It’s Monday evening and a lovely one at that. The mercury on our thermometer has crept up to eighty degrees. The laundry dried really fast so it didn’t matter that I did other jobs around the house before I started with laundry. 

Now I want to share what our weeks ahead will be like. Yesterday daughter Verena and Daniel Ray were “published” to be married on June 20th. For the readers that wonder what published means, I will explain. When a couple plans to get married it is kept a secret from everyone except family and close friends. About six to eight weeks before their wedding date the bishop announces the wedding date to the whole church. This is said right before church services are over. Usually families from both the bride and groom attend the service to be there to share the joy of the couple’s announcement. This is always an exciting day for the couple and also a relief that they can freely talk of their wedding day to anyone. Often the “secret” slips out somehow and some people find out about the upcoming wedding. Most often if it does they will be kind enough to not spread it further. My daughters never really cared if it wasn’t a “surprise” to everyone. One of our local community stores has a calendar hung in the back of their store so couples planning to get married in our community can put a sticker on the day they choose. This helps from not having two weddings on the same day.  When daughter Loretta and Dustin were married, daughter Elizabeth and Tim had a nephew that married the day before their wedding. This made a very busy week for them with a wedding on each side of their family. They made it work though. 

Verena and Daniel will be married in Dustin and Loretta’s pole barn and the reception will be held here. This is our fifth and last daughter getting married. It will be so different for me to not have a daughter in the house anymore. Verena isn’t going far though. We will put a wall through the pole barn and make living quarters in there for the newlyweds. Verena will still go over and help Loretta every day with the children while Dustin’s at work. I am glad she will be just a hop and skip out of our door for now. Daniel Ray is a great addition to our family. He’s always helpful around here and a great friend to Verena. I wish this couple many happy years together. Daniel Ray is the first of his siblings leaving home and getting married so this will be a great adjustment to their family. I remember when our first one left the house and how different it was for us. The house seemed so empty with one less in the house. 

The garage sale for sister Verena was a success on Saturday and we also barbecued four hundred pounds of chicken for donation towards son Kevin’s handicapped buggy. We sold out on the chicken which we were very happy with. We appreciate everyone who helped support this. Kevin will be so happy once he can leave without having to be lifted all the time. 

Tomorrow afternoon is the public auction at sister-in-law Sarah Irene’s place. She is selling a lot of my brother Albert’s farm equipment and downsizing in her house. We never thought Albert’s life would be over so soon. May 22nd will be a year since he lost out to his eight-week battle of colon cancer. Having lost three siblings all at young ages really makes you appreciate every day God gives you. Rest in peace dear brothers and sister. May we all meet again someday.

We are enjoying our first meals of asparagus. Rhubarb is also out there ready and waiting for me to make a rhubarb custard pie. I want to can rhubarb juice in the next few weeks.

God’s blessings!

ASPARAGUS POTATO SOUP
Makes 4 to 6 servings

1 ¾ cups of chicken broth 
3 potatoes peeled and cubed
⅓ cup chopped onions
1 teaspoon salt
½ pounds asparagus, trimmed and cut into ½ inch pieces
1 ½ cups milk
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 
1 cup cubed processed cheese (velveeta type) or colby cheese, or cheese of your choice

Combine the broth, potatoes, onions, and salt in a large saucepan. Cook over medium heat until the vegetables are tender, about 20 minutes. Add the asparagus and cook for 10 minutes more. Whisk the milk and flour together well in a small bowl, then whisk into soup. Stir in the cheese until melted. Can be served immediately or cooled and refrigerated for later use. If desired, garnish with crumbled bacon.

Lovina’s Amish Kitchen is written by Lovina Eicher, Old Order Amish writer, cook, wife, and mother of eight. Her three cookbooks, The Cherished Table, The Essential Amish Cookbook, and Amish Family Recipes, are available wherever books are sold. Readers can write to Eicher at Lovina’s Amish Kitchen, PO Box 234, Sturgis, MI 49091 (please include a self-addressed stamped envelope for a reply); or email questionsforlovina@gmail.com and your message will be passed on to her to read. She does not personally respond to emails.