Amish Time

by Julia

Ahhh . . . more cheese. Our family took a trip to Holmes County, Ohio over the Christmas break. I'm told that this area has the highest concentration of Amish in the country. My husband's parents have a little timeshare over that way that we have been to a handful of times. When we go, we like to see Heini's Cheese Factory and I thought you might want to drool too.

I took photos of all the beautiful hand painted signs but I will spare you the others. The amazing thing about this particular cheese factory is that all the milk processed here is hand milked. No machines. The Amish aren't into electricity.

Our wonderful tour guide, Atlee.

You walk down two long isles before getting to the checkout. It is slow going because there are samples of all these cheeses available to taste. Of course you and the scores of others who have made the pilgrimage want to try all the cheese. David always walks out with something really flavorful (this time it was bleu and some fire hot pepper). Those of you who know David could have called that.

I think the Amish farms are beautiful. They keep up their property, whether the homes are small or large, and it feels orderly and serene.


Even in December their clothes are out drying on the line. We have seen men out in their fields, behind one horse or a team, gathering in corn and other crops. This time we happened upon one farmer spreading manure, which our noses verified.

On this trip we also saw lots of these corn stalk piles. Remember all of this happens with a man and his scythe--no machinery.

This trip was our first time to drive all the way to Lehman's in Kidron, Ohio. (Note the British style phone booth out front because the Amish do not have phones in their homes.) This store is a destination and I thought it was worth the drive. It is huge. It carries all kinds of non-electric products that Amish people want to buy and that we want to buy too if we are getting really serious about self-sufficiency or disaster preparedness. Wood burning stoves, gas appliances, washboards, composting toilets, oil lamps, wringer washers, every kitchen item you can think of, yard and garden tools and supplies, food, candy, furniture, hardware, and tons of toys are a sampling of what you can find.

O and I thought the pig-loving Grandpa Merlin should have this grill.

While he is at it, Mer ought to get his ice cream production really going with this contraption.

Gratefully Merlin already has his own Swiss cowbell but if anyone else wants to get one to join in the chorus, Lehman's can hook you up.

All chicken owners alert! Check out the egg storage and hot water incubator.

Stef needs several of these German Sauerkraut crocks to do all her fermenting. David could help with some kimchi as long as it was super spicy. Some of these were big enough to hide three small children. Don't forget the wooden lid.

After three hours of looking around, it is time to sit--in a hand made rocker.

When we pulled into Kidron, there was some kind of outdoor market or auction going on. The obvious thing being sold was hay. Here is how the parking lot looked.

I doubt there is an automatic car wash close by to help with the mud.

I am pretty sure this man saw me and purposely turned his head. I was sorry to make him uncomfortable. This is why I could not be a photojournalist; I get nervous prying with the lens.

Who wants to go back with me? We might have to take some green drink to have between those Amish buffets.