Bonnet Books (Amish Fiction)

5 or 6 years ago, I read some Beverly Lewis Amish books in a series. I enjoyed them. They were my first exposure to this genre. Now that I am in charge of the library, I try to read some of the fiction books to be familiar with what is available. I am burned out on Bonnet Books. They all seem so similar. An inner conflict between staying with the Amish or leaving for the world, often an Amish lady attracted to an Englischer man. A few times difficulty deciding between two Amish suitors. That sums up most of them.

 

The Jerry Eicher books were pretty good, though with the stereotypical characters and the formula plot. I hated Wanda Brunstetter’s books. I read a few thinking maybe I had made poor selections since so many of the library users seem to love them. There is no depth to her characters. I find her books shallow and boring.

 

My sister-in-law recently read Cindy Woodsmall’s Amish books. She suggested that I try them as she found them “different” than the typical Amish fiction. I just finished The Hope Of Refuge (Ada’s House series). I really liked it. There are the usual Amish/Englischer conflicts, but the characters have lots of complexity, and they deal with relationship issues and misunderstandings within the community besides the stereotypical plot. It was not heavy on using the Pennsylvania Dutch, just a few words. Amish beliefs and practices are nicely woven into the story without lengthy passages describing them. I plan to read the second book in this series in the next few weeks.

 

There are other authors who produce Amish fiction. For example, I haven’t tried any by Linda Byler. Maybe next year after a long sabbatical from her, I will try another Brunstetter. But if it confirms my first impressions, there won’t be a third chance.

What Amish authors have you read? Which do you prefer? Why?

Operation Christmas Child 2014

 

I have my Operation Christmas Child box for Samaritan’s Purse packed and ready to take to church next Sunday. How is yours coming along?

Sauder Village (Archbold, Ohio)

 

Last Saturday we drove to Sauder Village in Archbold, Ohio, a little less than 2 hours from our home. The Historic Village opened in 1976. Eric Sauder who owned the manufacturing business Sauder Furniture (sort of pre-fab particle board cabinets, TV stands, desks, etc. that are covered with wood-grained laminate; the buyer assembles the marked parts) wanted to preserve the area’s pioneer history in a living history setting. The activities vary depending on the season. October 25th-26th was the closing weekend of the village’s season, though there are some candle-lit tours around Christmas. The village is out in the countryside of northwest Ohio. That part of Ohio was settled by Europeans a bit later than other areas in the state. It was known as Black Swamp; once the swamps were drained, it made good agricultural land.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Part of this final weekend was a Woodcarvers Show and Sale in the exhibit hall. Since my husband does woodworking, I thought this might interest him some. In honor of the founder’s woodworking and cabinetry skills, there are old-fashioned woodworking tools displayed in several of the village buildings as well.

 

 

 

 

Most of the houses and buildings (log schoolhouse, barn, homes, church, depot) were relocated from the area a few miles around the tourist village. They represent primarily 1834-1890 era. There is a small section that represents native Indian culture. Artisans demonstrate the making of brooms, pottery, wooden toys, blown glass, metal forging, tin items, baskets, weaving, spinning, cooking (open-hearth and cast iron stove), drying herbs.

 

Kids “attend” school. There is a grist mill.

 

Many of the artisan products are sold in the gift store or the old-fashioned general store or in the artisan’s shop. A museum features the story of Sauder, some local history, but lots of it is filled with historical items like stoves, buggies, quilts. A fun reminiscing trip for oldsters. There is a fairly large quilting supply store in one section with all kinds of fabric and patterns and supplies.

The village has a bakery, a café, a restaurant, a sweet shoppe, a small open-air train (extra charge), buggy rides (extra charge).

The bakery and restaurants and gift shop are accessible to the public free of charge. We were expecting to pay $14 each as seniors to tour the village, but we were the recipients of a generous gift. The lady behind me in the ticket line asked if the two of us would like to be part of her group. She had free coupons from Groupon for free admission for up to 8 people; there were only 5 in her family. She saved us a lot of money.

 

Saturday was Butchering Day. I was wondering how they were going to kill the pig with little children standing around for the demo. They did that away from the demo and even slit the throat to let the blood drain a little before they hauled the 250 pound porker in front of the group. They had a big tub of scalding water. With chains wrapped around the body so they could control it and bring it back up, they submerged the pig so some of the bristles would fall off. It took 4 or 5 men to haul it onto a table where they used scrapers to continue taking off the hair and removed  the toe nails as well. Finally, they cut the head off and put it in a pan. We had already stood around 30-40 minutes and decided not to wait for them to slit the pig open. It was all to be carted off to a shed for processing. We stopped by the shed several hours later. They were going to make head cheese, but I saw none. Lots of ribs. LOL

 

 

The Barn Restaurant had a lunch buffet. Rather mediocre food; nothing special. My husband headed for the woodcarving show and I headed for the bakery where I bought some iced pumpkin cookies. It was quite windy that day. I ate one of the cookies in the bakery dining area before heading back to the village to look around a bit more.

Sauder Heritage Inn is attractive lodging adjacent. There is also a campground with RV pads and hookups or tent camping. You don’t have to visit the village to use these accommodations. An outlet store of the company’s furniture also was nearby.

 

When I headed to the village after lunch, an old car was parked in front of the welcome center.

 

We were home by 5 p.m. We drove through a part of Ohio new to us and enjoyed our outing.

The Last Hurrah

 

A mild sunny day calls for a walk through the neighborhood. The leaves are falling at a good clip now, some trees almost bare.

I set out for the pond west of my house.

It’s a pleasant walk in a quiet residential neighborhood.

It’s surprising what you notice if you slow down and really look: burst cattails, fluffy milkweed pods.

 

 

At the edge of the pond, I heard a plop but didn’t turn quickly enough to see what dove out of sight. Probably a turtle.

 

 

Glad I am not the person who has to rake up all of the leaves.

 

Some of my neighbors are into the spirit of autumn and Halloween.

 

 

We haven’t had any trick-or-treaters in the past 3 years; I don’t think this year will be any different.

I won’t be involved in that part of Halloween, but I can still enjoy autumn, especially with such inviting weather.

 

Hope your Sunday afternoon was as nice as mine.