Ellen G. White: The Later Elmshaven Years: 1905-1915 (vol. 6)

Circumstances at Elmshaven

The weather in northern California she found to be comfortably warm. Mustard grew high in the orchards and vineyards. Poppies bloomed in profusion. The home had undergone a good spring cleaning, and the early garden was beginning to yield its treasures. It seems likely that fresh peas were on the table for Ellen White's first noon meal at home. This was the foretaste of the good things garden and orchard would yield through spring and summer—loganberries, blackberries, cherries, potatoes, tomatoes, sweet corn, apples, and then grapes and grape juice. So abundant was the yield that after feasting on fresh loganberries, canning for winter use, and making jelly, they sold $200 worth. Fifty dollars’ worth of peas were sold. By late summer the cellar was well stocked with all kinds of fruits (Letters 222 and 240, 1906). 6BIO 90.5

W. C. White was at home after his long winter trip east to College View, Battle Creek, and Washington, followed by the month-long trip to southern California. In his absence his twin sons, Henry and Herbert, the first male grandchildren, had been baptized. They were nearly 10 years old. Ellen White had been consulted, and she heartily approved. 6BIO 91.1

At the office there was a shortage of help because Dores Robinson had, in W. C.’s absence, gained leave so that he and his wife, Ella, might teach the church school at Chico, to the north, finishing out the school year. For them it was an interesting experience. A number of the students of that school year became earnest workers in the cause at home and overseas. But the work at Elmshaven suffered. School over, Dores and Ella were back, busy with the office program. 6BIO 91.2