Pennsylvania..again

After so much fun in New York, we returned to Pennsylvania, ....Lancaster to be exact, the heart of Amish Country. Now, I am fascinated with the Amish, maybe because we have some real close friends who are Mennonite, Gayle and Isreal, they are two of the most wonderful, beautiful people I know! So I guess that is why they fascinate me! 

Every afternoon the Amish from the surrounding areas came to the campground to sell their stuff, baked goods, fresh vegetables or fresh fruit. I bought some apples from them and asked them if I could feed it to their pony, he was pulling the cart. She thanked me for asking and said yes he would love the apple! Well, I had Navi with me on the leash and I didn't think anything about it, as I walked up to the pony, he saw me coming with the apple in my hand and he started towards us (to get the apple)..Navi had a kitty stroke.. the pony scared him.. from that day.. till we left, if even heard the clopping of the horses going by, he hid...I think I scarred him for life where horses are concerned! 

I did get a hex sign for our house! Swedish and German Dutch settlers first came to Pennsylvania in the 17th century, and they brought with them the cultural tradition of Hex Signs, they are created to commemorate special life events. Dutch Hex signs are always painted in a circular format or on circle plaques, I bought one that has the 4 point star, this represents, The Morning Star, The Christian Cross, Star of Bethlehem and the Native Americans also believed the morning star is a sign of courage and purity of spirit. Colors are also a subtle way to add additional symbolism and variance to traditional hex designs. 9 colors are predominately used and each color has a different symbolic meaning:  

Black: Protection, Blends & Binds Elements Together
Blue: Protection, Peace, Spirituality, Calm
Brown: Earth, Friendship, Strength
Green: Growth, Fertility, Success, Ideas
Orange: Abundance
Red: Emotions, Passion, Charisma, Lust, Creativity
Purple: Royalty, All Things Sacred, Religion
White: Purity, Moon Power, Free Flowing Energy
Yellow: Health, Love, Sun, Connection To God

When we leave here we are headed to Washington DC! Whooo Hooo!