A Winter's Drive to the Farm Stores

{FYI~~This is a reprint of a blog entry I did February '09 on a different blog. But since I still frequent these great Old Order German Baptist farm stores AND since it's cold & snowy like it was the day I posted this (although instead of the 2" we had that day, we have 4-5" now!!), I thought I would repost. I'm sure there's someone out there who didn't see it the 1st time who will enjoy it today. And, possibly tomorrow, I'll repost the entry w/photos inside the German Baptist stores I shop at!!}

Well, the "dusting" of snow we were to get last night turned into about 2"...2 very slick inches. But I needed milk this morning so I scraped the snow off of my car while the defrost ran and then our little dog, Maggie, and I were off for our very slow-going 'adventure' in the country to get our brown eggs and milk.
Maggie just LOVES car rides. This is her seat of choice.

As our adventure went along we had to go rather slow as the roads weren't salted very well, if at all. Ice-covered trees and shrubs are so lovely on wintry roads. I love it when the sun shine shines on the icey branches.

I didn't have to stop here today, but this is the little discount grocery store that I shop at before I go to any of the major groceries around. Stoney Creek Market is next to the house on a German Baptist farm; they built this neat little building for their store. I'm here at least once a week.

Just past Stoney Creek Market is the local Old Order German Baptist Meeting House (they live like Amish)...below is the hitching lot where they park their buggies when they arrive. You can also see one of the out-houses; there's one for ladies and one for men.

Just a little farther and we see the BIG HONKIN' grain elevator that is next to the farm where I get the brown eggs and milk. You can see this elevator for miles, as the land around is rather flat, so if you get lost around here you can get your barings by finding the elevator. See how little that SUV is in front of it?

Just past the elevator we pull into the farm lane and drive up to this inconspicuous little out-building w/a generator in back (as the Old Order folks do not have electricty). This little building is where the treasure lies!

Inside are 3 friges filled w/brown eggs and whole (pasturized but not homogenized) milk! Now...take a close look at that milk. You can actually SEE the line where the cream and milk seperate! OK...everyone all together...OOOO - AHHHH!!!

I was hoping that I would pass a couple of buggies on the drive, but I didn't. So, for your enjoyment, here is this farm family's horse and you can spy the front of the buggie sticking out of the barn on the left.

And here are the 'ladies' who donate the milk to the farmer. Thanks, girls. The ladies who donate the eggs where inside, they don't like the cold so much.

Admittedly, I am more of a mammal person than a bird person, but I DO LOVE red-tailed hawks. I think they are one of God's most beautiful creatures. Well, the Lord was smiling on my trip and blessed me with a gorgeous one this morning! Is this an awesome bird or WHAT?!

Just one more pic of the snow-covered fields and roads on our way home.

Thanks for going on my journey to the farm. Hope you enjoyed the ride.

Blessings from Ohio, Kim Wolf<><