We have entered the final month of 2024. We have just enough snow on the ground to be able to say “We have snow!” The roads are probably icy though. With the temperatures staying in the 20s, I think we can say winter weather is here to stay.
Daughter Susan is bringing her three boys here while she takes Jennifer, 6, to the eye doctor. She didn’t pass the eye exam in school, so Susan wanted to get an exam at an eye doctor.
I remember when we had six children wearing glasses while going to school. It was a job just making sure they didn’t forget them or lose them. Now only three of our children need them. The others are fine without glasses for now.
We had a great trip to the Smoky Mountains. Joe and I took the tram up to Ober Mountain one day. While up there we took a ride on the chairlift. It was very nice, but we were cold by the time we were back in our motel in Gatlinburg. But we discovered what “cold” was when we came back to Michigan. Brr!
We also went to Pigeon Forge a few times. There was so much to see, but I think the highlight of our trip was seeing a bear close to our motel when we came back one night. I have seen bears before, but to be only 20 to 30 feet away from one on the loose was exciting.
Ryan and Curtis are watching me write and are asking me questions. Sweet little boys are just being typical five-year-olds. They see that I have some gifts wrapped already and are telling me what they would like. Of course Ryan wants a hat . . . a black hat! Curtis wants a cup and a book and little toy people. The two little boys are walking around wearing Benjamin’s and Kevin’s hats. Ervin Jr. was a year old in November. He is still not walking, but it looks like it won’t be long. He has such a sweet smile. He claps his hands and “falls.”
I made the boys grilled cheese for their lunch. They wanted cookies too.
This is now later in the day. Susan is back, and Jennifer is okay for now to go without glasses. I’m sure that made Susan happy to not have an added expense with the factories having a few weeks off over the holidays.
On Friday, I will go with Kevin to his appointment in Ann Arbor. I really hope the roads will be okay weather-wise for the two-hour drive.
Friday evening, Joe and I plan to attend the Christmas dinner at his employer’s house. All the Metal & Truss workers will be there. We are always served a delicious meal. We will miss not having brother Albert and Sarah Irene among the guests. They were missed on our trip to the Smokies with the other employees and their families. It will be a hard Christmas on his family without him there. Rest in peace, dear brother.
Nephew Steven is slowing gaining strength and has an appointment in Ann Arbor on Thursday. Daughter Lovina and Daniel are making a “sunshine box” of items for him to enjoy.
Joe’s sister Susan had surgery again. I haven’t heard how she is doing since. She needs our prayers. Cancer is such a dreadful disease. God is above all, and may he give her strength to go on.
Our community is saddened, as a 10-year-old boy will be laid to rest on Friday. He was killed yesterday morning while biking to school with his sister and two neighbors. It wasn’t far from his home. Our sympathy goes to the family. What a terrible tragedy. May God help them through this trial in life.
On December 9, it will be four years since our son-in-law Mose was in an accident. The driver Dan was killed instantly, and Mose lived for five days although he never was conscious after the accident. He died on December 14. Gone but never forgotten. We have become great friends with Dan’s wife Jodi. She misses him so much! Let us pray for each other. God bless!
Turtle Candy
2 cups sugar
2 cups heavy cream, divided
3/4 cup light corn syrup
1/2 cup butter
1/8 teaspoon salt
4 1/2 cups (1 pound) pecan halves
2 (12-ounce) packages milk chocolate chips, melted
In a 3-quart saucepan, combine sugar, 1 1/2 cups of the heavy cream, corn syrup, butter, and salt. Cook and stir over medium-high heat until boiling. Slowly add remaining 1/2 cup heavy cream. (Keep mixture boiling.) Cook, stirring occasionally, until mixture reaches 244 degrees Fahrenheit (firm ball stage). Pour mixture over pecans. Cut into pieces or mold into shapes, then dip in chocolate.
Lovina’s Amish Kitchen is written by Lovina Eicher, Old Order Amish writer, cook, wife, and mother of eight. Her three cookbooks, The Cherished Table, The Essential Amish Cookbook, and Amish Family Recipes, are 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.