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“Perhaps George will consent to you and Maynard coming for supper on Saturday night.”
“That would thrill me. I’ll be there tomorrow to do your ironing.”
“I’ll make sure everything is washed today then.” It wasn’t noon yet, so Jessica was certain she could dry it all before bedtime. Hopefully, George would consent to watch the children while she did laundry and made up some pie filling with the berries they’d picked the previous day.
When they returned home, Jessica made sandwiches for lunch. It wasn’t anything special, but it was filling and there were so many other things she needed to do.
While they ate, Jessica decided not to give George a choice about minding the children. “I need to do the laundry and make some pie filling today. I want to get the filling canned and more jam made before the berries go bad. So I’ll need you to mind the children while I do that.”
George looked surprised but nodded. “You’re not taking the day off?”
Jessica wanted to roll her eyes, but she restrained herself. “I’ve already made two meals today. Women don’t get Sundays off. I’m not sure if you’ve noticed.” Her voice was sharper than she’d meant for it to be, but she was very frustrated by the situation with George.
As soon as they were finished with lunch, Jessica and Nancy washed the dishes together, and to Jessica’s surprise, Nancy went outside with Jessica to do the laundry. “You don’t have to help,” Jessica said, thinking she’d really rather be alone as she took care of the laundry.
“I want to help. Is that all right?” Nancy asked.
Jessica put on a bright smile. “You know I’ll always accept help!”
So Jessica washed and rinsed the clothes, and then Nancy hung them on the line. It made the task go faster, and gave them a chance to talk. Nancy had changed from her new dress as soon as they’d gotten home from church.
“Everyone was talking about how pretty I look in my new dress today,” Nancy said. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. I’ll make your other one as soon as I deal with all the food in the back of the wagon and the berries and the apples…”
Nancy giggled. “It’s a lot, isn’t it?”
“It really is. But I’ll get it done. Your aunt Mary Sue is going to come over again tomorrow to help me out. And I’m making her and your Uncle Maynard chicken and dumplings for their supper.”
“And for us too?” Nancy asked.
“Do you already want chicken and dumplings again?” Jessica asked, surprised.
Nancy nodded. “Yes, because they were delicious.”
“All right, I’ll make chicken and dumplings for everyone.” It would certainly make her day easier if she only cooked one meal for supper, not two.
“May I help with making the pie filling?” Nancy asked.
Jessica nodded. “Of course, you may. I'd love to have you for anything you want to help with.”
“Good. I’ve never made pie filling. Is it hard?”
“Not too hard. I’ll show you how, and we’ll start writing down receipts for you. Every girl should have a receipt book she can cook from when she marries.”
“And we can start mine now?” Nancy asked, her eyes wide.
“Absolutely,” Jessica said. She loved that Nancy was so excited to have a receipt book. It was good to have a child interested in what you were teaching them.
Because of the work she put into the pie filling, Jessica made a simple soup for supper. She used the vegetables given to her earlier that day and made a big pot of chicken soup for the family.
While the soup simmered, Jessica and Nancy worked on the pie filling. She had two huge pots going, one with raspberry and one with blackberry. Nancy sat at the kitchen table and wrote down each ingredient as Jessica added it to the pots.
She quickly rolled out two pie crusts and explained each ingredient as she did, giving Nancy more information for her book of receipts.
She combined the two different types of berries for the pies she was making, one for her family and one for Maynard and Mary Sue. When she popped them into the oven, Nancy rubbed her hand. “I hate writing that much all at once.”
Jessica laughed. “The higher you get in school, the more they’ll make you write.”
