Lovina’s Amish Kitchen
Lovina Eitcher,
Old Order Amish
Cook, Wife &
Mother of Eight
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 my daughters 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 sunset 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. Readers can write to Eicher at Lovina’s Amish Kitchen, PO Box 234, Sturgis, MI 49091 (please include a self-addressed stamped envelope for a reply); or email [email protected] and your message will be passed on to her to read. She does not personally respond to emails.
