The Amish Cook By LOVINA EICHER Sons Benjamin, 9, and Joseph, 6, are home from school today. I debated on whether or not I should send them this morning. They had only a slight temperature. But I was afraid the school would send them home even if I sent them with a little fever. So I kept them home, but they sure aren't acting sick now and are as lively as ever. They keep asking if they can go outside and make snowmen. Before the snow struck, we finally got most of our leaves raked up Saturday afternoon. It was a nice day and the temperatures reached the 40s. The children laid a canvas onto the ground and we raked the leaves on top of it. They pulled it to the garden and emptied it there. The children made quite a few trips back and forth and had fun while doing the work. I enjoyed spending the time outside raking leaves. It is refreshing to get outside away from the cooking, cleaning, and doing laundry.

Sunday morning when we awoke we were glad we had raked the leaves. It was snowing and the ground is now covered with several inches. We had a little sleet so it was icy, making the children's sleds pull real easy. The children spent a lot of the day outside making snowmen and pulling each other around on the sleds. It wasn't our Sunday to go to church, and with Joe still battling a bad cough we decided to stay home instead of visiting another church district. After everyone was done outside, Joe and I helped the oldest girls practice their German, helping them read out of a German Bible. It is always such a blessing to be able to read God's own words. (Editor's Note: The Amish speak a dialect of German at home as their first language. Also, the Old Order Amish hold church services every other Sunday. On the Sunday they don't have church, they are encouraged, but not required, to attend services in neighboring communities).

A few cars lost control and ended up in the ditch by our house yesterday. Roads were very icy in some places. We were thankful to hear that nobody was hurt from those incidents. Daughter Verena, 10, thinks she should warn the school bus driver about the slippery spots on the roads. I told her I'm sure he knows to be careful. Verena went outside before the bus was due to arrive and came back in to tell us she thinks there are deer tracks on the porch steps. Joe and I went out to investigate and discovered it was only our dog Rover's tracks. Joe didn't get too much deer-hunting done this past week since he is still not feeling well.

I hope everyone had a safe and happy Thanksgiving Day. We have entered December already. It is hard to believe we are in the last month of 2008. On Thanksgiving Day we just had a relaxing time staying at home and being with family. On Friday, however, we went over to sister Emma's house so Joe could help her husband Jacob put vinyl siding on their new building. We left in our horse-drawn buggy for Emma's around 6 a.m. and when we arrived we prepared a meal of "breakfast burritos." Then the men went out and finished working while Emma and I prepared a 21-pound turkey for a middle of the day meal. I stuffed the turkey with dressing before putting it in the oven. We also had mashed potatoes, gravy, corn, potato salad, cheese, and homemade bread. For dessert Emma and I baked apple and pecan pies. Cinnamon rolls and chocolate and vanilla pudding were also on the menu.

A reader in Shamokin Dam, Pennsylvania asked me for my meatloaf recipe. This is one I use frequently with good results.

Homemade Meatloaf

1-1 /2 pounds of ground beef

1 /2 pound of bulk sausage

2 eggs

1 cup of quick oats

1 medium onion, chopped

1 /4 cup milk

1 /2 teaspoon pepper

1-1 /4 teaspoon salt

1 /3 teaspoon celery salt

1 /2 tablespoon chili powder

1 /2 cup catsup

Preheat oven to 325. In a large mixing bowl mix all ingredients together except for the catsup. Shape into a round loaf and place in a 8 X 8 inch square pan. Brush a good coat of catsup on loaf. Bake covered at 325 for 45 minutes and then uncover and bake 15 to 20 minutes longer.

Lovina Eicher, 37, is an Old Order Amish homemaker who lives with her husband and eight children in rural Michigan. For more information about Amish cooking and culture, visit amishcookonline.com. Readers with culinary or cultural questions can write Lovina at: Lovina Eicher, Oasis Newsfeatures, PO BOX 2144, Middletown, Ohio.

To join The Amish Cook Friend Club: ONE-YEAR SILVER $25; name card, signed 8 by 10 color photo of the Eicher's horse and buggy or meal-time scene. Free access to any paid products at amishcookonline.com. ONE YEAR GOLD $50; all of the above, plus a quarterly newsletter, "The Amish Cook Extra," with family favorite recipes, color photos of Lovina's home, stories and Amish information. EDITOR'S CIRCLE $75; All of the above, plus a happy birthday card from Lovina sent to the home of one loved one per year and an invitation to the editor's picnic next spring with the Eichers in attendance. Memberships must be received by November 15 to receive invitation to picnic. Memberships can be sent to: Oasis Newsfeatures, P.O. Box 2144, Middletown, 45042. Readers can also join with credit card by calling 1-877-571-4112 24 hours, 7 days. Please note if your membership is for a Christmas gift

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