Today grandson Byron (son of daughter Loretta and Dustin) is 3 months old. He weighs 10 pounds, 12 ounces now. He’s a sweet little smiley baby. He’s cooing and an active little boy. Denzel loves his little brother but sometimes looks annoyed to have to share everyone with Byron. He likes to give Byron something to play with, which isn’t always a good thing if it’s somebody’s shoe. Haha!

On Sunday, I made a breakfast haystack for brunch. Those joining us were Tim; daughter Elizabeth; Abigail, 7; Timothy (T.J.), 4; Allison, 3; and Andrea, 21 months; daughter Susan; Ervin; Kaitlyn, 7; Jennifer, 5; Isaiah, 5; Ryan, 4; and Curtis, 4; daughter Loretta; Dustin; Denzel, 16 months; and Byron, 3 months; daughter Verena and her special friend Daniel Ray; son Joseph’s special friend Grace; daughter Lovina’s special friend Daniel; and nephews Henry, Jacob and Steven.

For the haystack breakfast I made Mystery Biscuits (and crumbled them after baked), sausage, bacon, ham, scrambled eggs, fried potatoes, cheese sauce, green peppers, onions, tomatoes, hot peppers, salsa and gravy. For a haystack, layer everything you like, and add more ingredients to your menu if you prefer. Lastly, pour cheese sauce and gravy over everything. It is a good meal but takes time to make everything. It is easy for children; if they only like biscuits and gravy or scrambled eggs, they can take only that. We also had rhubarb juice, grape juice, V-8 juice, coffee, milk and cider, as well as ice cream and pumpkin whoopie pies. Some of these recipes likely will be included among over 100 recipes in my new cookbook “The Cherished Table” (release date June 2024)!

Before everyone left we had hot dogs and bologna sandwiches, venison snack sticks, chips, pretzels, apples, popcorn, etc.

It was a beautiful fall day, and the children loved being outside. Their favorite place to play is on the big pile of dirt in our field behind our house. Son-in-law Dustin and his brother Daniel (Lovina’s special friend) run an excavating business besides working construction. They are digging a pond for us. We needed dirt to fill in to build a new barn so we decided to have them dig a pond instead of paying for dirt to be hauled in. It will be nice once it’s all done. Our barn is very old, so we need room to store hay, etc. So we decided to build a new one instead of trying to fix up the old one. It seems there is so much work to do and so little time to do it. Our goal was to have this pole barn built before the snow starts flying.

Son Benjamin is hoping to get the OK from the doctor tomorrow to return to work. He laughs and says we were waiting to build the pole barn until he can help. We will be glad for his help.

Recently one Friday evening, daughter Verena had Daniel Ray’s family and our family at her house for supper. Some of our grandchildren and Daniel Ray’s siblings are in the same school, so they had fun that evening. Dutch Blitz and dice games were played and the evening was enjoyable. Everyone helped bring food so it made it easier for Verena.

Church services will be set at our house in 6 1/2 weeks, Lord willing, so we are trying to clean as well. My daughters were home one day helping last week. I can feel I am not as young as I used to be when getting ready to host church services. I am thankful for my good health and should not complain when my work falls behind. Take one day at a time!

God’s blessings to all!

Pumpkin Whoopie Pies

2 cups brown sugar

1 cup vegetable oil

1 1/2 cups cooked, mashed pumpkin

2 eggs

3 cups flour

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon vanilla

4 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon

1 1/2 teaspoons ginger

1 1/2 teaspoons ground cloves

Filling:

1/2 cup milk

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened

2 teaspoons vanilla

3-4 cups powdered sugar

Cream sugar and oil. Add pumpkin and eggs. Add flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, vanilla, and spices. Mix well. Drop by heaping teaspoons onto greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes.

For filling, mix milk, cream cheese, and vanilla with 3 cups powdered sugar. Add more sugar as needed to reach desired consistency. Spread between two cookies.

Lovina’s Amish Kitchen is written by Lovina Eicher, Old Order Amish writer, cook, wife, and mother of eight who lives in southeastern Michigan. Readers can write to Eicher at Lovina’s Amish Kitchen, P.O. Box 234, Sturgis, MI 49091 (include a self-addressed stamped envelope for a reply); or email LovinasAmishKitchen@MennoMedia.org.