Monday Stuff On the Way to Other Stuff: Amish...and Not So Much

     We just got back, from a few days' vacation in Shipshewana, Indiana. 

photo from aimindiana.org

If you've never been there, the easiest way to describe it: a longtime Amish settlement that's turned tourist. REALLY tourist. A quaint town,.but with a regionally-known auction and flea market that many people enjoy. Not to mention a bunch of bulk food and discounted-item stores, hardware and quilt shops...even a popcorn store. 

    We also enjoyed gawking (or trying not to) at the Amish, their well-kept farms, buggies and their colorful, beautifully-simple clothing. (I was particularly impressed by the many snowy aprons and caps. How DO they get them so white!) 

     I have had a deep respect for the Amish women I've talked with. (No, I don't discuss things with Amish guys.) They are friendly, knowledgeable (usually we talked about quilts, gardening and groceries) and very, very smart. They are some of the most frugal, resourceful and religiously faithful groups I know. (The Mennonites, though their customs differ a little, also fall into this category. One of my appraising colleagues is Mennonite, as were good friends we made when living in Ann Arbor.)

     The bulk food stores were full of people, Amish and 'English,' busily shopping before they closed at 4 p.m. (Most stores are closed on Sundays in Shipshewana, though Saturday was the 'closed' day in Jamesport, MO, another Amish town we've visited.) We got our share of bargains there, too. (Or, as I often crow to the Brick, "Boy, did I save you money!") If you need oil lamp chimneys, basic gardening tools, and even quilting fabric, this is a great place to visit. But don't expect all the items to be truly Amish. They're not. 

Amish quilts, for example. (These are all from Amish Country Lanes in Pennsylvania. Beautifully made, by the way, based on the photos. Amish and Mennonite quilters are proud of their workmanship.)

Amish quilts, made for Amish (and admirers): solids, often jewel tones and contrasting neutrals. Though cottons dominate, polyester blends are not unusual. (Easy care, after all). Older quilts may use wools, which are incredibly rich in tone. Classic designs most popular. (This one is from Hannah's Quilts.)

'Sunshine and Shadows' -- I would call this a Trip Around the World variation -- on point

Mennonite quilts: similar in many ways to Amish pieces, with their love of classic design and pattern. These, however, are allowed to use small prints, if desired. (This one is from Connie Lapp and her mom.)

  'Hit and Miss'

  

Postage stamp style.  Notice the small-scale prints?

'English' quilts: made for non-Amish and non-Mennonite customers. Sky's the limit with prints and pattern, though they will often use 'quick' techniques on piecing, in particular, to make the quilts faster-made and more reasonably-priced. (This Christmas beauty is from Ruth Flaud, a Mennonite quilter.)

  'Christmas Dahlia'

So there you go. 

Anyways, we went to Shipshewana with dear cousins. We had a wonderful time, going to a play at the Blue Gate Theater, and just hanging out, shopping, and eating. And of course, gawking. (Or trying not to.) Meanwhile: 

A teacher loans a student his own shoes, so the student could graduate. Good for him!

Creative ways to solve various problems -- including showing movies on the side of a cow!

(Having grown up on a farm with cattle...How did they get her to stand there so long!)

Dr. Fauci gets into an angry debate with seventeen previous versions of himself. Is this satire, Babylon Bee...ummm, maybe not.

Dogs saved after she shoved A BEAR off the wall. Foolish of this 17-year-old...but heroic.

How to get your floor tiles extra glossy? This cleaning expert says extra-hot water and dishwashing liquid. But if you're low-maintenance, she just advises 'ripping them out.' Go figure...

Bake your cinnamon rolls in the wafflemaker!

Setting up a soaking pool in your yard,with step by step videos, thanks to Rae. (From A Life By Design) Or, if you prefer:

Want to go swimming in the sky -- between two apartment buildings? Now you can. 

A speedboat blows up after the people are incredibly rude...all I can say: 'be sure your sins will find you out.'

Why did Sinead O'Connor rip up the photo of the pope on SNL? Turns out it was revenge on her mother, as much as anything! (That was actually Mom's photo of the Pope that Sinead ripped up...)

'A Collection of Corrections.' Oh, that all 'factual' websites would do this. (CNN, are you listening?)

Racial bias in the appraiser/appraisal field, for black appraisers and homeowners? Sadly, yes. Hopefully this will change -- and continue to change -- in the future.

A Minneapolis' BLM leader quits...why?

Top ten snipers in history. This is interesting...and a bit unnerving, at the same time. Thanks for freaking us out, Listverse.

'Dirty secrets from cooking at home' and 'How to stop eating out.' (Including readers' contributions.) Both great advice posts from the Frugalwoods.

"I can't even put food on the table." (From I - heart- Budgets) Maybe she would benefit from:

Super-thrifty meals that stretch budgets.  (From Thrifty Mom in Boise)

Frugal savers' advice for navigating in this strange post-Covid world.

"What is it like to win a lottery?" The good, bad and anonymous. (Thanks, Quora people.)

Thieves stole the rosary of Mary, Queen of Scots! And other priceless relics, as well. (Based on the items taken, police think they were 'pickers' for some rich but unscrupulous collector.)

Have a great week.

An Amish family near Morristown, NY.  (Wikipedia)

The buildings we saw looked freshly painted - and spotless.