NOODLE INSPIRATION!!!

For weeks I hounded the Farmer to keep the second Saturday of September project free, so that we could take a mini-vacation( we go after chores are finished in the morning, return before choretime in the evening) to Clarita Oklahoma, to attend the Amish School Auction. I have a deep fascination for the people that choose to live a simple, productive life, free from the clutter of modern technology, high tech communication, and the quagmire of  junk that infiltrates our lives in the form of offending language, immodest clothing, uncontrollable children, religious indifference. The Farmer often comments on how interesting it would be to try to live one day as the Amish do, to see if we could "cut the mustard". I ponder wistfully about saying farewell to all of my kitchen gadgets. We found ourselves smack dab in the middle of  an Amish farm with thousands of other people, coming to support the efforts of the community to raise money for their school. As I understand it, the children go through grade 8, then begin working  to prepare themselves  for marriage and family. The boys, learning a trade, farming, woodworking, ironworks, etc. The girls, learning family and household responsibilities. I would bet the farm that there isn't an Amish girl to be found that doesn't know how to make a decent biscuit. As we wandered the pastures and watched  as the modern world invaded the peace and tranquility of this Amish farm, with automobiles, mobile phones, bare legs and heads,  I could not help but notice the people that moved with quiet dignity, dressed in simple, nondescript clothing, the children well behaved, the adults politely tolerating the curiosity of the"outsiders" like myself. Whether their beliefs are wrong or right, their dedication to them is noteworthy.  Just being in their presence made me want to be a better person.....and cover my knees.  In my guestimation the day was an overwhelming success for the school, as we guaged by the endless lines for food and the generous bids on the gorgeous quilts that were auctioned, and the fact that it took us an hour to find our car in the vast pasture/ parking lot. My treasure for the day was several packages of homemade noodles. Our supper for the evening was homemade chicken noodle soup. The Farmers first comment after eating was, "Am I going to have to get you a noodle maker?"  Sometimes that man is so astute, it amazes me! Back home on the farm we are preparing for fall. The tomatoes are setting small fruit, the fields are getting plowed ready for Spring planting. The strawberry fields will be prepared in the next two weeks for October planting.  It is almost time to start the courting season of the does. They will be reunited with their one and only in a couple of weeks. The goat milk supply is remaining steady, the cow milk supply is going to dwindle for a while, as we are preparing for winter calves. MARKET HOURS:  Saturday from 10:00 AM until 4:00 PM. Special appointments can be made throughout the week for dairy pickup. From our farmstead to your table thank you for all of your support!!