08/27/2007

The Amish Cook

Daughter on mend after concussion

By Lovina Eicher
The Amish Cook
Read past Amish Cook columns here

As I write this, we are halfway through the middle of August. In a few weeks school will be back in session. Where did the summer go?

Nine-year-old daughter Verena is still recovering this week from a concussion she suffered after a bad fall last week. I had her to the doctor yesterday for her follow-up checkup. Since she was still getting dizzy spells, he sent her to the hospital for a second CT scan. It showed nothing worse, so the dizziness must still be after-effects from the concussion. The doctor put her on antibiotics as she was also having a fever that he thought came from an infection in her sinus.

This morning, Verena's fever is gone and she's able to stay up longer. I am so thankful that this wasn't worse. Verena will have to stay quiet for a week or so yet. No running or buggy rides, which can really bump a person around.

Sister Liz, Levi and their four children were spending the day out here in Michigan when Verena fell. We had all gathered at Jacob and Emma's for a delicious barbecued chicken dinner. Levi's family came out to meet baby Steven.

Joe and I stayed with Verena at the hospital on Saturday evening until Sunday afternoon. Sisters Verena and Susan and Jacob and Emma took care of our other seven children. Levi and Liz and family headed for home later in the evening. They waited to start home until we had the results for Verena, which we appreciated.

It was nice to all be back home again as a family on Sunday evening. Joe and I were tired from losing sleep at the hospital. Verena had to be woken up every hour to make sure she was OK. Sometimes she was sleeping really good and it was hard to get her awake. Once again, God's protecting hand was over us.

I made "hot wings” for supper last night but I wasn't too pleased with the recipe I used. The children, though, thought they were good. We have so many wings since we butchered the chickens. I am wondering if someone would have a really good hot wing recipe that they'd share with me?

Last night, we also stuffed banana peppers with cream cheese and Velveeta. We then wrapped a piece of uncooked bacon around the outside and used toothpicks to hold it in place. Joe put them on the grill. They were delicious.

Meanwhile, I'll share this delicious recipe that a reader gave me.

Honey Bars

• 3/4 c. oil
• 2 c. flour
• 1 egg
• 1/4 c. honey
• 1 t. baking soda
• 1 c. nuts
• 1 c. sugar
• 1/4 t. cinnamon

Mix all at once. Put in 12-by-15-inch jelly roll pan (ungreased). Bake 20 minutes only at 350°. As soon as it comes out of the oven, spread glaze on top.

Glaze: 1 c. powdered sugar, 1 t. vanilla, 1 T. water, 2 T. margarine.

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.