Category Archives: Desserts

Candy, Desserts, Pies

Family reunion fun with water balloons and abundant summer produce

Happy Birthday number 53 to sister Verena on August 22nd! On Saturday, sisters Verena and Susan hosted the annual family reunion on my side of the family. It was greatly attended, with only seven of my parents’ grandchildren not attending. All of us siblings were present. Brother Amos was greatly missed. Nancy came with some of … Continue Reading ››
Candy, Desserts

Wedding anniversaries, funeral gatherings, and a birthday surprise

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We are having rain this evening. I hear thunder in the distance. Daughter Loretta, 19, has two whole chickens on the gas grill on the porch. Red potatoes fresh from the garden are being steamed as well. Daughters Verena, 21, and Lovina, 15, should be coming home soon. They left this morning to go wash laundry … Continue Reading ››
Cookies, Desserts, Vegetables

The garden’s bounty begins

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We are having great weather this week. It cools down at night for making sleeping comfortable. Very pleasant days so far. Mornings are actually chilly, with temperatures in the upper 50s. It sure beats the heat from last week. Yesterday we canned pickles. Cucumbers and dill from … Continue Reading ››
Desserts, Jams and Jellies, Pies

Putting up freezer jam, Virginia visitors, and a young overnight guest

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Another hot week in July! Last week we had over an inch of rain but it didn’t cool off much. Today son Kevin had a therapy appointment so I took him to town. With the heat I didn’t want to take the horse and buggy. Our friend Beth took us. Continue Reading ››
Desserts, Pies

Many blessings as newlyweds begin life as one

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Tonight was daughter Lovina’s eighth-grade graduation. Her class has 23 students. Our school is a small public school and is very close-knit. Friday is the school picnic, then school doors will close for another term. Lovina’s school days will be over. She said she will miss seeing her friends but is excited to be done. Son … Continue Reading ››
Desserts, Pies, Uncategorized

How to cook for a wedding crowd

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A guest post from Lovina’s English (non-Amish) friend Ruth Boss. This week Lovina is busy with preparations for niece Elizabeth and Manuel’s Friday wedding, so she has asked me to share about the work being done in the days before the wedding. The wedding wagons arrived last week, so Saturday the tables were all set up … Continue Reading ››
Desserts, Pies

All that goes with preparing for a wedding—and birthdays and Mother’s Day too

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We had a nice sunny day in the 70s. That was a welcome change after some cool rainy weather the past week. Yesterday was also nice and sunny, making laundry dry fast. It was rainy on Monday so I spent my day sewing and we postponed washing laundry until Tuesday. I had a good day with … Continue Reading ››
Canning and Freezing, Cookies, Desserts

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

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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 ››
Desserts, Pies

With tongue in cheek, young Lovina says: Homework should be illegal

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Dear readers. Today I, Lovina (youngest daughter of Lovina), thought I’d give Mom a little break and write her weekly column. In case any of you are confused, I was named after my Mom so we share the same name. Although I’m not as busy as my Mom, it takes 90 percent of my energy to … Continue Reading ››
Cookies, Desserts

When the factory doesn’t have work, try not to worry

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It’s 4:30 a.m. and son Benjamin, 19, just left for work. My husband Joe left over an hour ago to travel to his job. Joe has been working at the RV factory for over 14 years now. He has a 45-minute drive to and from the factory. With the road conditions this winter we can’t … Continue Reading ››