THE AMISH COOK - Sausage Gravy

By Gloria Yoder

After spreading our sleeping bags across the grass, I got out a natural product to aid with sound sleep. I smiled to myself, “This should help,” I told myself as I went from one child to the next.

Night sounds could be heard as we all settled down for the night, the half-moon hung overhead. Surely the Maker of it all would not leave us now.

The night passed uneventfully, in the morning I savored the quiet of the countryside- that is the quiet as the absence of voices, motors, and commotion. Birds sang their sweetest, welcoming the dawn of another new day. Yet in the midst of it I wrestled with simply trusting God with life, I knew He was all good, but it was one of those times where I was also tested. At about that time a thought came to my mind, “When you get home, check to see of Tizza had her colt.”

“Strange,” I thought. But what would it hurt to do just that? She would have a colt soon... it just felt random to have a thought hit me like that.

By 6:30 the children were waking, and Austin was itching to get another fire going. We savored more time together before I walked back to the house to warm gravy to go with biscuits. We enjoyed cooking over the fire, but this time was more about simplicity than extravagance. At the house, I never once thought of that simple statement about checking on the pony.

Back at our little camp we feasted on the yummy breakfast made by my mom which she had dropped off the day before. Soon it was time to pack up to go face the day. It felt like stepping back into real life, but then there is also a real God to go with us, too, right? Upon arriving at home, I told the children we’re going to see if we can have everything put away in short order. I told them I won’t have to assign specific tasks if they take notice of what needs to be put away and dig in to do it. In less then ten minutes the house looked peaceful again. With their jobs done they were soon scattered outdoors pursuing various projects. That is when Jesse came running to find his mom. “Tizza has a colt! Tizza has a colt!”

We all dropped what we were doing and dashed for the little pasture between the house and the road. I had completely forgotten about checking her first thing when we came home. “But God knew,” I told myself.

Together the children and I marveled over the little foal as it frolicked with his mother. It seemed too cute to be true. The soft brown contrasted with a white blaze, four white feet, and a few splashes of white over its side. I marveled. What a reminder of the Anchor of our soul who would care for us no matter what the  cost. “Why not name him Anchor as a symbol of the true Anchor of our souls which God demonstrated once more?” I asked the children. We’ll see, the children aren’t all sold on the idea, so we’ll see if we can reach a conclusion together. Maybe Mom will need a couple more minutes- or days to think about it?!

Here is the delicious sausage gravy recipe we used with the biscuits.

Sausage Gravy

1 lb. sausage

¾ cup flour

¾ tsp. salt

¼ tsp. pepper

4 ½ cups milk

Brown and crumble sausage (don't drain it). Add flour, salt and pepper and stir. If the sausage is dry, you may need to add a bit of shortening when adding flour. Add milk while stirring. Heat until it starts to boil and reduce heat and continue to stir until thickens. Makes about 5 cups of gravy.