Good morning from South Dakota! When things fell into place to go see my sister Faith and her husband and son, we were elated. School will soon be in swing and trips would be over.
On Thursday evening after supper we loaded up and by 7:30 we were off. The children did well, most of them got a good bit of sleep in.
Our driver did amazing, and fourteen hours later, we pulled into Lucas and Faith’s driveway. What a feeling! After driving for hours, you pull up to a house you’ve never been to before, and there comes your baby sister beaming with welcome hugs. I can’t really tell if I laughed or cried; maybe it was just a combination of both.
The children were beyond pleased when one-year-old Logan waved his arms, smiling his knowing smile. He had not forgotten them. Everyone wanted to be the first to hold him and, of course, be his favorite playmate.
I relished every bit of our tour on their little property. Living in a little town was a new experience for them. Their home has a cozy hue with a privacy fence around a portion of the yard, a sitting area next to fire ring, various flowers, and a sand box for Logan.
Faith had a yummy snack of tortilla pin wheels, sour dough jelly rolls, and tea ready for us. We talked nonstop. Their was so much news to catch up on since four months ago since their move from Illinois to South Dakota.
Even more has happened since I rocked her to sleep 22 years ago. Being 12 years older than her, gave me a sense of being a protective big sister. She was born soon after my stillborn sister and was followed by another stillborn baby girl. You can only imagine how loved she was on all sides; she was not taken for granted.
Now, in living in South Dakota, 800 miles from family it was evident that she had not only grown up, but also learned how to live life by faith, a moment at a time.
The following afternoon I had the opportunity of joining in on a ladies’ tea party. Since they are in the process of starting a church, they have a smaller group of ladies. The hostess and her daughters had prepared not only tea and coffee, but also various snacks and pastries including my favorites — bite sized cheese cakes.
Everyone filled their plates and settled in the living room for a time of sharing. Though most of them were complete strangers, there was that bond with others who are going through hard things. One young mom had just bade farewell to her stillborn baby girls. It was still so new and so fresh, it took me right back to those first weeks and months after my beloved went to heaven.
Their love could be felt as they listened to the story of our past years, which they had asked me to share about. They in turn shared of things they are facing in their lives. In conclusion we prayed, giving the hard things to God and opening our hearts to his provision.
In the meanwhile my three oldest boys were outside trying to figure out how to get to know other boys their age. Amazing how shy children can be at first and when the switch flips, everyone is big buddies.
In conclusion I’d like to pass on the recipe for tortilla pinwheels Faith had made, then served when we came to her house. The dill pickles add a unique twist unlike other pinwheels I’ve had. If you don’t care for the dill flavor you may replace it with sweet pickles.
Veggie Tortilla Roll Ups
4 eight-inch tortillas
1 cup ranch dip
1/2 avocado
1/2 green pepper
1 small cucumber
1/2 cup dill pickles
2 slices ham
1/2 cup shredded cheese of your choice
Spread dip onto tortillas then slice all veggies into strips and place them lengthwise over tortillas (all pointing the same direction). Now beginning at the side of the tortillas, not where the toppings are pointing, roll up tightly. Chill at least two hours then cut each roll into 8 slices.
If desired all toppings may be chopped and spread over tortillas. The above method saves time for mothers who don’t have the time to chop all their veggies.
Gloria Yoder is an Amish house-wife in rural Illinois. She is the third writer of The Amish Cook column since its inception in 1991. Yoder can be reached by writing: The Amish Cook, P.O. Box 157, Middletown, Ohio 45042.
