Amish Community Reflects on Winter’s Grip adn Anticipates Spring’s Return
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Despite a lingering forecast of six more weeks of winter, a close-knit Amish community in Michigan is finding solace in family, faith, and the promise of warmer days ahead. The reflections, shared by local writer Lovina Eicher in her column “Lovina’s Amish Kitchen,” offer a glimpse into the rhythms of rural life, marked by both the challenges of harsh weather and the joys of simple connections.
A Winter of Snow and Remembrance
February has arrived, bringing with it the annual tradition of Groundhog Day. According to Eicher, the prediction of continued winter weather – “six more weeks of winter” – is largely accepted, though the community remains resilient. “We have had a real winter so far with cold weather and lots of snow,” she writes, adding a hopeful note: “Maybe if we get it all at once we will have an early spring.”
The recent cold snap has provided ample possibility for family activities, notably sledding. Eicher recalls a time when her family owned horse-drawn sleighs,a cherished memory now tinged with regret. “My husband Joe said he now wishes we would have kept at least one,” she notes. Fortunately,her daughter Lovina and son-in-law Daniel’s horse,Buddy,has proven a capable substitute,demonstrating an almost uncanny awareness of his passengers’ safety.”When they fall off, he’ll stop and wait on them,” Eicher shares. “It’s like he knows that he has to go fast to throw them off, then stop.”
Birthdays and Loss Amidst the Cold
The community is also taking time to celebrate milestones, despite the weather.Several birthdays are being observed this week, including those of Joanna, a friend of Eicher’s son Benjamin, and her daughter-in-law Grace. Granddaughter Andrea will turn four on February 14th. Eicher extends heartfelt wishes for “many more happy healthy years ahead” to all.
However, the season of celebration is also marked by remembrance. Eicher poignantly acknowledges the birthday of her late son-in-law, Mose, stating simply, “You are gone but never forgotten dear Mose.” She also offers a special tribute to a close friend, Ruth, whose encouragement she credits with sustaining her writing.
Lovina’s Amish Kitchen: Carrot Cake Recipe
As the community finds comfort in familiar routines,Eicher shares a beloved recipe for carrot cake,a taste of home that embodies the warmth and resilience of amish life.
- Cake
- 3 eggs
- 2 cups sugar
- 3/4 cup oil
- 2 cups flour
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 cups carrots, peeled and grated
- 1/2 cup nuts, chopped
Beat eggs, sugar, and oil at medium speed until smooth. In a separate bowl, sift together flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt. Add egg mixture and mix until blended. Fold carrots and nuts into batter and stir until well blended. Pour into a greased and floured 9 x 13-inch baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in center of cake comes out clean. Cool.
Frosting
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- 1/4 cup butter, at room temperature
- 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
In a small bowl, mix cream cheese and butter until well blended. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. Spread over cooled cake.
The recipe, featured in Eicher’s cookbook, “the Essential Amish Cookbook,” offers a comforting taste of home as the community patiently awaits the arrival of spring. Eicher’s column, a testament to the enduring values of family, faith, and resilience, continues to offer readers a window into a unique way of life. Readers interested in connecting with Lovina Eicher can write to her at P.O. Box 234,Sturgis,MI 49091,or email [email protected].
