Not much evidence of autumn in our neck of the woods yet, except kids are back in school and our oak tree’s leaves are turning a drab brown. Eventually, thousands will drift to the ground almost nonstop. One year, I raked up 23 barrels of leaves over the course of a few weeks to drag to the curb. Ach, my poor back! After that, I decided to hire a man with a blower.
Lancaster County trees changing into glorious hues.
Many wonderful events in my life have taken place in fall. For instance, my two sons were born in autumn. My husband and I were married in late October, around the beginning of the marriage season for Amish couples. After the harvest. In Lancaster County, PA, marriages usually take place on a Tuesday or Thursday—when the corn has been harvested and the celery grown (a tradition in Lancaster County only). The day before includes much food preparation and cleaning in the bride’s parents’ home, shop, or barn. Many in the community chip in to help. Often 300+ guests are included. Widowers may marry any time of year.
Autumn is when I miss the East Coast and the Amish of Lancaster County the most. I could watch draft horses or mules harvesting the corn in Lancaster County for hours—deep into the night if a storm such as Hurricane Sandy or an early snowfall is on its way. Both times this happened, my husband cut our trip short and were fortunate to change our tickets and catch one of the last flights out of the Philly Airport.
In Lancaster County, Amish women are helping the men harvest.
When I think about autumn, I consider my clothes. Suddenly, wearing brown and gold seems more appropriate than pastels. I can’t wait to switch out my summer clothes, but it’s not really cold enough to put everything away. In fact, I wore shorts a couple days ago while walking. This time of year, it seems I have mountains of clothing everywhere until the weather makes up its mind. Slowly, I sort through them and put them in storage. Even my hats. Well, of course my hats. Amish women are not burdened with such choices, other than wearing warmer coats and bonnets atop their kaaps. Would you resent having to wear the same style clothing every day or find it a relief?
Solid color fabric bolts for Amish women abound at Zook’s Fabrics. Plus a wall of black material.
Would you resent having to wear the same style all year round or find it a relief? However, much to Herb Scrivener, owner of Zook’s Fabrics’s, surprise, younger women are wearing reds more often, especially around Christmas. He’s planning to increase his inventory of red fabric this year. (nothing extremely bright)
Another area of change in autumn is cooking and food. Heat radiating from a warm oven is divine as the temperatures dip. Why, I might even do a little baking. What items do you like to cook that you avoid during the warm summer months? Pumpkin pie comes to mind as well as meatloaf and stew. Do you have certain dishes you crave again?
I love writing stories that take place during autumn in Amish county, as I did in A Letter from Lancaster County. My chance to explore the aromas and sights of autumn while contemplating family dynamics and secrets. And what better location than Amish country?
Enter to win this Amish-made apron, a set of blank note cards, and a copy of one of my books.
Please leave a short comment on my BLOG to enter to win this lovely Amish-made apron sewn in Lancaster County, PA, and a set of blank note cards with photos of covered bridges, like the bridge I included in A Letter from Lancaster County. Plus the winner’s choice of a signed copy of A Letter from Lancaster County or 1 book from the Legacy of Lancaster Trilogy: CBA bestseller Leaving Lancaster, it’s sequel, CBA bestseller Pennsylvania Patchwork, or Forever Amish.
Winner will be chosen at random and has three days to respond to my email in 1 week.
Would love to win. Love your books.
Awesome!!! Love to win
Good luck in the giveaway, Regina!
Kate
Thanks for entering the giveaway, Sandi, and for the lovely complement!
Kate
Looks great!
Thanks, Penny. I’m glad you entered the giveaway!
Kate
I love all that you have described about Autumn. I also love reading Amish stories.
Rhonda, you sound like the perfect person to win this giveaway. Good luck!
Kate
Jeanetteschardt@yahoo.com would love to win
I love fall! The beautiful colors outside and pleasant temperatures – I hate having to come inside on such days.
I’m sitting outside with my laptop, Amy, not wanting to waste a single moment of clear, fall weather. Thanks for entering the giveaway and good luck!
Kate
This is a very nice package
Glad you like it, Richard. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
I love your books and aprons are my “thing!” Would love ❤️ to win!
I would love you to win too, Donna. Wish I had enough aprons for everyone. Thanks for entering!
Kate
You’re words take our imagination right with you! Autumn is my absolute favorite Season here in Pennsylvania!
I can’t imagine a better place to spend autumn then Pennsylvania, Anna. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
Would love to win this love your books
Wishing you the best of luck in the giveaway, Ernestine!
Kate
Autumn is my absolute favorite season. A few warm days mixed into cooler and colder nights. Leaves falling, Mums of all colors, and refreshing cider to quench your thirst. Headed to Ohio Amish this weekend and can’t wait to bring home some of the flavors of Fall!
Your trip to Ohio sounds fabulous, Cathy. You have described autumn beautifully. Thanks for writing and entering the giveaway!
Kate
What a awesome prize this is. Love you books
Thanks for entering the giveaway, Nina! And for your kind compliments about my books.
Kate
would to win thank you for your books
Thanks for visiting my blog and entering the giveaway, Susan. Good luck!
Kate
I would love to win this beautiful package! We visit Lancaster every year in the fall! My granddaughter loves to visit Yummy in Kitchen Kettle Village! Love everything in that area!
I’m with you, Jackie. I love everything in that area. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
I really like the fall, because it starts to get cooler, and it is time to get the gumbo pot out !!! Also, the soup pot for a good shrimp and corn chowder..I have a picture of an Amish farmer plowing his field, like the one you posted. We took it when we visited the Ohio Amish community a few years ago, one of my favorite. I would love to be the winner of your giveaway and wear the beautiful apron while cooking for the holidays. Thank you.
Carol, you made my mouth water when you wrote about your soup. By coincidence, I made myself chicken and veggie soup for lunch today. I can’t say it’s from scratch because I did use a store-bought, but very good, liquid chicken base. Thanks for entering the giveaway!
Kate
Love the fall season, my favorite, candle aromas, good book.
A good book is a delight in any season, but particularly fall, Rosemary. Thanks for entering the giveaway!
Kate
I would live to win this great package! We try and visit every fall from Ct. My granddaughter loves to visit ‘Yummy’ at Kitchen Kettle Village. We love it all!
I love CT too, Jackie. But not a single Amish settlement there, that I know of. I am going to have to check out Yummy for myself, although I think I know where it is. The words “Lead us not into temptation … ” come to mind. Thanks for your fun comment and for entering the giveaway!
Kate
Autumn is my favorite time of year. I love the fall colors and the cooler temperatures. I love reading Amish books.
You sound like a perfect person to win this giveaway, Betsy. Good luck!
Kate
I loved your blog and would love to win. Living in Florida a nice cold glass of apple cider is what I crave.
I’m so glad you enjoyed reading the blog, Carol. No hot apple cider for you? Lol. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
I love the colors this time of year. I recently read your book A Letter from Lancaster County and loved it.
You’ve made my day, Candy. I’m delighted you loved A Letter from Lancaster County. Thanks for writing and boosting my energy. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
My amish friend told me that when her daughter married a couple years ago that they served 400 people. I can’t imagine!! Even though there are others cooking and helping I still can’t see how she had time to enjoy the day. I asked if they served creamed celery, she said yes 🙂
Love fall, you have to love it when you live in the “sunny south”. That’s what we look forward to! And winter isn’t too bad so autumn is much awaited.
I hear 400 guests is common, Loretta. How many members of your community would feel honored to come clean your house ahead of time, spend the day before the wedding preparing the food and then serve the people? And then clean up! Not many that I know, and as I paid them. Not to mention planting the celery, if you are in Lancaster County. Fun to hear how much you love autumn. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
Thank you for this opportunity to win! I love being able to dress in fall colors, but for some reason it hardly ever gets cold enough in the South, lol!
Becky, we didn’t have a single snowflake last year, but I still enjoy switching out to fall colors, and then winter. Maybe, when I get all my autumn clothes out I’ll find my missing watch, which I haven’t seen since last October. Thanks for writing and entering the giveaway!
Kate
Autumn is my favorite time of year! I would love a chance to win.
Thanks for writing and spreading your exuberance, Kailey. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
Thank you for the opportunity. when I see these beautiful pieces of artwork, gives me peace and joy in this so evil hateful world. Thank you for all you do so that we may escape from life for a short time. Blessings to you!
Thanks, Cherie, you are very kind. I feel the same way. I can’t go to bed at night, no matter where I am, without reading something peaceful first. I literally turn off the Wi-Fi and TV so I’m not tempted to stay up and let my mind be filled with chaos and worries, which give me insomnia. Blessings to you and good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
Even tho I live close to Amish country i LOVE GOING all the time whether scenic or shoppping. also lovve your books and would love to win.
I feel the same way, Gloria. I could drive up and down every road … Well, it seems as though my husband and I have. I’m lucky to have such a tolerant chauffeur so I can take photos and breathe in the aroma and sights of farmland. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
this is awesome – live right next to Parke County Indiana – the Covered Bridge capitol of the world – getting ready for the Covered Bridge Festival that starts 10/13-10/22 – beautiful fall colors and many People attend!
Teresa, I didn’t realize it was the covered bridge capital of the world. How fabulous! What a great idea to have a festival in October, after the harvest. Many people means increased revenue for residents of the area. Thanks for writing and entering the giveaway!
Kate
Autumn is a beautiful time of year. Favorite place to R&R is Lancaster, pa. When I am not there I love reading your books about the Amish
It is indeed, Christine, and where better to spend the time then Lancaster County, PA? Thanks for the lovely compliment about my books and for entering the giveaway!
Kate
Love to visit Lancaster County in Autumn. So beautiful. Love this giveaway. I bake a lot so the apron would get lots of use. Plus I love reading your books. Thank you for this awesome giveaway.
I think you are awesome for entering, Joan. Wishing you the best of luck in the giveaway!
Kate
Kate, I have never been to Lancaster County, but you describe it so well in your books, you make me long to go. Thanks for allowing me to enter this contest. I am in an assisted living home and don’t have a lot of money to buy books with so I hope I win.
If you send me your address, I can send a book or 2 for you to read
Robin, I don’t quite understand. Are you entering this giveaway? My address is on my website. https://www.katelloyd.com.
Kate
Thank you for the lovely complement, Marilyn. People who live in that area tell me I do a good job describing it. Good luck in the giveaway. If you don’t win do you have a library close by? Libraries in my area will actually deliver books to people who are unable to leave their homes at no charge. You might look into it as it is a great service.
Kate
I would love to win. Enjoy reading your books.
Having you win would be fun, Linda. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
I love autumn especially the colors and anything pumpkin flavored.
The colors in autumn are extraordinary, Cheryl. And I also have a hankering for something pumpkin flavored, preferably a muffin or pie. Thanks for writing and entering the giveaway!
Kate
Autumn is so pretty..I’m loving the cooler temps we are now having. The apron is so pretty. I love wearing one when I cook.
I’m glad you’re enjoying the cooler temperatures, Vickie. I also wear an apron in the kitchen. Sure is easier to wash an apron than the front of your outfit. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
I love reading Amish Books and would be happy to win! They are my escape from everyday problems that we all have. My greatest reading time is in the late Fall and throughout the winter after the Gardening and Canning season is over. Although I do get in a little reading at bed time and rainy days in summer.
You sound like a perfect person to win, Johanna. I usually limit my reading to bedtime or when I am stuck waiting in an office or I’d never get any writing done. Thanks for your lovely comment!
Kate
I love spending autumn with my Amish family and friends in Lancaster County! Lately we have been spending a lot of time picking homegrown gourds, pumpkins, and Indian corn from their produce patch to sell at their market stand every week.
The fall weather also makes it an ideal time to go out and run some errands (or just “cruise” around) with the horse and buggy. Usually on hot summer days or frigid winter days, my Amish family will have me drive them to do their errands in my car. On beautiful and crisp fall days, however, one can not resist taking the “team” out for an enjoyable ride.
It sounds as though you have developed a wonderful friendship, Lauren. Or are they actually family members? In any case, I appreciate your taking the time to send this lovely comment. My hunch is many would be a wee bit envious, and rightly so. Thanks for entering the giveaway!
Kate
Autumn my favorite season. Love whenthe leaves turn colors. Would be nice to win.
I love those autumn colors too, Karen. Thanks for entering the giveaway!
Kate
Fall is my favorite season. Cooler weather (although it was 90 here three days in a row last week), harvest, and lots of family birthdays for us too. Thanks for the chance to win a book.
Oh, my, 90° three days in a row, Carol. I imagine you are awaiting cooler weather, plus all the other fun things that happen in your favorite season. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
Love the fall! I have closets arranged for the colder weather. Slight changes in the colors here. Warmer clothing is a must! I love to cook and bake and fall and the winter months provides me with extra indoor kitchen time! Pumpkin pie, beef stews, pasties! Cookies and cakes! Thank you for the giveaway!
I’m glad to know I’m not the only one who arranges her closets to reflect the weather, Chrissy. You sound like a wonderful chef. Yummy! Thanks for entering the giveaway!
Kate
Autumn is my favorite time of year. The cool brisk weather. The smell of apples, pumpkins, pretty colors of leaves falling from the trees. God getting ready to put the land to sleep under a blanket of snow in some areas of the country to nourish the ground for the coming year.
I love warm sweaters and cozy quilts. Warm fires where you can sit and read. I love the Amish books that talk about walking on crunchy fall leaves, and sitting by a warm fire after being out in the cold autumn air. I can just imagine the women in their dresses and aprons sitting in the buggy under a buggy blanket listening to the sounds of nature.
Thanks Kate for your blog it was wonderful. Good luck all.
Cherese, you have painted a wonderful description of fall. I look forward to walking on crunchy leaves, even if they do require maintenance in the city. In the neighborhood my aunt and uncle lived in NY, the community all chipped in to hire a truck to suck them up. What a great idea that will never happen around here because we have so many evergreens. Thanks so much for your lovely comment and for entering the giveaway!
Kate
Living in Northern California we don’t get much of an Autumn but it is my (as well as my daughters) favorite season. it is my dream to one day visit Amish country. Thank you for the opportunity to win this wonderful gift. Blessings to you.
I hope your dream comes true, Robin. Although you can visit Amish country by reading novels. Still, not the same. Thanks for entering the giveaway and good luck!
Kate
I’d love to bake but my oven went out . I want to cook some thing with cabbage soon .
I love seeing the pretty Fall colors .
Sorry to hear you’re oven went out, Mary. I wish I lived closer so I could come over and see what’s wrong with it. When I worked in my restaurant, I learned how to fix just about everything. Especially during the lunch rush. I can’t help wondering what you cook with cabbage, something I love. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
Love adding new Amish authors to my reading list. These books look amazing!! Our leaves here in Michigan are just starting to get color on them. Thank you for the chance to win
I’d be delighted if you added me to your author list, Linda. Two of my books were CBA bestsellers, two months each. Hopefully, A Letter from Lancaster County will be one too. I wish I could see your changing leaves. Thanks for entering the giveaway!
Kate
I very much look forward to the changes Autumn brings. The cooler temperatures means more pleasant time outside. Sweatshirts, sweaters, and boots are appropriate again! However, my favorite part is not having to worry about using the oven. I can bake any time and any day that I want!!
It sounds as though you live in an area with hot summers, Heather, but own AC to keep you cool. How wonderful that you bake year-round. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
Autumn brings us relief from the 100 plus degree temperatures. I would love to read your book. Thank you for the giveaway opportunity.
I hope you have begun to receive relief from your hundred+ temperatures, Perrianne. I would also love you to read my book, maybe as the winner of this giveaway. Good luck!
Kate
I loved your book Letter From Lancaster County and a friend has it now. She’s the one who got me started reading Amish fiction.
Would love to win this giveaway.
Thanks so much for your generous compliment, Vivian, and for sharing my book with a friend. Word-of-mouth beats any kind of advertising. I really appreciate it. Thank you also for entering the giveaway!
Kate
Such a beautiful apron and you have beautiful pictures also. I would love someday to take my daughter,daughter-law and granddaughters to visit the Amish community.
I hope you get a chance to visit Amish country, Christine. Sounds as though you have delightful traveling companions who would also enjoy it. Thanks for entering the giveaway!
Kate
I love Autumn when I enjoy a pumpkin, cinnamon or spiced apple scented candle burning in the house!
Thanks for your mouthwatering comment, Teresa. I have got to start making pumpkin muffins with cinnamon again. I wish I had one for a treat today. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
I love pumpkin pie but hate to bake. And I love the cool weather in Autumn. It’s the perfect open window sleeping weather. I can’t wait til we can buy a house with a yard to put a fire pit in and sit around on cool autumn nights wrapped in blankets. I would love to win this package. I love it. Especially the apron.
Shannon, I admit that I prefer pumpkin pies baked by others. Although all are not equal. I am enjoying the cooler nights too. Your description of sitting around the fire pit sounds delightful. I hope you achieve your dream soon. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
I have read all your books and enjoy them immensely. Eagerly awaiting the new novel, would be so nice to win so I can share it with my Mom.
Thank you so very much, Ruth. I appreciate your enthusiasm about my writing more than you can imagine. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
My favorite fall food is squash!
I love squash too, Cynthia. Thanks for the reminder to put it on my shopping list. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
Fall to me is a time to take care of my home..declutter and start bringing out the crockpots, bread machine and start thinking of warming, comforting meals. I never Spring clean…I Fall clean! This is a lovely assortment of gifts and the book selection is wonderful! Thank you 🙂
Your idea of doing a fall cleaning and decluttering is an excellent one, Michelle. Warm meals are comforting when the temperatures cool, especially warm bread with melting butter on top or a meal out of the crockpot. Thanks for leaving your comment and entering the giveaway!
Kate
Autumn is my favorite season. I love the colors and cooler temperatures, and sweaters and fluffy blankets to snuggle in while reading!
Thanks for writing, Tracie. I agree with you on all accounts, especially snuggling under a warm blanket while reading. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate