12/18/2006

The Amish Cook

Christmas — and a new house on the way

By LOVINA EICHER

Special to the Record-Eagle

I decided to get up early this morning, Dec. 7, and write my column. It's another full day ahead and it's quieter here in the morning for writing.

My husband Joe and 2-year-old Lovina are also up already, so I do have some company. Joe didn't have work today. In fact, he doesn't go back until next Wednesday. It doesn't look like work at the factory is picking up yet. He'll also be off for two weeks over the holidays.

Last night we went after paint for our new house. Tomorrow morning we hope to get started painting, which is one of the final steps before our house is ready. We'll only put on one coat of paint a day because of the humidity. In the summer, I think it would have dried fast enough to put on another coat the same day.

As soon as the painting is done, we will lay our floor. By the time our floors are in, we hope the wooden cabinets will be ready to put in. We also found out our well is OK, so that is a relief.

On Saturday my sister Leah and Paul and family plan to come to Michigan. They are bringing a horse that sister Susan is buying from their son Ben. They plan to be here for a noon meal. We will probably be painting all day, but need to stop to eat lunch anyway, so we'll have a nice visit with them. Saturdays have been very busy around here lately, but we all are just so excited to move into the new house.

The next two Saturdays after this, though, won't be filled with much work because we have Christmas family gatherings. My family planned to get together at brother Albert's on Dec. 16. Then on Dec. 23, Joe's family will gather at his sister Maryann and Jake's house here in Michigan. Through the hustle and bustle of the Christmas rush, let us keep in mind the real reason for the season: Christ our Savior was born and may our path lead to "Him.”

With all the work of moving into the house, we asked our children if it would disappoint them to have Christmas gifts in January instead. They all agreed that they'd rather get moved into the new house and wait on their gifts. I am thankful that they are so patient.

Daughter Verena will have her ninth birthday on Sunday. She is excited to treat her class at school. On a child's birthday, they get to bring in a treat, like cookies, to pass around to classmates.

Today sister Emma and Jacob and Benjamin plan to come help also. Their help is greatly appreciated and has helped make work on the new house go much more quickly.

Until next week, try this sweet pie which goes good around the holidays!

Holiday Sugar Pie

• 1 unbaked 8-inch pie shell
• 1 c. brown sugar
• 3 T. flour
• 1/4 t. salt
• 1&1/2 c. evaporated milk
• 3 T. butter
• Cinnamon to taste

Preheat oven to 350°. In a small bowl, blend together the sugar, flour and salt. Spread in bottom of pie shell. Pour the milk over the sugar mixture, but do not stir. Dot with butter and sprinkle with cinnamon. Bake for an hour or until filling in center bubbles. Filling with not be firm when done, center will be bubbly. Serve pie at room temperature.

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. In addition, visit amishcookonline.com to find recipes, order cookbooks, obtain additional information about the Amish, read an "editor's blog,” see a question and answer section, and more.