Shipshewana has long been one of our favorite small towns. It’s a charming and popular tourist destination known for its rich Amish culture, unique shops, and one-of-a-kind attractions. Surrounded by peaceful Amish farms, the town offers an authentic glimpse into a simpler way of life. To us, it has a vibe similar to Branson, with live entertainment, musical performances, and shows at the Blue Gate Theatre adding to its appeal.

On May 31st, we made the 6½-hour drive to Montello, Wisconsin, to celebrate a very special occasion—our triplet granddaughters’ high school graduation. It was a heartwarming gathering filled with family and relatives, including many we hadn’t seen in years.

Later, we had the chance to connect even more meaningfully through a live YouTube stream with our son Kerry, daughter Holly, granddaughter Emma, Bill, and myself. Together, we shared our journeys and challenges with the Carnivore lifestyle—each of us offering our unique perspectives and experiences.

Divine Treats: A Sweet Journey

Since retiring, I found myself missing the joy and purpose that work brings. That’s when Divine Treats was born. I’ve always loved making Peanut Brittle, and after years of family and friends raving about it, I decided to share it with others as a small vendor in Arizona.

Last year, we visited Shipshewana, Indiana, and discovered the largest outdoor market in the Midwest, home to nearly 700 vendors. We were instantly drawn to the energy, charm, and friendly faces—and this year, we proudly joined the market ourselves!

It’s been a joy meeting so many wonderful people from all over the country, and connecting with fellow vendors has been such a blessing. I’m currently the only vendor offering a unique selection of handmade brittles: Peanut, Cashew, Peanut Coconut, and Cashew Coconut Brittle, along with a variety of cookies and candies.

What surprises many customers is that I make all these sweet treats inside our RV motorhome! Even more surprising—people often ask how I stay in shape while working with sugar all day. I always smile and explain: I love making brittle, but I don’t eat it. Since retiring, I’ve committed to a healthier lifestyle and enjoying the Carnivore way of living. Now our labs Shale and Shadow are also full Carnivore. Their behavior and personality was like when they were puppies.

Being in Shipshewana has also given me a deep appreciation for the local Amish community. One of my favorite places is E & S Bulk Foods, where you can find quality meats—cut just the way you like—and park your car or even your horse and buggy. The simplicity and kindness here are truly special.

One of the highlights of my time here was being invited into the home of a young Amish woman. I had admired the beautiful dress she had sewn herself and mentioned I was thinking about getting a sewing machine. She graciously invited me over to see hers, and I ended up purchasing a Singer sewing machine in perfect condition—still in the box with the instructions!

This journey with Divine Treats has been more than just selling candy—it’s been about community, connection, and a renewed sense of purpose. I’m so thankful for every customer who returns for more brittle, every new friendship made, and every unexpected moment that continues to sweeten this chapter of my life.

After leaving Wisconsin late summer we headed north to Upper Michigan and experienced Mackinac Island. After weeks in that location we headed south and ended up in Shipshewana Indiania. This is now on the top of our list of favorite destinations. This location showcases the history of Amish and Mennonite peoples. This is the location of the Midwest’s largest Flea Market with over 700 vendors. As I started vending with the Peanut Brittle we named our small business Divine Treats. We will be spending Summer is Shipshewana and two days a week selling our Peanut and Cashew Brittle.

We had a terrible mishap with our car that it was not worth fixing as it cost more than the value of the vehicle. We love our new to us 2022 Hyundai Santa Cruz. Its like half car half truck. We have never got so many comments from strangers how they love that vehicle.

We also are coming up with our two year anniversary on the Carnivore way of eating. Bill kept his 45 lbs off and me the 35lbs off. Not just weight loss but our past medications-blood pressure, statins and so many others are past medications we no longer take. We are dedicated to have best health possible and we love to feel full of energy and no more brain fog.

I started off last winter in Arizona asked by others to sell Peanut Brittle. I have been making this candy for decades. Now I added Cashew Brittle and being a vendor here in Yuma it not only keeps me busy, but I enjoy the markets and other vendors. Now word is out and two to three times a week I am working either inside a building or under our canopy and banner. Divine Treats is becoming a name here in Yuma. Being on a ketogenic/Carnivore diet this is not hard making a sugar treat as I make it and not eat it. The outdoor markets we both work the booth as it takes quite a long time to set up and Bill is awesome with customers.

The get together at Kerry and Jen’s home for 4th of July was nice but went by too fast. It was over a year since we were back in Wisconsin. We both did a livestream Carnivore on Youtube being interviewed by Kerry.

We continued north to the Oshkosh area and enjoyed meeting friends from our old church in Appleton. We took a nice drive to Jackson to see a nephew and wife. We continued north to Marinette. From there we went to Northern Michigan to Manistique.

Sovenir shops are located in the downtown and through halls and different stores we found many assorted items. It is fun to barter and we got incredible prices. Before we started our Carnivore way of eating we visited many restaurants in Los Algodones. The Mexican food is fabulous and many foreigners are seen sitting in the outdoor restaurants. Music, food, and many vendors on every corner. 

After Quartsite we went to a nice small RV Resort Shangri La in Yuma. We are currently in Yuma at Del Pueblo RV Resort. A fantastic and beautiful place we love. We are staying for 3 months and plan on coming back next year. Many activities and very friendly people. The weather here now in February is simply perfect. We unpacked summer clothes, shorts and sandals. Temperatures are in the mid to upper 70’s and sunny every day. Yuma is considered the sunniest city in the US.

We are taking advantage of this area as we are very familiar with it. Between border town Los Algodones Mexico for dental and fun shopping we now went to another border town of San Luis Mexico where our Shadow had his TPLO (ACL)  surgery at an excellent Vet Clinic. So many foreigners like us bring their pets to this clinic/hospital. The cost is 2/3 less than the US and Shadow has an excellent Orthepedic Surgeon. I believe the surgery is the easy part but the post op has been very difficult. We look forward to seeing our old Shadow again.

Three days after Shadow had surgery I had cataract surgery on one eye and next week I have surgery on the other eye. I am also enjoying all the Craft Fairs at all the RV Parks here. It is work but fun being a vendor and meeting so many other vendors. I have an Arizona Food Handlers Certificate as I am selling Peanut Brittle and variety of cookies and other sweets, including my home made blackberry jam that I handpicked from N. California. This keeps me busy which I prefer and love baking and cooking but I DO NOT test or eat any of it I have made these things for years and don’t eat or taste–I am still Carnivore sometimes Ketovore -some cheese but under 8 carbs a day at the most. Bill too!

Other updates: we just got our two Captain chairs reupholstered and were put back in our coach.  They look fantastic. Bill had some electrical hook up for the chairs but so happy to finally have this done.  Hope everyone has a happy and healthy 2024!

One of favorite parts of this round the US trip was visiting the beautiful Redwood National and State Parks. The towering trees left us breathless. We were fortunate the large Smith Forest Fire was still thirty miles away and did not interfere with our trip.

A fun day at the Mystery of Trees was well worth it on a very sunny and pleasant day.