Over the past several years I've explored Amish and Mennonite settlements from Maine to Montana and a gazillion places in between.  With our first baby on the way in September I won't be able to make such ambitious explorations as much over the year ahead (I'm sure there will be some!), so I thought I'd turn my attention to my own backyard by visiting as many Plain settlements as I can within a 100 mile radius of my hometown.  See the green area in the map. I can leave before lunch and easily be home by supper time and a learn a lot in the process. And the journeys are manageable enough I can take Rachel and baby with me if they care to go.  Rachel made the observation that unless someone happens to live in my hometown (or nearby Cincinnati-Dayton) why would they care what is within 100 miles from my backyard?  Um..fair question.  But hopefully this series will shed like on the richness and diversity within the Plain community.  So stay tuned tomorrow for my first stop of what I hope will be a weekly or bi-weekly series.  But here's a preview: can anyone guess where I might have gone by this photo?
Time to make the creme horns. Â And these just aren't any creme horns, these are shells stuffed with a homemade, scratch-made filling. YUH-UM!
Loretta W.
wow! I am out of the loop. Congratulations on the new baby. I must have missed that announcement.
Kevin
Thanks, Loretta....this will be quite a change for me!
Gloria Johnson
My guess is the bakery at Miller's in Adams County. Make sure you try the popcorn there, it is the best I have ever tasted.
Carmen
Wow- baby??!!! Congratulations!
Wendy
Congrats Kevin and Rachel on the baby news and boy would I love the recipe for the creme filling if you can get your hands on it! I live in Wisconsin so... no competition here!
I look forward to the various columns you put out each week. Keep them coming!
Tiffanie of Truly Skrumptious
I agree about that recipe!
Linda from KY
I live in the same general vicinity as you, so I'm very interested in your travels to nearby Plain communities. I can't wait to hear more!
Those creme horns look amazing! That's one of my favorite things in the world, but something I only rarely indulge in due to my diabetes. It's been years since I've had one.
Tiffanie of Truly Skrumptious
Congratulations on the coming baby!! :>
I think many of us would be interested in any plain communities in your "back yard," so great idea! And I have no idea where this girl is, living all the way on the west coast as I do, but creme horns are a favorite of mine, especially homemade!
Dianne
Kevin, I live in your vicinity and I am interested in your 100 mile trips, because I can then also take the same trip. Is this picture in the bakery you were just talking about in Brown County?
Kevin
Yes, it is, Dianne...and within the hour I'll be posting more about it, including the location, address, etc...so stay tuned!:)
Wendy
I just had to laugh because I live on border of Brown and Kewaunee Counties in Wisconsin!
Diana H
Your baby's arrival is more exciting than the new Prince's and much closer too. I am sure
many of your readers anticipate the news.
I live in SW Ohio too, so some day trips would be welcome. I know a couple of my sisters
in law will be interested to know of some closer places too.
Yes, those creme horns look scrump--del--i--icious! Like some of the other writers above they
are a favorite of mine and I don't especially like the ones available in the super markets. The
creme isn't like the old fashioned ones and the horns loose their crispness. Is the location
in Brown County Indiana?
Kevin
Diana, thank you for the kind words! And, no even closer: Brown County, Ohio!:)
Dali Castillo
Kevin, I'm looking forward to your next articles of your 100 miles from home series. I learn so much from reading all of your articles.
Congrats on the baby! So much will change for you and Rachel, but it will all be an extra blessing with your little one in tow. Blessing to you both!