Spring Envy
I hope you've had a good week even though there have been many reports of nasty weather around the country. Perhaps I was premature in blogging recently, saying that there have been signs of Spring here in Florida. We had a cold snap soon after I wrote that entry. That'll teach me! I've lived in Florida for years and always seem to forget that we'll have a few days of cold weather at the end of March or in early April. But I know that many of you living in colder states are really suffering right now. You're tired of winter.
When I proposed When Winter Comes (tentative title) as the novella for An Amish Gathering, the second collection of Amish stories by Beth, Kathy, and me set in Lancaster County, my editor asked what kind of activities the Amish did during the winter. What sort of things would I be writing about, she wanted to know. Well, it's a slower time for those who have had to work so hard to grow and harvest crops and do outdoor work. Farmers have the time to repair equipment and plan spring plowing and planting. Wives prepare hot, hearty meals from the abundance of vegetables and fruits they've spent hours growing, picking, and preserving. Friends and family gather to quilt, to have fun while they perform some chores and they call these times "frolics." And Amish children enjoy the winter as children do in snowy climates everywhere -- they skate, they sled, they throw snowballs and build snowpeople. There are many more fun Winter activities I'll be including in the novella and perhaps telling you about later.
Of course, baking is one of the things many of us enjoy doing during the winter. We treat ourselves to the goodies more often during the Winter than when we're wearing swim suits and shorts in the summer and we think about our weight. Baking also not only makes a home smell appetizing but warms it as well so it's a nice side benefit, especially during these energy-conscious times.
I miss the winter activities I enjoyed growing up in Cincinnati, Ohio -- especially sliding down the hill behind our house on a saucer shaped sled. My cousin who still lives in Cincy says she'll trade me houses some winter so I can get that nostalgia out of my system... Until then, I'd like to hear what you're doing while the country experiences a winter that's not ready to be over just yet.
Stay warm!
Blessings,
Barbara
PS: I'll add my congratulations to Beth and Amy for their great first reviews of their new books out!
When I proposed When Winter Comes (tentative title) as the novella for An Amish Gathering, the second collection of Amish stories by Beth, Kathy, and me set in Lancaster County, my editor asked what kind of activities the Amish did during the winter. What sort of things would I be writing about, she wanted to know. Well, it's a slower time for those who have had to work so hard to grow and harvest crops and do outdoor work. Farmers have the time to repair equipment and plan spring plowing and planting. Wives prepare hot, hearty meals from the abundance of vegetables and fruits they've spent hours growing, picking, and preserving. Friends and family gather to quilt, to have fun while they perform some chores and they call these times "frolics." And Amish children enjoy the winter as children do in snowy climates everywhere -- they skate, they sled, they throw snowballs and build snowpeople. There are many more fun Winter activities I'll be including in the novella and perhaps telling you about later.
Of course, baking is one of the things many of us enjoy doing during the winter. We treat ourselves to the goodies more often during the Winter than when we're wearing swim suits and shorts in the summer and we think about our weight. Baking also not only makes a home smell appetizing but warms it as well so it's a nice side benefit, especially during these energy-conscious times.
I miss the winter activities I enjoyed growing up in Cincinnati, Ohio -- especially sliding down the hill behind our house on a saucer shaped sled. My cousin who still lives in Cincy says she'll trade me houses some winter so I can get that nostalgia out of my system... Until then, I'd like to hear what you're doing while the country experiences a winter that's not ready to be over just yet.
Stay warm!
Blessings,
Barbara
PS: I'll add my congratulations to Beth and Amy for their great first reviews of their new books out!
Posted by Barbara Cameron at 4/9/2009 5:54 PM 
Categories: Amish info
Tags: spring Amish winter activities
Categories: Amish info
Tags: spring Amish winter activities
Well, here in Texas, it is definitely Spring--even what some folks would call Summer! Yesterday our high temp was 88! I spent the first 30 years of my life "right up the road" from you, Barbara--in Lima, Ohio. I miss the winters, too. But more than that, I miss the beautiful Ohio Autumns! Do you have any idea when "An Amish Gathering" will be published? I look forward to reading it! Have a blessed day!
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Hi Cathy,
There's just something about Ohio, isn't there? I loved the autumns, too. Florida doesn't experience much changing of seasons so when we see something here that is changing seasonally, we really notice it and celebrate it.
I'm not sure about the scheduling of An Amish Gathering yet--just that it's late Fall 2009 and we're writing our novellas for it now. We'll let you know more as the date approaches.
In the meantime, I can't wait for An Amish Christmas to come out in August because Beth and Kathy and I enjoyed our stories with continuing characters so much--I can't wait to see what the readers think!
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I also live in FL, and enjoyed the last cold snap this week. It seems we went right from winter to summer temperature wise, so this cold snap was much appreciated in my home. I am enjoying watching my garden and yard greening up again.
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Yes, it did seem like we went from winter to summer and I didn't like that. I wanted some spring, too. On the first nice day I went out to garden and found that the big, beautiful pink hibiscus had not made it through the cold snap. The bougainvillea that has grown like that plant that eats people was looking bad, too. I'm afraid both may have to be pulled out. I do not have much of a green thumb like my farmer's daughter mom. Even though I love to garden, plants have to be very hardy to do well at my house! Sigh.
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Barbara,
I live in Oklahoma, actually Yukon just outside of OKC. Spring keeps on fooling us. My neighbor always puts out the prettiest flowers and he was saying the other day that he will have to take his plants inside, which he did, before that cold snap hit last Sunday, UGH!!!!
But, as some or all of you know, now we have our share of wildfires and so many people have lost their homes in Midwest City and all around OKlahoma. It holds a special place in my heart, I grew up in Midwest City and around Choctaw area and it breaks my heart the people have lost their homes so quickly. I started praying and praying, and God has delivered. You see, my mom still lives there and I just prayed for the Lord to give them all peace.
In God's Love,
Debbie
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Debbie,
Glad you -- and many of us -- are praying for the people affected by the wildfires.
I'm not sure which are scarier--wildfires or hurricanes. We seem to go back and forth between hurricanes (three hit my area within the first couple of years I moved into this house) and wildfires. The last time I went to a neighboring big city for a conference wildfires blocked thei highway and I wasn't allowed home. Thank goodness for pet sitters who heard what was happening and called to assure me they had the situation in hand. The dogs were more important to me than the house. (My kids are grown so my dogs are like furry kids.)
I keep telling myself that God's in charge and all is well, even when it doesn't look like it at the time.
And prayer? I pray a lot every day!
Blessings,
Barbara
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