Last night, my husband Joe and I went to meet our new granddaughter, Andrea Ruby. Such an exciting moment. Andrea Ruby was born February 14th to daughter Elizabeth and Tim, weighing eight pounds, three ounces, and twenty-one inches long. She arrived at 1:30 p.m. with Elizabeth having her c-section at the hospital. She is a little cutie with black hair and dark eyes, and she is very alert for her age. We are already in love with her and enjoyed holding her.

Andrea joins siblings Abigail, five; Timothy (T.J.), three; and Allison, two. Allison kept trying to get our attention away from the baby and on her instead. Of course, we also gave her attention. Allison is blonde-haired and has bright blue eyes like her daddy. Andrea reminds me of Elizabeth. T.J. wasn’t too happy that he didn’t get a brother, but he couldn’t help falling in love with that sweet little sister he has. He was holding her with the help of his mother, and the love shone in his eyes. Abigail adores her little sister and carried Andrea to me from Elizabeth. The proud look on her face to come to show Grandma the baby for the first time was so sweet. I am sure Abigail will help her mother many times with baby Andrea. Allison seems interested in collecting Andrea’s little socks. She showed me her baby doll, and I’m sure if Andrea has clothes missing, they will be on the doll.

Tim, Elizabeth, and baby Andrea arrived home from the hospital last night around 4:30 p.m. Daughters Verena and Susan had Tim and Elizabeth’s three children at their house since Monday morning. Verena is now at Tim’s helping the new mother with their household duties.

I made a kettle of soup to take there for supper last night. Daughter Lovina went to meet her newest niece then went to daughter Susan’s house for the night. She’s back home this morning. We brought Tim and Elizabeth’s laundry home to wash here today.

Andrea makes grandchild number six for Joe and me. It always makes you feel blessed when all goes well with mother and baby. God is above all, but I always seem to worry more when my daughters give birth than when I did. A mother’s nature, I guess.

Elizabeth had to take insulin shots as she has gestational diabetes, but the doctor thinks she will be fine now since the baby has arrived.

Sunday, we had brunch at daughter Susan’s house. The brunch menu was breakfast casserole, pancakes, fried pon hoss, fresh bacon, sliced cheese, hot peppers, cake, and cookies. It was all delicious! Besides Joe and I, there were also son Benjamin and his special friend Amanda; son Kevin; daughter Elizabeth, Tim, and three children; and daughter Loretta and Dustin. Of course, daughter Verena was there as she lives with Susan and the children. Son Joseph and daughter Lovina went to church with their special friends Grace and Daniel. Daniel is following instructions for baptism, and Lord willing, will be baptized a week from Sunday.

We spent our afternoon playing marble chase, which can sometimes get quite some excitement going.

Saturday evening, Joe and I were home alone when all the children were going here and there. Dustin and Loretta told us to come over for supper at their house across the road. It is always enjoyable to visit our children in their own homes. God bless!

Meatballs or Meatloaf
3 pounds hamburger
2 cups quick rolled oats
1 cup milk
2 eggs
1 cup chopped onions
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 teaspoons chili powder
2 cups catsup
1 1/2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 teaspoons liquid smoke or 1 teaspoon hickory smoke seasoning
1/4 cup chopped onion (optional)

Mix the first nine ingredients and form into balls or a loaf in a single layer on a wax-lined cake pan. Bake for one hour at 350 degrees. Combine the last four ingredients to form a sauce and spread on the meat ten minutes before removing from the oven.

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 [email protected] and your message will be passed on to her to read. She does not personally respond to emails.