The Amish Cook: Home, sweet home
Published 8:00 am Wednesday, June 9, 2021
We’re home! Yes, home sweet home. How is it possible to have such a wonderful trip, but then be so delighted to be home again? The younger children were not as impressed about being home, so I explained to them that in order for us to go away again, we first need to go home! We all see things through a different set of lenses, right?
As always, on our return from a lengthy trip, one of the first things I do is take a stroll around the house, check on the garden, the veggies, and of course the weeds. This time we were elated to find a gallon of ripe strawberries. Mmm… what is better than a fresh berry, straight from the patch? Actually, I do know what’s better- a little hand, outstretched with a, “Here, mommy, this one is for you!”
With the little dry spell in our area we set to work watering the garden. Ah, I can’t wait to harvest the first ripe tomato. My goal for years has been to have the first ripe tomato by my dad’s birthday on June 26th .
Daniel had weeks before scheduled a driver from Danville, Ohio to come pick us up. Now imagine the excitement when the 15 passenger van pulled in the driveway and Grandpa from Ohio, rolled down the passenger window, waving at all of us. What a delightful surprise!
Grandpa traveled all the 360 miles, just to ride back with us! They stopped next to our huge pile of totes with luggage, car seats, and everything else in between. We had scarcely started off when the children were already begging for stories. Even Daniel and I were impressed with his stories of boyhood days with 16 siblings.
Ya, our trip to Ohio was packed with family time, a birthday party, fishing, garage sales, and the likes. It was an enriching time for each of us.
If you ask Jesse what his favorite part was, he’ll inform you about his fishing trip and the time he spent the night in Mary’s room.
This little guy, at 3 years old, simply does not tire of fishing in the hot sun. After more than two hours of fishing, he shed many tears because it was time to go for supper. Since he hadn’t caught his long-awaited bass, he was sure that it couldn’t be time to stop fishing just yet.
He was super impressed when he mastered the art of casting all by himself. Standing a short distance from where he was fishing, I observed him dropping his own fish line, to go cast in Elijah’s. With all-boy mannerisms, he importantly informed Elijah, who is four months younger than himself, how he needs to keep an eye on his bobber, and told him exactly what to do when it starts to go underwater.
Julia thrived on her time with Aunt Mary, especially when she was asked to join her at her office to help water plants for the landscaping business. Spending time with the cousins her age, who live down the little gravel road from Grandpas was a special treat.
Austin, Jesse, and Elijah were impressed by all the big tractors and forklifts on Grandpa’s farm and pallet shop. Hosanna spent hours with the boys on playing on Grandpa’s swings and slide. She was elated when we had an early birthday party for her and Aunt Janice.
When Mary gave her the option of a cake or cupcakes she wasted no time in choosing Mary’s specialty – cupcakes. Hosanna chose pink and lavender-colored icing.
I smiled, as I watched Daniel thrive on time spent with his dad and brothers, whether they worked together or just relaxed around the table, chatting about work or discussing deeper and richer things in life pertaining to God.
A simple thing that blessed me on our one week stay was that I am truly welcomed and included as one of them. It’s like I told them, I have done nothing to deserve their love and acceptance of me as a part of the family!
Whether I need an afternoon snack for the children, or strike a notion to make supper, it’s all about just being you and blending as a big family. As a side note, I have also found that in any strong families as such, if you take a closer look, there have been a lot of giving and forgiving. Never do relationships just fall into strong ties without tying and retying knots, and learning to trust all over again.
Little Joshua did amazingly well throughout our stay despite his teething that cost disgruntled sleep patterns and some rougher days. He soon learned where the toys belonged and where the stairs are, leading up to our room.
At 11 months this little fellow loves to climb – the higher the better. He’s not walking yet, though it won’t be long.
It looks comical as he turns his curly little head watching as we all cheer and clap at his new accomplishments, like saying a new word. He knows that all he needs to do is repeat it, and he’ll have all the attention he wants.
I’d like to leave you with a recipe Daniel’s mom used to make when he was a young boy growing up. He still fondly remembers his mom making this tasty dish. Of course, a homemade gravy may be used in place of the store-boughten soup.
Penny Supper Casserole
6 hot dogs, sliced
4 medium potatoes
1 cup peas, cooked and drained
2 tablespoons diced onion
1 10 oz. can cream of mushroom soup
1/4 cup butter, softened
1 tablespoon prepared mustard
1 cup shredded cheese of your choice
Combine in order given and pour into a 2-quart casserole dish. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes. Stir and top with shredded cheese and bake for another 5 minutes. Depending on your type of potatoes, your casserole may be a bit thick, if so, add milk to desired constancy.