Monday, June 2, 2008

Pennsylvania

I've been busy catching up on the house since we've been back from our trip. We painted before we left, and I left the house in quite a mess. It almost feels like we've just moved in, and I've got so much to do. It is fun re-arranging the rooms and seeing everything take shape.

Most of our time in Pennsylvania was spent with family. We're the only ones who no longer live there, and our days were filled with getting reacquainted with loved ones. We arrived Tuesday and settled in bed before too long. Wednesday, we went to visit Verne's Grandpa. He celebrated his 94th birthday last Friday, and is doing very well.

After leaving Grandpa we stopped in at Brown's Country Kitchen for lunch. This is the restaurant where I once worked. Verne came in one evening, and asked his friend who the new girl was. His friend told him my name, and Verne told the friend that he was going to marry me. The kids enjoyed seeing where our first encounter took place.

After lunch, we drove to see my grandfather. He held my hand, and Abigail's, and walked us all over the assisted living home. We looked at the flowers, and the children took turns playing songs on the piano for anyone who wanted to have a listen.


Thursday, we visited Verne's grandpa again. He was in good spirits and was surprised to see us two days in a row! We left Grandpa to visit Verne's grandma. Every time we are there we play a game of Trouble on a vintage board.


We stayed for lunch, and had a great time. Grandma is still very spry . She'll soon be 86.
I asked Verne if we could drive through Volant and New Wilmington. He was happy to oblige. We stopped at the old mill, and several shops. Autumn was tickled to see so many Amish up close and personal.

We stopped in an Amish quilt store, too.


From there, we drove to our old home in Grove City where we visited with our neighbors, Mary and Nancy. We lived beside them for five years when the children were very small. They used to call her Grandma Mary. The visit took them by surprise, and they couldn't get over how the children had changed.

We grabbed a quick supper and drove out to see Verne's aunt and uncle. His cousin came over with her three young'uns too.


Friday morning before heading to my parents we stopped at the local hardware store. This has always been a highlight of our visits for they still have an old-fashioned penny candy counter. Only this trip the penny candy was being sold for $4.99 per pound. What a disappointment!

We enjoyed the sunshine and took a walk to see the horses. Daisy was intrigued with them, and they were with her.


I got to visit with my three brothers as well as my parents, my nieces, and my nephew.


We left for home Saturday morning, and boy did it feel good to crawl into bed that night!

16 comments:

~~Deby said...

looks like it was a great time...and I sure do know how it is to get home and feel like you are catching up on things....
it will get done..eventually.
Deby

Tracy said...

It sounds and looks like your visit 'home' was very special and lots of fun.

I'm with Autumn ~ I'd be tickled to see Amish people up close and personal too :)

Rebecca said...

For some reason, I don't know why-only text shows up on my blog reader. I hoped over here to leave a comment and was rewarded with a whole gamut of gorgeous photos from your trip! It is very clear how happy you all were to be visiting with your loved ones! You look like you had a WONDERFUL time!

Karen said...

It's always fun going back home and seeing loved ones. We traveled through Penn. a few years ago, and fell in love with the Amish countryside. I loved seeing the colorful clothes hanging on the lines from smallest to biggest!
Time spent with our elders is precious. I know I'm counting every minute with mine now.
Love to see pictures of your new arranging/painting when you have a chance.

Sandra Lundy said...

Looks like you had a wonderful time...I'd love to visit Pennsylvania. There is nothing quite like seeing the Amish in person, isn't it? Visiting an Amish community was definitely one of my most memorable experiences.....The lifestyle, the simplicity, the way they seemed to completely trust us in their homes......they are really beautiful people and I have a gorgeous quilt and basket as reminders.

Momala said...

What a nice trip!

randi said...

What a great trip! I loved seeing the Amish in PA when we visited a few years ago, too. We drove through on wash day to see all their laundry hanging on the lines!

weavermom said...

Looks like you had a great time! So many smiling faces - good to see! :)

Tori Leslie said...

Wow what a wonderful trip you had. How special family is! Loved the pictures of Grandpa!ubrubjw

sherry said...

What a lovely visit you had, Tracy. Busy sounding - but lovely. I'm so thankful you had this opportunity and I'm certain you deeply blessed the elderly of the family members.

You have a beautiful family. :o)

The Sisters said...

Hi Tracy,
We enjoyed hearing about your vacation! It looks like you all had a wonderful trip. That was really good that Autumn got to see some Amish up close. We absolutly LOVED it when we were able to get to know some Amish folks.
`We enjoyed your pictures!

~Holly&Katie~
(friend's of Autumn's)

Jodi said...

What a wonderful trip and great pictures! Sounds like a lovely time of reconnecting with family and delightful, meandering side-trips.

His Girl said...

sounds fabulous... you've got me all salivating for my first trip to PA this fall!

Dianne said...

Sound like you had a wonderful time with your family and friends and seeing all the old places that you use to spend time at.

PA is a beautiful state and the Amish people are a delight. We spent some time in the Amish Country a few years ago and I have a beautiful tote made by the Amish Ladies.

We're getting ready to go North ourselves and will be driving through PA and we always enjoy the views as we drive though.

Don't worry about the mess, those things always get done eventually.

Glad to have you back!

Kittee said...

Looks like you had a wonderful time! Thank you so much for sharing all those wonderful photos. I especially enjoyed the Amish one and the one of the horses.

-Kittee

Unknown said...

Hey! I'm catching up a bit. What a great trip! I love vacations that re-connect us with loved ones. Y'all look so good too.