Breads and Muffins

Lovina’s oldest daughter takes up the pen this week

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Greetings from the Bontragers! I’m Lovina’s oldest daughter, Elizabeth, and I’m taking over for Mom this week. I’m not an excellent writer like Mom is, but I’ll give it a try anyway. Mom underwent some surgery this week. Depending on how the surgery turns out, she may need to stay a night or two. We hope … Continue Reading ››
Meats, Soups, The Essential Amish Kitchen

Cozy days and a hog roast top a week with autumn colors peeking out  

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  Signs of autumn are everywhere! The trees here in southern Michigan are absolutely beautiful as the leaves start changing color. Its 5:45 a.m. and son Benjamin is leaving for work. My husband Joe left around 3:40 a.m. for his job at the RV factory. Son Joseph is fallcolorsohiogetting … Continue Reading ››
Canning and Freezing, Side Dishes, Vegetables

Lovina’s family enjoys fall’s bounty with fresh venison, grape juice, hot pepper butter  

Another chilly morning! The temperature is 48 degrees at 7 a.m. The propane lights throw off heat which makes the house feel cozy and warm. We are in the process of getting things around to put up a chimney for where Mose and Susan have made their living quarters in our pole barn. We will burn … Continue Reading ››
Meats

Definition of a ‘handful’? Loading baby and two dogs into a buggy

It is Thursday already, and this column should have been written yesterday! The sun is shining brightly, with the thermometer showing 62 degrees this morning. Son Benjamin is home, as he doesn’t have work today. I hope he can clean up the remainder of the garden. We still have hot peppers, green peppers and cabbage in … Continue Reading ››
Casseroles, Meats, Vegetables

How Lovina’s new mattress made the children late to school

Mornings are very cool lately here in southern Michigan. Another sure sign that autumn is here. Our house seems extra empty this week. Daughter Verena, 18, is helping daughter Elizabeth with house work and the baby this week. Son Benjamin, 17, left Sunday afternoon with some friends for Pennsylvania. We miss them and look forward to … Continue Reading ››
Casseroles, Vegetables

Yes, Amish men help with laundry, and other post-baby tales!

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Today (Sept. 22) autumn officially begins! My garden is definitely showing all signs of it. We have been enjoying cabbage out of the garden. Son Joseph brought a head of cabbage in one night and out of curiosity I weighed it. It looked so big—and it was! It weighed ten pounds after the outer leaves … Continue Reading ››
Meats

More wonderful news from the Eicher family!

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Daughter Loretta and I are at home today while the rest are either working or at school. We did odd jobs around the house that have been neglected lately. I am excited to announce that Joe and I are grandparents now! Abigail Elizabeth was born to daughter Elizabeth and Timothy on Saturday, September 10 at 1:14 … Continue Reading ››
Breads and Muffins

September means back to school, grilled stuffed peppers, and another wedding

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School doors opened yesterday, September 6, throughout the county. It seems quiet around here with Joseph, 14, Lovina, 12, and Kevin, 11, all back to school. The bus is here around 7:00 a.m. We are so glad the pickup time is later this term. Joseph milks our cow Bessie in the morning, and then showers … Continue Reading ››
Casseroles, Meats

Neighborliness and community: paying back past kindnesses

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FrontPorch
Lovina enjoys writing from her front porch.
As I write this, we mark the last day of August. I’m just amazed at how time seems to fly by faster each year. Do we take enough time in our busy lives for God? Our children … Continue Reading ››