We Love the Pennsylvania Farm Show!

Every January, we trek to Harrisburg, PA to take in the Pennsylvania Farm Show.

Many attractions are longtime favorites that we enjoy seeing every year,

but we always manage to discover new things as well!

The butter sculpture, above, is a really popular Farm Show tradition.

Jim Victor & Marie Pelton, of Conshohocken, crafted it from

1,000 pounds of butter that was donated by Land O' Lakes, Inc.

This little calf was extra cute!

Fried mushrooms are a savory treat!

Always special to have Grandmom along!

Seltzer's Lebanon Bologna - a Pennsylvania Dutch favorite since 1902!

Now, that's one unusual potato!

My piglets having some fun!

More Farm Show info can be found here:

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

My Farm Show posts from past years:
Our Day at the Pennsylvania Farm Show
2017 Farm Show Fun

Handcrafted Blankets & Pillows by Fish Eye Sisters

Jen Manuell, of Fish Eye Sisters, has a good thing going.

The color combinations in her camp blankets are so striking! 

Based in Canada, Jen hand-dyes the wool fabric she uses.

Can't you just feel the cozy warmth?

I was so bowled over by Jen's crafty lineage, I had to share this portion of her bio:

(emphasis mine)

"Jen comes from a long line of talented craftspeople and artisans – 

on both sides of her family. A fourth generation fine craft fibre artist, 

Jen's paternal great-grandfather was a tailor in England, and 

maternal great-grandmother a rug hooker and handspinner; 

her Nanna smocked dresses for her as a girl, and 

her Gramma (Muriel R. Smith) was a rug hooker and painter. 

Jen's mother (Mary Manuell) is best known for her handspinning and weaving."

Now, that's an impressive group of ancestors 
from whom she draws talent & inspiration!

Jen knits, sews, quilts, does rug hooking, embroidery, beading, and applique work.

Hats off to you, Jen! You're a multi-talented artist with tons of creativity!

The blanket above is called Georgian Bay.

I'm excited to show off my favorite Fish Eye Sisters' creations!

Harvest Time

Driftwood & Sand

Black Beauty

In addition, Jen makes fabulous pillows,...

Half and Half, Construction Paper II

Elaine's Steps

...and table mats.

Golden Glow

Where to find Fish Eye Sisters:

Website

Facebook

Instagram

Images used with direct permission from Jen.

Fantastic Group Hug Quilts

These amazing quilts are made by Samantha Nguyen of Group Hug Quilts.
Don't you just love that name?
It perfectly describes the feeling a handmade quilt gives you~
like you're being embraced in a huge, loving hug!

These two, in particular, are contemporary and sleek.
I could easily see either one in a man's bedroom
since they have masculine, hold-the-frills style.

Sammi also creates adorable baby quilts.
Turtles, chipmunks...she works lots of animals into her projects.
Did somebody say adorable?

And here's a humpback whale wall hanging!
Very cool.

Where to find Group Hug Quilts:
Website
Etsy

Images used with direct permission from Samantha Nguyen.

Fabulous Vintage & Antique Finds at 86 Home

I'm just wowed by 86 Home, a shop I found on Etsy

that sells fantastic vintage accessories!

Antiques don't have to be dark, dusty and stuffy.

You don't need to commit to them

all over the place and in every corner of your house. 

No matter how contemporary and sleek your decor is,

a vintage accent piece brings a rich sense of history.

Not just any piece. Something deliberate.

Something to add depth and balance,

and a nod of appreciation for generations past.

86 Home groups items into creative categories such as

The English Study,

The Bohemian Bungalow

and The Rustic Cabin

that guide us to just the right accent pieces for our homes.

And who doesn't want a home to be just a bit more...homey?

Want to see more?

Etsy

Website

Twitter

Facebook

Images used with direct permission from Jaclyn at 86 Home.

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