As I’m writing this on April 16, I remember that 39 years ago today, my oldest sibling, sister Leah, and Paul were joined in holy matrimony.

I was in third grade at the time and remember seeing my mother cry as the bishop was uniting Paul and Leah in marriage. I could not understand why she was crying, but of course I now know the feeling of your firstborn getting married, moving out and starting their own life. It’s not that we do not like to see them getting married, but the changes in life we accept and trust that God plays a role in their marriage.

Another memory I have is of the day after Paul and Leah’s Thursday wedding. It was Good Friday and I remember going out to the mailbox to get the mail. For some odd reason that always reminds me that we still get mail on Good Friday. In our community we have “fast and prayer day” on Good Friday, so it always seems like a Sunday.

I want to wish Paul and Leah a happy 39th anniversary.

Last night after supper I signed a card for them to put in today’s mail. I wrote a letter and before I knew it I had several pages written. We don’t often see each other with the 100-plus miles between us.

Actually, with this pandemic going on I don’t see any of my siblings. It has been a different spring, which I’m sure many people will remember in history. We have all been home 3 1/2 weeks and it looks like we have another three weeks until the “stay home” order is lifted.

Our church services have been canceled again, so Lord willing, we will host Rule Church here on May 3 now.

It has been a challenge trying to keep the house clean with everyone home. And keeping son Kevin, 14, busy with his schoolwork is another challenge. With everyone around, he doesn’t like to be seated at the table doing schoolwork. I cannot imagine how much of the day it takes out of mothers that have quite a few in school yet.

Daughter Lovina helps Kevin with figuring out problems if he needs help.

We are having cold weather again and the ground was covered with snow for a while yesterday. I hope it won’t hurt the flowers and plants that are peeping out in the garden already.

My husband, Joe, has moved his plants in from the greenhouse. He has them on tables by the window in the dining room instead of keeping heat in the greenhouse at night, until this cold spell is over.

I hung our laundry outside this week. Although everything dried well, my fingers were cold by the time I finished hanging up the clothes. I’m not used to it anymore, with lines in our heated basement.

I have a little more painting to do in the basement, in my can room, where I keep all my canned jars of food. I need more paint rollers and brushes, but that is shut off in stores now. It’s too bad since now people would have time to do jobs like that. It would help keep them occupied.

I have had letters from readers asking for information on where they can order my newest cookbook, “Amish Family Recipes.” My cookbooks can be ordered online from your favorite bookstore.

God’s blessings to all.

Breakfast

Omelet Roll

4 ounces cream cheese, softened

3/4 cup milk

2 tablespoons flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

12 eggs

2 tablespoons prepared mustard

1 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided

1 pound bacon, fried and chopped

1 cup chopped ham

1/4 cup minced onion

1/4 cup chopped green bell pepper

Additional fillings as desired, such as mushrooms, olives, smoked sausage

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cut parchment paper to line a 10-inch-by-15-inch jelly-roll pan.

In a large bowl, combine cream cheese and milk. Whisk until smooth. Add flour and salt. In another bowl, whisk eggs, then add to cream cheese mixture. Pour mixture into parchment-lined pan and bake 30-35 minutes or until puffy and golden.

Remove pan from oven and spread mustard and half the shredded cheese onto the omelet. Add the bacon, ham, onion, bell paper, any additional fillings as desired and most of the remaining cheese. Roll up in jelly-roll fashion, removing paper as you roll. Garnish with remaining cheese. Cut into slices to serve.

Lovina Eicher is an Old Order Amish writer, cook, wife and mother of eight. She, her husband, Joe, and their family live in southeastern Michigan. Contact Eicher at P.O. Box 1689, South Holland, IL 60473 (include a self-addressed stamped envelope for a reply) or email LovinasAmishKitchen@MennoMedia.org and the message will be passed on to her to read.