The Amish Cook By LOVINA EICHER A brand new year has begun. Although the New Year always seems like a good time for resolutions it doesn't take a turn of a year to make some. We started our New Year's with our family gathering at our house. Since my dear parents are departed, our siblings take turns from youngest to oldest to host the annual gatherings. With the total having reached 69 it can seem a bit overwhelming to have everyone over, but it all proves worth the work. I know our parents would want to see us continuing the tradition. We always sing the New Year 's Song at each gathering which was done as far as I can in my mother's family. We would go to my grandparents and sing the New Year's Song every New Year's Day. My maternal grandparents would always have all their grandchildren home on New Year's Day for their annual Christmas gathering. Then my parents kept on with the tradition and always had us children and families home on New Year's Day.

Mother would always want us to all come home for breakfast too. We would all start gathering as early as 5:30 a.m. with some of us going to Mom and Dad's on New Year's Eve. Breakfast would always consist of fried eggs, potatoes, bacon, ham, sausage, cheese, toast, juice, coffee, tea, some desserts and many more things. I remember mother standing by the kerosene stove frying pan after pan of eggs. We would help but she would always want us to sit down and eat. They would have tables set up with enough seats for the entire family. It seems like mother could never relax to sit down and eat until she saw that everyone had enough food. I got that feeling too when I had the gathering here. It seems you just aren't as hungry as when you go somewhere else.

Everyone gathered here by 9:15 a.m. on New Year's morning. Sister Emma and Jacob and family and Susan and Verena came on New Year's Eve to help peel potatoes and clean and cut up 60 pounds of chicken. They also spent New Year's Eve night here. Their help was greatly appreciated.

Joe and Jacob started grilling the chicken around 8 a.m. They tried to put the grills on the side of the house with the least wind. The temperature was 20 degrees but the wind made it seem quite a bit colder. The menu for our big noon meal consisted of barbecued chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy, noodles, dressing, mixed vegetables, corn, tossed salad, pasta salad, vegetables and dip, cheese, homemade bread, pickles, hot peppers, a fresh fruit mixture, pies, cakes, puddings, bars, cookies, and other desserts.

After dishes were washed away, singing was done. Plus some games were played and of course, visiting. Everyone was present except three nephews. Nine-week old baby Amanda was even present. This is brother Amos's granddaughter. Born prematurely, she has spent a lot of her short life in the hospital. She is still on a heart monitor but looks very alert. She had another short hospital stay recently.

Everyone also brought snacks to enjoy in the afternoon. Along with that I also served homemade root beer floats. We had plenty of chicken left so I set it out for everyone to eat some before they started for home. Some families had a two hour journey back home. The next day was spent washing and putting away dishes, taking down tables and benches and mopping floors. I imagine by the next time it is our turn our family will have increased quite a bit more.

The children left for school a few minutes ago after a two week break. It sure seems quiet here. They were excited to go back since they will have their Christmas parties and gift exchange today. Their last day of school before vacation was cancelled due to snow.

Joe is still home for another week. He is eager to go back to work. I hope everyone will have a safe and healthy 2009! This is a recipe for homemade peanut brittle, which was one of the desserts enjoyed at our New Year's gathering.

Homemade

Peanut Brittle

2 cups sugar

1 cup light corn syrup

1 cup water

2 cups unsalted raw peanuts

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon butter

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Combine sugar, corn syrup and water in a heavy, medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until sugar dissolves. Cook to the soft-ball stage (235 degrees). Stir in peanuts. Cook, stirring constantly, for 7 or 8 minutes to the hard-crack stage (300 degrees).

Remove from heat and stir in baking soda, butter and vanilla. Stir well and pour into a shallow, greased 15- by 10-inch baking dish. Let cool completely, then break into pieces about the size of a playing card. Makes 15 to 20 pieces.

THANK YOU!

The Amish Cook column is now on much more sound ground. We owe the column's continuity to the support of readers and editors, and are humbled by the response in 2008 received through The Amish Cook Friend Club. Simply put, The Amish Cook column would not still be published if readers hadn't stepped in to save it. The Amish Cook Friend Club may be revived for a short time later this year. I think it's a good tool to annually involve readers in the column's continuity, but there will be no more week-after-week Friend Club pitches. As editor of the column, I'm mindful that the column wouldn't be here without the readers and I will strive to do everything in my power to keep Lovina's column coming, clean up any past messes, and just do the best job possible.

Thank you again,
Kevin Williams,
Amish Cook Editor

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