It is a dreary Monday morning with light rain. We do need this rain. The breeze feels good coming in the windows. We appreciate it even more after a few weeks of hot, humid weather.

My husband Joe went back to work this morning after having four days off over the Fourth of July holiday. We didn’t do anything special — just slowed down our normal pace. We slept later each morning and took life easy. On his days off, Joe weeded all the garden beds. Everything is growing really well and Joe is watching for that first tomato. Yummy, all the garden goodies will be ready soon.

On Friday, July 4, Joe and I and Loretta, Dustin and children decided to go to daughter Lovina and Daniel’s house to spend the evening. We enjoyed an outdoor supper consisting of grilled hamburgers with all the trimmings, french fries, sweet corn and watermelon. It was a lovely night to sit outside. Our way home went pretty fast with the horses being scared of the fireworks and firecrackers. They wanted to run!

Today daughter Loretta and Dustin’s three little ones were here while the two of them went to Dustin’s doctor’s appointment in town. The kids were here for half an hour before Verena came over to take them to their place. She knew I needed to write the column and wanted to give me a little quiet. She can handle those three better than this grandma!

Denzel will have his third birthday this week on July 10. Daughter Loretta turned 25 July 1. For two weeks, she and son Benjamin are the same age. Benjamin will turn 26 July 14.

On July 15, Joe and I will have been married for 32 years. July 15 will also be brother Albert’s birthday. Rest in peace dear brother.

I am alone in the house this morning since Joe left for work with the exception of the children being here awhile. Sons Benjamin and Kevin spent the night at a friend’s house and aren’t home yet. It is nice to have some alone time although I wouldn’t want it all the time. My sister Verena thinks differently about having too much alone time. She has been spending time with sister Emma the past few days.

Last week I actually had time to get back to my sewing. It seemed like the busyness of the wedding filled up my days. We have four wedding invitations for the next few months. We regret that we couldn’t attend the recent wedding of my cousin’s son Joe and Marianna. We wish them many happy, healthy years together.

My prayers and sympathy goes out to a dear friend Linda, age 89. She and her husband Raymond attended most of our daughter’s weddings. The night before Daniel Ray and Verena’s wedding Raymond, age 90, was killed while riding his bike. We were unable to make it to Nappanee, Indiana, for the funeral. My prayers also go out to all the families that have lost loved ones in the horrible flood in Texas. I cannot imagine what they went through. May God help all of them through this time and always!

I will share my pie dough recipe we used for the wedding. God bless!

Pie dough

Ingredients:

6 cups flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

2 cups lard

2 eggs

2/3 cup water

2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar

Directions:

Mix together flour, baking powder and salt. Add lard and cut with a fork until crumbs are formed. It’s best if crumbs are quite moist. Add a little more lard if necessary.

Beat together eggs, water and vinegar and pour over the crumbs mixture. Mix with a fork until the right consistency. Do not overmix. Makes 6 pie crusts (for 3 pies for top and bottom crusts; or for 6 single crusts).

Lovina’s Amish Kitchen is written by Lovina Eicher, Old Order Amish writer, cook, wife and mother of eight. Her three cookbooks, The Cherished Table, The Essential Amish Cookbook, and Amish Family Recipes, are available wherever books are sold. Readers can write to Eicher at Lovina’s Amish Kitchen, PO Box 234, Sturgis, MI 49091 (please include a self-addressed stamped envelope for a reply); or email Questionsforlovina@gmail.com and your message will be passed on to her to read. She does not personally respond to emails.