The most interesting fact I’ve learned so far about the Amish? While I was in Lancaster County, I happened upon an occupied eagle’s nest. It was as big as a Volkswagen! Each evening, I went back to watch the eagle parents feed their hungry eaglets. The Amish I have met are dedicated “birders.” They have such a respect for God’s creation—so I try to add a new nature twist in each book. It’s fun for me to learn, too.
What’s the most interesting fact you’ve learned about the Amish, either from reading fiction about the Amish or during research you might have done?
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- That you’ve signed up for my blog
- And answered the above question
I’ll announce the winner next Friday! Good luck.
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I remember Amish women showing us how to dye Easter eggs using things like onion skins and nuts. This was about 30 years ago.
Yes, I am signed up for your blog!
Oh Kathleen…interesting!
There is nothing lazy about an Amish person. Many not only take care of their families and their crops and their church obligations, but they have businesses in their homes whether it is selling from their gardens or from the beautifully hand sewn creations or their delicious homemade baked goods, the Amish are never idle. I admire that in them.
Oh yes, I am certainly a blog follower of yours!
So true, Melanie! I think of Amish women rushing from house to barn to clothesline, back to house. Kind of a fast walk, capstrings bouncing!
I subscribe to your blog.
When we visited Lancaster PA I learned that Amish women save their wedding dresses, not to be handed down to their daughters, but instead they are buried in it.
I think I’ve read that, too, Teresa. Wouldn’t you feel a little odd while you sewed it?! I would.
I subscribe to your blog by email
Interesting fact is they are always working and children learn early to help with chores. They are so interesting to read about. One of my favorites I enjoy reading
Hi Ann H…they really do, too. Work right alongside mom and dad. The power of example. Thanks for sharing!
I’ve read some books talking about the Amish interests in birds. I too have an interest in these birds and others. I always take family to their ancestral homelands, Germany and Poland. In these countries it is good luck to have a stork come to nest on your chimney. And so as we visit these countries we always see a nest almost immediately after arriving in the countryside. The last trip it was the last day and still no nest, and I said to my daughter that this was the first time we had come without spotting a nest. We were both disappointed that we couldn’t take a photo of our good luck trip symbol. No sooner had we said this than 1 block away we found one high in the electrical poles with the cute babies on top of the nest.
Forgot to mention that the most important fact I have read about the Amish is that they take care of their own, the sick, the needy, and the elderly. I think this is a great compliment to their way of life. And yes, I subscribe!
Loved both your comments, Sonja! About birding (so fascinating!) and about how the Amish care for their elderly. Certainly, it must be easier to be surrounded by family and like-minded people, but still… My dad has Alzheimer’s and that was no Sunday picnic!
I love their sense of what family & community means to them. God is central in their lives & they strive to show it in the way they interact with others. I think because they usually have family & community to support them and such a strong desire to do what God would want from them that even in the hardest times they would not feel so alone in their struggles.
I also admire their work ethics and creative ways they have found to help support themselves in this economy. They have maintained what most of us long for and that is a simpler life with little need for all our technology that demands so much from us.
Forgot to mention I do subscribe. thanks
Thanks, Jackie! I agree. For too many of us, God is just a slice of a pie. For the Amish (and I’m talking about those with sincere faith)…God is the piecrust.
The most interesting fact I’ve discovered about the Amish is the rite of rumspringa
I follow your blog.
I too have learn how much the Amish love birds and nature. I am a bird lover especially cardinals. The Amish are truly lovers and respectors of God’s creation. I have so much respect for their life style. Hoping to someday make it to amish country.
I am signed up
I learned that courting is done at the evening sing song and other activities such as weddings
I was a fill-in driver for hauling Amish for a few months…I took a family to a bridal shower, and as a “gag” for the new bride, they removed labels from canned goods!
I also did census work in 1990, and would have to go to Amish farms to “verify” the children who were written in on the form, (there wasn’t room for all of the names)
The children all had the same middle initial, and it was the first initial of the father’s first name.
Having many relatives in Lancaster County, PA, I am privileged to know an Amish family who have lived next door to my Aunt and Uncle (both now deceased) for more than 30 years. We are always invited to visit/have a meal with them whenever we are in Lancaster. The girls of the family ALWAYS make us hot soft pretzels from scratch during the evening. One cute remembrance is when my sister who was watching a young mother change her baby asked: “What do you (Amish) call diapers?” [As British call them ‘nappies’, etc.] The girl replied, “PAMPERS”? I have LIKED your blog.
1. I’m already signed up for your blogs.
2. The most interesting thing I’ve learned and discovered about the Amish is that they live their lives much like the pioneers did. My grandmother was from the pioneering era where horse and buggy were used, food was all home grown and made, canned and baked. Family came together always and you helped your neighbors.
I am signed up for your blog.
I found that the young Amish have a “rumspringa” to be very interesting.
I subscribe to your blog by email. My most interesting fact is the way the children are trained from the beginning to be a part of the family and do their share of the family work.
I am reading Amish Values for Your Family right now. It is filled with information that I didn’t know about the Amish. I love the way you wrote it. It is entertaining, informative and teaches in a gentle way. I was reading the stories to my husband while we were on a trip for a doctor appointment. As soon as I finish it I plan to send it to my son and daughter in law. If I can part with it. Thank you for such a great book!
I have signed up for your blog.
I think one of the interesting facts about the Amish is that they are very industrious and like to sell their goods.
One of the things I have discovered through touring Amish communities & homes, is their cleanliness & orderly lifestyles. Hate to say it – but I have heard some uncomplimentary things about their cleanliness. I love anything Amish – love touring their communities, eating in their homes, viewing their beautiful farms, & shopping for their beautiful hand-crafted items, & delicious foods.
I enjoy your blog, Suzanne, & would love to read Amish Values For Your Family! Thank you!
I am a blog follower.
I have been receiving your blog and enjoy reading it. The Amish values and lifestlye that they cling to even with the draws of the modern world. It is very admirable they have the devotion to their beliefs.
Helen
I’d say about the time when the young people can date. The way they can do everything worldly that they want to. And, especially the parents not supposed to ask them where they go or who they are with. Doesn’t seem good to me to put such temptation in front of them. And read where some groups would even allow the girl and guy sleep together with only a pillow between them or something like that. WOW! That part is really crazy to me. I am a follower of your blog and a subscriber. Maxie
I subscribe to your blog. What I have learned and have admired so much about the Amish is their great respect for each other. I think our country has lost respect for their fellow neighbor, never checking in to make sure they are okay, or even knowing what their names are. The Amish are loving. They truly KNOW each other and the needs therein.
I just singed up for e-mail from your blog. And I find it interesting that the Amish children don’t learn English until they are older.
ugh, signed up not singed up.
The most intestering thing about the Amish is the different shades and prints of fabric thet can use for their clothing.
The bundling that some still do is also interesting.
I subscribe to your blog. Interesting fact – Some couples marry (or remarry) for convenience, not always love.
I find it interesting that the children give their pay check to their father, until they turn 21. Then they are allowed to keep it. (At least it’s this way with the boys)
Reader of your books, blogs, and balogna ! Lol 😉
The most interesting thing I’ve learned came from Sherry Gore’s pod cast. It was a talk about wedding showers, etc. I didn’t know the Amish went on honeymoons.
I am signed up for your blog posts
I am intrigued with rumschpringa (spelling?) ‘running around’ years. With all the strictness of the Amish this seems out of place! Thanks for the opportunity to win…Linda
They make beautiful quilts.
They thing I learned about the Amish is they take care of their own .that they take the parents of the family and let them live with them
I’ve learned so many things through my reading and through the visits I’ve been able to make to “Amish country” over the past four years.
One of the most humorous things happened near Berlin, OH, on our very first Amish vacation in 2010. We were visiting with a young Amish lady and her father as we traveled through on our way to Lancaster County. The father seemed particularly interested in hearing from us about our impressions of the homes and lifestyles in Pennsylvania. We had just been told by the daughter that in her church, young people who were not yet baptized often had cell phones — something we didn’t know. As we were finishing up our conversation with the father, he asked if we texted, presumably wanting to hear from us after our Pennsylvania trip. I told him that we didn’t text, that we were behind the times. As we got into our car to leave, I laughed and told my husband I couldn’t believe I had just told an Amish man that we were behind the times in technology!
I have just signed up for your blog posts. I love reading Amish fiction, I would love one day to visit an Amish community, they are such fascinating people. One of the things that interest me most is their cooking. All those rich foods and desserts they eat everyday, I wouldn’t be able to resist! Families always eat together, unlike most families today where everyone is so busy, seems like no one has time to sit down together anymore & share quality family time.
I am signed up on your blog. The most interesting things I have learned about the Amish-they are hard workers and do not waste time when they are working on a job. We recently had several Amish men put a new roof on our house and add a porch as well. They arrived when they said they would, barely took time to eat lunch and never took breaks to rest. I cooked them lunch one day and my husband invited them to eat with us. They told us about their culture and answered any questions we asked. After they were finished eating, they started burping out loud. They told me that meant they enjoyed my food and I was a good cook. 🙂 And for everyone who watches the TV show Amish Mafia (we don’t, but we still asked) they told us it was made up and that it shows the Amish people in a negative way. Most important things I learned-they are very humble- God is first before everything else-and they know how to laugh at a good joke.
Also meant to add…when we had an ice storm several years ago that knocked out power and cell phones for almost a month in some areas, it was the Amish who opened up their homes, passed out quilts, food and lanterns and showed people in our community how to live without the convenience of cell phone and electricity during this time. Families got to spend time true quality time with each other instead of having the normal distractions of tv, cell phones and computers.
One of the interesting things I have learned about the Amish is their children don’t learn the English language until they start school. I already subscribe to your blog.
Yes, I get your blog everyday. I LOVE your Amish books! I am so fascinated with the Amish…with their simple, earthy, lives. One of the interesting things I’ve learned about them is that they have church services every other Sunday. They have a Sunday in between, where they can REST. I think that is as much a part of the Lord’s Day as anything.
The thing I found most interesting is that there are bad and good Amish just like us. I was shocked when I read the book Abandoned Prayers by Gregg Olsen! I would love to win this book to add to my Amish book collection! Thanks
makeighleekyleigh at yahoo dot com
Yes, I’m signed up for your blog. I never knew anything about the Amish until I began reading Amish fiction. I was amazed by the amount of work that gets done in a day with all family members helping.
I think the most fascinating thing I have learned about the Amish is that while they have thoughts about self, they do not dwell on self, but primarily on family and community. They are continually concerned about being kind to others as well as not hurting others while clinging to and practicing their Amish beliefs and way of life. Most of this I learned in reading the first two Lily books.
I am already receiving your blog and love it.
I know this may sound very simplistic to some, but I had no clue how many different orders of the Amish there are and because of this, they don’t do things exactly the same, even down to buggy color, whether or not they can put a warning triangle on the back of the buggy, men’s hat’s, women’s prayer kapps, and so on.
Love your books, Suzanne!
I am a subscriber of your blog.
I every time spent my half an hour to read this website’s posts everyday along with a
mug of coffee.
Spot on with this write-up, I absolutely think this site needs a lot more attention. I’ll probably be back
again to read through more, thanks for the info!