PA Creations | Gourds

There is a place near our house that's called Smucker's Gourd Farm. 

Even though they don't usually do classes for people Roseanna, their daughter, agreed to teach the PA Creations Club.

Years ago a family from Minnesota (who had a gourd farm) came to see the Amish.  After passing a few Amish buggies they decided that the next one they met they were going to follow and meet who ever was inside.  It so happened to be the Smuckers mom.  They became friends and visited every year after that.  One year they gave the Smucker's some gourd seeds, and that's how they got started.  

They don't harvest the gourds in the fall, they harvest them in the spring after drying in the fields all winter!    This is the machine they use to clean the gourds with just soap and water.

They put them into these bins to dry out after they've been cleaned.

Then they paint them.

For the class we made adorable little snowmen.

First we painted the gourds with sponges. 

Waiting for the paint to dry...

Next we chose what hat and scarves we wanted.

   

    

Of course you have to have a smile and eyes, which we markered on.

Then we painted on the carrot nose.

Then we glued the hats, scarves, and pieces of coal/buttons on.

Next Roseanna used a dremel to put holes in the gourd where the sticks would become arms.

Great job Benjamin and Lillia! 

Everyone did a fabulous job!

They have a really neat shop!  Whenever you are in the area you should stop in!              

Smuckers Gourd Farm

317 Springville Rd, Kinzers, PA 17535

Happy Birthday Joy!

 At 7 o'clock in the evening twelve years ago the fifth child was added to the Sanger household, Joyanna Pearl.

  Her full name means Rejoicing, Precious.  Joy you really live up to your name! Your JOYful smile and JOYous attitude, you are a JOY to us all! I'm so glad your JOYful spirit was added to the family! We love you Joy.❤ Happy Birthday! 🎉

~Hope

PA Creations | Switzerland

Rachel Sanger, married to one of my Dads cousins, taught the next Creations meeting all about her homeland, Switzerland, where she was born and lived until she was nine.
We planned to have the meeting on Columbus Day so other children who attend public school could come to this wonderful, informative class!

Switzerland doesn't just have one official language it has four:German in the middle, French in the west, Italian to the south, and Romanian in the southeast.

We made a little Swiss army knife out of foam sheets

Some chocolates from Switzerland.

This is a little box that you would receive when you went to school to hold your pencils and pens.

Cowbells are still used there!

For the snack, Rachel and Lillia made a crepe batter from her moms recipe.

Faith and Lillia cooked them for everyone.

Nutella spread and jam are very popular in Switzerland to put on your crepes.

My cousin, Josiah and I

Elainah, Bethany, Hope, and Joy 

Rachel did a wonderful job, I now know so much more then what I did about Switzerland.