| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| candismom |
Posted - May 09 2007 : 11:34:39 AM
Plain Farm ladies here. I live plain and would love to meet other like minded women.I think this board is the best.
Hugs,
Elizabeth
www.athomewithelizabeth.blogspot.com
My shop www.theclothesline.etsy.com
I sell Crabapple Hill Studio and other Patterns. Pluse lots of other handmade items.
May the Lord bless you and keep you.
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| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| mommom |
Posted - May 12 2007 : 7:30:07 PM
We would all welcome you with open arms! Susan |
| Alee |
Posted - May 12 2007 : 11:21:59 AM
Susan-
I love the description you gave us. It makes me want to move in next door to you!
Alee |
| BotanicalBath |
Posted - May 12 2007 : 08:42:45 AM
Wow thanks for all of the replies. I am intrigued by the no buttons and zippers. Also by the dozen spoons as wedding gifts. Does it have any symbolic meaning attached?
I am comfortable in my crunchy ways, DH would want to live off the grid. Ed Begley, Jr. is his hero.
E-
BotanicalBath@peoplepc.com
www.Botanical-Bath.com |
| mommom |
Posted - May 12 2007 : 06:46:02 AM
Living next to and being included in two Amish families with a total of 14 children between them, we never stop learning from them! They like to call me so we can go on shopping excursions to places I've never been! Sometimes, I am the only "Englischer" in an Amish store.We go material shopping, dry goods shopping, grocery shopping, and to an occassional auctiion. They seem to be very comfortable here in our home. We see each other more in the spring and summer. I think they have accepted me with open arms because of our simple and family oriented lifestyle. I go in their house and visit with them and they let me hold their little ones. They make rootbeer soda out of a syrup and boy is it good! We had popcorn and rootbeer one day when my grandson and I walked up there. They are very strict when it comes to them being in their buggies...they are not allowed to look around or wave. But.........when they pass my house on their way to church you see hands sticking out all over the place! I am so blessed! This past Christmas, I got the three older girls two pillowcases each for them to crossstitch. They do handwork and put them in their wooden chests for when they get married. November is a busy time for them because that is the wedding month. Weddings rarely occur outside of this month. And, then along August and September, we have babies being born all over the place!
When a couple is married, for a month after the event they visit those who were at their wedding. Annie buys each couple one dozen spoons as a housewarming gift. She bought a hundred dollars worth of spoons one time at the dry goods when I was with her!
The upstairs in their house is not heated. The kids wear sweaters and scarves to bed when it's really cold. The parents sleep downstairs with the babies until they're old enough to sleep with the oldest son. In other words, the parents bedroom has a crib in it for years!
I am just so blessed by God to live here next to my "family". My garden is plowed every year by six belgian horses attached to a plow with an Amishman driving it. No noise. Just a whinney now and then. We share vegetables and fruits from our gardens. Our dogs visit each other.
I wear long dresses or skirts and don't need a lot of gadgets to make my life complete. I sew, knit, crochet, can, freeze, and have a huge garden. Living simply means contentment to me. I am content. And, I always am willing to learn from my wonderful neighbors. You are a blessing to me, too, Elizabeth, and I so enjoy reading your "clothesline" talk. Have a "simply" wonderful weekend everyone! Susan |
| levisgrammy |
Posted - May 12 2007 : 03:45:33 AM
Elizabeth,
I got that from my Spring 2007 magazine. It is in the order form but maybe it is wrong. Do you get An Encouraging Word? I got you a subscription to that a while back and I wondered if you ever received it.
Denise
"The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof and all that dwell therein."
www.torismimi.blogspot.com |
| candismom |
Posted - May 11 2007 : 8:56:16 PM
Thanks Denise. In my Keepers at Home it says 4 issues for 16.00. When I called to renew that is how much they charged me. I got 2 years. I wonder if I should call them and ask about the 13.00 rate.
This has been interesting. Thanks everyone for sharing.
Hugs,
Elizabeth
www.athomewithelizabeth.blogspot.com
My shop www.theclothesline.etsy.com
I sell Crabapple Hill Studio and other Patterns. Pluse lots of other handmade items.
May the Lord bless you and keep you.
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| levisgrammy |
Posted - May 11 2007 : 4:45:38 PM
I live near Lancaster, Pa. I know we have a couple girls on the forum from that area.
We attended a mennonite church here in NJ for awhile. They do dress differently than the Amish. There are many different types of Amish and Mennonite. Some Amish will not use buttons on their clothing or zippers. They only use straight pins. Some of the Mennonites are stricter than others too. Most will have electricity but some don't drive cars they still use horse and buggy. I also get Keepers at Home and another magazine called An Encouraging Word. Keepers at Home is done by two Mennonite families and it is listed in the magazine as $13. for 4 issues yearly. An Encouraging Word is put out by a Christian family. They are neither Mennonite or Amish and it is $16. a year for 4 issues. I have been getting them for about 5 years. The women who do the Encouraging word also wear headcoverings. They magazines are not really about these two types of lifestyles as much as they are about Christian living.
There are so many different beliefs even among these that it is hard to say just mennonite and amish and have people know what you mean because they live mostly according to their church doctrine and what their bishops believe to be right.
We have a mennonite church here close to where the one is that we attended and they call themselves mennonite but the women don't wear headcoverings and they also wear pants. Which is very unusal for mennonites. My son works for one of the families from the church we attended and they will tell us that the other church is only mennonite in name not beliefs. They are also pacifists. They don't believe in the military. At least not for themselves. They don't believe we should go to war or vote or any of that. Well, sorry my post got so long just wanted to share my knowledge of the people.
"The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof and all that dwell therein."
www.torismimi.blogspot.com |
| candismom |
Posted - May 11 2007 : 12:44:04 PM
The Mennonite aren't as strict. That is more of what I am. They have cars,electrity and things like that. Amish and Mennonite both dress very plain and wear head covering. I don't don't wear my covering all the time but I do dress very plain. No pants. Jumpers and skirts mosty. A few dresses. Our belief system is about the same. Both groups are called plain. We are simple people. The amish are very strict. Most of the younger people are leaning toward the mennonite group.
Hugs,
Elizabeth
www.athomewithelizabeth.blogspot.com
My shop www.theclothesline.etsy.com
I sell Crabapple Hill Studio and other Patterns. Pluse lots of other handmade items.
May the Lord bless you and keep you.
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| BotanicalBath |
Posted - May 10 2007 : 10:50:55 PM
Elizabeth,
What is the difference between the Amish and the Mennonites? I grew up fairly close to am Amish community, but have never known any. Well, I went to a girls prep school, so I never knew anyone who even lived near me. I am not simple, but more of the crunchy artist type.
Thanks
E-
BotanicalBath@peoplepc.com
www.Botanical-Bath.com |
| candismom |
Posted - May 10 2007 : 1:21:42 PM
I love the magazine. I wanted to clear up one thing. There is a difference in being plain and living simple. Part of being plain is the way we dress. You can live simple and not be plain if that makes sense. I am so glad to see so many trying to life simple. That makes me feel not so alone.
Hugs,
Elizabeth
www.athomewithelizabeth.blogspot.com
My shop www.theclothesline.etsy.com
I sell Crabapple Hill Studio and other Patterns. Pluse lots of other handmade items.
May the Lord bless you and keep you.
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| Nancy Gartenman |
Posted - May 10 2007 : 1:13:48 PM
I just ordered the Mazazine at AMAZON. 12.00 FOR ONE YEAR.Looks like a good one.
NANCY JO
www.Nancy-Jo.blogspot.com |
| catscharm74 |
Posted - May 10 2007 : 11:25:26 AM
What I love about choosing the simple life is less worry all around. I am going back to school full time and not having to worry about things, especially materials items and knowing I am eating healthy, homemade, simple food. Having $$$ in the bank that allows us to work because we want to, not because we have to. I get enjoyment out of picking flowers, taking walks with the family, dressing like a "cowgirl" and being comfy, not worrying about what others think. I want to set an example to my son that life is not about being material and fake. My only challenge was getting rid of the "stuff", but donation has helped with that.
Biggest obstacle- family!! They don't understand why I don't want the cookie cutter with all the bells and whistles, dressing up like I am out to show off and buying into that lifestyle. I don't fit their mold and often, I am put down for it. But, it is my life and I am learning to separate other's needs from my own.
Example: Typical meal: sliced beefsteak tomatoes, goat's cheese, olives, swiss cheese, artichokes hearts all on a platter with olive oil laced with cracked pepper or garlic on the side. I serve crusty homemade bread and maybe some left over bean soup. I keep this all in the fridge and just eat and heat as we go. YUMMY!!!! |
| Utahfarmgirl |
Posted - May 10 2007 : 10:53:59 AM
Elizabeth and anyone else who wants to reply - What do you like best about the simple lifestyle and what are the challenges for you? And would you be interested in being interviewed for a possible magazine article?
thanks
Farmgirl hug,
Patricia
Farmgirls do it organically! |
| mima |
Posted - May 10 2007 : 08:38:24 AM
Hey Candismom! I just orderd a subcription to that magazine! The girl I spoke to was soooo nice! I've always loved the amish and Mennonite philosophies! It outta be an interesting combo- Amish meets Californis hippie chick! LOL! |
| Past Blessings |
Posted - May 10 2007 : 06:44:45 AM
I guess I wouldn't completely call my life plain, but I am striving for simplicity. I do like to have fun every now and then and dress to the hilt and even have "big hair" on occasions. On a daily basis you will find me in levi jeans, cowboy boots, a prairie blouse, minimal make up (but still always some!), my hair pulled back in a pony or just loose in casual waves. I cook simply for the most part, have gotten rid of most silly kitchen gadgets, but love my microwave and dishwasher. I do love decorating and doubt it would qualify as plain, though I have scaled back a lot. I would call my decorating kind of a mix of farmhouse, colonial, primitive and english. Just what I call comfortable. Not formal, just warm. Probably the plainist thing about us is what we like to do. To have a night playing games with the kids or have friends over for dinner and good conversation is what we love. Going out to fancy dinners is something we rarely do and for the most part I'd rather be home. We rarely watch TV in the evening other than a couple of things we are hooked on and if I have it on in the day while I am working, it is to watch the re-runs of Little House on The Prairie or The Waltons! LOL! Right now with the kids in sports, raising pigs and two home businesses plus hubbies full time job, things aren't as simple as I would like. But I know that eventually this too will slow down . . . we are simply not in that season yet. I think living simply is more of a frame of mind. Choosing to enjoy the moment and not be rushed by the things society tells you you need to let run your life. The other day when my husband and I were driving to MaryJane's Farm to pick up books for her book signing (I'll post about that later in another thread) everything that could go wrong did . . . lost a tailpipe, got a flat tire, the AC died and it was hot, etc. But I knew I couldn't change things, so I chose to just live in the moment and enjoy what I could. We found humor in our situation instead and I had a wonderful bonding time with my husband. We really can control our destiny. It would have been really easy to stress about the time and the busy-ness and lament all that went wrong, but slowing down and enjoying the moment was so much more rewarding. I think we live life to the fullest only when we slow down enough to experience it and hear the heartbeat of nature and the world around us.
With warm blessings . . .
Brenda
Past Blessings . . . Celebrating Life as it used to be . . . when people loved God, loved their families and loved their country. |
| Forrester Farm |
Posted - May 10 2007 : 06:10:59 AM
Here is the link to the article that I read in our local Women's Lifestyle Magazine....
http://www.womenslifestylemagazine.com/magazines/2007/05-may/WL_0507_14-15.pdf
Enjoy,
Ann
http://annforrester.tohe.com
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| brightmeadow |
Posted - May 09 2007 : 7:06:20 PM
I live just a few miles from a Mennonite Church, there are a lot of Amish farms about 10 miles from here, and only two counties over from us is Holmes County, Ohio, which is a fairly large Amish/Mennonite area.
We see buggies all the time at the reservoir across the highway, and often we rub shoulders with Amish and Mennonite neighbors while shopping at the grocery or at farm auctions. I found Clear-Jel in 1-lb bags at an Amish food store just a few miles away.
My family is descended from German farmers who came over in 1840's, but were members of German Reformed Church (now a part of United Church of Christ)
I work in a very high-stress, high-tech job, and sometimes I wish I could just become Mary Yoder for a while. I am sure the Amish people have their own stresses and concerns (where will my kids find enough land to farm? How can we make a living in agriculture? ) from the outside looking in, it does seem to be a more peaceful life. I'm not sure if I could sublimate my own will to the will of the community or the bishop the way the Amish seem to do, though, knowing how contentious I seem to be from time to time....
You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands - You shall be happy and it shall be well with you. -Psalm 128.2
Visit my blog at http://brightmeadowfarms.blogspot.com ,web site store at http://www.watkinsonline.com/fish or my homepage at http://home.earthlink.net/~brightmeadow |
| Forrester Farm |
Posted - May 09 2007 : 5:20:39 PM
I think that there is a need for people to return to the "simple". I just breezed thru an article about several books on the simple life - and how cleansing it can be. I'll pass on the titles....once I go thru the stack of papers on my dresser (ha, ha). Less is more - I agree.
Ann
http://annforrester.tohe.com |
| sunshine78 |
Posted - May 09 2007 : 3:21:26 PM
I try to live very simply. I love to visit Amish/Mennonite communities because they seem so much at peace with themselves. I like slow paced farm living. I found out that I come from Pennsylvania German roots so maybe being plain is ingrained in me. My husband and I are working to live a "green" life and are trying to grow our own food and such. I think the Amish and Mennonites have the best food, they are really good cooks. I wish I could be that good. I love my simple life, I only wish more people could realize the joys of it.
Best,
Cynthia
www.pinecanyonranch.com |
| Kathie |
Posted - May 09 2007 : 3:17:43 PM
I think the magazine does sound really good..
We do have to find the recipe for this bread though..
Elizabeth, you will just love it!
The simple things that we share in our lives & in our homes are what are important..
I mean sure.. Big events.. & Vacations.. & things we have are all nice too.. but the best times we have seem to be the simplest of times..
My favorite day of the week is always Sunday afternoon.. when all three of my kids make their way back home for Sunday dinner with us..
No matter what else is going on.. or who's going through what..
we have Sunday dinners together..
& just that time together..talking, laughing, joking.. hanging out in the kitchen or out in the garden together ..
Nothing fancy.. or big expenditure..
Just us all together..
Can't get any simpler then that i guess..
In a World Where you Can Be Anything, Be Yourself.. |
| catscharm74 |
Posted - May 09 2007 : 2:36:15 PM
I live very simply- by choice of course. DH and I decided when he gets out of the Navy in 1 1/2 years, we are officially "retiring" and living our lives for what we want to do. Money will always be there as will the material things in life. I would rather life simple and a bit more frugal, doing the work I want to (I am going to be working in Health Administration and yes I love it) and he is going to be a cop (yes he loves it too) I live in jeans, t-shirts, flip flops, cowboy boots, occasional cowboy hat (will be getting a new one for Texas) and those comfy gaucho pants. My hair is really short and simple, I trim it myself and occasionally get a cut to keep it straight or crooked?? Lol
I don't own alot of stuff- mostly what I need to survive and right now I am in broke student mode, so it is interesting to see how little we can live on. Right now, DH wants a Harley and I am not against it. He has worked so hard and we can actually afford it outright, without worrying about things too much. Simple living is allowing us to have the few things we want and not have the worry.
I decorate in a simple, beachy style. Lots of white, few pinks, turquoise (my favorite) and some other muted tones. Not too many chotcky's but a few whacky, unique pieces. All my furntire is white with bead board and can be mixed throughout the house.
Food is anything local from the farmer's market, what I grow or bake. Simple meals!! YUMMMM!!!
Cheers,
Heather
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| Alee |
Posted - May 09 2007 : 2:12:22 PM
I am a "less is more" person myself. I didn't used to be that way, but a few years of poverty has really put the material world into focus for me. I used to desire all the fancy outfits, wanted to have a faster car, wanted to have a huge house. I felt I _needed_ these things to have a happy an fulfilling life.
Living on my own where money has been perpetually tight has really taught me a few things. I don't need the fancy outfits. Jeans and tee shirts are fine. I like to have a few dresses for church but that is it. I don't need a faster, more expensive car- they just keep costing more and more money and you can only drive so fast anyway. And having just enough is plenty. I don't need a McMansion where there is so much space between people so that you never have to "rub elbows" with each other.
My fiance is still learning these lessons. He used his income tax return to buy a 52 inch tv *sigh*. But he has conceeded to using cloth diapers for our daughter and he _loves_ MaryJane's foods so I think I am slowly winning the battle ;) As long as I have my computer to chat with you ladies I am happy!
Alee
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| Aunt Jenny |
Posted - May 09 2007 : 1:42:46 PM
SOunds like a magazine I would dearly love too!!
Jenny in Utah
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
| mima |
Posted - May 09 2007 : 1:39:01 PM
Thanks Elizabeth- I even love the title! Gonna call them and try a subcription!!! |
| candismom |
Posted - May 09 2007 : 1:26:01 PM
The magazine is Keepers of the Home. It comes out 4 times a year for 16.00 Here is number to order it. 1 800 852-4482 I just love it.
Kathie next week i will look through my recipes and see if I can find it. I have 2 from the Keepers of the Home called Cooking with the Horse and Buggy People I will check those first then look at my other amish and mennonite cookbooks.
Hugs,
Elizabeth
www.athomewithelizabeth.blogspot.com
My shop www.theclothesline.etsy.com
I sell Crabapple Hill Studio and other Patterns. Pluse lots of other handmade items.
May the Lord bless you and keep you.
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