I'm trying to experiment with new, fun, interesting content on this website. Some stuff will work, some won't. I'm going to leave it up to all of you to tell me what you like and don't like. One of the new things I'm trying is teaming up with my sister-in-law, Jamee Diver, who is a versatile baker, cook, and homemaker in her own right, to bring you "The Almost Amish Kitchen." This occasional series (weekly, if you REALLY enjoy it:) will bring video demonstrations of how some of the Amish Cook's recipes are made and we'll also chat about some of the topics we discuss on here. Now to address the obvious: Lovina - The Amish Cook - can't participate in these videos. One of the very things that makes The Amish Cook so appealing - it's authenticity - also makes it a difficult brand to promote. Lovina's church, like most others, don't typically participate in projects that involve being photographed. But I'm hoping these videos are one way to sort of bring her recipes to life.
To watch our first episode, click here. Let us know what you think. And at very least, my nephew, Cooper, and niece, Reese, enjoyed the by-product of the video: cookies! That's them with Jamee below!
Thanks to Jamee's husband, Aaron, for watching the kids during the video and my wife Rachel for doing the behind the camera work. And the link to Park and Vine, the store we talk about, is here. And as always, I'm only discussing this business because I think it's neat, no one is paying me to promote (Lord know I wish someone were, if any business ever does, I will tell you in the interest of full disclosure)
Magdalena
Video doesn't work for those of us way out in the boonies. Not enough bandwidth.
Barb W.
Enjoyed the video, I think it is a nice addition. I love my Kitchen Aide, have had it for over 15 years.
Keneil
I enjoyed the video. I have a Kitchen Aid and would not want to do without it.
Howard
Pretty cool video, looking forward to future episodes. Kitchen-Aid-didn't think they were necessary until I got one, now I will never be without one. Keep up the good work everyone. PS-interesting to hear someone pronounce Lovina's name. To myself I always thought of it as sounding like Loveena.
Kevin
Thanks, Howard. And, yes, you are not alone...most people want to pronounce her name as "Loveena"., but the I is actually long!:)
Ric Dykstra
Recently I saw an Amish buggy at McDonald's. I was a bit surprised but delighted to see two Amish ladies seated inside, enjoying a burger!
As for the Amish Buggy, and using a triangle to warn other drivers of their presence-I support the use of the triangle! Recently a car ran into a buggy with a family in it. Sadly, the mother was killed . The buggy had a triangle on the back, but they were hit from the side. It was dark and the driver failed to see them in time to stop. If they only had a reflective triangle on the sides of the buggy, this might not have happened. Also, I think all Amish should have a phone in their sheds in case of an emergency! I,ve read that some Amish Communities are easy prey to robbers, who know they have no phones, and are therefore easy targets.
But, what I think is not important because I am not Amish!
Christine
I enjoyed the video very much. I have a Kitchen Aid also, brand new still in the box, circa 1970. Was a wedding present LOL. I just like to mix with either my hand mixer, which was also a wedding present, or by hand. And yes I use my hand mixer a lot.
Tiffanie
I'm going to watch this tomorrow, as it's midnight here. But I noticed you decided to do Pinterest!
Donna Reagan
You have to capture your audience in the first few minutes. The opening of a show is like the thesis of a paper, it is the promise between you and the audience: "the show is about this." What's all the Paula Deen stuff? I was ready to jump into a "broadcast" of a cooking show and I get your discussion of Paula Deen. Jeez. I did not watch past that beginning. The beginning should be, like a good country song, "the hook." You lost me.
Kevin
Donna, thanks for the feedback! I kind of like the "chat and cook" format, but we'll see what others say, maybe we'll just get straight into the cooking next time!
carolyn garrett
I totally agree with Donna in that the video lost me with all the news commentary. I love to listen to news about the Amish but it should be seperate from the cooking video. Who wants to listen about horse poop then cooking ??
Donna K Smith
I loved the video. I actually cut the recipe out of our Saturday paper and plan to make them this week. It is so nice to see you, though we have seen you on video's many times, which I think is nice. I am so admiring of the Amish folks. I think it takes a strong lady to be of the Amish community. They, to me have very hard lives, but seem to be happy lives.I had heard of the Amish community in Pennsylvania but knew nothing about them. I was able to make a trip to Pennsylvania, Lancaster, to see the Amish community and all that they do. I was so taken by them. Having been born in Portsmouth, Ohio, I never knew that we had Amish folks in different counties until I met a man in our church,here in Arkansas, almost twenty five years later, who was Amish, left the order at the age of 18 and continues to go around to other churches and give his speech about the Amish live. He told me that the biggest Amish community was there in Ohio. I was so surprised. I went back home to visit and on the way back home we stopped in Ravina and bought a beautiful turn table that you put on your kitchen table. It is beautiful.
I agree with another reader that they should have more than one triangle on their buggies and also maybe more lights. The buggies being dark and at night, it being dark, they are hard to see until sometimes it is to late and what a tragedy that would be
Thanks again Kevin for all you do and we love the Amish Cook articles. I can hardly wait for our Friday or Saturday paper to come so I can see what is happening with Lovina and her family. They sound like a great loving family.
Kevin
Donna,
Thanks so much for stopping by and we'll be doing more videos in the coming weeks. Are you the one that emailed me recently to say the Conway paper moved The Amish Cook to Saturdays???