It is such a pleasant morning outside. The temperature is just right.
Foremost on my mind today is my husband Joe’s cousin Carolyn and Jonas Jr. and family. Their 4-year-old daughter Barbara was laid to rest yesterday. Such a tragedy—a life so young was taken, but God makes no mistakes. That is the only comfort sometimes, knowing he needed another angel. Little Barbara and several other little girls crossed the highway going from the wedding reception to the wedding church across the road. These little girls were safely across walking behind their big sisters. They decided they wanted to go back to the reception instead and turned to go back across the highway before the older sisters saw them. The last one across was Barbara and she was hit by a passing vehicle. Oh, the pain of seeing your child lifeless. Our hearts go out to Barbara’s family and to the 82-year-old man who was driving the vehicle. As with son-in-law Mose’s accident there are so many “what ifs.” Only God knows why, and it was his timing for their death. Our sympathy to the family.
Sister Verena, sister Emma and Jacob, daughter Susan and children, and Joe and I traveled the two hours to attend the visitation and viewing for Barbara. It is a comfort to have family and friends show their support at a time of loss of a dear loved one.
Sunday morning son Benjamin’s horse Beauty had a foal. It is always exciting to see the little foals running along side of their mother in the pasture field. Benjamin was so hapy that the mare and filly were all okay after the birth. The filly is all black just like her mother. Beauty was a gift from us to Benjamin for his 18th birthday and we also raised her, and Joe trained her at 2 years old.
May 18th (yesterday) was daughter Lovina’s 17th birthday. It’s hard to believe my youngest daughter is that old.
Coming last night for supper in honor of her birthday were daughter Elizabeth, Tim, and children Abigail, T.J., and Allison, daughters Verena and Susan and her children Jennifer and Ryan, sister Verena, and Dustin, Daniel, and Grace (special friends to Loretta, Lovina, and Joseph).
We had walleyes that Joseph and Kevin caught on their fishing trip for supper. Along with macaroni and cheese, cheese, hot peppers, veggies and dip, chips, and ice cream cake. The walleyes were big fillets and very good. I only fixed half of what the boys brought home.
Sister Verena and daughters Verena and Susan and children all stayed here for the night. They all went home this forenoon except daughter Verena. She isn’t feeling well and has an upset stomach. She is resting and I hope it’s just something that will be gone by tonight.
My plans are to go to the greenhouse this afternoon to get my vegetable plants and finish planting our gardens. We were going to make raised beds for one of our gardens but with the price of wood so high we will manage another year of ground planting.
My 50th birthday coming up next Saturday, May 22nd, reminds me that I’m getting older. God’s blessings to all of you!
Radish and Cream Cheese Spread
8 ounces cream cheese
1/2 teaspoon celery salt
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/4 cup butter, softened
dash paprika
1/2 cup chopped green onions
1 cup finely chopped radishes
Mix all ingredients except radishes and onions until smooth. Then stir in radishes and onions and chill several hours to blend flavors. Spread on snack crackers. Experiment with different seasonings, such as ranch dressing mix (1 package or less), 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt, or 2 cups shredded cheese.
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 PO Box 1689, South Holland, IL 60473 (please include a self-addressed stamped envelope for a reply); or email LovinasAmishKitchen@MennoMedia.org and your message will be passed on to her to read. She does not personally respond to emails.