All Things Amish, and Amish Weddings I had so much fun researching for my current release, A Wedding for Julia. If you’ve read the story, you know the opening scene is actually a funeral. I haven’t attended an Amish funeral, so that took a lot of research on my part. I also haven’t attended an Amish wedding! So how does …
Differences Between Amish and Mennonite While I was signing books at the Brownfield Quilt Show, a Mennonite family walked in. They were very interested in the scrap fabrics and the patterns. In fact, this mom and 2 daughters came to the quilt show both days. As far as I know, there are no longer any Amish communities in Texas. We’ve
The Amish Way of Healing What a terrible week for news, what a heartbreaking time for our nation. My husband and I were camping in the Texas panhandle, when we heard about the bombings in Boston. We were barely home when the explosion in West,
Amish Life and Gardening, part 2 Pick up one of my books, and you’re bound to find a gardening scene. Why? Because every time I’ve been to Amish country, I’ve seen folks gardening. Doesn’t matter whether it’s spring, summer or fall, families are out working in their gardens. Last week I shared with you gardening tips from some of my …
Amish Hymns and Easter Celebrations I thought I’d share with you a hymn from an Amish hymnal I picked up while in Wisconsin. It’s not like the hymnals at my church. It’s a little stapled together 50 page thing. The cover says, “Ninety-eight Selection Songs, Addition to Church and Sunday School Hymnals.” The Amish don’t have instruments in their church …
Holidays in an Amish Household It is amazing to me how many people love to read books about the Amish. One of the most frequent emails I receive is, “I love their simple lifestyle.” There’s something about slowing down and focusing on what is important that appeals to us. Do the Amish celebrate Thanksgiving? Yes! The communities and families I …
Material Witness, Excerpt #1 Today I thought I’d share a short excerpt from Material Witness. This is from Chapter 10 (page 121). Melinda has learned that her son, Aaron — her handicapped son — is in danger. She’s hurried home to warn her family, but when she arrives no one is there. As Ginger nudged Melinda’s hand searching for a …
The Amish Way, Ministering to Others I’ve been in a crochet mood – and quilting, knitting, and sewing mood. Fall does this to me! As you can see, I’ve been crocheting hats like a crazy person. (This pattern can be found here.) I can easily do one a night. Everyone in my family is groaning, “Hats for Christmas. Great.” They’re …
Blogging and Everything Amish So how do you like the new look of my blog? The blue reminds me of kitchen curtains, and the brown and orange remind me of fall. : ) I hope this will be a nice, comforting place that you enjoy visiting. So I gave the blog a facelift, and you’ll notice a few other changes …
The Pumpkinvine Trail While I was in Indiana, hubby and I took a few hours to bike the Pumpkinvine Trail. We didn’t bike ALL of it. We biked 5 miles one way and 5 miles back. That was a lot for us. The trail is a real beauty. In total it is 16.5 miles connecting Goshen, Middlebury and Shipshewana. It …