Day 10 and we are giving away Plain Haven, by Susan Lantz Simpson.  Susan writes wonderfully woven stories about the Amish of Maryland.

Plain and simple is a way of life for the Amish. Dressing plain is an expression of their religious philosophy and they feel this is the best means of obeying Christ’s teaching. Plain clothing discourages attention as well as seeking a higher status. There is no competition to divert the importance of community over the individual. It also discourages emotions such as envy and jealousy, but the Amish are as aware as any that negative traits in human nature is impossible to eliminate. Sin is sin, but we are human after all. Their plain and simple choice in clothing encourages humility and separation.

No buttons allowed so let’s use hook and eyes, or better yet, stick pins. Buttons are viewed as ornate and flashy. From the Victorian age buttons were often considered frivolous, an aristocratic luxury. Hooks and eyes are common within our local communities. However, women still use straight pens. I have cringed a hundred times a hundred times watching friends and neighbors move about, carry small children, and perform daily tasks with a line of straight pins holding their dress fronts together. A dear Amish friend of mine laughs at me each time and ensures me she has only stuck herself a time or time in all her thirty plus years. Whew! I hate needles and this one rule would probably have me running in fear.  Belts are also forbidden. This is why you see so many men during the summer months sporting suspenders. Men’s pants are also made with a flap on the front to avoid the need of buttons or a zipper.

You ever wonder why you see some Amish men in straw hats while others were black felt hats? It’s not a rule, just simply a convenience. They typically wear broad brimmed felt hats in winter and for church or other events all year round. During the summer most opt to wearing straw hats. It’s cooler and makes more common sense while mucking out a barn.

Amish women wear solid-colors with long sleeves and a full skirt, covered with an apron front. Some less conservative groups allow for shorter sleeves, but never sleeveless. Clothing is fastened with those sharp, needle-like straight pins. Stockings are black cotton and shoes are also black. Except warm weather when the bare feet come out. There is never jewelry worn, or printed fabric. Amish women make all their own, and their family members, clothing. A lot depends on the fabric market and so few industries cater to the Amish. The weight of the fabric is important, nothing to heavy, nothing to sheer. During the summer, many Amish women make dresses in broadcloths much like men’s shirts. It’s more breathable than polyester, and few wrinkles. Amish were black and white, plain and simple. Groups vary in use of charcoal grays, blues, and browns. I had the luxury of seeing wedding clothing made in periwinkle, a lavender blueish hue, and even teal. Color is more relaxed in other areas, mostly large populated and touristy areas, but here, the rules haven’t change on matters of Amish wearing color. Our local Mennonite communities do however allow for pastels and some colors, as well as seeing men without hats and driving trucks. But those differences we will discuss on another day.

Today I am sharing with you heaven in a pie shell. Amish Cream Pie

Ingredients:

¾ cup of white sugar

1/8 tsp salt

2 cups of half and half cream

½ cup whipping cream

¼ cup brown sugar

¼ cup cornstarch

½ cup real butter or margarine

1 tsp. vanilla

Directions

In a sauce pan combine white sugar, salt, half-and-half, and whipping cream

Bring to boil.

In another sauce pan, combine brown sugar and cornstarch

Gradually whisk in hot mixture into brown sugar mixture

Add butter and cook over med heat, whisk constantly. 5 minutes or until thick then stir in vanilla.

Pour into an uncooked pie shell and sprinkle with cinnamon and nutmeg if it’s to your likeing.

Bake at 375 for 25 minutes.

Congratulations Kathy Cvetnich, you are yesterday’s winner of Sarah Price’s The Amish Cookie Club. Kathy is a member of The Novel Bee. Thank you Novel Bee for allowing us to run our giveaway on your site and letting Kathy have the opportunity to win.