Amish HEX Signs + Art Basel is Coming + Pickled Veggies

FOLK ART
Hex Signs
In Pennsylvania Dutch Country
First, a little background about the Old Order Amish in Pennsylvania.

Amish drive only horse drawn carriages.

All around the Pennsylvania towns of Intercourse, Bird-in-Hand and Paradise are Amish communities made up of German speakers of Swiss origin - a devotedly faithful subgroup Mennonites. 

The Amish are known for 1800's farming techniques, simple living, plain 1800's dress, and a reluctance to adopt many types of modern technology, from automobiles to electricity. The term Pennsylvania Dutch is a misnomer which came from Deutch ("German" as in Deutchland). There is also an Amish community in Indiana and the population of Amish in the United States is growing by about 10% per year. Wikipedia says, "No summary of Amish lifestyle and culture can be totally adequate, because there are few generalities that are true for all Amish. Groups may separate over matters such as the width of a hat-brim, the color of buggies, or various other issues."  Which "says it all" about how unusual this community can be.

Three HEX signs on a Pennsylvania barn.

HEX SIGNS are a common sight in Pennsylvania Amish Country. They are a form of Barn Decoration and folk art which originally were only octagonal or hexagonal star-like patterns. The rumor is the word "HEX" came from hexagonal, but their purpose is to protect against evil and to bring good fortune to the family who display them.


HEX signs are enjoyable to look at as Folk Art designs dating back to the 19th century.

The images of HEX signs have special meanings.  A common image on HEX signs is the mythological bird "distelfink".  A distelfink brings good luck.  Other images and what they bring to your life include: hearts bring love; eagles bring courage and strength; doves bring friendship; crescent moons bring the good seasons; rosettes bring good luck; stars bring protection; tulips bring faith, hope and charity; oak leafs bring strength and longevity; and wheat brings abundance. 

In HEX signs the colors have meanings also. They represent the following: blue and black bring protection; green brings fertility and growth; orange brings success in a career; red brings romantic passion and creativity; violet represents all that is sacred; white represents purity and yellow brings wellness for both the mind and the body.

Source from Wikipedia and Berks, Lancaster and Lehigh Counties websites. Hex Signs information from "The Hex Place©", 3056 Route 30 East, Paradise, PA 17562, 717-687-8329

ART Coming Soon
Art 42 Basel will take place June 15 – 19, 2011.
The world's premier international art show for Modern and contemporary works, Art Basel features nearly 300 leading galleries from North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia and Africa. More than 2,500 artists, ranging from the great masters of Modern art to the latest generation of emerging stars, are represented in the show's multiple sections. The exhibition includes the highest-quality paintings, sculptures, drawings, installations, photographs, video and editioned works. 
62,500 people attended Art 41 Basel, the last edition of this favorite rendezvous for the global artworld, including art collectors, art dealers, artists, curators and other art enthusiasts. 


This Art Fair (which deals with art sales) has become one of the two top Fairs in the world, the other being the Armory Show in NYC. The organizers of Art Basel have a sister show in Miami in the fall.


FOOD


Amish Pickled Veggies
Hand-Made & Presented to you

the old fashioned way -

in glass jars!

Pickled Okra!?! Yummm!

I am a fan of pickled vegetables, to me they are the essence of eating in rural America. After I munch on a home-canned, crunchy pickle, my taste buds sing and my mouth feels bright and clean.

Below is a link to Jake & Amos's fruits and vegetables from the Pennsylvania Dutch Country. There are many other Amish food suppliers and you should check out the selection in the links below, if you are interested. But Jake & Amos offer pickled: Brussels Sprouts, Okra, Hot and Sweet Cauliflower, Asparagus, Dill Baby Corn, Green Tomatoes, Sweet Baby Beets, Fire Tiny Beets, Sweet Cauliflower, Spiced Dilly Beans, Sweet Garden Salad, Watermelon Rind, Chow Chow, Hot Chow Chow, Southern Style Chow Chow, Four Bean Salad, Jalapeno Eggs, Pickled Eggs, Pickled Red Beet Eggs, and ....  The list goes on and on, let's just say, the Amish really like to pickle their food and you will enjoy every bite of their good wholesome work.

Pickled Red Beet Eggs

http://www.jakeandamos.com/ProdList.aspx?classno=R74&className=Pickled%20Vegetables

I have tried and can personally vouch for "Allgyer's Pickled Beets" &  "Allgyer's Watermelon Rind" available through Kauffman's web site (link below).

Kauffman's 
Fruit Farm & Market
3097 Old Philadelphia Pike, Bird-in-Hand, PA 17505 | Phone: 717-768-7112
http://www.kauffmansfruitfarm.com/standard/store/grid1.aspx?id=%20%20154

LANCASTER SHOPPING DIRECTORY · Amish Products · Antiques · Auctions · Bakeries · Bikes · Books · ClothingCrafts · Farmers Markets · Foods · Furniture · Gifts & Collectibles · Groups · Hex Signs · Jewelry · Mud SalesOnline Shopping · Outdoor Structures · Outlet Stores · Publications · Quilts · Shoes · Toys · Wineries & Breweries

Until Later, 

Jack 

ARTSnFOOD, All rights reserved. Concept & Original Text © Copyright 2011 Jack A. Atkinson under all International intellectual property and copyright laws. Images © individual artists, fabricators, respective owners or assignees.