Today is son Benjamin’s 26th birthday. He is going out to eat with his friends, so I didn’t make a cake for him. I am trying to decide what to make for supper with only me and Joe here. Kevin went along with Benjamin, too.

Last Thursday, July 10, we went to daughter Loretta and Dustin’s house for supper for Denzel’s third birthday. Denzel and Byron were both so excited when we sang “Happy Birthday.” It was so cute to see him blow out the candle. Loretta and Verena made cupcakes and a small cake for him. On the menu was pizza, hot wings, cottage cheese, dill pickles and chips.

Daughter Susan and Ervin are selling the place Susan and Mose bought after their marriage. Daughter Lovina and Daniel had been renting it since they were married. Now Daniel and Lovina moved into part of Dustin and Loretta’s pole barn. They made living quarters in half of it. It is nice to have all three girls this close to home. However, this is just temporary until they find a property that suits them. They have a nice set up for them. The men have been putting in a lot of extra hours to get everything ready. Daniel and Lovina slept in their “new home” for the first time Saturday night. With Dustin and Loretta, Daniel Ray and Verena, and Daniel and Lovina all close by, there is a lot of activity in our neighborhood. I fried chicken one night and they all came here to eat with us.

Yesterday, church services were held at daughter Elizabeth and Tim’s house. They will host them again in two weeks, Lord willing. The church was held under a tent, so it was nice to get some breeze with the sides open. Lunch consisted of homemade wheat and white bread, egg salad, cheese, peanut butter spread, pickles, pickled red beets, hot peppers, butter, grape jelly, a variety of cookies, coffee and iced tea. The iced tea was made from their own spearmint and peppermint tea patch. It was a thirst quencher on a hot day.

Elizabeth decided to wait until the next church services to invite someone back for supper, so we all came home in the afternoon. Joe and I were the only ones here for supper so I fried us hamburgers and we had peppers, lettuce, tomatoes and sweet onions to go on our sandwiches. Yummy!

The annual Coblentz reunion was held on Saturday in Berne, Indiana. I really do hope to go next year. With the weddings here the last two years it wasn’t possible. This reunion would be my dad’s family. I have a lot of great memories about these reunions in my younger years. They are an ornery bunch so there is never a dull moment.

July 19 is sister Emma’s 52nd birthday. It has been almost four years now since she lost her dear husband Jacob. Jacob is so very missed. Rest in peace dear brother-in-law. Wishing you many more happy healthy years dear sister.

My mother’s birthday was on July 18, and she would be 89 if she were still with us. God had other plans and she died at 66. She is still missed. She was my mother and my best friend. May we meet again someday dear mother.

Joe brought in some garden goodies now. I want to see what I can make for our supper. Daniel Ray came back from Elizabeth and Tim’s house with zucchini. She sent some since our plants died. Daniel Ray helped Tim take the tent down that church was held in yesterday.

I will share my egg salad recipe.

God’s blessings to all!

EGG SALAD

Ingredients:

3 pounds of hot dogs (may substitute ham) chopped

2 ½ dozen eggs, cooked, peeled, and chopped

2 cups whipped salad dressing (I use Miracle Whip)

2 cups mayonnaise

Salt and pepper to taste (I use seasoning salt)

Directions:

Grind the hot dogs in a grinder. Place ground hot dogs in a large bowl and stir in the hard-cooked eggs, whipped salad dressing and mayonnaise, until well combined. Season with salt and pepper or your choice of seasoning.

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. Lovina is on Facebook at Lovina’s Amish Kitchen.