EDITOR'S DISCUSSION POINTS: I love the maturity of faith that is found even among the youngest of Amish. Susan seems steadfast in her faith and has no qualms about sharing it with us. And I think she does an articulate, great job in writing the column this week! What do you think?
THE AMISH COOK
BY SUSAN EICHER
I hope all you readers are doing great. This is Susan, Lovina's second oldest daughter and I am 16 years old. Last week I decided that I wanted to write the column since my brothers and sisters will be home on Friday and Monday, which is their mid-winter break. Mom usually writes her column on Monday mornings, but I thought that with all of the children being home it might be extra noisy and busy. So I thought I'd give her some help by writing the column! I am not much of a writer, but I will try my best.
I just came inside after working with Minnie. Minnie is a miniature pony which I am training for a family in our church. The family has three little boys. I want to tame Minnie so that they will be able to drive her. Minnie is a very small pony but she is strong. She pulls our little pony wagon without a problem. I really enjoy working with her so it will be hard to see her go back to her owners after she is fully trained. Minnie is the second pony that I have trained. Our minature pony, Tiger, was the first. Tiger is a bigger kind of a miniature pony. He is a stallion and was a lot harder to train than Minnie. He is also a lot more stubborn and not as gentle as Minnie. I would not trust Tiger around children like I do Minnie. Every pony or horse has a different attitude. I learned that real fast after I was kicked in the leg by our big mare Ginger one time. It scared me very much and taught me to always be careful because a horse can hurt you. I really enjoy working with ponies and horses. It is my most favorite hobby. My dream is to have a big horse ranch someday. It might never happen but it does not hurt to dream. God has a plan for everyone and it might not be what we want. I want to accept whatever His plan is for me. PHOTO CAPTION: LOOK HOW TINY MINNIE IS! SUSAN IS ENJOYING WORKING WITH HER!
I will try to write about something else but talking about horses is always a favorite topic for me. Sometimes I help my younger brothers Benjamin and Joseph throw hay down from the hay loft. One time after I hadn't been up to the loft in awhile Joseph told me "we don't need a flashlight." I told him "yes, we do because there are small holes in the floor in some parts of the loft." I told him if we don't have a light we could fall and hurt ourselves. Our hay loft doesn't have windows so it is sort of dark even in the daylight. Joseph said it is easy to see the holes because you can see the daylight shining up through the floor.
I was a little doubtful but followed Joseph up the ladder without a flashlight to the hay loft. It was pretty dark up there but Joseph acted like he knew his way around pretty good so I stayed close behind him. Benjamin wasn't up there yet. Meanwhile, Joseph took off and I lost track of where he was. I stopped in my tracks not sure where all the holes were. Then I heard something behind me so I called for Joseph. I screamed as someone grabbed me from behind, it was Benjamin. Turns out that Benjamin had snuck up there in the dark to scare me. They sure had a good laugh about it. When I work with my little brothers I never know what they are going to come up with.
Older Sister Elizabeth is at her babysitting job today. Mom is sewing and I am getting ready to bake a batch of chocolate chip cookies. It is Monday now already and Mom is enjoying the break from writing the column, but she will be back next week. She let us all sleep in since the children are home from school today. She had breakfast burritos ready for us when we woke up.
The recipe I'll share is what I usually fix when I have to make breakfast for my family. I usually triple it for our size family.
FRENCH TOAST
2 eggs
1 /2 cup milk
1 teaspoon sugar
1 /4 teaspoon vanilla
1 /2 teaspoon cinnamon
2 tablespoons butter
6 pieces of bread
Combine first 5 ingredients and stir with whisk. Coat skillet with butter. Dip bread into the egg mixture just enough to coat. Fry in a skillet until golden on both sides.
Tammy
Susan, you did a great job! Thank you for sharing about the pranks of your brothers for I'm sure they are a handful, but I'm sure it's great having brothers. I also enjoyed reading about Minnie and I hope you can write some more about her training. You do your mom's column proud. God bless the Eicher Family.
Magdalena
I love the little pony - I would like to have one of my own!
Vicki
Susan, you did a great job on the column. I enjoyed hearing about your brothers pranks and your horse training. I, too, have younger brothers, and they were ALWAYS a bother. 60 years later they still are, but I am still thankful for them. I also helped train horses when I was younger. I trained cow ponies and quarter horses to ride. I loved it! Good luck in your training and your dreams.
Ingrid
What a great column, Susan. You did a lovely job. I think you have a great dream. But you are right that God has a plan for each of us and that might be different that what we think. You are a lucky girl to get to train pony's! Minnie sure is a cutie!!
Connie
You've done a wonderful job writing your moms column for her this week and I am sure she is grateful for the respite.
The way you described training the miniature horses I could almost visualize it in my minds eye. Your brothers pulling pranks on you is so typical of brothers and I must say, they really will keep them up as adults. It is such fun I think.
I look forward to reading more from you in the future.
God bless,
Connie
Gary
Susan,
You have a real talent for writing! You must get that from your mom. You write just like people talk and that's the key to writing that so many young authors forget. Keep writing and don't forget to ask your mom if you can fill in for her every now and then. God bless you!
Gary
Eva
You know, you might be able to author a book about your life! It would be true & very interesting! Maybe Kevin could help you get started. The reason I love the "Amish Cook" is because I know it is true. It's something to think about if your faith allows for you to do something like that.
Heather
Wow Susan. What a wonderful offer of helping your Mother with this weeks column....a great job! I enjoyed the story of your younger brother's playing a trick on you. That was funny. I also enjoyed the comparison between the 2 ponies. Being a horse lover, I do understand your desire to train horses and one day own a large horse ranch. I hope God's plan for you is one working with horses, you have a natural talent.
Wendy
Susan, you're wrong! You're a very good writer. Keep it up!
I used to dream about having a big horse farm too, but God had a different plan for me. I was blessed with my own horse for four years - I have lots of wonderful memories of her.
(One of these days you'll have to pull a trick on your little borthers - won't they be surprised.)
Priscilla Norman
Sure enjoyed your article. Great to hear from a young pint of view. Sharing it with my granddaughter,she loves anything relating to horses. Love your words of caution about being very careful around them. Thanks.
Christine
You did a very good job in writing the column this week for your mother. You girls write so well that I can picture the scenes as if I am right there. Keep up the good work.
By the way, it isn't only brothers who pull pranks, older sisters do too.
Audrey Deming
Congratulations Susan, You did a great job on the column. I don't think I could do that. I know what you mean about little brothers, I had 2. One has passed away now, but we had lots of fun growing up in the country in Michigan. Keep up the good work. Audrey
Kathleen
Great job Susan! Reading about your dreams, your brothers and horse training was very interesting and made for a happy Monday! God bless you and your family.
Genieva Wright`
A great job writing . Keep it up. I really enjoyed hearing about your dream of having a horse farm. Dreams do come true.
sue Kerns
Enjoyed your Column, nice to give your mother a break from writing once in a while.
Mary Lehan
You are a talented young lady who any mother would be proud to have as a daughter. It is always fun, for me, to read about the Amish people and their experiences. Any child who has grown up
on a farm knows the benefits of doing so is beneficial.
Learning to cook is also a great benefit. Since I love to cook I know how much fun it can be when given the chance. Cooking is
a way in which to share a part of who God has made me to be. Continue to share your talents with others. You are definitely Blessed. And THANK YOU
Helen Christensen
Susan you did a wonderful job on the column. Enjoyed hearing about the miniature pony and your training of Minnie. Brothers can be such a tease. Your French toast recipe sounds real good and will have to try it. God bless you and your family.
Linda Clark
It would be a difficult to decide who is more blessed. Susan for having such a good Mother and raising such a fine daughter or Lovina for being blessed with such a gifted young lady as Susan. Such a pleasure it is to get to know the Eicher family, each with a special gift. Good luck Susan with your dreams and also those little brothers!
Dennis Agin
Susan, you did a great job, hope you write more.
Kevin
Good to see you on the site, Dennis, glad you enjoyed the column!
Dorothy Shaulis
I greatly enjoyed reading your column Susan! Your mom should be proud of you. I enjoyed hearing about Minnie and your brothers and their pranks. I have three brothers and we still tease and play pranks on each other even though we are all grown up and have children of our own. Keep up the good work and I'm sure you'll be helping with the column again sometime soon.
Donna Goulet
You did an excellent job Susan. I enjoy reading about your family every week. You are a good writer and a blessing to your family.
Good luck with your dream.
Phil Coates
Good job!! It looks like good writing skills are just one of the gifts that God keeps passing down through your family.
Diane Adelstone
Dear Susan,
I wouldn't worry about your writing skills if I were you. You have a very bright, sensitive and wonderful simplistic style whom many readers admire and enjoy.
I don't know if you believe this, living in a closed society, but there are other very dedicated Christians outside who really love the Lord and believe on Him. They love the scriptures, study them and take them quite literally. Narrow is the way, though. We are to be not only hearers of the gospel and the Word of God, but doers in our lives. Not always perfectly, but we get back on track if we falter by confession, repentance and God's forgiveness. I admire your faith in Christ and the Bible. It is the only solid ground we have! God bless you as you obey the Lord.
Sincerely,
Diane
tink2034
Susan, great job this week! How nice of you to give your mother a break from writing. I thoroughly enjoy your column here in Somerset PA, I look forward to reading it every week.
Hearing about your farm life is wonderful. I never grew up on a farm, but always had hogs, cows, chickens, etc. It was a wonderful experience. I look back now on my childhood and think that it was an exceptional childhood. Alot of children dont get a chance to have those experiences. Keep up the good work and thank you for all the wonderful recipes you all post, they are amazing. God Bless, Tinker
Victoria Bell
I enjoyed reading your adventures with your family. I plan to try your French Toast recipe. It is different from mine and sounds very good.Keep up the good work.
Sugar Maple Gal
SUSAN DID A GREAT JOB!!! I ENJOYED READING THE COLUMN VERY MUCH. LOVINA WILL HAVE A GOOD REPLACEMENT IF SHE DECIDES TO RETIRE. CARRYING ON A WONDERFUL TRADITION!!!
Darlene Mease
Susan you did a great job of writing this weeks column fo your mother and left us know how much you enjoy training Minnie. Keep up the great work along with giving us another great recipe!
Mona G.
Susan did a great job on her mother's column and I love her French Toast recipe and will make it for my granddaughter the next time she sleeps over...thanks Susan you will be a great cook like Kevin says your mom is and he is always talking about her chocolate chip cookies.....hope she makes some for Kevin's next contest and hope I win them 🙂
Laura Tremain-Forbes
Susan, you did a wonderful job writing for your mother this week! And your French Toast recipe is very similar to mine...so I know it is a good one! You have a real talent for describing your work with horses as well as the mischief your brothers pull. Great job and I look forward to seeing future articles by you.
don
Susan you did an EXCELLENT job in writing the letter. Your method of writing is very engaging, kind of like being there and its a conversation. Have you considered writing a Children's Book about Minnie?, with photo's as you train her. Great letter. don.