Mast Family Baskets

A family lending every hand to the shop, with help from their Texas-born cousins.

Phineas and Rosa Mast's journey has taken them from their childhood homes in Kahoka, Missouri, to Minnesota, to Iowa, and finally to their current farm here in our Amish community on the Iowa-Missouri border. Married for over 26 years, they are raising a large family filled with the values of hard work, faith, and togetherness.

They first knew each other as children in Kahoka, and their paths crossed again in Minnesota, where they married. Basketmaking became part of their life together early on, taught by a cousin to Rosa. Over the years, it has grown into a family endeavor, with their many children, including Lovina, Inez, Rachel, Edna, Marie, Harvey, Alma, Laura, Esther, and Treva, all contributing in some way. Recently, several cousins of the Mast family have moved to our community from Texas to join the family's basketmaking efforts, including Orpha, Katie Ellen, Alta, Ruthann, Irine, and Fannie, adding another layer of family connection to their work.

Their 40-acre farm is a mix of pasture and hay ground, home to horses, ponies, cows, calves, pigs, sheep, and the ever-present farm dogs and cats. Their nearly one-acre garden produces sweet corn, tomatoes, watermelon, peppers, and onions. Winter is their favorite season as they enjoy the pace slowing down and the added opportunities the cold weather presents to gather indoors.

The Mast family's days are full. The boys handle barn chores in the morning while the girls prepare a hot breakfast. After the meal, Phineas organizes the day's shop work, and the men head to the basket shop. The girls clean up, then move on to laundry, garden work, sewing, canning, baking, and preparing the next meal. The children not currently in school join the shop work once the household work is finished.

Working together as a family is what they enjoy most about basketmaking. Their favorite baskets to craft include the Large Laundry Basket, the 2-Bushel Laundry Basket, and the Chairside Table. They feel their baskets are as practical as they are beautiful.

Meals are a time to relax and enjoy each other's company. Pizza and ice cream are the family favorites, and Rosa's soft sugar cookies are a special treat everyone looks forward to.

For the Masts, basketmaking is a way to stay together at home, to teach their children skills they can pass down to their own children, and to create something lasting for others to enjoy. The Masts hope each basket they make brings a sense of connection to the old-world to the person who receives it, and it will be a reminder that it was made by real hands, in a real home, with care.

The Mast's Favorite Family Recipe

SOFT SUGAR COOKIES

2 c. sugar 1 c. margarine 2 eggs, beaten 1 c. milk 2 tsp. baking powder 1/2 tsp. baking soda 1 tsp. salt 1 tsp. vanilla or maple flavoring 5 c. flour

Cream together sugar and margarine. Add beaten eggs, salt, milk and flavoring. Add flour, baking powder and baking soda. Whip until very smooth. Drop by teaspoonful onto a greased and floured cookie sheet. Flatten with a floured spoon and sprinkle with sugar or jello. Bake 10 minutes or until done in 350 degrees oven.