Emporia 3rd so far in yodeling listening contest
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
EDITOR’S NOTE: So many Gazette readers have called to hear the Eicher family yodeling, that Emporia is in third behind only Hutchinson, Kansas and Harrisonburg, Virginia in percentage of calls. Whatever paper has the most readers call to hear the yodeling by March 31 will be visited by Lovina, her family, and editor for a fall book-signing. To hear the yodeling call toll-free at 1-877-571-4112. Cost is $3, additional for autographed collectors columns. The yodeling is a 3 minute “mini-concert”, consisting of a medley by Lovina and children, a duet by Joe and Lovina, and a short solo by Joe.
By Lovina Eicher
Syndicated Columnist
Several of our children have been battling sickness lately. Last Saturday evening we had all our church clothes prepared for everyone and laid out for Sunday morning services, as everyone appeared to be in good health and able to go. By Sunday morning, though, several of the children had come down with the flu. Joe and the four oldest girls ended up going to church while I stayed home to nurse the sick back to good health.
So far four of our children have some sort of flu or sickness. I’ll probably end up having to take them in to the doctor. I’m hoping it is just a flu that comes and goes quickly. There is a lot of sickness going around but so far we have been lucky.
It was a beautiful Sunday and the children who were still healthy enjoyed the great outdoors. Later in the evening Joe and I went for a walk which was refreshing after being in all day. Joe thought I should get out of the house for a while and get some fresh air. The walk sure seemed to lift my spirit.
We hope for a nice Monday to wash up all the bedding. It is always a mess when the children get sick during the night but that goes along with motherhood.
We did laundry on Saturday and had such a beautiful day to hang everything outside. How nice to be able to bring in most of it dry to fold and put right away.
Spring comes soon and these beautiful days give a person spring fever. I am getting anxious to get out and work in the soil and start planting. But I know to not rush it, though, until the frosts are done and the ground is thawed. Soon we will start seeing the early signs of spring. Rhubarb will be peeping through and Easter lilies should be coming up with the warmer days. Following those will come the dandelion greens, which we’ll use in plenty of salads. Yum!
On Good Friday the children and Joe will all be home. The children always enjoy coloring eggs so I have been saving all my white eggs from the hen-house. We usually do 10 dozen eggs every year. It is messy but the children enjoy it. We all love our boiled eggs so there are no problems in getting the eggs used up. They start eating the eggs that didn’t color the nicest or Lovina and Kevin’s cracked ones the minute they are done coloring. Sometimes I think the younger ones end up coloring their hands more than the eggs. These are all good memories that they will have in years to come. The joy of motherhood far outweighs the bad. With Easter coming let us remember what the holy day is all about.
An update on Baby Steven, he is gaining weight again and has been doing well since surgery. He is starting to sit up by himself now which is exciting to see.
Speaking earlier of doing this wash, this casserole is a favorite in this household on busy laundry days!
WASHDAY CASSEROLE
3 pounds of hamburger
3 onions, chopped
3 cups of potatoes, peeled and diced
3 cups of celery, diced
3 cups of cooked spaghetti
2 (10 3/4 ounce) cans of cream of mushroom soup
9 slices of bacon
1 (32 ounce) quart of tomato juice
1 pound of cheddar cheese, grated
Brown crumbled hamburger and onions in a pan. Drain and pour hamburger mix into large casserole or deep 9x13 inch baking pan. Add potatoes, celery, and spaghetti to casserole and mix lightly with hamburger. Pour mushroom soup on top and spread evenly. Fry bacon and lay on top. Pour tomato juice over this. Add cheese over that. Bake 1 1 /2 hours in 350 degree oven. Serves 10 to 12.