Amish winter weekend

Winters move to a different rhythm on Amish farms. The garden has fallen into a snow-covered slumber on an Amish winter weekend. The wood stove is crackling and sending a warm dome of heat throughout kerosene-lamp lit living room.

The amount of daylight is shorter, sending Amish residents insider earlier. There are letters to write, puzzles to solve, and quilts to piece, all of these are winter pasttimes that tend to get pushed aside when the demands of spring and summer begin to be felt.

Winter weekends are a time to take it slow. What is an Amish buggy ride lie in winter, an Amish woman describes:

First, everyone makes sure to dress for the weather, she said. The women and girls wear long stockings and snow boots. Sweaters and sweatshirts are becoming more and more popular with young boys.

Thick winter coats made of wool are a must, and everyone wears mittens or gloves made of either leather or wool, she said.

As far as the buggy itself, she continued, we close the curtains and pull down the storm front if the weather's really nasty. We always have the big, thick woolen buggy blankets to wrap around us. And lots of people will take along hot-water bottles or just plastic jugs filled with hot water to keep themselves warm.

Friday night is often our big night of going into town, she said, and we really look forward to and enjoy the fellowship of the ride together. It is part of the event.

winter weekend — An Amish farmhouse in winter...

Among the Amish, winter isn't necessarily a time of rest as much as it is a time of moving the activity and bustle indoors. And part of this is food. The grill is put away for the summer and stoves are bubbling with chilis and comfort foods.

Here are 5 favorite Amish farmhouse weekend winter recipes!

Mrs. Yoder's Journal: Sweet Farmhouse Chili

This is a classic chili of beans and burger and cheese. It's the cup of brown sugar in the recipe that really gives this chili a super twist on tradition. So you get a slightly sweet taste tempering the savory. You can use ground sausage in place of hamburger, and many Amish use a venison/beef blend.

Amish Winter Classic: Fried Pies

Man, these are good.....When I was a kid I remember occasionally buying some of the Hostess fruit-filled pies. Mmmm, apple, blueberry or cherry. Geez, I have probably not had one of those in 30 years, but, oh, so good. Especially the apple. Glazed over and filled with apple filling. One of these days soon I