An Amish Family Reunion (43 page)

Phoebe had never heard the word “conundrum” in her life, but she figured out the meaning through context. “What did they say?”

“They said it was a smashing idea and had hoped and prayed for exactly that.” He used his hands to frame the shape of a sign. “Riehl and Son and Sons-in-Law Swine and Beef. What do you think?”

“I think I would leave the current name alone. Customers will figure out where the other two sons came from.”

Eli dropped his hands to clasp hers. All posturing and emulating odd foreign voices had gone. “Do you know what this means, Phoebe? I’ll have time to be a writer
and
a farmer. And my dad gets stronger every day. He fully intends to do the paperwork and keep the books. We can meet on Wednesdays to put this book to bed. And then there are Saturday nights for socials and Sundays for preaching.” He shrugged. “You might get sick of seeing me so much.”

“I don’t think so. You are absolutely, positively not boring.” She winked.

He winked back. “What will you do with your half of the advance check when it comes?”

Phoebe straightened up. “There will be no dividing up the money, Eli. It’ll all go toward your father’s medical bills. And any future money can bolster our community’s medical fund.”

He squeezed her hand. “You’re a good woman, Phoebe Miller. Even if you grease yourself down, there will be no slipping away from me now.”

And that was just fine with the little picture drawer from Holmes County with no other valuable skill worth mentioning.

Rosanna Coblentz

Cream together sugar and butter. In a separate bowl, combine the cake flour, baking powder, and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the sugar and butter mixture, alternating with the milk. Then add the lemon juice and lemon zest (and food coloring, if desired). Finally, fold in the eggs.

Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Rosie’s hint: This cake is great with lemon sherbet for a cool summertime treat, or you can top it with Lemon Butter Frosting
.

3 tablespoons butter (softened to room temperature)

2 egg yolks

2½ cups powdered sugar

1 teaspoon lemon zest

2 tablespoons lemon juice

Cream the butter and then blend in egg yolks. Stir in remaining ingredients until smooth.

Rosanna Coblentz

3 cups brown sugar

1½ cups butter (three sticks)

4 eggs, well beaten

1 cup raisins

½ cup boiling water

3 teaspoons baking soda

1¾ cups all-purpose flour

2 cups whole spelt flour

4 cups oatmeal (quick oats)

2 teaspoons cinnamon

2 teaspoons baking powder

Cream together the brown sugar, butter, and eggs. Stir in the raisins. In a cup, mix together the boiling water and baking soda and then add to the wet mixture.

In a separate bowl, combine the flours, oats, cinnamon, and baking powder. Combine the dry ingredients with the sugar and butter mixture and mix well. Drop by rounded spoonfuls on a cookie sheet about 2 to 3 inches apart and bake at 325 degrees for approximately 10 to 12 minutes.

Rosie’s hint: These make great Amish whoopie pies. Just make a filling to spread on the bottom of one cookie and then put another cookie on top. Kids love them!

2 egg whites, beaten

2 cups powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

1½ cups Crisco shortening

Beat the first three ingredients together and then add 1½ cups of Crisco shortening.

1.   Why does Seth change his mind about his daughter’s trip to Niagara Falls with a youth group?

2.   Julia has struggled throughout life with debilitating rheumatoid arthritis, yet she still manages to cope without falling into depression. In what ways has her family’s moving away affected her?

3.   Eli Riehl is no ordinary young man. Why does his being different appeal so much to Phoebe? And how does his uniqueness make life harder for him in an Amish community?

4.   Do you feel Matthew has become “overly fond” of money as his wife asserts, or is he merely being practical as a husband and father? Why can’t the Amish fully distance themselves from the English world?

5.   Traveling to Hancock, Wisconsin, is a disaster for Leah Byler instead of a pleasant family vacation. What factors contribute to her misery in the land of milk and cheese?

6.   Emma Davis reaches a crossroads with both her mother and her mother-in-law. How are her struggles common to all married daughters, and in what ways are they unique to an Amish wife and mother?

7.   Eli and Phoebe’s joint project is fraught with peril for two young people. What makes it especially troublesome, in both the practical sense and in the unforeseeable future, for Amish youth?

8.   How does Matthew and Martha’s visit home create as many problems as it had been meant to solve within their marriage?

9.   Phoebe has grown to accept and love Hannah as her mother without reservation. But still water runs deep in this quiet teenager’s emotional state. What unresolved issues still remain regarding Constance’s death after all these years?

10.   Why has Emma been remiss in teaching her sons
Deutsch
? And how would that make things difficult for her children in their district?

11.   Often it takes tragedy to trigger necessary changes within our lives. How does his father’s heart attack change Eli’s life—physically, emotionally, and regarding his long-range expectations?

12.   How does Julia cope with a houseful of people? And how does she finally find what she’s been searching for?

13.   Describe Phoebe’s maturation and spiritual growth throughout the story.

14.   Leah Byler has made peace with her mother-in-law. What mind-set did she need to give up for that to become possible?

15.   Martha Miller, at long last, is happy. In what ways has Matthew’s decision benefited him as much, if not more than his wife?