It's a beautiful Monday evening here at Eicher Farm.
It was a very sunny day, so it was a good day to do laundry. There was a solar eclipse today. How amazing is God's creation! The temperature reached 72 degrees. Our rhubarb plants are growing very well. You should be able to use it eventually. Asparagus is peeking out.
Tonight, I made a salad of dandelion leaves with steamed potatoes, bacon, and cheese. I always look forward to that meal in the spring. I could already see some yellow flowers on the green dandelion, but the green has become too bitter. Young and tender vegetables are best, and there are still plenty of them.
Since we weren't able to spend Easter together this year, the whole family came here for lunch yesterday. We hid some eggs for the kids. They enjoy it every year. We have 12 grandchildren ranging in age from 5 months to 7 years old. All of them are very valuable. May God continue to keep His protective hand over them as we depart into an unknown future.
Our family was once again reminded of the importance of health. Her brother Albert, 59, is in the hospital with stage 4 colon cancer. What a shock for him, his family, and all of us.
Albert worked in a metal shop with her husband Joe. Even though he was working full time, he had no idea what was happening to his body. He underwent surgery and his doctors removed two feet of his colon, but his colon had spread to other areas as well. Time will tell, but we hope his body goes into remission from the scheduled chemotherapy. God knows our future and we trust Him to lead the way.
The day Albert was taken to the ER was also the day I took my son Benjamin to the same ER. Benjamin slipped the nail gun out of his hand and the 3 1/2-inch nail stuck in his foot. He ended up near his femur.
Doctors performed surgery to remove the nail the next day. While Benjamin was undergoing surgery, I visited his younger brother Albert before he was transferred to a larger hospital. Benjamin is scheduled to have his stitches removed on Thursday. Benjamin broke his leg last fall, took 10 weeks off, and is currently undergoing another surgery.
Sisters Verena and Emma, Joe and I spent Easter Sunday with Albert and Sarah Irene at the hospital. It was a pleasure to visit with them. They need a lot of encouragement. Life looks very dark for them right now. Keep them in your prayers.
Friday night Joe and I and our sons Benjamin and Kevin visited Albert again. He looked weak from the surgery.
Tomorrow, my daughter Loretta and I will be helping my daughters Susan and Irvin bring hot lunches to the students at Caitlin's school. I think Susan said she had 30 students at her school. I think Caitlin would love for all of us to come.
Our lawn is completely green and spring flowers are starting to bloom. A happy spring to everyone, and God bless you all!
Dandelion sour cream salad
This is a recipe for boiling dandelions with your favorite homemade sour cream. However, the sour cream portion can also be used for other seasonal vegetables. This sour cream is best served with freshly picked lettuce and endive. Homemade ham also goes well. Unused sour cream can be refrigerated for up to 2 days.
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 cup apple cider vinegar
2 1/2 cups whole milk
salt (optional)
4 diced boiled eggs
4 cups stuffed with young dandelion leaves
Combine mayonnaise, vinegar, milk, and salt in a quart jar. Shake until smooth. Place the eggs and dandelion leaves in a large bowl and pour the sour cream mixture over them. Serves 4 to 6 people.
The author of Lovina's Amish Kitchen Lovina Eicher Old Order Amish writer, cook, wife, and mother of eight children. Her latest cookbook, “Amish Family Recipes,” is available wherever books are sold. Readers may write to Eicher at Lovina's Amish Kitchen, PO Box 234, Sturgis, MI 49091 (please include a stamped, self-addressed envelope for return).or by email LovinasAmishKitchen@MennoMedia.org Your message will be passed to her and read. She does not respond to her emails personally.
