Casseroles

Up early with the chickens, Lovina cans broth and shares chicken strata recipe

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This week I will write a daily diary. 3:15 a.m. The alarm rings and it’s time to begin another day. I pack my husband Joe’s lunch and fill his water jug with ice and water. I pack extra food so Joe can eat a little something at break time. It’s too early at this time … Continue Reading ››
Breakfast, Cakes

Welcoming a late spring with baby ducks and rhubarb coffee cake

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If we thought spring weather was here to stay, we were wrong. Today the temperature is in the mid-30s, and we are having snow flurries all morning. The wind is so cold. All is quiet here at the Eichers. Everyone is gone for the day. I did the morning work, mopped the floors and am folding … Continue Reading ››
Salads

Grateful for safekeeping, help from friends and children, plus dandelions!

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A beautiful April spring day! Sun is shining and the mercury on the thermometer keeps rising. I love this weather and all the signs that spring is here. The tulips are looking really nice. Everyone here at the Eicher house is gone for the day except me. My husband Joe, son Benjamin, and daughters Elizabeth, … Continue Reading ››
Noodles

DIY on the farm: Make fresh noodles and avoid naming your next dinner

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April! Signs of spring are everywhere! The early spring flowers are coming through. Also, rhubarb and horseradish are pushing through the soil. My husband, Joe, planted some radishes, peas and sweet corn this week. Time will tell if they will grow. We had rain yesterday and this forenoon. We have been getting some of the yard … Continue Reading ››
Jams and Jellies

Maple syrup spring gives way to Amish wedding season

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March 31—the last day of March! Hopefully April will bring us nicer, warmer weather. On Saturday Mose cooked up the rest of the sap into maple syrup. Our trees are done now for this year. I think we have more than a year’s supply of maple syrup now. It sure takes a lot of work and … Continue Reading ››
Breakfast, Side Dishes, Snacks

Lovina makes homemade mozzarella for the first time

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A rainy March day as I write this! Monday it snowed enough to cover the ground with snow again. The rain this morning made all the snow disappear. It is 38 degrees so hopefully the rain helps take some of the frost away in the ground. Eleven years ago we moved to Michigan in March, and … Continue Reading ››
Breads and Muffins, Desserts

Smells like spring: boiling fresh maple syrup and laundry drying outside

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Spring will officially be here this week as I write this! Monday was a very beautiful day with the temperature going up in the 60s. We hung all the laundry outside to dry. It was so nice to be able to fold all the clothes and put them away the same day. Susan’s friend Mose tapped … Continue Reading ››
Cakes, Desserts

Happy preparations for Thursday wedding include homemade angel food cake

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We had a lot of fog this morning. The schools had a two-hour delay because of the fog. This made for some happy children! It has been a lot warmer this week with the temperature almost reaching 50 degrees on Monday. Sure gives a person spring fever. I am hoping it will be nice and warm … Continue Reading ››
Desserts

New cow provides cream for homemade treat

March! This year is going way too fast for me! Daughter Verena and I just came in from milking our new cow, Bessie, and doing the outside chores. Son Joseph usually takes care of feeding the horses. I left the school children sleep later this morning so there wasn’t enough time. We are getting plenty … Continue Reading ››
Soups, Vegetables

Eichers anticipate spring training for the pony, and homemade butter and cheese

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This column will wrap up my columns for February 2015. This year is going way too fast for me to keep up. I remember Mother telling me that the older your children get, the faster time goes. I see that is very true! I often would be glad to have one more conversation with Mother. God … Continue Reading ››