This column will wrap up September. October starts on Monday already! It’s a big day for deer hunters with the season opening.

Son-in-law Mose took our son Kevin, 13, out hunting on Saturday, when the youth hunt was held. Kevin shot his first deer, so that was exciting for him. Mose said the first thing Kevin said when he saw the deer lying there was, “Is that even enough meat to feed all eight of us?” Mose helped with the processing. Kevin was really tired from walking through the woods but was glad he finally was able to go hunting. He passed his hunter’s safety course two years ago but had never gone hunting until Saturday.

My husband Joe and I are on our way to see the dentist in a town around 45 minutes away. Our local dentist referred Joe to this dentist, as he wasn’t sure if the tooth could be pulled or would need surgery to have it extracted. Our good friend Beth is taking us. She is always so patient when she takes us to appointments. Joe doesn’t have to work tomorrow, so he hopes to make deer jerky with some of the meat from Kevin’s deer. He has the meat marinating in the refrigerator.

Last weekend son Benjamin and daughter Loretta went salmon fishing with Loretta’s special friend Dustin’s family. They had a nice time even though they didn’t catch any salmon. A few others who were along caught salmon. It’s a big fish to catch!

Then last night Loretta went to Dustin’s parents’ house, where his family enjoyed some of the salmon that Dustin’s brother caught. The meal was also in honor of Dustin’s brother Daniel’s 17th birthday.

Our married daughters and granddaughters came home yesterday

for the day. Then our sons-in-law came in the evening, and they were all here for supper before leaving for home. It’s always so fun to spend time with the sweet little granddaughters!

Recently we went to niece Emma’s special friend Menno’s house for a fish fry. We were served a delicious supper. Menno lives on the property son-in-law Timothy lived on before he was married. So it always brings back memories going to his house. It was a nice evening, and we ate outside under canopies. All our family was there along with sister Emma, Jacob and family and sisters Verena and Susan. The fish was deep fried outdoors in a propane deep-fryer. People played outdoor games such as cornhole and horseshoe toss.

I will share the recipe at the end of the column for the breading we use for fish, zucchini, onion rings or whatever you wish to deep fry. A reader requested this recipe. I have shared it already, but I’ll post it again for new readers or those of you who might have missed it.

I am having a hard time concentrating on getting this written while we are driving along such scenic roads! Leaves are starting to turn color.

Grapes are ready at the u-pick place, so the girls and I want to go pick some grapes to put into grape juice. Hopefully we can go tomorrow.

We are now sitting in the waiting room. We’re finished with all the paperwork, and I’m going to bring this column to an end until next week. God bless you all!

Batter for Deep-Fat Frying

1/2 cup milk
1 egg
3/4 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon salt (or seasoning of your choice)

Mix together all ingredients and stir until lumps are smooth. Dip fish fillets or sliced vegetables in the batter. Drop in hot oil in a deep frying pan or Dutch oven. Fry until golden brown.

Lovina’s Amish Kitchen is written by Lovina Eicher, Old Order Amish writer, cook, wife and mother of eight. She is the co-author of three cookbooks; her newest cookbook, The Essential Amish Cookbook, is available from 800-245-7894. Readers can write to Eicher at PO Box 1689, South Holland, IL 60473 (please include a self-addressed stamped envelope for a reply) or at [email protected].