We are having very beautiful weather with temperatures being in the 60s and 70s. It is so nice after having a stretch of some cold weather in October.
On Friday evening and Saturday we took advantage of the warm weather by raking up a lot of leaves in our yard. We have around 14 big trees in our front yard so the falling leaves add up fast. We usually rake the leaves onto two big tarps and the children pull them over to the garden where we then burn them. When everyone pitches in and helps it doesn't take long to get the job done.
On Saturday husband Joe and sons Joseph, 7, and Benjamin, 10, hauled all the manure out of the barn. Our neighbor came and hauled it over to his garden. That saved Joe the job of spreading it out in our fields. Right now our manure spreader needs to be repaired so that worked out well.
While the men and boys were out hauling manure, some of the girls were at the house washing the windows inside and out. While they were washing windows, daughter Elizabeth, 15, and I went into town with the horse and buggy to get groceries. It was nice because the weather allowed us to ride with the buggy windows and door open.
The neighbor who took the manure is also going to let Joe hunt deer in his woods again for this fall's hunting season. Joe really appreciates that as it is close by.
Joseph was unlucky when he went back to the woods with Joe. He caught poison ivy and it started to spread really fast. He is very allergic to it. When his one eye became swollen shut I decided it was time to take him to the doctor. The doctor gave him a shot and some antibiotics and the rashes are now leaving really fast. I kept him home from school for three days because the itching was really miserable. He was very excited to think about going hunting with Joe but I am not sure now if he should.
We went to church yesterday and because of the nice warm weather all the children enjoyed playing outdoors after church. Jacob, Emma and family then came by horse and buggy to our house after church services. It was such a beautiful day that they invited us back to their home for the evening supper. We took them up on the offer and went. Jacob grilled pork chops and steak and Emma made creamed potatoes. The children enjoyed being outside biking and playing in the leaves. We arrived back home around 9:30 p.m. It didn't take long for all the children to go to bed. They were all tired after a long Sunday.
This is Monday morning and it looks like another beautiful day.
Elizabeth is gathering the laundry with Kevin's help. He enjoys throwing it down to the basement through the floor vents. He always looks forward to noon when Lovina comes home from school.
The farmers across the road are taking off the corn and Kevin enjoys watching the big combine.
Apple Cinnamon Muffins
2&1/4 c. flour
1 T. baking powder
1/2 t. salt
1&1/2 t. cinnamon
1/2 c. sugar
1 egg, beaten
2/3 c. milk
1/2 c. vegetable oil
3&1/2 c. shredded raw apples
Combine first five ingredients in a bowl. Make a well in the center of the mixture. Combine egg, milk and oil. Add to dry ingredients. Stir until moistened. Stir in shredded apples. Spoon into greased muffin pans filling 3/4 full. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes. Makes 1 dozen.
Lovina Eicher is Old Order Amish. She hand-writes this column from her home in southern Michigan. Anyone with cultural or cooking questions can send them to: Lovina Eicher, The Amish Cook, P.O. Box 2144, Middletown, OH 45042. Read all of her columns online at www.record-eagle.com/amishcook.
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