Hurray, we’re home from another marvelous visit to Lancaster County, PA! Not until I began writing about the Amish did my husband and I celebrate our autumn anniversary in glorious Lancaster County. Can you think of a better place for me to do research on the Amish and the location? My husband enjoys chauffeuring me at a leisurely pace—even when I yell “Stop!” so I can take a photo. Over the years, we’ve grown close to many folks in Lancaster County, both Amish and English, not to mention relatives we’ve come to know better.
With views like this Amish farm, is it any wonder I make my husband stop so I can take a photo?
In the past, my husband and I have each forgotten our anniversary. When I overlooked the auspicious date, my spouse thought I was joking. I mean, how many wives forget their anniversary? However, the very next year my husband—a man with a remarkable memory who can be quite annoying when playing Trivial Pursuit —forgot our anniversary. Of course, I let him. We’re even, thus no hard feelings.
No forgetting now that we travel across country to Pennsylvania! We even decided not to exchange cards or gifts. One less must-do, but he occasionally randomly brings me flowers.
Always work to be done on an Amish farm!
Recently, an English friend told me a fun and true story about herself. She and her high school sweetie got married, but soon divorced. Both remarried, but their next spouses died. Years later, the lonely man told his children the only woman he’d want to date was his first wife, my friend. They encouraged him to locate her through instabang.org. Fast forward: the two love-birds retied the knot last year and are ecstatic. How cool is that? I should ask her which anniversary they celebrate.
Can you think of anniversaries that have nothing to do with marriage?
Do you celebrate a unique or quirky accomplishment? For an author, it might be the first day his or her article or book was published, or was a top-10 finalist, or won an award. One year ago, my husband self-published his first book. Happy anniversary, to him!
How about the day you or a friend were pronounced cancer free? The day you or he/she gained sobriety? The day you opened a business or graduated from a class? I remember the morning a woman I’d known most of my life, called me, her voice ringing with jubilation, to tell me the last of her three children was officially in school. Although, I suppose this could make some mothers sad. How about you? What gives you cause to celebrate?
Win this charming Amish-made doll couple, plus a copy of one of my books.
Leave a comment on my blog to enter to win this charming Amish-made couple, Rebecca and David, plus a signed copy of A Letter from Lancaster County, or one signed book from the Legacy of Lancaster Trilogy—either CBA bestseller Leaving Lancaster, its sequel CBA bestseller Pennsylvania Patchwork, or Forever Amish.
Winner has 3 days to respond. USA and Canada entries only. Winner will be chosen at random and announced in one week.
I’ve read your book Letter from Lancaster County, well written and very good book. I collect dolls and would love to win this set.
Thanks for the lovely review, Vivian. If you wrote nothing more than that on Amazon I would appreciate it greatly. Now, about those dolls, I would be delighted if they came to live with you. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
I just love to celebrateour grandchildren coming to see us. They are 4 a nd will be 2.
I understand where you’re coming from, Melissa. I’m in the celebration mode too, as our two grandchildren are paying a visit tomorrow. Thanks for leaving your comment and entering the giveaway!
Kate
Every year when I was a kid, my mom would make a german chocolate cake with the pecan coconut frosting for my birthday. She’s beven gone for 9 years but my husband gets a friend to make the cake for me in honor of my mom!
Your husband sounds like a sweetheart, Jean. As well as the friend who makes the cake. Yummy! I’m sure that make sure birthday extra special. Thanks for entering the giveaway!
Kate
I love to read about The Amish and I would love to read this book! would love the Amish dolls I would put them in my curio cabinet! you are a great author Thank you for this awesome giveaway!
I certainly appreciate your kind words, Sarah. Thanks for entering the giveaway. Good luck!
Kate
I would love to win !! Love your books thank you for the giveaway
Blessings
Thank you so much for entering the giveaway, Nancy. Wishing you the best of luck!
Kate
I enjoy your books you are a talented writer.
You are very kind, Susan. I thank you for your generous words and for entering the giveaway!
Kate
I would love to win!
You might be just be the winner, Susan. Thanks for entering the giveaway!
Kate
We do love going to Lancaster County and the Amish communities surrounding Berlin OH
It sounds as if you and I enjoyed many of the same things, Kathy. Thanks for cruising by my blog and entering the giveaway!
Kate
Having read all your books to date, I would love to win this one, and especially the adorable dolls. We decorate with primitive style, so they would have a “good home” with us.
I’m sure they would have a good home with you, Norma. Thank you very much for reading my books. I’m hoping a few more readers who liked A Letter from Lancaster County will write a one or two sentence review on Amazon. Just a thought … Wishing you the best of luck in the giveaway!
Kate
I’d love to win these dolls for my granddaughter. And I’d love to be introduced to your writing.
What fun your granddaughter could have playing with these dolls, Ellen. And what fun you might have reading A Letter from Lancaster County or one of my other novels. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
What a privilege it would be to win!, Just discovered your books this past year and LOVED the Letter from Lancaster. Keeping my fingers crossed! Thanks for the giveaway!
I am so pleased to hear how much you enjoyed reading my books, Tracy. You are very kind. Thanks for entering the giveaway. Good luck!
Kate
Something that I remember fondly was when I first became interested in
wild birds. It was 1970, and to this day I am a birdwatcher. God’s creatures are beautiful and can be so interesting to observe. I enjoyed this blog entry and would enjoy being selected as the winner of your giveaway. Thank you.
I love birdwatching too, Deborah. I joke that birds are my view outside our kitchen and see many birdwatchers while walking in a nature preserve. I’m glad you enjoyed the blog entry and wish you good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
I love the history & stories of the Amish. Love reading your blog about them & would love to win the books & dolls
I also never grow tired of hearing am learning about the Amish, Cheryl. Thanks for entering the giveaway. Good luck!
Kate
I celebrate every day in some way, even the bad days. There are times fixing myself a simple cup of tea is as special as it gets. Life is so precious.
You have a wonderful attitude, Betty. Celebrating every day, no matter the circumstances, wouldn’t hurt me one bit. I will keep that in mind today. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
Very nice give away, thanks for thinking of us! We also enjoy going up to Lanxadter, PA when we can.Love your books! Entered and hope to win…congratulations to ever it is…share on Facebook.
Thanks for entering the giveaway, Brenda. Wishing you the best of luck!
Kate
I love to read the Amish Novels. Family seems to mean so much to theef Amish. Nice refreshing books.
I’m glad you love to read Amish novels, Vera. Yes. family and community is very important to them. Thanks for entering the giveaway!
Kate
Thank you for a chance to win 🙂
Thanks for entering the giveaway, Michelle!
Kate
I celebrate being cancer free sense February 2008!
I would love to win this would definitely celebrate curled up in comfy chair reading the book.
Yay! A fabulous cause for celebration and a day to remember, Melissa. I wish you good luck in this giveaway!
Kate
I love reading Amish books and loved riding through Amish Lancaster County and seeing all of the beautiful buildings and settings. I love the Amish dolls and would cherish them forever. I have read your book, “Leaving Lancaster.” Thank you, it is really a great read.
Thanks for writing and sharing your enthusiasm for the Amish of Lancaster County, Carlaine. Also, I’m delighted to hear you enjoyed reading Leaving Lancaster. Hope you like my recent book A Letter from Lancaster County as much. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
My husband and I celebrate the anniversary of our first date (I started it!) and our wedding anniversary. 35 years together and almost 34 years married. Hubby lived 3 doors down. I was sitting on the front stoop when he walked by and started talking to me, finally. We have been eyeing each other for about a week. We ended up going to the church bazaar up the street and have been together ever since.
I love your romantic story of how you and your husband started dating, Karen. A story with a happy ending. My favorite kind. Thanks for leaving your delightful comment and entering the giveaway!
Kate
I luv luv the Amish in Lancaster, PA. Im a avid Amish book reader. Would luv to win your book and dolls. Originally from NJ but when I visit back in NJ I always make a trip to the Amish. Staying at the kitchen Kettle area. I would luv to stay at a Amish bed and Breakfast. I take loads of pics. Luv the farm lands. I liv in Texas and often think it would be nice to live in Lancaster
Staying at an Amish bed and breakfast would be fun, Brenda. Also fun, would be your winning this giveaway. Good luck!
Kate
How sweet are those dolls! Thanks for having the giveaway.
I’m glad you like those sweet dolls, Lois. Thanks for entering the giveaway!
Kate
I love to celebrate my parents’ wedding anniversary each year. 51 years and going strong! Thanks for the chance to win.
51 years and going strong, Cindy. I’m sure your parents are delighted you help them celebrate each year. Thanks for entering the giveaway!
Kate
I enjoy reading your books. The dolls are so precious.
Thanks, Lori. I’m delighted you enjoy reading my books and that you like the Amish-made dolls. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
We celebrate our anniversary because we were told by everyone that we wouldn’t make it. However, out of 9 respective siblings, we’re the only ones who have been together and still are, except for one brother who saw what we dealt with and moved to avoid issues. Thirty five years later we still laugh and declare we’re going to prove them wrong!
I’d say you have indeed proven them wrong, Annette! Congratulations on 35 years of marriage. Thanks for your uplifting comment and for entering the giveaway!
Kate
Being disabled makes me sad having something about Amish would cheer me up they are strong people
The Amish are strong people, Karen, but some of them are also disabled and very ill. What they have going for them that we don’t is strong community support and a commitment to family members. I’d love to cheer you up. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
I celebrate anytime I’m with my family, especially my grandkids!
I can certainly understand that, Carole. Family, especially grandkids, are cause for celebration. Thanks for leaving a comment and entering the giveaway!
Kate
I don’t really celebrate it, but I do remember every year for the last 3 yrs of when we lost our baby. We have a now 9 year old at the time she was nearing 7. We were all excited, but for reasons that only God can know why the pregnancy was lost. But I also remember when my late dad passed
How could you not remember the death of your baby, Crystal. My heart aches for your loss. An Amish woman once told me, “It was God’s will,” when I told her how sad I was at the loss of another friend. I pray your grief lessons each year.
Kate
Enjoy being with my husband since we are both retired and traveling every year to Amish country in Bellville, Pa. Love buying their produce and learning how the Amish do their Canning for the Winter & getting ready for Weddings.
How wonderful that you and your husband are both retired and enjoying the same things, Billee. Thanks for sending your fun comment and for entering the giveaway!
Kate
You are a new Author tome. I have yet to read your books. Awesome giveaway. Love the Dolls.
Meeting a new reader is exciting for me, Debi. I hope you get a chance to read one of my books soon. They can be found or ordered at most libraries or online vendors and bookstores … or maybe you’ll be the winner of this giveaway!
Kate
My Mom would love those! The would make a wonderful Christmas gift!
I’d love your mom to get a fun Christmas gift like the amish dolls and a signed novel, Stephanie. I hope you get a chance to read one of my books too. Thanks for entering the giveaway!
Kate
Just celebrated 51 years together with my husband. I love learning about the Amish, their culture, their heritage, everything about them.
Congratulations, Faye. You and your husband are a great inspiration to all of us married folks. Thanks so much for writing and entering the giveaway!
Kate
I always celebrate my fur-baby’s birthday! Does that count? Lots of things to celebrate but keeping up with all those dates can be overwhelming. Sorry I missed meeting you in Lancaster Co. this year. I live in York Co., PA but am helping my mom recover from a broken arm in Arkansas. Maybe next time. Thanks for the opportunity to win!
Sure, Linda, why not? One of my favorite dogs was born on Valentine’s Day and died on July 4, 16&1/2 years later. How could I forget? Still miss her. I would have loved meeting up with you in Lancaster County, but it sounds like your mom needed you more. A stellar daughter. Good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
Kate I forget which day I was married! I have trouble remembering if it is October 16th or 18th!!! I do know it was Sweetest day in 1986. I went to mail my daughter something yesterday and found the card you sent with your book A Letter for Lancaster.( I used the book in a Amish display at work) It was so sweet to find it and you were kind to say I was an interesting woman! So much more exciting to be interesting than gloomy or cranky! Thank you for your kinds words and the book. One anniversary has changed for me, November 6th, the day my Mom died. Now I have a new dear friend and her birthday is November 7th and my new (first) grandson’s birthday is November 2nd. Enjoy your travels, how nice your hubby enjoys travels. The giveaway is awesome.
Thanks for your fun comment, Bablynn. It’s nice to know I’m not the only one who has trouble remembering dates. Maybe that’s why I enjoy writing fiction? I often tell my husband I need a secretary, something he has … Wishing you good luck in the giveaway!
Kate
I love celebrating our anniversary and life.
Would love to win this awesome give away.
Good luck in the giveaway, Juanita!
Kate
I would love to win. Love all AMISH books
Thanks for entering the giveaway, Betty!
Kate
Thanks to everyone who entered the giveaway! The winner will be announced Tuesday.
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