amish sale in minnesota

went to amish country in minnesota with mom and dad over the weekend.

enjoyed homemade amish donuts.

ahhhhhed & ooooohhhheeed over the hand stitched quilts.

bought a pecan and blueberry pie.

& thought about how different life would be without electricity, technology and exposure to outside life.

Amish Greenhouse

I just can't seem to get enough of the Amish lifestyle...

On Friday, my roommate and I ventured about 20 minutes outside of Maryville to visit the Amish Greenhouse.

I have been to a few greenhouses in my life, but I have never seen one with such assortment of beautiful and healthy flowers. 

We visited with the owner and she explained to us that on Saturdays, her husband loads up the horse and buggy and makes the trek to Maryville to sell flowers on Main Street.

He leaves at 3:30 a.m.

It takes him over 3 hours to travel from his homestead to Maryville.

At least he doesn't have to pay for gas :)

Quilts

Here is a look at the items my parents purchased for me as a keepsake from the Amish sale.

The first is a rug and I am obsessed with it.  I love the colors, design, and the fact that it was only $2.50.  No one even bid on it, but me.  My mother thinks it is strange looking.

This was a quilt that my mom and I spotted due to its unique design.  I thought it had a lot of fun colors.  

$55.

Every stitch in that quilt is hand-stitched. 

 And finally my favorite. 

Isn't it beautiful?

The woman who made it has 16 children.

Yes, you read that correctly. 16.

They were in need of money and she was hoping it would bring a good dollar.

We did pay more for this one, but it was worth it.

Once again, hand stitched.  How many small squares do you see?

Amish Sale

Amish life - Simplicity at its best.

Since my summer class runs Monday - Thursday, I decided to make the trek back home so I could make the trek to Minnesota with my parents to attend the Amish Sale.

A few years ago, my parents purchased a farm in Minnesota. Surrounding our farm is what I like to call "Amish Country."

Twice a year, the Amish have an auction.  They sell baked goods, handcrafted furniture, and my favorite - quilts.

We indulged in...

Homemade donuts...Pumpkin cookies, pies, cinnamon rolls, etc.  You name it, we probably bought or ate it.

Although the Amish religion does not like to have their photo taken, I didn't think this quick snap shot of their bottom half would be a problem.

(I took it very discreetly)

It was a cold, rainy day.  Luckily I wore my new rain boots.

My parents have been to the sale the past four years now.  Each quilt usually brings between $300-$400 dollars.

This year the quilts were only bringing around $150.

People weren't even bidding on them.

The weather put a HUGE damper on the quilt sale.  A lot of people didn't attend the sale or left early.

It could be why my mother and I walked away with ... .... ... too many possibly??

Each quilt is absolutely gorgeous.  Two men will open up the quilt on the trailer and everyone goes ""ahhhhhh.....ohhhhhhhh.....wow"

It is amazing to see the work these women do with just a needle and thread.  It broke my hear to see the Amish women standing around and not having their quilts bring a lot of money.  I myself have made a quilt and I know the amount of money that goes into materials and the amount of hard work and patience it takes to make a masterpiece.

(Again, I snuck this photo - I was feeling very rebellious)

My parents have decided that each daughter gets to pick out her own hand stitched quilt as a keepsake.

It was my turn this year. 

Since the quilts were going for little money.  I walked away with a couple.  Check back tomorrow to see which ones I picked.