Showing posts with label Amish Advice. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Amish Advice. Show all posts

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

How Amish & French women, along with Jamie Lee Curtis, inspired me to dress “plain”


Okay, for starters, I don’t wear a bonnet and dress, like the Amish. The only reason though is because I’d look pretty odd, not being Amish. But I do have to admit, I envy how they can just get up in the morning and take an outfit off the peg and, viola, are dressed in no time. No wondering if clothes match, no tripping over the shoes left around the house etc. But I’m not Amish…

Well, I got the opportunity to visit France three years ago. I gawked at the women. All solids colored clothes with colorful scarves. Something clicked. After a week of talking to locals, I found that they don’t have room for many things, living in small flats. They think Americans have too much of everything and make fun of us.

I was so taken by these women in France, as they dressed so stylish, but I needed more advice. I read an article about Jamie Lee Curtis in a magazine about her wardrobe. She is so funny. She opened her closet for the world to see, and she had blacks, navy blues, and whites…all solids. Then she pulled out a purple shirt and said in her signature funny tone about how she does use other colors. Jamie Lee is gorgeous and black definitely brings out her features. For me, I look dead in black or navy blue…Now what?

I’m writing about homelessness in Amish Knitting Circle, and I just can’t ignore my wasteful living anymore. So, I’ve taken the plunge to dress “plain”. My closet is looking more like Jamie Lee’s with lots of solids, but in browns, creams and blues. For my black clothes I need a scarf to tie around my neck so I look alive. I do have a weakness for tweeds and plaids, so I indulge myself, if the colors match my color scheme.  

I gave 2/3rd of my wardrobe to Salvation Army. This awesome ministry helps the homeless in many ways, so I thought it fitting. I have to say, I feel lighter somehow. It’s taken me a few years to figure it out, so I thought I’d pass the info on to you. Now…to get rid of some shoes!
In this picture for the back of Knit Together, I wanted to be in black. My husband, who took the pic, told me to put on the scarf my aunt made me. "You look dead!" he kept saying. The picture's a little too foo-foo for me, but I do look alive...

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Advice from the Amish

This is a clip of an article from The Budget, an Amish newspaper.
    “A common question now in America. How can I become Amish? Answer: If you admire our faith, strengthen yours. If you admire our sense of commitment, deepen yours. If you admire our community spirit, build your own. If you admire the simple life, cut back. If you admire deep character and enduring values, live them yourself."
Community stands out to me in this passage. I’m crocheting a prayer shawl for my friend who’s mom and husband passed away within 3 days. Community among the Amish is strengthened during times of need, whether making quilts to sell for their hospital fund, or making friendship bread to take to a sick friend.
Today while the snow flies in PA, I’m crocheting for a friend in need. Blessings! Karen Anna Vogel