The Amish Cook By LOVINA EICHER What a surprise for the children to awaken to a white world! Overnight we received quite a few inches of snow. The trees make such a beautiful picture this morning with the thick layer of snow. Instead of having to rake the yard on spring break the children are enjoying making snowmen. The snow packs really nice making it easy for them to make the snowmen. I am really glad now that I didn't put away all their snowpants! I had already washed and put away all their thick gloves already which they started digging out this morning. Before breakfast the children had a few small snowmen made on our front porch. We have been having a difficult week with my husband Joe's 70-year-old Dad having been in the hospital for 10 days already.

Friday the doctor called for a meeting with the family. It was very hard on the family to hear that there is nothing more they can do for him. He is on 100 percent oxygen and the doctors are giving him pain medicine to keep him comfortable. Joe's Dad says he wants to go home. The doctor told us he only has days or weeks left to live. We need to leave everything in God's hands now and let Him lead the way even though it is so difficult.

Last night they called the family to his bedside as he developed a fever. While we were there Joe put cold washcloths on his father's forehead which seemed to help relax him. The family sang for him and prayers were said. He was sleeping when we left. We appreciated all his extended family which made the effort to come visit with him. I think Joe's Dad was surprised to see so many of his uncles, aunts, brothers sisters, nieces, nephews and cousins come to visit him. Joe's Uncle Solomon from Ohio spent one evening here for bed and breakfast. We were glad to have him here. The children always enjoy teasing him and give him no peace and quiet. The hour drive home from the hospital took us a lot longer because of the snow (editor's note: the Amish often hire non-Amish drivers to transport them distances that would be too far to travel in horse-drawn buggy). The visibility was very bad and snow had covered the lines on the highway making it impossible to see in some places. Our driver had to stop a few times to see which side of the road we were on. Some of the family stopped and slept at a motel waiting until this morning to travel home. We are thankful that everyone was safe. We were surprised at this mini snowstorm in April.

Sister Emma brought us a meal of dandelions on Friday evening which was a treat for us. They are still very small but she was able to collect enough. We are almost ready to leave for the hospital again. Plans are to get him moved home. Hospice will come show us children how to take care of him. He will need 24 hour care. We are glad to do our duty for Joe's Dad and wish him God's blessings.

Here is a simple recipe to use these early dandelion greens. Makes a good salad. So I'll share the recipe below and we'll hope for the best with Joe's Dad in the week ahead.

Dandelion Green Salad

1 tbsp. vegetable oil

1 tsp. cider vinegar or lemon juice

2 cups young dandelion leaves

1/4 cup sliced green onions

2 hard-cooked eggs, sliced

In a small bowl, whisk oil and vinegar. Combine dandelion leaves and onions; add dressing and toss to coat. Arrange on two salad plates; top with eggs.

Yield 2 servings.

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