Twenty years ago, on Sept. 2, our youngest child was born. To celebrate, our whole family came for an outdoor supper. We are a total of 31 now. Son-in-law Dustin broasted chicken and made French fries in his double-basket deep fryer. We set up tables in the yard by our walk-out basement and ate out there.

We had a campfire going, which felt really good when the sun went down. The children enjoyed gathering sticks and anything they could to throw in the fire. Most of them stayed here for the night except Daniel Ray and Verena, who left after supper to go to his parents for the night.

They had plans to gather at Daniel Ray’s uncle and aunt on Monday. Joseph and Grace stayed later but then left for home. Of course, Dustin and Daniel and Lovina are just across the road so they could go home to their own beds. Denzel and Byron stayed here for the night and slept with Joe and me. Denzel wanted to sleep beside Grandpa. Byron was always moving around so I moved to the recliner and he slept much better when he had my space too.

I’m having pain in my left shoulder and lower back so the recliner actually feels better after a while. I have an appointment Friday and hopefully I can get relief then. I baked a cake for Kevin and it must’ve tasted better than it looked because it was all ate up. I tried my skills at decorating, which I’m not good at.

Sitting around the campfire singing and visiting was so enjoyable. Son Benjamin kept the older children entertained by having a game going with seeing who could pound a nail in the wood the fastest. He started each of the nails and then they took turns. I’m not exactly sure how they played it, but they were having fun.

Son Kevin can be a comic and his older nephews sat beside him laughing at his jokes. They giggled when Kevin told them they better behave or he’s walking away from there. Kevin can’t walk or stand with his disability and they know that and figured out it was one of the jokes he makes about himself.

We have plenty of empty beds upstairs so there was plenty of room for everyone. It would’ve been too cold to sleep in tents. The church was in a tent Sunday morning and it was cold until the sun warmed it up. Usually Aug. 31 would be warmer but that was the last service that will be held under a tent for this year. Monday morning we decided to make breakfast inside since it was 44 degrees outside. We had a breakfast casserole, toast, butter, strawberry jam, cheese, hot peppers, cookies, pumpkin bars, watermelon, milk, coffee and rhubarb juice. We enjoyed holding sweet little Sharlene and Brooklyn.

Last week my sister Verena was here and helped me can salsa and vegetable juice. I also made peach pie filling. I want to can more peach pie filling after I do laundry today.

On a sadder note, we had a call from Joe’s sister Esther to let us know Joe’s 57-year-old cousin Susan Hostetler from Fredericksburg, Ohio, passed away unexpectedly Thursday. We are so sorry we were unable to make the trip to the funeral. Our thoughts, prayers and deepest condolences go to the mourning family left behind.

She left to mourn her husband Adonia, nine children and 26 grandchildren. All but the three youngest sons are married. The sons all have a special friend. Her youngest is the same age as Kevin. Susan’s dad Jake and Joe’s dad Clarence were brothers. Jake passed away in 2023 and Clarence in 2008. May God help them through this difficult time. Parting is never easy and so much more when it’s unexpected. Susan is a year older than Joe. At our age we always think we still have time but we are not promised tomorrow. Our goal is to be ready to meet our maker when our time comes.

God be with you all!

FRUIT PIE FILLING

INGREDIENTS:

6 cups granulated sugar

2 ¼ cups instant Clear Jel

7 cups cold water

½ cup lemon juice, fresh or bottled

6 quarts fresh fruit, such as cherries (pitted), blueberries, raspberries, or peaches (peeled, pitted and sliced)

DIRECTIONS:

In a large stock pot, combine the sugar and instant Clear Jel over medium-high heat. Add the water and stir well. Cook on medium-high until the mixture thickens and begins to bubble, about 7 minutes. Add the lemon juice and boil for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Fold in the fruit, then remove from the heat. If not used immediately, divide the cooled pie filling into quart-sized resealable plastic bags and freeze for up to 4 to 6 months or process and seal in a canner for 20 minutes according to canning jar and lid manufacturer’s instructions.

Lovina’s Amish Kitchen is written by Lovina Eicher, Old Order Amish writer, cook, wife and mother who lives in southeastern Michigan.