Saturday, August 25, 2012

♥ The Simple Life ♥

The Amish and their lifestyle have always intrigued me. I admire their gentleness and simple approach to living life. I like their priorities. They serve the Lord and honor and cherish their families. They choose to live life simply. Sometimes I secretly wish I had that lifestyle. Sure, I’d miss my computer. I already know I can do without TV, because we do it, for the most part. There would be adjustments to make, that's for sure. The Amish really work, but they also take time to play and enjoy their families too.

Just this week, I found this book at the library while there for the kids and I’m taking every moment I can to read snippets from it. It is written in a manner that I can do just that…….just read a few pages when I have a few moments because it was done in journaling form by Amish families. Since it is actually journals and pictures taken by the Amish, it makes it different from the rest of the books about the Amish. 



It’s called A Day in the Life of the Amish. With wit, wisdom and unique personal photos, Amish men, women and young people share a firsthand look at life in the “slow lane”. Sixty three Amish families were asked to keep a diary – all on the same day – of their dawn-to-dusk activities.  They were given a disposable camera to use on any photos they were comfortable taking and told to send the camera back to them and the folks compiling the book would have it developed.  This book is an inside look at the hard work, pleasant play, hearty meals and devout worship of these “plain people”.



Maybe your library has it. I highly recommend it if you love the simple life, are interested in the Amish, and just want to feel refreshed about the things in life that are most important. If your library doesn’t have it, it can be purchased through Amazon.   I think you'll love it!  



If my family is reading this post now, they’re probably getting a little worried because they know how I am when I'm interested or passionate about something  . They’ll be sure that I've decided to become Amish and that I'm making plans to move us to an Amish community. Lol!  :)  But truly, the Amish with their slowing down and simpler lifestyle is something to admire and take to heart, even if we can’t live exactly as they do. They have the basic right idea, don’t you think?

Thanks for stopping by today! I’d also love for you to join me on Pinned it, Made it Monday, which I will have ready for link up Sunday night. (And thanks to all the ladies that have been participating)!

And if you haven't signed up for my fall giveaway.  You can do that a couple of posts below. 

Have a great weekend! Enjoy “the simple life”!

I'm linking up today with Elaine for Sunny Simple Sunday.

♥ Tammy ♥ 

29 comments:

Joy ~ Doodlebug ~ said...

Mama,

I thought it was neat how they built a whole barn in under six hours...amazing!

Love you! 8! :)

Love,
Joy :)

Karen said...

We have that book! It's a wonderful look into the lives of the Amish ~ and, yes, I do believe they have the right idea! :)

Leslie said...

One time I saw pictures of some donuts as big as my head that they bought at an amish (or similar) bakery and they looked out of this world amazing. Oh my. I will not consider my life complete until I have one.

Carmen S. said...

I had the same book many years ago from our library and loved it:) Lots of beautiful pictures in it too:) Enjoy the book and the weekend!

arkie said...

Interesting book! ( I didn't know they would allow anyone to take their pictures?) We lived close to some Amish years ago, when we lived in Maryland. I loved the cookbooks with Amish recipes. I bought one that I use a lot.

Tina Leigh said...

I would really like to read this book. I'm going to put it on my list but I don't have the best library in the world!

I really enjoy your blog btw.

cucki said...

aww i love that book..i love it so much.
i truly believe that i born in the wrong era..
lots of love for you cucki xx

Primitive Stars said...

Hello Tammy, looks like a great read, they do live a very simple life. So wonderful how the men can build a barn in that short a time, and what a barn. Would have loved to enter your giveaway, but I`m here in Canada, boo hoo. Blessings Francine.

Simply Quaint said...

Tammy my dh and I have talked about it many times that we would love to have been born in that era of life, or have been born into the Amish faith... We live close to a Amish Community and I visit alot, I shop their farmers market for goods that I don't grow at our home, and I love to just go visit the area. Dh and I are very hard working people, garden, have farmed and would love to again one day soon. I make most of all of own foods, can, and freeze everything I possibly can.. We are not at all materialistic people and could live with out tv, phones etc. I would struggle a bit without my computer but would survive. I will definetly look for this book at our library as well. Thank you for the wonderful post....
Have a great rest of your weekend.
~Rhonda~

Anonymous said...

I would enjoy this book/photos very much. Thanks for the info. Wishing you a blessed Sunday.

Michelle said...

I have to look for this book. I would love to read it.

Cherry's Prairie Primitives said...

What a great book! I'm going to have to get it!!

Cindi said...

Wow! I am going to have to look for that book right after I post this. Thanks for the info about it. Have a very great Sunday!
Be blessed,
Cindi

Holly said...

How weird! I just found that book at our local Goodwill a week or two ago! I haven't had a chance to read it yet. Can't wait to take time to sit and read it! I too enjoy reading about them. Such an interesting life.

Simply Shelley said...

I think you probably already know how fond I am of the Amish...I would so like to spent some time among them someday...I agree with everything you said about them. I live pretty plain as it is and have been told that I would fit right here :) That looks like a very good book...I will look for it at our library....Blessings

Mrs. Laura Lane said...

I know what you mean about the Amish. There is something so drawing about a community of people who love God and love their neighbors and love their families.

Terri said...

Just wanted to tell you that there is a second book called "A day in an Amish Kitchen". It is equally wonderful. I think you order them from Country Books, PO Box 990 Greendale, WI 53129.

I have both and have reread and reread them.

Terri

Diann said...

We have a lot of Amish in our area. One of our favorite stores is owned and run by the Amish community. Great book! Visiting from SSS

Susan Freeman said...

When my husband and I lived in Virginia we went to a shop that sold furniture that was hand built by Amish cabinet makers. We purchase a four poster bed, a hutch and a dry sink. We still marvel at the excellent craftsmanship. The Amish are such a delightful group who really live their faith. This is a great book to share with kids!

Hugs,
Susan and Bentley

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

How interesting! We have a coffee table that was built by the Amish...they are wonderful woodworkers!

Anonymous said...

We hubby and I live in Amish Country Ohio. Its beautiful here. We feel blessed to live here.

Pamela

Anonymous said...

we have a large community of Amish here and I have Amish friends, they do have the right idea I think but I'm not willing to make such a sacrifice to choose their way of life, I admire them greatly though, they have such a strong faith ..That looks like a great book, I will check it out!!

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson said...

Hi Tammy,
I do admire the Amish. I have visited Amish country and it really is a wonderful way of life. I think I could go with everything but the way they dress. lol! The book does sound very interesting. Hopped over from Simple Sunday. Now following.
Hugs,
Jann

Daniela @Frugal Aint Cheap said...

I love simple life, and everything simple in general...a good reminder to slow down...

Sunny Simple Life said...

I am with you. I have always admired their ways of simple living. Since school started I feel so rushed and tired. Some parts of it have been fun and new but I sure miss my simpler routine. Hope all is well.

Vintage Gal said...

I just stopped by from Elaine's at Sunny Simple Life. I have this book and it is fabulous. I feel the same way. The Ahmish are amazing people, so gentle and kind.

Old Red Barn said...

I found this post through a Sunny Simple Life. I'm very interested in the Amish way of life, visited Amish country this summer and wrote some posts about it. I think your book would be great for my children. As a memory to our time in peaceful Amish country.

Goedele

LANA said...

It's funny that I found your post because I have always secretly wanted to be Amish. I love their simple, wholesome life centered around farming and family. I have a similar book about Amish kitchens written in the same style, and I have done lots of reading and research about them. We have also visited Lancaster, Pa. I brought home a trunk full of pickled veges made by two Amish sisters! I love the fact that the Amish take care of each other when there is a crisis, such as death in family, barn/house fire, etc., and that when the parents get older they move into the "little house", and the next generation takes care of the big farmhouse and the farm. I guess a lot of us feel very similar about this topic!

Unknown said...

I've read books by ex-Amish and followed the news. The illusion sometime doesn't meet reality- birth defects from too much in-breeding in a small population, poor treatment of the women, child labor violations resulting in amputations. It's not all roses and homemade bread...