Wednesday, July 15, 2020

Simple Fun

My brother and sister in law called to see if I wanted to take a small road trip with them.  Yes please!
We drove about 65 -70 miles from here to the Mennonite Store! (Used to be Amish)
It was a beautiful day for a drive - nice and sunny and not too hot.  Good conversation.  Was with family.

There was a lot of road construction for part of the drive, as they are building a new interstate through that area (sadly) - but it really didn't deter us with much backed up traffic and no detours.
It was pretty amazing to see all the changes in that area.  I realized yesterday it has been 4+ years since I made the drive down that way!

We were driving along and brother pointed out the window and "Wow, look".  I looked over his shoulder expecting to maybe see an eagle or something flying over - but NO - there was a bright yellow airplane about 50' off the road flying over the car!  It flew into the field and kept getting lower until it was just feet off the ground - it was a crop duster!  I have never seen that before - pretty darn cool.

Once we got past the construction area - it appeared that absolutely nothing had changed.  All the small towns looked just as they did back when I made that trip often.  It was so nice to just see all all the 'old' familiar.  It is country - so lots of fields, hills, and trees and farms and farm houses.   I loved it.

It appears the "Amish" sold to a Mennonite family who now runs the store.  It used to have gas lights and propane operated coolers - now it it all electric!!!  The family lives in a house just next door.  The whole family works there - Mom, Dad and kids.  The girls looked to be about 10-12.  SO pleasant and talkative.  There were other Mennonite gals there as well - they love telling you about their lives!

 They have remodeled inside the building too.  There was no scratch and dent section any more.  They moved things around and expanded the little 'deli' section - to a bigger deli and eat in area.
It was obvious that lots of locals come there to shop and many 'worker men' came in to get lunch sandwiches.

My goodness we walked up and down every aisle so many times, so as not to miss anything!  The store isn't huge by any means - but they pack a lot in there.
After shopping we each ordered and sandwich on homemade bread.  Had a little picnic in the parking area!  It is amazing how something as simple as a sandwich can taste so good when you don't have to make it yourself!!!!  That was the first 'restaurant' food I have had in months and months.

I didn't buy a ton of stuff - just a few items that were different that I don't see around here and some snacks.

 Toasted corn and dried pineapple for snacks!  Sassafras and peach concentrate for drinks.  Beef gravy mix - to use in soups and stews as a thickening agent.  French onion soup  bouillon and beef, pizza seasoning.  Homemade loaf of cinnamon bread (YUM) , buttered popcorn salt and a new veggie peeler.  My old one is sooooo old so I treated myself to a new one!
 2 boxes of religious birthday cards and one of sympathy.  The price works out to .29 a card!  Barley (love in soups) and miniature elbow macaroni and shells to use in my jar mixes I will be making up for gifts.
Couldn't help myself - I had to buy 4 pretty tomatoes.  Mine won't be ripe for at least a couple weeks.

I noticed they were still selling the Amish cookbook that I have.  I bought mine well over 30 years ago.  It appears to be the same version.  I guess some things just don't change!

It was a nice day and it really was simple fun.  It was nice to see a different landscape for a change and one that was countrified!!!!  It was also nice to come back home where life is comfortable and familiar.  My kitties were glad to see me - as lunch was LATE yesterday!!!  LOL

So there you go.  My small diversion to all the garbage going on in the world.  It was nice and pleasant - as were the people.
I did notice that almost everyone wore a face mask (not mandatory in that county).  The young girls were busy sanitizing carts, counters and door handles.

I loved my little day visit in the country.  Sometimes just a little distraction from life is all we need to revitalize our attitudes.
Have a blessed day!

36 comments:

  1. Sounds wonderful just to take a break from all the bad news and have a relaxing, fun day with loved ones and see some different scenery. Glad for you. Blessings, Sharon D.

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  2. Your trip sounds fun. How did I know this was where you were going! I just had a feeling. I love going in the Amish/Mennonite stores they always has such interesting things on their shelves. We haven't been doing much with this covid thing going on. We don't venture out farther than the grocery store, can't wait till we can go on some rides. So I've been doing a little bit of canning and a little of this and that just trying to get on top of things. Been watching some of the programs that I have DVR'd. Our garden is starting to perk up around here I know there are a few zucchini to pick. Got some peppers growing I don't know what kind they are. I think Butch picked them up. So some surprise produce! I did pick up some canning lids and some pectin the other day, just cause it was available and I should have extra just in case. I did notice that the juice steamer has gone up $20 over last summer so now it's $99.99. So I'm looking around for a used one or at least a better price. Hope you have a good day!

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    1. I wish you had been able to visit this summer - that would have made a fun trip. Maybe next spring!
      I don't venture out much either - except yesterday. You can still take a drive and see the scenery!!!

      Sounds like your garden is doing good. I have been using zucchini in a lot of meals! Surprise peppers - how cool.
      It seems much of everything to do with canning is going up.
      Have a great one and stay safe!

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  3. Oh Cheryl Sounds like you had a wonderful time! I love the items you got unique but something you would use.

    I'm always glad to be home too but happy for the day!

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    1. Yes, I love getting some different things - yummy - but fun.
      Home is still where our comfort is!

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  4. I wish I had been with you that sounds so nice and even relaxing. So happy you got to get out for an adventure.

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    1. I wish I could have taken everyone. It was such an enjoyable day.

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  5. A wonderful day in the country and a lovely grocery shopping too. Your post ran like a peaceful and happy story. A lovely treat!
    Joy

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    1. Aahhhh thank you. It was a lovely day. One that will keep me going a while.

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  6. Such a lovely day. I had a similar experience on Sunday - a friend and I had gone for our morning walk and did 6000 steps and then decided to drive and see if a favourite restaurant was open down by the lake (patio only). It was the first time I'd been in a car since February (I don't drive and use public transit). It was so odd seeing people out and about (but following all the rules).
    There was space in the back of the patio in a nice shady spot with a beautiful view of the lake. Tables nearest to us were empty and the staff were wonderful and all required protocols were in place. I had a burger & fries - my first in nearly 6 months - it was delicious! We even went for a bit of a drive afterwards so it was a nice break. Funny how we appreciate all these little things so much more now.

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    1. Sounds wonderful my friend. Glad you got to have an adventure as well.
      You are so right, the little things are so much better when we don't experience them all the time. It sure does make you appreciate them.

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  7. Meant to say - I managed to get some Pot Barley but haven't been able to find Pearl Barley for ages!

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    1. I just love barley in soup and I love beef and barley soup. Veggie soup isn't soup without it in my opinion!

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  8. Oh that sounds like a fun day! I'm so glad you were able to spend time with your brother and have a lovely drive and lunch out. I know it did you good.

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  9. I have friends in PA and twice I have been able to visit and both times we drove out to Amish country. I loved it and the shops are wonderful. We had an amazing meal at a farm restaurant. It is very refreshing seeing somewhere different.

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    1. It is refreshing just seeing and doing something out of the norm. Such a different lifestyle and just so interesting.
      Glad you got to visit Amish country.

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  10. Sounds like a wonderful day! It's good to hear that precautions are being taken throughout the area.

    When I was a child my father hired cropdusters a few times. We kids would stand at the end of the field to watch him fly over and without fail we always ducked. Even though he was well above us, it didn't feel that way.

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    1. It was great.
      I had never seen a crop duster in real life before and just found it so neat to see. What you must have had as a kid.

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  11. So happy for you to have a memory making day. Don't often post but always love reading about your life. We try not to go anywhere unless it is an absolute necessity so your writing uis like a visit from a friend. Thank you.

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    1. I understand not going places unless necessary. I decided to go and I am glad I did.
      Thank you for your sweet words. I love visiting with all of you as well.

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  12. Did you go to Shipshewana? I went there about 10 years ago when I visited a friend in Indiana. We went to a big Amish store that sold salvage food. Tons of fun!
    --Maxine

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    1. No - we did not. That is pretty far from where we live. Just a little store in a country community in southern IN. There are several Mennonite and Amish that live in the area.
      I have never been to Shipshewana.

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  13. Cheryl, your post is the first time I have heard of toasted corn. I have never seen it here in the stores in Australia.

    Your day out sounds pleasant. And I agree with you that it is nice to be able to spend some doing something to distract one from all of this year's drama.

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    1. It is funny how different things are in different areas. I called it toasted corn - some call it corn nuts. Puffed and roasted corn - it is very crunchy and most often salted.
      It is a fun snack! (Hard on your teeth - LOL)

      I sure did need a change of pace and that helped.
      Thanks

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  14. What a fun day trip! Didn't know there was a Mennonite settlement in southern Indiana. Southern Indiana grows the best melons. We had been to an Amish store around Rockville (countryside) years ago. It was fun and lots of farm stands were around when we drove through the country. We went to Shipshewana and it was quite a hike. Glad you had a good day out.

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    1. Yes this little store is between Freedom and Worthington, there are many that live around there. If you go further south their is a big community around Oden as well. They pretty much live out from town and off the beaten path. I have seen buggies many times over the years on SR67!
      It was a very pleasant day.

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  15. I go to one in Fountain City area. Shipshewana is my favorite, but that is about a 3 hour drive.

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    1. It is a very long drive for me as well. That is generally taken as a 2-3 trip by people I know.

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  16. We have an 80 acre farm in SW Missouri. We no longer actively farm but rent out our pasture land. A couple of years ago, there was a "crop duster" zooming back and forth above the farm across the road from us. We've seen this a few times, so don't pay that much attention. The following year, my husband was mowing our lawn and came inside and said, "you'd better come outside and see this." Our property is long and narrow. From one end - west to east - was TURNIPS growing in our lawn and pasture. We couldn't figure it out. Finally, we remembered the "crop duster" from the previous year. We made a few inquiries and found out that sometimes cattle farmers will have a crop duster drop turnip seeds which when they sprout and grow will become food for the cattle as well as breaking up a hard clay soil. He had to turn the plane around to go back over the property he was seeding and just happened to go over our property with some of the seed falling while doing so. So after living here for 30 years, we learned something new!! Yes, we did dig up some of the turnips and eat them.

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    1. II will be darned. I had never heard of anything like that. That is really something. Guess it was a win for you!

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  17. I could sure use a day like that...it sounds so much fun. I love the corn that you got. There is an Amish store up in Parke county that has it. I hope the tomatoes were good and that you thought of me when you ate them. It is funny how such a simple thing can improve any meal.

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    1. The tomatoes are decent and not nearly anything like a fresh picked one! I did pick a Roma the other day - my first of the year.
      It is amazing how simple things make a difference.

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  18. A little town near us has a Mennonite store. I love their soft brooms. I foresee us not going too many places for a while. DH broke his wrist this past Monday and I don't like driving in the city that much anymore. I was going to start restocking the pantry but with him off work for the next 4-6 weeks (even with disability); we thought we'd better keep spending to a minimum. I guess we'll be eating into our pantry even more.

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    1. I am so sorry to hear that your husband broke his wrist. That is exactly why we all have our pantries built up. Hope all goes well for your both. Take care!!!!

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