tornado alley in amish country

a full saturday

my week in review

Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds in the sky and all the creatures that move along the ground—everything that has the breath of life<span class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(B)”> in it—I give every green plant for food.<span class="crossreference" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(C)”>” And it was so. Genesis 1: 29,30

When I am out driving from point A to point B I can’t help but be aware of my creator and all the things he has created in this world. 

He made it all. 

This week when I was out and about I found a few things that I wanted to capture. In the next picture I stepped outside my car in this wooded area and I walked up and down the road just marveling at the rustic splendor. One mini van and one dump truck found me, otherwise it was just me and nature for that moment. God speaks to me of his love for me through his nature. After a long, hard winter I am finding joy in the calm and beauty of Spring with Summer pounding down the pavement fast on Spring’s heels.  I find myself reluctant to let this season end. I want the newness of life to remain for awhile, it feels like if I give in to Summer; Fall and the dreaded Winter will soon be back and I’m just not ready for another snow. 

Not just yet. 

Show & Tell time. 

How peaceful this was in the middle of a crazy day! If it hadn’t been so muddy I would have trekked inside the woods and would have looked for some mushrooms. It was too muddy and I had other things to get back to. 

One of the things that always catch my eye is a tree’s root system. Here is a great one sitting beside a small creek. it reminded me of another root system that I really enjoyed looking at last winter. 

Click on the picture to enlarge it and you will see this tree’s root system snaking all over the place. I thought it was kind of cool. 

A Suspicious Beagle

Me: “Hey, nice Beagle, how are ya today?” 

Beagle doesn’t respond, just stands there and watches me. 

Me: “Do you mind if I take your picture?” 

Silence

But then Beagle says, “You better scram, or else!”

Me: “Or else what?” 

Beagle: “Or else I’m gonna tell the whole wide world you are here. Arrrwoowoo Arrrwoowoo!” 

Me: “Don’t you think you are over-reacting just a bit?”

Beagle: “Arrrrwoowoo Arrrrwoowoo!!”

At this point all I can do is snap pictures because there was no reasoning with Beagle, she was going to let the whole wide world know I was there no matter what.

Beagle: “I’m saying, you better be careful wid me, I’m the best watchdog in these parts and I can rip you from limb to limb.” 

Beagle: “You said treats? I kinda like treats, what kind do you have in that bag? I like bacon flavored the best.” 

Beagle: “Hey, whaddaya mean, you have to leave already? I thought we were friendly now that we dined with each other…..come back another day….next time bring a lady a nice juicy bone…or a rabbit would do.” 

Good bye Over-reactor Beagle!

I came across this pond. It reminded me of those infinity pools the rich and famous folks have in their backyards. This one is an infinity pool Amish Country style. It was absolutely beautiful here. I wanted to grab a fishing pole and sit a spell and I’m am not a person that enjoys fishing at all. Besides watching a game of anything, fishing would be the second most boring thing I could ever do. I am not a sports enthusiast if you don’t know me. Just doesn’t make me tick. 

The chubbiest ground hog went gliding into this hole under the tree. She was so cute and pudgy, I so badly wanted her picture but she wasn’t in the mood to pose for me. I contemplated throwing her some of my celery in hopes she would smell it and it would coax her out of her hideout. I figured it wouldn’t work so I saved the celery for myself. 

Horses grazing on a glorious green carpet. The sunshine is what I notice mostly, after coming away from months of very little sunshine I’ve still not soaked in enough of the sun to make my heart forget the gloomy days of winter past. 

Gardening with love. These folks have a whole story to tell in their yard. I may have to go back and request a tour. It was just beautiful and I can only imagine that the beauty will increase as the garden starts to grow.  

Someone put this flowerbed at the end of their property. Loved the tulips and the color they added to this bed. Pretty, pretty! 

I found this old gas well sitting beside the road and I loved the setting around it. The lavender flowers, the green grasses, the trees. All so beautiful.

I held my breath for a moment looking at this scene. 

So pretty in real life. I wish I could have had you with me to witness this.

I found some friendly goats roadside.

They were itchy, so they scratched that itch by rubbing against the fence. 

Cuteness.Inc! 

And last but not least, “Beagle” reminded me of this fellow so I searched my camera for him so I could add him to this discussion. This winter when we were out and about one Sunday we came upon this scene. In the heart of Amish Country there resides a water hook up. I don’t think I’ve ever seen one like this out on a country road, so that was kind of cool, but then to find a dawg near it…well, all the fire hydrant/dog jokes ever told came to mind. Mr. Wonderful and I had to laugh as I crawled out of the car to snap a few pictures. It would only have been more perfect if dawg would have peed on the hydrant so I could gotten that picture. 

This week has been a week of me learning and exploring social media. Instagram, Google Plus, Twitter, Pinterest, Facebook. My head is spinning. They are all wonderful vehicles to get your message out and to interact with folks, but my goodness gravy, I am completely overwhelmed right now. When I get overwhelmed I let things sit for a spell and come back to them. I’m doing just that today. I want to clean the garage and my car and then I’m going to go on another adventure. Not quite the same as my adventure last week, if you missed it you can find it here. It was one of the best days in my recent history. 

Other thoughts for today:

I’m so glad my favorite cooking show has a few new episodes; one of which is supposed to air today. I love Ree….she is so genuine. When I grow up I want to be like her. 

At the moment I am kind of hooked on this song. I can apply the words to various parts of my life and just kind of know what the girl in the song is about. When I was younger this song could have been written about me, I think. Enjoy ya’all! 

And the cherry on top of my sundae this week was someone who is from my past private messaged me to let me know they had found me. After a bit of conversation this person then told me they remembered me as a child looking sad and depressed and that as they looked at my profile picture today they found that my eyes now looked like I was at peace.

The eyes are the windows to the soul, and I am so happy this person was able to see that peace in my eyes because it is what I feel for sure, for sure.  Praise God! 

my amish country

I love living in Amish Country. 

There is so much to see. Things might be dead in the little Amish towns on a Saturday night, but nothing compares to taking a Sunday afternoon drive through my Amish Country and allowing my eyes to feast on all that is available to my eye’s pleasure. If I could bring each of my readers on a real Sunday afternoon drive with me, I would. 

I carry my camera with me almost all the time, barring I have to keep it home because I am recharging the batteries. Some folks might say it has become an obsession because my camera is almost always nestled inside my handbag, I am almost always prepared to take a picture or two. 

This is my latest show and tell. 

Last week when we had a cold spell and some snow, it was so cold that when I came out of the store and wanted to open the trunk of my car I saw this icicle growing up. It is right in front of the “R” in Prix. (So, now you all know I drive a dirty black Grand Prix)  

You know that moment you feel like someone is watching you? Well, I was trying to get a good picture of this upside down icicle and it took some maneuvering and I am sure I just looked like a crazy lady taking so long to take a picture or two of the trunk of my car and sure enough when I looked around there was a young fellow sitting in his nice warm truck watching the show. He had this look on his face like, “lady, you are crazy and I can prove it.” 

I don’t care, I have nothing to prove to anyone. This is the part of life that I like, when I just don’t care what other folks think about what I am doing. There is so much freedom in that…and it brought me a chuckle imagining what he was thinking. heh heh

Okay, so, if I had to make up a story for the two men in the next few pictures, I would assume they were part of the Amish Mafia and a “transaction is about to happen.” 

See for yourselves.

See what I mean? wink wink

We had to drive behind these young chappies for a little while, long enough for me to get a shot through Mr. Wonderful’s truck window. An Amish pick up truck…hauling wood for their parent’s cook stove, I’m guessing.

Another Amish pick up. A smaller version. 

Recently Mr. Wonderful and I went to shop for a porch swing and we were told of this place a solid hour from our house, so we made the trek to this place of business and they had a lot going on. They were “excavating the ground with horses and some make-shift plow thingy. I didn’t get too many pictures, but I did get the laundry waving in the wind over a very dirty ground underneath. The elements in the picture didn’t seem to go together really well, but it was the reality of the day. 

This horse and buggy waiting patiently on his or her owner to leave. 

Finally the young lady and her little girl emerged from the business and here they are getting ready to leave. I wanted to take a more close up picture, but I can’t bring myself to get too close, I still try to respect them to a certain extent. If I totally respected their wishes I would never snap any pictures. 

Mr. Wonderful and I own three acres of land. Two of those acres are an actual field because we used to have sheep and raise lambs. Now it stands empty, except for our Amish neighbor now grazes his horses in our field. It helps us because we have less mowing to do and it helps him out with more pastureland for his horses. The other Saturday he and his brother were hauling manure all over the fields. I stepped out into our garage and got a couple good pictures for you all to see. 

I think the fellow in the read shirt is his brother. 

And here is our neighbor and I noticed he had his little girl with him. How cute is that? 

There they are again. 

If you click on this picture you will see the little girl on her daddy’s lap inside the bobcat while he is loading the manure spreader with another load of manure. 

Another angle. 

I don’t know, this is not so pretty or anything, just some laundry on the line. Maybe I should have omitted this one. Anyway, I uploaded it, so here it is. 

Another fellow plowing his field. I love the dark brown of the freshly plowed ground. 

All these pictures were mostly taken on a whim, just by stopping at the roadside, pulling my camera out of my handbag and clicking away. I have more pictures that I hope to share soon. It is time for me to hit the hay though. Tomorrow morning always comes way too soon. 

If you are new to my page, and you would like to stay connected, please go to my Facebook page and “like” it. I try to add additional thoughts and pictures over on Facebook. I enjoy getting to know my readers so please introduce yourself to me. I’d love to hear from you. 

Looking in my Rear View Mirror

for behold the winter is past…..

JOY TO THE WORLD…..

Oops, forgive me, I’m in the wrong season. It is Spring time! How do I know? Well let me count the ways. 

That smell.

Distinct.

Not so pleasant.

Manure. 

Wafting its way into our little cottage. 

I smelled it immediately when I turned on to our road this afternoon, and even more as I pulled into our driveway and there it was lingering in our garage. 

I don’t care. 

I love Spring and everything that goes with it. I am sitting here at our dining room table with the french door open wide, I feel the gusty wind now and then, the sun is perched on my shoulder, peering at my words on my laptop. All is so well in my world this moment. 

The farmers are in their fields plowing, another very sure sign that Spring has sprung. On my lunch break today I watched two teams of horses in a field laboring up and down the field turning the dead winter grass into straight coils of brown goodness. 

The field is nearly finished. 

There is nothing like newness of life to make folks smile more and to have a spring in their steps. I find folks a lot happier when I’m out and about. The drab and the dreary making its way into our past and the sunshine and all it holds in our present and future. 

I notice that the grasses are turning greener each day as I look out over the landscape. I know that in only a few short weeks, barring any kind of natural disaster, our landscape will have a nice emerald green carpet all over the ground and atop the carpet will be nice colors of other shades of greens and browns and flower colors and the sky will have a clear blue above our heads and the only thing left for me to do is be in awe of the beauty that has been provided for my pleasure. The only thing left for me to do is to stop and smell those roses, to pause and listen to the music of the crickets and the birds and maybe a cat fight off in the distance. (I mention the cat fights only because they are something very natural in my part of the world.) 

How are you enjoying this Spring? Are you stopping and observing its beauty? Are you taking in the wonder of the newness of life? I only wish I had more time in my day to take in more of God’s wondrous world. 

In light of the topic for this blog I’ve been looking at Bible verses about Spring or that can relate to springtime. I found these beautiful verses that say it just like it is in my heart tonight. 

Song of Solomon 2: 11,12

For behold, the winter is past; the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth, the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land.

Beautiful Bible verses and so fitting! 

I’m so glad you are here. I don’t know what brought you here, my only “goal” is to make friends and to have fun with my blog and hopefully, possibly, inspire others to stop and smell the roses in their lives. God provides us each with special bits of beauty all around us. It is here for us to enjoy and behold in many ways. He has special things planned just for you….and me. 

If you are new to my blog and would like to stay connected, I invite you to skip over to my Facebook page and “like” it so you will get all my updates. I post extra pictures and words over there as I can. I love to hear from my readers, it is what keeps me inspired on some level and also encouraged. Sometimes…writers live in a lonely world. I love interaction. Also, if you know of anyone who would enjoy my ramblings and pictures, I invite you to share my blog with them. 

Love and Blessings to all! 

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Looking in my Rear View Mirror

Creeks, Farms, and Trees

 Most generally Mr. Wonderful and I spend Friday evening out with friends, usually our Amish friends and we go out to eat and maybe some shopping or come back to our house to watch some television, or we go driving around checking out the landscape. Because our week had been so busy we didn’t make plans to go do anything last night. When I came home from my 8-5 I asked Mr. Wonderful if he would want to go out to take pictures of creeks in our area. He looked at me like, “say what?” but smiled and said, “sure, let’s go.” 

I can’t tell you how supportive my husband is of my whims, especially when he knows it is something for my blog. He loves when I write. He has always been my number one supporter, and so he was “game” to go take pictures of creeks. 

Why creeks? I don’t know, just because. I happen to drive by a couple creeks each day and I’ve been noticing them and just wanted to go capture a few on camera last night to see what they look like in a picture. So, for a tour of what we saw last night, please keep on reading. 

Creeks

This creek is actually flooded and in parts is all over the farmer’s field. I have to say as I stare at this picture I can’t help but notice how the trees and the sky just kind of make their own picture. How beautiful! 

Here is part of the flooding. The water is so powerful when you stand at the side of the road and just take it in. The large trees are absolutely trapped in the water, no place to go, but stand still. 

This reminded me of the Everglades for some reason. It has a swampy feel to it for me. 

I love this creek, it knows where it is going and doesn’t dilly dally around, it is flowing quickly, in a pretty straight line at that. 

A little farm creek, I love the rocks, all nice and round, from years of wear and tear of the water. 

See, here the rocks are a little bit more profound. 

There she goes, flowing pretty swiftly, even if she is a smaller creek. The waters are so heavy, I think that is why the creeks are all flowing so fast. 

Loving the bend in this creek. 

Some greenery by this creek and a little bit of overflow. 

Not pretty at all, but it is a creek. 

The green is coming through by this creek as well. I think this will be a beautiful picture later in the summer when everything is green. I will return. 

I found some ducks swimming on a farm pond. I just love this picture. The waves in the water show how windy it was last night. The ducks didn’t mind, they just kept paddling along. It was cold too. I was chilled to the bone by the time we returned home. I ended up in bed with the heating pad on me because I could not get warmed up after our excursion.

It was worth it! 

And a family of geese, see the ripples in the water. It was windy as all get out yesterday. 

Farms 

What can I say? It is a farm on a hill. A pretty large farm. If you have been following my blog for any length of time now you will know that I love having something act like a barrier between me and what I am shooting. For some reason it feels more artistic to me. I feel like the whole picture is being used up. Maybe I can’t explain what I’m thinking, doesn’t matter, I like the twigs in the picture. 

The farm is on a bend and a road lies between the house and the barn. I always wonder about those set ups. I am sure it is a major concern for families with small children running back and forth from house to barn. 

For me, this is the ugliest farm we have in the area, only because of the faded yellow on the barn. I wish they would paint it barn red. That would be my preference. I love the red barns the best. 

Some green in this picture. Hey, we are starting to see signs of Spring!

The house to the farm above. I just liked it so I uploaded it so you could see it too. 

Lot’s of silos on this farm. I don’t think it is an Amish farm. 

Beautiful red buildings. Love the red, white and blue in this picture. 

I found a barn peeking up over the hill.

Sometimes when I shoot a picture and then come home and look at it, I see how wonderful it really is. I love the gray/blue door and the almost starkness of the picture. Can I say “haunted” when I know that only a few seconds earlier little kiddos were on the porch checking me out and then when they saw me lift my camera they scattered into the house. I was actually taking pictures of milk cans by the road when this all occurred. 

Random Pictures

In the middle of nowhere, on a random fence post there is a no hunting/no trespassing sign. I found it a bit odd in our neck of the woods. 

A man door set into the fence. Must be the farmer often passes through this fence and decided to save himself some time. I don’t know, maybe I’m incorrect in my assumptions, but it sounds good to me. 

Milk cans, but then I notice the driveway and the house right at the end of the driveway. I bet this is beautiful in the summer time. Notice the very muddy driveway. This kind of Amish (Swartzentruber) aren’t allowed to gravel their driveways. At the moment when you are out and about, you will see these black buggies with “muddy yellow” wheels trotting down the road. they have to wade the mud because there is no other way for them. The milk cans at the end of the driveway are because no truck would ever make it in that kind of driveway without getting stuck so the farmer has to bring the milk to the end of the driveway. 

This was supposed to be all about the milk cans, but the tree and the sky outshine any milk cans that may or may not be in the picture. Sometimes it just happens that way. I love it. 

This dog was watching me take pictures. He was settled in his spot, never once did a “woof” come out of him. You can tell he was keeping watch, but he wasn’t excited in the least little bit. I like dogs who don’t over react. Oh, and the tree branches framing the picture? Love, love. I also like the leaves on the lawn, looks soft and comfortable for a nice dog to relax on.

Cement bridge guard rails. LOVE! 

Trees 

This tree was a bit comical to me, it felt to me like it was pointing to go thataway. 

A line of trees and a rolling gray sky. How pretty. 

An orchard through a fence. Looks stark and cold right now. 

I said before how windy it was last night, these branches attest to it. 

1.

And now, to my very favorite moment last night. Standing there looking up at this tree, high on a hill, I was taken aback at how beautiful it look against the rolling sky. I’m not sure which shot I like best, this one or the next one. I would love feed back from my readers which picture you like best. One or Two?

2.

I wish I could show all of you in real life what I get to experience every day. This is my way of sharing my country with folks who don’t get to experience it like I do. I hope you enjoy my pictures and my thoughts. If you do, and know of someone who would enjoy, I invite you to share my blog and/or Facebook page with them. If you are new to my blog, and you would like to stay connected, you can go to my Facebook page and “like” it and you will get all my updates and periodically I even do giveaways, so there is always something to look forward to. 

Looking in my Rear View Mirror

An Amish Man and his Toys

When I first heard about this Amish fellow through my coworkers I really only knew one thing about him –  he has a food trailer and sets it up at the local produce auction and feeds the masses who attend the auction. I knew he made really delicious sandwiches and that one of my coworkers is related to this man. But that was the extent of what I knew about this Amish man named Dan. Then one day my coworker, Bob, the relative of Dan showed me some photos of wooden trucks that 

Dan had handmade and as I was looking at the photos I knew it was something I wanted to take pictures of and show to my readers. I asked Bob, if he would ask his brother in law if I could stop by his shop to see his work first hand and take pictures to show you all. Bob said he would ask and get back to me. After a few weeks we finally all connected times and a date and so after work the other evening, Bob and I headed over the hills and dales to his brother in laws place. 

Dan, wearing his knit hat and a grin was at the door of wood shop to welcome us inside when we arrived. He took us into a nice sized room, smaller than I thought it would be, but once inside it was obvious that everything one would need to create wooden pieces of artwork were all there. 

As I spent some time looking at the pieces of art and taking in the details of the pieces Dan shared some information about his craft. The first thing I learnt from Dan is that these trucks are not carvings, but rather, they are “turnings”. I kept wanting to call them carvings but finally got it in my head that when you carve it is with knives and you do a lot of whittling. Dan explained that his turnings are anything that is “round” on his artwork. The round pieces are fashioned on a wood lathe. Other pieces have been cut out with saws and sanded down into the shape and size he needs.

When I first walked into his little wood shop I stood there and observed his craft and my first question to Dan was, “How long does it take you to create one of these?” Dan smiled and gave the first of many humorous responses, “Oh, about 40 gallons of coffee worth.”  I understood, he doesn’t count his time, it is his love for the wood and the craft and the challenge that counts, not the time. 

Dan’s wife, Anna, came out to the wood shop at some point and she was quiet, like Amish ladies generally are, watching me take pictures and listening to our conversation. She did finally join in the conversation and there was no missing how proud she is of her husband’s creativeness and how supportive she is of him and all his endeavors. It was a pleasure for me to hear her talk about her husband in such a positive light.  (When a spouse has a creative talent and the other spouse allows them the freedom to work on that talent, that is such a blessing.) Anna is a really good role model for those around her, she is the picture of what a supportive spouse looks like. I think because of Anna and her encouragement and support is why Dan is as creative as he is. A very, very neat couple to say the least. 

So, here we go, I hope you enjoy the tour. I don’t think I have the best camera for such close intricate details as what I tried to get, but I hope the pictures will suffice and give you an idea of what a wood-turners shop looks like and his toys. I noticed Dan referred to his art pieces as toys. So from here on out I will refer to them as toys as well. 

This is the first toy he showed me. It is all wooden, every detail, cut, turned, sanded, glued, tongue-in-groove applied and fashioned into a tractor and trailer with the logo of a local lumber store on the side. Keep in mind, every round thing on his craft has been turned on a wood lathe. 

Check out the lights on top of the tractor. Intricate details. 

In the background you see an electrical outlet. Like many Amish Dan uses a generator to power his lights and his shop tools.

One of the wheels up-close and personal. 

The back of the trailer. Those doors swing open. Details!

A closer look at the tractor. 

The step going into the cab and the fuel tanks. 

Next toy. A backhoe.

The other angle of the backhoe. 

A tractor, removable goose neck trailer, and a caterpillar all hand made by Dan. 

Another view.

Notice the different wood he used and also all the details.

 

The seat in the backhoe. 

The backhoe and the caterpillar tracks all wooden and painstakingly assembled together. They actually move.  

A Wood Turners Work Shop

It appears dark inside, but there was plenty of light, my camera just didn’t do the best inside looking out, but I wanted you to see Dan’s view as he is standing at his wood lathe working. 

Another view out of a window in his workshop. 

Dan has bits of inspiration all over. Here he has a map of a dump truck. 

I liked this so I got a close up. Toys and Joys! Describes Dan to a “t”. He likes his toys and he comes across as being full of joy. 

Looking around the workshop I found so many unique things. I liked the two hammers hanging their, ready to be used.

Belts hanging from the ceiling. And electrical cords. 

There is no real ceiling in the workshop and the studs are showing and Dan has utilized some nooks up there to tuck away items like these saw blades. 

One wall of his workshop holds tools and inspiration. The poster hanging there is full of pictures of wood turned bowls. Inspiration for Dan to look at when he wants to refer to something as he works on another toy. 

Every nook of his workshop is full of tools, big ones, little ones, all have a purpose as he fashions new toys. 

Wood turning tools, all nice and neat on this shelf with holes to store them on. 

I’m convinced that every Amish building has a clock. This is Dan’s clock. 

In prior posts I’ve made note of clocks on farms and in other wood shops.

Out behind the workshop you will find Dan’s generator that powers Dan’s tools and lights in the shop. 

Back inside Dan shows me this catalog that he uses to purchase interesting wood for his turnings. I could tell this catalog brings him hours of delight, browsing and dreaming. 

The Wood Turners Catalog.

While I was making my way around Dan’s workshop taking pictures I looked around and this is what I saw. Oh my! That is a really big pocket knife! 

And it works! 

Of course! 

Did you expect anything else? (insert smiley face right here.) 

And he does more! This is a lock and key and they work!

Closed.

Open.

Key hole and Initials. 

When Dan presented this to me he said in Pennsylvania Dutch – “Chpook in da nevil”. I was like, “Huh?” and he went on to say it is called – “Ghost in the Mist” – This was one solid rectangular piece of wood and with his wood lathe, and some rubber bands, he fashioned this “toy”. The rings don’t come off the stick and there are rings inside the egg like center. See next photo. 

Again, this was all one block of wood and none of those rings come off the stick. It really is amazing to hold and look at and wonder how he did it, even when he explains it to you. 

A wooden goblet, almost “biblical” in feel. Made of pear wood and so light and dainty. It is a beautiful piece. I didn’t know pear wood would be so light, but now I know. 

This is a beautiful vase made with maple wood. The wood grain in this piece is so pretty. The vase is solid and heavy. 

A pen in the shape of a bullet. Made by Dan. 

And there are the duck calls! Dan brought these out and laid them on his table saw and said, “Duck Dynasty put me out of business.” 

He has that same sense of humor I know so many Amish folks to have. 

A family stopped by to check out Dan’s “toys” as I was finishing up taking my pictures and so we said our good byes and Anna walked out with me and Bob and I asked her if I could take a few pictures of the outside, she consented, so after I moved my car, so her brother could leave, Anna and I walked through their yard and she talked about some of the other things that Dan has created on their property. I was struck at how multi-talented this man really is. As Anna talked about the various things I could just feel the support she has for her husband and his creative side. She discussed some of their dreams for the future. Personally she hopes Dan will slow down and be able to work in his work shop more. Not only does he work the food trailer, but he also mows grass at four different graveyards, one taking him 12 hours each time he mows. He also works part time for the township they live in and at the end of the day there don’t seem to be enough hours in the day to fulfill all their dreams. 

They live on the edge of a woods and part of it they have created into a wonderful little retreat. 

Steps leading to their little haven from the workshop. 

Brick work in the grass for the picnic table and the patio in the background.

The patio that holds a pizza oven and provides shelter for them as they are cooking and barbecuing and entertaining guests.

Dan laid all the stones for their patio, laying out designs in the grass before he attempted placing them in their final resting places. You would think he had done many patios before this one. 

He created a star design under the shelter of the patio. 

The pizza oven. 

Anna explained that they have a group of friends who like to come over and sit around the fire and they do a lot of visiting and the menfolk decided to make a sign for their little retreat. “What’s said in the woods, stays in the woods.” I have a feeling many a secret and confidence is shared under the trees and around the campfire.

A welcome sign hanging on the shelter. 

The pizza oven closer. I had to stop in the next night to get another couple of pictures I wanted to really put in this post and Dan came back out to meet me and he told me in great detail how they work this pizza oven and what they can make in it. He wants to try and use it like a smoker some day soon. Maybe do a brisket in there. He also said it takes four minutes to make a 12 inch pizza in this oven! Now talk about fast food! He said the grandchildren always rather have pizza than anything else when they come over. 

The inside of the oven. 

Their campfire ring. This is where they sit and visit and spill their secrets with their nearest and dearest friends. I told Dan I would love to come sit around this campfire one summer evening and experience this little retreat with them. 

Part of the landscaping around their little retreat. I have a feeling in the summer time, this is a thing of beauty. 

A couple little spring flowers were blooming already. 

The hydrant by the patio and you can also see the detail in the wall of the patio. 

More spring flowers.

A Baltimore Oriole feeder.  

They have a Wisteria tree in the front of their retreat and this is a seed pod from the tree. Dan told me, “There are probably hundreds of seeds in the grass now and we will have to try and see to it they don’t grow because they are a real mess to keep clean.” Their vines tangle over everything they come in touch with. 

When I was taking pictures the second day, Dan told me that in the summer on their “off Sunday” they cook breakfast out on their campfire and anyone is welcome to stop by for breakfast. Their friends know this and it sounds like they have very few breakfasts alone on those Sunday mornings. (Amish folks only go to church every other Sunday and so they have an “off Sunday.”) 

The only regret I have of this post is that I don’t have a picture of Dan and Anna to show you. They are such a sweet couple, a couple who knows how to have fun and what is important in life. Dan told me, “You see that pizza oven over there? That is our Florida trip. We prefer to spend money on some things around here and have it for a long time to enjoy rather than go travel and come back and have nothing to show for it.” I understand his logic, it makes sense when you think of it like that. He is busy pouring money and himself into creating a haven of rest and relaxation for them and their family and friends to enjoy often. She is busy working alongside him, maintaining the property, encouraging him to work on his newest creation and then both of them together stopping to smell the proverbial roses with their family and friends. 

And speaking of roses. Dan acknowledged he was also getting into rose gardening. He likes them. He has a few. I was thinking they told me how many, but I can’t remember the number. At one point he paused and said,”I’m not sure how many of them made it over the winter, but we will see.” I hope they all made it over this hard winter, but if they didn’t, I am sure Dan will persevere and one day there will be glorious rose gardens neatly tucked in all over their yard and thriving. 

My thoughts as I end this post? I just fell in love with this couple. They are such an example of how more of us should be. Work hard, for sure, for sure, but also take time to play, to relax, and enjoy the company of others. Many of us could take a page out of their book when it comes to supporting the other spouse when they have special talents. The surprise was all mine, because I thought I was going to see a few “carvings” and ended up understanding the difference between a carving and a wood turning and I also got a whole other element of this couple together, creating a restful haven for their family and friends. 

What an absolute pleasure this was. I want to go back and take pictures of their haven when it has some color. I have permission. I would almost venture to bet my husband and I will find ourselves around their campfire one night this summer enjoying a pizza that comes out of that pizza oven. 

Dan and Anna, I know you will be reading this post on your son’s computer and I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed stopping by your work shop and getting a tour of it and your little retreat in the woods. You have been a blessing to me and I want to thank you for allowing my readers to a look/see inside an Amish couple’s life. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. You truly are special folks.  

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Looking in my Rear View Mirror

centipedes and more

Centipedes

 

 

Centipedes are one of those creepy crawly things that I just don’t enjoy. You know how snakes gives one the shivers and shakes? Centipedes give me the same feelings. I use our basement bathroom and this morning when I wanted to take a shower there was a huge centipede in my bathtub! I got the shivers and shakes. My husband was upstairs using his shower and I knew I couldn’t ask him for help so I did the next best thing I knew to do. I turned on the water and I drowned the Mr. Creepy Centipede and then I let him flush down the shower drain.

 

I knew the thing was dead, but I was afraid that it would end up being alive so I actually put the plug in the drain to be sure it couldn’t come back. All the while I was showering I kept “feeling” something on my feet. Creepy!

 

I felt a little bit “mean girl” as I stood there watching it drown. I hate to kill things, even spiders, but I will kill a spider and clean up the mess with a tissue, but I draw the line at centipedes and snakes. I either run away or I have to kill in such a way that I never have to, in any way, come in contact with it, even with a tissue paper between me and “it”.

Does anybody relate?

 

 

Sunday

 

Church was so good today. I love our Sunday School class. We had missed quite a few classes early in the year because of either being sick or other obstacles but we were able to attend the last two Sunday’s and it sure feels like “home” to be able to attend again.

After church service was over I visited with a lady who recently retired from her job and she looks so happy. She told me that folks tell her that she comes across as so much happier now that she has retired. I’m so glad for her. I wonder, is it like that for everyone who retires? Does their life become happier and more relaxed once they give up the job and settle into a more relaxed routine? I have a feeling it is different for different folks. She just made retirement look so do-able.


Hazelnut Flavored Decaf Coffee

I love you!

We just purchased 96 K-cups online – I only had three cups so far today because I can’t get enough of the flavor. Does anyone have this kind of problem? I have to drink decaf though. Sad face.


Sunday Drive

I had to take my great aunt to her church services this morning. I’m always amazed at how “with it” she still is at 97, almost 98 years old. She remembers where she and I have been, what was said, who lives there, on and on. This afternoon when I picked her up we went the long way home and I stopped and took some pictures along the way. She wanted to see them and I would show her and she would giggle and say how pretty this one or that one was. She would stretch her neck to see what I was seeing on my side of the car. She was with me all the way and I know our next excursion out she will do the “remember when” with me about this trip. I love her muchly.

Following are pictures from our Sunday drive. I hope you enjoy.

 

Even the horses and buggies have to abide by the traffic laws. This was perfect, slowing down, because I was turning in the same lane they were.

 

If you look closely, there are two ladies walking in the farm lane, I suspect on their way home from church services my great aunt attended.

 

A horse and buggy coming from where my great aunt’s church was held today.

 

This horse did not notice me, he was watching the horse and buggy going up the road. I whistled at him and he barely batted an eyelash.

 

This is where my great aunt’s church was held today. There was a big garage to my right but I didn’t dare take more pictures other than this one. I liked the hitching post, it has a tie-rope there with a snap, so a visitor does not have to actually get their big one out from under the buggy seat. It was cozy around there, and so beautiful. This home is placed high on a hill, black top all the way in to the house and barn, they have a little bridge in their driveway. So pretty.

 

After I picked up Beina, we started on our little excursion and found some sheep up on a hill.

 

We found this dandy little shanty. So cute! Beina wanted to see what the picture looked like so I let her see and she giggle and said, “my you can take really good pictures!”

 

I loved this valley, the winding road, all the houses and farms dotting the countryside.

 

I can’t explain, except to say, the big tree just spoke to me.

 

Horse and buggy trotting down a pretty good hill.

 

Horse grazing, cattle lazing.

 

Some cool little barns.

 

Sheep taking a break. I love sheep, my husband and I used to raise lambs. I miss that season so much. I miss the sheep and lambs too.

 

More sheep, these were grazing. I like the woods in the background.

 

The same horse from a few pictures back.

 

For me, this looked almost “Biblical” to me. The sheep, the rocks, the brown grass. I can’t explain.

 

Same with this one, it is the same view, just at a distance.

 

Ah, not an “Amish farm”, but for me, this one always seems kind of “Dukes of Hazzard” for me. I used to work with one of the son’s who grew up on this farm. He was a character for sure, for sure, and Dukes of Hazzard, yep, good description!

 

I like the bridge and I like the tree beside it.

 

In our neck of the wood “Bull Country Compost” is the in thing to use on your gardens and flower beds. I found a sign on the side of this barn, which is literally sitting right beside the road, and a cross road at that. The sign is there to prove it.

 

This is on top of “The Funk Hill”.

 

I paused and shot a picture of this hill because of the memories I have of it.

 

First memory, when I was a little girl at home, we would have to travel up and down this hill to get to various people’s homes in our church district. Back then this was a dirt road with barely any gravel and I remember it being muddy and the buggy wheels would dig in and leave marks the whole way to and from. The hill itself is long and steep and I hated it with a passion. I was always afraid of horses and so buggy rides were never fun for me, and especially on this hill. (I’m still afraid of horses, but I do like to photograph them.)

 

Second memory, when I was a little girl I though “Funk” meant something else. I thought my parents were always cussing when they mentioned that hill. Years later I found out that “Funk” was the last name of a family who had lived on that hill way back in the dark ages or sometime. ha ha!

 

Third memory, my old neighbor grew up there on The Funk Hill and he would tell us stories of playing in those woods and hills and he said that one day he came upon a Blue Racer snake. I never seen a Blue Racer snake, I never heard of anyone seeing one before or since, but to hear him say it, it was a snake that can go fast, real fast and you have to be quick to get away from it. So, I was always on the lookout for Blue Racer snakes when we were going up and down that awful hill.

 

 

After I dropped off Beina, I took another way home and found these trees had gotten caught up on the electrical lines. I didn’t stick around too long, didn’t feel the safest there.

 

I did pause to get a look at the other side of the bridge

 

This horse noticed me taking pictures. He walked my way for awhile, but he was far away from me, I got in my car and left before he made it to me. It was blitz cold out there today!

 

I remember attending church services here. Nice Amish family lives here. Several generations.

 

I know you can’t see the horse plainly, but somehow I like some of these shots, where you see an object in the background and in the foreground you have other things going on. I am probably crazy, but it is my eye that loves these shots. I might be in a league of my own, but I can’t help but love it.

 

Love this one too.

 

Can I tell you what I was thinking when I took this? Hmm, well, I like the blue and white sky, then I like the three trees way up on the hill. Reminded me of the three crosses on Calvary for some reason….then in contrast, the other side of the picture you have all the trees and almost no color. It is the contrast that I love in this picture and all the other little things going on.

 

In this maze of trees there was a little shanty. I really liked this area, it just spoke to me.

 

It seems the road leads right into the clouds with the bare trees waving a good-bye.

 

Sometime midst the beauty of Amish Country you come across some junky sights. This is an old couch and chair. The movie, Grumpy Old Men came to mind, in one of the last scenes when the old man dies while he is fishing, isn’t he on some kind of sofa or recliner? I haven’t watched that movie in ages, but I remember something not fitting in with the fishing scene and thinking it was a recliner.

 

 

I also found these old wheels. I’m sure they have been here for years because they almost fade into the landscape.

 

This horse’s owners must have been visiting friends and so they unhitched him from the buggy and tied him to the hitching post. This place looks like it is a business and home all in one and pretty messy for Amish folks, but I do believe they are Amish.

 

See, it is messy, I just got a small shot, the house is off to the right and the business off to the left.

 

Someone has their own little greenhouse.

 

I came upon this house and they have everything decorated for Easter already. They truly are an anomaly deep in Amish Country.

 

My favorite thing in this picture is that flag waving in the front of the house and do you notice the big tree peeking from behind the house? I feel like it was waving a hearty “Hello” to me. Do you see that? Or maybe I shouldn’t tell you all my thoughts! ha ha

 

Even the decorative moose by the little pond are decorated for Easter! How fun!

 

Bunny Rabbit was flailing around in the wind. I love the shadow on the stone beside it. Somehow, for me, the gaudy bunny rabbit does not fit in this scene, but it is there, so I captured its picture.

 

Here I see a flourishing tree planted right there by the water. I can think of a Psalm or two that would be fitting right here, this tree looks like it has its act together, branches are all nice and clean, ready for Spring and leaves to grow.

 

Contrasting with the tree in the prior picture. This tree is not so clean and together, it has a messy set of branches hanging toward the ground. These two trees reminded me of folks we might know, some are together, have their lives in order, others not so much. 

 

A corn crib, standing dutifully in a field near a farm.

 

Someone left their tractor out in the field. The animals grazing around it don’t seem to mind it’s presence. I kind of like it being there.

 

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My Facebook page. Looking in my Rear View Mirror

 

Blessings all!

 



i found some signs of spring

Springtime is upon us.

 

The date on the calendar said so yesterday.

 

I went out to find spring yesterday and the following is what I found.

 

 

Two teams of horses. Two menfolk. Plowing the field.

 

 

If you click on this picture you will see more of the tree in the background.

 

I love the tree.

 

I love the farmer and plow and team of horses.

 

I love, love the two farm dogs sniffing in the dirt. I bet their noses are overdosing right now.

 

 

As I continued up the road I found this cabin and lake.

 

When I got home and pulled up this picture I noticed the barbed wire fence.

 

I love the barbed wire fence.

 

I was told by my coworker that this scene is awesome in the summer time. I can see that. I will return this summer for an updated picture of the cabin and lake.

 

 

This is what I saw when I drove in our driveway last night. Rays of sunlight streaming down through the clouds. I tried a few different shots. I like this one, how the ray of sunlight seems to come down and mingle with the tree tops.

 

Did you find signs of Spring yesterday, other than a date on your calendar?

 

I’m ready for spring to be here, for warmth to envelope us and for my shoes to be tucked into the closet and for sandals, flip flops and bare feet be revealed.

 

My favorite way to be is – barefoot. Nothing feels more free-er than to be barefoot. I’m still a little Amish girl in my heart and in my feet. wink wink

 

Happy Spring!

amish country or manhattan?

One upon a time, a long time ago, in the early 1990’s, my husband and I stepped out of a train, on to a  platform in Grand Central Station – NYC and our eyes were opened up to the fact that there is more to life than Amish Country, USA. I talked about that adventure here.

 

For many years since that adventure I have had this longing deep inside of me to live in Manhattan for one year and soak in the culture, the arts, the lights, the sounds, eat the food, shop the stores, observe the holiday traditions of the city and roam the streets and take in the architecture and all the city has to offer.

 

After leaving the Amish and being shunned, so much of me felt lost and shattered and during those times my longing deepened to go live in the city. The reality was, though, that we were raising two children and we didn’t want to uproot their lives more than they already had been uprooted and my husband, ever the “realistic one” in our relationship would never consent to sell everything and go start over in another town or city as this would have been the case, not even for a year. The adventure would have been too great a sacrifice for our family.

 

So, for years I sat on my longing for adventure in the city and we would visit it periodically over the next 20 years or so. We are long overdue to visit it again, this year it will have been five years since we last visited Manhattan and our friends who first introduced us to the city.

 

 Years come, years go.

 

Life changes.

 

Hearts also change.

 

There was a time when I could not see the beauty that surrounds me here in Amish Country. The city lights beckoned too loud, as did the pain of having been shunned and ridiculed for being different now.

 

“Different is defined by what I wear and what I drive, and the church I attend.”

 

The day I allowed God to heal my hurt and pain, the day I forgave the Amish and understood that they can’t help what they do because they don’t know how to do life differently is the day that I was able to finally see the beauty that is in my surroundings. I live in the country, deep in the country, and the city lights no longer beckon so loudly. Although I would still ABSOLUTELY LOVE the chance to live in Manhattan for a solid year, I am completely content where I am right now.

 

“Why are you content”, you ask. 

 

Because my contentment comes from no longer holding grudges and feeling slighted by those who mistreat me. My contentment comes from having forgiven and I know my life is not my own to live. I live for Jesus, he is my Lord and he is my comfort and my light, he is all the adventure I need and for that reason, I am content and settled right here, deep within Amish Country.

 

Since I have given up my “will” and “wants” I have had more little adventures than I could ever have dreamed up. I have been shown over and over and over again how much natural beauty and adventure I have right there at my finger tips. I just have to notice my surroundings.  

 

Let me try to explain.  

 

Yesterday morning I picked up my great aunt, Beina, at my parent’s home. She is 97 years old. In May she will celebrate her 98th birthday. She is still so “with it” for her age, she grows more feeble and has a bad hip and her eye sight and hearing are leaving her but she still enjoys life. She has been really cooped up this winter because of the weather and so she hasn’t gone to church and other functions because my parents thought it better to stay home than risk falling on ice and breaking something.

 

Knowing how cooped up she has been I decided to take my camera along yesterday morning and after I picked her up we set out on a little adventure before we arrived at my home for the day.

 

Each morning I watch these little ponds on my way to my 8-5 and I’ve been wanting to stop and take them in one day, and so that was our first stop. I left my car running, heat turned up, made sure the car was parked so Beina would be able to take in the scenery and I slid out of the car, camera in hand and I took the following pictures, and more.

 

(If you click on the first photo, it will open into a gallery and you can see more details in the pictures.)

 

Of Ponds and Canadian Geese

 

 

A total of three sets of Canadian Geese were playing around on the lower pond yesterday morning.

 

 

One of the couples. I love the water in this picture. Small ripples, it was really chilly yesterday morning when I was out there. The geese didn’t seem to mind the cold weather at all.

 

 

A larger view of the lower pond.

 

 

A shot with the dock in the picture. Two couples are in this picture.

 

 

Someone is “fishing”.

 

 

This was my favorite shot of the morning by the pond.

 

As I snapped it I said to myself, “money shot”. Not that I would ever get money for it, but I was so tickled to have clicked at just the right time.

 

How beautiful and majestic!

 

On we went, Beina and I, on more adventures. We stopped in the parking lot of a roadside produce stand I frequent in the summer and again, I made sure Beina could see and I got out of my car and snapped a few pictures.

 

 

Maple Syrup Cooking Shanties and Farm Dogs With Noses to the Ground

 

 

Hidden in the woods is a small shanty and in a few short months this shanty will be disguised  behind the leaves on those trees. Maple syrup season is upon us and you see more and more trees tapped for maple sap than in the last few years prior. I suspect because the winter has been hard and cold the maple sap harvesters figure the harvest will be plenty this year. I hope so for all their hard work.

 

 

Another shot of the shanty.

 

 

One thing I noticed, and took a bunch of pictures of, was the dog in the field in front of the woods. His nose was almost over-dosing, he had his little nose to the ground and was all over that field in the time we were sitting there taking pictures.

 

Amish Country Scenery and Objects.

 

 

A farm off the road a ways. I like how the windmill is peeking up over the barn, I almost felt it “wink” at me.

 

 

This farm was tucked away up pretty high on a hill. I pulled it in on my camera to get a better picture of the buildings, but it is up there a ways. I love the lone tree in the foreground. I also noticed the windmill on this farm and the smoke coming out of the chimney.

 

 

As I stood there looking at this view I was delighted to see how this view made it almost seem like this was a little village. These homes are all mostly nestled along the same stretch of winding road, but through the trees they look more like a village. I love the red barn with green roof through the trees. Fun picture for me.

 

 

Beside the ponds where Beina and I stopped for a long while, was this house. The Amish man was carrying his baby to the house and I got a couple pictures of them walking away from me. I try not to be too in-your-face with my camera. If you click on this picture you will see the baby’s face peeking out of the blanket.

 

 

An Amish “pickup”. It has a bench for the driver and passenger to sit on, and the back part has racks to haul livestock and other things, like the barrels you see in this picture. I like to call it a “pickup”.

 

 

Amish buggy flying down the road. They are coming off of a hill and the horse was running. I love this picture for some reason. Maybe because you can tell the horse was running by the position of his feet in the picture.

 

 

This “pickup buggy” looks like it was parked in a hurry.

 

An Amish Parochial School

 

 

I will probably get a print of this picture. I just love the starkness and the “pioneer” feel it holds for me. This school is still running, but I’m surprised at how neglected it looks. I think it is a “Swartzentruber Amish” school. They are a little bit more “sloppy” than the Old and New Order Amish. No matter, Beina and I enjoyed our time here, observing, chit chatting about all the elements of the school we noticed.

 

 

We noticed the very, very dark blue window coverings. How dismal these windows looked to us. Beina thought the school itself needs a coat of paint. I agree. Honestly, it depressed me a bit to think children still attend school here. How dark their lives must be.

 

 

The barn where the scholars can tie up their horses in when they drive them to school. I noticed in the mud there were a lot of buggy tracks. Behind the barn is an outhouse and beside it is a swing set. How much fun is it to swing on swings and have to smell the smells of the outhouse?

 

I wonder if the children even notice???

 

 

The school bell hanging in the gable of the school house. Birds were flying all around there and a few settled there to observe their surroundings. I suspect that gable gets a nest or two of birds each year.

 

 

Another outhouse beside the school house. I suspect this might be the girl’s outhouse, but not sure.

 

 

They also have the “luxury” of having a water pump. I love how it looks there in its surroundings, but am afraid it might be the only source of water those kids have during the day.

 

 

 

 

The only “new and not dilapidated” looking thing we found at that school house was this softball backstop. There is a road right at the edge of those trees and so the kids have been afforded one new thing that I could see, probably mostly for safety and to protect the cars traveling the road from stray balls. 

 

Beina and I experienced all these sights in less than two hours.

 

What an adventure.

 

What a blessing to sit and listen to her observations on the different scenes we came upon.

 

A few years back I would have missed all this if I had not learned how to forgive and move on with my life. I would have continued to feel disdain for the culture I come from and would have continued to long for experiences and live in discontent rather than experience where I live.

 

There are areas in my life I’m not happy with, areas where I do not thrive and tend to feel bored and tossed aside, but I’m content. Content to wait on God, to see what he has for me next. I know he has a plan for me and sometimes we have to experience boredom to appreciate when something adventuresome comes into ones life. These days I chose to look at every minute detail as an adventure, a gift from God himself. I would hate to miss one thing, one moment, one conversation, one morsel of life that God meant me to notice, to experience, to enjoy.

 

I don’t believe that “adventure” is the ultimate goal in life, but I do believe adventure is a gift from God, straight from his hands, he plans out each little detail for us because he loves us so much. We just have to pause in our busy lives to notice and accept those moments.

 

Beina

 

 

I cherish each of my conversations I have with this lady, she has connected me with my past like I’ve never been connected to before. She has shared so many of her memories with me. Once she leaves this earth that generation is gone and none of us will ever get to go back in time like we can now because she is still here with us. She has told me a lot about her sister Anna, my grandmother. I cherish every morsel she has shared with me over the past couple of years.

 

 I’m so glad she was with me on my adventure yesterday.

 

It made my whole day sweeter.

 

 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content<sup class="crossreference" value="(A)”> whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry,<sup class="crossreference" value="(A)”> whether living in plenty or in want. Philippians 4:11,12

 

I praise God for showing me what contentment looks and feels like. I chose to die daily to my own whims and wishes. I trust him for my every need and longing these days. Life has become better and holds more meaning to me since adopting this way of living. I would still love to experience the city life, going to see more Broadway shows, eating the food, shopping the shops, walking the streets and checking out the architecture and on and on…but at this moment, I am fully content living in Amish Country – USA and experiencing each morsel here.

 

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Looking in my Rearview Mirror

Mrs. Miller’s Dry Goods

A few Saturday’s ago I stopped by a local business, tucked away in the quaint Amish town of Charm, Ohio. I browsed, took pictures and spoke with the owner and some of her employees, and I was mesmerized. The reason why I wanted to go see what it was all about was because last Fall I had a little chit chat with one of the employees about this business and was intrigued. This employee told me of how much fun she has at work and all the little perks she gets by working there. It sounded to me like they were a happy family there and it just felt warm and homespun to me, so I had to go check it out for myself.

 

I rarely travel to this quaint town called Charm anymore, it has become a town I once frequented on a weekly basis but now has become a place I go to mostly in my memory. We no longer live as close to Charm as we once did and usually when I leave our driveway I am headed in a different direction.

 

So when I say “I was sort of taken aback when I first arrived at Mrs. Miller’s Dry Goods“, that is exactly what I mean. I had no idea how much things had changed since I had last been there. When we were still Amish this was the place where I mostly shopped for my fabric to sew each one of my family member’s wardrobes. I purchased fabric for dresses, shirts, pants, coats and jackets and even my daughter and my coverings. I made almost everything we wore out of fabric that mostly came out of this store. I loved to sew and going to Mrs. Miller’s Dry Goods was always a pleasure when I needed more fabric. It filled up something inside of me as I walked through the aisles and touched the fabric and dreamed of what a dress could look like for my young daughter or myself, often contemplating purchasing a fabric that might be plain in color, but maybe have a texture, some design woven into the fabric, but usually adhering to the Amish rules and regulations on their dress code and making my purchase within the “ordnung” of the church.

 

As I paused in the doorway, the other Saturday, for a moment I remembered Mrs. Miller padding through her store, smiling, nodding “hello” as I entered her store and bidding me to “look around and if I needed help to ask”. I could see the former set up plainly in my mind’s eye and thought of how she and/or her two daughters were almost always there when one entered through the door. Mrs. Miller helped me countless times with my purchases, always friendly and patient, as were her two daughters, Katie and Mary. Quite simply, it was always a treat to enter their store and make my purchases.

 

One of the biggest changes I noticed as I stood there observing everything, when I first arrived, was the fabric that Amish folks might purchase to sew into dresses and pants has all been put in the basement and the top floor of the store has become a quilt and crafter’s dream. I suspect many Amish ladies purchase their fabrics from their own, more local, Amish-owned fabric stores these days. There are many of those all around us. I can probably think of ten or so such stores nearby. And there are probably many more I don’t even know of.

 

Some serious updates have taken place all over the two stores, each building has been tidied up, everything looks fresh, inviting, and well….homespun is a word I keep coming back to. I’ve been by the place since they’ve updated, but never paused to “notice” the changes.

 

Someone has a real talent and an eye for making sure folks know where to go. The signage around this business is like none other that I’ve ever seen. What a pleasure it was to be able to find things, know where to go and what to look for.  In my pictures you will see many of those signs. I was totally blown away with how organized everything was around there, both inside and out.

 

One of Mrs. Miller’s daughters now owns the business. She and her husband have utilized EVERY corner of the property her mother used to own. The house Mary grew up in has been turned into a fabric crafter and quilter’s retreat, called The Rural Thimble. The outside is beautiful and inviting. I have no doubt that coming here to spend a week or weekend quilting and crafting with one’s friends would leave one inspired, refreshed and feeling accomplished by the end of the stay. I did not get to go inside the house because it had been rented out to a group during that time. You can click on the link I provided in this paragraph for more photos and information.  

 

The log cabin Mrs. Miller had built and lived in behind the stores has now been turned into lodging. You can find out more by clicking on this link if you would like to stay deep in the heart of Amish Country. There is a beautiful covered bridge going back to the log cabin and a creek running through the property which I’m sure you can hear from the porch of the cabin.

 

The first family home had been turned into the store many, many years ago and much later the family barn had also been turned into a store. Following you will see a lot of pictures I took that Saturday and will try to describe what each one is.

 

Speaking with Mary as I was taking my pictures I felt like I understood why this place had changed so much. I knew Mary when she was still a young Amish girl and much later I would see her out and about, but never got to really know her. In today’s world she has blossomed into a confident businesswoman, calm, collected, friendly, trendy, and seems to have her thumb on the pulse of what makes quilters and fabric crafters tick. She isn’t afraid to put money into the business and her employees and for that reason, I think, is why her employees speak highly of her and why her customers have such a satisfied smile on their faces and why those customers return when they need more fabric or inspiration. When I say inspiration, I mean “IDEAS”. There are so many examples displayed throughout both of the stores, one can’t help but get an urge to sew something. If you are in the mood to craft or quilt but are uninspired, I recommend a trip to this quaint little Amish town called Charm and a visit to Mrs. Miller’s Dry Goods. It is a real treasure to go there and browse. I would say, if you are a quilter/fabric crafter you will want to carve out a half a day or more when you come for your first visit.

 

I am sure positive Mrs. Miller would be happy and satisfied with all the changes Mary and her husband have made to the business. When I left there I was smiling and felt something inside of me, something happy and homespun and wanting to return when I have more time. I enjoyed the memories of the old and the face of the new. I’m so glad I went and I’m so happy to feature Mary and her business in my “Real People” section on my blog.

 

 

On a side note…I wrote about traveling to this business via horse and buggy and about an incident that happened to me on the way home that day. You can read about that adventure by clicking here. It was hair-raising and a real life adventure for sure!

 

 

When you first arrive, you can’t help but take note of the signs.

 

Two stores. Quilt Barn and Fabric Store.

 

The Quilt Barn. There are comfy rocking chairs under the porch, I have a feeling a lot of men have found their way to that porch and those chairs whilst they wait on their ladies. The hitching post in front of the barn is still used by the Amish folks who come to shop.

 

The Fabric Store, formerly their home and years ago fashioned into Mrs. Miller’s livelihood to support her family.

 

A shot from a different angle of both stores.

 

The lazy sidewalk connecting the store and the quilter’s retreat, The Rural Thimble.

 

The porch of The Rural Thimble. Cozy quilter’s retreat!

 

Full view of The Rural Thimble.

 

Inside the fabric store, you will find many nooks and crannies, each one thought out, keeping the customer’s experience in mind. Here you can sit down and quilt! Yes, right there in the middle of the store you can experience quilting and I’m sure if you don’t know how to quilt, one of the very friendly employees or Mary, herself will gladly give you some tips and pointers.

 

Some quilts hanging on the walls. So beautiful!

 

Amanda, Mary’s daughter, and her grandmother’s namesake. She was working on a project for school she said. Amanda is a typical teenager, friendly, wanting to make sure her hair was nice and neat before I took her picture and when I asked her if she will one day take over the store she smiled and nodded her head and said “probably”.

 

Button, button, whose got the button? Here is a wash sink filled with buttons. You can sit down and explore the buttons, feel them, play with them, find some you like or need, get them weighed and take them home. Mary told me that kids ask to come here to play with the buttons. It is simply the coolest thing…ever!

 

One little nook right in the middle of the store has bakery cases Mary purchased from at an auction that had been part of Norman’s Bakery from Millersburg, Ohio. Norman’s Bakery was the bakery to go to in the 60’s and 70’s. Mary has recycled those cases into a nook a display that holds all kinds of shapes and sizes of fabric. The squares are called “layer cakes”, the rolled up ones are called “jelly rolls” and on and on. You will want to visit this little nook and check out the cases. Very innovative and quaint and a part of the local’s history. A few more bakery pictures follow. Enjoy!  

 

Examples hanging on the walls, with pre-cuts in packages ready to be purchased and taken home and crafted on your own sewing machine.

 

 

There are kits available for each month, and an example of each month is displayed, weaving their way around a wall on a laundry line. I chose to photograph August, because in the dead of winter, this looked so summer to me. And August is the month I was born in, so why not?

 

A chalkboard resides inside the entrance door and there are specials listed. I like the little hearts floating around. You can tell the folks who work there all care about the details and making the experience happy and fun and inspiring for their customers.

 

As I paused by this display I heard someone say, “Fat quarters, it’s not a body part!” I looked around and saw a cute and chipper young lady walking through the store with a customer. Sue Yoder also has her thumb on the pulse of this business and is friendly and outgoing.

 

A bit earlier Sue had yelled at me from across the store, “Hi Lue! I read your blog!” I was confused for one little second when I heard her say that. It is still humbling for me to know folks actually read my words that I post on here.

 

But it also feels good.

 

I like Sue! What a precious young lady! We got to talk for a few moments before I left the store and I just. like. her.

 

Okay, back to the fat quarters display. Mary explained that fat quarters are 1/2 yard pieces cut on the fold and are 18″ x 22″ square pieces. They are typically used for pillows. She said because they are cut this way the customer doesn’t have to purchase a whole 1/2 yard of fabric. It becomes economical for her customers.

 

These photos are of the inside of the fabric store. There are bolts and bolts and bolts of fabric. It is an amazing sight to behold when you are actually there.

 

Here is Sue helping a customer.

 

I forgot this lady’s name. I’m sorry, but she was so friendly, as are all the employees there. I asked her if I could take a picture and she willingly obliged.

 

I love this wall hanger. It just spoke to me. If I had a western style room, I would purchase this and bring it home.

 

You can purchase crafting fabrics in the Quilt Barn. Flannel, Homespun and Minkee. I knew there was flannel, but I had never heard of the other two, but I found out they are very popular fabrics and a whole room in the barn is dedicated to these fabrics.

 

Here are Tagalong Blankie’s. They are made with the Minkee fabric.

 

Minkee fabric is. so. soft!

 

Mary told me how she and her husband go to auctions and garage sales and “find” interesting displays for the store. you will find everything from bakery cases, to cribs to antiques in both stores displaying fabric and products.

 

Homespun display.

 

Barrels of oil cloth so one can make raincoats.

 

Who would have thought???

 

Not me! I was totally impressed.

 

The little orange coat is a perfect size for a little girl. I could just envision a little girl walking to school on a rainy day in her trendy homemade raincoat!

 

Here in the front room of the Quilt Barn is the original hay mow.

 

This is the perfect display for chicken pin cushions.

 

SO ADORABLE!

 

The Quilt Barn has a beautiful open stairway going upstairs and up there you will find the quilts and a ton of items made by mostly Amish ladies. It is one way that Amish ladies can bring in a little income and is a way that widows are able to supplement their support. I know Mary’s mother, Mrs. Miller, helped out the widows in the community by giving them quilting or other fabric craft projects to sew. My own mother in law quilted many a quilt for Mrs. Miller when she was still able to quilt.

 

 

 

Toaster covers. Mary said they are a popular item.

 

Yep, a whole, real open buggy resides in the upstairs of the Quilt Barn! It is that big up there!

 

These dolls are displayed on the open buggy. Don’t they look..mischievous?

 

Unique displays.

 

A bed in the middle of the Quilt Barn, holding a very pretty quilt. I love these colors. Greens are my favorite colors and so it really caught my eye.

 

A close up of the middle of the quilt. See how puffy? I wanted to just lay down for a spell and feel the comfort.

 

But I didn’t.  

 

I want to come back and pick out some of these area rugs for my home. Mary said some Amish man makes them and she has them in her home and they are fabulous! She said she can wash them and they always hold up. I’m sold! I want some for my mud room and my kitchen….and maybe my laundry room…hmmm? I better stop.

 

How! Beautiful!

 

An close up of one of the area rugs.

 

Quilts hanging in the background. Lots and lots of quilts. If you are in the market for a beautiful quilt that will become an heirloom…this is the place to go. I’m sure if Mary doesn’t have it there, she can get one made for you. She has connections throughout the Amish community and can get you what you want.

 

On the outside of The Quilt Barn, beside the entrance door, is a small door that the family horse would look out of in the summer time. I remember him hanging his head out of there when I would stop by to make my purchases. If I remember correctly, the horse’s name was Tony, but not quite sure.

 

Sue! What a pleasure! Like I said, she seems to have her thumb on the pulse of this wonderful business and just look at her smile! Her personality just oozes friendly and fun.

 

Getting to know Sue made me wish I had time to get to know more of Mary’s employees and feature more of them here. I did meet Sue’s mother who also works here. She is Amish and a widow and also very friendly and helpful. My friend from church, Dorothy, is the one who told me about how much she loves her job and all the amazing things happening here. Hi Dorothy!

 

Meet Mary!

 

What a lovely lady!

 

I just know her mother would be so proud of her if she could see what Mary has done to with the business.

 

The covered bridge going over to the cabin.

 

The view of the cabin through the covered bridge.

 

The creek.

 

The cabin. If you are wanting a wonderful place to stay, here is an idea! Doesn’t it look lovely and comfortable and calming?

 

A map hanging on The Quilt Barn wall. You can see the surrounding area.

 

I hope you do…”Come In”.

 

I didn’t get the half of what is there.

 

I didn’t want to.

 

Even if you don’t quilt or fabric craft, it will hold your interest and it is an experience you don’t want to miss. Also, if you want your male counterparts to travel with you and they are completely disinterested in stopping/browsing here, there is a place called Keim Lumber just a hop, skip and a jump from Mrs. Miller’s Drygood’s door and your family can go there and they will be mesmerized for hours. I promise. They have a café, so food and drinks are available for the hungry and thirsty ones, and there are plenty of restrooms if one has to “go”, and besides the essentials, Keim Lumber has everything else under the sun, or so I’ve been told.

 

For more information on Mary’s businesses, please visit Mrs. Miller’s Dry Goods to learn more. You can also visit her Facebook page here.

 

If you liked this blog post and would like to read more, I invite you to browse my blog and also stop by my Facebook page and “like” it so that we can remain in touch and get all my updates on the blog. I am in the process of writing a book and so that is something to look forward to one day if you are a reader. I am working on a novel, but I have a couple other ideas grinding their gears in my head, so who knows what I will finish first?? I loved having you here and hope you stop by some more.

 

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