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
Page 57
Granny sprang up, and Bea flew off her lap. “Nathan, praise be. We’ll be neighbors!”
“Jah, come February for sure. But I was hoping that once you saw that I bought a farm, then you’d know I was serious about Lavina.” He slowly looked Jeb in the eyes. “The Bible says to plant a garden, buy a home, and then take a wife. Or something like that.” He gripped Lavina’s hand. “And we’d like to wed next month.”
Granny wanted to clap, not being able to contain her excitement. She looked over at Jeb, whose countenance had changed considerably. He looked wide awake, and filled with joy.
He got up and kissed Nathan on the cheek. “This is goot news. Jah, you can wed next month. You’ve shown your commitment to stay here, and I trust your heart is with this wunderbar girl who’s like a dochder to me.”
They embraced and slapped each others’ backs. “Danki, Opa.”
Granny went to embrace Lavina and then Nathan. Her grandson, who was her shadow growing up, was living right down the road for goot. Warmth filled her heart, and she turned to hug Lavina again, the girl she’d come to love like a dochder, too.
The door front door opened, and Marge poked her head in. “What’s the verdict?”
“Verdict?”
“We’re getting married next month.” Lavina flashed the happiest smile Granny had ever seen.
“Did you tell them the rest?”
Nathan put a hand up. “I was getting to it.” He faced his grandparents, standing mighty tall. “I’m not only going to be a farmer, but a landlord, too.”
Granny sat back down on the bench. “How? Are you renting out the dawdyhaus?”
“Jah, I am.”
Granny spun around and looked at Marge. “We’ll miss you.”
Marge did a jig. “No you won’t. We’re the renters.”
“What?”
“We’re going to come up here for our camp. Of course, Nathan will own it, but we can rent out our little house for weekend retreats or for weeks at a time. I can’t live off the grid all the time, but some of the time. Make sense?”
Marge’s animated ways always made Granny chuckle. “It makes perfect sense. Goot idea.”
“Well,” Nathan said, “you won’t be the only renters, Marge. Folks who came up for Amish camp want to try out the Amish way of living, even if only for a weekend.” He grinned. “Marge, you better book a weekend before it gets filled up.”
“Thanksgiving. I want Thanksgiving. And Christmas week.” Marge said, concern etched on her face.
“Okey Dokey,” Nathan said, his eyes never dimming, only beaming with joy.
Granny thought she would burst from happiness, but having to say good-bye to Marge bothered her more than she was willing to let on. She was getting more attached to the English from the Baptist Church, and was realizing that they were bound together by God, all a part of His Body, the Church. God had knit them together in love. And she could hardly wait for her third circle to begin…combining good literature and knitting.
~*~
Dear readers,
Another knitting circle has concluded, but rest assured, Granny and the girls will continue to knit for charity at their new Knit-Lit Circle. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to all my faithful readers. I couldn’t write these continuing shorts without your encouragement. Danki! To stay in touch, please visit me at www.karenannavogel.com, on my author page on Facebook, or at my blog, Amish Crossings.
I leave you all with this recipe for Apple Dapple Cake that wash down goot with apple cider. Enjoy!
Apple Dapple Cake
2 eggs
2 c. white sugar
1 c. vegetable oil
3 c. flour
½ tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
3 c. chopped apples
2 tsp. vanilla
Nuts
Mix eggs, white sugar and oil. Sift flour, salt and baking soda. Add sifted ingredients to beaten egg mixture. Add apples, vanilla and nuts. Mix well. Pour into greased cake pan. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes or until done.
Icing
1 c. brown sugar
¼ c. milk
¼ c. butter
Mix ingredients and cook 2 ½ minutes. Stir a little after removing from stove, but do not beat. Drizzle over the cake while the cake is still hot. A few nuts can be sprinkled on top.
Clickable Recipe Index
Amish Angel Food Cake
Berry Muffins
Thumbprint Cookies
Peach Spoon Cake
Homemade Sherbet
Emma’s Sticky Buns
Pumpkin Whoopie Pie
Apple Dabble Cake
Contact the AUTHOR
Best-selling author Karen Anna Vogel is a trusted English friend among Amish in Western PA and NY. She strives to realistically portray these wonderful people she
admires, most stories being based on true events. Karen writes full-length novels, novellas and short story serials. She hopes readers will learn more about Amish culture and traditions, and realize you don't have to be Amish to live a simple life. Visit her popular blog, Amish Crossings at www.karenannavogel.blogspot.com
She would love to get to know you better on her author page on Facebook, where all things Amish, knitting, gardening, simple living, recipes…..all things downhome goodness are shared amongst Karen’s readers. https://www.facebook.com/VogelReaders
How to Know God
God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
God so loved the world
God loves you!
“I have loved you with an everlasting love.” — Jeremiah 31:3
“Indeed the very hairs of your head are numbered.” — Luke 12:7
That He gave His only Son
Who is God’s son?
“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” — John 14:6
That whoever believes in Him
Whosoever? Even me?
No matter what you’ve done, God will receive you into His family. He will change you, so come as you are.
“I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?”
— Jeremiah 32:27
“The Spirit of the Lord will come upon you in power, … and you will be changed into a different person.” — 1 Samuel 10:6
Should not perish but have eternal life
Can I have that “blessed hope” of spending eternity with God?
“I write these things to you who believe in the name of Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” - 1 John 5:13
To know Jesus, come as you are and humbly admit you’re a sinner. A sinner is someone who has missed the target of God’s perfect holiness. I think we all qualify to be sinners. Open the door of your heart and let Christ in. He’ll cleanse you from all sins. He says he stands at the door of your heart and knocks. Let Him in. Talk to Jesus like a friend…because when you open the door of your heart, you have a friend eager to come inside.
Bless you!
Karen Anna Vogel
If you have any questions, visit me at www.karenannavogel.com and leave a message in the contact form. I’d be happy to help you.
Amish Knit
Lit Circle
Smicksburg
Tales 3
Karen Anna Vogel
He restores my soul
Amish Knit Lit Circle: Smicksburg Tales 3
© 2012 by Karen Anna Vogel
Second Edition 2013 by Lamb Books
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means – electronic, mechanical, photographic (photocopying), recording, or otherwise – without prior permission in writing from the author.
This book is a work of fiction. The
names, characters, places, and incidents are products of
the writer's imaginat
ion or have been used fictitiously and
are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to
persons, living or dead, actual events, locales or
organizations is entirely coincidental.
Contact the author on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/VogelReaders
Learn more the author at: www.karenannavogel.com
Visit her blog, Amish Crossings, at www.karenannavogel.blogspot.com
DEDICATION
To Karamarie Farnam and Maryann Roberts, my companions in talking about all things Jane Austen, Anne of Green Gables and Little Women. You provided lots of inspiration for this series. Thank you “Pauline and Anne-Girl.
My wonderful husband Tim who patiently listened to me fret that I couldn’t pull this series off.
You are my Rocky.
To Jesus Christ who keeps me knit together in His love
Psalm 139: 13
INTRODUCTION
Pickwick Papers (Charles Dickens), Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (Conan Coyle), and Anne of Green Gables (Lucy Maud Montgomery), have two things in common; they started as continuing short stories and became classics. I’ve always felt we should learn from the best, and to me, a continuing short story invited readers to participate in the storyline, helping the author see their blind sides.
This is how Smicksburg Tales was born, and this is the third novel to be formed from episodes. So, why knitting and literature together? Well, the Amish are avid readers, especially when the earth rests from its labor, winter brings rest and lots of books into Amish homes.
Also, when readers told me their knitting circles were reading episodes of Amish Knitting Circle: Smicksburg Tales 1 and then Amish Friends Knitting Circle: Smicksburg Tales 2, and then making the dessert recipes included, an idea popped into my head. Granny loves Jane Austen, so why not have the women read classic literature and discuss it at their circle?
So, in Amish Knit Lit Circle, all winter, Granny and her circle, now consisting of Amish and English friends, knit for the homeless and discuss books. As these women reach out into their community, they share what they’ve learned. Missy Prissy, a snobby rich woman, reads A Christmas Carol, but will it change her Scrooge heart? The single moms at Forget-Me-Not Manor read Anne of Green Gables, and can identify with this lonely orphan, being formerly homeless and on the streets, and share their stories for the first time, bringing healing. Mona reads Black Beauty and images of past abuse haunt her dreams and this could not possibly be a good thing, or is it?
Visions of romance dance in the women’s heads, too. After reading Pride & Prejudice, they swoon over Mr. Darcy telling Elizabeth, “You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.” Some start to write love letters to their husbands, others wonder why their husbands just can’t spit out “I love you.” Marriage problems come to the forefront, but will they be swept under the rag rug? With their wives being so touchy-feely, will their husbands dive for the nearest rock to hide under? Some readers are participating in Granny’s circle in the comfort of their homes, not having to travel to Smicksburg. If you’d like to read these classic books along with the women in the circle, here’s Granny’s reading list:
Pride & Prejudice Jane Austen / Little Women Louis May Alcott
Anne of Green Gables Lucy Maud Montgomery /
A Christmas Carol Charles Dickens
The Life of our Lord, Charles Dickens / Emma, Jane Austen
Black Beauty, Anna Sewell Pilgrim’s / Progress, John Bunyan
The Secret Garden, Frances Hodgson Burnett / Enjoy dear reader friends!
Episode 1
Pride & Prejudice
Granny poured freshly ground coffee into Jeb’s mug, and then sat down for breakfast. They joined hands as Jeb asked for a blessing on the food and for strength for this day.
“My neck’s still sore, Jeb. It hurts to knit.”
“Well, you’re not a spring chicken anymore, and running a wedding like you did yesterday would tucker me out.”
“You? Of course it would. You’re older.” She grinned at him. “Old man.”
Jeb took a sip of the hot liquid. “That I am. As old as the hill, jah? But I don’t plan weddings and have knitting circles and whatnot.”
“My girls all helped with the wedding and we’ll have leftover dessert at the circle like last year. Ach, I can’t believe the circle started last wedding season, can you?”
“And look what goot came out of it. How many of the girls got married?”
Granny raised one, then two, then three fingers. “I think three. Lizzie and Roman, Fannie and Melvin, and Lavina and Nathan.” She smiled with delight. “And with every wedding, I was right, and you were wrong.”
“Huh?”
“I made Roman come to his senses about Lizzie, when you thought I was meddling. Fannie’s inner beauty came out from the scriptures and compliment box –”
“Now hold on now. I gave Melvin the idea for the compliment box. It worked for you, remember?”
Granny pursed her lips. “Ach, Jeb, it did, and I’m ever so thankful. And it’s the Lord who puts people together, not me.” She took a bite of scrambled eggs, but when she turned to look out the window at the rain pelting against it, the pain in her neck got worse. Stiff neck, again. Hope I can knit later on today.
“Knitting circle is this afternoon. Well, our new book club and knitting combined. Suzy calls it our knit-lit circle for short. But I’ll be starting it with a heavy heart.”
“Why?”
“Ella’s moved on to New York….and Mona’s coming.” Granny tried not to grind her teeth when spitting out that woman’s name, but she couldn’t help it.”
“What are you reading, or talking about reading, or however it goes?” Jeb asked.
“We picked a book most of us have read, being so busy with the wedding. Promise not to laugh.”
“I’ll try.”
“Pride and Prejudice.”
Jeb’s expression didn’t change. “What’s so funny about that?”
“You always tease about my love for Jane Austen.”
He put a hand up. “I’m used to it now. And I see the goot the woman writes about. You only need to stop trying to be like that Emma. The matchmaker.” He winked. “God is the matchmaker, jah?”
“Jah, He is. I sure hope Mona learns a goot lesson from Pride and Prejudice….”
“Huh? You think she’s proud or prejudiced?”
“She’s not a goot mamm, like Mrs. Bennett.”
“Deborah…..”
“What?”
“Did you pick the first book because Mona is coming? To point out her faults?”
“Everyone’s read it, like I said. But if we’re to learn from great literature, jah, I hope Mona learns something.”
Jeb sighed. “God knows how to fix her. Don’t go weeding someone else’s garden if you have weeds in your own.”
Granny’s brows furrowed. “Never heard that saying.”
“Saying? I just made it up. With us working in the garden and all, it just popped into my head. But you understand my meaning, jah?”
“You’re saying those without sin cast the first stone?”
“Jah.” Jeb chuckled. “Don’t take stones out of someone else’s garden until the dirt in yours is fine as silt.”
“Jebediah Weaver, stop while you’re ahead. And all these proverbs you’re saying apply to you, too.”
He grabbed her hand and kissed it. “I know, but I have an easier time with it.”
Granny withdrew her hand and slapped his arm. “What? Why? Being the bishop doesn’t make you better, only more dependent on God for answers. God lifts up the humble and –”
“I have you, Deborah Weaver. You help carry the burden of all my faults, jah? I lean on you; you know that.”
Trying to hide the smile forming on her lips, she took a sip of coffee. “And you help carry mine, too, Love.”
“How much does Mona weigh? Think I’ll hurt my back.”
Gran
ny snickered. “I love you, old man. My leaning post.”
“I love you more…and need you more….Love.”
~*~
Mona sat in the rocker in her room, struggling to learn how to follow the pattern Suzy had given everyone who joined the new circle. Knit for charity…and for the English? How many times she’d go to this knitting circle, read secular books, she did not know. It all seemed mighty carnal to her. Deborah Weaver always tested the limits, and now that her husband was bishop, did she think she could get away with more?
Well, she’d go to be a good influence on Deborah. The woman was just too friendly to outsiders.
~*~
A buggy pulled in and Mona stood up and looked down on her driveway. Maryann? Ach, she wished it was anyone but Maryann. The woman was a model mother, raising eight kinner in a house always spotless. Every church service in that house always made Mona’s husband question her homemaking abilities, or laziness as he implied.
Mona set the black yarn down and slowly got up from her rocker. She heard Maryann enter though the side door, and call her name.
“I’m coming down. Just a minute.” Mona quickly slipped out of her night clothes and put her black dress and apron on. No other Amish family knew how much time she spent in her nightgown, except Fannie. Ever prodding Fannie, who gave too much advice, given to her by Deborah Weaver. Twisting her hair up, Mona shoved pins to keep it in place before putting on her kapp. Granny, indeed. When Fannie said that she wanted to call Deborah Mamm , she knew it was out of spite. Why was Fannie spiteful, and not sweet, like Eliza?
Mona slowly descended the steps and moseyed her way over to her kitchen to meet Maryann. “Goot morning.”