Daughters Elizabeth, 15, and Susan, 13, are putting in another day of detasseling corn. Susan was hired last week after a few others quit. She was glad to get a chance to earn some money. It has been very hot, though, and they put in a good day's work.
(Editor's note: Some readers have written to ask what "detasseling corn" is. The process involves breaking off the top tassel of the corn, which aids in cross-pollination of various varieties.)
The corn is really high in some fields making it even harder work. Elizabeth was off a few days last week after she poked her eye with a tassel. They wear eye protection but this one went up under her eyeglasses. The tassel scratched the cornea of her eye right beside her pupil. She had a few miserable days but went back to work again. I am putting eye drops that the doctor prescribed three times a day.
Last week was a pretty busy week of cleaning, plus going to the doctor with Elizabeth two days.
Meanwhile, my cleaning is gradually getting done. Jacob and Emma and family were here Saturday assisting us with our work.
Joe and Jacob and the boys were hauling manure, but a piece on the manure spreader gave up. Since we won't be able to fix it before Sunday we asked someone else to bring their manure spreader to spread the manure one evening. I told Joe I wouldn't worry about it if the manure doesn't get hauled but he thinks it should get done.
Meanwhile, my walls and ceilings are all washed off except our main bathroom. The girls cleaned out all my kitchen cabinets. This week we need to wash windows and the curtains.
We started cleaning the basement but it is still not done. I'd also like to clean out my cupboards and wash out all the dishes inside. They seem to be getting dusty since they are dishes I hardly ever use. Also the weekly mowing has to be done plus some weeding and tilling in the garden. Joe is determined to get our potatoes dug up before Sunday. He has a good start on it.
Usually when preparing for church services to be held at our home, things don't get this rushy but only knowing two weeks in advance this time we were a bit unprepared. I know that it won't bother anyone if our cleaning isn't all done because that isn't what church is all about. It is just nice afterwards to have everything all caught up and clean for awhile. Needless to say, I think we will all be glad when Sunday afternoon arrives.
I am not planning on having people back over for supper Sunday evening. That makes the load a little lighter already. With Elizabeth and Susan having to work six days a week and sometimes not coming home until 6 or 7 p.m. they need to get their rest.
I will share my friend Lila's pizza crust recipe. They recently had us over for some delicious homemade pizza. Last night I made pizza for our supper and tried her crust. I topped it with homemade pizza sauce, sausage, ham, mushrooms, green peppers and onions. On one pizza I also put hot peppers. Bread sticks can also be made with this crust.
Crust
1 T. sugar
1 T. yeast
1/4 c. warm water
1&3/4 c. hot water
1&1/2 t. salt
1/2 c. margarine
6 c. flour, divided into two
In a small bowl, dissolve the sugar and yeast in warm water and set aside. Mix hot water, salt, margarine and 3 cups of flour. Add sugar and yeast mixture and mix together. Knead in the remaining cups of flour . Let rise until doubled, about one hour. Press the dough into pizza pans and bake 5 minutes at 425 degrees. Then add whatever toppings you want. This makes 3 or 4 13-inch round pizzas depending on how thick you like your crusts.
Lovina Eicher is Old Order Amish. She hand-writes this column from her home in southern Michigan. Anyone with cultural or cooking questions can send them to: Lovina Eicher, The Amish Cook, P.O. Box 2144, Middletown, OH 45042. Read all of her columns online at www.record-eagle.com/amishcook.
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