If there’s one thing the Amish know well, it’s snacking. That’s the name of the game when you’re living a typical active Amish lifestyle. Whether it’s a quick treat between chores, or late night gathered around the living room with family, Amish children and adults appreciate a good fast snack. In my experience, the Amish can come up with some pretty unconventional snacks, and don’t…
Though the typical Amish kitchen table will often have a rag-tag mix of seating – including benches, office chairs, and mismatched seats, added as the family rapidly grows – the Amish appreciate the value of a quality chair. And Amish furniture builders also among the best when it comes to crafting seating for the various rooms of the home. They’re typically associated with classic styles…
This past week brought news that a decades-long dispute over sewer grid connections in northwest Pennsylvania is ending – with a victory for the Amish. The US Department of Justice has intervened to prevent Sugar Grove Township from forcing Amish families to use electricity to connect to the local sewer grid. It’s being seen as a win for religious freedom. Via the Warren, PA Times-Observer:…
Back in December of 2023, that’s how I described the fledgling community being founded at the time in the Sandhills region of Nebraska. Why “Middle of Nowhere”? This is why: Amish who appear to be a part of the Michigan Circle (that group has been showing up a good bit here lately) have started up a new settlement in the area of a town called Valentine. Though in fact the…
From the Minnesota Star-Tribune: A 36-year-old woman is pleading guilty to concocting an identity-swapping scheme with her twin sister to deceive law enforcement about who was actually driving an SUV that hit an Amish buggy in southeastern Minnesota, killing two of the four children aboard. Sarah Beth Petersen, 36, of Kellogg, Minn., pleaded guilty Tuesday afternoon in Fillmore County District Court to two counts of…
There is no meal I enjoy more in an Amish home than breakfast. The Amish do have a lot of their own classics – think scrapple (aka “pon hoss”) or breakfast casserole – and also some more unorthodox breakfast items (Shoofly cake for breakfast anyone?). Enjoy this nice collection of more conventional Amish-style breakfast favorites sure to kickstart your day! ~Erik If you’re craving comfort…
This home is a “cousin” of the “austere” Amish home that we viewed back in December. It’s in the same Michigan community – in fact, on the very same road. Perhaps that means that there is a general out-migration happening here in this settlement. Or, perhaps more likely, given their closeness, these two families are related – and they are simply moving out together. This…
Like other Americans, Amish couples and schoolchildren celebrate Valentine’s Day every February 14 (note: observance can vary in different Amish communities). Exchanging candy and cards, and enjoying Valentine’s-themed desserts and meals are among the ways Amish enjoy the day. To add a touch of Valentine’s beauty to your home this year, take some inspiration from these 10 Amish-inspired Valentine’s decor ideas. These simple yet charming…
The Amish have a longstanding reputation as good furniture makers – and for good reason. The furniture pieces they craft in their typically small home workshops tend to stand the test of time. Attention to detail, materials, an eye for beauty all contribute to durable, beautiful pieces. The marketing term often used in the industry is “heirloom” – and it tends to fit what the…
It’s been awhile since we’ve had news on the Rebekah Byler homicide case. We last got an update in early October, when the trial of the accused, Shawn C. Cranston of Corry, PA, was moved for the second time. At that time a continuance was granted to the defense, as more time was needed to process the “large amounts” of evidence. Now, word that a…