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March 1 and the sun is shining making everything look so bright outside. It looks like March came in like a lamb. I am hoping we’ll have an early spring, even though that means the extra work of gardening and spring cleaning. I always enjoy working outdoors after a long winter in the house. For now, though, spring weather doesn’t seem nearby. In fact, we received a couple more inches of snow and with the wind we had on Friday evening our driveway drifted shut again.
Saturday before noon children, Verena, 12; Benjamin, 10; Loretta, 9; and Joseph, 7, were out at the end of the driveway shoveling snow. They were really excited when a kind stranger driving a truck with a blade showed up and opened the driveway for them. What happy children when they saw that they wouldn’t have to shovel it out. This was the second time that someone opened our drive when they saw the children shoveling. We appreciated the kind deeds. It sure made the children’s day.
We were shocked to receive the bad news of the death of Uncle Henry, age 68. He died on Feb. 10 and his funeral was Feb. 13. Aunt Barbara passed away nine months before. Twelve hours after the family found out Henry had cancer, he passed away. I know the children and grandchildren will have many lonely days ahead. Henry and Barbara had 12 children, 95 grandchildren, and seven great grandchildren.
Uncle Henry’s lived down the road from us when I was growing up. They lived on the same farm as my grandparents did. Joe and I attended the funeral in Berne, Ind. It brought back sad memories of my own parents’ death.It gives a person a lonely feeling when you don’t see your parents sitting with the rest of their siblings. Four sisters out of the eight children are left. Time goes on and it is hard to accept the changes in life.
But with God’s help we need to accept them. We know God doesn’t make any mistakes. Our sympathy goes to the family of Uncle Henry.
We were also saddened about hearing of the unexpected passing away of a neighbor lady. We attended the visitation which was largely attended. Our sympathy goes to the family. May God help them through this sorrowful time.
We are glad we are finally done with our beef and pork butchering. A big job completed! We butchered a 1,420-pound beef and two hogs with their weight totaling 975 pounds. We processed around 100 quarts of meat and our freezer is filled. How thankful we are for all the meat. It is a lot of work but well worth our time.
Yesterday we attended church at Brother Albert’s in a nearby community. Our children were excited to get to play with Albert’s children after church.They were not ready to come home when we left. We had wanted to go two weeks earlier in honor of Albert Jr. being baptized, but a few of our children were sick so we were unable to attend.
With ground beef plentiful, this is a good, easy recipe to try!
HAMBURGER-MUSHROOM MEATBALLS
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 pound ground beef
2/3 cup dried bread crumbs
1 egg, slightly beaten
1 tablespoon minced parsley
1 soup can milk
Salt and pepper
2 tablespoons chopped onions
In a medium mixing bowl, combine hamburger, bread, onions, parsley, egg, salt and pepper. Blend together. Shape into balls, brown over low heat. Drain. Add soup and milk to the skillet. Cover and cook over low heat for 20 minutes.
Books available
All six softcover cookbooks, including the newly released “Best of The Amish Cook, Volume III,” are being offered for their lowest price: $79 (plus $6 shipping) for all six 200-page titles through April 15. Volume III is extra special, including a short story by Lovina’s daughter Susan, and one by Elizabeth Eicher. There are contributions from all members of the Eicher family.
To order these titles go to amishcookonline.com/books. Orders can also be placed by calling (513) 849-9158. Orders accepted by mail by sending checks for $85 to Oasis Newsfeatures, P.O. Box 2144, Middletown, Ohio 45042 (allow 2–4 weeks for delivery). Additional sets can be ordered for $70.
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