The last few days have been rainy. The many, many leaves that have not been picked up are now matted to the wet grass. It will be more of a challenge to use the leaf blower now.

Joe started the coal stove on Saturday. I think it happens every year that as soon as we have the coal stove going, it warms up. The temperature has been in the 60s since. It won’t last long, I’m sure, but for now we have the windows open to let some heat out.

Saturday, Joe and I drove to town with our horse Midnight and the buggy. We had a table at the Christmas bazaar to sell my cookbooks. I also baked 24 loaves of bread Friday to take along to sell. I felt like I didn’t have time to be sitting there all day, but needless to say, my work was still all here when I came home.

The rest of the family went to help daughter Elizabeth and Tim with framing in walls for bedrooms in their garage and putting in newer windows. With it getting colder they are so eager to get out of their house since the windows need to be shut more often.

Our whole family except Susan and Ervin attended church Sunday in a neighboring church district. We all went in honor of daughter Verena’s special friend Daniel. He started following instructions in preparation for baptism.

The attached garage was filled with many visitors. The young couple who hosted church has everything handicap accessible since he is paralyzed and is in a wheelchair.

With our three children in mobility scooters and sister Emma’s sons also in scooters, plus three more there with wheelchairs, it was a challenge to make enough room for everyone for the service.

Andrea, 2, fell asleep on me just before church services ended. Denzel (Dustin and Loretta), 2, sat with me for a short time. He loves shaking hands with the ministers, and he also likes to sing. While he was sitting with Grandpa Joe, I had to smile when we were done with a song and Denzel’s little voice was still singing solo.

When my grandchildren all come here they like to play “church.” I have four little church benches and they will sit on there. They put a few chairs facing the benches for the ministers. Curtis (Ervin and Susan), 5, always wants to be the minister. He stands there and preaches! I love sitting back and watching them, and it is just so cute to see them imitate what they see.

So we always need to be good examples for these little innocent children. They are watching us closer than we realize.

Treasure your loved ones. God did not promise how long our stay here on Earth is. May his many blessings be yours!

Caramel Apple Cider

¼ cup heavy cream

¼ cup brown sugar

3 cups apple cider

½ cup water

Bring cream and brown sugar to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir in cider and water, heating just until cider begins to steam. Divide into 4 cups or mugs and top serving with 2 tablespoons of caramel whipped cream topping (recipe follows).

Caramel Whipped Cream Topping

½ cup heavy cream

1 tablespoon brown sugar

In a small bowl that has been chilled in the freezer or refrigerator, whip the heavy cream with brown sugar until soft peaks form.

Lovina’s Amish Kitchen is written by Lovina Eicher, Old Order Amish writer, cook, wife and mother of eight who lives in southeastern Michigan. Readers can write to Eicher at Lovina’s Amish Kitchen, P.O. Box 234, Sturgis, MI 49091 (include a self-addressed stamped envelope for a reply); or email LovinasAmishKitchen@MennoMedia.org and your message will be passed on to her to read. She does not personally respond to emails.