Lunch-buckets contain all sorts of goodies
THE AMISH COOK
BY GLORIA YODER
Hello from flat rock Illinois.
If you pop in at our house you can find me in full swing of motherhood. Seemingly my days fill up quite swiftly and I never have a lack of things to keep me busy. I have several sewing projects I'd like to tackle before spring work gets too intense. Sewing is something I've always enjoyed, but now with two little ones, I find it a bit challenging to get all of it done that I'd like. Julia needs a dress nor two and Austin needs a lightweight cap to keep the breeze out of his ears the spring.
Julia keeps growing up and learning new things. She spends a lot of time writing. When I sit down with my pen and paper, she's right there to join me. Recently when I asked her what she's writing her response was: “the column”
"And what are you writing about? "I quizzed
"I'm writing that I'm a big sister now!"
I couldn't help but smile. Yes, at three years old Julie is a wonderful big sister for her five-month-old brother Austin. He thrives on the love and attention she showers on him. It's quite obvious that he knows who she is and is partial to her as well.
Austin has a bit of a tough time the last several weeks with occasional fevers, earaches and a runny nose. He seems to be teething which may be the culprit. As a whole he's a very sunny little boy. His ready smiles brighten up his whole face and can't help but capture one's heart.
Today Julia and Austin and I plan to join my husband Daniel, who is teaching school next-door , for lunch.
Julia has a special reason to be excited. This morning I got her pink lunch-bucket out of storage for her to use at school. She was thrilled! I told her she can help me pack it. She plans to have meatball sub casserole, blanched carrots (a favorite of hers) fruit smoothie, cake and party mix. It's all packed, ready to go. She can hardly wait until it is time to leave. Finally I told her to go fetch the timer. I set it for 90 minutes and told her that once it rings, it'll be time for her to get ready to go to school. Of course for me the time seems to pass much more swiftly, especially if I have goals or deadlines to meet.
Right now Julie is standing with Austin by her side on the little bench inside the living room window. They loved being there watching the students during recess time. Julia came to me just now wondering why the timer didn't go “beep, beep” yet. I explain that she will have to wait a bit yet,
"I did wait! "she responded!
Life seems to require lots of patience, doesn't it? Especially so for three-year-olds!
Having daddy home from school on Saturdays is always a treat for us. Last Saturday afternoon Daniel brought the lawnmower out for the first time this spring. He didn't get very far until he ran into some complications with it. Julia sat beside me on the glider on the front porch where I was putting Austin to sleep and watching Daniel.
Julia and I felt sorry for him with the problems he was having with the mower so we decided to pray for him. Her prayer was so simple, so basic, yet so sincere. It was something like this: “Jesus, Daddy can't start the mower. Can you please help him? Thank you Jesus , Amen"
She was confident that the Lord heard her prayer and is going to answer according to His will. After a bit she jumped up, ran over to him and excitedly informed him "Daddy, we prayed for you! "
"That was kind of you " he said appreciatively as he knelt beside the mower and attempted to get it running once more.
"Do you want me to help you? " Julia wanted to know. “Can I help you? "She asked again, putting her arm around his neck.
"Jesus can help you fix it "she assured him
Faith from the heart of a child certainly is a motivator to me
The meatball sub casserole we had for lunches has been a hit at our house. A few years ago I served it church. Of course that took a mega amount, I had to make 3 ½ large roasters full. It is a good way to use up extra bread and is also very tasty and easy to make. Here is the recipe:
- 1 pound hamburger
- Half a cup onion
- salt-and-pepper
- One loaf homemade bread, sliced one-inch thick
- One 8 ounce package cream cheese or sour cream
- Half cup salad dressing
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 cups Mozzarella cheese or your favorite
- 20 ounces jar spaghetti or pizza sauce
- 1 cup water
- dash Garlic powder
- Fry hamburger, onions, salt and pepper.
- Set aside.
- Arrange bread in a 9 x 13 cake pan.
- Mix cream cheese, salad dressing and Italian seasoning.
- Spread over bread slices and top with 1 cup cheese.
- Mix spaghetti sauce, water and garlic powder; mix with hamburger.
- Pour this over cheese mixture.
- Top with rest of cheese bake at 350 for 30 minutes.
- Serves 12
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