No you will not take the beaten path, you will take the roads less traveled. Past Amish farms and farmers fields to Mirror Lake Bed and Breakfast LLC. and cabins in the Woods. It is worth every minute of the drive!
After filling the milk bottles, Mitchell and Adara are off to feed the baby calves.
Now it is time for milking. Kent helps Adara with a few pulls to get the milk a flowin'
Mitchell is having no trouble feeding this little baby.
Jed and the kids return to the milking parlor to wash the milk bottles out and clean up.
Frosting cookies must be harder then it looks, as Adara holds a frozen pack of vegetables on her head.
When you like to craft, quilt, painting, arrange flowers, make candies of all kinds, spice packages, Pepper jellies, making candles, Horse shoe Art, embroider items or Aromatherapy bath products. Next comes selling them, and yes it is that time again for the
As time draws closer I have gathered my crafts and gifts. To see what all I have and to see what all I have to get done before the sale. These are some pictures of my crafts only. I am on the Primitive side I like taking older things and give them a new purpose.
This is an old Rod Iron type basket left primitive in color. Filled with large Vanilla candle greenery with purples and silver along with a little frosted glitter to look like snow.
The antique oil lamp has been converted to a small electric candle in the OLD oil lamp. The bird is signing in the cage and chalk boards are ready for messages.
The black old lantern has been arranged for a center piece on a table. It has a little tee lite in the center and no cord. The bottom is removable for a year around arrangement. The Silver old lantern has a flicker electric candle and red berries. I have several wood Snowman and Santa's, a few large rusty bells. Little wood buckets and rusty scoops filled with greenery and candles. These again are only my crafts there will be much, much more that day. 
Pam and Linda discuss what their next move is. Their years of experience has taught them discuss before your cut. Vickie doesn't iron anything except material that has to do with quilting.
Teri worked very hard on her mystery quilt. All of this was put together in one night!!
Julie cuts many pieces with accuracy. And then sew all the pieces together later.
Teri lives in a house FULL of guys and they think this quilt top is to much girl for their master bed room. I told her a little pink is good for everyone. Teri put this all together in one weekend too. Vickie put together 2 quilt tops in one weekend. She was a sewin' gal !!
The herbs are grown for cooking such as Parsley, Rose Mary, Fennel, Sage, Basil, Oregano, Chives and more. I freeze my herbs for winter use, so I can use my herbs all year long.
A colorful Star Gazing Lilly.
These 2 showman are first year 4-Her's they're 10 showing sheep that weigh around 125lbs. These young showman walk, hold, and brace lambs for the judge to feel so he can place them by quality.
Showman start out young, but soon they are become 18 and they have turned out to be pretty darn good showman. Those two GOOD looking young men are both my nephews Cody and Nick. Today it was Cody's day he is holding the Grand Champion Ewe and was named the Grand Champion Sr. Showman. Nick was named the Grand Premier Showman over all and will show in the Round Robin tonight. But at State Fair it could all be different.
Alpaca's are becoming more popular every year, this is Z and he is 2 years old. He and Cameron won the Jr. Costume class.
Oh yes, there is more to the fair then animals this is Josh's craft project. He not only did all the wood burning designs he also stained and varnished too. By the way this is a State Fair entry!!
Cake decorating is a tough competition this is the beginners division. This is my niece's cake and it was alternate for State Fair. I love cake decorating But I can't do it. My hat goes off to Makayla!! PLEASE remember there is a lot more to 4-H then animals so ANYONE come join they're are projects for EVERYONE!!
Are You looking at me, what- haven't you ever seen a goat before?
Katie and her horse Ruffus are getting ready to run the 3 legged race. Run down on the horse someone holds the horse and her and Drost run home in a sack. They got 3rd, but what fun!!!
Have you ever saw a sheep wearing a blanket? Why do they do that??
She sits on her calf all the time is what she told me, he's my friend. She said she will cry when it comes time to sell him on Saturday.
The Shasty Daisys and Bee Balm are in full bloom now. Summer is well on its way now and the flowers are really starting to grow and fill in their beds.
Jordan tried everything when he came to Hogback Hill. He helped feed the baby calves and helped make bottles for feeding. Kent shows Jordan a few things about milking a cow, Jordan holds the Tet and pulls trying to get milk.
After Jed showed Jordan how to make the bottles
and put the nipples on the assembly line started. Soon they were off feeding the babies.
Clearspring Produce Auction 
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Everyone is getting ready for spring to arrive and we can't hardly wait! 
These are some sites around town here in Topeka. This is a Amish school and while the kids are on their lunch hour they enjoy playing outside.
at the Topeka sale barn. The hitching racks are full as Amish come to buy hay for their horses. As you can see their hay bin is empty and they look like they're ready to eat, and by looking at their size I bet they can eat a lot of hay.
The CARRIAGE AUCTION is April 16-17 here in Topeka. You just never know what type of antiques you may find here. They range from Sleighs and Carriages, wagon wheels, fur traps, anvils, house hold antiques, horse tack, small farm equipment, lawn ornaments and much more!!!!!
Thursday there are normally 3 ring running, 1. inside ring where you sit in bleachers and they bring the items in on wagons. 2. outside (misc.)ring (where almost anything could be found) and a 3rd ring selling small farm equipment, lawn ornaments, wagon wheels, push plows and MORE! Friday they sell the Sleighs, carriages, horse tack and a whole lot more. I can never go on Friday, but one of these days I am going to take off work and buy a sleigh. Fix it all up, use it for Christmas and who know I might even put a horse on it and use it.
Come a day early and visit Shipshewana's auction on Wednesday then come to the Carriage auction Thursday and Friday. Make a small vacation out of it MIRROR LAKE B&B would make a GREAT place to come back to after the auctions relax and watch a beautiful sunset, eat good food uptown and get some good buys too!!
