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August brings us more birthdays in the family. A happy 67th birthday to my oldest sibling Leah on Aug. 15. Aug. 16 granddaughter Brooklyn had her first birthday. We gave her a balancer bike. She loves it but still needs to get the hang of staying on. She will manage it soon, I’m sure. She has warmed up to her little 3-week-old brother Jayden, who should just actually be making his appearance a few days ago. He is doing well and seems really contented. On Aug. 18, granddaughter Kaitlyn turned 10 years old. We gave her a music box chest. She was so happy for it and thanked me more than once.
On Saturday, Aug. 22, was a big birthday for Sister Verena with her turning 60. Sister Liz and Levi stayed at Verena’s house with her from Friday night until Sunday afternoon. It was a quick plan, but Sister Liz called around to let the rest of our extended family know that we plan to gather at Verena’s house in honor of her birthday on Saturday. Levi and Joe grilled pork steak, pepper poppers, hamburgers and hot dogs. I made spaghetti and meat balls to take along. With all the food that was brought in, we had a few tables full. We ate outside and sat around the campfire. The children had fun playing outside and especially rolling down the hill. It seems only short years ago that our children were having fun on that same hill and now it’s another generation. After we ate, we sat around the campfire singing. It was a nice evening with a chill in the air, so the heat from the fire was welcomed. If I’m counting right, we had an attendance of almost 60. Her birthday was here before we knew it, and so the quick plan turned out pretty good, and she had a nice day.
Some of us who didn’t have church services this Sunday went back to Verena’s for brunch the next morning. The men cooked sausage gravy, potatoes and bacon over the open fire. We baked biscuits and made scrambled eggs in the house. Also on the menu were peaches, cookies, rhubarb juice, coffee,V8 and chocolate milk .We ate outside around the campfire again. We cleaned everything up then before all heading back home. We made sure Verena won’t forget turning 60! It was nice to have four of us sisters there. We missed Sister Leah and sister-in-laws Nancy and Sarah Irene, but it was understandable with the short notice. Our siblings that aren’t with us anymore were missed as well. We sisters sang a few songs and yodeled together. My mother and us sisters used to do that many years ago.
Last week I helped daughter Loretta with making V8 juice to process. We ended up with 36 quarts. Besides tomatoes, we also put in garlic, carrots, onions, green peppers and banana peppers. She didn’t have other vegetables on hand, but it still had a really good flavor and a little spice to it. We ended up with 'V6' instead, haha! Loretta was so glad to have this all in jars. Daughter Verena and I have canned around 74 quarts of pickles together and 40 quarts tomato juice. Tomorrow, Verena and I plan to can hot peppers and tomato chunks for Verena's pantry. Canning goes so much faster and is more enjoyable when you have someone working with you.
Wednesday, my plans are to go help daughter Susan paint their living room. They are going to put a new floor in so she wants to paint the walls before they are installed. I am happy to help my children when they need my help. Ervin and Susan have five children in school, so she has Ervin Jr., 2, and Sharlene,1, at home during the day. Sharlene started walking recently. She’s such a cute, petite little girl.
This week, I will share the recipe for Sweet Carrot Casserole. Until next week, God bless!
Sweet Carrot Casserole
Ingredients:
3 pounds carrots
3/4 cup butter
3 eggs
1/4 cup flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Directions:
Cut up carrots, cook, and drain well. Blend all other ingredients except cinnamon. Add carrots and mash well. Then, pour into a 9-by-13 cake pan. Sprinkle cinnamon on top. Bake at 350 degrees for one hour.
Lovina's Amish Kitchen is written by Lovina Eicher, Old Order Amish writer, cook, wife, and mother of eight. 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.