Merry Christmas Everyone!

(Image to the left a common sight in homes all around the country as everyone celebrates this season.)

First lets begin the day with a cheerful Merry Christmas to all, Anglish and Amish alike. Today was like any other around our household with the exception to the obvious merryment and celebration. I recieved the regular pair of suspenders and new workshirt and pants. All the children were happy with their new wooden toys and tools as well. The missus even recieved the before mentioned olling pin from her mother. To which I can attest works quite well.

It seems the the number one Amish Christmas gift for her this year WAS NOT a butter churn. Who would have thought it?

Top Ten Amish Gifts For Her

(Image to the right has many of the things a typical Amish woman would love Christmas morn.)

Christmas morning is almost as much fo the adults as it is the children. A well mannered husband always makes certain that the wife gets what she needs. With that it's time for the Top Ten Amish Christmas Gifts. Note a rolling pin isn't mentioned. Her mother will see to it that item is covered. LOL!

10. That new Bonnet she's been looking over.
9. A new mop.
8. A new pair of sexy black longjohns.
7. Black material for that new barn raising dress.
6. A solar powered flashlight for the outhouse.
5. A new switch for the youngin's.
4. Pots and pans.
3. A Teapot.
2. A Washboard.

and the most popular Amish women's Christmas gift of 2005 is...

1. A shiny butter churn.

Bah Hum'flu'bug!!!

(Image to the left of old Scrooge doesn not even come close to describing how I physically feel.)

No, I didn't say "Bah Humbug!!!" Instead, I've said "Bah Hum 'flu' bug" my dear readers. That's right everyone, I've been bitten by the most foul of all bugs during this great season of celebration. As most know it's one that's sting goes deep. Striking it's victim unaware and suddenly. Giving pain and pressure in places that were not made for it. As my luck would have it also draining out of every hole in my head as well.

Not to let this thing get me down my friend Jacob told me of some methods he had heard about one night on the crystal radio he keeps in the barn. I don't know if he was making these things up or he didn't understand clear enough due to poor reception but none of the methods have worked well at all. First he told me find a bunch of DIMES and TAP them on something to get rid of this. Well, I tried for an entire afternoon to find 12 of them and I just about tapped a hole through the table to no avail. Since that didn't work he told me I needed to find something called a SUDA and feed it. Apparently, once it's fed it makes everything much better. In addition to those pointeless efforts I tried writting with a QUILL both during the night and daytime without any success at all. I think I'll stick with my standard black tea and honey and see how I fair in a few days.

In the meantime, I'll listen to some holiday music <-link to put me in a better mood.

Tis The Season For Cookies

(Image to the right shows the weakness of both English and Amish alike. The simple cookie.)

That's right. For some the reason of the season comes down to the aroma's and tastes found in the family kitchen. Found below is one of my personal favorites and soon to be one of yours:

Amish Ginger Cookies
Makes about 48

3/4 cup butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1/4 cup unsulfured molasses
2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1-1/2 teaspoon baking sodaextra granulated sugar

First, preheat the oven to 350 F. In a mixing bowl, beat together butter and 1 cup sugar until creamy. Add egg and molasses; beat until combined. Add the remaining ingredients and mix until well combined. Roll dough into 1-inch balls and roll in the extra granulated sugar. Place balls on ungreased baking sheet. Bake for 5 - 7 minutes until barely turning brown. Allow to cool for 1 minute on baking sheet and then remove to wire racks to cool completely.

Tis The Season For Gadgets.

(Image to the left shows a handcrafted Amish version of the Nativity using simple material.)

Tis the season of brotherly love and celebration in our neck of the woods you could say. An Amish Christmas is somewhat simple for the typical family. That is unless you are in mine of course. Normally, the average Amish family has a simple nativity in their home along with a simple and plain Christmas tree decorated by handmade items inspired by god, made by hand and carefully placed. In ours though, it's a display of flashing lights and sound combined with all the flair one would expect on a July 4th celebration. The lights we use are of an LED (light emmiting diode) type and use very little electricity while on. During the day a small solar panel charges the batteries that operate our lights and immitation 'chirping bird' inside the tree. We also play Christmas music from the Trans-Siberian Orchestra from an iPod Mini and an extra set of speakers. One might think this steps on the line of distinction between the Amish and English but we don't. However you celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus this season just try and remember if it were not for Him we would be in a hard way as people in the world.

This month we'll discuss Christmas related topics with the Amish lifestyle and traditions in both my family and others. Merry Christmas to all and to all a well lit and silent night.