Amish

An Amish Mud Sale

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Hello, Winnie Griggs here. I’m in the midst of writing my next Amish book, the third in my Sweetbrier Creek trilogy. And I’m having my characters attend a uniquely Amish event, a Mud Sale.

If you’ve ever visited Amish country in late winter or early spring, you may have come across a lively outdoor auction, where the sound of an auctioneer’s chant mixes with the clip-clop of horse-drawn buggies. Rows of handcrafted furniture, colorful quilts, farm equipment, and livestock fill the sale grounds, and the smell of fresh-baked goods lingers in the air. Welcome to a mud sale—one of the most unique and cherished traditions in Amish and Mennonite communities.

But what exactly is a mud sale, and why is it such an important part of Amish country life? The origins of mud sales date back to the mid-20th century in Pennsylvania’s Amish and Mennonite communities, particularly in Lancaster County.

In the early 1960s, volunteer fire departments in rural Amish communities were struggling to raise funds. The Amish, who do not use modern firefighting equipment, still rely on their non-Amish neighbors to provide fire protection. Since they don’t pay into government-backed fire services, they support their local volunteer fire companies through donations and fundraising events.

To help fund essential equipment, Amish and Mennonite farmers began donating goods to local fire department auctions. These early sales were held in the late winter and early spring, when farming work was at a seasonal lull. However, since these sales were held on fields that were still thawing from winter, the grounds often turned into a muddy mess—hence the name “mud sale.”

Over time, the auctions grew into major community events, with more and more Amish families donating handcrafted furniture, quilts, livestock, and baked goods. The tradition spread from Pennsylvania to other Amish communities, including those in Ohio, Indiana, and beyond.

Today, mud sales continue to be one of the largest fundraisers for Amish-area volunteer fire companies, keeping this decades-old tradition alive.

While Pennsylvania remains the most famous for mud sales, Ohio’s Amish communities, where my book takes place, hold similar auction-style fundraisers. These sales raise money for:

  • Local volunteer fire departments
  • Amish schools
  • Families in need (such as medical expense fundraisers)
  • Community building projects

Many of these Ohio auctions follow the same traditions as the original Lancaster mud sales, offering a mix of livestock, furniture, and handmade goods, along with plenty of delicious Amish home cooking.

If you attend a mud sale, expect a busy, fast-moving auction with a wide variety of goods up for bid, including:

  1. Handmade Quilts: Each quilt is hand-stitched over the winter months and often takes hundreds of hours to complete. Some are sold for thousands of dollars due to their intricate patterns and craftsmanship. A “Quilt Row” is often set up at the auction, allowing buyers to examine the quilts before bidding.
  2. Buggies and Tack: Since the Amish rely on horses for daily transportation, mud sales are a prime place to buy and sell buggies, wagons, and harnesses. Some youth purchase their first buggy at a mud sale, making it an important milestone.
  3. Livestock: Horses, cows, goats, and chickens are common items at auction, helping Amish families stock their farms for the season. Draft horses (used for plowing fields) and saddle horses (used for transportation) fetch some of the highest bids.
  4. Handmade Furniture and Antiques: Amish furniture is known for its quality and durability. Dining tables, bed frames, cabinets, and rocking chairs are all commonly auctioned. Many buyers come specifically for antiques, as mud sales often include items that have been passed down for generations.
  5. Farm Equipment and Tools: Amish farmers rely on horse-drawn plows, wagons, and traditional hand tools, many of which are sold at mud sales. While the Amish avoid modern machinery, they do use gas-powered tools, such as generators and small engines, which are often available at the sales.
  6. Food Stalls and Amish Cooking: Homemade baked goods, such as whoopie pies, cinnamon rolls, fresh breads, and shoofly pies, are always a hit. Many mud sales serve hot meals, including Amish noodles, homemade soups, and barbecued chicken.

If you’re planning to visit a mud sale, keep these tips in mind:

  •  Wear boots – The ground is almost always muddy, so waterproof footwear is a must!
  •  Bring cash – Some vendors only accept cash, especially for small purchases.
  •  Arrive early – The best deals (and best food!) go fast.
  •  Be ready to bid – Auctions move quickly, and first-time attendees may find the pace exciting but overwhelming.
  •  Respect Amish customs – The Amish prefer not to be photographed, so avoid taking pictures of people unless you have permission.

Why Mud Sales Matter

At their heart, mud sales are about more than just buying and selling—they reflect the Amish values of hard work, charity, and community support. They also provide an opportunity for Amish and non-Amish neighbors to come together, fostering relationships between the two worlds.

Whether you’re searching for handmade Amish furniture, a farm animal, or just a warm slice of shoofly pie, attending a mud sale is a one-of-a-kind experience.

Here are some firsthand anecdotes and insights from those who have participated in these unique events:

“Beyond the bargains, what struck me was the camaraderie. Locals and visitors alike gathered not just to buy or sell, but to connect, share stories, and enjoy the day together. It felt less like a market and more like a community festival.”

“I went for the quilts but stayed for the food. The homemade pies, soft pretzels, and traditional Amish dishes were irresistible. It’s worth attending just for the culinary experience!”

“From handcrafted furniture to antiques and even livestock, the range of goods was incredible. I left with a beautiful handmade rocking chair and memories of a day well spent.”

These personal accounts highlight the rich tapestry of experiences that mud sales offer, making them a cherished tradition for both locals and visitors alike.

Would you ever visit a mud sale? Have you been to one before? Share your thoughts in the comments to be entered in a drawing for your choice of one of my books!

 

An Amish Christmas Match

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Hello everyone, Winnie Griggs here. We’re just 15 days away from the release of my next Amish romance – An Amish Christmas Match! This is the first book in my new Sweetbrier Creek series, featuring the six  Beiler brothers.

Seth Beiler, the oldest of the brothers, is actually a half brother to the other five. And he’s  been  more or less responsible for raising his five brothers for the last 14 years, ever since he was 16 years old. He takes this responsibility very seriously and his only escape is the time he spends in his workshop handcrafting wooden chess sets.

Phoebe Kropf has been living with undiagnosed dyslexia and is tired of the low expectations her well-meaning family and friends have for her. When she receives a request to spend 5 weeks as housekeeper for the Beilers she jumps at the chance to try to prove herself to a group of people who don’t know her and have no idea of her ‘failings’

I loved writing about these two individuals who were weighted down by their pasts and looking for a way to be recognized and appreciated for who they truly are.

Below is an excerpt from the middle of the book where Phoebe and Seth’s relationship is starting to change. The setup here is Phoebe is calling her mother for some information and she has asked Seth to accompany her to write it all down for her.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Phoebe’s irritation faded. Mamm might think of her as a kinner, but she was patient and loving still. “Danke, but that won’t be necessary. I have someone here who will write it down for me. His name is Seth Beiler and I’m going to give him the phone now so you can speak directly to him.” And with that she passed the receiver to Seth.

As soon as Seth began speaking to her mamm Phoebe realized she should have swapped places with him and stepped outside the shanty, no matter how cold and windy it was. With him drawing closer to be able to hear her mamm and write the information down, the shanty quickly felt crowded. They weren’t touching exactly, but his presence seemed to fill the small space and she had nowhere to go.

She was surrounded by the scent of wood and stain and him, by the sound of his rich voice, by the sight of his strong hands flowing fluidly across the paper as he wrote down the addresses. Where the shanty had felt cold a moment ago, Phoebe now found it almost uncomfortably warm. She had to fight to control her breathing, to not let it turn into gasps.

These feelings were new, unexpected, unsettling. What was wrong with her?

Seth finally turned back to her and held the receiver out. “I have all the information written down. Your mamm would like to speak to you again.”

It took Phoebe a moment to react, then she quickly nodded and accepted the handset, fumbling it a moment before recovering. To her relief Seth stepped back and gave her some space. But she found she now missed his presence.

The cold air cleared her head, and she focused on the telephone. “Hello.”

From the corner of her eye she saw Seth walk off. No doubt he was in a hurry to get back to work. Hopefully he hadn’t noticed too much out of the ordinary in her reaction.

***

Seth left her to say her goodbyes and headed back to his workshop. He’d wait to address her Christmas cards for her when he went back to the house for lunch.

Right now he needed to put some distance between them.

There’d been a moment back there in the shanty when he’d felt…something. He wasn’t ready to put a name to it yet. The hitch in Phoebe’s breathing hadn’t helped things either.

But now that he’d stepped away, had had the blast of cold wind to clear his senses, he realized it had been no more than the unexpected intimacy of that small shanty. It had been inappropriate of him to step in so close and he wouldn’t make such a mistake again.

Phoebe was under his care while she was here. As he’d told Levi, she was a guest of Edna’s and her eldre had entrusted her to his care. While she was here, she was a member of his household and should be treated as such.

With that bracing thought, he had himself back under control and continued on to his workshop.

But a niggling voice in his head said he wasn’t as in control as he was telling himself he was.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

 

AN AMISH CHRISTMAS MATCH – Releases September 24

Can one Amish woman give a struggling widower with five rowdy brothers a helping hand—and chance at love—this Christmas season?

Phoebe Kropf knows everyone thinks she’s a bit odd—and more than a little accident-prone. She doesn’t understand why they fuss over her at home rather than see her as a bright, independent Amish woman. So when a friend asks Phoebe to help care for a house full of young men in nearby Sweetbrier Creek, she leaps at the chance to prove she’s more than her shortcomings . . .

Widower Seth Beiler is in over his head with his five orphaned brothers to care for and all the Christmas orders his woodworking shop needs to fulfill. When he asked for help with some cooking and cleaning, he wasn’t expecting a housekeeper as unconventional—or lovely—as Phoebe. Yet her warm care and fun holiday traditions win the brothers’ hearts one by one. And soon the farmhouse finally starts to feel like home again. When the Christmas season and Phoebe’s time there is nearly at an end, will Seth convince her that the greatest gift would be her staying . . . as part of their family?

PREORDER LINK

Leave a comment to be entered in  a drawing for your choice of any of my available books

 

 

Playing Chess and Writing

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Hi everyone! Winnie Griggs here. I hope you all had a fabulous Independence day and took a moment amid your celebrations to give thanks for this wonderful country we live in.

As I’ve mentioned before, the first book in my new Sweetbrier Creek series, An Amish Christmas Match, will be coming out on Sept 24th. The hero, Seth Beiler, makes hand carved chess sets and chess actually plays a big part in the story. So today I thought it would be fun to do a post that’s a little bit different – I call it How Playing Chess Is Like Writing A Book

I do play chess, but it’s been years since I’ve actually played the game and I was a mid-level player at best. But I did enjoy the challenge and the need to think strategically, to try to see several moves ahead.

At first glance, chess and writing a book might seem worlds apart. However, both require strategic thinking, foresight, and creativity. Here are some comparisons to demonstrate that.

 

  1. Setting Up the Board

Before a game of chess begins, you set up the board, placing each piece in its starting position and you determine which player will go first.
Similarly, in writing, you begin by establishing your setting, introducing characters, and laying the groundwork for your plot. This initial setup is crucial for the story or game that will unfold. Even if you don’t actually plot out your stories, most non-plotters I know have some of this basic information figured out.

  1. The Opening Moves

The opening moves in chess are about establishing control and positioning pieces to your best advantage.
In writing, your opening chapters serve to hook the reader, introduce key elements, and set the tone. A strong beginning in both chess and writing is essential for success. Many writers (me included) will spend more time working and reworking the opening paragraphs of their story than on any other section of the book.

 

  1. Strategic Planning

Both chess and writing involve a great deal of planning. In chess, you must think several moves ahead, anticipating your opponent’s actions.
Similarly, in writing, you need to plot your story, consider character arcs, and foresee how different elements will interact and unfold. Some writers do all of this up front before they actually start writing, some figure it out as they go.

 

  1. Mid-Game Development

The middle game in chess is where the strategy deepens. You develop your pieces, control key areas, and set up potential combinations.
In writing, the middle of your book is where characters develop, subplots intertwine, and the main narrative gains momentum. This phase requires careful attention to detail and pacing. And for me personally, it’s where I always have to stop and take stock of where my story is headed and make any mid-course corrections if necessary.

 

  1. Facing Challenges

In both chess and writing, you’ll encounter challenges. In chess, you face tactical threats and must protect your king while seeking to capture your opponent’s pieces.
In writing, you might deal with writer’s block, plot holes, or character inconsistencies. Overcoming these obstacles is a critical part of the process.

  1. Sacrifices and Risks

Chess often involves sacrifices—giving up a piece to gain a strategic advantage.
Writing a book can also require sacrifices, such as cutting beloved scenes or characters for the greater good of the story. Taking calculated risks can lead to powerful, unexpected outcomes in both fields. But man oh man can it be painful!

 

  1. The Endgame

The endgame in chess is about converting your strategic advantage into victory. It’s a phase requiring precision and focus.
Similarly, the conclusion of a book is where all plot threads come together, and the narrative reaches its climax and resolution. A well-crafted endgame or conclusion is crucial for a satisfying outcome.

 

  1. Analyzing the Game

After a chess game, players often analyze their moves to understand what worked and what didn’t. Writers, too, review and revise their drafts, seeking to improve the story’s flow, coherence, and impact. This reflection is essential for growth and mastery in both chess and writing.

 

So, as you can see, whether maneuvering knights and bishops or crafting compelling characters and plotlines, both chess and writing require a blend of strategy, creativity, and adaptability.

Do you play chess?  Do you agree with the comparisons I came up with? Can you think of any others?

Leave a comment to be entered in a drawing for your choice of any of my books

 

UPDATE: There is some kind of system glitch that keeps kicking me out when I try to reply to any comments or add a comment of my own. Rest assured that I am enjoying reading all the comments you are leaving and will respond to them as soon as we get this issue figured out

New Release and the Art of Pierced Tin

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Hello everyone, Winnie Griggs here.

On the 25th of this month, Her Amish Patchwork Family, the third book in my Hope’s Haven series, releases. This book features Martha, the oldest of the three Eicher sisters. Martha’s hero is Asher Lentz who is taking care of his family’s farm, raising his deceased brother’s four children and looking after his grandmother. But more than that, Asher has a rather unusual side job—he creates pierced tin pieces.

I’ve always been intrigued by pierced tin work and really love the look of them, so this was a fun addition to the story for me. But I knew absolutely nothing about the creative side of it. So writing a hero with that particular skill required that I do some research. Especially since one of the scenes I had in mind would have Asher attempt to teach Martha the basics.  So I poured over oodles of images from the very simple to the uber complex. I also studied catalogues of tools and found there are a surprising variety of punches – different shapes and sizes. And I found several how-to instructions and some even more helpful how-to videos. In the end, I was able to write the following scene with at least some degree of confidence

“That’s a beautiful pattern you’re working with today. Is it one you designed yourself?”

He nodded.

She sighed. “I know it’s wrong but sometimes it’s difficult not to be envious of creative people like you and my shveshtra.”

She thought of him as creative?

“I just enjoy seeing the way a simple piece of metal is transformed into something so lovely under your hands.”

He twisted around to face her more fully. “Would you like to try it for yourself?” he asked impulsively.

She held her palms up. “I haven’t the skill. I wouldn’t even know how to get started.”

“I’ll talk you through it.” He grinned. “You can use a piece of scrap tin if that’ll make you feel better.”

That seemed to ease her concerns and she gave him a delighted grin. “In that case I think I would like to give it a try.”

“Gut.” He pointed to the notebook. “Look through those and pick out a pattern that appeals to you.”

While she did that, he selected an irregularly shaped scrap that had a large enough surface for her to work with, then placed it on the table. He studied Martha’s bent head as she thumbed through the design pattern pages.

Asher smiled. She seemed to be studying them very intently, taking the selection as seriously as she took everything else she attempted.

Finally Martha straightened and pointed. “How about the star in the corner of this pattern? It seems simple enough.”

He studied it then nodded. “Gut choice. And it’ll fit wonderful gut on this piece of tin.” He grabbed a pair of scissors and cut out the appropriate section of the pattern. He then smoothed the paper design over the tin and taped it carefully in place. “Now you’re all set to get started.”

“I’m afraid I’ll need a little more direction than that,” she said drily.

He grinned. “So now I’m the teacher and you’re the scholar.”

She lifted her chin at a haughty angle. “I’m not too proud to take the role of student when needed.”

The glimmer in her eyes let him know she wasn’t really offended so he merely smiled. “Okay. First your tools.” He pulled one of the punches from his rack along with a hammer and handed both to her. “These should work for your first lesson. Take the punch in your left hand and the hammer in your right.” As she complied he picked up the punch and hammer he’d been working with earlier. “Pick out a spot on the pattern you want to start with and position your punch on top of it, like so.”

She mimicked his action then looked to him for confirmation.

The trust in Martha’s expression, even over so simple a matter, made Asher feel like an authority. “Hold the punch firmly so it doesn’t slip and keep it upright.”

***

Martha followed his directions as his patient, concise instructions put her at ease. She shifted slightly to take firmer hold of the tools, then gave him an I’m-ready look.

“Next, take the hammer and give it a light tap, just enough to make an impression in the metal.”

She watched as he demonstrated. It seemed straightforward enough. Taking a deep breath, she gave it a try. Then she leaned back with a grin. “How was that?”

“Gut.” But his smile was definitely that of a teacher to a scholar who hadn’t gotten it quite right. “In the future, though, you don’t want to move the punch until you make the second strike.”

Her cheeks warmed as she studied the tools in her hands. She knew better from watching him.

“It’s okay,” he assured her. “Just place the punch back in the same spot—you should be able to feel the indentation. Then hit it again, this time firmly enough to pierce the metal.” Again he demonstrated.

So how did one gauge  how much force was required to pierce the metal? It took experience she supposed, experience one could only get from doing. Again she took a deep breath and then hit the punch with her hammer, giving it a satisfying whack. She could tell it went through, but had she done it properly? This time when she turned to him she felt a bit more tentative. “How was that?”

“Perfect. But you can take your punch off the metal now.”

Sheepishly she relaxed her grip and lifted the punch.

Asher nodded approvingly. “That’s all there is to it. You move to the next spot on the pattern and repeat the process. The key is to precisely hit the spots indicated on the pattern and to try to hit the punch with the same force to create uniform-sized punches.”

That made sense.

Then he smiled. “Remember, this is just a practice piece, intended to get you comfortable with the tools and help you develop the proper rhythm. You’re not doing it for anyone but yourself.”

“I’ll try to keep that in mind.” As she went to work, she was acutely aware of Asher watching her. She understood now why he’d hesitated when she first asked to watch him at work.

But after a few minutes she fell into a rhythm of sorts and his presence no longer bothered her. At one point she became aware that he had returned to work on his own piece. Before long she relaxed and forgot everything but the piece she was working on.

She was about a third of the way through the pattern when Rowdy barked, startling her mid-swing. The hammer missed the punch and caught her on the index finger. Unable to swallow her yelp of pain, Martha dropped the tools and cradled her left hand with her right.

Asher was immediately at her side, his expression one of deep concern. “What happened? Are you hurt?”

She shook her head, trying to force her eyes to stop watering. “I’m sure it’s nothing.” She attempted a convincing smile. “I shouldn’t have let the hammer slip. The finger’s throbbing but it’ll be okay in just a minute.”

“Don’t be silly.” He made a give-it-here gesture. “Let me have a look.”

She tentatively placed her hand in his.

He lightly cradled it, studying her fingers with bent-head focus.

His touch was surprisingly gentle as he turned her hand to examine it. His own hands were callused and she saw the scar on his right thumb, the slight crook to his pinkie. These were the hands of a man, not a boy. A man who didn’t shy away from a hard day’s work. But they were also the hands of an artist, a producer of beautiful creations. He was both an artist and a laborer, someone any woman would be lucky to have as her mann.

Then she drew herself up short. Her thoughts were headed in very inappropriate direction—not only was he her employer but he was four years younger than she was.

So there you have a sneak peak into my upcoming book. I hope you enjoyed it.

Let me know what you think of pierced tin pieces, whether you own any or would like to for a chance to win an advanced copy of Her Amish Patchwork Family (or any book from my backlist).

HER AMISH PATCHWORK FAMILY

A former schoolteacher and a single father discover a second chance at friendship, family, and love.

Former Hope’s Haven schoolteacher, Martha Eicher, has always been the responsible one, putting her family first and caring for her widowed father and two younger sisters. But now they’re all happily married, and Martha isn’t sure where she fits in anymore . . . until she hears that Asher Lantz needs a nanny. Even though her childhood friendship with Asher ended abruptly years ago, when a misunderstanding drove a wedge between them, Martha offers her assistance.

Asher is also feeling adrift. As a single father to his niece and nephews, he struggles to balance his new family responsibilities with those on the farm and in his workshop. He’s grateful for Martha’s help, but worries things will always feel awkward with her. Yet before long, Asher realizes Martha is exactly what his family needs, and he can’t imagine his home without her.

Martha and Asher thought they were lost, but could they be right where they belong . . . together?

PURCHASE LINK

Jessie Falls into the Arms of an Amishman

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In a previous blog I told you that my husband and I have two, twenty thousand bird, pastured, certified humane, poultry laying houses.

My husband and I are the only “English” family in the producer group in our area. There used to be more of us but currently there are three Amish families and one Mennonite family and us.

We take turns every summer hosting a Producer Picnic. This past summer it was Mr. and Mrs. Glick’s turn.

Mr. Glick and I have a bit of history. Embarrassing on my part. Actually, embarrassing on his part, too, probably, even though it was my fault. He’s really nice, and kind of shy. (Mrs. Glick is outgoing, super-nice and can arrange flowers like you wouldn’t believe. Beautiful bouquets using zinnias, lilies, Pixie dust and a Mason jar. My husband takes her kids candy when he picks up their eggs, he hauls our skid loader over and cleans their barn when they flip their flock, and she gives us vegetables, baked goods and beautiful flower arrangements in season.)

When we flip our flocks, we all go to each other’s farms and help. We carry the birds out after dark (since chickens are kind of hard, although not impossible, to catch during the day, but they don’t really move in the dark). Makes it easier to catch them, but you can’t see that great. Anyway, everyone was at our barn, and I think we were loading about 10K birds. Which is a lot. : )

After a couple of hours, you just kind of put one foot in front of the other, try not to trip on anything in the pitch dark and think about how happy you’ll be when it’s over, right? (It took us about seven hours that night, starting around five and finishing after midnight. I saw one little Amish boy, out way past his bedtime, sleeping, sitting up with his back against the side of the barn.)

So, to get the birds on the trucks, the guys make steps out of the crates, and we walk up about five steps to hand the birds to the guys on the trucks. They put them in crates on the truck, while we step back down and go for more. Well, we were filling two trucks that night, and I think I had about the last five birds for the first truck. I handed them off, then turned around – did I mention I was tired, and it was dark?

They were moving things around so they could move the truck and had moved the crates that made the steps. So, I stepped down about two steps, then the steps disappeared. But I didn’t realize it until my foot didn’t hit anything and I started to fall forward.

Mr. Glick was standing right at the bottom. My hands were windmilling – you know how that goes; you just try to grab onto anything, right? Well, I grabbed Mr. Glick. Well, not actually grabbed. It was more like my hands and cheek knocked his hat off, ran through his beard, slapped into his chest and shoulders and then slid down his front until I was basically face-planted at his feet. Maybe he was trying to catch me, but, I think, if he could have reacted fast enough, he would have run away. Trust me, if I could have reacted fast enough, I would have run away too, and fallen down somewhere else. Actually, I mentioned it was dark, and I didn’t even know who it was at first, other than it wasn’t my husband. : ) Take my word for it when I tell you he didn’t smell right.

So, anyway, we’re at the Glick’s house this past July, with a whole pile of kids running around. (Between our five families we have over thirty kids.) It’s dusk, and Mr. Glick is being careful to keep Mrs. Glick between him and I and making sure he’s well away from me if I look like I’m going down any steps. Kidding.

When the Amish eat in a group, the men eat first. My husband loves that, and I’m okay with it, since the Bible says the last shall be first and I’d rather eat first in Heaven. My daughters on the other hand…lol. So, the ladies had our chairs in a circle and were eating together and the men were sitting around the fire.

Julia isn’t Amish, and I’m boring, so she was sitting with her dad in the men’s group.

By the time it was dark, my youngest daughter was running around with a whole pack of kids. Seriously, they’d run by us, bonnet strings and black skirts flying (except my daughter who wasn’t wearing a bonnet – and God help the person who tries to make her – and had a jean skirt on), up the walk, in the summer kitchen door, past that window, into the kitchen, past the kitchen window and into the living room (right there, they would pass the printer and scanner that were set on a stand – not kidding, I was in the kitchen helping before everyone got there, and I admit to doing a double take when I saw their electronics hooked up. These are a different sect of Amish, not the Sinking Valley Amish, and they ARE allowed batteries.) From the living room window they’d run to the front door.

About that time the pack of boys – none of these were mine, thank God, or I wouldn’t have been nearly so relaxed – would run up the walk and into the summer kitchen, taking the same path through the house, but bursting out of the front door with slightly more force and velocity, taking the front porch steps in one leap, the pack splitting into two lines as they ran around the men’s circle and off into the darkness after the girls.

Kinda funny that kids are pretty much the same regardless of their culture.

My daughter told me later they were playing “Cowboys and Indians.” Which, I believe, is a politically incorrect way of saying they were playing “The Boys are Chasing the Girls.” : )

So, things quieted down for a little bit. (I found out later they were out behind the barn trying to ride an unbroken colt.)

The ladies were talking about the little five-year-old boy in their community who had drowned in the pond two months earlier. He was the nephew of our good friends who were at the picnic. He and his brothers had been fishing in the morning, then they’d gone to do some work. Before lunch sometime, he’d told his dad he was going to check his rod, see if he caught anything. When they sat down to eat lunch, his place was empty.

The police shut the road down for the funeral and we didn’t pick up eggs that day. But the ladies were saying the mother was expecting and with those hormones and everything was having a really hard time doing anything except sitting in her chair and rocking.

Death can happen at any time, of course. Maybe because we live on the farm, but I feel like we’re closer to it than most Americans. It’s a part of life. I suppose those of you who have read Boone’s book know how I feel about it. But again, as I sat there in the dark listening, it struck me how a mother’s heart for her children is the same in any culture.

Contemplating those more somber thoughts, I looked beyond the circle of ladies. The light from the half moon was strong enough for me to see the outline of two bodies, one that looked suspiciously like my daughter, crawling along the ridgepole of the two-story greenhouse between the shed and the house.

Thankfully my daughter was in the back, which made me believe that she was not the leader, but following someone who surely knew whether or not they were allowed to do whatever it was they were doing. (I found out later they were really NOT allowed to do any of the things they’d done that night. I also found out later that they were playing hide-and-seek and they were “hiding” on the ridgepole. That game has gotten a little more sophisticated since I was a kid.)

I also found out later that, among other things, the men were talking about making wine. (My husband came back with all these ideas about how to make good wine, and I’m kinda like, but we don’t drink wine – and I didn’t think the Amish did, either.  I have a few stories about that conversation the Amishmen had that night with my husband, but this is already longer than I was expecting it to be.)

I’m not sure if it was before the wine conversation or after it, but it was one of the times after the pack of kids flew by and things were quiet for about thirty seconds when I heard my oldest daughter scream from where the men were. Then laughter.

The oldest son of our good friends is about nineteen. He’s a great kid. He’s taken us for buggy rides and when we’re cleaning the barns out, no one works harder than he does. Apparently, he found a frog. And, the male chromosome does not allow a boy to hold a frog in his hand when there is a girl he can throw it on, right?

Julia is a girly-girl. Yeah, she does everything we ask her to, but she hates dirt, bugs, spiders, reptiles, amphibians, you get the picture, and would never go outside if she didn’t have to. Her reaction was even better than expected, I think. Later, we teased her that it was probably an Amish dating ritual:  throwing the frog on the lap is basically like saying, would you like to get married? Picking it carefully up and shaking your head as you set it down, would be a “no.” Jumping up, screaming and waving your hands around looks like a pretty excited “yes.”

So, maybe our daughter is engaged; we’re not sure. : )

Kidding. That boy is a great guy, but Julia is a little high-maintenance (her words) and she’s not the slightest bit interested in living without electricity. Or any modern convenience, to be honest.

Thanks so much for spending time with me today!

What’s In A Name?

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Hi everyone, Winnie Griggs here.  I’m at that fun (and slightly terrifying) place where I’m starting a brand new book. This will be the third book in my Hope’s Haven series and will feature the third and oldest of the three Eicher sisters, Martha.

One of the key things I need to do before I get started with the actual writing, besides having at least a high level idea of my plot and character goals and motivations, is to nail down the names. And I don’t mean just the protagonists and key players. Just as important to me are the place names and names of pets/animals. In fact I will sometimes spend days trying to come up with something that I feel evokes just the right tone I’m looking for.

I draw on several sources for inspiration. For instance when coming up with town names I’ve used vegetation—names like Dewberry, Whistling Oak, Foxberry, Knotty Pine, Clover Ridge, Sweetgum, Sweetgrass and Nettlesford.  Sometimes they’re based on theme, like my ten-book series set in Turnabout or my current series set in Hope’s Haven.

Other times I draw from things around me. For instance a city right next door to where I grew up was called Westwego. As a kid I never thought of it as anything but one word, it was only later that I realized it was made up of the three words west-we-go. Was it perhaps a rallying cry for folks heading west? After all it is located on the west bank of the Mississippi, across from New Orleans. Thinking about that I came up with the town name of Far Enough, sort of the other end of the journey. And another time I spotted a large flock of blackbirds rise up out of a field and circle overhead as a group.  That inspired the town name of Pepper Cloud. Sometimes they just come out of left field, like Frog Swallow and Minnow Creek.

Of course there are other things that need naming in a book, most significantly, the animals. Whether it’s pets, horses or other livestock, finding just the right name can prove an elusive task at times. In the past, for cats and dogs) I’ve used names like Smudge, Taffy, Buttons, Poppy, Rufus, Daffy (short for Daffodil), Cookie, Kip and Mustard among others. For horses I’ve used Titan, Monarch, Fletch, Scout, Trib (short for Retribution), Cocoa, Buttermilk and Amber among others. I’ve had a couple of mules named Jubal and Moses. There have also been pet birds I’ve named Cricket, Sweetie Pie and Sundar.

As I said, at the moment I’m in the early stages of my third Hope’s Haven book. I’m currently thinking I will need names for 4 horses (two draft horses and two buggy horses), a dog, a cat and perhaps a goat. I’d love to hear any suggestions for names you might have.

And for those who leave a comment, you’ll be entered in a giveaway of any book on my backlist.

 

And have you seen what’s coming up on Friday?

Are you ready to party?

Because we are!

We’re celebrating our 14th birthday!

Please Join us because not only will it be fun but

14 winners will each win a $14 Amazon gift card!

Winnie Griggs New Release and a Giveaway

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Hello everyone, Winnie Griggs here. I am excited to announce the release of my first Amish Romance novel Her Amish Wedding Quilt, will release in just a little over a week. This is a genre that for me as a writer wasn’t even on my radar 16 months ago. But then last September an editor contacted me and asked if I’d be interested in trying my hand at writing one. It so happened I was at a point in my career where I was ready to try my hand at something new so I jumped at it.

It’s been quite a year as I’ve immersed myself in research and all things Amish, trying to learn the ins and outs of this unique culture. I’d actually planned to make a couple of trips to Amish country this year but we all know what happened to travel plans in 2020 🙁

Anyway, Her Amish Wedding Quilt is the first of a three book series that will follow the Eicher sisters. This one features Greta, the middle sister, and Noah Stoll, a widower doing his best to raise his two preschoolers with the help of his younger sister.

Greta is a bit of an outspoken, take charge kind of gal, which is something of a problem since everyone tells her she needs to tone it down a bit if she ever wants to find a husband. Noah has just learned he needs to stop relying on his sister’s help and his answer is to find a wife.

The book opens on the first day of a brand new year with Greta convinced this is the day her best friend, Calvin Stoll will propose to her. But by the end of the day her whole world has come crashing down around her.

In this scene, Greta, who has successfully done some matchmaking in the past, has decided to help Noah out more as a way to take her mind off her own problems as anything. Oh, and for those of you not familiar with Amish dialect, here is a quick glossary:

  • fraa = wife
  • Gotte = God
  • jah = yes
  • kinner = children
  • mamm = mom

 

“Esther told me you asked her to help you find a new fraa.”

Something akin to irritation flashed across Noah’s face before his guard went up. “And why did she feel the need to speak of it to you?”

“She and I are good friends and she knew I’d help in any way I can.”

“Help?”

“Help you find a new fraa, of course.” She smiled. “And a mamm for your kinner.”

His guard eased a bit, but now he seemed ready to dismiss the subject. And her. “I appreciate your desire to help me, but I think this is something best left to Esther. She knows me and she knows my preferences.”

Greta wasn’t going to let him get rid of her that easily. “I realize Esther is your cousin and you might be more comfortable dealing with her. But perhaps you don’t know that I have experience helping other young men find a helpmeet.”

“Jah, I’m aware that you’ve played matchmaker in the past.”

The way he said “played” got her back up, but Greta decided to ignore his tone and keep her focus on convincing him he needed her help. “Then perhaps you’ll understand why Esther thought I’d be able to help in your search as well. If you give me a chance I know I can find a woman who’ll make you happy.”

“What do you know about what will make me happy?”

Good question, especially after her spectacular failure on her own behalf. And for a moment her certainty wavered.

But then she rallied. This was different. “I believe I understand people well enough to know who’ll get along nicely together and who won’t.” At least when it came to others.

He raised a brow at that. “Do you now?”

She refused to let his skepticism affect her again. “It probably sounds like pride and boastfulness to you, but it isn’t. I believe this is a gift from Gotte, just as your skill with woodwork is, and that it would be wasteful not to use it.”

She saw him sober at that and study her thoughtfully.

Trying to press her advantage, she quickly added. “But of course you’ll need to help me figure out some of your own specific likes and dislikes.” Would he agree? She realized she wanted to help him, that she needed to find some purpose to fill the emptiness that was stretching out in front of her.

 But rather than respond directly, he asked a question of his own. “Why do you want to do this?”

“Because I love your kinner and want to help see that they are well cared for. And also because I think it’s something I can do well.”

“And for no other reason?”

She squirmed a bit under his steady, much too perceptive scrutiny. Surely he didn’t know about her feelings for Calvin and what had happened New Year’s Day.

She tilted her chin up. “What other reason would there be?”

 

Noah saw the slight reddening of Greta’s cheeks that belied the confident expression on her face. Was she thinking of Calvin? If she’d been so wrong about his brother’s feelings, how could she possibly know what he needed? But somehow it seemed cruel to point that out to her. And what could it hurt to let her try? “I suppose we could give it a try.”

Her face blossomed in a smile that made him blink—it had been a while since he’d seen those impish dimples of hers.

Her hands clasped tightly together as if trying to hold in some big emotion. “Good.” Her tone was charmingly businesslike. Apparently she’d wanted to do this more than he’d realized.

 

I hope you enjoyed this sneak peak at Her Amish Wedding Quilt.  To be entered in the drawing for an advance copy of the book, leave a comment related to Amish fiction – love it, hate it, never tried it but want to, or anything else that fits the bill.  I’d also love to know what you thought of this set-up and excerpt

HER AMISH WEDDING QUILT

An Amish seamstress and a single father have a chance to make a fresh start in this heartwarming first novel of a new series.

Spirited, forthright, impulsive – everyone told Greta Eicher she’d have to change her ways if she ever hoped to marry. Then her best friend Calvin, the man she thought she would wed, chooses another woman. Now Greta’s wondering if the others were right all along. Her dreams dashed, she pours her energy into crafting beautiful quilts at her shop and helping widower Noah Stoll care for his adorable young children.

Noah knows it’s time to think about finding a wife. When Greta offers to play matchmaker on his behalf, Noah eagerly accepts. After all, no one knows his children better. But none of the women she suggests seems quite right, because, unexpectedly, his feelings of respect and friendship for Greta have grown into something even deeper and richer. But will he have enough faith to overcome the pain of his past and give love another chance?

 

Pre Order HERE

A Brand New Look

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Hello everyone, Winnie Griggs here. I hope that all of you, despite the need to self-quarantine, had a Happy and Blessed Easter. I missed having my big extended family around me, but with the storms pounding through the area it was probably just as well. We did have a Zoom meeting in the afternoon which was fun. Lots of conversation, wry observances and laughter. It was ALMOST like being in the same room together.

 

So, before I get to the reason for the title of today’s post, I want to discuss a bit of recent, personal history. Back last Fall, my writing life took an unexpected turn. In late September Grand Central Publishing offered me the opportunity to submit an Amish Romance series to them.  It was both exciting and scary. I’d read quite a bit in the Amish Romance genre and really enjoyed the books but I’d never tried my hand at writing one before. In fact, an editor at another house had told me once that she didn’t think that was the right genre for me, which made it all the more intimidating.

But it also strengthened my resolve and I was excited to accept the challenge. As it turns out the timing was fortuitous – I’d already made plans with a writer friend to meet up for 3 days the following week to do some planning, plotting and brainstorming. So within a week I had a fairly solid overview of the series I could send in, and though they asked for some tweaks, I did go on to sign a contract for a three book Amish Romance series featuring 3 sisters.

And though this is a departure for me, I am really enjoying what I’m doing.  Just a little over a week ago I turned in the manuscript for the first one, titled Her Amish Wedding Quilt, which features the middle sister Greta. This book will release in December of this year. I took a couple of days off to shovel out my house and take care of some other things I let slide while I was racing toward my deadline and I’m now ready to dive into the next one. This book will feature the youngest sister, Hannah, and will debut sometime in the fall of 2021.

Now, on to the title I put on this post. I’d been thinking for a while it was time to overhaul my website – my existing one hadn’t had a major revamp for a dozen years or more. So when I committed to write these Amish stories I figured it was time to stop procrastinating and get it done.

In case you’re new here, this is what my previous post header looked like, which was a cropped version of my website header. It reflected what I was writing at the time it went up – small town Americana, both historical and a sprinkling of contemporary.

 

Given that I have absolutely no intention of abandoning my historical western roots, when I talked to my website designer I asked her to design a site that would reflect both aspects of my writing. You can see a cropped version of that new look at the top of this post.  And if you’d like to see the website itself, you can find it HERE.

 

I’d love to hear what you think of the new site and especially what you like about it and what you think could be improved.  Leave a comment and you’ll get your name in the hat for an opportunity to select your choice of any book in my backlist.

And just for fun, here is a teaser in the form of a blurb for HER AMISH WEDDING QUILT

 

Spirited, forthright, impulsive — everyone told Greta Eicher she’d have to change her ways if she ever hoped to marry. Then her best friend Calvin, the man she thought she would wed, chooses another woman. Now Greta’s wondering if the others were right all along. Her dreams dashed, she pours her energy into crafting beautiful quilts at her shop and helping widower Noah Stoll care for his adorable young children.

 

Noah knows it’s time to think about finding a wife. When Greta offers to play matchmaker on his behalf, Noah eagerly accepts. After all, no one knows his children better. But none of the women she suggests seems quite right because, unexpectedly, his feelings of respect and friendship for Greta have grown into something even deeper and richer. But will he have enough faith to overcome the pain of his past and give love another chance?