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Across the Fence:  The Amish  |
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lonestargal
True Blue Farmgirl
607 Posts
Kristi
Texas
607 Posts |
 Posted - Sep 12 2005 : 10:32:36 AM
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Is anyone else her really inspired by the Amish? Not that I necessarily believe all the religious beliefs they have but how they live really plain and simple. They are not afraid to do hard work, most used to have farms (more and more are turning to working in the cities due to they don't make enough as farmers anymore, that's sad  ). I just think they are a truly wonderful and inspirational group of people. Part of their religion is that they don't get all caught up in material items and I think that's wonderful. And those gals can cook can't they???  |
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realme52
True Blue Farmgirl
106 Posts
Klara
Gatesville
Texas
USA
106 Posts |
Posted - Sep 12 2005 : 5:37:05 PM
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I know, this is not the reading room site, but may suggest the book "Plain and Simple" by Sue Bender? I read it a few years ago and found it really helpfull in learning more about the Amish, since it describes a "regular" woman's experiences while spending an extent of time with an Amish family.
Here is the link to the book through amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0062501860/qid=1126571349/sr=8-2/ref=pd_bbs_2/103-5520009-9480609?v=glance&s=books&n=507846
I also read "Everyday Sacred" by the same author. That one is dealing more with her personal journey, not so much with the Amish culture and life.
I became interested in the Amish when I started to learn to quilt and after a few travels to the Lancaster County Amish.
There is also a book out there called "After the Fire" which deals with their struggle for survival in a sometimes hostile environment/community. I forgot who the author is...??? Fascinating read though!
From this hour on I ordain myself loss'd of limits and immaginary lines. Walt Whitman |
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lonestargal
True Blue Farmgirl
607 Posts
Kristi
Texas
607 Posts |
Posted - Sep 12 2005 : 5:55:47 PM
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| Wow thanks!! I'll have to check those out. I just bought a book called The Amish Cook. It has recipes from one Amish family and the author tells about her family growing up. Very interesting. |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Sep 12 2005 : 10:36:15 PM
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Klara..I have read the books you recomended..all were really good. I am intriged and inspired by the Amish too. I have alot of books and cookbooks by and about them and love them all. I don't mean the religious part of it either..but the lifestyle..I love that.
Jenny in Utah
The best things in life arn't things |
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realme52
True Blue Farmgirl
106 Posts
Klara
Gatesville
Texas
USA
106 Posts |
Posted - Sep 13 2005 : 06:22:38 AM
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I think the Amish lifestyle (if you can call it that) is so close to our farmgirls hearts, because it is as "down to earth" as you can get.
Sustainability, selfsufficiency, respectful treatment of nature, responsibility to the earth as a whole and to future generations, maintenance of culture and history,...it's all there!
And isn't that more or less what "we farmgirls" are promoting and would like to live in a form and shape that is possible to us?
On another thought: could it be that we admire the lifestyle and are not so much interested in the religion is due to us liking the "freedom" that goes with less restrictions in personal behavior, family structure, self-adornment and -display, etc.,etc. Cause, really, they are just very tradidional Christians ("religiously" ). No polygamy, secticism, whatever.....(?????)
I used to think: how ironic that this people fled from religious prosecution to end up in a country that turned out to develop one of the most "disposable" cultures in history!
Now they have religious freedom while struggling harder than ever to defend their lifestyle against the "I use it and when I used it to death and it's done serving me I throw it out the window into my neighbor's yard"Mentality of the majority of their surroundings. (my humble oppinion)
From this hour on I ordain myself loss'd of limits and immaginary lines. Walt Whitman |
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Kim
True Blue Farmgirl
146 Posts
Kim
Pflugerville
Texas
USA
146 Posts |
Posted - Sep 13 2005 : 07:48:10 AM
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I too am inspired by the Amish and I loved Plain & Simple. Beverly Lewis writes nice novels based in an Amish Community. There are a series of them I have been reading while here in Kansas.
farmgirl@heart
Be at peace with yourself and the rest will follow |
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lonestargal
True Blue Farmgirl
607 Posts
Kristi
Texas
607 Posts |
Posted - Sep 13 2005 : 08:21:15 AM
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| Yes I think it is for the most part how we 'farmgirls' want to live as well. I would LOVE to get the chance to live with an Amish family for say a month or two and really see how they accomplish everything that they do. DH has the same feelings but says 'how would you deal without electricity, water, etc.?' I say for the first couple days it may take some getting used to but they seem to manage just fine. Right now I have just the one cookbook but would love to get some more. They are such an awesome group of people. |
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Bridge
True Blue Farmgirl
814 Posts
Bridgette
Southern
Indiana
USA
814 Posts |
Posted - Sep 13 2005 : 09:15:45 AM
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I really really would love to live their lifestyle.
I tease DH, that if I ever "run off" it'll be with a Amish man!!
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jpbluesky
True Blue Farmgirl
6066 Posts
Jeannie
Florida
USA
6066 Posts |
Posted - Sep 13 2005 : 12:21:45 PM
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Anyone remember the movie "Witness"? Oh, how I wished that Harrison Ford would have stayed and turned Amish!
jpbluesky |
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LJRphoto
True Blue Farmgirl
760 Posts
Laura
Hickory Corners
MI
USA
760 Posts |
Posted - Sep 13 2005 : 12:31:11 PM
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I always wished that too jpbluesky! It made me so mad that he left.
"Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it's time to pause and reflect." -Mark Twain
http://ljrenterprises.blogspot.com/ |
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Bridge
True Blue Farmgirl
814 Posts
Bridgette
Southern
Indiana
USA
814 Posts |
Posted - Sep 13 2005 : 3:36:48 PM
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Did ya'll watch For "Richer or Poorer" with Tim Allen & Kirstie Allen?
I realy liked that movie!!! |
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QuiltingQueen
True Blue Farmgirl
104 Posts
Jane
La Porte
Indiana
USA
104 Posts |
Posted - Sep 13 2005 : 3:41:05 PM
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Bridge,
I enjoyed Richer or Poorer, too. I'm laughing just thinking about it.
Jane
"Love begins at home, and it is not how much we do... but how much love we put in that action." ~ Mother Teresa |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Sep 13 2005 : 4:05:17 PM
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that WAS funny!!!
Jenny in Utah
The best things in life arn't things |
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lonestargal
True Blue Farmgirl
607 Posts
Kristi
Texas
607 Posts |
Posted - Sep 13 2005 : 4:49:14 PM
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| Yeah I liked that movie too. Pretty funny!!! Haven't seen it in a while...may have to go rent it soon. |
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Photobugs
True Blue Farmgirl
363 Posts
Pamela
Post Falls
Idaho
USA
363 Posts |
Posted - Sep 13 2005 : 8:00:49 PM
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I, too, have an interest in things Amish. It began about 25 years ago when I found a book on them at a yard sale. (I find everything at yard sales!)
Then about a year ago I came across another book, it was on the sale rack at Hasting's book store. So I bought it. It is called "Out of the Past, Amish Tradition and Faith." The next day my Dh and I made a trip from here in No. Idaho to Ft. Lewis, Wash. where my daughter lived at that time. It is about a 4 1/2 to 5 hour drive. I started reading the book at the beginning of the trip while Dh drove the car. I read most of it outloud so he could learn too, whether he wanted to or not. :) Before I knew it we were at our destination. It was an interesting and fun read. This book explained all of the different sects of Amish and there are tons of photos...yes photos (as you know they do not care for this practice). This was my favorite part. It is written by Mary Ann McDonald, who has Mennonite ancestry and an understanding of the Amish people.
I would recommend this book.
Pamela
"I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream!" |
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prairiemaid
True Blue Farmgirl
200 Posts
Margret
Canada
200 Posts |
Posted - Sep 14 2005 : 05:17:33 AM
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I admire the Amish very much. I think it takes a lot to be different in this world, it's not easy.
For Richer or Poorer was an entertaining movie but inaccurate in a few places, same with Witness. I think the Amish have been misrepresented and misunderstood for a long time.
Call me old fashioned. |
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CelticCoyote
True Blue Farmgirl
111 Posts
Heather
Illinois
USA
111 Posts |
Posted - Sep 14 2005 : 06:05:19 AM
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Wow, I'm surprised my mom hasn't replied to this thread yet... Her grandmother (my great grandmother) is Amish. Mom's parents live reaaaally near a large Amish community in Indiana, and that was always a major part of visits to my Grandmother's house when I was a kid. We'd go into town & shop a while, and have the BEST pies ever at Yoders.  I do love good Amish cooking! |
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sleepless reader
True Blue Farmgirl
1022 Posts
CA
USA
1022 Posts |
Posted - Sep 14 2005 : 06:15:20 AM
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Great cookbook: "Cooking From Quilt Country Hearty Recipes From Amish and Mennonite Kitchens" by Marcia Adams
I borrowed it from a friend and ended up wanting to copy about half the recipes before deciding to just go buy it!
Sharon
Life is messy. Wear your apron! |
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BlueApple
True Blue Farmgirl
430 Posts
Julia
Oregon
USA
430 Posts |
Posted - Sep 14 2005 : 06:20:57 AM
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My family on my mother's side are Mennonites and Amish. Her last name is(was) Schlabach and her immediate family are Mennoite - and as the line continues the relatives are Amish. Her Mennonite Uncle always took a trip once a year to visit the Amish relatives. Wishing now that we had joined him on a few of those trips before he passed away.
Julia
BlueApple Farm |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Sep 14 2005 : 06:24:27 AM
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I think that would be a cool thing...having Amish or Mennonite relatives...I can imagine the questions I would have for them and things to learn from them!
I love that cookbook too..one of my alltime favorites!!
Jenny in Utah
The best things in life arn't things |
Edited by - Aunt Jenny on Sep 14 2005 11:59:56 AM |
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Kim
True Blue Farmgirl
146 Posts
Kim
Pflugerville
Texas
USA
146 Posts |
Posted - Sep 14 2005 : 06:31:38 AM
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I have Marcia Adams cookbooks alos. She used to have a tv program on PBS. She has the best pie crust recipe, 'pat in the pan piecrust" it is sooooo simple.
farmgirl@heart
Be at peace with yourself and the rest will follow |
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CelticCoyote
True Blue Farmgirl
111 Posts
Heather
Illinois
USA
111 Posts |
Posted - Sep 14 2005 : 06:34:59 AM
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| Ooooh, I love Marcia Adams! My mom's been using her cookbooks for years, and I've been lusting after them for years too. I've got quite a few in my amazon.com wishlist, too. They're even fun just to read, and to get lost in the photographs. |
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MBurns
True Blue Farmgirl
1838 Posts
Marlene
Swisher
IA
USA
1838 Posts |
Posted - Sep 14 2005 : 09:14:13 AM
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| We have an amish town about an hours drive Kalona, IA. They have a wonderful little wholesale store with bulk goods and bakery and fresh veggies and fruits. They are very polite anf friendly. Many drive a horse and buggy which I think would be difficult to do as we have to have more patience in getting somewhere. I think living without electricity would be difficult also. There life is simple and they do not seem to need the modern clothes, and conveniences we all spend a lot of money to have. I am not sure a modern woman would be able to cope with the strictness of the rules. Also my understanding is they do not educate children beyond 8th grade. I may be wrong. |
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Kim
True Blue Farmgirl
146 Posts
Kim
Pflugerville
Texas
USA
146 Posts |
Posted - Sep 14 2005 : 1:03:29 PM
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You are correct, they normally do not educate beyond the 8th grade.
farmgirl@heart
Be at peace with yourself and the rest will follow |
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KJD
True Blue Farmgirl
402 Posts
402 Posts |
Posted - Sep 14 2005 : 3:28:45 PM
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| I am just amazed, thrilled, I don't know what - about this group of people - not just the Amish - US!! I recognize several of the names that I've "talked" to in the past couple of days in other areas of the Connection - more modern movies, books, etc., yet here we are, all interested in the Amish way also. I guess I'm not the odd man out I always thought. I do have a best friend, from childhood, and we share all these varied interests - I just had no idea anyone else did! I have loved the Amish all my life, I guess, their way of life - I don't really know all that much about their spirituality. I'm very firm in my own Christian faith, but the simplicity of their life and the fact that they're different from "most" - I'm just interested. Does anyone have more movies or books to recommend - I've seen Witness and For Richer or Poorer - but seems like there are some others, maybe made for TV that I've seen long ago and would like to see again. I'm writing down every book and author I come across in the whole Connection! I'm so glad to be part of this... |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Sep 14 2005 : 10:00:37 PM
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Plain Truth..it is a great book and a lifetime tv movie...liked it...a drama...but good!! set in Amish country...a mystery...I really recomend it. Saw the movie much after reading the book...book is always better of course..but worth seeing the movie too.
Jenny in Utah
The best things in life arn't things |
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Across the Fence: The Amish |
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The Amish
