Please note folks: I’ve just been informed that the editor of the Amish Cook will no longer be letting other web sites like mine post LOVINA EICHER’s column anymore, so this will be the last post from her on Amish Stories. I thank Kevin for allowing me to re-publish the Amish Cook on my own blog, so please visit the Amish Cooks web site www.oasisnewsfeatures.com to continue reading her very enjoyable column. Richard
BY LOVINA EICHER
This has been a different winter so far weather-wise. We had another snowstorm during the past week, but then as quickly as it snowed, it warmed back up. Now it rained during the night and the temperature is up to 45. We also had some thunder and lightning during while we slept. The snow is mostly gone except in the ditches and where it was piled up. Some men have been ice fishing but it has not been possible for most of the winter due to the warmth. Joe hasn’t been able to go yet, but he is eager to do so. Hopefully it will turn colder again so he can.
One up side, with the warmer temperatures it takes less coal to heat the house. I like when the ground stays frozen so the house doesn’t get tracked up with mud so much. It always seems like snow makes a brighter world during the winter.
Saturday Joe and the boys went to help Elizabeth’s friend Timothy cut up some trees. Timothy’s brother and nephews were also helping. Sounds like they got a lot accomplished. Joe likes doing outdoor work like cutting up wood. Meanwhile, here at home, the girls done the cleaning and folding the laundry from the day before’s wash. While the girls were doing that I baked apple and custard pies and Verena baked an apple dump cake. She brought one home from school that she made in cooking class. She will write down the recipe and I will share it with you readers in a future column. Everyone seemed to like it so Verena doubled the recipe.
On Sunday we went to Emma and Jacob’s house for a delicious dinner. We enjoyed barbecued baked ribs, scalloped potatoes, baked beans, cottage cheese, Cole slaw, and sliced cheese, hot peppers, homemade vanilla ice cream, chocolate cake, and apple and custard pie. She put the ribs single layer in baking pan, seasoned them with salt and pepper and barbecue sauce and baked. Joe, Jacob and the boys froze two 2-gallon cans of homemade vanilla ice cream while we were preparing dinner.
Homemade ice cream is always a favorite for us. The children spent a lot of the afternoon outside playing in the snow. The rest of us played games after the dishes were washed away. It seems like it doesn’t take long to get the dishes washed when everyone pitches in to help. We started for home around 5 p.m. The boys did the evening chores and Joe fueled the stove for the night. We only had snacks as everyone said they weren’t hungry for supper after the big noon dinner at Jacob’s. We all retired early for the night as Joe had to start a new week at the factory and the children back to school.
Tomorrow, January 24, daughter Susan will have her 16th birthday. Seems hard to believe she has reached that age. Where has the time gone to so fast? Susan enjoys outdoor work, and she loves horses and enjoys training ponies. She would rather go clean out the barn than do housework. She does like to bake, though, but I am still trying to get her to sew.
I always tease her that I’ll move the sewing machine out to the barn if it would make sewing more enjoyable for her with the horses close by. It is good that we don’t all have the same interests or talents otherwise life would be less interesting. When I need a horse harnessed so I can go run some errands, she is always volunteering to help go get it ready. We wish her a happy 16th birthday and many, many more happy years.
This is a recipe that a lot of Amish give as gifts around the holidays, or maybe for Valentine’s Day coming up. (Editor’s Note: A video demonstration of these cookies being made by the Amish Cook’s editor can be seen in a new online video program, An Almost Amish Kitchen. To view, visit http://www.amishcookonline.com)
OATMEAL CHIP COOKIE MIX IN A JAR |
1 /2 teaspoon baking soda
1 /2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 /4 teaspoon salt
1 /3 cup brown sugar
1 /3 cup white sugar
3 /4 cup chocolate chips
1 1 /2 cups quick oats
1 /2 cup pecans, chopped
Optional M & Ms
Beat 1 stick softened butter, 1 large egg, 1 /2 teaspoon vanilla in a large bowl until blended. Add cookie mix, mix well breaking up any clumps. Drop onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 for 8 to 10 minutes. Yield 2 dozen cookies. Published with permission from oasisnewsfeatures.com.
We are having for the most part very mild temps for the month of January, so I'm wondering how everyone else out there is fairing this winter? Richard
Our weather in east central Illinois has been mild but we have had oh so much rain. The ground is full and the ditches cannot handle the runoff. It is very depressing and noone seems to want to do much of anything. It is raining again today. This will make the fifth day of at least some rain. It has rained all winter. But I guess it could be worse. I try to be grateful for everything but this is alot. I have family in the Chicago area and they just had nine inches of snow but they always get more snow up there. Keep up the stories and recipes. I read them every day.
Thanks for the warm welcome back! Every day I post a few pictures of my trip to Santa Monica – sort of like a recap of my trip. It is nice to go away but getting back home and back into the swing of things is hard!Someone gave me a cookie in a Mason Jar gift for Christmas this year. They turn out very well!
Hello Richard, It is another foggy morning here in No.California. We need rain. The sun has been out everyday after the fog burns off about 58 deg. is the the days lately.Hope everyone has a great day! I love to read Lovina's posts. Ina, my mom used to give those as Christmas gifts every year, they are fun to get. You put all the dry ingredients in the jar and attach a card giving the wet and how to bake. Blessings~Lissa
Hi guys and if your returning to this post please note that the Amish Cook will no longer be published on Amish Stories. This effects not only this blog but about 21 other web site's so please follow the link that I've provided at the top of this post. And this way no one will be missing any future posts from the Amish Cook. Thanks folks and sorry about that. Richard
Today we have freezing rain and alst night a dusting of snow we have been having strange weather for Ontario Canada . Sorry to hear the Amish Cook will no longer be here on your blog I will however check out the link you have left in this post ! Thanks and have a great day !
Here in southwest Mo, it is cold and rainy. I'm wishing for very cold and some snow.I enjoy reading your blog and also others comments.jodie
Hi Richard, We are having a very mild winter here in Tennessee this year also. AND–we have had lots and lots of RAIN…. Sorry you get to publish the Amish Cook articles any longer. I've enjoyed Lovina's column so much. I don't have time to check out the other site though… Sorry!The Oatmeal Chip cookies look great… Thanks for the recipe.Betsy
Understand Betsy and I'm just glad your still able to pop by this blog when you can. I can understand being busy so even i have to pick and chose which web sites that I'm able to stop by to. Richard
This was quite an enjoyable read, so I will have to pop over to the other site that you indicated to read some more. The weather has been quite mild, so mild that one could readily forget that it is winter. I am actually wishing for snow and I am a native island girl who thrives on the sun and warmth. However, i would love for winter to feel like winter, so that i can light up the fireplace, dress in lovely layers, etc.
Oh well I will miss the Amish Cook stories. But you know what "they" say: one door shuts, another opens…
Hello, Amish Stories. Your splendid works enhance charm spectator still more. The warmth such as the fireplace will be offered to the audience in harsh this winter. Thank you for kindly visiting my blog. The prayer for all peace. Have a good weekend. From Japan, ruma ❃
Ya, I will miss Lovina's posts too! Oh well. Hey Betsy, bake some of those Oatmeal cookies and send a picture to Richard So we could see them (0 Blessings-Lissa