off of propane. Also, our water is powered by a propane motor. Last week, we had a problem with the motor not kicking on when the water supply in the house was low. Susan and I wanted to do the laundry and there wasn’t any water. We decided to see if we could start it manually and it worked, until the next time.
My husband Joe checked it out and called the man who installed it to ask if it could be the starter batteries. We bought a new battery and it fixed the problem. It has been almost six years, so we got our money’s worth. As I told Joe, I guess we are spoiled now thinking we always have hot and cold water in the house. Before our move to Michigan almost nine years ago, we always had to pump and carry our water. If we wanted hot water, we had to heat it.
Our motor for the water is in an outside building and the water runs to the house underground. We had two storage tanks and when the pressure got low, the motor automatically kicked in.
Joe also installed a new gas light in the boys’ bedroom Saturday. They haven’t had a light in their bedroom since the fire in May, so they were happy. At this time of the year, it works as a heater as well.
I think now, except for a few doors we have to paint, everything is back to normal. Although, since getting more coats out for the cold weather, we are starting to see how many were burned, but we are thankful we lost replaceable things.
I am trying to sew new outfits to give to the children for Christmas. It is getting closer and I am not sure if I will get them done. Daughter Elizabeth helps me sew when she gets home from the factory. Daughter Susan has done most of the housework and laundry the past few days so I can keep sewing.
Today, Susan is baking two batches of outrageous chocolate chip cookies to take along to church services Sunday. Elizabeth leaves Friday evening with Timothy’s family to attend their Christmas gathering.
The gathering will be at Timothy sister’s Miriam near Maysville, Ky. It is a seven-hour drive one way, so she won’t be home until sometime Sunday. The house will seem empty with her not around.
If you have heard of shoofly pie, try this recipe for shoofly cake.
Shoofly Cake
2 cups flour
1 cup brown sugar
½ cup butter, softened
1 cup boiling water
½ cup molasses
1 teaspoon baking soda
Combine flour, sugar and butter by hand to make fine crumbs. Reserve ¾ cup crumbs to put on top of the cake. Mix together water, molasses and baking soda. Add to the crumb mixture and combine. Put in a 9-by-13-inch greased pan and sprinkle with reserved crumbs. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes or until done.
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