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Signs and Wonders: Manheim and Elizabethtown, PA Style

by MarianBeaman | Nov 29, 2014 | Family / Nostalgia, Mennonite Lore, Nostalgia, Travel, Uncategorized

The Brick House Cafe along Main Street in Manheim, Pennsylvania, is getting free advertising from me today. In a sister city named for its counterpart in Mannheim, Germany, The Brick House serves freshly prepared soups, salads, and sandwiches. It also serves up...

7 Things I’m Thankful For

by MarianBeaman | Nov 26, 2014 | book review, Family / Nostalgia, Gratitude, Lists, meditation, Mennonite History, Mennonite Lore, Nostalgia, Quotations, Uncategorized

My secret joys (and struggles) show up in my gratitude books. You can see some of them here. But my list this week has sprung from my 9-day trip to Pennsylvania to visit family and take care of Mother’s house in mid-November 2014. In her devotional book One Thousand...

Moments of Discovery # 3: Two Butter Stories and an Autograph Book

by MarianBeaman | Nov 19, 2014 | Coming of Age, Education, Family / Nostalgia, Literature, Memory, Mennonite History, Mennonite Lore, Nostalgia, Uncategorized

In June Mother Longenecker and her daughters Marian and Janice created butter-shaking memories in a two-quart jar, making butter using three easy steps: Pour cream into 2-quart jar. Shake until you rattle and roll. Remove the congealed mass from the jar. Add a pinch...

At Home with Grandkids: Fun Stuff to Do

by MarianBeaman | Nov 15, 2014 | Coming of Age, Family / Nostalgia, Nostalgia, Recipes, Tips, Uncategorized

BAKE It’s cold outside, maybe even Polar-vortex cold, and Saturdays with Grandma or Aunt or Mom will be spent indoors. One cold day three of our grandkids warmed up the house, at least the kitchen, with cupcake baking. Yes, it’s fun to help mix up the...

How to Tell Your Children What’s What

by MarianBeaman | Nov 8, 2014 | Family / Nostalgia, Mennonite History, Mennonite Lore, Nostalgia, Reflection, Tips, Uncategorized

Unlike Hansel and Gretel, whose mother tried to starve them and then lock them out of the house, Mother Longenecker provided well for her children and left behind, not white pebbles or bread crumbs, but hand-written notes tucked away to tag her heirlooms. Each note...

What’s for Dinner? Dried Beef Gravy and . . .

by MarianBeaman | Nov 1, 2014 | Family / Nostalgia, Mennonite History, Mennonite Lore, Nostalgia, Quotations, Recipes, Uncategorized

“Just two generations ago, preparing meals was as much a part of life as eating,” so says Mark Bittman in an article entitled How to Eat Now published in the October 20, 2014 issue of TIME magazine. Although a recent Harris poll reveals that 79% of...
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