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“For which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.” – 2 Timothy 1: 12

“Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful creator.” – 1 Peter 4:19

Tuesday, and a pleasant, breezy, slightly humid afternoon. At least it isn’t as heavily cloudy as it was yesterday. Our solar battery didn’t even receive enough rays to charge. In the winter time that is not unusual, but this is the time of year it actually is.

It being Labor Day, neither one of us had to go to work. I was so hoping for a nice, clear morning so I could get my laundry out like a typical Amish housewife.

Ahh! It was not to be. Heavily cloudy. So, OK, I’ll just do my tomatoes. I had 16 pints of juice done fairly early. Do I get points for that?

Oh! No one’s keeping score. So, OK, it was still cloudy, actually kind of hazy, but I really did need to do laundry.

First I did towels, cleaning rags and suchlike. I was just hanging out the last of those things and I thought I felt moisture in the air.

So the rest of the stuff got hung up on the patio. After a while I noticed the walks are wet.

It’s misting. So I brought in the towels.

Later on, about noon, I hung them out again. Everything dried.

I got a surprising amount of things done. It makes such a big difference if I don’t have to leave.

I’m not complaining, but I do love these little breaks every now and then.

I did get quite a bit of small, odd jobs done. I still haven’t touched the big one. That’s cleaning and re-un-organizing my sewing room/office. I’ll get it one of these days, but this week is canning.

Shady Crest was having a really “peachy” day today. The Baby Gold (cling) peaches came in and there was a line-up. Open buggies, cruisers, trailers, bike carts, all loaded with peaches.

So yeah, tomorrow I’ll be having my own “peachy” day. Cling peaches aren’t the easiest to do but they are the best for canning.

Oh wonderful! The sun is breaking through the clouds. That always helps so much.

I’ll probably have tomatoes to can, too, tomorrow or then Thursday. Speaking of tomatoes, I had a real letdown.

I planted heirloom tomatoes, not realizing there is more than one kind, other than Amish paste.

I had these huge tomatoes, kind of yellow-looking with red streaks. I was waiting for them to get all red. They didn’t. So I asked Barb if there are heirloom tomatoes that are yellow with red streaks. Oh yes, non-acid. Groan! I don’t want to can yellow tomatoes. Well, hopefully I’ll have plenty of Amish paste, those are also an heirloom.

Anyway, it seems suddenly I can’t eat tomatoes. It makes me hurt seriously. Why does all the good food have to affect me? It either puts on weight or makes me hurt.

The cow over by the neighbors seems to get her jollies by standing on the dirt pile so that it looks like she is standing on top of the corn.

Hubby decided she gets up there and sings “There are mountains to climb and valleys to cross.” That is the hymn “God is moving us on.”

Or maybe to her, it’s just a “moooving” experience! (Groan!)

In closing: Excuses are easy to manufacture, but hard to sell.

You may want to save this recipe for your Thanksgiving meal. Hey, it will be here before you know it!

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Toast bread crumbs on a cookie sheet for 15-20 minutes. While bread is toasting, combine celery, onion, carrots and one cup chicken broth. Bring to a boil and boil five minutes. Beat eggs; add milk, remaining chicken broth, salt, pepper, poultry seasoning and parsley. Combine egg mixture with toasted bread and cooked vegetables.

Melt two Tblsps. butter in a large frying pan, and pour in half of the bread mixture (mixture will be runny; reserve excess liquid). Fry lightly, then place in a lightly-greased nine-inch by 13-inch baking dish.

Repeat frying process with remaining bread mixture, adding more butter as needed. Pour any excess liquid over dressing and dot with remaining butter. Bake uncovered for 30-40 minutes. Serve with gravy, if desired. And yes…you will desire!

1965: The school is housed in the former Humble Oil Co. building on Route 45 on the south side of Mattoon. 

1950: Proof that flash photography has become a national hobby is the Mattoon plant of the General Electric Co. which manufactures flash bulbs almost exclusively. A few incandescent or regular light bulbs in larger wattages are made here also. 

1989: Pat and Rodney Williamson are ready to dine. Owner Leonard Losch looks on at Ellen Kay's. 

1992: A bicyclist pedals along East Rudy Street where a row of new duplexes were built, next to a subsidized housing project. 

1992: A group of children wait in line to challenge the winner to a game of tether ball at the E. Rudy Street housing project. 

1985: aerial view of downtown Mattoon. 

1977: Acquisition of the Douglas Nursing Center will complete another phase in Wesley Tower's total care package. 

1991: The CTA office is carpeted, air conditioned, well-lit and features work stations designed around employee needs. Telemarketers generated $435 billion in sales last year. For each customer who says yes, 99 say no. 

1959: The Eastern Division of the CIPS is completing a move into the new building in Mattoon. The structure has 36 offices and 23,000 square feet of office space. 

1988: Burtschi is the first store in Illinois south of Springfield to offer Hummel figurines. 

1963: A new line of paving equipment is exhibited by the Mattoon Blaw Knox plant at the Construction Equipment Exposition and Road Show, Chicago.

1959: In an effort to better serve the growing needs of the Midwest, Southwest and Far West market for flexible metal hose and tubing the American Brass Co. built its American Metal Hose Division plant in Mattoon.

Millie Otto of Arthur is a member of the Old Order Amish. Contact her by writing to 1584 CR 2000N, Arthur, IL 61911.

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See what's going on in Millie Otto's world in this week's My Amish Home column.

See what's going on in Millie Otto's world in this week's My Amish Home column.

See what's going on in Millie Otto's world in this week's My Amish Home column.

See what's going on in Millie Otto's world in this week's My Amish Home column.

See what's going on in Millie Otto's world in this week's My Amish Home column.

See what's going on in Millie Otto's world in this week's My Amish Home column.

See what's going on in Millie Otto's world in this week's My Amish Home column.

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