My ideal family getaway #GreatGetaways

We don't often get to go on vacations. Actually we've never really been on a vacation. We've gone on day trips here and there but never for an extended period of time. Some day I would really enjoy taking a family vacation somewhere.

If I could go on my ideal family getaway, I think I'd really love to go to Pennsylvania Dutch country to an Amish community. I went once when I was a little girl to Pennsylvania and I really enjoyed it there. The countryside is very similar to what we have here in Vermont although not quite so many mountains. The winter isn't as harsh but I'd really prefer to go in the spring or summer instead so I could see the planting and some of the harvesting of the fruits and vegetables.

I admire the way the Amish live. I love the simplicity and the closeness they have to God in their day to day lives. They seem to be able to put Him first all the time which is very difficult for me to do. I admire their skill with the needle and the dresses and quilts they create are beautiful. I saw a display once of Amish quilts and I just couldn't get over the tiny, delicate stitches they use. I think Sarah17 and I would really enjoy looking at the linens they create. I know I'd enjoy seeing a real Amish kitchen. I love the old black wood cook stoves and shelves lined with row after row of colorful, freshly canned fruits and vegetables. I'd love the chance to work with them in the kitchen and help them can and bake.

Marty loves the simplicity of their furniture and the skill they use with their woodworking and farm raising. I would love to decorate our home with the same simple styles they use in their homes. I would love to see their vegetable gardens and kitchen herb gardens and I know I'd feel right at home in the barns and stables. I'd even help out with the barn chores!

The kids might not find this their ideal family getaway so I'd probably end up having to take them to one of the big amusement parks in Hershey so they could get their fix of rides and excitement and hamburgers and french fries. But at the end of the day, I'd love to return to the peacefulness of an Amish getaway. I know I'd enjoy having meals with them. I've collected Amish cookbooks for years and although I try to replicate the meals here in my own kitchen, I'd love to taste them as they were prepared by a real Amish cook. I'm sure there would be some differences in how they're prepared and I'd love to find out for sure.

How would you spend your ideal family getaway? Would you go somewhere quiet and peaceful? Would you escape to a hot beach in the summer or a ski chalet in the middle of the winter?  Would you want quiet or excitement and night life?

“I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Alamo blogging program, for a gift card worth $50. For more information on how you can participate, click here.