Category Archives: Desserts

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 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.

Daughter Susan Shares about a Month Full of Plans with Family

I’m Lovina’s daughter Susan. I wanted to help Mom out and write an article for her. I’m not sure how Mom does it, knowing what to write every week. I have a hard time just doing one article.

This Monday morning, the children are all in school except Ervin Jay. He’s sleeping in the swing right now. He loves the rocking motion! With this quiet moment, I decided to quickly write something.

Yesterday, I attended church for the first time with Ervin Jay. We were all excited to take him to church and show him to everyone. He was a good little boy and slept most of the time. I had plenty of babysitters. It has been four years since I’ve taken care of a baby, so I had to learn all over again.

On Thursday, December 7, my husband Ervin’s family all came for family night and to meet Ervin Jay. It was really an enjoyable night. Supper was brought in, and it was a relaxing evening for me.

On Friday, December 8, Mose’s family came to see the baby. They also brought supper.

On Saturday, December 9, Ervin’s brother Steven and his girlfriend Marla; Ervin’s grandparents; his Aunt Liz and Uncle Christy; Aunt Beth; and two of Ervin’s cousins (who are Christy and Liz’s boys) CJ and Lyndon and girlfriend Rhonda brought supper in and also wanted to see the baby. I enjoyed not having to make supper for a while. It seems I eat better if I don’t make it.

Thursday, December 14, will be three years since Mose passed. I often see Mose in our children, Jennifer and Ryan. Grief never goes away; it just gets easier to handle. Even though our lives have moved on, Mose will always still hold a special place in it. We love to have conversations with the children about Mose and Sarah, and it keeps the memories alive. Precious memories—how they linger.

Ryan still holds on to Mose’s church hat that Mose would wear every time to church. I still remember Ryan would beg Mose for his hat, and Mose would let him play with it. I would warn Mose that he shouldn’t let Ryan play with it because he’d make it dirty and crunch it. Sunday morning, Mose would be sitting there scrubbing his hat so it wouldn’t look dirty before wearing it to church.

I’ve learned to not take our loved ones for granted. Be with them while they are here with us, and don’t wait until it’s too late. It can change in the blink of an eye. God’s plans aren’t always our way.

We have a busy month this December. On December 24, Mom and Dad will have church services at their house. Then the plans are that we will stay for the night, and we will stay for Christmas day. On December 30, we will go to Omer and Rose’s (Sarah’s parents) for Christmas with all of them. Omer and Rose are really nice people. They treat me like part of their family. I feel comfortable with them and love spending time there. All the children love going.

On January 6, we will go to Ervin’s parents’ house for Christmas. It will also be Ervin’s Mom’s birthday the same day.

December 17 is Mose’s family Christmas gathering. We are afraid we won’t make it this year. Sometimes we can’t make it to all four family’s gatherings, but we try our best.

With six children, life can be overwhelming, but that’s okay. I love each and every one of the children. They are a blessing from God. Without God, our lives would be empty and cold hearted. God is love.

I think I’ve written enough. I’m not as funny as sister Lovina or as interesting as Mom! I hope you all have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

I’ll share Ervin’s mother’s pumpkin bars recipe. She brought the bars on family night, and everyone loved them; there weren’t any left.

Pumpkin Bars
1 cup oil
2 cups sugar
2 cups pumpkin puree
4 eggs
2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon allspice

Cream Cheese Frosting
8 ounces cream cheese
6 tablespoons butter
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 3/4 cup powdered sugar

Mix oil, sugar, pumpkin, and eggs until well combined. Sift together flour, salt, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and allspice in a separate bowl. Stir dry ingredients into the pumpkin mixture until thoroughly combined. Spread batter into greased 13 x 18-inch pan or two 9 x 13-inch pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes.

For frosting, mix together the cream cheese and butter until smooth; stir in vanilla. Add powdered sugar, mixing until smooth. Spread on top of the cooled cake.

 

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.

A welcome addition to the family

I ended up not going to the comfort knotting last week. Instead, I went with daughter Susan and Ervin to the hospital. Now I have exciting news to share. Ervin Jay Yoder Jr. was born to Ervin and Susan at 6:17 p.m. on November 14. He weighs 7 pounds, 11 ounces, and is 19.5 inches long. Joe and I now have 12 grandchildren. Ervin Jay is so sweet and has won our hearts already. Now you will hear from daughter Verena:

Hello! This is Lovina’s daughter Verena. I decided to write the column for Mom since I was really in a writing mood. It is currently 2:45 p.m. on Saturday, November 18. This week sure has been a busy one for me, but also very exciting.

Tuesday I went with Dustin and sister Loretta to an appointment to help with Denzel and Byron. We left at 11 a.m. and didn’t get home until 5:30 p.m. I then went over to sister Elizabeth’s since Ervin and Susan had dropped their five children off there. It was fun and exciting to let Kaitlyn, 7, Jennifer, 5, Isaiah, 5, Ryan, 4, and Curtis, 4, know they have a baby brother, Ervin Jay. They couldn’t wait to meet him.

Tim and Elizabeth took the five children and me back to Ervin and Susan’s place that night. I stayed there with the children and woke them up at 6 a.m. on Wednesday to get ready for school. Ryan was up most of the night worrying about where his parents were, so he did not get the best sleep. I kept him home but sent the other four. Ervin and Susan did not get home until 9 p.m. that night. Kaitlyn and Jennifer were the only ones who did not go to sleep, because they were super excited to meet Ervin Jay. They both got to hold him a little bit before they went to bed.

Thursday morning, Ervin helped me get the children ready for school. Getting five children ages 4–7 ready for school can be a hassle. There’s always one missing something.

Elizabeth dropped off a casserole on her way over to Mom’s. She brought a ranch potato casserole, corn, and garlic cheese bread. Allison and Andrea were with her. They all came in to meet baby Ervin.

Thursday night, Ervin’s dad and mom, his brother Glen, and Glen’s girlfriend stopped in to meet Ervin Jay. Ervin’s mom brought two homemade pizzas. I heated up Elizabeth’s casseroles along with the pizza for all of us for supper. The children were glad that Grandpa Yoders and Uncle Glen and his girlfriend came for supper.

Friday morning I only had to get Kaitlyn, Jennifer, and Isaiah ready for school. Ryan and Curtis don’t go on Fridays.

Dustin and Loretta brought supper. My parents also came. It was really enjoyable, and the children were excited that they came.

This morning my boyfriend Daniel and I washed all the laundry. It sure adds up fast. I had washed it all on Wednesday. I’m trying to wash clothes three times a week so it’s not so big each time. Ervin and Daniel hung the laundry on the wash lines for me while I prepared lunch. Sister Loretta and I made a breakfast casserole last night for this morning, so breakfast was easy.

All the children are down for a nap right now. They have been getting up extra early because they are excited about the new baby. Jennifer got out of bed way earlier than she normally does to hold baby Ervin. Susan has to set a timer for the children because they argue about who gets to hold him. Haha!

I want to sweep and mop yet, and clean the bathrooms, and laundry has to be off the lines yet. Kaithlyn and Jennifer will help me clean the bathrooms after their nap. The children will help get the laundry off the lines. They are pretty good at that. They are also good at putting their clothes away after I fold it for them.

Sometime before bedtime I need to bathe the children and wash their hair. Saturdays are always extra busy.

Lovina baked these dinner rolls for part of the Sunday meal at daughter Susan’s house. Photo provided.

It is now Monday. Yesterday my parents and siblings, Tim and Elizabeth and children, Dustin and Loretta and boys, cousin Steven, and Daniel were all here. Dad grilled a turkey and Mom brought mashed potatoes, dressing, gravy, dinner rolls, apple cake, and cookies. Elizabeth brought lettuce salad, and Loretta brought peaches and brownies.

I’m going to sign off on this. I have work that needs to be done. You all take care, and God bless!

Apple Doodle
1 egg
3/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon almond flavoring
1/2 cup sifted flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 heaping cup finely chopped apples

Beat egg well. Add sugar and cream together well. Add almond flavoring, then add sifted flour, salt, and baking powder. Fold in chopped apples. Pour into an 8 x 8-inch pan. Bake at 350 degrees on top rack of oven for 25 minutes, or until brown. Serve either hot or cold.

 

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 Her Parents on Their Anniversary

It’s October 17, and although my parents have both been gone for over 20 years, I still think of their anniversary date. They were married October 17, 1957. Rest in peace, dear parents. You are still so greatly missed.

Tomorrow (October 18) is son-in-law Tim’s birthday. He will be 35. Happy birthday, Tim! We wish you many more happy years.

These two horses belong to son-in-law Tim, who just recently celebrated his birthday on October 18.

Our house feels so much more comfortable since my husband Joe started the coal stove on Saturday. We had four tons of coal delivered, and we will probably need more than that later. When it turns real cold, we heat part of the pole barn where we keep our phone and battery packs for the solar. We also have a kitchen sink and a bathroom in there, so it keeps that from freezing as well. Hard coal sure went up in price but so does everything else. The cost of living is so unbelievable. God always provides it seems. Sometimes we forget all the many blessings he sends to us.

It has now been almost five weeks since son Benjamin broke his leg. He went to the doctor’s last week and had his 17 staples removed. The doctor told him four more weeks of no weight on that leg.

Benjamin is still receiving cards, and he looks forward to that. Thanks so much to everyone for the cards and gifts. This had been a hard time for Benjamin to not be able to go to work and not be as active as he usually is. May God grant him the patience and help him through this trial in life.

Daughter Loretta is here again today with 10-week-old Byron and 15-month-old Denzel. Byron weighs 10 pounds, 1 ounce now. He was 6 pounds, 7.8 ounces at birth. Byron is starting to coo and giggle. He likes to watch toys hanging from the swing too. You can see he’s getting older and is so much more alert. Of course, Denzel loves to pick on his little brother. Denzel is starting his terrible twos already. He loves finding everything he isn’t allowed to have. My cabinets are his favorite place, and if someone forgets to close the gate on the upstairs steps, he gets up there so fast.

On Thursday, daughter Susan and Ervin will be table waiters at Ervin’s first wife Sarah’s Aunt Carolyn’s wedding. Carolyn is a widow and is getting married to a widower. We wish them God’s many blessings as they join hands.

Church services were held in the pole barn at niece Emma and Menno’s on Sunday. Their lunch menu included homemade wheat and white bread, ham, cheese, peanut butter spread, pickles, red beets, hot pepper butter, butter, jelly, hot peppers, coffee, tea, and cookies.

We went back for supper, and barbequed chicken was on the menu with various other food. Joe and I took our horse Midnight but had to come back in the afternoon to let Midnight’s four-month-old colt nurse before we went back for supper. Midnight gets rowdy when she’s away from her colt for too long.

Tomorrow is our final cooking and baking day for my forthcoming cookbook (June 25, 2024) called The Cherished Table.

God bless!

 

Chocolate Pumpkin Yummy

Cake:
4 large eggs, at room temperature
2 cups sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups canned pumpkin puree

Glaze:
1 cup chocolate chips
1 tablespoon light corn syrup
1 cup heavy cream

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 9-inch bundt cake pan. Set aside. Beat eggs and sugar until blended. Beat in oil. Sift flour, baking soda, pumpkin pie spice, and salt into egg mixture. Fold in dry ingredients and pumpkin puree. Pour batter into pan and bake until a skewer inserted into center comes out clean, 50 to 60 minutes. Cool in pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes, then turn out onto rack to cool completely.

Make glaze: Place chocolate and corn syrup in a heatproof bowl. In a pan, warm cream over medium heat until it simmers. Pour cream over chocolate, let stand 1 minute, then whisk until smooth. Let cool to room temperature. Place cake on a rack over a baking sheet. Drizzle glaze over cake. Let sit 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

Eicher Family Celebrates More Birthdays and Weddings

Son Joseph’s 21st birthday was yesterday. Joseph and his special friend Grace, daughter Verena, and son Benjamin went out to eat in honor of his birthday. We couldn’t have a birthday supper here as I ended up at the ER with son Kevin, 17.

Kevin fell when getting up from his mobility scooter and fell face-first on cement. He had a big cut by his eyebrow. The doctor did a great job in putting in nine stitches. He has a sore eye from it.

Saturday was the wedding day of nephew Menno and Diane. Joe and I were unable to attend, but some of our children did. Sons Benjamin, Joseph, and Kevin, daughter Lovina, Daniel and Grace (Lovina and Joseph’s special friends), and nephew Henry had an Amish driver take them to the wedding in Clare, Michigan. It was almost three hours north from here. They started out around 6 a.m. and arrived back home at 6 p.m.

Church services were at our neighbors Levi and Leah’s on Sunday. It was held under a tent, and when it started raining, it was a challenge to keep the rain drained off the roof of the tent. We are glad for the much-needed rain, even if it wasn’t when we would have wanted it to come. After so much dryness earlier this year, we will gladly take the rain. The grass looks so much greener now.

I don’t often see cousin Esther and cousin Johnny, but they were both in church Sunday. Brings back memories of years ago, when we were all in the same church growing up. Life has brought so many changes.

Joe and I were invited back for supper at Levi and Leah’s. They had grilled chicken, potato casserole, various salads, and desserts. A delicious supper!

Those assisting daughter Tim and Elizabeth recently in preparations to host church services in two weeks were: Joe and me, daughter Susan and Ervin and children Kaitlyn, 6, Jennifer, 5, Isaiah, 5, Ryan, 3, and Curtis, 3, daughter Loretta, Dustin, and son Denzel. Lots of jobs were accomplished.

Son Joseph and daughter Lovina will have Class 7 in baptismal instructions at Tim and Elizabeth’s church services. Our children need encouragement and our daily prayers. May God always be their guide as we travel into the unknown future.

This coming Thursday, plans are to go help daughter Elizabeth again. Those also going (Lord willing) are sisters Verena and Emma, niece Elizabeth, niece Emma and children, nephew Benjamin’s wife Crystal and son, daughters Susan and children, Verena, and Loretta and son. We should be able to get a lot accomplished for Elizabeth. It is always just enjoyable to be together for a day.

Thursday (July 27) will also be grandson Ryan’s fourth birthday and niece Emma’s son Menno’s third birthday. Daughter Lovina plans to bake a cake for them to have with lunch while we are there at Tim and Elizabeth’s house.

We are getting lots of goodies from our gardens. It is so easy to make a meal. Tonight we will have sweet corn, tomatoes, cucumber salad, and fried chicken.

Last week Lovina and I made meals for the neighbors who had new babies in the past six months. There were four little girls born within a half-mile from here since December. I’m sure the young mothers were glad for a meal brought in. Lovina made cakes to send along to each family. She enjoys decorating cakes.

God’s blessings to all!

Chocolate Cake
3 cups all purpose-flour
2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup cocoa powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 cup sour cream or buttermilk
1 cup shortening
2 eggs, beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup boiling water

Mix together flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and baking powder. In another large bowl, cream together sour cream and shortening. Mix in eggs and vanilla.

Mix flour mixture into sour cream mixture, then stir in boiling water. Pour into a greased 10 x 15-inch jellyroll pan and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 30–40 minutes.

 

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.

Midnight Delivers Her First Foal

This column will wrap it up for June 2023. Another month down in history. What did I accomplish? Not nearly as much as I had anticipated. Life gets so busy but let us take time from our busy lives and remember to thank God for the many blessings he bestows upon us. Our great and loving Creator and Comforter!

It’s 6:30 a.m. and a foggy morning. We received a half inch of much-needed rain. The grass was brown and is looking greener already. It has been very hazy this last while. They say it is from the Canadian wildfires. The sun looks so red at sunset from the smoke. I hope they will get the fire under control soon and that everyone will be safe.

After I get done with this column, I want to go get some rhubarb in. Daughter Lovina mixed up a batch of monster cookies yesterday and is getting ready to bake those. I want to bake some pies.

Next week is already the Fourth of July.

Our horse Midnight had a little colt on June 22. He is a nice lively one with three white feet and one black. Midnight is a good mother and very protective of her foal! This is the first foal she delivered, so we were very thankful everything went well for her.

Son Benjamin is training his two-year-old horse, which is the daughter of his other horse Beauty. He named her Star since she has a little white spot on her head. We can’t use Midnight until she can be away from nursing her colt, so Benjamin let Joe and I use his horse Beauty to go to church Sunday. Beauty is a good horse and has put in many miles. Midnight and Beauty are half-sisters on one side and also related on their mom’s side. They were born a month apart here on our farm in 2015. I love watching the little foals run in the field. This little one has very long legs.

Sunday church services were held at the house of daughter Verena’s neighbors. After lunch, our whole family, sister Emma’s whole family, and sister Verena all spent the afternoon at daughter Verena’s house. Verena made popcorn and set out snacks for us all. It was enjoyable.

Grace and Daniel (Joseph and Lovina’s special friends) were our supper guests. I made BLTs for supper, but I also fried eggs to go with that. I fry the egg until the yolk isn’t runny so it can be put in the BLT sandwich.

Last Thursday, Ervin and Susan and I cleared out everything from the upstairs bedroom at daughter Verena’s house. Ervin took it all over to their place. Verena made lunch for us so we could keep working. They are so relieved that it is now all at their place to sort through. It all takes time.

Michael and Rose Ellen had a nice wedding day. Their menu included dinner rolls, strawberry butter, mashed potatoes, gravy, dressing, grilled chicken, salad, peanut butter pie, pecan pie, fresh fruit mixture, and candy bars. I will share a recipe for strawberry butter, although I’m not sure this is the recipe they used at the wedding.

God bless!

Strawberry Butter
6 large fresh strawberries (stems removed and room temperature)
1 cup butter (softened)
3/4 cup powdered sugar

 

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.

The Family Celebrates Father’s Day with a Special Gift

 

It is another nice, sunny day, but we are in need of rain. Our grass is brown from the dryness. We have been keeping the garden watered.

Son Joseph didn’t go to work today. He is going to power wash the porch and the basement entrance under the porch. That will refresh everything.

Tomorrow, my plans are to help daughter Susan and Ervin. They want to empty the upstairs of Susan’s old house (where daughter Verena lives now) and move everything over to their place. They want to have a garage sale in August.

Ervin doesn’t have work for two-and-a-half weeks at the factory, so they should get a lot accomplished during that time. Although caring for five children takes a lot of their time too. They have blended well as a family. Of course, every family has challenges to face, but that’s part of life.

Friday’s plans for Joe and I are to attend the wedding of our neighbor girl Rose Ellen and Michael. The rest of our children will attend the 7:00 p.m. supper.

Sunday night, Joe and I were home alone, so we decided to take our 23-year-old pony Stormy and the pony cruiser and bring supper to sister Verena. She was glad about our visit. Our minister Richard, Erma, and their three children visited her that afternoon. She hadn’t seen much of anyone since the Sunday before. Son Benjamin mowed her grass one night. I was telling Verena how it seems there are not enough days in a week for me. She said for her there are too many. Living alone would be different. I don’t know if I could do it.

Daughter Verena lives alone, but she has her nieces and nephews there a lot, so it keeps her busy. She also babysits for her friend once in a while.

Joe had a nice Father’s Day. Our family night was at Dustin and Loretta’s Friday night, so the children gave Joe a clock that plays harmonica tunes every hour. He has enjoyed that so much. He can play the harmonica but not as well as his mother could. It brings back memories of her when he hears a harmonica playing. It was a nice and thoughtful gift from the children.

Friday evening was enjoyable! After he came home from work, Joe grilled 20 pounds of chicken and made a campfire stew to take to Dustin’s. We had to furnish the hot food this month for family night. Tim and Elizabeth brought the salad, Ervin and Susan brought dessert, and Verena brought snacks. Dustin and Loretta furnished the ice cream.

After supper, we all sat out on the patio and sang songs. It was relaxing and many memories were made.

Saturday evening, Dustin, Loretta, and Denzel took us fishing on their pontoon. Joe grilled pork steak on the little grill for us to eat supper on the lake. Another enjoyable and relaxing night. It was interesting to watch the sun set over the lake and watch the stars. Do I thank God enough for all the blessings he sends?

Several readers asked how Joe grills his chicken. He puts it on the grill and then uses Johnny’s Seasoning, garlic salt, and lemon pepper to season it. Then he puts barbecue sauce on it when it’s done. His favorite sauce is Open Pit. There isn’t really a recipe to give.

God’s blessings to all!

 

Frozen Blueberry Dessert

1 pint frozen or fresh blueberries
2 or 3 sliced bananas

Glaze:
1 cup pineapple juice
1/2 cup sugar
2 teaspoons cornstarch

Toss blueberries and bananas together. Cook glaze ingredients together until clear. Add cooled glaze to fruit and serve. It’s delicious when blueberries are still slightly frozen.

 

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 Mother’s Day and Looks Ahead to an Eventful Week

May 18 is daughter Lovina’s 19th birthday. It is unbelievable at how fast time seems to go. She only has one more year of being a teenager. Her birthday is also on Ascension Day this year. This Amish community keeps this day as a holiday. We have a fast and prayer day until lunch time, so everyone will be home from work.

Daughter Elizabeth was explaining to her daughter Abigail, 6, that Ascension Day was the ascent of Jesus Christ into heaven on the fortieth day after his resurrection. She told her that the Amish children will stay home from school but the other children will still go to school. When her dad Tim came home from work, Abigail told him that she knows what Ascension Day is. She said it’s when all the Amish children stay home from school and the rest still go. Children in their innocence can say the cutest things.

Grandson Timothy (T.J.) is released from doctor’s care and only has a Band-Aid on his finger.

Church services on Sunday were held in the tent at niece Elizabeth and Manuel’s house. In honor of Mother’s Day, the mothers were all seated first for lunch except a few of us who were serving. After lunch the men washed the dishes so the women could sit and visit. This was quite funny, seeing how those men washed dishes. They were all joking about what they are planning for Father’s Day. We will see what they come up with.

Yesterday was a work day at daughter Verena’s house. Sisters Verena and Emma, nieces Elizabeth, Emma, and Crystal (nephew Benjamin’s wife), daughters Elizabeth, Loretta, and Lovina, and I assisted with the work. Of course all the little children were there as well, except for the ones in school. Daughter Susan and Ervin went with granddaughter Jennifer on a field trip. They came after that and helped, too. They worked on flower beds, etc. Walls, ceilings, windows, and furniture were cleaned in the bedroom, living room, dining room, and kitchen. Verena was so happy that all was so refreshed. With her handicap, it’s hard for her to do some of those jobs. Now today I will wash her laundry when I wash mine.

Joe and I plan to attend the 5:30 p.m. wedding dinner of neighbor Paul and Regina. They will exchange vows on Ascension Day. We have wedding invitations from two neighbor girls as well, with their weddings being in June. Then also a wedding invitation from nephew Menno for a July wedding. Congratulations to all the couples—Paul and Regina, Mervin and Beth, Michael and Rose Ellen, and Menno and Diane. We wish you all God’s blessings!

It is with great sadness that I share the news that Joe had another aunt pass away. Aunt Rachel Hershberger, age 69, from Trail, Ohio, died Monday, May 15. She leaves to mourn three daughters, a son, nine grandchildren, and six great grandchildren. We are hoping to make it to her funeral on Saturday, but with it being 4 1/2 hours away we are having a hard time finding a ride there. Oure sympathy goes out to the family. Rachel was a very friendly person to all who knew her. She will be missed greatly. Rest in peace, dear Aunt Rachel.

This was the fifth of our (Joe and I) aunts and uncles to pass away since January. Four of those were from the same family.

God bless you!

Strawberry Pizza
1 cup flour
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
8 ounces cream cheese
1/2 cup sugar
1 quart fresh strawberries, cut in half

 

Glaze:
1 cup berry juice (cook a few strawberries in enough water to make 1 cup juice)
4 tablespoons sugar
4 tablespoons clear jel

In a bowl, mix flour, powdered sugar, and butter as for pie crumbs. Spread evenly over 12- or 13-inch pizza pan. Press firmly. Bake at 325 degrees for 12–15 minutes. Let cool.

In a separate bowl, cream together cheese and 1/2 cup sugar. Spread over cooled crust. Let chill.

Arrange cut berries on cream cheese. Bring berry juice to a boil, then add the clear gel followed by the sugar. Boil until thickened and spread over berries.

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 Aunt Lovina

Yesterday we finished up with the rest of the beef. My husband Joe, son Joseph, and sons-in-law Tim and Dustin had dressed two beefs on March 11—that was the day we heard Aunt Lovina passed away. We waited to start on ours until we were back from Ohio. Dustin and Loretta split half of their beef with his brother Clint and Hannah. Clint picked up their two quarters and Dustins cut up their meat here. We had a lot of nice hamburger and steaks to fill our freezer. I canned some beef chunks, and now I want to make beef jerky today. We had another cold spell, which was nice to keep the beefs chilled. This puts an end to our butchering for this season. It sure is a relief to be done, but it is such a blessing to be able to have meat in the freezer and in cans.

Granddaughter Jennifer, 5, is back to good health since she had surgery to remove her tonsils and adenoids. She was very happy to receive a sunshine box from our church on Sunday. She had a lot of nice gifts.

Our church also made a sunshine box for grandson Timothy (T.J.) on Sunday. While we were in Ohio, he had surgery to reattach part of his right pointer finger. He somehow got it in a bike chain, tearing it completely off. Tim and Elizabeth’s neighbor took Tim and T.J. to the hospital, but it was bleeding so badly that they didn’t know part of the finger was off. After Tim left, Elizabeth found the other part of the finger and had someone take her to the hospital to see if the doctors could reattach it. They did surgery at a bigger hospital and have his whole arm in a cast for six to eight weeks. The doctors hope it will reconnect with the rest of the finger. If not, it will be taken back off. T.J. is an active little four-year-old, so the cast is driving him crazy. He sat beside me Sunday in church and kept trying to scratch the cast because his arm was itchy.

He was very excited for the sunshine box, and he also received nice gifts. Hopefully this will keep him entertained while his right hand and arm are casted.

Brother Albert and Sarah Irene, nephew Albert Jr., sisters Verena and Emma, Joe and I, and daughter Verena traveled to Baltic, Ohio, last Tuesday morning. We attended the viewing/visitation of Aunt Lovina on Tuesday then went to a motel for the night. We attended her funeral on Wednesday, and we arrived back home Wednesday evening.

Aunt Lovina was 83 when she passed. I was named after her. My mother said Aunt Lovina took care of her five older children when I was born at home, so they decided to name me after her. Lovina was married to Uncle Toby for 39 years. She later remarried Abe Raber from Ohio and was married to him for 17 years. Abe passed away in August 2020. Lovina had recently moved to Kentucky to live with her daughter Leah and Elmer.

Uncle Toby and Aunt Lovina had nine children and lived around four miles from us growing up. We were in the same church ever since I was born until Toby died in 1999 and Aunt Lovina later moved to LaGrange, Indiana, and then on to Baltic, Ohio, after getting married to Abe.

I have many so memories of our two families together. I spent many nights over at Uncle Toby’s. I was right between their daughters Emma and Verena in age. It was very nice to see all the family again, and also many other cousins and friends. Aunt Emma was also there. She fell somehow while traveling to Ohio, by slipping on ice if I understood right. Aunt Emma is 82. My mother has three sisters living.

My cousin Leah’s daughter brought Aunt Lovina here for a day last year. Sister Emma and her daughters and my daughters were all here, too. We had a good day with Lovina. She still had a good mind and was active for her age. She will be missed greatly by all who loved her. I called Aunt Lovina on her 83rd birthday, which was on July 20, and we had a nice talk. She had left me a voicemail on July 18, saying that she was thinking of us on Mother’s 86th birthday. Rest in peace, dear Aunt Lovina.

Our sympathy goes to all her nine children and spouses, 87 grandchildren, 67 great grandchildren, 10 stepchildren, step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren.

On Friday morning we received word that Joe’s Uncle Jake died in Ohio. We regret that we were unable to attend his funeral. We are glad we got to visit with him at his sister’s (Aunt Nancy) viewing. Our sympathy goes to Aunt Mary and the family.

On April 1, some of my family and I will be at the Plain and Simple Craft Show selling and signing cookbooks from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Lord willing! I would love to meet any readers that can come. The address is 345 South Van Buren Street, Shipshewana, Indiana 46565. God’s blessings to all!

I’ll share a recipe that is often served at our local funerals. Slips are passed out and there is always a variety of pie fillings and cake used. A great dish and very tasty.

Cake Delight

1 cake mix (any kind)
12 ounces cream cheese
12 ounces whipped topping
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 1/2 quarts pie filling, any flavor

Mix and bake cake mix as directed on the box. Pour into a greased 11×15 inch jelly roll pan. Then cream together cream cheese, whipped topping, and powdered sugar and spread on cooled cake. Top with pie filling.

 

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.