After today my husband Joe and son Benjamin will be off from the factory for a two-week holiday break. Son Kevin has a half day of school tomorrow and then he will also be home for two weeks. Son Joseph works construction, so they take advantage of working every day the weather permits. I don’t expect much quietness in the next two weeks, but we are hoping to butcher beef and pork if time allows before they go back.

December 17 was grandson Timothy’s (T.J’s.) first birthday. Our whole family went to daughter Elizabeth’s for supper in honor of his birthday. She made homemade pizza and had cake and ice cream. I took macaroni salad and chips. Daughter Susan brought a pudding. Elizabeth’s pizza was very good as usual. She had a little cake for T.J. to have fun with and then a bigger cake for the rest of us.

Elizabeth said T.J. recently pushed the step stool up to the kitchen sink and was crawling in the sink. A good thing she got him before he turned on the faucets. He had fun tearing the wrapping off his presents on his birthday. He didn’t get the idea to blow out his single candle, though. After we ate, we played games and visited. Of course, the grandchildren enjoyed playing with T.J.’s new toys.

On our way home we came upon an accident and help was just arriving. A 56-year-old man from a town close to us was killed in the accident. I feel sorry for the family with the upcoming holidays.

On Sunday, our church had our Christmas potluck. I made a breakfast casserole to take. I don’t have a recipe, but I put in eggs, potatoes, onions, bacon, ham, mushrooms, green peppers, cheese, then topped it with sausage gravy. It must have been good because it was gone before I went through the line. There were six casseroles, a variety of salads, pies, cakes, puddings, bars, cookies, and so much more. By the time everyone brings something it adds up to a lot of food.

On our way home we stopped in at sister Emma and Jacob’s to visit with Jacob, Jr. He is doing well since his surgery on both his feet. Wish him a great recovery.

Yesterday some of the children and I were gone all day for appointments. The drive was two hours and we were halfway home when our driver Beth got a call from her sister who had taken daughter Elizabeth to the doctor. Her blood pressure was dangerously high, so the doctor admitted her to the hospital. Son-in-law Tim wanted to bring the children over to our house, then go back to the hospital with Elizabeth. We went past Tim and Elizabeth’s house and brought Abigail and T.J. home with us.

We made a supper of spaghetti and ham and cheese sandwiches, since Joe and son Benjamin each got a 14-pound ham from their employer for Christmas. The children were hungry as it was getting late when we had everything ready. T.J. still eats better when someone feeds him, but he can feed himself also.

Elizabeth was released from the hospital last night but needs to go back for more tests today or tomorrow. T.J. was so happy to see his dad and mom come back to get him. Both children were easy to have here as they are used to being here.

Sunday my husband, Joe, will be 51. The family is coming home for Christmas that day. Joe will get birthday and Christmas gifts the same day. Everyone plans to come Saturday night for supper and stay for the night. Always so good to have the whole family under the same roof.

As we celebrate the holiday with family and friends let us remember that baby born in a stable and grew up to die and become salvation for all who accept it.

We want to make party mix for the holidays. I’ll share the recipe I use. I add more of the ingredients I like best.

A blessed holiday season to all!

Party Mix

3 cups Corn Chex
2 cups Rice Chex
3 cups Wheat Chex
1 cup Cheerios
1 cup Cheez-Its
1 cup garlic bagel chips
1 cup butter twist pretzels

Sauce:
6 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt
1/2 teaspoon onion powder

Melt butter in pan and add seasonings. Mix with the rest of the ingredients and bake for 1 hour at 250 degrees stirring every 15 minutes. Optional: Sprinkle on more Worcestershire sauce during baking if you like a stronger flavor.

Lovina’s Amish Kitchen is written by Lovina Eicher, Old Order Amish writer, cook, wife, and mother of eight. 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 [email protected] and your message will be passed on to her to read. She does not personally respond to emails.