A few months ago I told you that I would be visiting the Amish community in Chouteau, Oklahoma. This is the scene for my upcoming book, Anna’s Healing. Today I thought I’d share some of those photos.

One of the first things you’ll see when entering the town of Chouteau is the Amish Cheese House. They have wonderful sandwiches made on fresh bread with Amish cheese, and of course the workers are Amish and Englisch. Everyone was very friendly!

This is a common thing to see in Chouteau. The Amish use tractors in this community (due to the difficulty in farming the clay dirt). They also drive the tractors to town! Notice the canopy to shield them from the sun and the truck bed pulled behind! this is for storing your groceries or other purchases. It also provides a place to sit if your friends want to go to town with you!

This is a fairly typical Amish home in the area. Notice the absence of electrical lines, the gas tank in the front, and the tractor. I discuss the differences in this Amish community in my series!

Items found at a local store. You definitely know you’re in Amish country!

Anna’s Healing will release one year from now, and I’ll let you know as soon as the pre-order button is available. In the meantime, if this series sounds interesting, you might check out my Pebble Creek series here.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful summer!

Vannetta

Filed under: Amish Facts, Amish Fiction, Vannetta Chapman by vannetta
8 Comments »

Pebble Creek series, book 1

The Pebble Creek Series

If you looked up Pebble Creek, Wisconsin on a map – you wouldn’t find it! That’s because I visited the area of Cashton, going through Amish homes and stopping at Amish businesses. I ate any Amish food I could find, and I visited with anyone who would talk to me! It was a wonderful experience, and most of it happened in or around the town of Cashton.

Once I was home, I decided I wanted a softer name for the series. Cashton is a good name, but it made me think of money, or Johnny Cash, or a train (I can’t explain that last one). I wanted something a bit more plain & simple, as we say. There were many creeks in the area, and so I came up with the name of Pebble Creek.

The Amish in this area are quite friendly, however, the area as a whole is not like the more tourist-driven Amish areas of Shipshewana, IN or even Lancaster, PA. In Wisconsin, you have to go looking for the Amish if you want to find them. And then when you do, what you find will remind you of the Old Order Amish, in that they still use outhouses, have no gas refrigerators or stoves, and chop ice from the river in the winter and then store it for the year. However in other ways–quilting, gardening, their community and their faith–they are very similar to their Amish cousins in other states.

Pebble Creek series, book 2

I recently received the following email from the sweet marketing person at Harvest House–

We are excited to let you know about an upcoming eBook promotion for The Pebble Creek Amish Series: A Promise for Miriam, A Home for Lydia, and A Wedding for Julia.  From June 27 – July 15 we will be offering your books at a special sale prices through our eBook distributors—this includes Kindle, Nook, Kobo, Apple, and the Sony Reader. 

And let me say those prices are great! You can receive all 3 books for under $11. I hope that you’ll give this series a try–it’s Amish romance with a touch of mystery. I think it’s something you will enjoy.

Pebble Creek Series, book 3

Pebble Creek Series, book 3

Blessings,

Vannetta

Filed under: Amish Fiction, Vannetta Chapman by vannetta
No Comments »

VC at a quilt show

Researching in Chouteau, Oklahoma

This week I head north, to Oklahoma where I’ll be doing two fun things. On Friday and Saturday, I’ll be attending Quilt Tulsa. If you haven’t been to a quilt show, and you live in the Tulsa area, I encourage you to attend. There are quilts to look at and lots of vendors. I’ll be selling my quilt shop mysteries, as well as all of my other books. And I have a few items that I’ve picked up in various Amish communities that I will also have available for purchase. I love going to quilt shows, and I adore meeting readers.

The second thing I’ll do this week is visit Chouteau, a small community 45 minutes to the east of Tulsa. This is the largest Amish community in Oklahoma (the other is in Clarita). Next year my first Oklahoma Amish book will release. It is titled Anna’s Healing. I’m half way through writing it, and I’m looking forward to walking around the area and meeting folks.

Researching A Promise for Miriam

So what do writers do when they research?  I can tell you what I do, and I can also tell you that it’s something I enjoy immensely.

• Visit local Amish stores
• Buy stuff for giveaways when the books release
• Take pictures of Amish homes and schools (always remembering to be respectful and not take close-up pictures of people)
• Visit with Amish families. In the past, folks have been very friendly.
• Visit the local library and/or historical center.
• Eat lots of pie.
• Pick up any brochures/maps that will help me when I’m writing.
• Obtain addresses of area folks (librarians, etc.) who would like to receive a complimentary copy of my book.

Researching is a hoot. I really enjoy it. My characters are certainly fictional, but they live in a real place with real problems. Kids attend school. Parents shop. Families go to the local park. It’s very helpful for me to visit a place and root these things firmly in my mind as I write the story on my heart.

I hope that you have some fun plans this summer, and I hope that you have time to read some wonderful books.

Blessings,

Vannetta

Filed under: Amish Fiction, Vannetta Chapman by vannetta
11 Comments »

Amish home. Middlebury, IN

Anna’s Healing — Plain & Simple Miracles

I am so excited to be working on my new series, Plain & Simple Miracles. These will be Amish romances, much like the Pebble Creek series. If you’ve read those books, you know there is a lot more at work than one guy, one girl and a love story. These are also stories about the Amish way, how communities pull together, and God’s grace in our lives.

This time my story is set in Oklahoma. An hour to the east of Tulsa is an Amish community. I’m going to visit next month. One of my favorites aspects of writing is visiting the people and places I write about. The Oklahoma community is a bit different than others in that they allow tractors – and you know I will be discussing that in my book.

But the main theme of this story is quite simple. Do we believe in miracles? I’m not talking about the miracle of another sunrise (although I believe that is miraculous). I’m talking about God’s healing touch like when Lazarus was raised from the dead. Do we still believe those sorts of things are possible? If so, why are some people healed but not others?

I don’t pretend to know all the answers, but I think this will be an important book for me to write. I ask your prayers, that God will lead me to present such an important subject in the light of His love and grace.

We’ll still have romance, lots of Amish cooking, and problems between neighbors. I want you to have plenty to think about while you’re reading. Already I adore Anna Schwartz, and I trust that you will too. This book will release in 2015. Until then, I hope you’ll visit my webpage and pick out a book. They are all stories of the simple life and the grace of God.

Blessings,

V

Filed under: Amish Fiction, Vannetta Chapman by vannetta
16 Comments »

February is a busy time in Amish households. I suppose most months are. But in February, the Amish who farm are preparing their fields for planting, IF the snow has melted. This winter, that might be tricky. Dads also use this time to repair any farming tools that need it, and there is the constant tending of the animals.

For moms, the work of February is much like the month before. Yes, laundry can be hung outside if it is 32 degrees or even a bit below on a sunny day. Otherwise it’s hung in the basement, or on the porch that has been temporarily enclosed. Many moms also plan their spring garden – much of the family’s vegetables will come from there rather than the store. February is a good month for quilting and also I’ve heard that quite a few babies are born in February!

For students, February brings something special – Valentine’s day. Teachers have several different plans for this holiday–allowing students to decorate the room with strings of paper hearts. These young scholars also make valentines which they put into boxes they have decorated. The last period on Valentine’s (or Friday if it lands on a weekend) is spent passing out those valentines to one another. Some moms also send treats–puffed rice candy, popcorn balls, and cookies.

In A Promise for Miriam, I describe a fun Valentine’s tradition. Each student brings a lunch, placed in a paper sack or box or pail. The container is decorated, and then they are all placed on the front table or the teacher’s desk. At lunchtime, students draw names and exchange lunches.

To me, a lot of this sounds like Valentine’s day when I was in school, and as a teacher I realize that a lot has changed. However, what hasn’t changed is the way students care about one another and how Valentine’s offers a bright, fun holiday as we wait for the first signs of spring.

I’m praying this February finds you well and looking forward to the changes in the months to come.

Blessings,

Vannetta

Filed under: Amish Facts, Amish Fiction, Vannetta Chapman by vannetta
1 Comment »

A Plain & Simple New Year with Amish Families

I’m one of those strange people who like to make new year’s resolutions. Usually I have an entire list of them. It helps me to write things down, and when I make resolutions they are sitting there on a sheet–nice and neat, small promises to myself.

But I’ll be the first to admit that this can get out of control. Sometimes my list is ridiculously long. Sometimes I overestimate what can be accomplished in one year. Sometimes I’m just not thinking straight when I write that list. So this year, I decided to take a clue from my Amish friends, from the families I have visited. I’m going to keep things PLAIN and SIMPLE. What does that mean?

• Amish families enjoy spending time together. It’s not an “event” to share a meal or spend an afternoon with family. It’s what they do naturally. Family simply does come first for them.
• Amish families keep distractions to a minimum. Oh my. there are so many things that I agree to do, and then wonder WHAT WAS I THINKING? Amish families are involved in the community around them, but they don’t over-commit themselves.
• Amish families work together. Maybe you’ve seen the photos of fathers and sons in the fields. Or girls helping their mother hang out laundry. Amish families do work together in so many areas of their lives.
• Amish families eat together. Sounds pretty simple, right? A meal shared together can put the correct perspective on your day.

I did list a few resolutions in my journal for 2014 – but they are relatively simple. Focus on my faith. Be there for my family. Do the right thing regarding what I eat and how I spend my time. Plain and simple, just the way I like it.

God’s blessings on you and your family in 2014,

V

Filed under: Amish Fiction, Vannetta Chapman by vannetta
2 Comments »

Amish Marriages Are Arranged: True or False?

FALSE.

Although Amish marriages may have far more traditional ceremony involved than English marriages, they are not “arranged” in the technical sense. Amish men and women are allowed to court each other voluntarily, with the blessing of their parents, and may freely choose whether or not to marry each other.

For an engagement to be made official, the groom must go to his bishop, declare his intentions, and acquire a Zeugnis, which is a letter of good standing from his church. If the bishop is aware of any sinful behavior or need for correction, he deals with it at that time.

Once the groom acquires the Zeugnis, he delivers it to the bride’s minister or deacon. That church leader will visit the bride, confirm she desires to marry the groom, and discuss any sin or other concerns in her life. After this meeting, if all is satisfactory, the leader will wait until the appropriate time and then “publish” or announce the engagement to the church.

This answer has been provided as an excerpt from the upcoming book, Plain Answers About the Amish Life by Mindy Starns Clark. Learn more below.

Plain Answers About the Amish Life By Mindy Starns Clark Available Now For Amish fiction readers, young and old alike, Plain Answers About the Amish Life provides a glimpse into an obscure, fascinating world—what the Amish believe and how they live. Learn more: http://bit.ly/YLsURw

Filed under: Amish Facts, Mindy Starns Clark by AmishReader.com
1 Comment »

Amish Groups Are All the Same: True or False?

FALSE.

Due to several centuries of church growth, expansion, and division, many different types of Amish affiliations are now in North America, each with different sets of rules and practices. There are, however, certain elements that most Amish groups tend to have in common, including that they:

• Adhere to a statement of faith known as the Eighteen Articles
• Wear some form of distinctive Plain clothing
• Worship in homes rather than in church buildings
• Do not connect their houses with public utilities as a way of remaining separate from the world
• Use horses and buggies as their primary means of transportation
• Limit formal education to the eighth grade
• Live in rural areas
• Emphasize an agrarian lifestyle
• Are pacifists
• Choose their religious leaders through divine appointment by drawing lots
• Speak a German dialect as their primary language
• Value the history of their people and their martyrs’ heritage

In what ways are the various groups different?

While all Amish affiliations adhere to the same basic belief system, the particular ways in which they choose to live out those beliefs can vary greatly from group to group. Aspects on which they may differ include such elements as buggy styles, church discipline, clothing, lawn mowers, technology, and much more.

How are they divided into the different groups?

Though it’s difficult to provide an exact number, at least two dozen different Amish affiliations are in North America. These affiliations are further divided into more than 2000 church districts. Approximately 500 Amish settlements are located in 30 states and in Canada.

This answer has been provided as an excerpt from the upcoming book, Plain Answers About the Amish Life by Mindy Starns Clark. Learn more below.

Plain Answers About the Amish Life By Mindy Starns Clark Available Now For Amish fiction readers, young and old alike, Plain Answers About the Amish Life provides a glimpse into an obscure, fascinating world—what the Amish believe and how they live. Learn more: http://bit.ly/YLsURw

Filed under: Amish Facts, Mindy Starns Clark by AmishReader.com
No Comments »

Kentucky Cornbread by Nannie Bray

This comes from my best friend, who was taught by her mother, Nannie Bray,
a lifelong Kentucky resident. It is a procedure, not a recipe. As unbelievable as it may seem, her mom never owned a cookbook, or an official measuring cup or spoon. Nevertheless, everyone loved her cornbread.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Use a tablespoon and put two scoops of lard in a 10 inch iron skillet and place in over while it is preheating. (Mom always used lard, but I have found that shortening works fine and is easier on my heart and mind.) Meanwhile, she used her cupped right hand as a measuring cup. In a mixing pot or bowl, put 2 heaping cups of corn meal mix, 1 heaping cup of self-rising flour, one generous pinch of salt, and mix with the right hand. (She never used a spoon to mix.) Get the buttermilk ready on the counter. Remove the iron skillet from the over. Make sure that all the lard is melted. Roll the lard all around the skillet and up half way on the sides. Pour the extra in the cornmeal and flour mixture. Make sure that 1/4 inch of oil remains in the skillet. Put the skillet back in the oven to get really, really hot. Mix the cornbread mixture up by adding some buttermilk. Stir with the right hand and add buttermilk until it is a thick mixture, but can still be poured with a little help from the hand.

Take the skillet out, the lard might be ‘smoking’ a little, but you can see the swirls from the heat. Pour the cornbread mixture (should sizzle when it hits the oil), scrap the bowl with the hand and put in hot oven. Bake for about 20 minutes or until the bread is firm to the touch in the middle. This makes for a crunchy crust on sides and bottom. If there is any left overs, it will not be the crust, and will not be thrown out. Leftovers will be used for the infamous Kentucky cereal, AKA Cornbread and Milk!

Filed under: Amish Fiction, Authors, Mary Ellis, Recipes by Mary
No Comments »

While writing A Little Bit of Charm, I asked Kentucky resident, Linda Hitchcock, to supply me with a traditional pie recipe. This is Chess Pie by her aunt, Peg Hersman Triplett. Linda told me this pie is a Kentucky favorite! Many versions of Chess Pie exist, some with cream or milk, some with flour in place of cornmeal. Still others add lemon in place of vanilla and eliminate the vinegar. Some even add chocolate, although Linda feels her Aunt Peg’s is the best! This recipe came from her mother, (Linda’s grandmother) who died in 1933.The origins are murky but it has been suggested the recipes originated in England, were brought to the Virginia Colony and then to Kentucky where they became popular. The pies are usually served at room temperature and don’t need embellishment, although whipped cream is nice. They are stored at room temperature~ and were probably held in pie safes in previous eras. Chess pie is made with ingredients readily available on a farm, quickly assembled and easily doubled or tripled for a large family. Enjoy!

1 (9”) unbaked pastry shell, homemade or favorite store bought

1 stick, 1/2 cup butter, melted

1 1/2 cups sugar

3 eggs, lightly beaten

2 tablespoons cornmeal

1 tablespoon white vinegar

1 tsp. vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Melt butter, stir in sugar, add cornmeal, beat in eggs, one at a time, beating well, and add vinegar and vanilla. Pour into unbaked pie shell. Bake at 350 for 40-45 minutes until set and lightly brown on top.

Filed under: Authors, Mary Ellis, Recipes by Mary
No Comments »