Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Martin Kelley on 3rd mo. 8, 2009 at 12:10pm

Hi MJ, great idea. A few weeks ago I transferred my plain resources list to QuakerQuaker. Every so often I can go through whatever people recommend here and add it and/or point to this discussion.

Permalink Reply by MJ on 3rd mo. 8, 2009 at 4:11pm

Martin, I'm sorry, how did I miss your resource list? By the way, love the video of how to take the collar off men's shirts, and I have ordered two shirts for my husband from Blair as a surprise! He'll be thrilled, thanks!

Permalink Reply by MJ on 3rd mo. 8, 2009 at 4:14pm

I understand, but I think that we need to take things in stride when searching for resources. I love finding tips like this, and truly appreciate their sharing their expertise. I enjoyed reading the website, but do not fully agree with everything they say and don't agree with many of the websites I surf through.

I think that we are creating an incredible source right here! This is a blessings!

Permalink Reply by Martin Kelley on 3rd mo. 9, 2009 at 9:50am

Hi Heather: more or less thinking out loud, but I wonder if there are any opportunities for you to spend more time with the local Mennonites? As you have already noticed, they're not all that exotic. And while they'll disagree with your spirituality they're pretty clear about the love and charity part, especially one on one.

Last year we took a weekend family trip to see Strasburg, PA, the stream train capital of the world and stayed in a dairy farm B&B run a liberal Mennonite family ("normal" clothes, electricity but plain dress on some of the support staff). They were very friendly, of course. Turns out there the oddest part wasn't the spirituality or the dress but the diet. It was amazing food. The milk and yogurt came from the farm. The meat came from a free range farm on the other side of the hill. The husband is on the national board of Land-o-Lakes. My veganism was sorely tested that weekend and felt a bit legalistic given the beyond-wholesome sources!

Permalink Reply by MJ on 3rd mo. 10, 2009 at 8:46am

I've had similar experiences with Amish and Mennonite. I travel to Lancaster at least once a month, if not more, for my business. If I am in my "work" clothes consisting of denim jeans and a blouse (I dig through warehouses and it's easier to do in jeans in the winter), when I stop at a few places I'm treated like a tourist...they are friendly, but aloof. When I am there with my family on vacation and am dressed more modest and plain, I'm greeted with sincere smiles and understanding.

Once I asked an older Amish woman for some advice in her store....they had undergarments and some ready-made clothing. When I explained that I was a plain dressing Quaker, she was so kind and helpful and a bit curious, so we had a very nice conversation about what being plain meant to me as an Englisher. She even expressed concern that it must be hard for those of us in a modern world to find necessities for plain dressing, and I explained that's why I was shopping with her! LOL!

My heart and soul is in Lancaster, it has been like that for over ten years. I may physically live up here in Susquehanna County, but I feel so at home there, and I know it's because of my simplicity of living and longing to be near others who feel the same way.

Oh, and the food is just like my mother used to cook when we were small. I'm not a vegetarian (sorry), and I swear I gain a few pounds with each visit.

Martin, we're heading to Strasburg in May, we're big rail-fans in this house....my oldest is quite the train-buff at age six and we love it there! It's the most beautiful area of Lancaster County, in my opinion.

Permalink Reply by Paula Roberts on 5th mo. 17, 2010 at 9:28am

I've been acquiring a list myself.
1. I love Quaker Jane's website - it is chock full of information and resources http://quakerjane.com/.

2. I've purchased an apron, some simple skirts, slips, and a gathered cap from Katie's Mercantile http://www.katiesmercantile.com/index.html

3. and some excellent long modest skirts for going out into The World (of work, for example) from Shukr.com http://www.shukronline.com/womens-skirts.html Very sturdy stuff.

4. I also like Quaker Anne's site because she discusses basic home arts like cooking (Quaker Kitchen). I think I linked to that from here, but I forget http://www.quakeranne.com/


Most of these sites I linked to directly or indirectly from Quaker Jane's site.

Paula