A trip to Amish Country

This day started out with a drive out to meet my mom. I got into my car and headed to see her. On my way there I realized I was going to be early. I called mom to see if she wanted anything at Starbucks. I ordered our drinks and got back into my car. The cup slipped out of my hand a spilled a little on my center console, the lid had popped off...*sigh* 

When I got to the meet up place I gathered up my things then grabbed the coffees. But when I grabbed my mom's cup that darn lid slipped off again and coffee went every where; my console, my purse, my seat cover, every where.

Then a couple more things happened. That morning just had to get better... didn't it?

Well it didn't that darn coffee spilled again. The lid would just not stay on.

After all of that we finally made it in to Amish Country. We drove through the country side for miles. Beautiful greenery, farms, beautiful houses, hills, nature passed by as we drove along.

The first stop on our tour was

Heini's

Known as Heini's Cheese Chalet. What a name for a cheese factory, right?

However a beautiful building.

Inside and to the right is the cheese showroom.

You start walking down the isle of cheese. There is cheese on both sides, just cheese after glorious cheese. Some of the cheese was available for tasting. You can see the tops of the white containers in which the samples come in.

It's a fact that I love cheese... pretty much all cheese. But I have recently lowered my cheese intake, which has not been easy.

I mean when you're in a cheese chalet it's sort of difficult not to taste basically every cheese they have available. It was pretty busy, so I wasn't able to capture very good pictures.

This cheese deserved it's own picture. I mean it's *green* for goodness sakes.

And yes it is called Moon Cheese. My mom said please don't let it be mint flavor. Laugh Out Loud. No. It was not mint flavor. It tasted more like yellow American cheese.

After having our fill of cheese mom and I picked out the ones we wanted. We purchased our cheese.

On the walk in we saw there were a couple of Amish folks selling kettle corn in the parking lot. Of course on the way out I had to get some. It is also a fact that I love kettle corn. *grin*

Our next stop was to Berlin, OH.

Where we parked the car and walked around. This ^ was across the street. :)

Our first stop was to Sol's. It is pretty much an indoor craft show; booth after booth of handmade crafts.

I bought a few pairs of earrings and a necklace. This is a place I definitely want to visit again.

Next was a walk through town, stopping every once in awhile in to shops that caught our interest.

I had to get a picture in front of the oldest building in Berlin, Oh.

This place with it's fairy gardens inside.

Snow White hiding behind a fairy garden.

Around 12 we stopped for lunch at a cafe in town. We sat down at the counter, ordered our food and when it arrived dug in. I started with the potato salad... and I could not stop, it was so good. My mom even offered me the rest of hers. The potatoes were shredded instead of cubed and it is sort of sweet. I wanted to take some home. But sadly I didn't.

This gorgeous house, with it's unique interior.

After walking around town a little more and stopping in the antique mall. We decided it was time to head home.

But not before stopping for wine on the way.

I bought two different kinds. I am eager to try them both!

xo

*Shine like Glitter*
A wonderful day spent with my mom.
Amish Country is beautiful.
The weather was almost perfect. A little over cast.
Namaste.

Strawberry Picking

in Florida, in February... Yes!

Friday afternoon mom and I went strawberry picking at Oak Haven Farms and Winery. It was a chilly afternoon but we headed out into the field to pick berries anyways. We were given our rows and boxes. Then we got to it.

We raced to pick the biggest berries, we laughed, and enjoyed each other's company. It was a lovely day together. It is sort of a tradition so of course there is no one I would rather have been there with.

Just look at all those rows of strawberries and there is another side.

I mean just look at those delicious little red berries. This was before the 12lbs of strawberries we took home, which we turned into pies and jam and just for snacking on.

Heart strawberries

Pictures from my snapchat *cheese* They also have wine tastings and wine for sale at the farm, that they make. Wine tastings are four samples for a dollar and if you buy a bottle of wine you get your dollar back. Mom and I tried a few of the wines including the Mead which is made from honey and I freaking love honey so of course I had to try this, Blueberry made from local blueberries, Noble, and the Strawberry which is made from strawberries from their farm. I liked all of the wines we tried, but I love wine. And this has only come about in the past couple of years. I like to thank my wine class at university for my new found love of wine *grin* We didn't try all of the wines they had to offer just the ones that we thought we would like. I believe they have 7 different types of wines available.

We each took a bottle of the Strawberry Wine home and used some of the strawberries that didn't go into the pies or jam to put into our glasses of wine and then ate the wine soaked strawberries. *grin* 

If you get a chance to go to Oak Haven Farms and Winery. I definitely recommend it. Then you can make your own jam and pies and try some of their delicious wine. You can find their information here

Finished freezer jam! *yum*

xo glitterites 

*Shine like Glitter*

Sorry I didn't get any pictures of the pies. I left them at my parents. I will try to get one and update.

I love spending time with my mom. We always have a good time with a lot of laughs.

We were both ready for a nap by the end of our day out but went home and made pies.

Then we ordered pizza and ate strawberry pie.

Great day!

What did you do this weekend?

Renniger's and Mount Dora

Sunday was Renniger's Fall in the Field Show down at their antique center. Now I am not sure if I have mentioned this before and if I haven't then now you will know... one of my favorite past times, if not my favorite past time, is going to these antique shows or consignment shops. I am not sure where my love for this developed but it has only grown with time.

Since Renniger's was having their fall show I wanted to go to see what kind of fall decorations they might have. Mom of course joined me. And I was glad to have her come along. It was a gorgeous day and the fall weather was gracing it's presence in Florida. Finally!! Mom and I walked around the booths popping in and sticking our noses, mostly just me, into what the vendors had to sell. I like to take my time in each booth and look around for what might be hidden... you know those hidden treasures hiding under some other item.

There was a man playing music and singing on this stage with this big guitar *grin*  Which I have yet to figure out why there is a giant guitar hanging on the stage.

There was also this huge dog walking around with his owner. Biggest dog I have ever seen and very cute!

Now doesn't this place just look wonderful?!

Although I did not find anything worth taking home this time I still had a good time.
However back up at the permanent booths I found a gorgeous sterling silver turquoises ring. I have been looking for such a ring for a few months now and finally found a beautiful one that I bought off of a spunky little German woman. I also found a casserole dish that made it's way home with me.

After Renniger's mom and I made a trip to visit Norm at Norm's Palette. He is one of my most favorite people. I could sit for hours and chat with him. If you enjoy good company, drinks, and art then this bar is for you. Mom and I enjoyed sangria and cupcakes out on the patio with Norm sharing stories. Eventually we moved on to dinner at Merrill's where they were having live music.

As mom and I were sitting at Merrill's the train was coming in.

Bye Bye train.

Mount Dora is such a beautiful city. One of my favorites and I love spending time there. It is an artisan town, so if you are into that sort of thing Mount Dora should definitely be on your list of places to visit. They usually always have some sort of event happening. Check them out here and here.

*My Thoughts*
I have an old soul. And I believe that I was born in the wrong decade. I enjoy old things, hence my love of consignment shops and "antique" shows. I use antique loosely because the US is not old enough to have "real" antiques. They are more vintage.
I seriously cannot explain to you enough my love for the city of Mount Dora and all of its wonderful people. I always meet interesting people there whenever I visit.