The menfolk just left for work so I decided to write this column while all is quiet. Dustin and daughter Loretta and daughters Verena and Susan and grandchildren Jennifer and Ryan spent the night here. Loretta wasn’t feeling the best last night, so they decided to stay. I’ll try to be a nurse to her.

Jennifer and Ryan are also sick, so they have been here the last two nights and we are helping Susan with them. Ryan gave them quite a scare when his temperature went up to high causing him to have a febrile seizure. Our friend Jodi took Susan and Ryan to the ER to see what’s going on. He tested negative for covid and the flu so they think it’s a virus of some sort. His temperature had spiked to 107 degrees and made him a sick little boy. Being here with Grandpa Joe makes him feel good. Susan brought her laundry, bedding, etc. over here and we washed it all yesterday and it’s drying in our basement. She went home a few hours and cleaned her house while we took care of the children.

Verena went to help daughter Elizabeth yesterday as she’s sick too. Their whole family was sick, but Elizabeth is having a harder time getting over it. I will be glad once everyone is feeling well again! I told Elizabeth I’d wash her laundry, but Tim washed it for her one night. It’s hard when the mother gets sick as it seems everyone depends on them.

Jennifer’s fourth birthday is Saturday, January 15th, but Susan might postpone her birthday party until everyone is well again. When the little ones are sick Susan misses the support of her husband Mose. He was always good at “doctoring” the children. Daughter Verena helps out a lot and set her alarm every hour to check on Ryan during the night. He was laying in her arms when he had the seizure and it really scared her.

Joe and I attended the Christmas supper at the metal shop where he works on January 5th. It was nice to see everyone that traveled together to Outer Banks in August. We were served a good supper, entertained by Juggler Yoder from Goshen, Indiana, and then played games afterwards. Juggler Yoder is a very good juggler and if you are looking for clean, fun family entertainment he is it. He kept the crowd laughing and his stories of how God changed his life were interesting.

Of course, Andrew from the metal shop came up with another game to get us laughing. We stood in a circle, alternating men and women. One woman was given a pillow, as was a man across the circle from her. The women had to pass the pillow around the circle to each other, while the men passed theirs trying to catch up with our pillow. This got to be very exciting!

Our thoughts and prayers are still with the people that were affected by the tornado in Kentucky. Several van loads of volunteers have been going from our community to assist wherever needed. I can’t imagine how they must feel. Losing loved ones isn’t easy and then to also lose all your belongings as well. God makes no mistakes, so we trust that He has a plan. God’s blessings to all!

Vegetable Bake Up

1 cup rolled oats
1/4 cup melted butter
2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese
1/4 teaspoon onion salt
1 (10 ounce) package frozen mixed vegetables
1 (10 3/4 ounce) can mushroom soup

Combine the first four ingredients, and sprinkle in a 9-inch pie plate. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes, until browned. Combine the vegetables and soup; spoon in a 1-quart dish and top with baked oat mixture. Bake casserole for 25 minutes, until heated through.

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.