Today was our first day of 80-degree weather this year, and we enjoyed the great outdoors. Daughters Susan and Verena and grandchildren Jennifer and Ryan came last night and are staying again tonight.

Susan and I worked on getting everything organized for the garage sale we are having here Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Susan has a lot of baby stuff she’s getting rid of. She has so many nice items that have only been used a little.

She is also selling the RV that her late husband, Mose, bought for them to live in while they remodeled the house. When we were cleaning it, Jennifer came in there and said, “This is my bed.” Then she pointed to the bed and said, “This is where my daddy slept and Mommy on that side.” Life brings so many changes.

I bought little Ryan a small black hat, and what fun he has walking around outside with it. He takes really big steps to make it look like he’s older or something. When my husband comes home from work, Ryan puts his hat beside Grandpa Joe’s. Joe was tilling the garden and Ryan was right behind him.

Last night, Joe and son Joseph planted 10 pounds of red potatoes and 400 candy sweet onions. I have more seeds to put out yet, but it’s calling for rain, so we will see.

We also want to plant the tree my good friend Ruth gave in memory of our dear son-in-law Mose. It’s a Cleveland pear, and we will plant it beside the other Cleveland pear that we call our “Marilyn” tree. Ruth also gave us that one 11 years ago in memory of sister Emma and Jacob’s 8 1/2-month-old, Marilyn, who passed away. Ruth also gave daughter Susan a tree, so we want to help her get her tree planted. This is so thoughtful of Ruth and is very much appreciated.

Cousin Amos had the viewing and funeral in Bryant, Ind., for his wife, Rose Marie. Amos lives eight hours from us in Wisconsin, so with the viewing located in Indiana instead, only a little over two hours from us, we were able to attend.

Our sympathy goes to the family.

We saw sister-in-law Nancy and some of her children at the viewing — also brother Albert, Sarah Irene and some of their children and quite a few cousins.

We didn’t get to see sister Leah and Paul, but it was getting late and we had to start for home. We were thankful we had safe traveling and made it back okay.

Dustin (Loretta’s special friend) took his mower down to sister Verena’s house to mow her grass. Daughters Verena, Loretta and Lovina went there too so they can visit with Verena.

Verena was so glad her yard was getting mowed.

Joe wants to till her garden so we can plant a few things for her to use. Sister Susan, who died Jan. 31, took care of their yard and garden. She is still so greatly missed. God has been a great help and comfort through our recent trials.

God bless!

Oven-Baked Omelet

8 eggs

1/2 cup milk or half and half cream

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1 cup chopped ham

1/2 cup chopped onions

1/2 cup chopped green peppers

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk eggs and cream together. Add cheese, ham, onion and green pepper. Pour into a greased 9-inch-by-9-inch pan. Bake for 25 minutes or until golden brown. Serves 4 to 6. Substitutions or additional meat and vegetables such as sausage, tomatoes or mushrooms may be used if desired.

Lovina Eicher is an Old Order Amish writer, cook, wife and mother of eight who lives in southeastern Michigan. Her cookbooks, “The Essential Amish Cookbook” and “Amish Family Recipes,” are available wherever books are sold. Readers can write to 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 your message will be passed on to her to read. She does not personally respond to emails.