July 1 was daughter Loretta’s 24th birthday. I wish her many more happy, healthy years ahead. Her two little boys keep her busy. Denzel will be 2 years old today and Byron will be 1 Aug. 7. On Sunday, Joe and I drove with Dustin and Loretta and the boys to the park. Byron was sitting with Loretta and me in the back, and he wouldn’t quit fussing until he could sit up front with Joe, Dustin and Denzel.

Then he would look back at Loretta and me with a grin on his face as if saying, “Ha ha, I like it better up here.” He enjoys watching the horse run. Denzel will hold the lines to drive their horse, Spirit. Spirit is a calm horse and travels along safely. Of course, Dustin makes sure to keep a watch on the road for traffic.

Our family gathered at the park for a picnic lunch on Sunday in honor of daughter Verena’s special friend Daniel’s birthday, which was June 29. It was enjoyable, with some taking hikes on the walking trails and some of us just relaxing and visiting.

Daughter Lovina and Daniel joined us at the park. They just arrived home from their honeymoon. They spent a week at a cabin by a lake after the wedding. They are enjoying being newlyweds.

Last night they came to get another load of their belongings and their wedding gifts. Lovina made a vegetable soup here, and they ate supper with us. I always have a hard time when another of our children leaves the house.

At least it’s not like losing a loved one. Sarah Irene (sister-in-law) attended the wedding along with some of her family. Brother Albert was missed so much. She did a great job of hiding her sorrow and helping make it a cheerful day for the newlyweds. I know her heart was hurting and she misses her dear husband. Her 59th birthday was on June 28 — the first birthday without her dear husband by her side.

Daniel and Lovina had a nice day for their wedding, although it was a very hot week. Temperatures reached the 90s. The cooks did a great job in the heat to prepare all the food.

Our sons-in-law, Daniel’s brothers, and sister Emma’s sons-in-laws and son started grilling chicken around 5 a.m. They grilled 300 pounds for the noon meal and another 100 pounds in the afternoon for the evening meals. We had 480 pounds of chicken here but only grilled 400 pounds. We had plenty left over. They did a great job on the chicken, and it tasted really good. They had nine or 10 grills going and were done by the time the wedding services started at 9 a.m. That also was a hot job on a 90-degree day.

On the menu for the wedding meals were bread, strawberry butter, mashed potatoes, gravy, buttered noodles, dressing, barbecued chicken, mixed vegetables, lettuce salad, pecan, rhubarb custard, strawberry pies, caramel pudding, fresh fruit and coffee. The cake was decorated by the bride and groom.

God bless you!

Pie dough

Makes 6 9-inch pie crusts

6 cups flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

2 cups lard

2 eggs

2/3 cup water

2 teaspoons vinegar

Mix together flour, baking powder and salt. Add lard to flour mixture and make crumbs. It’s best if crumbs are quite moist – a little more lard can be added for that. In a separate bowl, beat eggs, water and vinegar together and pour over crumbs. Mix with a fork until the right consistency. Don’t over mix.

Divide dough into six equal parts and form each part into a ball. Press each ball into a disk and roll it onto a floured surface to 1/8-inch thickness. Fit the dough into a 9-inch pie pan and trim the edges. For a prebaked crust, bake at 450 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes, or until lightly browned.

Readers can write to Lovina Eicher at Lovina’s Amish Kitchen, P.O. Box 234, Sturgis, MI 49091 (include a self-addressed stamped envelope for a reply).