I smile as I recall my father-in-law telling me about growing up in South Dakota. Born in 1921, he commenced working summers at age thirteen as a cook’s helper on a nearby farm. An arduous bicycle ride away from home, but his family needed the money during the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl. Sometimes he stayed on at that farm for weeks.
I imagine the farm kitchen was rustic and large enough to prepare food for a dozen farmhands. What time did his job commence each day? Early in the morning, before the sweltering South Dakota heat set in. Eventually his family migrated west, but he remained a hard-working and dependable man as an adult.
Amish living on farms rise at 5:00. The men, their sons, and sometimes daughters, immediately tackle chores such as mucking the stalls, milking, and feeding livestock. Strenuous work! Meanwhile, the women might toss in a load of laundry before preparing bread and other items needing the stove, plus a hearty breakfast for the men.
“Ada’s Kitchen” by photographer of the Amish Bill Coleman. Used with permission.
Whether the Amish husband and sons past school-age farm or work elsewhere, the kitchen, is traditionally the responsibility of women and daughters. I envision my father-in-law was surrounded by females. He remained a good cook.
My friend’s husband cooked bacon and decided to skip the eggs.
When my own husband awakes at 4:15 AM (Seriously!) he’s hungry and immediately cooks himself three eggs and makes a cup of coffee before heading to the gym. I try my best to not inhale the coffee aroma, and snag a couple more hours of shut-eye.
What do I want right away? Coffee with cream! I could go for hours without eating, but force myself to scramble an egg before I walk. I’ve heard eating protein first thing and having delicious protein bars to fuel your day is healthy. BTW: We never gave up eating eggs and both maintain healthy excellent cholesterol levels.
How about you? Do you automatically spring out of bed in the morning hungry or do hit your snooze button on your clock? What’s your favorite breakfast food? A quick and easy meal that’s healthy? Or do you skip it?
Beautiful Amish-made Apron from Lancaster County, PA.
Leave a comment and enter to win this beautiful Amish-made apron from Lancaster County, PA, and a signed copy of one book from a Legacy of Lancaster Trilogy! USA and Canada. Winner has three days to respond.
wow! love this!!!
Thanks for entering the giveaway, Wilma! Good luck!
Kate
I usually get right up, but not hungry. I do need a cup of coffee and then I have a little cereal.
I can relate, Rachel! Got to have my coffee. Thanks for leaving a comment and enter the giveaway!
Kate
I love your web site Kate . Yes the first thing I want is a cup of coffee with half & half . Wcusually eat something every morning . Some morning it may just be toast and jelly or some eggs with it . Some mornings we may have a biscuit . I love the Amish Apron . I have a pot holder they made and love it . Would love for you to put my name in the giveaway . I love your books too . Thanks .
Thanks for your kind words about my website, Liz! I’m glad you like it & the Amish-made apron. Good luck!
Kate
Love the story about your dad. I can’t eat first thing in the morning, but do love turkey bacon and a poached egg.
Really enjoy your books!
I force myself to eat in the A.M., Jill, but if I had turkey bacon and a poached egg waiting for me I think I’d be hungrier. Sounds delicious. I’m glad you enjoyed the story about my husband’s dad, a peach of a man. Thanks for leaving a comment and enter into giveaway!
Kate
Love the Amish apron and would love to read the books!
I’d love you to read my books, Susan, and wish you good luck in the giveaway! Glad you like the apron! It’s so pretty I know I’ll have trouble parting with it.
Kate
I’m usually up by 4am. HAVE TO HAVE MY COFFEE! Breakfast is very important. Even if I’m not up for a big breakfast, a smoothie with fresh or frozen fruit & protein powder in my nutribullet is awesome. Would love to win the apron, never had one ! AND OF COURSE ONE OF YOUR WONDERFUL BOOKS!
You have my husband beat, Rita! I assume you have a early morning job and need your brain functioning. Coffee would be a must for me, even an hour later. I often get up at five; that pesky sunrise … Sounds as though you have a great breakfast routine. Thanks for entering the giveaway and good luck!
Kate
My grandparents had a big breakfast every morning. Coffee was always served. I remember being told I could not have coffee because it would stunt my growth! Thanks for the memories! Btw, I would love a copy of your book!
Thanks for writing and sharing your memories about your grandparents at breakfast, Angela! Since I didn’t drink coffee, I wonder why I’m short. Well, in some parts of the world 5′ 2” & 1/2 isn’t short. Petite is a better word. I appreciate your entering the giveaway and wish you good luck!
Kate
I am like you, Kate. Coffee with creamer in the morning for me. Around 8:00, I have my yogurt. Once in a while I will eat a more substantial breakfast. Oh, and I try to get a few minutes of reading in before getting ready for work.
I congratulate you for being organized enough to have time to read before you get ready for work, Tina! Thanks for entering the giveaway! Good luck!
Kate
Kate, I love reading your books !! You are one of my top Authors !! I would dearly love to win the Amish made apron !! I have been wanting an apron for a long time ! Please enter me I to your contest ! Thank you. Have a blessed day.
Thanks so much for your comment that I’m one of your top authors, Evelyn! I will now have a fabulous day! Sounds like you need that darling apron. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
Love you blog! I also love the apron and really enjoy the books. God Bless!
I’m glad you like my blog, Kim! Thanks for visiting it and entering to giveaway! God bless you!
Kate
I normally get up about 5:00am, have a cup of coffee and then may eat a little something such as fried mush if I have any made. Then I go out and feed the chickens before starting my day. I love your books and enjoy reading your blogs.
Thanks so much for your comment, Sherry! Your day sounds as though it gets off to a great start. I’m jealous that you have fresh eggs. Yum. Thank you also for mentioning you love my books and enjoy reading my blogs. A great encouragement to me. Wishing you the best of luck in the giveaway!
Kate
My absolute need in the morning is coffee. Beyond that, I like to eat breakfast, I just hate cooking it. So I usually have yogurt or toast and peanut butter. My husband likes cooking breakfast, he could eat bacon and eggs every day, but usually makes himself a breakfast sandwich.
I’m drinking a cup of mid-day coffee right now, Connie! (not my first of the day) My husband would be glad to share his breakfast with me, but I don’t want to get up & eat that early! Thanks for entering the giveaway!
Kate
I get up at 6:00. The first thing I get is my LARGE cup of coffee. I exercise for an hour and then I eat my breakfast consisting of a bowl of Quinoa with mixed fruit and a banana on the side. Now I am ready to face the day. I enjoy reading your books and seeing your Blog on Facebook. I am into healthy cooking and would love to win the Apron. I travel to Lancaster several times a year for relaxation. I would trade a quilted apron for a crocheted one. I love to crochet.
You start your day off beautifully, Christine! I used to eat quinoa regularly, but forgot about it. Thanks for the reminder. I’ve heard it’s high in protein. How great that you’re into healthy cooking and that you love to crochet. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
Awesome books and beautiful apron.
Thanks for entering the giveaway, Juanita! Good luck!
Kate
I love your blog. Have traveled to several of the Amish communities. Especially love Ohio. The apron is beautiful.
Thanks for leaving your lovely comment, Trisha! Wishing you good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
Love your books and love this apron
Thanks for visiting my blog and entering the giveaway, Debra! Good luck!
Kate
Ideally it would scrambled eggs, bacon and rye toast! Two cups of coffee a must!
Sounds like a delicious breakfast, Cathy! I love rye bread, but can’t eat it. (Must eat gluten-free) Now, the 2 cups of coffee I can drink! Thanks for entering to giveaway!
Kate
I get up almost as early as your husband…usually before 5, and have coffee with half-and-half. Then after we work out on the treadmill, around 9, my husband and I share a 3-egg bacon and cheese omelet (that’s Monday/Wednesday/Friday. Tuesdays I usually have yogurt and granola, Thursdays we go to a donut shop and pig out before hitting a few garage sales. 🙂
Loved the photos of the Amish kitchen!
That omelet sounds delish, Deborah! So, you’re an early-bird too. My guess is you get a little writing in before or after the treadmill. And Thursdays is pig-out day! Makes my mouth water. Thanks for leaving a comment!
Kate
PS: Love the photos of your home on FB!
Love this ~ I am a coffee for breakfast kinda girl but love bacon and eggs any time! Thanks for the chance to win!
Thanks for visiting my blog and leaving a comment, Patti! Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
Such a beautiful Apron! My grandchildren would really enjoy helping me prepare meals if I had that beautiful apron on! I’m sure they would want to wear it also! Would love to win the autographed book too! Thanks for the opportunity!
How wonderful that your grandchildren enjoy helping you in the kitchen, Janet! I think this apron would make everyone happy, plus a signed book. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
Love the color and fabric of the apron! I would love to hang it in my kitchen <3
I love the color too, Lanis! Thanks for visiting my blog and entering the giveaway!
Kate
would love to win
Thank you for entering the giveaway, Angela! Good luck!
Kate
Love the apron!
Thanks for entering the giveaway, Barb!
I’m like you Kate – I try to get a bit more sleep, as I’m not awake enough to eat first thing. When I do eat, I love bacon & scrambled eggs when I can get it, but usually have a breakfast bar, oatmeal, or cereal. Hope I can win!
Thanks for writing, Mallory! It’s hard to sleep in in our house, plus the early sunrises and the cheerful birds. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
Beautiful apron, and I enjoyed your comments about your father. I, too, love a good cup of coffee early in the morning.
I would enjoy winning one of your books, and the beautiful apron is a work of art. Thank you for the contest.
Thanks for entering the giveaway, Phyllis! I appreciate your comment. Wishing you the best of luck!
Kate
I always get extra sleep. Hubby gets up at 6 am to get ready for work and I usually sleep until 10, some times 11. But then I am usually up until 1 or 2 am reading my Amish books on my iPad. I don’t eat breakfast, never was a breakfast eater. I know that I should, especially since I am Type 2 diabetic. I have a light lunch when hubby comes home for lunch (200 calories or less) and then a light dinner, also 200 calories or less. I love reading Amish stories and would love to win the apron!!
You sound like a real night-owl, Tina! If I don’t get up early I miss my best writing time. (Although some authors write at night.) And then it’s also too hot to walk. I pray you get your Diabetes under control soon. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
I am like you Kate! I’m not a big breakfast eater. Love this apron! I wear aprons a lot! I have an Amish one too that a friend made for me. Blessings, Lissa
Thanks for leaving your comment, Lissa! I do force myself to eat protein before my walk. (Leave the house usually at 8:15 or 8:30) Coffee and one scrambled egg is all I’m good for until later. Best of luck in the giveaway!
Kate
Oh and I wanted to say, I love reading your books too! Love to read before bed time so relaxing <3
Thanks so much, Lissa! I love to read before bedtime too.
Kate
Definitely not a morning person…but once awake and mid-morning I like yogurt and granola! Thanks for the opportunity to win. You have the best giveaways! Linda
Thanks for entering and for your encouraging remarks, Linda! It seems some people are born night-owls and you’re one. I have a built in alarm clock, but it’s not set for 4:15 as my husband’s is! Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
Thank you for sharing this give-away!
Over all I’m not a morning person, however I do love breakfast foods. Sometimes I have “breakfast” for supper. Coffee is a must, as is something protein. I sometimes tease that I don’t officially wake up until 10 AM no matter what time I actually get up!
I’ve said the same thing, Teresa! 10AM is when I function the best. But I write better early in the morning before my brain actually wakes up. Thanks for entering the giveaway!
Kate
Got to have my Diet Coke 1st thing, hubs has coffee with caramel vanilla creamer. We share a banana & each have a mini chocolate doughnut. We watch some news, then start our day. I know…we’re weird! LOL!!! I do cook, just not right away & I definitely love to read Amish fiction! Thanks for sharing this giveaway!
I bet you get your caffeine fix from your Diet Coke, Robin! Or maybe it’s caffeine-free? I’m glad you enjoy Amish fiction! Thanks for entering the giveaway!
Kate
Beautiful apron! For 32 years I got up at 5 am with my husband to get him off to work. Then I’d sit down and write. Since retirement, we sleep until 7 and sometimes 8.
We’re vegetarian so we depend on eggs for protein. Sometimes I CRAVE a hard boiled egg! 🙂 I usually grab a cup of coffee and head straight to the office. Normally I wait an hour or so before I want food. Hubby gets up early, eats an orange and oatmeal, then when I eat breakfast, he eats again with me. 🙂 He can eat all day and not gain an ounce but as the saying goes … If I smell it … 🙂
Thanks for entering, Jess! I’m somewhat like your husband in that I eat small snacks throughout the day. I’ve always been like that and it seems to work for me. I didn’t realize vegetarians could eat eggs. A hard-boiled egg sounds awfully good to me right now! Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
I don’t do mornings! Not anymore!! When I wake up, I get up slowly and I plan my day. I skip breakfast and when the kids were home I would fix a heart breakfast, my husband was a shift worker at our local power plant so he loved coming home to the smells of frying bacon and scrambled eggs. I have never liked eggs so if I ate, it would be hot cereal for me…..oatmeal or cream of wheat. I loved your story Kate! My Dad was such a hard worker, during lean times we may of only had beans to eat and warm homemade tortillas but I will always remember him and his hard work ethics he gave me! He too was a great cook!
Thanks for sharing about your dad, Linda! Men like him serve as an inspiration for us all. I wish more young men would follow in their footsteps. Those warm homemade tortillas sound great. I often warm up a couple at lunchtime, then eat them with a diced leftover chicken and avocado combo. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
I am not a breakfast person never have been, but I do like having breakfast food for dinner some times. I also like the aprons my grand other always had one on.
It is fun having breakfast for dinner sometimes, Sherry! I often wear an apron in the kitchen; it saves me a lot of washing later. And when I lean up against the sink I stay dry. (a short person’s dilemma) Thanks for entering the giveaway!
Kate
I saw some aprons like this at Miller’s Dry Goods in Millersburg, Ohio. I was so tempted to get one, but didn’t. Now, I’m kicking myself for not getting one! I’d love a chance to win this one.
It would be fun if you won the apron, Lisa! Thanks for entering the giveaway and good luck!
Kate
I usually hit the snooze button. For breakfast I like to have a fried egg, hard with a slice of American cheese on a Lavish wrap and a cup of hot tea with milk. Thanks for a chance to win.
That sounds like a delicious breakfast, Deborah! Thanks for leaving a comment and entering the giveaway!
Kate
I really don’t have a favorite breakfast. My coffee is priority on arrising though. I love sausage gravy and biscuits, omelets, cinnamon french toast and panckes…I’m a breakfast food eater in the evenings. I usually get up now and have toast, cereal or an apple and peanut butter. I love the apron and reading the Amish books. Thanks for the chance to win…
What an array of tasty items, Judy! Yum. I used to cook most of those for our sons, but once they left home, I stopped making elaborate breakfasts. I like your apple and peanut butter idea, especially in the summer! Thanks for entering the giveaway and good luck!
Kate
I used to be an early riser, but that changed some years ago. Now I will push the snooze button until I know I have no choice. Once I’m up, it’s coffee time. Eating comes later. Crazy as it may sound to some, I’ve been drinking coffee since I was a kid. It’s a cultural thing. Culturally, in Italy, youngsters may be introduced to wine at an early age. Since coffee is grown in Puerto Rico, culturally, it is one of the first things one learns to drink. And Kate, you already know how seriously I take my coffee. From french pressing to the ibrik. Gotta have my coffee.
Yes, you are a coffee aficionado, Dali! How interesting that kids drink coffee at an early age in Puerto Rico. Thanks, I enjoy learning new facts. Wishing you good coffee in the morning and good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
Beautiful apron , love your books.
Thanks for answering the giveaway, Carolyn! Good luck!
Kate
What a gorgeous apron! I love it! As for mornings, I am not a coffee person. Give me a nice hot cup of tea with just a little milk and sugar. Must be my English background. Breakfast foods are some of my favorites. I love blueberry or pecan pancakes.
Thanks for leaving a comment, Pat! Over the years I’ve switched from coffee to tea and back several times. The trouble with coffee is once you start drinking it it’s very difficult to stop. And I love the taste. But I also love a good cup of tea with a little bit of milk. Those pancakes sound heavenly. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
I have to drink coffee,, several cups, before I can deal with eating breakfast.
I have to drink coffee before I can deal with anything, Debbie! Thanks for your fun comment!
Kate
Must have my coffee as soon as I am up each morning!
Me too, Aleta! I can’t get it made fast enough. Thanks for entering the giveaway!
Kate
I usually get up as soon as the alarm goes off. Hop out of bed, let the dog out, start the coffee and make some oatmeal. Alarm is 430.
Wow, that’s mighty early, Linda! This time of year the sun’s just rising, but later in the fall 4:30 is dark, dark, dark. I’m sure you’re dog appreciates your promptness … one step closer to its breakfast. Thanks for entering the giveaway!
Kate
when i get up have to have my coffee,love to read your books hope i can win,
Reading an Amish novel over a cup of coffee is an excellent way to start the day, Barbara! Thanks for entering the giveaway!
Kate
I get up usually at 5:00 without an alarm, I am quite used to the time. Then I eat just before I leave for work. Those were so nice pictures. And the apron is adorable, Kate!
You’re an early-bird, Sonja, and you get a meal in before work! Excellent. Thanks for leaving your comment and entering the giveaway!
Kate
I don’t need to eat as soon as I get up, but I do eat about an hour later. I love eggs and bacon, but don’t usually spend the time to make them. Love your books Kate and the cute Amish apron!
I usually eat about an hour after I get up too, Sharyl! Need time to enjoy my coffee and write. Thanks for your encouraging words about my books and for entering the giveaway!
Kate
I hit the snooze a few times and I never eat breakfast. I would love to win!!!
I’m glad you get a little extra sleep, Susan! As for breakfast, to each his/her own. Thanks for visiting my blog and entering the giveaway. Good Luck!
Kate
I am usually not very hungry when I first get up. If I do eat something fit breakfast it isn’t breakfast food as I am not a fan of much of many normal breakfast foods.
I can relate about not being hungry first thing, Tiffany! But I force myself to eat some protein before I leave the house or exercise. Thanks for writing. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
I usually get up and start my coffee pot. While I am waiting, I read. With a cup of black coffee waking me up, I then prepare my toast with peanut butter and syrup. Yum!
Thank you for the giveaway! I love the apron and a good book is GREAT!!!!!!!
Your breakfast sounds delicious, Melanie! Real maple syrup? This afternoon I had a tablespoon of peanut butter as a snack (no bread). Thanks for entering the giveaway! I hope you get a chance to read one of my books soon!
Kate
I read as much about the Amish as I can get my hands on. They are so laid back and have such uneak ways. Also get some great ideas and recipes from the writers like yourself. Always appreciate the truthful ways that you creat the stories that’s written. Especially loved your blog today. Thank you!
Thanks for writing your words of encouragement, Emma! And for entering the giveaway! Good luck!
Kate