Dear Readers,
I hope everyone is doing great! This is daughter Lovina, and I decided to write for Mom again.
It’s a cold Tuesday night here. My brother Ben is grilling ribs for supper. Dad, Mom, and my brother Joseph are in the shed making deer jerky, and my brother Kevin is sitting across the table telling me jokes. (Most of them aren’t funny, but at least he tries.)
Yesterday, Dad talked me into helping him in the shed with meat processing. He said he only needed help with “one thing.” Then as I was doing that “one thing,” he’d say, “oh, and while you’re at it . . .” And that’s how it continued.
Luckily, I had a game plan. I told Dad that I needed to go inside to grab rags, and when I got inside, I told Joseph that Dad needed his help. As long as Dad got the help he needed, he wouldn’t bother me. I just had to pretend like I was busy helping Mom every time he came inside.
Today after doing the housework, I considered cleaning the bathrooms too. Then I came back to my senses. I’m proud of myself for even considering it, but I’ll leave that for another day.
I went outside to help Dad again instead and then came inside and mixed up a batch of monster cookies to bake in the morning. We like to have homemade cookies on hand to go with our coffee in the early mornings.
Tomorrow, I’m going to sister Verena’s place for the night. She and I always have a lot of fun when we’re together. We used to stay up late and make brownies at midnight when we couldn’t sleep.
Kevin’s still telling me jokes as I’m writing the column. He said, “why are they called apartments if they’re built together,” and he’s now been laughing about it for a couple of minutes.
Years ago, when Kevin and I were just small kids, we walked to our aunts Verena and Susan’s place with some of our older siblings. Verena and Susan live just down the road, and all of us siblings loved to walk down there. (They always gave us a bunch of candy.)
One time, Kevin and I brought back one of their puppies, and when Mom told us to take it back, we put it in doll clothes to make her think it was a toy. We couldn’t understand how she still knew it was a puppy. Good thing my IQ is a lot higher than it used to be. I can’t speak for Kevin (just joking!).
Anyways, I better wrap this up. Thank you all for the nice comments on my other column. I read them all and had to laugh at the one that said, “Haflingers are workhorse wannabees; they just forget to keep growing.”
Have a great week! God bless!
Monster Cookies
1 1/2 sticks butter
1 cup white sugar
1 cup brown sugar
4 eggs
1 pound peanut butter
2 1/2 teaspoons soda
4 1/2 cups oatmeal
12-ounce package chocolate chips
1 cup M&M’s
In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugars. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in baking soda, then add oatmeal, chocolate chips, and M&M’s. Add more oatmeal, if needed, to make a stiff dough. Form into tablespoon-size balls and place on a cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes or until the edges are golden brown. Do not overbake.
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. Because Lovina is Old Order Amish, she does not have email or a telephone in her home. Lovina does not respond to comments on this website, if you would like to contact her directly, click here.
Aren’t you the sneaky one 🙂 monster cookies are one of my family’s favorites think I’ll whip up a batch too. I always enjoy your humor. Thanks for sharing it. Keep warm and we’ll!!!
Always love reading your column, and I love monster cookies.
Oh Lovina, I loved your column. Humor is the best medicine! Keep on writing and making us laugh!
I just love your posts! They brighten my day, and help me be a bit more grateful, for so many things. <3
I just so enjoy young Lovinas sense of humor and thoughts ! I find myself giggling as I read the column.i so enjoy these weekly coloums as I’ve followed them since her Grandmother wrote .
Hi Lovina,
So good to hear from you again. Love to read your columns. You have such a wonderful sense of humor and it always brightens my day when I read what you have been up to ! Hope your 2023 is off to a good start.
If there is one thing I could say to you it would be to spend as much time with your parents as you can even if you are not enjoying the activity you are helping with. Those will be the memories you cherish when your parents are no longer here.
Have a great day. I look forward to hearing from you again.
judy
I consider cleaning bathrooms or kitchen often and then come to my senses and read a book or bake something instead. I love to see your columns and love your sense of humor.
I loved Kevin’s “apartment” joke. Your column is fun and I enjoy it very much. Thanks for writing.
Your column brightened my day, so thank you!
Happy New Year to you and your family!
I have loved reading your mother’s column in our local newspaper every week, and yours as well. Wishing you and your a blessed and joyful new year.
I’m sure your Mom is very thankful that you can fill in for her if necessary. You do good job and I’m sure she appreciates all your help.
I asked my husband the apartment question too hahah. I sure do love this piece and thanks for sharing the recipes. They are such a treasure to find.
I loved your column you definitely have sense of humor. I was reading the column when your grandmother Elizabeth Coblentz was writing it I even have one of her cookbooks Just one question, did you mean 1 lb of peanut butter or should that be 1 cup, also. Looking forward to your next column. Happy 2023.
Love reading your column today. You are following in your moms footsteps. Kevin sounds like a character. Loved his “apartment ” joke. May God bless you in the future. Keep writing.
Love to you across the miles! Keep up the good work, I started reading the column back when your Grandma wrote it, I have shed tears and joy with you! I grew up in Haven Ks my neighbors with the Amish, bless you in your work. God takes care of us.
Grandma Irma
Enjoy reading your column. Will definitely make those monster cookies! Love the apartment joke! Happy New Year. How did your sister Susan’s wedding go?