12/11/2006

The Amish Cook

Church windows for Christmas

By LOVINA EICHER

Special to the Record-Eagle

It is hard to believe that we are now into December!

Where is the time going? We haven't had too much winter weather so far, but I imagine we're getting it soon.

The temperature has been dropping during the night. It is almost 20 degrees colder than it was last night. I need to start our coal stove again. Since it had warmed up the past few days we left it go out.

Coal burns so much better in colder weather, it seems. Right now we are getting rain and with the temperature dropping I'm afraid it could turn into ice.

On Friday morning, Emma and Jacob's family came over (since Jacob was off work that day), as did sisters Susan and Verena. Husband Joe had to work, but Jacob volunteered to work in our new house, which was much appreciated. Every bit helps.

For breakfast, I fixed a casserole, cheese, toast and jam and coffee. Some also sampled some homemade V-8 juice.

The cold rain finally turned over to some snowflakes later in the day, which made for some pretty scenes. But not too much snow fell.

The wind was blowing at around 30 to 40 mph, which can really make it difficult on the buggies, especially if going into the breeze. Jacob got a lot done and when Joe came home from work, he quickly joined in to help. For supper, we had a homemade chicken casserole, cheese, corn and some desserts. It was an enjoyable day spent together.

We're hoping to finally start painting in our new house next week. We are really trying to be in our new house before or during the holidays. We still aren't sure about the water if we need a new well yet. Will take one day at a time and see what we get accomplished.

This community was saddened of the passing away of a 49-year-old Amish lady. She had a two-year battle with that dreaded cancer. Our sympathy goes out to her husband, children and grandchildren.

Deer hunting season is in full swing with a lot of people getting lucky around here. Deer seem to be plentiful in the fields. Joe isn't hunting this year. He didn't think he had time with trying to work on the new house.

On Sunday, after we came home from church, we went over to sisters Verena and Susan's house. Jacob, Emma and family also stopped there. We were very surprised to see Uncle Andy Yoder there. He had lunch with Verena and Susan. Our Aunt Betty died of a heart attack in May 2005 at the age of 62, so it has been a tough past year for him.

We shared memories of her as did Uncle Andy. Once life has fled, memories are even more precious. I think it helps a person move on through the grief if they can talk about their departed loved one, although the pain will always be there.

This has been a popular recipe among readers of this column each Christmas, so I thought I'd share it again.

Church Windows for Christmas

• 1 stick of oleo
• 12 oz. chocolate chips
• 5 oz. colored miniature marshmallows
• 1 c. nut meats
• 1 c. coconut (optional)

Melt oleo and chips until creamy. Fold in marshmallows.

Spread nut meats (and coconut, if you choose) on wax paper. Cover with marshmallow-chocolate mixture. Roll up like a jelly roll. Refrigerate until solid. Slice and serve.

Lovina Eicher is Old Order Amish. She hand-writes this column from her home in southern Michigan. Anyone with cultural or cooking questions can send them to: Lovina Eicher, The Amish Cook, P.O. Box 2144, Middletown, OH 45042. Read all of her columns online at www.record-eagle.com/columns/amish.