We have entered the final month of 2024. There’s just enough snow on the ground to be able to say “We have snow!” The roads are probably icy though.

With the temperatures staying in the 20s, I think we can say winter weather is here to stay.

Daughter Susan is bringing her three boys here while she takes Jennifer, 6, to the eye doctor. She didn’t pass the eye exam in school.

I remember when we had six children wearing glasses. It was a job just making sure they didn’t forget them or lose them. Now only three of our children need them. The others are fine without glasses for now.

We had a great trip to the Smoky Mountains.

Joe and I took the tram up to Ober Mountain one day. While up there we took a ride on the chairlift. It was very nice, but we were cold by the time we were back in our motel in Gatlinburg.

We also went to Pigeon Forge a few times. There was so much to see, but I think the highlight of our trip was seeing a bear close to our motel when we came back one night.

I have seen bears before, but to be only 20 to 30 feet away from one on the loose was exciting.

Ryan and Curtis are watching me write and are asking me questions. Sweet little boys are just being typical 5-year-olds.

They see that I have some gifts wrapped already and are telling me what they would like. Of course, Ryan wants a hat … a black hat! Curtis wants a cup and a book and little toy people. The two little boys are walking around wearing Benjamin’s and Kevin’s hats.

I made the boys grilled cheese for their lunch. They wanted cookies, too.

This is now later in the day. Susan is back, and Jennifer is okay for now to go without glasses. I’m sure that made Susan happy to not have an added expense with the factories having a few weeks off over the holidays.

On Friday, I will go with Kevin to his appointment in Ann Arbor. I hope the roads will be okay weather-wise for the two-hour drive.

Friday evening, Joe and I plan to attend the Christmas dinner at his employer’s house. All the Metal & Truss workers will be there.

We are always served a delicious meal. We will miss not having brother Albert and Sarah Irene among the guests.

Nephew Steven is slowly gaining strength and has an appointment in Ann Arbor on Thursday. Daughter Lovina and Daniel are making a “sunshine box” of items for him to enjoy.

Joe’s sister Susan had surgery again. I haven’t heard how she is doing since.

Cancer is such a dreadful disease. God is above all, and may he give her strength to go on.

Our community is saddened as a 10-year-old boy will be laid to rest Friday.

He was killed yesterday morning while biking to school with his sister and two neighbors, not far from his home. Our sympathy goes to the family. May God help them through this trial in life.

It was four years Dec. 9 since our son-in-law Mose was in an accident.

The driver Dan was killed instantly and Mose lived for five days although he never was conscious after the accident. He died Dec. 14.

We have become great friends with Dan’s wife Jodi. She misses him so much. Let us pray for each other.

God bless!

Turtle Candy

Ingredients

2 cups sugar

2 cups heavy cream, divided

3/4 cup light corn syrup

1/2 cup butter

1/8 teaspoon salt

4 1/2 cups (1 pound) pecan halves

2 (12-ounce) packages milk chocolate chips, melted

Directions

In a 3-quart saucepan, combine sugar, 1 1/2 cups of the heavy cream, corn syrup, butter, and salt. Cook and stir over medium-high heat until boiling. Slowly add remaining 1/2 cup heavy cream. (Keep mixture boiling.) Cook, stirring occasionally, until mixture reaches 244 degrees Fahrenheit (firm ball stage). Pour mixture over pecans. Cut into pieces or mold into shapes, then dip in chocolate.

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.