Dear readers,
I’m Lovina’s youngest daughter (also Lovina). I feel very privileged to share the same name as my mom. I’m proud of how far she has come in life and hope to maybe write a newspaper column someday like she does.
It’s a lot different being the only girl living at home right now. I like to label myself as “Manager of the House” because I do my duty of keeping the boys in line. I even check their rooms to make sure they’re clean.
The other night I was cleaning brother Ben’s room and saw that he had water bottles stuck in between the window and the screen. I couldn’t understand what they were doing there, but he later explained that he gets thirsty through the night and sticking the water bottles outside the window keeps them cold in the wintertime.
When I get thirsty at night, I just walk to the fridge and grab my water bottle, but he decided to “work smarter not harder.” At the end of the day, I got a good laugh and he got a clean room. On the bright side, I have other personality traits other than being a “bossy” sister.
I do miss having sisters here at home, but I’m just thankful that all four of my sisters are alive and healthy. I also learned that if I ask really, really, nicely brothers do help with dishes.
I look forward to decorating Christmas cookies, and I definitely look forward to eating them! Christmas is my favorite holiday and not because we all get gifts, but because of what it stands for.
Mom won’t be home in time to make supper, so she left me with doing the honors. I considered asking her if peanut butter and jelly sandwiches will work but figured my three brothers and dad would protest against that. So instead, I decided to make Barry Salt Casserole. It is one of my favorites and also very easy!
There is a story behind the name of this casserole: Barry Salt was a man that sold stainless steel cookware sets to the Amish families back when my mom was a young girl. Mom’s sister Leah and a cousin of Mom’s would go along when Barry would make supper for the families to show how to use the waterless (no cooking liquid required) cookware. He would make this casserole in a skillet, and it became a favorite of my mom’s family—which was then nicknamed “Barry Salt Casserole.” Leah and her cousin would help wash the dishes for him after supper.
Today has been exactly a year since my sister’s husband Mose passed away. We miss him every day. It’s been a long, lonely year for Susan. Mose was a great husband to her and an amazing father to their kids.
Mom wanted to do something special for Susan, so she took Susan and the kids out to eat. My sister Verena also accompanied them. Jennifer and Ryan have gotten very attached to her since she moved in with Susan.
The other day Mom and I went Christmas shopping. I think she was doing some shopping for me to because when I showed a special interest in something, it magically ended up in the cart.
When I asked her who she bought it for she said, “Probably Kevin.” Although she sounded very convincing, I doubt Kevin started taking a sudden interest in women’s sweaters!
It’s hard to believe that this year is coming to an end. Life goes so fast, and if this year taught me anything, it is that we might not have our loved ones as long as we want.
So, I’d just like to mention that I’m so thankful for my family and friends. I’m also very thankful special friend Daniel is a big part of my life.
Merry Christmas to all! God bless!
Barry Salt Casserole
1 pound ground beef
1 large onion, diced
6-8 potatoes, shredded
2 (10.5 ounce) cans of cream of mushroom soup
cheese of your choice
salt and pepper to taste
Press the ground beef on bottom of skillet, spread the onion on top of the meat, then spread the shredded potatoes over that and use seasoning to your taste. Spread the cream of mushroom over all. Cover the skillet and cook over low heat for 30 to 40 minutes or until potatoes are soft. Put slices of cheese on top and cover to let cheese melt.
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.
Lovina…you did an amazing job with this week’s article…I enjoyed it very, VERY much! Keep up the GREAT work….do I see a very successful “writing a column” ahead? Keep up your talent…God has blessed you with a very special talent!
Beautiful article and I believe that you have the knack for writing like your mom..I enjoyed it so much. Prayers for us all to be continually blessed by our dear lord with family faith and good health. Missing those who are no longer with us but are forever in our hearts. God bless you and your family and wishing you all a blessed Merry Christmas and New Year. Patricia
Lovina, you did a wonderful job writing this column! I enjoyed reading it. I look forward to trying this recipe. May your whole family be blessed this Christmas season.
I wish your family a blessed and merry Christmas. I live alone but plan to cut the recipt in half and try it. Thank you for the beautiful writing, you have so much talent. The boys are a real job but you have it under control I think. Daniel is blessed to have a special friend like you. Ellie
Loved reading your column today, Lovina. Hope we hear from you again. I am keeping you and your family in my thoughts and prayers at this special time that the Good God will bring comfort and peace to each of you in all the losses you have endured.
May peace, love and joy be yours in full measure.
judy
Lovina,
You did an outstanding job writing! Keep up the good work and one day I’m sure you will have a writing job somewhere. You definitely a wonderful sense of humor too! 🙂
Merry Christmas!
Terry Goodman
Thank you for giving your mother a break from writing this week, you did an excellent job. The casserole sounds good and uses ingredients that I usually have in my pantry.
Thoroughly enjoyed your column. You did a great job and I hope you will be able to continue writing and someday have your own column.
You did an excellent job writing the column this week. Merry Christmas to you and all of the family.
Thank you for the recipe. You have such a gift for writing! It was very entertaining and I wanted to read more. Have a very Merry Christmas.
Hello Lovina! So nice to hear from you. I enjoy your sense of humor. I guess you need being house manager to a houseful of brothers! Merry Christmas to you and your large lovely Family!
Thank you for a wonderful letter.
You indeed do have a tlaent for writing.
Good luck with a column of your own.
What a well-written message from you. I already feel as if I know you. Yes, you should definitely keep writing. I plan to try the casserole next week. It sounds really good and I have the ingredients on hand. It is hard celebrating holidays without our loved ones but we are to look up to the real reason for the holiday. Have a blessed Christmas. Ellie B.
You will make a great newspaper article writer.. you write great
Thank you to daughter Lovina for an entertaining and nicely written column this week! The recipe sounds good, too. I think might just try it 🙂
Thank you for the recipe & your a very good writer! I may have the same stainless waterless cookware as your mom!:) I have been married 54 years & use it everyday & it still looks fairly new!!!
Lovina sounds like both a funny and wise young woman. And she has definite talent for writing. I enjoyed this column very much. God bless you and yours.
You did a wonderful job, filling in for your mother. Write again in the future! I read every word.
Blessings to you and your family this Christmas season.
Very cute stories and well written! You wrote like you’re already a professional columnist. You entertained, informed, and it was very interesting. And you seem to be a good manager, too. I could picture it all. Blessings to you and Daniel and your family.
Lovina I really liked your article today. I wish you and your family a Blessed Christmas and a Healthy New Year. Keep up the good work.
Loving I read your article I live in South dakota enjoyed it very much wish you and your family a very merry Christmas and happy new year and are going to try your recipe looks really good would like to read more of your post take care.
Good job, Lovina, on your article! I bought the same waterless cookware before I married, and the salesman made a similar casserole! I’ve read about your lives ever since your grandmother wrote her articles. Blessings to your entire family in the new year.