I smile as I recall my father-in-law telling me about growing up in South Dakota. Born in 1921, he commenced working summers at age thirteen as a cook’s helper on a nearby farm. An arduous bicycle ride away from home, but his family needed the money during the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl. Sometimes he stayed on at that farm for weeks.
I imagine the farm kitchen was rustic and large enough to prepare food for a dozen farmhands. What time did his job commence each day? Early in the morning, before the sweltering South Dakota heat set in. Eventually his family migrated west, but he remained a hard-working and dependable man as an adult.
Amish living on farms rise at 5:00. The men, their sons, and sometimes daughters, immediately tackle chores such as mucking the stalls, milking, and feeding livestock. Strenuous work! Meanwhile, the women might toss in a load of laundry before preparing bread and other items needing the stove, plus a hearty breakfast for the men.
“Ada’s Kitchen” by photographer of the Amish Bill Coleman. Used with permission.
Whether the Amish husband and sons past school-age farm or work elsewhere, the kitchen, is traditionally the responsibility of women and daughters. I envision my father-in-law was surrounded by females. He remained a good cook.
My friend’s husband cooked bacon and decided to skip the eggs.
When my own husband awakes at 4:15 AM (Seriously!) he’s hungry and immediately cooks himself three eggs and makes a cup of coffee before heading to the gym. I try my best to not inhale the coffee aroma, and snag a couple more hours of shut-eye.
What do I want right away? Coffee with cream! I could go for hours without eating, but force myself to scramble an egg before I walk. I’ve heard eating protein first thing and having delicious protein bars to fuel your day is healthy. BTW: We never gave up eating eggs and both maintain healthy excellent cholesterol levels.
How about you? Do you automatically spring out of bed in the morning hungry or do hit your snooze button on your clock? What’s your favorite breakfast food? A quick and easy meal that’s healthy? Or do you skip it?
Beautiful Amish-made Apron from Lancaster County, PA.
Leave a comment and enter to win this beautiful Amish-made apron from Lancaster County, PA, and a signed copy of one book from a Legacy of Lancaster Trilogy! USA and Canada. Winner has three days to respond.
When my gal pals came over we always sat in the kitchen. The first day of school for our kids we would play cards, drink coffee and eat fattening goodies. It became a regular ritual every year. Now all the kids are grown and we all have grandkids. But I remember those times ever time I see the first school bus filled with kids.
What a delightful scene, Barbara! Thanks for sharing your fond memories. Made me smile. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
Every body that knows me knows that I am not a morning person.I hit snooze as much as I can or I just turn the alarm off and snuggle back under the covers.There is nothing like a homecooked breakfast,that is if someone else is cooking it.My breakfast usually consists of pop tarts.Wow,I guess my favorite breakfast meal,can’t put just one food,because I like it together,eggs,bacon,grits and toast.Beautiful apron that if I win it will be used for dinner.
Jackie, the eggs, bacon, grits, and toast sound yummy. I don’t blame you for wanting someone else to cook. And clean up after. This time of year I wake up early no matter how much I darken the bedroom. And those chirpy birds … I usually only put on the alarm on Sunday AM, just in case. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
Because I taught school and therefore rose before 5 A.M. for 34 years, I still wake up early. Strangely, I’m not hungry first thing in the morning, and have to make myself eat breakfast. I admire the apron very much. I kept my mother’s aprons, but they are wearing out.
You had many years of wake-up training, Kaye! I also force myself to eat a small breakfast. If I don’t, I run out of energy and get grumpy late morning. How wonderful that you have your mom’s old aprons, even if wearing out. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
Lovely posts…. beautiful pictures. I love reading posts about the Amish and find them fascinating.
So pretty. I would love to win this!