The Amish Way of Living...

The Amish are a devout people with a strong faith that live a very plain and simple lifestyle. By simple I mean...no electricity, cars, or indoor plumbing. By plain I mean...they only wear black or any other plain solid color, nothing bright. They have no buttons or other fancies on their clothing. In their place they use straight pins. I know what you're thinking...OUCH! But they do seem to manage.

We are in my opinion, very lucky to have an Amish community living nearby. They are the nicest of folks who are extremly hardworking and always happy to see you.

It doesn't take long to build up a homestead when everyone pitches in. A barn raising is a community event where the older and much more experience men direct, and the younger ones act as "gofers". The women and young girls are in charge of all the food and drinks. Doesn't that sound like a fun day? Free labor is what I'm thinking!

My husband and I have become great friends with some of the Amish families. We buy our eggs from them almost every week. Lately though, we've been getting them from my non-Amish real life sister. LOL! Thanks Robin!

 

My husband getting eggs from the Harvey Miller family.

We also love to go sit and visit with them. They love visitors! Lydia, one of the Amish ladies, used to ask me to come visit her in the afternoons while she rocked baby Mary to sleep for her nap. Mary is now 4 years old. I brought my neice over to visit and play with Mary and some of the other kids one day. It was so fun to watch them. The younger Amish children speak very little English if any at all, as Dutch is their language, but they were able to communicate without any problems. I don't think kids care about those sorts of things anyway.

I admire their simple lifestyle and often wonder if I could be as disciplined as they are, but I do love indoor plumbing and my washer. Maybe I could adopt just a few of the simple things....like riding in a horse and buggy. So romantic! I say that, but I haven't had to do it in the middle of winter when the temperatures reach well below zero. YIKES!

 

The Amish farms all look so inviting, don't they? Joe and I have driven by at night just to see what their homes look like when they are lit only by lanterns. So homey! Makes you just want to invite yourself in and warm yourself by the fire. Here are a few pictures of some of the farms.

 

 

 

I wish I could show you pictures of the inside, but the Amish don't allow that. I will tell you though that they are very plainly furnished. The kitchens have wood cookstoves and large harvest tables with either chairs or benches. Off that is the pantry where all the necessary cooking staples are kept. I think it's my favorite room. The living room is very sparse...a chair or rocker, and maybe a desk. The bedrooms have only a bed, desk and trunk. Very plain, but functional. Each family takes a turn holding "church" at their home. I think that is why the living room is so sparse.  Chairs get lined up in rows, with women seated on one side and men on the other. Everyone is dressed in their Sunday best and their is always so much food. It is truly a day of rest, as it should be...the Lord's day.

 

Here are a few more pictures to enjoy....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I hope you enjoyed these pictures as much as we do. It certainly is a plain and simple lifestyle ~ One that my husband and I just love.

 

Don't forget to sign up for my giveaway! You have until Tuesday Sept. 11th. I hope you had a fun and safe Labor Day weekend. Summer is officially closed...until next year anyway!

 

Blessings,

Julie