Heading to our destination near Lexington, KY

Leaving Charleston, WV, we stopped at a cross stitch store, The Village Sampler in St. Albans, WV.    What a cute store and what lovely ladies we met when we were there.  

These ladies welcomed us with open arms.  While shopping, we asked for a recommendation of where to eat and they suggested the little bar that was located in below them……Drummy’s Bar & Grill …. we ordered a delicious pulled pork sandwich.   The ladies said to order and bring our meals up to eat in their stitching room.   We returned to find placemats, napkins, utensils, chips and drinks if we wanted them AND they apologized for not having any cake to give us for dessert.  A definite must stop if you are in the area.   Don’t forget to put your pin  the map to show your hometown.    I did buy some gifts and one things for myself, the fall Between Friends book by Cathy Habermann and Beth Seal.

Their stitching group loves them so much they made this wreath full of stitching related items.  

And off we were to Pleasant Hill Shaker Village which is southwest of Lexington, KY.   

Our room in the 1805 settlement.  It took no time to fill those hooks around the room with tote bags and jackets and name tags.

And our view out the window.

The first evening we took a ‘spirits’ walk around the compound.   How appropriate as it was Halloween evening.  

The grounds were lovely and full of fall

This is a farm-to-table operation with vegetable gardens and livestock

This is Orville the turkey.  Hopefully he is not on the menu for Thanksgiving Dinner.

Here’s a turkey of a different sort

I am guessing there was an abundance of rocks to the area.  Got rocks, make a fence.

And then there were the buildings to go through.

Shakers have always been known for their furnishings.  Their woodworking skills are beyond compare.

Who knew, they had walk-in closets long before they were popular.   They really were very industrious and innovative people.   

They lived a celibate lifestyle in a communal setting.  They were very devote.   By today’s standards I am sure many would label them as a cult.   Some wove the fabric, some took care of the gardens, some tended the livestock or the fields.    Being celibate is why they have died out.   Last count I knew of, there is only one living Shaker left.  

They were the first to ‘harvest’ and save and sell seeds for vegetable gardens.

A young man of 23 with no architectural or engineering training designed the buildings.  

As well as this staircase.  And of course, there were two stair cases that were mirror images in each building.   One for men and the other for women.

Simple people with a place for everything.

Next up, the actual reason for the trip - our Shaker Class.    Thanks for traveling with me.