Friday, October 9, 2009

Whispering Pines is Born

  Since we had built a large addition to our house Daddy was working on getting a woodworking shop started in the basement of the new addition, in hopes that he could work at home with his growing family, instead of doing carpentry. It took quite a while to get everything ready since the electric motors had to be removed from the machinery and replaced with either a hydraulic or air motor.

  Once everything was ready to go he started working  in the shop in the evenings. We enjoyed watching him whenever we could. There was something about watching plain boring lumber being turned into something much nicer that sent a thrill through me.

  Besides starting a woodworking shop. Daddy and Mom also bought a fabric store from someone who was going out of business. We moved all of our furniture out of our living-room and sewing-room, and put it into our kitchen. And turned those two rooms into our store. Daddy built shelves along the walls to hold the bolts of fabric and the many other things Amish stores have. They also set up a queen size bed on which to display the many quilts to sell.

  After everything was set up and ready for customers Daddy fastened a small bell to the door so we would be alerted to any customers that came. And Mom painted a sign "Whispering Pines" Quilts, Fabrics and Gifts. After the paint was dry Daddy put it in the front yard, and there was nothing left to do but wait for customers to start coming.

  It wasn't long before people started coming. We children would have loved to be in the store with Mom to watch. But we were told to stay in the kitchen and try to be quiet. We stayed in the kitchen, but pressed our ears to the door to hear what was going on in our store. It wasn't very satisfying not being able to see too. And then a great idea popped into my head. I could climb up on Mom's china cupboard and peep through the vent hole above the door.

  I climbed up. And was delighted to not only be able to hear everything but now I had a birds eye view of the store too. I stayed there until the customers were paying for their purchases and then jumped off and went to do something else before Mom came and discovered me there.

  From that day on whenever Mom went into the store I would climb up on my perch to watch, until one day several years later Just as I popped my head in front of the vent, the lady Mom was helping look at quilts looked up at me and waved, which made Mom turn around and she saw me before I had time to disappear. After the customer had left mom had a talk with me about how impolite it is to peep in on people, and that it would be better to sit in the chair behind the desk if I wanted so badly to see everything.

  That was the last time I watched from the cupboard. It was so much better to actually be in the store, even if I wasn't allowed to every-time.

16 comments:

  1. oh how i would have loved to shop in that store! my grandparents had a little store in their house and it was so fun to just be there amongst all the people shopping! happy memories!

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  2. Your stories always make me smile. I can just imagine what a wonderful store that was, especially when you said quilts.
    Sunny :)

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  3. What a lovely story, I can just imagine the shop, with you peeping over the top!

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  4. You tell stories like we're sitting in your living room with you and chatting like old friends. And they are so dear and heart warming. I was telling someone about you at church on Sunday and she said she's going to drop by. And hey! Congratulations on hitting 200 followers! :) You deserve it and I'm NOT surprised.

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  5. Another story well told.
    Your mom and dad were wonderful entrepreneurs, something I've never associated with the Amish lifesytle.
    I was worried the china cupboard was going to fall over with all the climbing up and down!

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  6. Your stories of your childhood always make me smile! I leave from my visit with you feeling much better than I did before I dropped in. I would LOVE to have been able to shop at Whispering Pines!!!

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  7. That was too cute! I love reading your blog. Thank you for another wonderful read...

    Blessings,
    McKenzie~

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  8. What a great story!! So is the shop still around?? Great way to be at home and make money as well. I thought the china cabinet was going to tip over too! You sound perfectly normal - what child wouldn't want to see all the excitement!! Have a good weekend, friend ~ ♥

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  9. I would have been peeping over the top to see what was going on in your store, too! I know your family's store must have been wonderful, and I would have loved to see your father making things from wood. I have started at the very beginning of your precious blog, and I am reading a few posts each day. I think you have a book in the making here!! Blessings to you and thank you for stopping by Bunny Cottage for a visit!! Vicki

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  10. thanks for visiting my blog. What a sweet story. I will be reading more!

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  11. Awesome story! I too was afraid the china hutch was going to fall over! I'm following now! :)

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  12. What fun to have a store in your home! Our neighbors lived near the elementary school and turned their front porch and living room into a candy store!!!

    I tried hard not to be jealous..

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  13. I am so fascinated with the Amish lifestyle. I am so glad I found your blog. Thank you for the comment. :)

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  14. Great blog :o) Thank you for stopping by mine and leaving your kind comments. I hope our paths cross again :o)
    Have a blessed weekend.

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  15. Hi!
    Thanks for stopping by my blog. I enjoyed reading through yours. Amish chicks rock! : ) There's a book called "Train Up A Child" that we use. I think it was written by an Amish family. Have a great weekend and enjoy the cake! It's delicious!

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Thank you so much for taking time to comment. I love hearing your thoughts.