Blogging from Bluffscape Amish Tours

Farewell to Das Wurst Haus

2011-09-20T22:18:00.001-05:00

It is sad to see Das Wurst Haus in Lanesboro close its doors for good. Arv and Jan had the best German brats and sauerkraut along with a little polka music to go with it. Above is my daughter scooping ice cream while on one of her last days in the restaurant. We wish Arv and Jan the best in their retirement!

Baby Babydoll Sheep

2011-09-20T22:12:00.000-05:00

This cute little lamb was born a few weeks ago. Just adorable!

Fall Amish Tours

2011-09-20T22:08:00.000-05:00

Fall is a prime time to ride along on a Bluffscape Amish tour. The leaves are just starting to change color. I recently heard on the news that the fall foliage will be the most vibrant we have seen in years. I can't wait! Fall is my favorite season, but sometimes I wish summer could follow fall instead of winter. Wouldn't that be great?

The Amish have autumn produce such as onions, squash, and pumpkins for sale. The Amish will be husking corn once the corn dries down in the field. Much activity happens on the farm in preparation for winter.

No Pictures Please

2011-04-18T11:44:00.004-05:00

Winter seems to be hanging on a bit longer this year than last year. Before the rain/snow this past week, a few Amish were able to get their team of horses and farm equipment ready for spring field work. While driving along on our tours, we were fortunate to see a few Amish cultivating the soil and planting oats. Spring is a wonderful time to see the Amish farmers working in their fields and the women and children planting their gardens. Many Amish had already planted cabbage, radishes, and lettuce and covered the ground with garden fabric to keep ground warm so the plants can start to grow in the cool weather.

When you come along on our Amish tours, please refrain from taking pictures of the Amish. The Amish do not want their picture taken. The Bible verse from Deuteronomy 5:8 states: "You shall not make for yourself a graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth." The Amish find the camera offensive, so please refrain from taking photos of them out of respect. This is one reason why I don't post many photos about the Amish on my blog. If appropriate, I will share photos from our tours of craft goods, animals, and buildings, as I know how much people like looking at photographs.

Please consider coming along on a Bluffscape Amish Tour this spring! There is much activity to see on the Amish farms regardless of rain or snow (but I prefer sunshine). Let us do the driving and we will tell you all about the history and culture of our Amish neighbors in the Lanesboro, Canton, and Harmony area.

2011 Amish Tour Season Approaches

2011-03-10T16:08:00.006-06:00

The off-season is coming to a close and I will be starting my fourth Amish Tour season with Bluffscape Amish Tours. One would think that Minnesota winters drag on, but my winter has quickly disappeared. Now I'm looking forward to getting the van and bus ready to drive our guests around the Amish countryside again. It's time to refresh my memory and get out to visit our Amish friends.

Tours officially start Saturday, March 12th at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Unless mother nature decides to dump a lot of snow or ice over the weekend, we will be ready to go. We continue only on Saturdays in March and we will offer tours Mon. - Sat. starting in April running through the end of October.

Occasionally, I will go out on a special Amish tour in the off-season. I had the privilege of taking a young lady on a tour this winter. She had a school assignment to complete on the Amish culture. As a former teacher, I wanted to help this sophomore with her report. It also got me out to see how the Amish folks were doing. What impressed me most is that this student traveled about three hours to get to Lanesboro! She earned an A+ for her research project!

Many folks spend days, week, or months visiting the Mayo Clinic for various medical reasons. Days can get long waiting for lab work, consults, and other appointments. A couple from Rhode Island needed to get out of town for a change after spending two weeks at the clinic, so on their day off I picked them up in Rochester and brought them out to visit the Amish. What a fun couple and I think they were happy to have a diversion for the day!

The Amish farmers market will be opening the end of April, therefore, those coming along on the tour before then will not be able stop and get gooey glazed donuts, the world's best banana bars, or sugar cookies that melt in your mouth--you will have to come back later to check that out!

Fall Amish News

2010-11-14T16:52:00.004-06:00

I really had fun giving a tour on Saturday with three ladies--two sisters and their mom. While Minneapolis and other parts of Minnesota were experiencing a snow storm, we had a little rain to contend with, but not enough to dampen our spirits to enjoy the Amish tour. While on the tour we found out another Amish wedding is going to take place on the 18th of this week. A young Amish man that I have become acquainted with the past few years is getting married. He has purchased an old farm along our route. It has been interesting the see the progress he is making on his property from building a small barn to installing new windows and painting the outside of the house. It is going to be a cute little farm for this young Amish couple.

Also, another Amish family is heading to Mexico by Amtrak to seek medical attention for a few days. Hopefully, they will have safe travels and will find the help that they need. Since the Amish around here do not carry health insurance it is more affordable for them to seek medical help in Mexico and they will probably enjoy some nice weather while they are down south.

For those who have enjoyed a treat at the Amish farmers market, they will be closing for the season next weekend. I will miss the world's best sugar cookies, frosted banana bars, raised-glazed donuts, cinnamon and caramel pecan rolls, and their monster cookie bars. In addition to the delicious treats, I will miss visiting with the young ladies that work at the market. They are always greet you with a smile and enjoy visiting, too.

Bluffscape Amish Tours will have a few schedule changes as well. I had advertised tours for Friday, but something has come up and I'm unable to keep Friday's tours scheduled. Saturday, November 20th, I may be only able to offer a 1:30 tour. If you are interested in going on a tour, please call our number on the website to check for available tours. There will be no tours on Thanksgiving weekend, as we are all off for the holiday. We are offering one more special tour on Saturday, December 4th at 10 a.m. After the 4th we will be done for the season. Before you know it, March will be here and it will be time to start another Amish Tour season!

A Great Year for Bluffscape Amish Tours

2010-11-04T21:24:00.005-05:00

It is hard to believe that our Amish Tours are winding down for the season. We have now transitioned to just Saturdays in November. If there is a group of more than four that would like a special tour during the week, I would be glad to take you on a tour (weather permitting). I miss visiting with our Amish friends already and it has only been a week! The picture above shows the location of our tours at the Feed Mill where Cheryl's Apparel and Tours and Treasures are located.

We have been fortunate to have such beautiful weather in Lanesboro this fall. Hopefully, it will continue throughout the winter, but this is Minnesota and you never know what the weather will be like tomorrow!

The Amish have been busy chopping and stacking wood for this winter. They are good to get together and help family members and friends accomplish this goal. Amish use wood buring stoves for cooking and baking and for heating their homes and shops. Some Amish may use coal burning stoves as well.

A new Amish bed and breakfast is opening near Canton right on our tour route. A non-Amish purchased an Amish farm and hired an Amish lady to work at the B & B. If you are wanting to live like the Amish for a night or two, you will have to check it out. When I find out more information about the B & B, I'll post it.

New Bluffscape Amish Tour Bus

2010-10-11T21:39:00.004-05:00

We are so excited to be driving our new Bluffscape Amish Tour bus! It is very comfortable and the seats are around the perimeter of the bus. The bus seats 14 and there is room for storing a few items. Our new bus provides easy access for those who have trouble getting in and out of a van.

If you are going on a Bluffscape Amish Tour, be sure to go all the way to the north end of Lanesboro to 102 E. Beacon St. located in the red Feed Mill at Lanesboro's Tours and Treasures. Unknown to us, our competitor had a friend purchase our old bus and it still has our business name on it. We were lead to believe it was going out of the state. Be sure to get on the right bus when you arrive for our tours so you won't be disappointed! We strive to give professional, educational, and fun tours to learn all about the Amish way of life. Check out www.bluffscape.com for more information about Bluffscape Amish Tours in Lanesboro.

Amish Quilts and Wall Hangings

2010-09-03T15:28:00.003-05:00

Amish quilts, wall hangings, and table runners are available for purchase at some of the Amish farms on our tours. The Amish ladies use treadle sewing machines to piece their quilts and then hand-stitch the tops. Many hours of labor are spent on the pieces of art!

Amish Hand-Made Baskets

2010-09-03T15:23:00.003-05:00

People love the Amish-made baskets found at various stops on our tours. Baskets come in all shapes and sizes and have multiple uses.

August Harvest and Canning

2010-08-29T14:22:00.006-05:00

Another summer is soon coming to a close and once again, I haven't had a chance to write on my blog. Amish tours have been keeping us busy everyday in August. I did get a chance to sneak away on vacation with the family. Thanks to Eric and Vern for their guiding expertise while we were away. Our family had a wonderful time in SD, NE, WY, MT, ND, and MN. Lots of driving, but well worth it!

Now is a great time to go on an Amish tour as the Amish are working in their fields binding corn, chopping and blowing it into their silos. The also can be found loading alfalfa and baling it right in their farmyards. All of this is done with stationary diesel or gas engines and horse drawn equipment, no tractors. Many Amish have garden produce available for purchase at their farms. Melons, potatoes, tomatoes, zucchini, and cucumbers are a few veggies from their garden they have for sale. Amish ladies have been canning bushels of tomatoes, tomato juice, and tomato salsa. The peaches have been canned and now I have seen that pears have arrived and they will be next on the list to preserve.

One Amish lady on our tour has finished two new quilts--dahlia and lone star patterns. She also takes custom orders for quilts as well. She pieces the quilts with her treadle sewing machine and hand stitches the top. They really are a work of art.

Enjoy the end of summer! Soon the kids will be back in school and our schedules will revolve around school activies as well as work.

Humble Amish

2010-07-16T15:11:00.004-05:00

I'm always amazed at the positive attitudes my Amish friends have when visiting with them. We were talking about the weather (The weather always comes up in conversations in Minnesota!) We have been experiencing the dog days of summer this past week and Mary was planning to can cherries and blueberry jam today. I asked if she had to use her wood buring stove in the kitchen to do the canning. Sometimes the Amish women have oil buring stoves in a summer kitchen so they don't heat up the house. Mary said yes, she was using the stove in her kitchen and it was going to get hot, but she had done it before and survived the heat! How many people do you know that would have complained about the heat and wouldn't bother to work in it and save the work for a cooler day? I've learned to be thankful for what I have and try not to complain too much. I have it a lot easier than many of the Amish who burn wood for cooking, put up with the heat without air conditioning, and ride in their warm buggies pulled by sweaty horses while fast-driving English (what the Amish call the non-Amish) pass them in their motor vehicles covering them with dust from the gravel roads.

Amish Strawberries

2010-06-20T19:21:00.005-05:00

Gardens, gardens, gardens!!! The Amish gardens are big, beautiful and bountiful. Strawberries are ready and available for sale at some of the Amish farms on our tours. I've had my share of berries from a couple Amish families this week. The strawberries are plump and sweet! Kirsten and I are hoping to use our new dehydrator this week to make strawberry rhubarb lace--like a fruit roll-up.

Fresh picked vegetables that are for sale include peas, green beans, and lettuce. One family gave me a bunch of broccoli this week. I prepared the broccoli on our grill for dinner tonight and it was delicious!

The Amish are back working in their fields after many days of rain. They have been cultivating corn and mowing hay with their team of work horses. I think it is amazing to watch them drive their team between the rows of corn. I had a fellow on the tour that had grown up farming with horses and he remembered the hard work involved. My dad has many stories to tell about farming with horses as well. Maybe that is why I'm fascinated with watching them--I haven't had to work with the horses!

Happy Father's Day to my dad and all dads!

Triplets!

2010-06-05T11:46:00.002-05:00

Triplets were born at a non-Amish business along our tour route at Austin's Mohair Goat Farm. Cute kids!

Amish Horse and Buggy

2010-06-05T11:32:00.003-05:00

Thanks to all who have been on an Amish tour with us so far this spring. The weather has been beautiful and the landscape on the route is amazing this time of year. The Amish gardens are growing like crazy. They have lettuce, radishes, and green onions ready to eat. Many folks are wondering if we get to see Amish working with their horse-drawn equipment in their fields as we travel through the countryside. At this time of year we get to watch the Amish mow their alfalfa fields. When the alfalfa is dry they will use the horse-drawn hayloader and wagon to get the hay off the field and back to their farms. Some Amish are cultivating their corn rows as well.

Amish Tour Guests from Around the World

2010-05-05T10:39:00.004-05:00

Bluffscape Amish Tours is in full swing! We have already been very busy taking guests out on our Amish tours. I'm going to have to get a world map and start keeping track of where our guests are from. So far this spring I have taken guests from Kuwait, France, Germany, Norway, and Tanzania, Africa on the tour. Not only do they learn about the Amish culture, but I get to learn about theirs as well. I'm going to have to start saving for a trip abroad sometime, especially to Norway and Denmark to see where my ancestors were born.

Another Amish family approached me to stop at their farm on our tours. This family offers melon-shaped baskets and leather goods like checkbook and book covers. They also make beautiful leather belts. This family also builds horse saddles! When I stop at their farm I'm lucky to see the different stages in the saddle making. Yesterday, Henry was sewing the white top stitching around the seat. He must have strong hands to punch the tools through the leather. He said you have to have very sharp tools! Now I have four different Amish farms to rotate visits besides the regular stops on the tour.

Last week I had the privilege of guiding a tour bus through the Amish country. A great group of travelers from central Minnesota had a day trip to Lanesboro to learn about the Amish. They almost cleaned out the Amish bakery! The tour group ended their visit at two of my favorite stops in Lanesboro, the Daus Wurst Haus and Scenic Valley Winery. Great homemade brats and kraut and homemade fruit wine!

Spring into Lanesboro!

2010-04-06T09:54:00.006-05:00

Now that Spring is here, Lanesboro is preparing for visitors. Many of the restaurants and retail shops that were closed for the winter are now open and ready to greet their customers. On Saturday, April 10th at 10 a.m. ladies can take in a fashion show hosted by Cheryl's Apparel at the Commonweal Theater. Many retailers will be offering specials throughout the day. If you are looking for an afternoon activity, stop by Bluffscape Amish Tours located at 102 E. Beacon St. at Cheryl's Apparel, and come along on an Amish tour at 1:30 p.m. With the early spring weather, we may see Amish working in the fields with the horse-drawn farm equipment getting ready for planting. No tours went out on Good Friday, as this is a religious holiday for the Amish. The Amish fast in the morning in observance of Good Friday and have a big meal at noon.

Bluffscape Amish Tours are operating Monday - Saturday at 10:00 a.m. and at 1:30 p.m. until October. The Amish farmers market opens this weekend, so I'm excited to see the ladies that work the market and eating their wonderful cookies, bars, granola, and breads. I think I'll have to spend more time on the treadmill, if I'll be stopping at the market twice a day on the tours! Happy Spring!

New Amish Tour Season

2010-03-18T14:26:00.005-05:00

Wow! A great spring day in Lanesboro! The sun is out and the temperature is reaching 60 degrees today. Saturday was overcast, but nice as I took out my first Amish tour of the 2010 season. I met a great family from Hastings, MN, in the morning and another family from New Hope, MN, in the afternoon. It was fun to get out to see our Amish friends after a few months off this winter. One Amish lady was excited to tell about the birth of her 54th grandchild. She was also concerned about one of her infant grandsons that is currently in intensive care in the hospital with RSV. He is one of the three triplets born last fall. We pray for a quick and healthy recovery.

It was a joy to visit with some of the other Amish kids on our tour, as they sure have grown over the winter. Little D. looked adorable in his wide-brimmed straw hat. His older sister, R., likes to hang around and listen to the adults talk to her dad about his furniture making business.

A few of the Amish farm yards were quite muddy, therefore, I had to select Amish farms that were easy to access with the bus. With the sun out the past few days, mud shouldn't be much of a problem this weekend. Although, I did hear that snow may be in the forcast...yuk! (I love snow in January, but not March!)

Speaking of mud, I need to leave to get our Amish tour van out of the shed, as it was too muddy to get it out before this week. I will probably be cleaning the van this afternoon to get ready for more tours this weekend. Happy Spring!!!

Great Sales!

2010-01-27T14:50:00.004-06:00

Four more days and I'll be closing the doors to Bluffscape Gallery & Gifts. The gallery will be open through the end of the week, as I have Beanpod Candles, Wall Enhancers, windsocks, Scandinavian kids aprons, and other miscellaneous items left for sale. Most items are marked at 75% off. A few pieces of art remain along with pre-cut mats and frame packs. I have lots of cleaning and moving to do at the gallery, so stop in to check out the great bargains and visit with me. If you like postcards, I have hundreds of Lanesboro area cards available for sale. Photographer, Larry Kanfer, took the pictures that are on the postcards. We ordered many cards when we first started the gallery, so stop in for a great deal on the postcards.

Bluffscape Amish Tours will resume Saturday, March 6 at 10 am and 1:30 pm. We will be moving our tour business to Lanesboro Tours and Treasures at the Feed Mill. I look forward to getting out to visit our Amish friends again and meeting new tour guests. Let's pray for an early, warm Spring to get outdoors again.

Time to get cleaning and moving...until next time, take care!

Gallery Closing - Amish Tours Still Operating

2009-12-18T15:32:00.005-06:00

After much consideration and mixed emotions, we are closing Bluffscape Gallery & Gifts. Your past patronage and support is greatly appreciated. It has truly been a pleasure working with artists and being surrounded by such creativity everyday at work. We currently have a discount on all items in the Gallery. Consigned art is 15% off and the gift items are 20% off now until December 22. Starting January 4th more markdowns will be made. Closing date is January 23, 2010.

Display shelving, print bins, art display towers, some framing supplies, and miscellaneous items will be sold. A custom-made L-shaped checkout counter is also available for sale measuring 10 feet long by 34 inches wide, the short end is 44 inches long by 32 inches wide. It has a dark gray/slate marble-look laminate top. If anyone is remodeling a basement, it would make a great counter or bar.

Bluffscape Amish Tours will be located at the Feed Mill, 102 E. Beacon St. downtown Lanesboro. Same great tour, same friendly, knowledgeable guides; just a different ticketing and departure location. Telephone, E-mail, and Website address will also stay the same. The ladies at Lanesboro Tours and Treaures and Cheryl's Apparel located in the Feed Mill will be able to help you with your reservation needs. Eric, Vern, Dave and myself will still be guiding the tours. We look forward to serving you in 2010 from our new location!! Tours will start again March 6th, Saturdays only in March at 10 am and 1:30 pm. Regular tours will operate April - October, Monday - Saturday 10 am and 1:30 pm. It is always a good idea to call ahead for your reservation, as some days seats fill up fast. See you on the tour!

Happy Holidays, from Bluffscape Amish Tours

2009-12-18T14:52:00.004-06:00

Another beautiful day in Lanesboro. It is overcast with a few snowflakes floating outside. We could use the sun, but at least it isn't too cold. Amish tours are done for the season. It was a whirlwind year scheduling tours, lining up guides, and meeting so many great guests on our tours. The time off helps us to rejuvenate for next year's tourist season.
Dave and I plan on visiting a few of our Amish friends to wish them a merry Christmas this week and catch up on the happenings of their families. One Amish lady's daughter had triplets, two boys and one girl, in November. Hopefully, they are all doing well and adjusting to the busy-ness of raising multiples with their other children at home. Dave's brother and sister-in-law had triplets six years ago which encompassed much organizing and care in tending to all their needs along with their two other daughters. They now have six children, and they are a fun bunch of kids! Holidays are exciting times with them around.
As Christmas is soon approaching, we wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a Joyous and Peaceful New Year!

Winter in Lanesboro

2009-12-18T14:50:00.000-06:00

Lanesboro Holiday Weekend

2009-11-17T14:26:00.008-06:00

Lanesboro is getting ready for the Holidays! Lanesboro's Holiday Open House is this weekend. You can find the stores and village decorated for the Christmas season. At my gallery on Saturday I will have refreshments, specials on merchandise and art, and will be open until 7 p.m. We will have Amish Tours at 10 am and 1:30 pm, too. On Sunday the 22nd, Bethlehem Lutheran Church is having their annual meatball dinner. Dave and I are preparing the mashed potatoes for the second shift. Yes, we use real potatoes, not the boxed stuff! We use about 600 pounds of potatoes to serve about 900 guests. The Lanesboro Inn Keepers Association is having an inn tour on Sunday, as well. The tour goes from 2 - 6 pm and costs $25. We are offfering our Amish tour bus for a shuttle between the inns. So if you don't want to have to worry about driving and looking for parking at each stop, just hop on our bus and Eric will take you to your next stop. Unfortunately, the inn tour is during our shift at the meatball dinner, so I am unable to go on the tour. I was looking forward to checking out the inns, because I live in Lanesboro and don't usually need a place to stay. Although, I have stayed at a couple of local inns for winter weekend retreats for scrapbooking.

During the month of November we take Amish tours out on Saturdays and only during the week if we have four or more adults attending. The weather has been beautiful the past two weeks, so it is a wonderful time to go on an Amish tour. 10 am tours are best, as it starts to get dark in the afternoon and can be difficult to see inside the Amish shops. Keep in mind the Amish don't have electricity to easily turn on a light! Two Amish sisters ride their horse and buggy to Lanesboro on Saturdays and set up their farmers market at the end of our block. They arrive about 9:30 am and pack up to go home about 5:00 pm. They wander down to the gallery to visit and warm up when they are too cold from sitting outside. One of the Amish sisters teaches at an Amish school. They had a week off from school last week for corn husking. Many of the Amish children help their parents husk corn by hand, and they get to take a break from school to husk. The teacher enjoyed the week off and attended her cousin's wedding in Iowa. She was looking forward to going back to school, as she had a chance to rejuvenate after the time off. It's always a treat to visit with the young Amish ladies. The next time I see the young Amish sisters, I'll have to ask them about Thanksgiving and report on the blog if/how the Amish celebrate the holiday.

Come to Lanesboro this weekend and take in the special events to get into the spirit of the Season!

Shopping on Amish Farms

2009-11-02T15:28:00.003-06:00

Tour guests enjoy the Amish shops on our tours. Beautiful hand-made aprons, quilts, potholders, and baskets can be found on Amish farm shops. One day I had a tour guest purchase four Amish quilts for Christmas gifts for her children and one for herself. Not only was the guest excited with her special purchase, but the Amish ladies were very grateful for the sale, as the economy has slowed down their sales this past year as well. The recipients of those quilts are very lucky, as the quilts are pieced with a treadle sewing machine and all hand stitched with care.

Deer and Sleeping Dog

2009-11-02T15:22:00.001-06:00

Just wanted to share this photo of our dog, Callie, and the young deer in our yard. Callie was sleeping in our shrubs and didn't even know the deer was right behind her.

November Days in Lanesboro

2009-11-02T14:17:00.004-06:00

Another month has disappeared in our rear view mirror. November weekdays really slow down in Lanesboro with tourist traffic. Most stores and restaurants are still open, but best to call ahead as some establishments are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Here at Bluffscape, I'm keeping the same business hours until December. I'M STILL OPEN!! I may close occasionally for appointments, but the hours will be posted on the front door, if they change.

Amish tour times have changed for the month of November. Saturdays only at 10 am and 1:30 pm. During the week, we will only go out on a tour if we have four or more people attending. I'm hoping to get more tours, as I miss visiting with my Amish friends already. The Amish are pleasant and gracious folk.

Dave wants to go deer hunting on Saturday with Kirsten, so I may take his place behind the wheel and guide the tour. I also have the opportunity to go to a cousin's wedding in North Dakota on Saturday. Since Dave can only hunt on the weekend, I may have to work instead of traveling. The Jallos know how to have a good time, so I'm sure to miss a great wedding celebration.

Two days in a row the sun has been shining! October was one of the most dreary months I can remember. What a difference in attitude and energy a sunny day makes. The farmers are also thankful for the great weather, so they can continue with the soybean and corn harvest. With all the rain we have been having it has been difficult to get harvesting done. Cheers to the sun!

Goats Galore!

2009-11-02T14:13:00.000-06:00

Fall Amish Farm Activity

2009-10-18T13:19:00.008-05:00

October tours have been fantastic. Many guests are coming along in hopes of viewing the Fall colors of SE Minnesota. The colors aren't as vibrant as in the past, but a few grove of trees along the route are still colorful.

For those wondering about the activity on Amish farms, they have been bringing in the corn stalks to chop for silage. Also, a few Amish farmers have been plowing their fields with their team of work horses. For many guests on the tour they feel they are stepping back in time as they had worked with horses or heard stories of their parents and grandparents farming with teams of horses. Hard work...

Many of the Amish ladies are almost done canning their fall vegetables and will wait for cold weather to butcher pork, beef, and venison for canning. An Amish lady was canning chicken last week. Her relatives had butchered the chickens for her. Her niece got married last week and a few relatives came from out East for the event. This Amish homemaker was excited to have them here to visit and help her with the chickens.

A set of twin goats were born at the goat farm two weeks ago. They are a frisky pair of kids. I have a picture of them when they are a day old, but it is not the best photo. I'll try to get a better picture of them this week. We stop at the goat farm on the tour, but it is not Amish. Just a fun lady, Ada, who is a creative entrepreneur. If you have cold feet, she has the answer for you in her mohair socks.

We added another optional Amish farm stop in the tour this month. Another family that makes baskets, candy, honey, and other small items. Also a working farm, so we can see activity on the farm when they are cutting corn or working in their gardens. The boys also train horses on the farm.

Amish Canning and School

2009-09-18T16:10:00.002-05:00

Well, it looks like I totally missed blogging in August! Life has been busy here in Lanesboro. Meredith and Emyli were a great help in the gallery, so I was able to take guests out on the Amish tours. Therefore, going out on the tours didn't give me much time to write.

The Amish ladies are always working when we stop at their farms. They have been canning produce from their gardens and many of them have fresh produce for sale. The ladies also purchase bushels of peaches and pears that they have ordered in advance and preserve many jars for their families and customers. One day when I stopped at the Amish bakery Amanda and her friends were busy husking, cleaning, and cutting corn for canning. They thought they would end up with about 30 pints of corn when they were done.

The Amish kids are back at school. Most of the Amish schools started August 24th and one school started August 17th. The Amish students are referred to as scholars by their teachers. We drive past five Amish schools on our tour and many times we can see the scholars outside for recess. They look like they are having lots of fun playing softball or kickball.

Time to close. I hope to post more Amish happenings soon.

Sunflowers in Our Garden

2009-07-25T16:17:00.003-05:00

Kirsten's 4-H Sheep Project

2009-07-25T16:11:00.001-05:00

2009-07-25T15:19:00.003-05:00

Only one more week left in July! It is amazing how fast the days go by when we are busy. Tours have been steady throughout the summer. The Amish are putting up hay and some have oat fields ready for harvest when the shocks of grain are dry. I purchased a bag of green beans at the Amish bakery that the ladies had picked that day. We had the beans for supper last night--there isn't anything better than fresh garden veggies! The Amish women have been picking berries and canning jams and jellies. They have many different flavors to choose from on their store shelves.

Kirsten had preserved strawberry jam for the first time for 4-H. I had always made freezer jam, but not canned jam. When Kirsten's jam was finished we noticed that the jelly had separated from the jam. I mentioned this to one of the Amish ladies on our tour, and she told me we need to turn the jar upside down when cooling to prevent it from separating. Kirsten's 4-H judge at the county fair told her the same information, so now we know what to do next year. Kirsten received a blue ribbon on her preserves and earned a trip to the Minnesota state fair on her photography project. It will be fun to take a day to go to the state fair and buy something greasy on a stick to eat.

New Stop on the Amish Tour

2009-06-27T15:20:00.003-05:00

We added an extra stop on our Amish tour this week. An Amish family had requested us to stop at their farm, but it was difficult to get in so many stops in one tour. We decided to change the tour occassionally and make the stop. The Amish family is so grateful for our visits. This Amish couple have eight children; five boys and three girls. The youngest is 15 years old and such a sweet girl. The family offers garden produce. One day they picked 125 quarts of strawberries and sold them all, as strawberries are high in demand this time of year. Today they had fresh broccoli and beets available for sale. They also have eggs, homemade baskets, candles, and a few antiques.

A family visiting from Thailand came along on our tour today. Their daughter had married a young man from the Twin Cities. They came to Lanesboro for the day to show them a small midwestern town and the Amish culture. It is amazing to meet so many people from around the world that go on our tours.

Blueberry Rhubarb Breakfast Sauce

2009-06-27T15:09:00.004-05:00

I'm finally getting around to posting the recipe for Blueberry Rhubarb Breakfast Sauce that a guest on our tour had requested. This is great on pancakes, waffles, toast, or muffins.

Blueberry Rhubarb Breakfast Sauce

6 C. rhubarb
4 C. sugar
1 can blueberry pie filling
1 3 oz. pkg. raspberry jello

Boil rhubarb and suger 10 minutes. Add pie filling and mix. Bring to a boil. Remove from heat and stir in gelatin. Store in jars or freeze in containers.

Enjoy!

Hard-Working Amish

2009-06-19T16:08:00.007-05:00

While out on our Amish tours this week, we have witnessed the Amish hard at work. Summer is a busy time for all. We have seen many Amish horse-drawn cultivators used to till the corn to get rid of weeds between the rows. Many of the women have been tending their large vegetable gardens. One Amish lady on our stop was hoeing her garden which she has right next to her house. She was planning on making jam, so she had her grandsons helping her haul wood into the house for her stove. She was also trying to keep her grandsons occupied, as she said they were fighting and needed to keep busy with chores. This Amish lady had exciting news to share--she has a new granddaughter, Katie! It is grandchild number 47.

The smell of varnish was overpowering when stepping into an Amish carptener's showroom. The warm, humid air was heavy and there was no breeze to ventilate the room. I still enjoyed looking at the dressers and bedroom sets. This Amish woodworker made a new bed frame with drawers under the bed. The kids were a real treat to see playing in the yard. The baby was playing in a cardboard box while her mom tended to the customers. It reminded me of the time when I was about 4 years old and spent an evening playing in a Chiquita banana box. My mom wondered why she spent money on toys when a box kept me occupied for hours.

While out on a tour I came across a young Amish man driving a horse which was pulling a wagon with a small load of slat board. I thought the young man was looking up at the sky, but when I passed him, I noticed he had his head back and was sleeping! Apparently, the horse knew the way home! I'm hoping he was showing off and not really sleeping!

Happy Birthday, Andrew Ruen

2009-06-14T11:26:00.004-05:00

Happy Birthday, Andrew!
Today, June 14, would have been Andrew's 22nd birthday. We all miss Andrew very much. For those that don't know Andrew, you can check the memorial page on my Website for more information on Andrew and his short life with us. Andrew always had a smile and probably would have been golfing and eating chocolate cake today to celebrate his birthday. I think when I am done working at the store today, I will go home to bake a chocolate cake or brownies in memory of Andrew's birthday. Chocolate pudding may have to appear on the menu, as Andrew loved to eat pudding, especially chocolate.

Amish Mowing Day

2009-06-11T16:45:00.004-05:00

It has been a busy week giving Amish tours and managing the gallery. We had the Rhubarb fest in Lanesboro on Saturday. Unfortunately, it rained and was cool, but many people were out enjoying the rhubarb festivities. I had a request to post a Rhubarb-Blueberry Breakfast Sauce recipe, so look for that in the next couple of days.

One of the Amish families that we visit on our tour has been visiting family in Iowa. They have four children that are so much fun. I miss seeing them on our trips to their farm. I look forward to seeing them when they get back home.

Many of the Amish have been busy mowing their lawns. Most use a non-motorized push mower. Today one young Amish man was mowing his big yard, but he used a horse which pulled a mower that he could sit on. It was fun to watch and his lawn looked great--and he didn't have to refill the gas can!!

More Goats!

2009-06-11T16:43:00.001-05:00

I had to post the following pictures from the goat farm, too. Too cute to pass on.

All About Goats!

2009-06-11T16:32:00.003-05:00

On a Bluffscape Amish tour we make a stop at a non-Amish farm--Austin's Mohair Goat Farm near Harmony. Aida Austin is the goat lady and she is charming! Below are photos her goats she has at her farm. The first photo is a picture of her billy goat who is quite a looker! The rest of the photos are twin Angora goats and their mom. The twins are about a week and half old--a must see!

Bluffscape Amish Tour Vehicles

2009-06-11T16:12:00.003-05:00

We added a mini bus to our tour business. Now we have a small fleet of vehicles to use on our Amish tours! The mini bus is great to use for guests who have difficulty getting into and out of our van and there is more room inside. We can easily seat 14 people and storage space is also available for all of those baskets and furniture purchases made on a tour.

Mike, from Kelly Printing & Signs, did a wonderful job of applying the new lettering to our bus. (aka Gus the Bus)

Lanesboro High School Graduation

2009-06-03T11:06:00.003-05:00

Our niece, Kelsey, graduated from LHS on Sunday. Congratulations to the Class of 2009!

Happy Amish Children

2009-06-03T10:12:00.004-05:00

Last week I guided a group from the Twin Cities and Canada on an Amish tour. They were a gracious, fun bunch! I wish I had my camera along, as they were busy taking pictures at Austin's Mohair Goat Farm. An angora goat gave birth to twins. Cute as ever!

When we stop at one Amish farm, Dave and I like to give the kids mini carrots, as we can't give them candy. The Amish forbid pictures taken of them, but I wish I could have had a photo of the kids. They were so precious playing with their baby sister and so happy with their carrot treats. The kids like to come around when we are there, but they are pretty quiet. They just smile a lot and demonstrate how the marble games and brain teasers work at their mom's store.

When the Commonweal Theatre in Lanesboro presents a new play, we volunteer to drive the elderly residents who live in the two apartments in town to the performance. I picked up the residents before the play and Dave brought them home afterwards. We used the mini bus for the first time for this event and it was terrific! One of the ladies uses a walker and if we had brought the van, she probably wouldn't have been able to attend. Everyone could access the steps and their seats easily. Helping the folks have access to a fun evening out is definitely worth our time.

Memorial Day Weekend in Lanesboro

2009-05-27T10:51:00.004-05:00

Wow! Lanesboro was a busy little town this past weekend! The weather was beautiful and everyone came out to enjoy it. I took an Amish tour out on Saturday morning and by the time I arrived back in town around 12:30 pm, the population must have doubled! We stopped at the Amish farmers market in the morning and they had 14 pies available for sale. When I stopped again that afternoon (and, yes, I bought myself another cookie) they only had three pies left. Business was good for the ladies at the market. The Amish man who lives near the market was busy planting trees along the road. He was recently married, and I think they are enjoying maintaining their home.

We added "Bus Gus" to our Amish tour fleet. We have a 14 passenger van, but we can only fit about 9 or 10 comfortably in the van, and it is difficult for people to get on and off the van. Dave purchased a used 14 passenger mini bus this spring that has easy step-on access. Kirsten named the bus Gus, after the Simon and Garfunkle song "...get on the bus, Gus..." I had a full bus on Monday for my first time out with Gus on the Amish tour. The bus is great to drive and everyone was comfortable and could easily get on and off the bus at each stop. I was concerned about turning around at some farms, but I managed to get the bus turned around without any problem. We really strive to offer a quality tour and try to stay on schedule, as guests have plans for the rest of the day, and we don't want to make them change their plans.

Our family was fortunate to spend time down by the river for a breakfast cookout on Sunday morning and an evening cookout on Monday night. The campsite allows us to get away even though it is only a few miles away from home. We look forward to many more relaxing evenings along the Root River this summer.

Lanesboro High School Band on Memorial Day

2009-05-27T10:45:00.000-05:00

Lanesboro American Legion

2009-05-27T10:42:00.001-05:00

Lanesboro Memorial Day Parade

2009-05-27T10:40:00.002-05:00

Velkommen til Lanesboro

2009-05-20T14:16:00.006-05:00

Velkommen til Lanesboro!

Today we guided two bus loads of Norwegian band members from Arendal, Norway, and their spouses and/or friends on an Amish tour. The Arendal Brass Band had played in Stoughton, WI, for Syttende Mai weekend. They were on a tight time schedule as they arrived from LaCrosse, WI, this morning and were on their way to perform in Decorah, IA, at the Vesterheim Museum this afternoon. They were a jolly, fun bunch and so kind and respectful to our Amish friends.

The Norwegians gave the Amish children balloons, and they were so happy! Their dad said they were spoiling his kids, but it was fun! It was my first time as a step-on-guide, and I learned that I have to pay attention to the road even if I'm not driving so I can give directions. Bus driver, Ben, was excellent and you could tell he enjoyed his job. Go Bus #1!

If you are wearing a hat today, you better hold onto it, as we have wind gusts up to 40 mph. It is also warm with temperatures in the 80s. I'm hoping to plant flowers in front of our store today, but I'm going to wait to see if the wind decreases.

Mange takk! (I'm not sure if it is spelled correctly, but it means thank you in Norwegian.)

Thursday Thoughts

2009-05-14T14:45:00.004-05:00

Each time I go out on an Amish tour I try to learn more about the families that we visit. An Amish mom was busy in the house making aprons to sell in her shop. She makes adorable children's aprons. When our girls were little they liked to bake cookies while wearing their aprons. Aprons remind me of my grandmothers. They always had on an apron whenever they were working in the house, whether it was baking time or cleaning time.

This Amish lady told me that her parents built the house where they currently live in 1997. When she got married they purchased the farm from her parents. Her husband learned his woodworking skills from his in-laws and now carries on the furniture business. He does fine work!

At one of the Amish farms there were about 12 Amish buggys parked in the yard. They were having church on a Thursday instead of Sunday. Apparently, they had a visiting minister from Missouri and they had to accomodate his schedule. An Amish mentioned that they had their church service last Friday due to a visiting minister's schedule, as well. I'm not sure if it was the same minister, I'll have to check into it.

Please stop in the gallery to visit and check out our new merchandise and art! We have new chocolate treats and scandinavian cookies.

Amish Tours and Track Meets

2009-05-12T15:02:00.007-05:00

Another beautiful day in Bluff Country. Yesterday, I was lucky to take out an Amish tour. It gave me a chance to get out of the store and take advantage of the beautiful weather. I had a nice couple from North Dakota on my tour. It was their first time in SE Minnesota on an Amish tour. I found out they know some of my cousins in North Dakota. I really enjoy visiting with our guests, they seem like good friends by the time our tours are over.

The Amish seem to have most of their planting done, that I could see. The past few weeks many were in their fields planting crops with their horse-drawn equipment. We drive past a few sawmills on our route. I'm always amazed at the work they do and how much lumber is produced. One Amish lady just finished sewing an all ivory quilt with hearts, doves, and other details hand stitched on the quilt. It is beautiful. Many guests ask her how many quilts she has made, but she doesn't keep count.

This afternoon Kirsten has a track meet and will run a relay and the two mile event. It is supposed to thunderstorm later today, so I hope it holds off until the track meet is over. I enjoy watching track and field events. The kids work hard at improving their personal records and try to place as high as they can in their event to help add points to the team score. Track meets are also good for socializing with everyone while the next race is preparing to start. Good luck LFC!

First Blog!

2009-04-28T10:59:00.003-05:00

This is my first attempt at writing a blog. I intend to share information about Amish tours, running a small business, family, and daily happenings and thoughts. Today is a beautiful, sunny day in Lanesboro. The trees are starting to show signs of green leaves and the grass is finally turning green from the dull brown that has been visible since the snow melted.

I'm in the process up getting my Website updated, so be sure to check out www.bluffscape.com in a few days for the new and improved site. I'll be having a link to my blog, so hopefully, that will work well.