People have often asked me why millions are intrigued with the Amish. Is it their slow pace of life? Their commitment to God and community? The fact they cling to their traditions and rarely change?
Are some people born old fashioned? I grew up in a home where items with a history were admired. My father was a Classics professor (Latin & Ancient Greek) and my mother was a portrait sculptress. Our house was awash with worn oriental carpets, copies of medieval art, and statuary.
I still use the hook rug my grandma made.
Is it any wonder that when I was in the third grade I spotted a tapestry in a second-hand store on the way home from school and purchased it? I don’t recall the cost, except that it was under $5. I’ve hung it ever since.
Tapestry I bought in grade-school.
Fashion catalogues fill our mailbox daily. I skim through them and often think: So this is the newest trend? Should I update my wardrobe? Nah. I recall years ago I wore shoulder pads, but now they’d look silly on me. Or maybe they always did and I just didn’t know any better.
Some years, orange or lime green are the rage. They look terrific on several friends, but they’ve never suited me. I’m glad I hung on to my tried and true favorite colors. Keeping things until they become problematic seems to be my motto. For example, I haven’t changed my hairstyle in many a year because I haven’t felt the need to. I also haven’t updated my car in a long time, despite many of my friends telling me to look on websites like Autozin to try and find a second-hand car that will be better than the one I have now. Perhaps looking for a new car might be a good idea though, my car might be getting a bit too old to be driving around now.
My sister loves modern architecture and I like traditional. I actually think the fact we don’t covet the same styles helps our relationship. When our parents died, she and I never competed to inherit the same items.
A few of my mother-in-law’s Scrapbooks
How about you? Do you enjoy keeping up with the latest trends? If so, good for you. Or are you content using your “old” things? Or buying second hand treasure?
Would this adorable Amish-made doll look better in modern-day English street clothes? There are many opinions on why they are faceless. A young Amish woman told me they belong to her grandmother’s generation. Which is fine by me as I was born old-fashioned.
Amish-made doll from Lancaster County, PA.
Please leave a comment and enter to win Susie, this Amish-made doll, and a signed copy of one book from the Legacy of Lancaster Trilogy! US and Canada. Winner has three days to respond. Good luck to everyone who enters!
Hello Kate,I have loved reading this trilogy and Im only missing Forever Amish,i would love to finish the series and give Susie a home with my Henry and Linda Amish dolls.Thank you for another great contest.
Thanks for entering the giveaway, Kathy! Oh, dear, you haven’t read Forever Amish? Amazon has greatly discounted the paperback should you not win this contest. Send my regards to Henry and Linda!
I love leading a simple life 7 I BELIVE THE AMISH are wonderful people every time we go to Ohio we visit some of the towns they live in and buy the bread & cheese, they live simple and work hard and take care of each other if only others would follow
Your trips to Ohio sound wonderful Kristy! I agree, others should take at least a few examples from the Amish lifestyle. Thanks for entering the giveaway!
Love your books, the stories bring back many childhood memories, being raised Pennsylvania Dutch we were raised like many of the stories you write about, thank you for some pleasant memories, some not so pleasant, but still I’ve your books and would love your great give a ways.
Thanks for writing, Ruth! I appreciate your kind words about my books, and thank you for reading them. Wishing you good luck in the giveaway!
Hey Kate , I love reading about the Amish and their ways . I remember helping my mom make quilts and nowI still do . Yes I still have some old fashion stuff . I would love to win Susie and one if your books . Thanks for the chance .
lizd225(at)gmail( dot ) com
Thanks for writing, Elizabeth! How wonderful that you did and still do help your mother make quilts. Good luck in the giveaway!
Hi again Kate…I think little Susie looks best dressed the way she is. I would love to have her for my own. I too prefer old fashioned. My house is done in the older country look with dolls, bears and various things sitting around. My kitchen as I told you before in bird houses and my bathroom is all in different little out houses. My husband and I try to go at least one day a week to a different flea market. You know the “One man’s junk, is another man’s treasure”, well it does hold true. I really like working on ancestry too. Wish I could go way back when and spend a day or two and meet some of my ancestors. I would really really love to win little Susie and one of your books. . Loved your tapestry too. I have some things from the past like that that are treasures…I have handmade quilts from two of my great grand parents, old old photos, I have the first thing my dad gave my mom when they started dating, she was 16 and now would be 91. I need to quit typing here I will not win Susie for having to long a post….lol..
You house sounds darling, Judy. Yes, indeed, I like the same old-fashioned treasures. Thanks for entering the giveaway!
I would love a chance to win one of the old fashion dolls. I love Amish culture and I love reading about them. I find reading about the Amish people is fascinating the way they live a simple life. I want to thank you for this opportunity to enter your drawing. Thank you again for hosting giveaways
I love reading and writing about the Amish fascinating too, Laura! Thanks for entering the giveaway!
I grew up with everything being second hand and still buy that way today. If I buy something new it will be on clearance and very worth it
When things are on sale I appreciate the more, Carol! Teachings left over from my parents. Thanks for writing and entering the giveaway!
I’m in my thirties and have always been old-fashioned. I feel like keeping up with the latest fashion is not sensible not to mention expensive! I think that there is something classic and timeless about dressing simply. I love antiques and history and prefer spending my money on books rather than clothes.☺
You sound like a wise woman with good taste, Lisa! Classic and timeless. Thanks for entering the giveaway and good luck!
Susie is beautiful and precious just as she is!!! I am very old fashioned too, and think that things made by hand, and from a person’s heart and soul, are more precious than anything that can be made by a machine! The Amish do wonderful things, using hand tools, natural ingredients, and without all the so-called modern conveniences! I lived really close to a large community in Pennsylvania and I just loved them! I liked dealing with them on a daily basis, purchasing their delicious baked goods, etc. They are a very loving, caring and faithful group of people! I love reading your books, Kate, it makes me feel like I am right there in the middle of the story! Thanks so much for the opportunity to win this precious doll and the wonderful book too! What an awesome birthday gift this would be, my birthday is the 25th of February!!! God Bless You and Your Family!!! Have a wonderful, blessed day!!!
I agree, Frances! How wonderful that you could live near and deal with Amish on a daily basis. Yes, they are loving, caring, and faithful. Thanks for entering the giveaway!
Hi Kate, I was definitely born old fashioned. I much prefer old over modern. I cannot afford to buy antiques but I have a few pieces that were in my husband’s family and mine and they give me such joy. I imagine them being used daily and I wonder what stories they have to tell. I also have dishes and other smaller pieces that were found at thrift stores or yard sales and I ponder their history also. Older is so much better!
Thank you for this giveaway.
I agree with you, Connie, older is better! My possessions are probably not considered antiques either, but I derive much enjoyment from them and I also appreciate the sense of history. Thanks for writing and entering the giveaway!
I really like your books and the dolls. Hope to get one soon
Thanks so much for entering the giveaway, Rebecca! Good luck!
I was defiantly born old fashion. My father was sweet. loving & caring but he was also pretty strict. I had to tow the line but I don’t regret it. I am 73 yrs old & have never had an alcoholic beverage or smoked. I wold really like to have “Susie” to give to my granddaughter who is 4 1/2. I love your books .
My parents were pretty strict two, Carol. Since my mother’s father died of lung cancer I wouldn’t dare smoke; she hated cigarettes. I don’t drink because it keeps me awake at night and I don’t miss it one bit. Sleep, however, I’d miss. I imagine your granddaughter is delightful! Good luck in the giveaway!
Hi,
I would love to receive the beautiful Amish doll and book. I have always loved the Amish way of life and have learned so much of their history. I have learned to slow down and smell the roses thanks to the books I have been reading. Thank you for the chance.
Thank you for writing, Louise! I hope you’ve had a chance to read one of my books in the Legacy Of Lancaster Trilogy. Good luck in the giveaway!
Hi Kate, I am definitely old fashioned! Every thing I have has been passed down or I purchased at flea markets, second hand stores or treasures I find at yard sales etc.
I love your tapestry and your treasures from your family are priceless. How blessed you are to have such great memories surrounding you!
Thank you for the giveaway and love your books.
mcnuttjem0(at)gmail(dot)com
Hi Jackie, thanks for writing! How fun that you buy treasures at flea markets, second-hand stores and yard sales too. Sounds as if you are also surrounded by great memories. Good luck in the giveaway!
Love your books Kate! I am definitely old fashioned or “old school”! I have a couple antiques that were my Mom’s/Grandma’s. I would have more if I could afford them! I would love to live in an old farm house. I had an aunt & uncle that lived in Missouri that lived on a farm in an absolutely wonderful old farmhouse. I have often thought that I was born in the wrong century; then I remind myself that I am exactly where (& when!) God wants me. God bless & thanks for the contest.
Thanks for writing, Mary! It’s great to hear I’m not the only old-fashion modern woman out there. God bless you and good luck in the contest!
I love both the old & new! I like some of the new styles but yet I’m old fashion. Like the Amish my Pentecostal (Apostolic) belief is different from the mainstream! We also dress different and my hair has never been cut. So I know how it feels to be different! But that fact does not bother me because I believe what I do with all my heart! So I can imagine most of them do too! I love your tapestry that u bought at a young age! I hope to win book 1 or 2 since I won book 3! I really enjoyed Foever Amish! Thank so much for this opportunity!
I’m delighted to hear you enjoyed Forever Amish, Brenda! Thanks for letting me know and for entering the giveaway. Good luck!