I almost forgot to tell you about the sweetest thing...

Girls can too
Laurie Hein

While we were on our Midwest trip, we stopped off at Mary Yoder's, an "Amish Style" restaurant. (The food wasn't anything to write in a blog about.) Our family scanned the menu, looking for something distinctly Amish and I always ask for a recommendations on what to order from the servers, so I thought I would ask one of the girls busing the tables that was really Amish. This was her response.

"Well, I have never actually eaten here, so I can't tell you what tastes good, but I can tell you what looks good. Hmmm. The cheeseburger, with lettuce and tomato, that looks good."

Maybe one would have to be there to understand that her response was the sweetest thing I'd heard in a long time. It was so sincere and honest, she wasn't trying to impress us at all and I'm sure the thought never even crossed her mind.

This girl wasn't the first person I've asked who hadn't eaten at the restaurant with which they worked, but her reaction was different from the others. Here are some examples of what Hans & I have heard while on our culinary journey:

"I've never actually tried anything here." long pause, crickets chirping, then they roll their eyes, and walk away.

Then their are the people that say:

"I've never actually eaten anything here." insert excuse.
-"I'm just doing this job for the summer."
-"I'm a vegetarian"
-"I don't really like ice cream, so what I like here is the bottled water."

and finally the one I dislike most:

"Well such n' such (which happens to the most expensive entree on the menu) is popular."

I wonder how I would have responded, I'm sure I would think,

"Yes, the cheeseburger looks good, but if I say that everyone will think I'm a dummy."

So I would respond,

"The organic, locally grown, free range, whole wheat, cage free, imported, fusion vegetarian tofu wrap looks awesome."
(Yea, I need to work on being a little sweeter & sincere.)

Our Whirlwind Tour of the Midwest - 2 Amish town

Amish town was not part of our scheduled "Tour," but I'm so very happy that we stopped by for a couple of hours that Monday afternoon. At the first sight of an Amish woman gardening with her young son, I felt like we were Conquistadors invading the natives. Our loud van with loud children, engine and DVD player seemed too much for such a peaceful community.

This is not a typical stop sign in Amish town, but Hans got a kick out of the idea.

Hans also liked the idea of new age alternative fuel, (Toyota Prius) parked next to the old.

Conrad was inspired in this town as well. He has decided to practice his future veterinary medical career in the Amish communities. He loves the idea of bartering his services for food and livestock. I say more power to him. He'll have his year supply of wheat in no time.

This was the 1st time none of us minded an exceptionally slow driver.

(I took this by just putting my camera out through the front passenger window, while we were driving. We were amazed when we looked at the picture on the computer that you can see the man's face in the side view mirror (click on the photo - it's great). I'm sure the guy was sighing and thinking, "tourists!")

I had a sense that they probably don't like the paparazzi (I found out later that the Amish do indeed avoid being photographed), so this photo was taken by me, through the car (as Hans leaned back and rolled down his window, all while we were driving by slowly and inconspicuously (as a Kia minivan in Amish country can get). We're amazed it turned out. This was the only shot we had!

These bird houses were everywhere. My thought is, the houses keep the birds out of the barn. Just a guess.

These lilies grew abundantly wild by the side of the road

As we passed by the many green fields & white homes, we figured Monday must be laundry day because the clothes lines were filled with white, black, & blue clothes, which blew effortlessly in the wind. It was all so tranquil to watch. This was the most thought provoking trip I've ever been on. The idea of rejecting modern day distractions, so that one has more time to focus on family, is beautiful.
Don't worry, I'm not going to convert, but I needed this experience to shock me back into caring more about people and less about things and myself. I am humbled by the Amish community and hope I can focus on what is truly most important. My family.

Our Whirlwind Tour of the Midwest - 1

This was such a great vacation. Hans is all about power packing our trips so that we can maximize our time. He Googlemaps the major stops (although we should probably get some better maps to deal with unplanned detours), prepays for every hotel and call in advance so that our friends and family know we are coming. This vacation was just a well thought out as the rest. Our 1st stop was Michigan to visit our dear friends, Rebecca & Michael Miller. We met them in France and to this day I swear Rebecca saved my life, my mind and soul during our stay in France. I couldn't have survived without Rebecca's refined femininity, Christlike kindness, and genuine sincerity. Michael is a hoot to say the least. The night we stayed with them we talked until the wee hours, just like we had done in France. We're so happy that he found a job that utilizes his many talents in philosophy, economic development, business, and humor (he works at the Acton Institute, a think-tank promoting Religion and Liberty). It was a perfect way to start our vacation.
Our next stop was Canada, to visit Jon and Jeanette McEachran. Jon and Hans were best friends in high school and have kept in touch pretty well through a group they formed called the BC (that's a whole separate post, but it would have to be encrypted since this blog is open to the public). Jon and Jeanette have built a wonderful life in Sarnia (a border town NE of Detroit). He is bishop of the local church ward and is busy building a warehousing and rail car-switching business to help the local chemical companies).
We had never been to Canada until this trip and were worried about culture shock :). In fact, Jon was able to translate for us and introduced us to the local exotic delicacy, "chips" which are actually "freedom fries" in Yankee country, but they are sprinkled (or sprayed, with a small hose - not kidding) with vinegar.

Conrad in Canada.
The bridge in the background links the US and Canada and was defaced by Riley, who could not "hold it" as we were ever-so-slowly advancing to the border crossing.

Amelia, Aunt Hannah & Conrad at a 4th of July BBQ
(What the heck are they looking at?)

Grandpa Allspach (97) with the boys.

Riley & Conrad in their new Cincinnati Reds ball caps.

Hans & Amelia.
(Yes Hans is wearing a pinky-peach tie)

I don't know why, but Riley really really loves playing chess, so on our Sunday visit with Grandpa the boys had a nice little scrimmage.

Hans' aunt Louis lives Trenton, Ohio and this... is her driveway.

Amelia looks so lady-like holding her skirt.
She's actually just trying to squish ants with her pink jellys.

Riley found a goose feather

(One might be thinking, is that sanitary? He's good at washing his hands & taking his vitamins. I pick my battles.)

Conrad, Conrad, Conrad...

(I know, no shoes at a barn, ie: tetanus. He's current on his vaccines. I pick my battles.)