Christmas in Berlin

On Wednesday, Kelly and I took our semi-annual outing to Berlin and Sugar Creek Ohio for the day.  It was sunny and bright, but the temperature didn’t really reach 40* and it was really breezy.  That did not stop us from having a great time!  I met her at Walmart in Cabelas Plaza West Virginia, and we headed out Route 70, up Route 77, and then into Amish country.  We never lack things to talk about, and we covered just about every topic under the sun.  It was about 10:30am when we pulled into a parking space and started our adventure. 

We were greeted by a dapper looking horse in a top hat, and inside we found an old-fashioned sleigh full of colorfully wrapped gifts.  The stores and the streets were decorated for Christmas, with bright red bows, puffy evergreen boughs, tinsel and lights and holiday music.  We wandered in and out of the stores for about two hours, picking up a few items here and there, until we came to the little snack shop.  Their hot pretzels are buttery and soft and salty, and filling enough to serve as our lunch – along with a piece of homemade chocolate that we got at the checkout counter down the street at Sol’s. 

There was a huge, life-size creche on the corner, and it was really nice to see that the reason for the season was so prominently displayed.  One of the shops is a quaint but large Victorian home full of unique gifts, crafts, plaques, clothing and fragrances.  I particularly liked one of the signs- hoping you can read the print! 

(Three Wise Women would have asked directions, arrived on time, helped deliver the baby, brought practical gifts, cleaned the stable, made a casserole, and there would be peace on earth!)

At about 2:30 we headed out of town and stopped at the Antique mall, and I fell in love with a beautiful China cupboard/hutch.  We even measured it to see if we could get it in my car.  Alas…. not so!  If it wasn’t a three hour drive, I’d go back up and get it on the weekend!  Perfectly matched the color of my dining table – great shape, unique design.  Sigh…. 

Before we got back on Route 77 south to head home, we stopped at the Amish family restaurant and had their buffet.  Yum.  Everything was so good! Right inside the entrance was a beautiful tree and a group of ‘carolers’ waiting to serenade us. We got back to Walmart in record time, and I was home in Greensburg by 7:30pm.  It was a perfect day – crossed some gifts off my list, spent the day with my daughter, and enjoyed hours of shopping (both for purchasing and browsing!).  I can’t wait until spring so we can do it again!  Love you, Kelly! 🙂