Pumpkins, Gourds & Kale at Ashcombe Farm

It was a sunny, 70 degree October day, 
perfect for our visit Ashcombe Farm & Greenhouse.
How wonderful to take in their autumn displays 
and appreciate yet again the changing of the seasons!
I always enjoy seeing all the colors of chrysanthemums 
- never quite deciding which is my favorite -
 and the varieties of gourds, cabbages, kale, Indian corn and pumpkins.

Ashcombe Farm & Greenhouse

is located at

906 W. Grantham Rd. Mechanicsburg, PA.

Along with a greenhouse and garden center filled with lovely plants, 
Ashcombe has a gift shop, bakery and Country Cafe.

Here's their website

and Facebook page.

 

Pennsylvania German Fraktur Replications by Stephan Folk Art

Couple Under an Arbor, ca. 1800


"Fraktur" is a type of folk art that was popular among the Pennsylvania Germans 
in the mid 1700's through the mid 1800's. Rich in history, 
it was created by farmers and peasants to document important dates, 
and passed down through the generations. It featured Bible verses, poems, bookplates,
and commemorations of life's special events such as marriages, 
anniversaries, house blessings, births and baptisms.
Its decorative lettering was embellished with whimsical hearts, flowers, birds and angels.

After researching fraktur, Dennis Stephan became passionate about it and he set about using his 
artistic talents to replicate pieces, preserving and honoring this form of manuscript folk art.

Here are two examples of personalized fraktur which Dennis creates upon request,
and then a few of his hand-drawn replicas that I've selected to share with you.











Swan with Fish. ca. 1810, Pennsylvania.

Frederick II, King of Prussia, ca. 1770, in the manner of Johannes Mayer. Bucks Co., PA.

Vorschrift writing sample with birds and tulips.

Vase of Flowers, Southeastern Pennsylvania

Peafowl, Ca. 1791-1804, Engraver Artist - Pennsylvania

 See more at the Stephan Folk Art website.

Images used with direct permission from Dennis Stephan.

Good Natured Wool Art

I'd love to show you the awesome wool art of Good Natured.
Dani creates gorgeous works of art using a technique called needle felting,
the process of felting wool fibers together using barbed needles.

Many of her subjects are animals she encountered 
while working for 10 years as an educator at a zoo. 
Now she combines her passion for animals with her artistic talent.

Enjoy these examples of how Dani 
successfully captures these likenesses by "painting" with wool!

I just had to show you a close-up of this peach.

I am amazed at the realistic colors and shading that she captured!

A very cool things that Dani does is take custom orders for pet portraits!

Here's where you can see more of  Good Natured:

Blog

Etsy
Instagram

Facebook

Images used with direct permission from Dani.

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.