A Wonderful Weekend in Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Lancaster, Pennsylvania is one of my favorite places in the world.

Things seem to slow down there. The simple things become most important.

I've always noticed that as I drive into Lancaster County, a sense of calm

overcomes me, as if my blood pressure drops a few notches.

Rolling farmland with barns and silos give way to quaint towns

such as Bird-in-Hand, Intercourse, Lititz and Strasburg.

A recent overnight adventure included my sister Lee,

her daughter Julie, plus Julie's 2 girls, Lindsey & Ellie.

Here's the math: 2 sisters, 3 nieces, 3 days and 2 nights 

loving together-time and exploring Lancaster!

Kitchen Kettle Village was the hub of our activity.

We stayed in our own little cottage: The Hershey Suite.

Perfectly cozy accommodations for our group,

complete with Amish quilts on the beds,

and a yummy breakfast each morning!

(make mine baked oatmeal with blueberries)

Nothing like starting the weekend off with a horse-drawn Amish buggy tour!

My great-nieces having a great time! Love them!

I always have my camera ready for beautiful flowers!

We saw "Jacob's Choice" at the Plain & Fancy Theater,

toured the Amish house and one-room school,

and went on the 90-minute Farmlands Tour.

Our tour shuttle stopped at a gift shop with amazing handmade quilts for sale,

as well as these "quillows," -quilts that fold up and tuck into the shape of pillows!

Inside the Fisher Family Homestead, plain dresses hang on pegs in the girls' room...

...and this picture hangs above the kitchen counter,

illustrating the strong faith of the Amish community.

Lee and her granddaughters strike a pose.

Time for some shopping and strolling through the charming Village.

The girls decided to have a caricature done!

Ice cream is the perfect ending to a perfect weekend!

I've written several blog posts about Lancaster and Lititz.

You can see a list those links on my "Series" page here.

Websites to explore:

Discover Lancaster

Kitchen Kettle Village

The Amish Experience

Shopping at Lehman’s Hardware - Dalton, Ohio

Yes, Lehman's is a hardware store.

But it's, oh, so much more than that!
Shopping there was a true browsing adventure.
So many interesting things, old and new.

Set amid the bucolic farmland of Holmes County, Ohio,

they've been family owned and operated for 60 years now - since 1955.

Lehman's offers "simple products for a simpler life."
Things geared to an old-fashioned world, rich in tradition, 
with a solid work ethic and a love for family.
I left with a real appreciation of the slower, country lifestyle.

Old galvanized bins sort nails in many sizes.

Every hear the phrase "penny nails?"

Learn more about that here.

If you need a cork, this is the place to find the right size.
I liked seeing the use of so many old, antique display shelves and fixtures.

Now, over to the kitchen area.

Have you ever seen such a selection of ladles?

Beautifully handcrafted rolling pins.

Pick a baking sheet, any baking sheet!

How about a plastic bag dryer?

Lotions & Liniments

Scrubs, Salves & Soaps

Amish-made items such as walking sticks, leather belts,

baskets, ice cream freezers, wheelbarrows, and so many more.

A rack of gizmos and thingamajigs for you to inspect

and figure out what exactly it is!

A huge showroom was filled with wood burning stoves.

Along the tops of the walls was a display of antique ones.

Also antique iceboxes & stoves. A museum of sorts.

More antique collections! We just loved seeing them.

Look at this display of mini sewing machines, donated by Lois Lehman.

My photos can't do the place justice; it's just filled with countless intriguing things.
You'll just have to see for yourself!
If you can visit the Ohio store, it's at 4779 Kidron Road, Dalton, Ohio.
If not, visit their website, where you can order online.

They're also on Facebook.