Friday, September 23, 2011


Last evening we had dinner here...




We received warm and gracious hospitality from the big, hard working family that lived here.
It is their business and yet it felt like their enjoyment.
The father, mother, and their children worked hard to cook the dinner, set the tables, serve the dinner, and clean up the dinner, for their guests.
We marveled at the organization and individual skills of each one of the family members.
Flower gardens and vegetable gardens were everywhere, and all meticulously cared for.




Without electricity the evening progressed.  When the sun set in the west, the kerosene lanterns came out, and were hung over the long tables.  Tables that can seat and serve up to 100 people.



Tiny lanterns with blue kerosene lined the tables, on the blue and white checkered tablecloths.





The dinner was exceptionally delicious!  Everything was locally grown and baked in their ovens, run by generators.  The pickled beets and applesauce were canned in their kitchens.  The pies were freshly baked that day, served warm, with vanilla ice cream. 
We were so impressed as we watched this beautiful family working together, like clock work.
After dinner, the mother and five of her daughters sang old hymns together, in four part harmony, for us. 
We were given permission to photograph what we wanted to, as long as we did not take pictures of any of them.  We honored their wishes.




In a small room off of the basement dining room was a gift shop.  Canned goods from their kitchen, were for sale, along with many lovely crafted items.



Outside, colored scooters lined the side of the driveway.  One of the popular modes of transportation that this family uses.





The older son was preparing to leave for the evening, getting carriage and horse ready to go.





A memorable occasion for all of us. 
We enjoyed the privilege of seeing a large family work together and the entrepreneural expertise that they possessed as a family.
Located out in the country, far from the busy thoroughfares of the city, and yet they serve people dinner, from all over the world.
Cost for the dinner...donations only.
Living, working, serving, and singing together as a family, to create a very special evening just for us.

6 comments:

Judy said...

Wow. It's amazing what can be done without the conveniences we enjoy every day...but with co-operation and willingness of a family working together! It sounds like a most special place to visit (and dine). I love that they sang for you as well!

Anita at Cedar Hill said...

Thanks for your sweet comments on my blog. Love this post about this fabulous dinner. I am a new follower, or at least I think I was able to sign up as a follower.

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

What a beautiful experience, Judy! Was the family Amish? My husband and I visited the Pennsylvania Dutch area many times when our children were young and we had a few family style dinner such as this. Everything they served was so delicious!

I bought lots of jats of apple butter, red pepper jelly and succotash to take home. I wished I could have also bought a few pies. What did you buy?

Have a wonderful weekend!

Just a little something from Judy said...

Yes Pat, it was a lovely Amish family. I did not purchase anything last evening, because of my easy access to that type of thing on a daily basis. I have some dear Amish friends and they can good food too. The pumpkin pie was the best that I ever tasted!

Thanks for your kind comment.

Christine said...

What a special treat is so many ways. How did you get to have dinner there?

Kathleen said...

Wow. It sure takes us back to another era; one that was rich & wholesome, God-honoring. I don't know that I could be so content, or gracious living without my modern "means", but sometimes I think it would do me good.

Those pies sure caught my eye :)

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