Casseroles, Meats, Potatoes

Lovina asks about oldest reader; plus life heads back to a welcome routine

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All is quiet here at the Eichers this morning except the yapping of daughter Verena’s Yorkie puppies. They are really playful but she is eager to sell them as they are now eating well on their own. If anyone knows of someone needing a nice house companion, let me know. These dogs do not shed … Continue Reading ››
Side Dishes, Soups, The Essential Amish Kitchen

Surgery for Kevin and more ahead as winter finally arrives

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 We finally have real winter weather. Snow! Cold! Wind! Needless to say it feels good to be inside a warm cozy house this morning with the outside temperature at 23 degrees. Daughter Lovina, 14, just left for school. Son Benjamin left for his job at the RV factory around 4:30 a.m. and the rest of the … Continue Reading ››
Breads and Muffins, Cakes and Frostings

Any guesses who shouted “Happy New Year” to the neighbors?

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Lovina's newest grandchild, Timothy, has a cozy outfit to keep him warm riding in the buggy.
A brand-new year lies before us! What does it hold? Last year brought us two more grandchildren who bring us joy. But Joe and I each had a … Continue Reading ››
Casseroles, Meats

Abigail sings “We wish you a Merry Christmas” while the dishes get washed

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Family Bibles are used in devotions, as Lovina mentions in this column, and at other times. These are in German.
Christmas 2018 is now history. We hope you all had a blessed Christmas with loved ones, and remembering that Jesus is the reason for … Continue Reading ››
Breads and Muffins

A little bundle of joy before Christmas makes Lovina a grandma again

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First, I need to share our very exciting news: my husband Joe and I are grandparents for the third time! We welcome our first grandson, Timothy Josiah, born to daughter Elizabeth and Timothy on December 17. He weighed 7 pounds and is 19 inches long. He was born at 5:11 a.m. by C-section. I went to … Continue Reading ››
Cookies and Bars, Desserts

Serving as head cook for 1,000 wedding meals leaves Lovina a bit tired

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The wedding for Menno and Emma is now history. We wish them a long and happy married life together, with God guiding their way. Once again we do all that work for just one day, but it’s a special day they will always remember. When two become one in a marriage until death do them … Continue Reading ››
Cakes and Frostings, Desserts

Lovina’s friend Ruth offers sneak peek into Amish wedding preparations

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In this week’s column Lovina’s English (non-Amish) friend Ruth Boss gives us a glimpse into Lovina’s busy week as head cook for her niece’s wedding. This week I helped with preparations for the wedding for Lovina’s niece Emma. As an outsider, I am impressed by how beautifully orchestrated these events are. Family, neighbors and the … Continue Reading ››
Candy, Cookies and Bars, Desserts

Favorite Christmas goodies from the Eicher home to yours!

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A simple way to turn standard chocolate chip cookies into festive goodies is to add colored M&M’s, or just use red and green M&M’s available at Christmas. Photo by Lucas Landis-Swartzentruber
Favorite Christmas goodies from the Eicher home to yours! We are still busy getting … Continue Reading ››
Meats

Lovina answers reader questions about Amish clothing traditions

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This week my husband Joe, and son Benjamin, 19, are off all week for Thanksgiving. Son Joseph, 16, has off Thanksgiving Day and Friday, as well as Lovina, 14, and Kevin, 13 from school. So it seems as if this week will go faster than usual. Saturday our three sons and Joe went to help at … Continue Reading ››
Cookies and Bars, Desserts

Tim’s sister-in-law lands 17 point buck with a bow

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Tim’s sister-in-law lands 17 point buck with a bow We awoke this morning to more snow, adding to our already snow-covered white world. It has been snowing all morning. We had our first snow earlier than usual and it is staying with all the cold temperatures. Last Friday, … Continue Reading ››