Last night I finished planting the big garden. It has been really dry, but we had rain during the night. It was a much-needed rain. In the smaller garden we still need to plant potatoes. We have red potatoes out already but need to put some out for winter use. I always like to put out Serrano hot peppers but haven’t been able to get them around here this year. I checked at four greenhouses yesterday. Daughter Susan and I went with our friend Jodi (Dan’s wife) to get the rest of our garden plants. To think we didn’t know Jodi until her husband Dan was killed while driving son-in-law Mose to work. It seems like we have known each other for a long time, now. It is good for these two widows to be together as they can feel for each other in the pain of losing their husbands and never getting to say goodbye.

Monday night Loretta’s special friend Dustin took his mower over and mowed sister Verena’s yard. I took our weed eater down there and trimmed the edges. My husband Joe bought me this rechargeable battery weed eater for my birthday. He knew I wanted a lighter one since ours is a gas one and heavier to carry around. I have sure used it a lot in this past week.

Now tonight we will go help at daughter Susan’s. The boys will help son-in-law Tim do some work there. I want to take her some rhubarb so she can make juice. I’m not sure if it will be too wet to work in her garden.

Next week is already neighbor Carol’s wedding day. I was asked to be a cook and wear the color gray. I actually don’t have a dress in the color gray, so I bought material and guess what? Yes, it’s still not cut out and sewed so I need to work that in my schedule this week yet.

Time does not stand still, and I was reminded of that on Saturday, May 22nd, when I had my 50th birthday. When I was younger, I used to think 50 sounded really old and now here I am that age.

My dear children made my birthday special. They rented cottages at a nearby lake and our whole family and my sister Verena spent several nights by the lake. It was very nice and the weather was perfect for swimming, fishing, or just sitting by the water. There was a lodge area with a kitchen and dining area where the family could all gather to eat together. Saturday afternoon some of the children went in the lodge and decorated it with black, gold, and white balloons that said Happy 50th. The tablecloths, plates, cups, napkins, etc. all said Happy 50th Birthday. It was very nice. They had grilled brats and hot dogs along with lots of other food. They had a nice ice cream cake for me. I felt honored to be the mother of these precious children. Dustin took his pontoon, and it was nice to go for a ride on the lake. Some went fishing but I just like sitting there enjoying the scenery. Joe bought me a new fishing rod, but I need to get a license first.

Dear son-in-law Mose was so greatly missed. Joe misses the times they went fishing together. When we would go camping, Mose was always on the lake fishing with Joe and son-in-law Tim. They made a lot of memories fishing. It was sad for daughter Susan as she missed Mose on this family vacation. She said she does it for the children now so they can enjoy the water. Sister Verena missed sister Susan too as that’s who she would usually go with on vacation. Life goes on and we take one day at a time and trust in the good Lord for support. Thank you so much for all the birthday wishes and cards. God bless you!

Rhubarb Dream Bars

Crust:
2 cups flour
3/4 cup powdered sugar
1 cup butter, softened

Filling:
4 eggs, beaten
2 cups sugar
1/4 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 cups chopped rhubarb

Mix crust ingredients and press into a 9×13 inch pan. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 15 minutes.

For filling, mix eggs, sugar, flour, and salt. Fold in rhubarb. Pour on top of baked crust. Bake at 350 degrees for 40-55 minutes until set and edges start to brown.

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.