Smicksburg Tales 1,2 & 3 (Amish Knitting Circle, Amish Friends Knitting Circle & Amish Knit Lit Cirlce ~ Complete Series: 888 pages for Granny Weaver Lovers and 30+ Amish Recipes

by Karen Anna Vogel

  She looked up and her eyes met Lavina’s. She looked at her with a puzzled expression. “Ella, are you okay?”

  “Ach, just deep in thought. Well, prayer actually. You know, just talking to God.”

  “How are you Ella?” Nathan said. “And the little ones?”

  “They’re angels, really. A gift from God.” She looked at Lavina, hoping she understood her meaning. If the kinner were a gift from God, so was she.

  Lavina nodded. “Jah, they were a gift.”

  Nathan put his hand on her shoulder, as if lending strength. “I best be getting back to Oma’s.”

  He nodded to Ella and she nodded back, mesmerized by what she was seeing. They acted like they were confidants or best friends. How odd? She fidgeted with the horse’s reins. “Want to go to the Country Junction for some pie?”

  Lavina looked startled. “Why? I mean, we have pie here…”

  “I’d like to treat you and get to know you better.”

  Lavina’s mouth soon slipped into a smile. “I’d like that.”

  ~*~

  A red sports car splashed with mud appeared in Granny’s window. Jack barked viciously, as if the people inside were strangers. Soon a short woman with light-red hair popped out of the passenger side. “Jack, don’t you know who I am?” Suzy quipped. “Come here and give me a hug” Jack ran to her and put his front paws up on her shoulders, almost knocking her down. He proceeded to lick her face.

  “Suzy,” Granny chimed as she ran out on her porch. “When did you get home?”

  “A few days ago. Oh, Florida is glorious in the winter: no snow, ice, gloomy days, only sunshine.” She walked up the porch steps and gave Granny a hug. “And you’ll never guess what I found?”

  “Yarn shops. How many did you find?”

  “Oh, plenty, and do I have some ideas for mine. No, I found an Amish settlement. Have you ever gotten a circle letter from Pinecraft, Florida?”

  “Nee, never.”

  “Well, you’re always telling me I don’t need to go to be a snowbird, but I found Amish people who are. I couldn’t believe it.”

  “Who milks their cows?” Granny pulled her shawl tighter.

  “I don’t know. Never thought of that.” Anyhow, I bought you one of their cookbooks.”

  Granny embraced Suzy, her dear English friend. “I’ve missed you.”

  “Missed my van?” Suzy smirked.

  “Nee, we all missed you. But where is your van?”

  Suzy pointed to the car. “I came with Marge. She’s in there talking on her cell phone to her husband. She told me all about meeting you, and the farm down the road.” She put her hand on Granny’s shoulder. “Are you alright? You look pale.”

  “I’ve been feeling drained. Did you hear about the engagements? Fannie’s marrying Melvin and my Roman will be marrying Lizzie.”

  “Did Emma do that?

  “Who’s Emma? Don’t know who you mean.”

  “You know. The Jane Austen book? Emma, the matchmaker? Jeb was calling you that.”

  “I’ve come to learn the Lord is the matchmaker.”

  “But you don’t seem happy about these weddings?”

  Granny linked her arm through Suzy’s and led her inside. “Want some tea?”

  “No, I need to get back to the shop. Marge just wanted to show me the farm inside…have to run. But tell me, what’s wrong?”

  “Well, you know how head strong my son is. Roman wants to get married the first week of May. Jeb thinks he’s being impulsive and wants them to wait until fall.”

  “And you don’t like it when people aren’t getting along? Especially in the family?”

  “Jah. I feel torn. I can see both sides.”

  “Why can’t Roman get married in May? I mean, he is an adult. You Amish don’t get wedding dresses, cakes, photographers. Only a big meal, right?”

  “Jah, but it’s a special meal. A large meal, sometimes a thousand people attend. There’s no time for folks to come out of state.”

  Suzy sighed. “You’re always telling me us “English” make you laugh, always keeping up with the Jones’. And here you are keeping up with the….Yoders.”

  “What?”

  “Why does the wedding need to be big? Can’t you have a small wedding with maybe only fifty people?”

  “Fifty! If I invite Maryann’s family I’d have nine already.”

  “Okay, how about two-hundred? Would that be too hard?”

  “Nee. Suppose not…just used to attending big weddings in the fall. Hardly a wedding in spring.”

  “Well, I need to get back to the store, and I know Marge has to check on Maryann.” She took a piece of paper out of her big paisley purse. “Read this, and think about joining.”

  Granny took the paper. Amish/English Knitting Circle. Classes starting in May. Learn to knit with needles. Classes Friday at 1:00. Stop into the store for more details. She looked up at Suzy. “Knit with needles and not a loom? Is it hard?”

  “It’s easy. And I’ve always wanted to offer classes to the Amish. Do you think any will come?”

  “I don’t see why not.”

  “Good. I’ll stop by later in the week to talk. Have some ideas for Roman’s wedding.”

  Granny smiled. “So goot to see you again.”

  ~*~

  Granny closed her eyes and listened to the peeper frogs. With Jeb’s fishing hole in the back, they had so many, sometimes the noise was deafening, but they always sang the same song. Spring is here, and winter is over.

  Everything did seem new in spring, and now two women from her knitting circle would be starting new lives, and for that, she was so thankful. But when would Roman’s wedding be? And would Fannie be home to see Lizzie get married? She thought of the tall, awkward girl who thought she was ugly and fat: Fannie. Now she was transformed from a worm to a butterfly, but she’d fly away…away from her. It made her so sad, she couldn’t even cry. She looked out the window into the spring sky:

  Lord, I’m glad you’re never weary and I can come to you all day long if need be. I come again tonight to cast burdens on you. I hate saying good-bye to loved ones, so I give Fannie to you. She’s not mine, just a gift to keep for a while. Fill her life with joy, and fill the hole that’ll be in my heart when she leaves.

  And Lord, help Jeb and Roman come to an agreement about the wedding. Soften their hearts so they can see each other’s point of view. I don’t like discord in my family. Spin them together, like I do my wool.

  And Lord, I give Nathan to you. He’s been seen with Lavina once too often, for my liking. I do love Lavina, but I don’t see that she’s the one for Nathan. Maybe you could open his eyes to Lydia Troyer or Lottie Hochstetler? You’re the matchmaker, not me. Turn Nathan’s heart toward the girl he’s to wed.

  Lord, some days things seem spun out of control and I start to fret, even make myself sick with worry. I cast all my cares on you, knowing that you care for me.

  In Jesus name,

  Amen.

  ~*~

  Here is a recipe for granola that an Amish friend shared with me long ago. This was the first recipe that showed me how frugal the Amish are. Look at the recipe and see why. Enjoy!

  Everything but the Kitchen Sink Granola

  10 c. oatmeal and dry goods such as left over cereal (smashed in small pieces)

  2 c. wheat germ or other dry ingredient on hand such as corn meal, sesame seeds, wheat flour,

  2. c. coconut

  2 c. brown sugar (light or dark)

  2 c. nuts or seeds such as sunflower seeds, almonds, walnuts (whatever is on hand)

  ½ c. oil

  ½ c. honey

  1 Tbs. vanilla

  1 tsp. salt

  Mix above ingredients together, put on cookie trays, and toast at 300 degrees until golden brown. Be careful to flip mixture to prevent burning. (20-30 minutes)

  Raisins, dates, and other dried fruits can be added after granola is done baking.

  Episode 10

 
New Beginnings

  Granny peered across the table at Bishop Mast. How she wished she’d agreed for this meeting to be at her own nest, but Sarah sat next to her husband, and it was a comfort.

  “Jah, bishop. I have unforgiveness in my heart toward two people and I’m afraid I might ruin Easter for everyone.”

  Bishop Mast stared at his fiddling thumbs. “If I shed some light on the circumstances surrounding Lavina, it needs to be held in confidence. Jeb knows all about it because he’s an elder.”

  Granny felt her heart jump. Jeb knew something about Lavina and her immoral past? He didn’t tell her? Must be something awfully serious. “Go on Bishop. You have my word.”

  “Well, I won’t be saying much more than Lavina comes from a very harsh home. Lavina’s family has moved because her daed won’t repent of abuse; Lavina’s had blows to her body and heart.”

  Granny leaned forward. What was he saying? Thoughts of Marge telling her she would contact the law if Lavina told her one more thing ran through her mind…. She took a deep breath and slowly let the air out. “So her daed’s a cruel man?”

  “Jah, and I’ve reported it to his bishop. He’s denying it, and accusing Lavina of lying. So it’s hard for her to go home. I welcomed her into my flock.”

  Granny didn’t know if it was right to ask, but had to. “But Lavina did have twins…so she was immoral?”

  “I believe with her daed being such a hard man, it made her look for love in the wrong way.”

  “But to say she didn’t know who the daed is, which makes it seem worse.”

  Sarah reached for Granny’s shaking hands. “She knows who the daed is. Her old boyfriend who mistreated her too, just like her daed. They wanted her to marry this man, but Lavina refused, wanting a goot daed for the twins.”

  Granny pursed her lips, trying to fight feelings of rage and sorrow. “Doesn’t she have any family in Troutville? Someone to speak up for her?”

  “The little family that’s there thought she should have married before she showed. Kind of sweep it all under the rug. When Lavina refused and confessed, her old boyfriend threatened her to say she didn’t know who the daed was to save his skin. And her daed agreed with the boyfriend.”

  Granny felt like pounding on the table. “How about her mamm? Didn’t she speak up for her?”

  “Jah, she did. I’ve talked to her and she said she believed Lavina, but the woman is controlled by her husband who’s mighty unfeeling toward women.” The bishop cleared his throat. “Do you have more compassion toward Lavina?”

  “Jah? Sure do.”

  “You said you had two people to forgive. Who else?” Sarah asked.

  Feeling dizzy, she put her head in her hands. A sob escaped and Granny saw tears stain her mauve dress. “Jeb, but I understand now. I think I need to lie down.”

  ~*~

  Lizzie helped her daed sit in one of the rockers at Bishop Mast’s. “Danki for seeing us, Bishop.” Lizzie said. “I can leave if you want me to, Daed.”

  “Nee, stay here. You know what I have to say.”

  Lizzie took another rocker and tried to give Sarah a smile, glad the bishop’s wife was present. Jonas hit his fist on the bent hickory arm rest. “I have to say I have some hard feeling, Bishop. The Gmay may not have voted in glass enclosures for our buggies, but I don’t see why an exception can’t be made for those who have an illness or are elderly. Arthritis is an awfully painful think to deal with in the winter.”

  Bishop Mast looked down, and Lizzie feared her daed had gone too far. The Ordnung was agreed upon by everyone three weeks ago. Her daed had voted to wait a year to think over the matter, as it was a serious change.

  “Jonas, why are you changing your mind? What’s really bothering you?”

  “Pain. I’m in pain in the winter and being out in the cold is unbearable at times.”

  “The Gmay needs more time to make such a big change; you know that. So, I’m asking again; what’s really bothering you?”

  Jonas looked at the bishop evenly. “I don’t say things I don’t mean. Pain, plain and simple.”

  “I have a suggestion,” Sarah said. “How about we take up an offering so Jonas can have a driver? Be in a nice warm car?”

  The bishop looked over at Sarah and a smiled slowly lit his face. “Danki.” He turned to Jonas. “What do you think? An English driver for a year when the weather gets cold?”

  Jonas nodded. “I’d be grateful, for sure. So sorry to make a fuss.”

  “You’re not yourself, Jonas. Is giving up the store bothering you that much?”

  “Jah, I suppose. Don’t want to be put out to pasture like an old cow. Need income too. But when Lizzie weds, she’ll have kinner to tend…”

  Lizzie felt a sting in her heart. “Daed, why not say something?”

  “What’s there to say?”

  Lizzie groaned. “What you’re feeling, that’s what. I thought you were glad to move into Roman’s house. We’ll have a little dawdyhaus attached to the side, in time, so you’ll have privacy.”

  “Well, I was excited. Jeb has a goot fishing hole and we’d be neighbors. But when the dust settles, well, I’ll miss the store. But I’ve dealt with bigger changes, like losing your mamm. Losing the store is a little thing compared to that, and God gives us the grace we need.”

  ~*~

  Fannie sat across the table from the bishop and Sarah. “Lots of buggies coming to your place today? Are there other people who have unforgiveness? Think we’ll need to postpone Easter?”

  The bishop put his hand to his mouth, hiding a grin from the animated girl. “Fannie, we’re working things out. So, who do you hold unforgiveness toward?”

  “Ach, my father-in-law to be, Melvin’s daed. It’s like he pulled the rug up from underneath Melvin, giving him no choice but to move to New York.”

  “Have you talked to him about this?”

  “Nee, I don’t have the nerve. He’ll be family and I want to get off on the right foot.”

  “Have you talked to Melvin?”

  Fannie bit her lower lip. “I told him I’d be happy wherever he is, which is true. But I’d miss my family and friends here in Smicksburg. And, I don’t want to hand milk cows, that’s for sure.”

  Sarah chuckled. “How many cows?”

  “I’m not sure, but I know Melvin would have little time to carve. He takes such pleasure in carving.”

  “No one makes cuckoo clocks like Melvin,” Sarah said. “You just tell him what animals you want on it, and he can carve them.” She pointed to her clock on the wall. “I picked squirrels collecting nuts, and they look real, jah?”

  Fannie got up and walked over to the clock. “They do. Such goot work, but he’ll have to give up this God-given talent because of his daed.”

  “Hold on now, Fannie. You don’t know Martin’s side of the story,” the bishop chided.

  “What side?”

  “I grew up with Martin. He’s a buddy of mine since we were both kinner. He’s talked about his love for cows since he was a boppli. I’ll miss him, but he’s finally getting to do his God-given dream. He never thought he could have a dairy farm and jumped at the chance when he could. Maybe he seems impulsive, but, none the less, it’s done.”

  Fannie sighed audibly. “But he owns a shop with Melvin and should have told him the farm and shop were for sale.”

  The Bishop narrowed his eyes. “I helped Martin build that farmhouse and shop. I can see that he’d think he owned that place and had the say –so.”

  Fannie feared she’d have to confess unforgiveness toward the bishop because he was only defending his friend. But he did make sense, she had to admit. Melvin’s daed built the house and had the right to sell. She just didn’t want to leave Smicksburg.

  “You need someone to blame, jah?” Sarah asked. “Feel like your life’s ruined and it’s someone’s fault?”

  “Jah, I suppose so.”

  ~*~

  Granny let Jeb hold her on his lap and rock her, like
her mamm used to do years ago. “I’m so sorry I thought such awful things of you, Love.”

  “Too many Jane Austen books and not enough of the Bible.”

  “That’s not true…”

  “Only trying to make you laugh, Love.” He cradled her head against his chest. “The church council agreed that no one’s to know about Lavina’s situation until her old boyfriend confesses his part. Hopefully soon so Lavina’s name can be cleared of such immorality. Not knowing who the daed was…my eye.” Jeb moaned. “So you understand now why I don’t object to Nathan seeing her?”

  “Jah, of course. We all make mistakes, “Granny said. “Ach, I’m wrung out like an old dish cloth. Too tired to make anything for knitting circle and need some rest. Do you think you can get word to the girls that the circle will be canceled tonight?”

  Jeb held her tighter. “The Amish grapevine moves faster than that internet Suzy has. Not a problem. You take it easy and rest.”

  ~*~

  Jeb noticed the tiny blue hyacinths pushing their way up through the soil in Granny’s flower beds. He’d planted the dead flower bulbs last Easter and here they were again, alive and new. Just like the resurrection, he thought.

  He spun on his heels as he approached his buggy. He’d been a stubborn fool. Instead of heading over to the bishop’s, he needed to head over to his son’s and ask forgiveness. He knocked on the door and soon heard the scurrying of little feet. Tillie opened the door and smiled, revealing a lost front tooth. “Opa! Come in.”

  Jeb scooped up Tillie and kissed her cheek. “I never get tired of your dimpled smile. Been kissed by angels, jah?”

  “Opa, I’m too old to believe that. God made my dimples.”

  Jeb’s heart sank. The girls were growing up too fast. He noticed Roman come to the door, and saw that he immediately put a wall up when seeing him. “Son, I’d like to talk to you.”

  “It’s dinner time, jah?”

  “I can come back then…”

  Roman motioned for him to come into the kitchen. “Sorry, Daed. I’m being rude. Let’s talk again.”