Spring Fever

The sun is shining, the birds are singing and SPRING is finally here; and at Spies Farms Antiques, the doors are open again. It’s hard to believe that this is our 8th season! There’s nothing like a few warm spring days, blue skies, and some sunshine to really inspire us to get out there and find something unique with which to spruce up our homes or gardens. We now have a large assortment of items on hand to use for planters and decorating – enamel pots, clay containers, galvanized tubs and buckets, sprinkling cans, etc. We also have items such as wooden gates, porch railings, old chairs and garden implements to use as accent pieces for lawns and flower gardens.
Pictured at the left is one of our pieces that could be used as a potting table – just the ticket if you have a green thumb. And you’ll notice that our auxiliary building next to the main barn has been painted “green” which is easy to spot as you travel past our farm. Did you know that if you have some plates or dishes that are cracked and no longer usable for eating, they can be “planted” in your flower beds to use as accent pieces until those flowers start to grow? Just turn them on edge and bury them into the ground at a right angle. And all it will cost you is a little time and effort. While you’re here, check out our wide variety of furniture at very affordable prices – a must in these tough economic times. Our hours are Thursday – Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (or later). We are also available at other times for appointments – just give us a call at 330-343-8358. We’d love to show you our “antiques and stuff!”

For Everthing There is a Season

Winter is one of my favorite times of the year. Here in the Midwest, it’s usually cold, snowy, and a great time to bring out all those “catsup” projects that seem to get put on the back burner during the busier months of the year. These projects might include reading, sewing, cleaning out drawers and cupboards that really need attention – jobs that always wait until we get a “round tuit.”
One of my on-going projects is a “Family Cookbook” – a collection of recipes with stories relating to that particular recipe so that future generations will be able to enjoy some of our great food and memories. Being of Swiss heritage, my cousins and I all remember going to Grandma’s house on Christmas Day and eating Swiss Pretzels – a rich cookie made with lots of butter and cream and baked on a special iron brought over from Switzerland.
Winter time is also a great time to try some new recipes that your family might enjoy. Potato soup has long been a staple in our household and remains high on the list of “comfort foods,” especially during cold weather. If you’re looking for something quick and easy to fix while you’re watching the Inauguration or the Super Bowl Game, give this a try. It keeps for hours in the crock pot:

Creamy Potato Soup

4 cups thick sliced potatoes
2 cups water
1 tsp. minced dried onion
½ tsp. dried parsley flakes
2 Tablespoons oleo or butter
¼ cup flour
2 cups chicken broth
1 cup cubed cheese (I use Velveeta)

Peel, quarter and slice potatoes into thick slices. Put into large saucepan and add water and dried onion. Do not salt. Bring to boil and cook until just tender, about 10 minutes. Pour into crock pot and turn on “Low.” In smaller saucepan, melt oleo or butter. Make chicken broth using 2 cups boiling water and 1 Tablespoon chicken soup base. Add to flour mixture heat, stirring so it doesn’t scorch. Cook for 5 minutes. Add to crock pot and mix with cooked potatoes. Stir in dried parsley and cubed cheese. Stir occasionally to blend melted cheese. Soup will thicken as it rests in crock pot. If it gets to thick, add more broth. Bits of ham may be added to make a heartier soup.
Makes 4 ample servings.

And remember, it there is something you would like to see in our antique shop, even though we may be closed due to cold and snowy weather, just give us a call to make an appointment and we will open for you.

Spice Up Your Holiday

You’ve probably heard that old saying “sugar and spice and everything nice.” Well, as we journey through November and approach the Thanksgiving holiday, our thoughts turn to family and food and blessings untold. Here at Spies Farms “Antiques and Stuff,” we have much to be thankful for. Over the past year we’ve met hundreds of wonderful folks from all across this great country of ours. They like to chat and are especially interested in Grandpa’s restored log cabin. The one-on-one dialogue with our customers is one reason why our shop is different than most. If we don’t have the specific item that you’re looking for, we try to direct you to some one who might have it.
Right now we have a great selection of tables and chairs should you need extra accommodations for those holiday guests. Crocks and wooden boxes are also in demand for decoration with evergreen and holly. Our unique yet affordable gifts are especially popular during the current economic situation. When taken care of properly, antiques in general will increase in value.
Here’s a family favorite recipe for “Grandma’s Baked Apples” that is sure to fill your kitchen with the inviting “sugar and spice” smell of comfort food:

9-12 baking apples
2 T. cornstarch
1 C. sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
¼ tsp. salt
2 C. boiling water
2 T. butter
1 tsp. vanilla

In a medium saucepan combine granulated sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon and salt. Use whisk to smash any lumps of cornstarch. Add boiling water. Cook over medium heat until mixture boils and thickens. Remove from heat and add butter and vanilla. Peel, halve and core apples and place in a 9x13-inch glass baking dish. Spoon sauce over apples, covering each. Bake at 350 degrees for one hour.

During the winter months we will be open on weekends as weather permits. On extremely cold or snowy days, we will be closed. However you may call us at any time to set up an appointment to check out our “stuff.”

Tricks, Treats and Wind in the Trees

Can you believe it's the end of October?  Better hurry if you still want to enjoy the autumn beauty!  The wind will be picking up, and soon the cold rains will start to fall -- we'll be seeing frost every morning soon.  None of us can help but think back to our Halloween nights as children...I remember dressing up in costumes, with those plastic masks (we used to call them "false faces!")  It was thrilling to pretend to be a character like a fortune teller or a fireman, and the thrills got even better when the candy started flowing into our trick or treat bags!  And the best thrill of all was having Grandma tell us a spooky tale that would send shivers up our spines. Don't forget to pass on these wonderful traditions with the youngsters in your life -- they'll remember your stories for decades to come.  Be sure to stop by on your fall outings in Ohio Amish country -- you can certainly find an affordable little "treat" for yourself at Spies Farms Antiques (no cavities either!)  Be safe, and remember, "the goblin's will get you if don't watch out - BOO!"  Happy Halloween!

Take the Scenic Route - the Fall Foliage is at Its Peak!

You've been waiting for this time all year... it's by far the best time to come to Ohio Amish country -- the prime of autumn is here!  How can we describe the colors you'll see?  Russet, amber, garnet, gold, olive, maroon, vermillion, scarlet -- when is the last time you treated yourself to a visit to "nature's art gallery?"  We know that trips in the car are fewer these days, so you need to make them really count.  What better way to make the trip worthwhile than to head out on an Amish Country Byway?  Route 557 will take you to places like Farmerstown and Charm, while Route 62 will lead you past Berlin to Bunker Hill and Winesburg.  If you head back down Route 515, you'll find Trail, and then once you get to Route 39, you'll pass Walnut Creek and Sugarcreek.  The scenery across Holmes County and west Tuscarawas County at this time of year is an unbeatable combination of blazing fall color on the trees with picturesque views of Amish families busy with their harvests in the fields.  On your way back towards I-77, please be sure to stop by Spies Farms Antiques to tell us what you saw and perhaps to find a special memento of your trip.  We'll be waiting for you -- enjoy!

Celebrating the Past and the Present

As part of our local Bicentennial celebration, Spies Farms Antiques decked out a float with some of our rare antiques from days gone by for the parade, and we got into the spirit by dressing up in old-fashioned clothes.  Even the young kids joined in by handing out apples to the parade crowds (we figured that's a snack that never goes out of style!)  It's interesting to think that our area was settled just a few decades after America celebrated its independence -- no wonder antiques are so much a part of our lives here!  Family treasures have been handed down for many generations; we're glad we can help our antique-loving customers to be a part of that tradition. The fall foliage is becoming ablaze with color, and the weather is still fine -- it's a great time to come and visit. We'll see you soon.

Crisp Fall Weather Calls For a Slice of Pie

As the weather turns cooler, our thoughts turn from lighter summer fare to heartier food, and yes, even a slice of pie now and then!  Although many of us like to bake (and for those of you who do, be sure to check out our hard-to-find cooking and baking items, just like Grandma had in her kitchen!), sometimes we like to go up the road to a long-standing family favorite -- Dutch Valley restaurant, which is just this side of Sugarcreek on Route 39.  When you go, bring your appetite, because we've never heard of anyone leaving without a full tummy and a smile on their face!  They offer a wide range of Amish style dishes which they mainly serve "family style", and they always have many flavors of pie to choose from.  One of our family's favorite pie flavors is grape -- if you haven't tried it, now is the time!  (You won't regret it).  Since you drove all this way, be sure to ask for a scoop of ice cream with it.  See you at Spies Farms Antiques!