It’s probably our coldest morning so far this fall. The mercury on the thermometer dipped down to almost 20 degrees. How thankful we are for a cozy house to live in. Some are not so fortunate. We should thank God every day for our many blessings, but as I write this, with Thanksgiving Day in a few days, it reminds us to be thankful.

Joe and I, with sons Benjamin and Kevin, will go to sister Emma’s on Thanksgiving Day. Daughter Elizabeth, Tim, and children, daughters Verena and Susan and her children, sister Verena, and Emma’s family will also be there. Dustin and daughter Loretta, son Joseph, and daughter Lovina will attend Thanksgiving dinner at Dustin’s brother Clint and Hannah’s house.

I am glad to spend the day with sister Emma, daughter Susan, and sister Verena. They all lost a very dear beloved one since last Thanksgiving. They need our prayers!

Yesterday my husband Joe and I, along with sisters Emma and Verena, attended the funeral of Uncle Emanuel, age 91. Uncle Emanuel and Aunt Leah were married 67 years. Aunt Leah is my mother’s sister. She is 86 and a year older than my mother would have been. Uncle Emanuel shared the same birthday as my dad but was a year older than him. For many years Mom and Aunt Leah took turns hosting each other’s family on February 17. It was always enjoyable to get together. It has been many years since I was at Emanuel and Leah’s place. Their son Simon and Judy and family now live in the house. Emanuel and Leah lived in a “Doddy Haus” beside them.

I felt so sorry for Aunt Leah. She had a stroke and broke her ankle recently, and Emanuel had been helping her. If I heard correctly, Emanuel also had a stroke and fell and broke his hip not too many days before his death.

When my sister Susan died in January, Emanuel and Leah both came. They were doing pretty good for their age.

Emanuel and Leah had 15 children with three being stillborn. The living 12 are all married with families of their own. They have more than 100 grandchildren and many, many great grandchildren. I didn’t get the exact count.

Yes, it brought back memories being at their place. Sisters Leah, Liz, Verena, Emma, and I all got to sit together at the funeral. We talked about how we would go with Mom to spend the day at Aunt Leah’s. We would dress up their kittens and have them for our babies. I also remember we would chip off a chunk of salt from their big salt block they had for their animals to lick on. We would take it to the water pump and wash it off really well then lick it. Now I can’t believe we did that. It sounds so gross now. It’s surprising what all little children come up with.

My sympathy goes to all the family as they mourn Uncle Emanuel’s death and especially Aunt Leah. She will have many lonely days ahead. Rest in peace Uncle Emanuel—you were much loved!

It was nice to get to visit with many of my cousins, some friends we don’t see too often, and with Uncle Elmer and Aunt Salome and Aunt Emma (Mom’s sisters).

I plan to make pumpkin pie, pumpkin roll, bread, and hopefully cinnamon rolls to take to Emma’s for Thanksgiving dinner. I am thinking of trying this recipe for cinnamon roll cookies instead of cinnamon rolls. It sounds interesting! I wish everyone a safe and healthy Thanksgiving. Enjoy your loved ones! God’s blessings to all!

Cinnamon Roll Cookies
1 tablespoon yeast
1/4 cup warm water
1 cup butter or shortening
3/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs, beaten
1 cup warm water or scalded milk
4 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt

Sugar mixture:
3/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon

Glaze:
1/3 cup butter, slightly browned
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla or maple flavoring
2 cups powdered sugar
2-4 tablespoons hot water

Dissolve yeast in 1/4 cup warm water. Cream butter or shortening and 3/4 cup sugar. Add vanilla, eggs, and 1 cup warm water or scalded milk. Mix in yeast, flour, and salt. Refrigerate overnight. You may need a little more flour before making rolls. Divide dough in half and roll each in a 12×18 inch rectangle. Sprinkle with sugar mixture. Roll up tightly. Cut into 1/2 inch wide slices; put on cookie sheet; press flat with hand. Bake at 375 degrees for 12 minutes. Cool and glaze.

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.