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It is a nice sunny morning, a pleasant change from the rainy days this week. This week did, however, bring our first hint of winter. One morning this week the mercury dipped down into the mid-30s and it looks like Mr. Jack Frost nipped a few things in the garden. We don't have the coal stove going yet, but this is a sign that colder days are just ahead.

The first floor in our new house is all drywalled except the back entrance room. My husband, Joe, is working on the drywall in the evenings and is almost done with the second coat. Once the final coat is on and sanding done I'd like to get started painting.

It looks like I'll have to wait to paint the upstairs bedrooms until next spring. We still hope to move in once the first floor is painted and the floors are down. Joe can work on the upstairs and put trim on this winter when he'll have more time. Everything takes time.

Jacob, Emma and family, and sisters Verena and Susan have been here most Saturdays this summer. I imagine they will be about as relieved as we will be once we get moved in. We sure appreciate their willing help.

Tonight, Uncle Jake and Mary Coblentz from Wisconsin will be at sisters Verena and Susan's for supper. Brothers Albert, Jacob, their families and our family also will go. They haven't seen where we live in Michigan.

I want to put up some more jalapeño peppers today. We picked a lot of things in the garden last night in case it would frost. Among the goodies we picked were 16 watermelons. We had a few already, but I wanted to send some home with Albert and Jacob tonight as we won't be able to eat them all.

Baby Kevin had a bad cold earlier this week but is a lot better this morning. He's pushing teeth and is fussier than usual. He weighs 24 pounds already.

Sept. 17 once again arrived, taking our minds back four long and lonely years when dear Mother took her final breath. We loved her and miss her. Shortly after she died my sisters found this verse in her diary:

Somewhere there is no sunset

Somewhere it's always dawn

Somewhere no clouds obscure the blue,

Somewhere there is no parting,

Or sorrow, tears, or pain,

And there your loved one waits the day when you will meet again!

May God bless her and grant her that wish!

I had a request for sauerkraut in jars from William from Berwick, Pa. Now with cabbage being plentiful I will share this one:

Sauerkraut

Cabbage

Vinegar

Salt

Cold water

Shred cabbage and put in jars. Add 1 teaspoon salt and 1 tablespoon vinegar to every quart of cabbage. Fill jars with cold water. Put lids on and turn tight. Put in cellar for two months and then its ready to eat. If you don't have a basement or cellar, store in a cool place.

(Editor's note: Lovina provided this recipe as an illustration of how they've made homemade sauerkraut in their family for generations. Only experienced canners should attempt home-canning recipes. USDA canning guidelines should be followed. )

L

ovina Eicher lives in rural Michigan with her husband and eight children. Readers with questions for Lovina can send them to: Oasis Newsfeatures, P.O. Box 2144, Middletown, OH 45042.