Birthdays, buttons and a good use for those zucchinis
Lovina Eicher
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
By Lovina Eicher
Syndicated Columnist
Life is back in full swing again after my husband Joe recently went back to work after vacation.
Plus, our five oldest children leave everyday for 2 1/2 to 3 hours of swimming lessons.
Elizabeth is catching on fast and can swim short distances. I know even a good swimmer can drown but I feel safer knowing they can swim.
I never learned to swim and that makes me more scared of deep water. Joe sometimes takes the children fishing on his boat. Even though they wear life jackets, I’ll be more relaxed knowing they can swim.
We continue to celebrate birthdays this month. On Saturday, July 14, we marked Benjamin’s 8th birthday and on July 24 it was Joseph’s turn. Joe and I celebrated our 14th anniversary on July 29. The years fly by and it is hard to believe we already have been married that long.
I finally got a card out to sister Leah and Paul’s son Ben, age 24. He had spent a few days in the hospital for pancreatitis. I haven’t heard too much about how he is getting along, but I hope he is improving.
We were invited to Brother Amos and Nancy’s daughter Susan’s wedding on Thursday, July 26. This is the third of Dad and Mom’s grandchildren to get married. I’ve tried to answer some recent reader mail in today’s column. A reader asked what kind of sewing machine I use. It is a treadle sewing machine, which has a variety of stitches. I can also make button holes or sew buttons.
A reader also asked if the Amish are allowed to have buttons on their clothes. Yes, depending on which community a person lives. In the one we moved from, the men and boys had snaps or hooks and eyes on their shirts, but not buttons.
Here in this community and all the surrounding Amish communities, the men and boys have buttons on their shirts. We don’t have zippers in this community. Instead, we put buttons on the men’s and boys’ pants so there are always plenty of buttons that need sewed on. A reader was puzzled about why her dandelion green salad tastes bitter. Always use dandelion greens that do not have the flowers yet, otherwise they will taste bitter. The best dandelion greens are the first ones you see coming through the soil. Hopefully, next spring, this tip will solve your problem and you will enjoy them as much as we do. I also wanted to clarify for those readers who asked about my strawberry freezer jam recipe. The jam can be stored in the freezer for up to a year. You also can use the fruit of your choice with the same recipe for a different flavor of jam. As I wind up this letter I would like to once again thank you readers for your encouraging letters and also the birthday cards. They were all greatly appreciated. It is your encouragement that gives me the strength to take time out of my busy life to write this letter each week. May God bless you dearly.
Here is another great way to use up your zucchinis if your gardens are producing as much as ours are. It is also something easy to make and our family loves them.
ZUCCHINI PATTIES
3 cups peeled and shredded
zucchini
3 eggs
salt to taste
Just before you’re ready to start frying, mix together the above three ingredients. Drop by tablespoon onto a preheated, buttered frying pan. Mash and shape into patties and fry until golden brown on each side. Top with a slice of cheese and serve. We like to eat these like this or also on a sandwich with lettuce, tomato and onions.
Free cookbook special
“The Best of The Amish Cook, Vol. 1,” “Best of The Amish Cook, Vol. 2,” “The Amish Cook Treasury” and “The Amish Cook’s Family Favorites” each contain approximately 200 pages with plenty of recipes and stories. The set of four can be purchased for a sale price of $65. Normally, a set runs $100. Additional sets now cost just $50. The special offer ends Sept. 1, and all past and current orders will be filled by Sept. 15. Send orders to: Oasis Newsfeatures, P.O. Box 2144, Middletown, OH 45042 or call toll-free at (877) 583-2059.
All books are packed with facts, stories and tidbits about Amish life, along with plenty of recipes. In appreciation to readers for their support through the years, anyone who orders a full set of cookbooks will receive, via FedEx, a free copy of “The Amish Cook Family,” a colorful and photo-filled coffeetable cookbook, which will be released in late fall 2007.
Anyone with questions about the sale or books can contact Amish Cook editor Kevin Williams directly at kwilliams@oasisnewsfeatures.com.