We're Home so Thankful and so Tired!

Here are some pictures of the bird sanctuary that was outside of our windows this weekend. After the hustle and bustle of shopping and dining in Amish Country, it was wonderful to return to the peace and quiet of nature in the backyard of the place we stayed. We stayed at the Inn and Spa at Honey Run, in a building that had three suites. The suites shared a common living room area with a huge fireplace, reading material and a huge table and chairs area off the living room. It was a wonderful respite for both Tim and I.


I was fascinated watching and listening to the birds. The female and male cardinal were fun to watch as well. I'd not see a female so prettily decorated before. I hadn't seen such red on one. Birds were constantly in and out of this area. A chipmunk on the ground just had his fill of seeds as they fell to the ground each time a bird came and went.

This is the outside of where we stayed. It had a lovely screened in porch with chairs to enjoy the view. Unfortunately, this weekend it was way too cold to sit out and enjoy it.

Being farther South it seemed the leaves hadn't turned as much as they have up here in Cleveland. This was the view from our room. There was a little deck with chairs that you could sit on and look out into the woods.

This is the Carlisle House in Walnut Creek. It is next to Der Dutchman Restaurant and Coblintz chocolates. Yum, can't think of a better combination can you? We've stayed at the Carlisle before and I stayed there with the ladies' retreat from church. This beautiful place has shops across the street. I got some jewelry for my sister and myself. I enjoyed shopping in these shops. Der Dutchman is a wonderful restaurant where you'd never leave hungry! I got turkey and mashed potatoes and loved every minute of it. The turkey was so tender, you cut it with a fork. The potatoes disappeared so quickly you wondered who ate them! LOL I love mashed potatoes with butter, not gravy.

We shopped in Walnut Creek as well. Lots of grocery items were purchased here. It seems though that so many of these places are mobbed with people shopping that it's shopping elbow to elbow and I don't enjoy that kind of shopping.

In Walnut Creek it was interesting to pass by one of the oldest cemeteries. I got a picture of it from the van. Across from this area where we shopped was the cemetery and on the other side was a huge home built high on a hill.

On our way out there were a few buggies waiting for the women folk to come out of the grocery store. I took this from the van as we were leaving. I am in awe of the life the Amish lead. It's amazing to think of how different their lives are. I wonder if they know God as their personal savior? I've been reading some fictional books on Amish life and there were splits in their churches of the old order and the new, due to new beliefs in a personal relationship with Christ. Makes one think long and hard doesn't it?

It was good to get home and rest. We picked up the kids and got to unpacking. Now it's time for a nap. Thanks for stopping by. It's time to rest before heading back to work tomorrow.

Bless you as you continue to do God's work.