All posts by Lovinas Amish Kitchen

Beef Preparation Begins

We sure have had mild weather the past few weeks. It brings on some spring fever! Now we have entered into March. It seems so hard to comprehend that the year is already in the third month of 2024.

Last week I spent a day at daughter Susan and Ervin’s. Susan and I painted the bathroom and entry area in their pole barn. That is where they will host church services. After we were done painting, I cleaned some of her canning jars and put them on the new shelves that Ervin built for them. They don’t have a basement in their house, so Ervin built the shelves in the pole barn entrance room—they keep enough heat in there during the cold months so the cans don’t freeze. It’s also where their battery packs for the solar power are kept.

Ervin’s dad is still in the hospital and can open his eyes and have some movement with his hands and feet if I understood it right. He has a long road ahead, so let’s keep him and the family in our prayers.

Ervin and Susan’s four oldest children came here Saturday night and were here until Sunday night. Ervin and Susan spent all day Sunday at the hospital with his father and family. The children did very well for us. Daughter Verena and her special friend Daniel Ray went after the children Saturday night then took them home again Sunday evening.

On Saturday we cut up a whole beef. Half was for our friends, and they wanted all kinds of different steaks cut out, so it took more time. Those helping us with the beef were daughter Lovina’s special friend Daniel, Daniel Ray, and Dustin and daughter Loretta. We still need to slice more steaks and grind our hamburger from our half of the beef. We only have a few pints of beef chunks left, so I am glad to have more to can. I’m also glad for the steaks and hamburger to put in the freezer. We have two freezers and one is empty, so it will be nice to have some more meat in there.

After cutting up a whole beef, some was ground into hamburger to freeze and store for later. Photo provided.

Our plans for tomorrow are to help Susan again with her cleaning in preparation for church services. Sister Verena, sister Emma and her daughters and daughter-in-law, my daughters, and I are all planning to go. We should get a lot done for Susan. Baby Ervin is going to be four months next week. He smiles and coos and is all happy until Susan wants to get work done; then he fusses. He doesn’t lack any attention with five older siblings. He is such a cuddly baby and has the brightest blue eyes. So precious!

Sunday was such a beautiful day and the temperature went up into the 70s. The children had fun playing outside with Verena and Daniel Ray. They gave them swing rides, etc.

Our supper guests were Dustin and Loretta and sons, daughter Elizabeth, Tim, and four children, Daniel, Daniel Ray, and Joesph’s special friend Grace.

Daniel and daughter Lovina made a campfire stew in the kettle over the campfire. This was a great help to me to not have to make supper in the house. They used fresh beef chunks for the stew, which was very delicious. I will share the campfire stew recipe since it’s been around four years since I last did. It is also in my cookbook, The Essential Amish Cookbook.

God’s blessings to all!

Campfire Stew
2 cups beef stew meat (may substitute a roast, cut into chunks)
4 cups red potatoes, unpeeled, cleaned, and diced
2 cups green beans, cut into small pieces
1 whole onion (used to flavor the soup; it is removed before eating)
4–5 beef bouillon cubes
1 teaspoon garlic powder
Salt and pepper, to taste

Put beef chunks in kettle (or large pot) with enough water to cover, bring to a boil, and boil for 10 minutes. Add potatoes, green beans, and onion, adding enough water so that vegetables are well covered. Add bouillon. Boil until vegetables and meat are tender. Season with garlic powder and salt and pepper. Remove onion if you wish. 

Lovina’s Amish Kitchen is written by Lovina Eicher, Old Order Amish writer, cook, wife, and mother of eight. Her newest cookbook, Amish Family Recipes, is available wherever books are sold.  Because Lovina is Old Order Amish, she does not have email or a telephone in her home. Lovina does not respond to comments on this website, if you would like to contact her directly, click here.

Lovina Reflects on Over Twenty Years of Writing the Column

Saturday was a very cold and windy day, so the men were unable to put the roof metal on the new pole barn. They kept busy doing other work on the barn such as building the sliding doors, putting on the wainscoting, and more.

This week, they will work on putting on the roof metal at night since temperatures have warmed up again. It’s getting done slower than we had anticipated, but it helps to not have to pay for labor. Those helping Saturday were son-in-law Dustin, Daniel (daughter Lovina’s special friend), Daniel Ray (daughter Verena’s special friend) and his brother Marvin, sons Benjamin and Joseph and my husband Joe.

Grandson Denzel thinks he has to help me write the column. After he kept interrupting me quite often, I sat him down beside me and gave him a paper and pencil. He was scribbling all over the paper. It seems just short years ago when my children would sit beside me pretending to write the column too. Sometimes I find it hard to believe that I have been penning this column every week almost 22 years. So many changes have happened since then. It was a challenge writing and finding quiet time with eight children around. Many times, I would write early in the mornings or later in the evening after they were all sleeping.

Some weeks, it’s so much easier to write than others. Then there are weeks when you get writer’s block, or you can’t concentrate on writing.

On Sunday evening, our family gathered at daughter Elizabeth and Tim’s house for a birthday supper for their youngest daughter Andrea. She enjoyed being able to blow out the two candles and having us sing. Happy birthday to her. She reminds me so much of her mother when she was young.

We had a delicious meal consisting of grilled chicken breasts, campfire stew, chicken salad, loaded nacho dip and chips, cake, ice cream, oatmeal pie, mocha pudding, and finger jello. Daughter Lovina made the cake again. She is really doing a good job. She also made the loaded nacho dip, and it was delicious. We all took a dish, so it adds up to more than was needed. Leftovers make nice additions when you pack lunches for the men.

We attended church on Sunday in our church district, which was 11 miles from here. Our church district plans to divide this fall, Lord willing. It seems a long way to travel with horse and buggy on a Sunday morning when it’s cold to go to church. Joe and I went with sister Verena and our friend Beth who drives for Amish, so it wasn’t a long cold drive for us. Beth usually takes sister Verena to church.

Since we moved to Michigan 20 years ago, this will be the third time our church has to divide because of growth. It’s always sad in a way when you have to divide, and some will have church on one Sunday, and some the next. We can go visit though, so that is a good thing. I’m used to having our whole family in our church district, and I admit that it will be very hard to have that changed depending which way the division lines will go. My grandchildren sit beside me often during the services, so I would miss that.

I finally answered all my mail from readers. I am sorry about the delay in answering everyone. I appreciate all the kind words of encouragement. The mail was from eight different states this time. Last time, it was from 15 states. Thanks again and God bless!

Loaded Nacho Dip
8 ounces tortilla chips
1 pound ground beef
1/2 cup water
1 packet taco seasoning
1 large sweet onion, diced
3 medium tomatoes, diced
8 ounces shredded cheese
1 cup sour cream mixed with 2 tablespoons buffalo ranch dressing
1 cup cheese sauce

Thoroughly brown ground beef, drain fat off, and mix in the water and taco seasoning. Then add onions and fry for a few minutes. Layer in a 9 x 13-inch baking pan. Add cheese sauce and sour cream mixture then shredded cheese and bake at 400°F for 5 minutes or until cheese is melted. Remove from oven and garnish with tomatoes. Jalapeños, banana peppers, olives, and other toppings can be added as well. Serve with tortilla chips.

A Day in the Life of Lovina and Her Family

This is a diary of Monday, February 26, 2024.

3:50 a.m. My alarm goes off. I get up, unlock the door, and wait for Dustin, daughter Loretta, and their two boys to arrive. After getting them settled down for a nap, Dustin leaves for work at the RV factory. Son Joeseph gets up too, as he’s leaving earlier today to do concrete work.

Joseph and I pack his lunch. I make him a breakfast sandwich: grilled cheese with an egg and sausage patty in it.

4:30 a.m. Joseph leaves, and my husband Joe gets up. He refuels the coal stove in the basement while I make his breakfast and pack his lunch. Nineteen-month-old Denzel isn’t quite asleep and hears that Grandpa Joe is up. He stands in his crib, begging Joe to come get him. Of course Grandpa can’t say no to his little sweetie. So Denzel sits beside Joe, helping him eat his breakfast.

5:15 a.m. Joe leaves for work, which doesn’t make Denzel too happy. He cries and wants to leave with him, but I hold him awhile and put him back in his crib, and he falls back to sleep. I take a nap on my recliner while all is quiet.

7:45 a.m. Denzel wakes up, and so I get up too. Those extra two hours of sleep feel good to me. I make Denzel breakfast, as he’s not as patient to wait until everyone else is ready.

Son Benjamin’s work was cancelled for today, so he goes out to do the morning chores and refuel the coal stove in the pole building. First, though, he teases Denzel and holds six-month-old Byron for a while. Byron is always full of smiles.

8:30 a.m. Everyone is ready for breakfast, which is easy this morning… grilled cheese, eggs, and cereal.

It’s such a nice February day with temperatures much warmer than usual. I want to hang all the laundry out to dry, and everyone helps gather the clothes. We have a cold air return vent to the basement that we use as our laundry chute. Denzel loves to help throw the clothes down there. We just have to make sure the vent is back in or else toys and anything else that fits gets thrown down there as well. Haha! He’s a little active boy!

1 p.m. Laundry is drying on the lines.

Daughter Susan comes to bring daughter Verena to their house. Verena will stay with Ervin and Susan’s five oldest children while they go to the hospital to see Ervin’s dad Perry. Perry, age 55, had a seizure Sunday morning (which he has never had before) and has not been responding since. He’s in the ICU and was transferred to a bigger hospital. Doctors are doing all kinds of tests to see what is going on. Please keep Perry, his wife Esther, and the family in your prayers.

Ervin and Susan are preparing to host church services in two and a half weeks, so they have a lot going on right now. I want to go help again this week.

2 p.m. Dustin, Loretta, and the boys leave. Son Benjamin goes to get some gas and a prescription for son Joseph, who has poison ivy and needs a stronger cream for it. Benjamin then leaves to help his friend with some work.

3:15 p.m. Joe is home from work. The laundry is dry, and we’re folding it. Verena will stay the night at Ervin’s, then go from there to daughter Elizabeth and Tim’s and babysit for their children on Tuesday night. Not sure if she’ll stay until Wednesday or not.

4 p.m. Joseph is home from work. He is working on the new pole barn. We had help last week for several nights and then on Saturday again. The roof is on and so is the metal on the sides. Windows are in, along with the framing for the overhead doors, and more. We appreciate all the help!

On Thursday evening, our whole family was here helping. Sisters Emma and Verena; nephew Benjamin, his wife Crystal, and son Isaiah; and nephews Jacob and Steven also came along. They were all here for supper. I made cheesy ranch potatoes and meatballs. The menu also included lettuce salad, cheese, chips, chocolate chip bars, and ice cream. Sister Verena stayed here for the night.

6:30 p.m. Chores are done, and supper’s ready. We are having leftovers of creamed potatoes, fried chicken, and meatballs.

8 p.m. Everyone is done for the day. Once again, we thank God for another day. We have so much to be thankful for. May God bless each of you! Good night!

Butter Tarts

Pastry Dough:
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup lard (or 1 1/4 cups butter)
1 large egg
1/3 cup cold water
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

Filling:
4 large eggs
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
2 cups dark corn syrup
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon white vinegar
10 tablespoons butter, softened
2 cups raisins, walnuts, or coconut (optional)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a standard muffin pan.

To make the dough: In a large bowl, combine the flour and salt. Stir to blend. Add the lard and rub it into the flour with your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add the egg, water, and vinegar and stir with a fork until the dry ingredients are moistened. Form the dough into a ball and divide that into 3 balls. Form each ball into a disk and roll out on a floured surface to a 1/8-inch thickness. Use a glass or 4-inch cookie cutter to cut out rounds and place them into the muffin tin. Cut off any excess overhang.

To make the filling: In a large bowl, combine the eggs, brown sugar, corn syrup, vanilla, vinegar, and butter until the mixture is creamy and thoroughly mixed.

Spoon the optional ingredients into the bottom of the unfilled crusts. Pour the filling mixture into the pastry crusts until three-quarters full. Bake for 15–20 minutes or until crust is golden brown and filling is firm. Makes 20 tarts.

Lovina’s Amish Kitchen is written by Lovina Eicher, Old Order Amish writer, cook, wife, and mother of eight. Her newest cookbook, Amish Family Recipes, is available wherever books are sold.  Because Lovina is Old Order Amish, she does not have email or a telephone in her home. Lovina does not respond to comments on this website, if you would like to contact her directly, click here.

Lovina Celebrates Many Birthdays in February

It’s another sunshiny February day with the temperatures above freezing. Yesterday, I hung the laundry out on the wash lines to dry. Once again, I was able to bring it all in and fold it and put it away the same day. I don’t remember ever having this many days in February that laundry could be dried outside the same day. I am sure we will see plenty of winter weather yet.

I was hoping to take advantage of the weather yet and clean my windows. Time will tell if I get that far.

It’s so quiet here this morning. Daughter Loretta and her little boys aren’t here. Daughter Verena went over to their house this morning at 4 a.m. to help Loretta out while Dustin goes to work.

My plans are to go through the manuscript of my upcoming cookbook. My editors sent it to me to edit some of the recipes. I never knew how specific you have to be with a recipe until I made my first cookbook. Growing up cooking at a young age with it just being a normal part of life, I never understood that not everyone grows up with that knowledge. My editors are very patient, understanding, and so easy to work with that it makes it easier for me.

Tomorrow, February 14, is granddaughter Andera’s second birthday. She had a check up at the doctor, and they ordered a little boot for her to wear, so they don’t have to cast her foot. Hopefully she won’t be able to figure out how to get it off. She just doesn’t understand that she’s not allowed to walk on it much.

Saturday evening, our family attended a birthday supper for son Joseph’s special friend Grace. She had a delicious meal for us consisting of pulled pork (roasted that day) and all the trimmings, potato casserole, potato salad, strawberry cheesecake, rhubarb and pumpkin pies, and cake and ice cream. We spent the evening playing games.

On Sunday, Joe and I were home all day. None of the married children came over, so we mostly just rested. Daughter Verena and her special friend Daniel Ray attended church at his cousin’s baptismal services.

The one-thousand-piece puzzle we recently put together had a piece missing, so I couldn’t glue it or frame it yet. I had given up ever finding the missing piece. Well, Saturday evening I put on one of my sweaters. I happened to reach in my sweater pocket, and lo and behold, there was the missing piece. I thought that with having 12 grandchildren here often while we were putting the puzzle together that maybe one of them might’ve taken a piece and lost it somehow. And of all things it was me that had “lost” the piece.

A great big thank you to Marietta from Kentucky for sending the box of goodies for my grandchildren. They can’t wait to come to Grandma’s house to play with her new toys. What a thoughtful and kind deed. May God bless you! This will be hours of entertainment for them.

February 9 was also a special day for a special friend. My friend Ruth celebrated her 67th birthday. We wish you many more happy, healthy years, Ruth!

God’s blessings to all!

Mom’s Oatmeal Pie
1/2 cup butter
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
3/4 cup light corn syrup
3/4 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup nut meats
1 (9-inch) unbaked pie shell

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Melt butter, then cream sugar, butter, and eggs together. Add corn syrup, rolled oats, and nut meats and mix. Pour into pie shell. Bake for 45 minutes to an hour or until set.

Lovina’s Amish Kitchen is written by Lovina Eicher, Old Order Amish writer, cook, wife, and mother of eight. Her newest cookbook, Amish Family Recipes, is available wherever books are sold.  Because Lovina is Old Order Amish, she does not have email or a telephone in her home. Lovina does not respond to comments on this website, if you would like to contact her directly, click here.

Lovina Savors the First Hints of Spring

We have entered the first week of February, though it would be hard to tell by the weather. Yesterday was sunny and 50 degrees. I hung all the laundry out to dry, and most of it could be folded and put away the same day.

Happy birthday to Grace (son Joseph’s special friend). Her birthday is today (February 6). Yesterday would’ve been son-in-law Mose’s birthday. Rest in peace Mose. We will forever treasure the memories we have of you. Gone but never forgotten.

Sister Verena is back home after staying a month with sister Emma and sons. Daughters Verena and Lovina took advantage of the nice weather and went to Verena’s house to visit with her awhile.

After they came back home, the girls made a taco supper. We usually have Doritos, taco hamburger, tortilla soft shells, lettuce, tomatoes, green peppers, sweet onions, salsa, and ranch dressing for a taco meal. It’s easy and always a favorite meal here in our household.

This morning, daughter Verena left to go help daughter Susan clean out cabinets. She will stay there until later tonight. Ervin and Susan will attend the parent/teacher meeting at Kaitlyn’s school. Verena will stay with their children while they attend the meeting.

Saturday, we had a nice surprise when my friend Ruth stopped in for a short visit. It’s been a while since I had seen her, so it was nice catching up with her. Ruth and her husband Jim keep busy with their family, and time has a way of slipping by.

I am holding 6-month-old Byron (daughter Loretta and Dustin’s son) as I write this. He is getting tired and ready for a nap. He sure can chatter already. Denzel, 18 months, is trying to talk to him, but it’s actually annoying Byron more than helping. These two little boys will be playing together before we know it in the next year or so. Or maybe I should say getting into trouble together. They are a joy to have around. Denzel has this habit of throwing the plate on the floor when he gets done with his plate of food (when sitting in the highchair). So of course, all the leftover food he has spreads all over. We need to find him a plate that suctions to the highchair tray. Never a dull moment with him around. Haha!

Sons Benjamin and Joseph worked until dark last night. Benjamin was cleaning out horse stalls and Joseph was putting up the purlins on our new pole barn roof. It is now ready for the roof metal, which should arrive this week from the metal/truss shop that Joe works at.

Last week, the shop had a great turnout at the customer appreciation dinner. There was hardly ever a break in the line of people coming through the food line from 3–7 p.m. Hundreds of people came to this event. We served grilled pork burgers and chicken patty sandwiches, pork and beans, french fries, ice cream, fry pies (strawberry, cherry, apple, black raspberry, and peach), coffee, and lemonade. It was all delicious! Joe and I arrived back home around 8:30 p.m.

Granddaughter Andrea has a small fracture in her foot. She jumped off a piece of furniture she had crawled on and injured it. It’s hard to keep active little children from climbing. The doctor put a wrap on it and said to limit activity but that is hard to do for a two-year-old. She will be two next week. Until next week… God bless!

 

Once out of the oven, these cinnamon roll bites will be ready for the sweet glaze.

 

Cinnamon Roll Bites
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup sugar
3 tablespoons butter, melted
3/4 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the filling:
1/4 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon
For the glaze:
1 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and lightly grease a baking sheet. In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar. Add melted butter, milk, and vanilla extract. Stir until a dough forms. On a floured surface, roll the dough into a rectangle about 1/4 inch thick. Spread softened butter over the dough, then sprinkle evenly with brown sugar and cinnamon. Roll up the dough tightly and cut into 1-inch pieces. Place the bites on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 15–20 minutes, or until golden brown.

For the glaze, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Drizzle over warm cinnamon roll bites.

 

Lovina’s Amish Kitchen is written by Lovina Eicher, Old Order Amish writer, cook, wife, and mother of eight. Her newest cookbook, Amish Family Recipes, is available wherever books are sold.  Because Lovina is Old Order Amish, she does not have email or a telephone in her home. Lovina does not respond to comments on this website, if you would like to contact her directly, click here.

Lovina Remembers Lost Loved Ones

The ground is covered with snow again, which will probably be gone by tomorrow. On Sunday morning the ground was also covered, but it was gone by afternoon. Other than the cold spell the other week, we have had a pretty mild winter so far.

Daughter Loretta doesn’t mind if there isn’t any snow on the ground when she drives her mobility scooter over every weekday morning a little before 4 a.m. Dustin started working back in the RV factory since being low in work for several months. He walks over every morning with Loretta and Denzel, 18 months, and Byron, 5 1/2 months. He carries Byron and Denzel sits on Loretta. Some mornings Denzel will go “brrr brrr” when he sees me when it’s cold outside. Loretta sleeps in the recliner with Byron and Denzel sleeps in the crib. They usually sleep until 7:30 to 8 a.m. Denzel is getting old enough that sometimes he doesn’t want to go back to sleep when he sees Grandpa in the kitchen eating breakfast. He’ll sometimes sit on Joe and eat a little something, too, then he’ll let me put him back to bed after Joe leaves. Last week Joe was yodeling, and little Denzel sat beside him trying to yodel too. We had a good laugh about that.

On Saturday evening, daughter Lovina’s special friend Daniel had our whole family for supper at his house where he rents. I hadn’t seen the house since daughter Verena’s belongings were moved out and Daniel’s moved in. That house holds many memories for our family, with it being daughter Susan and Mose’s first home.

On the menu at Daniel’s house was grilled chicken, vegetable soup, potato salad, chips, Swiss roll bars, Jell-o, and homemade chocolate ice cream. Of course, we all took a dish of something to help out. After supper we played games.

Sunday was a quiet day, with just Joe and I home and daughter Verena and her special friend Daniel Ray. I made a brunch consisting of fried eggs, fried potatoes, bacon, cheese, hot peppers, toast, butter, and strawberry jam. It was nice and relaxing to just have a quiet day at home.

Plans are for my daughters and I to go help daughter Susan clean tomorrow in preparation for their upcoming church services they will host in March. Ervin’s mother plans to go help too.

January 31 will be three years since sister Susan passed away. Sister Verena has been staying with sister Emma and sons this past month. They both have lost a close loved one, and that makes lonely days. It is nice that they can comfort each other.

Also on January 31 six years ago, brother Amos passed away. They are both still missed so much.

Last night daughters Verena and Lovina stayed with daughter Elizabeth and Tim’s four children while they went to town. So getting supper was left to me for Joe and the three boys. I made grilled cheese, eggs, and ham, which was an easy but good supper.

On Thursday, I am planning to go to the metal/truss shop where Joe works. They are having a Customer Appreciation Day and will serve a meal to everyone that comes. I am going along to help serve if they need my help. God’s blessings!

Potato Salad
4 cups cooked peeled potatoes (diced or sliced), chilled
1 cup chopped celery
1 medium onion, chopped
1 cup salad dressing
1/3 cup mustard (yellow prepared)
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup sugar
1 to 2 teaspoons salt (to taste)
2 tablespoons milk
4 hard-boiled eggs, cooked, peeled, and chopped

Combine potatoes, celery, and onions in a large bowl. In another bowl mix salad dressing, mustard, vinegar, sugar, salt, and milk. Mix into potato mixture. Add eggs and toss.

 

Lovina’s Amish Kitchen is written by Lovina Eicher, Old Order Amish writer, cook, wife, and mother of eight. Her newest cookbook, Amish Family Recipes, is available wherever books are sold.  Because Lovina is Old Order Amish, she does not have email or a telephone in her home. Lovina does not respond to comments on this website, if you would like to contact her directly, click here.

Lovina Enjoys Games with Grandchildren & Pole Barn Progress Continues

First of all, a happy 28th birthday to daughter Susan on January 24. Also a happy 55th birthday to my sister Liz. I wish both of them many more happy and healthy years. I don’t get to see Liz too often. I think I only saw her a few times in over a year and not very long each time. There is over one hundred miles between our houses, and we both are busy with our families. Liz and Levi have ten grandchildren who keep them occupied. They sure are a joy to have around.

On Sunday afternoon, Joe and I went to daughter Elizabeth and Tim’s house for an afternoon snack after church services. Their four children were excited to have Grandpa and Grandma come to visit. They brought out their games and wanted us to play with them. Abigail, 7, wanted to play Uno and Timothy (T.J.), 5, wanted to play Trouble. I haven’t played Trouble in quite awhile, but T.J. kept me straight in the moves. He let me know when I could go again or if I didn’t make the right moves. It was so cute, and it’s hard to believe how much they already know at their ages.

Allison, 4, is a quiet little girl and is contented sitting in a corner playing with her dolls or whatever she has at the moment. She is talking to her dolls, and it’s interesting sitting back and listening to her conversation.

Andrea (she will be two on February 14th) is all over the place picking on her sisters and brothers. She is a little sweetie and can win over our hearts so easily. She started crawling on the toilet and doesn’t want to go on the “little potty.” She is doing good for her age with going to “potty” without her mother reminding her.

On Saturday we were very glad for all the men and boys that came to help set the trusses on our 40-foot by 80-foot pole barn we are in the process of building. This project was intended to be done before the winter weather began, but it all takes time and money. We cannot store hay in our barn due to the roof leaking too much. The foundation isn’t the best, so we decided to put up a pole barn for storage.

We served lunch to everyone, which consisted of scalloped potatoes, grilled chicken, meatloaf, baked beans, lettuce salad, cheese, hot peppers, brownies, coffee cake, jello, sugar cookies, and ice cream.

It was a cold day, with the temperature being only 10 degrees when they started with hanging the trusses. But the sun was out, and it warmed up to almost 20 degrees. We appreciated all their effort to help.

Joe’s work has been slow at the truss and metal shop where he works. Hopefully it will pick up again once the weather is better.

Sons Benjamin and Joseph and nephew Benjamin must not have had enough cold after helping with putting up the trusses Saturday. They went ice fishing for awhile afterwards. The lake had a lot of people on it ice fishing.

Ervin and Susan’s children have had fun sliding on their pond since it’s frozen. They enjoy when Ervin goes out there with them. Maybe in the next few years they can learn to ice skate.

Ervin and Susan will host church services in 7 1/2 weeks. They didn’t know they were getting it this fast, so they will be busy preparing for that. With six children ages 7 and under, that can be a challenge. We want to go help them. Baby Ervin Jay is two months old now. He’s doing very well!

God’s blessings to all!

 

Diabetic-Friendly Dessert
2 cups water
1 small box sugar free jello
1 (6 ounce) container yogurt

Bring 2 cups of water to a boil, stir in jello, and then stir in the yogurt. (Try to match flavors of jello and yogurt.) Place in refrigerator until set.

Note: Daughter Elizabeth was recently diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. She would be glad for any recipes that are diabetic-friendly. She is doing a great job of keeping her blood sugar to normal, although anyone that shares this diagnosis knows it’s not easy.

 

Lovina’s Amish Kitchen is written by Lovina Eicher, Old Order Amish writer, cook, wife, and mother of eight. Her newest cookbook, Amish Family Recipes, is available wherever books are sold.  Because Lovina is Old Order Amish, she does not have email or a telephone in her home. Lovina does not respond to comments on this website, if you would like to contact her directly, click here.

Keeping Warm in a Cold Spell

At 10 a.m. the temperature is still only at zero degrees with a wind chill of -17 degrees. The last several days we have had even colder temperatures and wind chill down to -27 degrees. It’s been a challenge to heat for everyone. It seems the wind gets in everywhere.

Grandson Ryan seems to be doing okay but is still on antibiotics.

A happy birthday to granddaughter Jennifer. She had her sixth birthday on January 15. Daughter Lovina made her a cake. She was so excited to blow out her candles on the cake.

When Jennifer was born, daughter Susan and Mose had been living in an old house that didn’t heat well so they moved in here with us. It was fun to help Susan with her firstborn and of course to spoil little Jennifer. I still remember how Mose would sit there and hold Jennifer and smile at her. At her first and second birthdays, Mose held her when she blew out the candles on her cakes. Then, less than a month before her third birthday, Mose was called from this earth. God had other plans for this little girl. In the short years Mose was here, he gave this little girl lots of love, and she loves to hear me tell her stories of Daddy Mose. Jennifer has this mischievous grin on her face all the time, and her smile lights up the room. She was so excited that she lost her first tooth. My grandchildren are all so precious to me. My children think I spoil the grandchildren more than I did them, but that’s what grandmothers are for. Haha!

The whole family came here for Sunday lunch in spite of the cold temperatures. Son Joseph and son-in-law Dustin grilled twenty pounds of chicken. I told them I could fry it, but they said they can stand inside our heated pole barn and check on the chicken on the grill outside every once in awhile. That helped me out. We had mashed potatoes, gravy, corn, chicken, cheese, hot peppers, and onions. I sliced onions and put them in apple cider vinegar—does anyone also do this? We love them like that. Dessert was Jennifer’s cake, ice cream, jello, and doughnuts.

The afternoon was spent playing games, and some worked on a 1,000-piece Amish Country puzzle that we started recently. Some of the grandchildren, with the help of daughter Verena and special friend Daniel Ray, were putting together 100-piece puzzles. That was much easier for them to figure out.

We love the Amish Country 1,000-piece puzzles and always like to look for a different one. I usually use those peel and stick sheets to keep the puzzle to hang up. I’m using my puzzle board for the first time. It was given to me from daughter Loretta and Dustin for a Christmas gift last year. It has a swivel under it so the board can easily be turned and has four drawers on the side to keep the extra puzzle pieces in. I love it very much, and it makes it so much easier to put away when you aren’t working on it. The children didn’t seem to bother the puzzle on Sunday. I can remember so often when children were younger and we would have a puzzle on our table that we would work on when we had time. It seemed like the toddler that could climb on a chair would find the puzzle and mess it up. Then we would have to start all over again. Sweet memories!

I’ll sign off wishing everyone God’s blessings. Stay warm!

 

Chicken Loaf
2 ½–3 pounds of chicken, cooked and cubed or shredded
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup uncooked rice
1 cup milk
1 cup bread cubes
2 eggs
1 cup celery, diced
salt and pepper to taste

Mix all ingredients together. Pour into a greased baking dish. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour or until a knife comes out clean when inserted in center of loaf.

 

Lovina’s Amish Kitchen is written by Lovina Eicher, Old Order Amish writer, cook, wife, and mother of eight. Her newest cookbook, Amish Family Recipes, is available wherever books are sold.  Because Lovina is Old Order Amish, she does not have email or a telephone in her home. Lovina does not respond to comments on this website, if you would like to contact her directly, click here.

Hosting the Amish Men’s Choir and Caring for Family

There is a winter weather advisory out this morning. It felt good to be in the warm house and hear the blowing wind from the inside. My husband Joe and son Joseph left for work. I’m sure the roads were a challenge for the drivers.

The Ausbund is the oldest Anabaptist hymnal and one of the oldest Christian songbooks still in use. The Amish men’s chorus that met at Lovina’s house last week sings from this book. Photo provided.

Last Thursday evening we hosted the men’s church singing here at 6:30 p.m. In the winter months, the men gather every two weeks to practice the hymns from our German songbook (the Ausbund). Usually they go where church services were held last. The girls made sugar and monster cookies, brownies, popcorn, and coffee for them for a snack after they were done.

 

Daughter Elizabeth, Tim, and children, daughter Susan, Ervin, and children, daughter Loretta, Dustin, and sons all came an hour earlier (5:30 p.m.) and ate supper with us. Daughter Lovina grilled hamburgers on the gas grill on our porch while I made a vegetable soup. Ice cream and the cookies were our dessert. Of course, everyone snacked again after the singing was over. The men gathered in our heated pole barn for the singing, as it’s quieter. The children were entertained here in the house by daughter Lovina reading books to them, and some were coloring. Of course, the little ones were being held and cuddled. Byron is five months and weighs around 14 pounds. Ervin Jay is eight weeks and weighs around 12 pounds. They sure are fun to have around.

It sure is nice having daughter Verena in the house again. She is still getting adjusted and has accumulated so many more belongings since living on her own for two years and being away from home for three years. She spent the weekend with her special friend Daniel Ray’s family, with several Christmas gatherings to attend with him.

Daughter Susan took son Ryan, age 4, to the doctor on Friday morning. When he was here Thursday evening, Ryan was saying he had pain in his legs and refused to walk because of the pain. The doctor sent him to the emergency room, where they transferred him to a bigger hospital an hour from here. Needless to say, we were all pretty shook up not knowing what was going on.

The doctors were puzzled at first and did many blood tests, an MRI, a CAT scan, an ultrasound, etc. Ryan was admitted to the hospital on Friday and released on Sunday night. Results were strep throat and some fluid in his hip joint that caused pain. I’m not sure how to explain it, but if I’m understanding right the fluid/infection in his hip joint came from the strep infection. Ryan seemed to be not feeling well a lot this fall/winter, so hopefully the antibiotics will take care of everything. On Friday, Ervin joined Susan and baby Junior at the hospital, and they stayed the night with Ryan. Then on Saturday, Joe and I went to stay with Ryan while Ervin, Susan, and baby came home to shower and change clothes.  Ryan was asking for Grandpa. He’s Joe’s little guy. After Ryan lost his father Mose, he would always cling to Grandpa Joe. They formed a close bond through the grief.

Ryan was so happy to see us. He was giggling and having fun with Grandpa while we were there. Joe said they say laughter is the best medicine. When Ervin, Susan, and baby came back up Saturday night and we were going to leave, Ryan wanted to leave with us. Such a sweetie! We told Ryan to get better and then he can come home. It was good news when we heard Sunday he could come home.

Kaitlyn, 7, Jennifer, 5, and Isaiah, 5, wanted to stay with Dustin and Loretta the two nights Ryan was in the hospital. On Sunday morning Joe and I stayed home from church and had Dustins bring the children here for breakfast. Dustins took the children home at night. Joe and I went and took a casserole for their supper. Ervin’s parents and sister came with Curtis, 4. He stayed with them the last few nights. Ervin’s mother brought a casserole and pasta salad for supper, so we had plenty for everyone. Tim and Elizabeth and children came to visit Ryan and brought a peach upside-down cake. Along with the cheese and applesauce from Ervins, we all had a nice meal together. Ryan was so happy for all the attention.

Stay healthy and safe! God Bless!

Farmer’s Winter Soup
1/2 cup butter or margarine
1 large onion, sliced
1/2 green pepper, chopped
2 stalks celery and leaves, chopped
2 cups sliced potatoes
2 or 3 outside green leaves of cabbage, shredded
1 cup sliced yellow squash
1/2 pound fresh green beans, cut
1 cup peas, fresh or frozen
2 quarts chicken or beef broth
1/2 cup brown rice
2 hard cooked eggs
Chopped parsley

Sauté vegetables in butter or margarine. Add broth and cook for 30 minutes. Then add rice and cook 20 minutes more. Sprinkle with chopped eggs and parsley before serving. Add more broth if desired.

 

Lovina’s Amish Kitchen is written by Lovina Eicher, Old Order Amish writer, cook, wife, and mother of eight. Her newest cookbook, Amish Family Recipes, is available wherever books are sold.  Because Lovina is Old Order Amish, she does not have email or a telephone in her home. Lovina does not respond to comments on this website, if you would like to contact her directly, click here.

Lovina and Family Gather for Christmas and Ring in the New Year

A brand-new year is before us. What does 2024 hold in store? A new year always feels like a new beginning. A time to try harder to break bad habits, a time to start fresh. Most importantly, to spend more time reading God’s words every day and remembering those less fortunate in life. We have so many blessings that far out number the struggles we face. God is good!

On Sunday we hosted our annual Christmas for my family here in Michigan with sisters Verena and Emma and her family. Along with our family, the total is 42 people. Babies Byron (Dustin and Loretta), 5 months, and Ervin Jr. (Ervin and Susan), 7 weeks, of course didn’t need a place setting at the table. Jazlyn (niece Emma and Menno), 1 year old, sat in the highchair. We set the table for 39 people. We put six tables (six-foot rectangular folding tables) together to seat everyone. We had a Haystack Breakfast brunch.

Everyone brought something for the haystack, such as biscuits, hash browns, scrambled eggs, chopped bacon, ham, smokies, sausage gravy, cheese sauce, green peppers, onions, hot peppers, tomatoes, and salsa. Along with cinnamon rolls for dessert, it made a great meal. Drinks were chocolate milk, orange juice, grapefruit juice, apple juice, V-8 juice, and coffee. Everyone brought the hot food heated up already and in insulated bags so we could start eating right away once everyone was here. It doesn’t take long to have a big haystack of food on your plate if you try a little of everything. It makes a delicious meal.

After everyone was done eating, we put all the leftovers in a roaster to make a casserole so nothing got wasted. After brunch we all exchanged gifts, and everyone found out who had their name. Then I had set up some games for everyone to play to win small gifts from Joe and me. It’s usually fun for everyone.

Joe put a turkey on the grill and it was ready by afternoon to have with snack time. Everyone helped with bringing snacks in the afternoon. There was a nice variety of snacks. Lots of different games were played. We hosted everything in our pole barn, which is where we also held our family Christmas on Christmas Day. On December 24 we hosted church in there as well, plus the annual church potluck. I am guessing we had around two hundred people here for church and potluck. We had eight casseroles, seven big salads, 250 ham sandwiches that we made, lots of desserts, and coffee and tea. After everyone ate we sang Christmas songs. What a nice time of fellowship with the church family.

On New Year’s Eve, everyone stayed until midnight except niece Elizabeth and Manuel. The children were excited that they were able to stay up until midnight and go outside and yell “Happy New Year!” Some left after midnight for home and some stayed for the night. We made room for everyone to sleep. The next morning, I heated up the Haystack casserole for everyone to eat breakfast before heading home.

This morning my husband Joe went back to work after a week off from the factory. He enjoys his time off but was glad to go make money again since the bills don’t get paid without working. I want to thank my daughters for filling in over the holidays and church services we hosted. They did a great job! I’ll sign off wishing everyone God’s blessings and a prosperous new year 2024.

 

Cabbage Cheddar Chowder
1 pound ground beef
2 stalks celery, chopped
1 small onion, chopped
1/2 green pepper
1/2 medium head cabbage, shredded
1/2 cup water
3 cups milk
3/4 pound shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 cup flour
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Fry ground beef and drain. Add celery, onion, and green pepper. Fry a little longer. Stir in cabbage and water. Cover and cook over low heat till cabbage is tender (about 10 minutes), stirring occasionally. Stir in milk, cheese, flour, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil stirring constantly. Boil and stir 1 minute.

 

Lovina’s Amish Kitchen is written by Lovina Eicher, Old Order Amish writer, cook, wife, and mother of eight. Her newest cookbook, Amish Family Recipes, is available wherever books are sold.  Because Lovina is Old Order Amish, she does not have email or a telephone in her home. Lovina does not respond to comments on this website, if you would like to contact her directly, click here.