Thursday, September 23, 2010

LANCASTER, A MAGICAL PLACE

Have you ever found a place that just feels like you belong there - well for my husband, Neil, and I, that place is Lancaster, Pennsylvania! There is something about the area that has captured our hearts and even though we have been going there twice a year for over 20 years, it still captivates us.

I've tried to figure out whether it's the incredible scenery or the fabulous artist community and I think it's a little of both. Huge Amish farms dot the landscape, everywhere you look, and passing horses and buggies while driving the back roads makes you feel like you have stepped back in time - it's such peaceful place. There are crafts available at almost every turn - the Amish people are very creative. The stores and co-ops are full of beautiful quilts, furniture and paintings and after a while it's almost overwhelming. Each time we visit, I find it harder and harder to come home.

We also stumbled on Longwood Gardens this time and spent a day there - it was built by Pierre DuPont and it is the most magnificent place. We went crazy with our camera so there are way too many pictures to include here LOL! I will do a separate post in a few days. After a glorious time, we reluctantly headed home through the mountains and we could see a hint of fall -it was a pretty drive. Hope you have time to stroll though the pictures and if you ever get a chance to visit, you won't be sorry!

Typical landscape picture


Horse and buggies share the roads


Gorgeous quilts


Quilt store in Intercourse, PA



No tractors - just mules!



One of my most favourite stores!



They make all their own candles



Christmas display in the Candle Barn



Waiting to go to work!



Local family selling quilts


The Museum Store has a gorgeous array of folk art



One of the local covered bridges



Creekside Inn


Mules doing their work


Typical scooters for sale


Buggy from behind


Amish boys on their way to school


Sight and Sound Millennium Theatre is a large draw for tourists


Local Amish shop selling beautiful bird houses



Honey bee hive in a shop - it was vented to the outside for the bees to come and go. Interesting to see the hive but made me a little nervous


Local Amish man chatting with tourists


One of the Amish furniture shops


Eldreth Pottery - reproduction saltware pottery. We have an extensive set of it :o)


Eldreth Pottery window


One last glorious sunset


Coming home through the mountains


A hint of fall colour

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

ONLINE BEAR SHOW!!!!


Have you heard? On November 20th and 21st, there will be an online bear show, sponsored by Back Road Bears. Daphne has taken a brilliant idea and made it a reality! There will be artists from around the world, participating and offering bears and other gifts, just in time for Christmas. Sooooooo, mark your calendars and get ready - it's going to be a blast! I'll post more information as the date gets closer or you can go to www.teddiesworldwide.com and join the mailing list to receive event news and admission discounts. :o)