A long day with a lot of good food to eat

We had a beautiful day when church services were held here Sunday beginning at 9 a.m. We ended up with a very large attendance due to these being baptismal services. I think there might have been around 275 people. Church lasted for about 2 1 /2 hours and afterwards we served a lunch consisting of homemade wheat and white bread, bologna, cheese spread, peanut butter spread, dill and freezer pickles, sliced tomatoes, red beets, strawberry jam, butter, hot peppers, cookies, coffee and tea. We had five tables set up so we could serve many in one setting. Every table sets about 16 people at once. I also made a big pot of noodles for the little ones to eat. Our services and all the lunch was held in our basement.
    In the evening we invited some families to come back for a "haystack supper" – a layered meal of hamburger, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, onions and other garden goodies. Along with that, I also made a fruit mixture of watermelon, muskmelon and grapes to serve. And for dessert I made chocolate and vanilla cakes, and offered ice cream. It was a long day and we were all ready for bed that night.
    The next morning, Labor Day, we went over to Jacob and Emma's to help them with some work. Joe helped on the building they are in the process of putting up and the girls and I assisted Emma in preparing dinner for all the workers. We had a delicious meal of barbecued chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy, corn, tossed salad, tomatoes, cheese, homemade bread and butter and lots of desserts. By late afternoon the men had the trusses set. Joe helped Jacob again Friday evening and Saturday getting the doors framed in and plywood for the roof. Jacob's plan to have church services in this building which they will have in three weeks and, again, in five weeks. They skipped their turn last time so they will take it twice this round.
    Meanwhile, five of our children are back in school now completing their first week. Elizabeth, 14, is here at home now being home-schooled for eighth grade, which will be her final year. Six-year-old Joseph seems tired when he comes home as he goes to full-day kindergarten. Our youngest child, Kevin, had his third birthday, Sept 2. We had cake and ice cream. I put three candles on his cake but he refused to blow out the candles. He acted like he was scared of them but we had plenty of volunteers to blow them out for him.
     This is the big week for my editor, Kevin, and his fiancée, Rachel, as they will join hands together as one on September 14. We wish them God's most richest blessings as they start a new life together. Our prayers are that they will have a long and happy married life together.
    We had the following oven omelet for our Sunday breakfast. I made sausage gravy to put on top of it, which was very delicious. Joe liked it so I sent the leftovers with him to work today.

OVEN OMELETTE
2 medium onions, diced
2 cups shredded cheese of your choice
1 package of diced dried beef
8 eggs, beaten
1 cup milk
seasoning of your choice to taste

    Place a layer of onions, cheese, and beef in a buttered 9 X 13 pan. Beat eggs, add seasonings and milk and pour over other layers. Bake at 325 or until eggs are set at about 30 minutes. I used green peppers, mushrooms and bacon in mine also.
    The Amish Cook column still needs more readers to enroll in the Friend Club. ONE-YEAR SILVER $25; name card, signed 8 X 10 color photo of the Eicher's horse and buggy or meal-time scene.  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. ANGEL'S CLUB: People can set their own membership amount above $75 and receive all of the above, plus a special thank you from Lovina. 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.