German Family Bible – Die Deutsche Bibel

I have in my possession my Grandfather John’s German Bible. I cherish and protect it.


Die Deutsche Bibel Uebersetzung
Von Dr. Martin Luther
Copyright, 1904, By A.J. Holman & Co.
Lutheran Book Concern
Columbus, Ohio


Because the Bible is so fragile, I keep it protected in an airtight box. When I spent time with it, I use gloves. I am in awe of the artwork and the German Language.


Grandpa John spoke five languages. He was dedicated to preserving the German language and taught it to anyone who wanted to learn. In Russia, he was a schulmeister, schoolteacher, and I think deep in his heart he wanted to be a preacher also. His brother-in-law, Elias Hergert (married to John’s wife’s sister) was Pastor of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Portland, Oregon. Grandpa John and Grandma Katherine lived in Portland for a while. I have been to the church building several times. It is located at the corner of SE 12th Street and SE Clinton Street. This building was sold and is now a Buddhist temple. The beautiful stain glass windows on the sides of the building remain. The round window behind the altar has been removed and is at the new Luthern church. I have attended a service there and looked through old church records for familiar names.


In 1988, when I first began my quest to find out the answers to MANY questions about my family and the German Russian culture, my Uncle Dave in Auburn, California showed me this Bible and copied pages from the Family History. What a wealth of knowledge: Names, Geburten (Born), Getauf (Baptised) with names of Godparents, Confirmiert (Confirmed), Sterbefalle (Died). Date immigrated - August 1909.


We are in the season of Lent and this time of year is special and sacred to me because living the Christian life in a tradition of my people that I consider vital for my life.

Making Bierocks

On Sunday, we made bierocks.  It definitely is time to teach the younger generation. Here is the recipe that I use:
BREAD


3 cups water
1 Tbsp yeast
1 tsp salt
1 tsp sugar
1/4 cup potato buds (Aunt Liz's secret ingredient)
7 cups flour
let rise twice


FILLING
2# ground beef
1 large onion
2  large heads cabbage
Brown and add shredded cabbage a little at a time.  It will cook down, then add more.


COOL to lukewarm (cabbage should not be cold or hot)
Roll out dough.  Cut into 5 inch squares.  Place cabbage in center and bring corners together.
Pinch seams tightly
Place in oiled pan.
Let rise 15-30 minutes
BAKE 375 for 30 minutes


NOTE:  We call these Bierocks and also Runzas.  The Russians call them Perogs


I wanted to add a note about the soup.


Jeet en bat Wota bie de Supp bie, wie kjriee Jast.
Add a little water to the soup, we're getting company.


Have a good day!

Soup Day

One should allow a full day for making chicken soup. It cannot be rushed. The Allspice jar on my counter reminded me that I had the makings for chicken soup and homemade noodles. Today's the day.
Chicken soup is an old folk remedy passed down from generation to generation. I once heard it called Jewish Penicillin. Well, anyways, if you are feeling achy, have chest congestion or a runny nose, try it. It can't hurt you and it TASTES GOOD. My Mom made the best chicken soup in the whole world. Here is her recipe:

CHICKEN SOUP

Place a 4-5# stewing hen into a pot and cover with water. (I use chicken parts. It's easier. Besides, I don't have an old stewing hen running around my back yard that has lived its good life.)
5 bay leaves
2 tsp. salt
Simmer for 3 hours. Remove chicken. Strain broth. Skim off some of the fat. Tear the chicken into pieces and put back in cooking pot.

While the chicken is simmering, I made noodles. Homemaid noodles are time consuming, but well worth it!

NOODLES

4 eggs - beaten with egg beater
3 3/4 cup flour
5 Tbsp. water (may have to add more to form a moist, solid ball)
Flour the counter top and roll dough into a thin sheet. Dry it on a dishtowell. My mom used to spread a clean sheet across her bed and let the dough dry there. Or she would use a chair back covered with a dishtowel. When the dough is dry enough,lift and carry it to your work space. Start at one end and roll it up like a cinnamon roll. Make cuts the size you want the noodles. Separate them onto a dishtowel and let them dry. Then drop them into your chicken broth. Simmer for 10 minutes.

ENJOY. And don't forget to sprinkle on some Allspice.

I will make the butterballs some other time.

Chicken Noodle Soup with Butterballs

This is my first post. I decided to start a blog because I like to write and I love my German Russian culture. I have been thinking about all the things I do just like my parents, and the foods I love to eat many of which are good old comfort food like chicken noodle soup. On this cold rainy day, I search my cupboard for allspice because you have to sprinkle it on your soup. That's the way we always did it and it is GOOD.