Recently I went on a bus tour in Van Buren County, Iowa.
Our first stop was Dutchman's Store, an old-time general store run by Mennonites. This store sells everything from groceries (bulk, produce, meat, canned goods, health and beauty items) to ice cream cones to fabric to greeting cards to model tractors to clothing...quite an interesting place. I bought a pie bird and a journal. The staff women wear long dresses and bonnets.
They had a lovely front porch.
Pumpkins for sale - it must be autumn!
Our next stop was an Amish home for lunch. See the pies? Mmmmm!
Over 50 people were served "poor man's steak," potatoes and gravy, corn, salad, bread, and dessert. We also drank "Garden Blossom" tea, which the homeowner made from various plants in her garden. It tasted minty and refreshing!
Dessert was strawberry shortcake, apple crumb pie, and hickory nut pie.
This is how the Amish travel.
We also took a drive through a gorgeous state park, then visited a house on the underground railroad; next, we went through a museum of Indian artifacts and then had a shopping stop in the historic district.
Queen Anne's lace pottery is made by placing the actual flower onto the clay. When fired, the flower pattern becomes part of the design. Every piece is one of a kind!
Mugs for coffee or tea
I adore this tea set!
We had a nice trip to Van Buren County - good food, good scenery, nice people!
