Ohio & Amish Country Weekend

We decided after much hard work and a very busy week last week that we would play this weekend! On Friday night Don took us all to Steubenville, Ohio for dinner at a chinese buffet. Mom remembered seeing the Steubenville Kroger on the Today Show in June when they were celebrating Dean Martin's birthday (Steubenville's local celebrity). Mom said that there was a huge mural of Dean Martin painted on the wall outside of Kroger. Well, we decided we needed to find out, and GUESS WHAT? She was right!



Then around the corner in the same shopping plaza was another mural...maybe of Lewis or Clark?



Saturday we headed to Holmes County, Ohio Amish Country. The high temperature was 75 degrees and the sky was blue and beautiful. We went to the Amish Fleamarket, Der Dutchman Amish Restaurant, Walnut Creek Cheese and Meats, and to Lehman's Amish Hardware Store. Here are some pictures of what we saw.







The countryside and amish farms like the picture above are so beautiful. To me it was like stepping into a John Sliney picture! LOTS of his art was for sale in the Amish Flea Market. I just loved this hatbox lamp that fit perfect in my new home:



My Mom found this awesome bust of an Eagle and the Liberty Bell. Doesn't it fit perfect on my staircase landing by Don's flag?




Okay, a few pictures of the house....the half bath just inside the front door and the bookshelf at the front door:

Half bath before, during the renovations and now:


I love the sunflowers and the red pip berrys! I even have them in my kitchen. (will post kitchen pictures this week some time) Look close and you will see that we mounted the mirror sideways. We found the coolest mirrored cubbie hole when we removed the mirror. This was original with the house, so I wanted it left uncovered. I floored the cubbie hole with a piece of the blue panel wallpaper, polished the inset mirror and put in my guest hand towels.

Here is a picture of the bookcase.


My Mom gave me the flags from my grandfather and great grandfather's caskets. We framed pictures of both of my grandfathers and placed them on the shelves by the flags. I know how much these flags mean to my Mom. I am beaming with pride that they are now in my home!

Today was rainy and cold...high 61 degrees! My parents and I drove to the City of Pittsburgh and visited "Rockler" a woodworking store that my dad orders from via catalog. It was fun to see the city, drive through the tunnel and enjoy seeing the sites. We also drove around "Oakdale" until we finally find the local commissary at an Army Missle Site! Don't think I will be doing much shopping there. We have a busy week this week before my parents leave to go home next weekend. I can't wait to post before and after pictures of the handrails on my patio! My dad has done a fantastic job of sanding and sealing the spindles. They look great and still have the old wood look. This week we are working on the sitting room upstairs, the guest room, and I am still sorting through my craft room. Can't wait to get it all done and start creating. Take care and have a great week!