Rockin' in West Amana!

Hey kids, why don't you set & rock a spell??

Welcome to West Amana amd the home of Iowa's largest walnut rocker!  This was built in 1983 by Schanz Furniture in South Amana, stands 11 feet tall and weighs 670 pounds. 

The rocker can be found in West Amana at the Broom & Basket Shop.  The shop carries--what else? brooms, baskets, and handcrafted wood items for all ages.

 Norman & Joanna Schanz re-opened this shop in 1972 and revived the crafts of broom-making and basket-weaving.  Many of the materials are grown right in the Colonies.  Here's where the brooms are made.

And here's Joanna taking a break from basket-weaving to show the kids how a little wooden trinket works.  It was the one hand-crafted memento I purchased on the trip.  Joanna was very kind!

 There were all kinds of marble runs, decorations, kitchen items, furniture pieces, and toys such as these.  The store has something for everyone, truly.

I can't resist the beauty of different kinds of wood put together.  Wouldn't these evergreens look glorious in a Christmas display?

 As soon as we returned home, Mark made one of these copper faucet rain gauges.  Now to find the crystal water drop!

 The lazy susans were smooth and beautiful.  I was captivated by this one, and if anyone feels the need to give us an early anniversary present, here it is ;)

Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.--Ecclesiastes 9:10