Swinging into Spring
From what I hear, Spring actually follows Autumn in Pinecraft.
Taken by Katie Troyer. Â See more Florida Amish photos at Katie’s blog.
Are Amish marriages arranged? How do they find a spouse? (Video)
A viewer recently asked if Amish marriages are arranged on the Amish America YouTube channel. Odds are you already know the answer to this one. But I can kind of see where the question might come from, when looking at this religious society, which certainly must appear “strict” to some, from the outside. The question has a bit of an urban legend feel, but I…
First good morning folks, and when i lived in the sunshine state (22 years) it seemed that we really only had 2 seasons which are spring and summer. Katie takes great picture’s of her little town of pinecraft and i enjoy popping by her sight and remembering the times that i spent there, which were many. Richard
Precious! Two things I’ve not seen before: An Amish child playing with a modern baby doll (although I’ve heard it’s NOT so uncommon), and an Amish female dressed in red. The red is definitely a first for me, but boy, is it beautiful!
Amish in Red
You should see the whole families that coordinate in such a striking color! Dad and stairstep boys 2-4 of them and mom and stair step girls 2-4 of them all walking together in red dresses, red shirts, black pants and suspenders, and white kapps. It’s quite a beautiful sight!
Katie’s pictures just can’t be beat. Her commentary is always just as good – she’s a hoot.
Here in West TN., our Amish settlement would never wear red. It’s black, blue’s, brown’s, or green’s. And under NO circumstance would the children be allowed to have an ‘English’ doll. I offered to give my neighbor’s 5 year old a porcelain doll I had bought at a yard sale. She politely said they were not allowed to have them in their homes. When they come over to my house to visit, the little ones pull out my grandkids ‘box of toys’, but will not play with even a tiny little doll figurine toy.
Bright Amish dresses
I’ve been tied up with the Amish for going on 8 years now, and the brighter dresses is one thing that seems to have changed in that time (at least in some places). Quite striking colors, for instance in HC Ohio, which I don’t remember seeing so much of 5-6 years ago.
Wow! Beautiful picture! Please put more of Katie’s photos on this site. That is a first for me to see a little Amish girl in red as well. Minn, Iowa, and PA do not wear these bright colors.
Bet that little girl is tickled pink to wear such a pretty dress.
I also was struck by the english doll with the little girl. Thought they only played with faceless dolls.
To some people, maroon may be a more acceptable color than bright red. Would it make a difference what they wear if they are on a Florida vacation or if they are at home?
What a doll, times two!
Such a vibrant color! And buttons on her dress. I’ve learned so much on this blog—that (at least) the more “liberal” Amish allow such bright colors, and “English” dolls, and buttons on clothing. Or, are buttons allowed more on young children’s clothing? I can’t imagine “doing up” my one-year-old granddaughter’s clothing with straight pins!
I hope to see more of Katie’s photos, too, on this blog (this blog being my “one-stop” Amish-related site for now…I just don’t have the time to explore much beyond here…not enough hours in the day!)
I would LOVE to see the Amish families Dena refers to, all decked out in a single color—probably more related to the frugality of purchasing fabric in bulk than to make a “co-ordinated” fashion statement, I would suspect (correct?)! 🙂
Alice Mary
I could be wrong so anyone feel free to correct me, but I don’t think it’s meant as a fashion statement as much as it is a sign of Family identification. Strangers looking at tghemcan tell they are all one family and I would guess in a group of kids, the parents could easily find theirs because they are all dressed the same. That’s what I have thought it meant but I am just learning so I could be wrong.
Dena I’ve never thought about it but you do often see Amish kids wearing the same colors…besides being cute it seems like it might have a practical value in a crowd 🙂
Alice Mary even though you might buy fabric in bulk most families will wear different colors. I agree on Katie’s photos, she really captures slices of Pinecraft life.
Alice Mary, Thank You!
I didn’t even notice the buttons until you said it. Wow!!!
Re the buttons- as far as I know, they are acceptable on girls’ clothes. One of the highlights of growing up is wearing a ‘big girl’s dress’ with pins and no button on full apron… but my parents left the church before I got to that point… not that I mind that!
posted this in my comment below and then realized I could reply directly to the comment. 🙂
Also- someone mentioned dolls with faces. In Northern IN regular dolls are the norm. I’ve only ever seen the faceless dolls sold to tourists… but there might/are probably groups that have them???
buttons
I noticed the buttons also.
Re the buttons- as far as I know, they are acceptable on girls’ clothes. One of the highlights of growing up is wearing a ‘big girl’s dress’ with pins and no button on full apron… but my parents left the church before I got to that point… not that I mind that! 😉
Different groups wear brighter colors and I think some moms like them better, too.
I’ve been following Katie’s blog for awhile now and she does get some really great shots- thanks for posting that one! 🙂
Button, button
Alice Mary, in the Amish community where I grew up, the girls wore a dress with buttons down the back, until fifth grade. After that, they wore “fanna tzoo,” meaning “closed in the front.” (They graduated to a dress with an opening in the front, and it meant you were growing up!) From fifth grade on, buttons were not used on girls’ dresses, but rather pins or snaps.
I live in south central Kentucky. No red dresses here! One settlement near me does wear mint green colors, and lavender… as well as blue, dark green etc. Another settlement near me has a wine/burgandy (sp?) color. I bought some dresses from the local Amish and the lavendar is my favorite =] Also with the locals, one group is allowed to use safety pins, while another is only allowed straight pins. Intersting stuff =]
Re:Brittany
We lived in south central Ky too! In Breeding, Ky. Are you talking about the Amish in Liberty? I miss them.
Kathy, I live close to the Horse Cave Amish =]
Possible Book?
What a beautiful photo! Has Ms. Troyer ever thought about publishing a book of her work? This would make a gorgeous cover!