Category Archives: Canning and Freezing

Lovina Remembers Baby Marilyn

Thirteen years ago today—September 14—sister Emma and Jacob were blessed with a daughter Marilyn. She died eight and a half months later, leaving heartbroken parents and siblings. We were so close to her—how hard it was to go tell Jacob and Emma’s children and my own in school that day that their little sister/cousin had … Continue Reading ››

Lovina Helps Clean to Prepare for Church Services

Today is the last day of August. This summer is flying by so fast, it seems. I have tomatoes, pickles, and red beets to be put in jars. I will probably make salsa with the tomatoes that I have picked. The plants are loaded with more. How thankful we can be for this bountiful harvest. … Continue Reading ››

Lovina and Her Family Celebrate Two Birthdays

We are in the midst of canning season. Yesterday, we canned 16 quarts of sweet and sour dill pickles. Now I want to make dill spears yet. I’ll use the rest of my cucumbers to can some for daughter Loretta. This way, she’ll have pickles whenever their turn comes to host church services. I am … Continue Reading ››

Appreciating God’s creation in a cold spell

It was snowing most of the day yesterday, although there was not much accumulation. It really does feel good to have heat in the house again. We had let the stove go out over the warm-up. I have been busy sewing this week, and that is my plan for today. The wedding where daughter Loretta and … Continue Reading ››

Spring garden and back to work

It is 4:30 a.m. and son Joseph just left for work. They have a one-and-a-half-hour drive to the job site today, so they had to leave earlier than usual. Joseph enjoys construction work. Son Benjamin started back to work this week at the horse trailer factory after being off since March 23. Unfortunately, the factory shut … Continue Reading ››

Lovina shares gratitude for words of encouragement from readers

A good morning to all you wonderful readers across the miles. I am still tired at 4:45 a.m. but I need to have this column done before I leave today. I don’t often enough thank all you readers for your kind words of encouragement. It makes writing this column so much easier. I also appreciate the … Continue Reading ››

A grandmother’s wonderful news

We have entered the month of August and the sun is shining this morning as I sit writing at the desk. I am by the east window, but the wraparound porch keeps the sun from shining in the windows. It makes nice sleeping with the cool evenings. First of all I want to share our wonderful … Continue Reading ››

God’s blessings as we travel into the unknown future

Where should I begin? This week is going much too fast for me. Friday and Saturday were spent helping out at daughter Elizabeth and Tim’s house. The tent was set up and benches set up under the tent. Friday was Elizabeth’s birthday, although she didn’t take much time to think about it. Continue Reading ››

Busy hours fill the day: Diary for April 17, 2019

4:00 a.m. I get up to pack lunch for son Joseph, 16, and make him breakfast before he leaves for work. They are working an hour away so they will start out earlier than usual. 4:30 a.m. Joseph leaves for work. I go back to bed until I need to get up to wake the children … Continue Reading ››

Ice cream ensures that back-to-school open house pleases even the littlest attender

Ice cream ensures that back-to-school open house pleases even the littlest attender Happy birthday to my sister Verena, whose 52nd birthday was August 22. We wish her God’s richest blessings and many more happy, healthy years! This is Thursday morning, and it seems the hours are going faster than I can keep up! School doors opened Tuesday, … Continue Reading ››