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Pine Forest Braucherei
Gretchen Swank
Jan 63 min read
56 views1 comment
Gretchen Swank
Dec 7, 20232 min read
More Than Pennsylvania Dutch Sugar Cookies
When I was a child, my best friend and I walked to visit my grandmother nearly every day in the summertime. A widow, she lived alone in...
38 views0 comments
Gretchen Swank
Nov 25, 20237 min read
A People of Equality and Integrity- The Pennsylvania Dutch
Recently, a friend and I were driving home from celebrating Erntfescht, the traditional Pennsylvania Dutch "Thanksgiving," with our...
234 views2 comments
Gretchen Swank
Apr 5, 20233 min read
Dandelion on Griedunnerschdaag (Green Thursday); a Pennsylvania Dutch Tradition
The Dandelion. Perhaps one of the most misunderstood gifts provided by Mother Nature. Their bright yellow heads pop-up everywhere, and...
41 views1 comment
Gretchen Swank
Dec 25, 20223 min read
The Christmas Gift
Last year, I gifted my parents our family tree for Christmas. I spent a few months pouring myself over, and into, the project which...
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Gretchen Swank
Dec 24, 20222 min read
Where did the Christmas Tree Take Root?
The Christmas Tree tradition as we now know it began in 16th century (the region what is now) Germany when Christians brought decorated...
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Gretchen Swank
Dec 5, 20222 min read
Saint Nicholas Eve Feast
Today, December 5th, 2022, is the eve of Saint Nicholas Day. My family and I celebrated with a big dinner and the movie "Krampus." My...
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Gretchen Swank
Nov 27, 20221 min read
Turkey Vegetable Soup with Homemade Noodles
Today was the day I had to do something with the leftover turkey from Thanksgiving. So, I tapped into my creativity, opened my cabinets,...
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Gretchen Swank
Nov 25, 20222 min read
"Harvest Home" - an early Pennsylvania Dutch tradition
The tradition of Thanksgiving took root in the 1600's in the New England colonies, and eventually became a National Holiday in 1863 when...
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Gretchen Swank
Nov 17, 20222 min read
Indoor Garden
Among the many charms Pennsylvania has to offer, four distinct seasons is perhaps the most alluring of her offerings. The balance of...
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Gretchen Swank
Nov 15, 20222 min read
"... A Sailor's Warning."
This morning, I woke to the most beautiful sunrise over my husband's family barn, built circa 1800. My son asked, "why is the sky so...
26 views0 comments
Gretchen Swank
Nov 14, 20222 min read
Pennsylvania Dutch vs. Pennsylvania German Ancestry
"Pennsylvania Dutch" and "Pennsylvania German" are often used interchangeably to describe the German-speaking immigrants who arrived in...
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