This week on Jean: What Jean and David do for Independence day is answered along with some other reader questions, with a home made recipe for chicken pot pie from Jean!

Jean is old order Mennonite from New York State. Jean and her husband David and family live on a dairy farm, and travel their community using horse and buggy. She tells her story exclusively on Amish Stories.

Some people asked if we observe the Fourth of July.  We are glad to be Americans and pray for the soldiers.  Also, we know of those that fought for our freedom and Declaration of Independence.  Some of the crops that we grow go to the soldiers, sailors and all troops of  America's military.  We do not hang flags, or celebrate non-religious holidays by doing anything special outside.  When we have our prayers, we thank God for the freedom He has provided us.  We pray for those that gave their lives for our freedom.  Also, we pray for those who are currently in the military. 

When David and I were courting we would go to Canandaigua to see the fire works, but we don't do that anymore.  Michael, Edward and a couple of friends of theirs are going to see fire works this year.  Neither Michael or Edward are Old Order Mennonite so  one of the parents (Michael's Friends) is driving. 

Edward is having problems reading.  We took him to the eye doctor to see if he needed glasses or had any problem like dyslexia, but they were not shown.  At school, he had taken special courses in reading, but they didn't seem to help.  Our retired school teacher is going to help him this summer.  Her method is the old fashion teaching program.  




She doesn't have fancy machines, or lessons on the computer, etc.  She and he went the library for him to pick out books on subjects he's interested in.  He goes to her home for an hour or two every day.  He didn't like the idea at first, but is getting use to it.  She said he is improving slowly, but is getting there. 

I believe that there are two many students in public school classes-teachers don't have time to  give special attention to children with problems.  




They offer special classes for readers, but still there are so many students.  Then they keep pushing them ahead a year.  Somewhere someone has to take the time to help.  In our school this would have been caught and helped long ago.  The reason he doesn't like to read is he can't read as well or as fast as others.  We hope to improve his reading this summer.

One of the questions, I received is what happens if the teacher has to take time off in our school for illness, etc. When this happens one of the parents comes to fill in for the teacher.  It is usually one of the students mothers, but it could be one of the fathers.  Sometimes the fathers like to come especially one of the school board members to see how things are at school.  Most of the time though it is a student's mother.

What did the children get David for Father's Day was another question that was asked.  Susan, David Jr. and I got David are pair of Nike shoes-the first he ever had.  He has wanted a pair ever since he bought Michael the first pair, but kept saying it was too expensive for him to wear around the farm.  I, laughing, told him not to wear them in the fields or when he is cleaning out the barns.  Michael got David a fishing box like the one Michael got for his birthday.  David had always liked that fishing box but used the old, falling apart one he had.  




Every once in a while when he was carrying the old fishing box by the handle, it would pop open and all his fishing lures would fall out.

David is a very giving man.  He would rather see that the children or myself got something before he will buy for himself. He takes after his father-who is the same way.   So this year was a buy for David's,  Father's Day gifts that he wants,  but won't buy for himself.

For Mother's Day, Susan David Jr. and my husband David got me a new mixer that I wanted as my old one was on it's last days.  For Christmas Michael had made me a serving plate that turned.  For Mother's Day he made me matching salt and pepper shakers on a wooden stand plus a sugar bowl and top. 

So I think David and I got some really nice gifts this year! 

Be With God,

Jean                

 Jeans home made: Chicken Pot Pie

Pastry for 2 9-inch pie crusts

2 Tablespoon butter/margarine

2 Tablespoon flour

1 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon pepper

1/2 teaspoon thyme

1/2 Cup chicken broth

1/2 Cup light cream (20%)

2 Cups cubed chicken or turkey

1 can peas and carrotts, drained or 1 pkg. frozen peas and carrots, cooked and drained or fresh peas and carrots cooked and drained

1 can (8 oz) small whole onions, drained

Heat oven to 425.  Prepare pastry as directed except-roll 2/3 of pastry for bottom crust; fit into 9 inch pie pan.  Roll remainer into rectangle, about 10x6 inch.  Cut rectangle into 12 strips, each 1/2 inch wide.

Melt butter in large saucepan over low heat.  Blend in flour, salt, pepper and thyme.  Cook over low heat, stirring until mixture is smooth and bubbly.  Remove from heat.  Stir in chicken broth and cream.  Heat to boiling, stirring constantly.  Boil and stir 1 minute.  Stir into chicken and vegetables.

Pour into pastry-lined pie pan.  Place 7 strips of pastry across filling; arrange remaining strips crisscross to make lattice top.

Trim; turn edge of bottom crust over strips.  Seal and flute.  Cover edge with 2 to 3 inch strip of aluminum foil to prevent excess browning; remove foil last 15 minutes of baking.  Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until golden brown.  Serves 6

NOTE: You can divide the pastry to smaller containers and made smaller pot pies.  Watching baking time until crust is golden brown.

                                                                   Enjoy. Jean