The Amish Quilter at Home
An Amish home is always full of great cooking smells, and counters piled high with an assortment of pies and cookies. Being raised on the land, and working hard with a lot of sweat, toil and strain makes for a hungry family both for the mid-day meal, and for supper. Remember, all the Amish family works hard, even the youngest Amish Child as soon as he is able to carry eggs from the hen house, or help to sort the laundry, each family member works hard and long hours.
The Amish mother's job is to care for her children, to keep food on the table, often planting a huge kitchen garden to help suppliment the meals, and to keep a clean, orderly house and yard. In the midst of all this labor, the Amish Quilter has found a way to create art and beauty: by reproducing on fabric the colors and splendor of her garden or of the night sky studded with stars. As an expression of beauty and outflow of art, quilting is so much more than simply a way to contribute to the family's finances, the Amish quilter relishes the quilting rhythm, and relaxes in the beauty that is woven in the stitchery in her frame. Rarely, during the cold, grey days of winter, is her quilt frame idle, just as rarely during the bright, shining days of summer, with all the outdoor tasks that must be performed, is her quilt frame full. Because the different seasons and the jobs that each require set the quilters schedule, there are very few quilts made by each Amish quilter in a year: often one, rarely three. Every quilt is a handmade treasure. Your Amish quilt is a display of a lifestlye that is from another century, a simpler way of life. Creating beauty from scraps is a testament to the Amish way of life, where hard work and family life is cherished. A handquilted Amish quilt is an heirloom that can be enjoyed and treasured for years to come.
Here are some great recipes that are loved by the Amish, and will be enjoyed by your family.
Raisin and Sour Cream Pie
1 1/2c Sour Cream 1c sugar 2 eggs 1 Tbsp flour 1/2 tsp cinnamon 1/2 tsp nutmeg 1 1/2c raisins
Mix flour, sugar and spices. Add slightly beaten eggs, sour cream and raisins. Pour into unbaked 8-inch pie crust. Bake at 400' for 10 minutes, then 350' for 20 minutes.
Pig-Pickin Cake
Yellow cake mix 4 eggs 3/4 c vegetable oil Small can (11 ounce) mandarin oranges (include juice) Mix all ingredients until well blended. Pour into greased and floured 13 x 9 inch pan. Bake at 350' for 30 minutes or until done.
Frosting:
1 can crushed pineapple (20 ounce) - reserve juice 1 pkg instant vanilla pudding 1 Cool Whip (8 ounce) Combine pudding with drained pineapple. Fold in Cool Whip until well blended. Before frosting cake, pour 3/4 cup pineapple juice over cake while it's still in the pan. Spread with frosting. Refrigerate.