My
French Farmhouse
Décor Philosophy
To create a true French Farmhouse feeling one must let go of the American obsession with perfection and embrace imperfection. The French are not typically interested in “bigger, better, faster” and this is evident in their surroundings. Homes are old and LIVED in.
A French Farmhouse will hold worn surfaces, well-read books and tattered furniture that appears to have been enjoyed for generations. Its kitchen will smell of herbs and the next savoury meal. Its bedrooms adorned in textiles that have been handed down from generation to generation. A French Farmhouse is lived in, art is cultured there, food is created there and a mystery should unfold in every room.
We stateside Francophiles CAN recreate this look, but it won’t happen in the aisles of Homegoods. It will happen when we “trouvé”… when we find our Farmhouse look is gathered, treasured and perfectly imperfect. These posts will reflect my own French Farmhouse style has evolved over the years and how I am creating this signature look here at our new home; Sur le Rocher in Door County.
Garden Fails and Successes
Gardening is always about next year.
That’s my quote and I stand by it. I don’t say it to take away from living in the moment and enjoying the heady scent of a rose or the dirt under your fingernails… In fact, any garden has wins and fails every year and while the wins bring the most delight, it’s the fails that teach us to hone our skills and become our very best gardener. And that’s what I set out to do this year – become my very best gardener.
We Got a Dairy Cow!
It's Monday. We have record high temps here in Door County, a well pump that hates us (IE: no running water), brakes on the truck that are not cooporating with Joel's mechanic skills and I've hit my wall after going non-stop since February 28th in the garden. But...
January Planting Guide by Zone
January Planting Guide by Zone and other January Ponderings... There's always something to do in the garden, no matter where you live and no matter what the season. Some of you may be lucky souls in the throws of Spring and others, like myself and buried in feet of...
HOMESCHOOL Mom MAKEUP for Fall | STAY at HOME Mom Makeup Tutorial | Fall Mom Makeup 2019
Well, as mentioned in the previous post... sometimes you're just ready for a CHANGE! How about some Homeschool Mom Makeup for Fall? I WILL tell you that I made my Medi-Spa appointment for October and I'm going to have that nasty acne scar looked at, I've been back at...
My Best Finds of the Season | 3 Things I NEVER Fear When Antiquing!
What a season we've had! I have to share with you my BEST finds of the season and three things I NEVER fear when antiquing! Barn sales, junk shops, curbside, thrift shops, antique stores, and even birthday gifts! I love the thrill of the hunt and the entire...
Digging Out of a RUT, My Fall Makeover
Who needs a Fall Makeover? You can never be too rich or too thin. Or so, said the Duchess of Windsor. Quite frankly, that sounds exhausting. I'd rather simply be happy with myself and "count my many blessings, name them one by one." But allow me to speak plainly. ...
Summer Garden Tour
Summer Garden Tour That's right, it's time for a Summer Garden Tour. When all else fails, when the sunshine drowns out the...
Mind the Gap
Can we talk about my non-existent stone windowsill, please? I have to confess, (here she does again) being an über creative person with waaaaaaaaaaay too much vision has its drawbacks. Creativity ebbs and flows but when it flows, it's a beast. Almost manic. It's...
Summer Meal Inspiration | Einkorn Carrot Cake, Tomato Confit, Salt Crust Chicken
Summer Meal Inspiration I can't think of anything l love more than being a homemaker. Yes, I'm a business woman, blogger, YouTuber and all that, but creating a safe, beautiful world for these people to call home is my greatest passion. I want our home to be our...
Essential Oils for Gardening & My Gardening Basket
I'm going to share with you how I use Essential Oils for Gardening, and then I'll share my Gardening Basket that I made just for you and here's why... As I am entering my second year of gardening here at Sur le Rocher I thought it would be fun to share with you some...
Compound Butter with Ramps from the Forest
(For more compound butter like this "Compound Butter with Ramps from the Forest" be sure you have a copy of my cookbook, From France to the Farm.) Confession. I'm obsessed with my garden. It's all I think about, all I care about right now, I roll over in the middle of...
German Dark Chocolate Cake from Scratch | May Days
It's May. Here in Door County, that means it's balmy and beautiful one day and drizzly and horrible the next. And so we carry on. All our efforts are going into the garden. We've made such a mess cutting down trees and tilling new beds that I am CRAVING the beauty...
My Gardening Insecurities & a Spring Garden Tour 2019
‘Scuse me whilst I dig the dirt out from under my fingernails… … I just looked down and realized how horrid they actually look. It’s definitely NOT manicure season. ‘Tis the season of compost, and calluses, Of worms and worn wooden handles, The season of a happy heart...
Spring Farmhouse Home Tour 2019
We just had what I thought was our last snowfall about seven days ago and so I've been frantic in the potager repairing the deer fence, planting spring seeds, amending the soil like a mad woman, but I took a little break to welcome my Momma for the week. And you know...
Make Your Dreams a Reality
Recently, I was tagged on YouTube and asked to share my dreams for a What are Your Dreams playlist... WOW. Ask a dreamer what her dreams are? Have you got all day? I actually rather talk about YOU and how to make YOUR dreams a reality. However, I accepted the tag and...
My Tips for Beautiful Skin After Forty
Hello Lovelies! Mirror time is limited as a mother of six. My self-care needs to be quick, effective and ON POINT. I don’t have time for bad looking skin and neither do you. In response to questions about how I care for my skin, I thought I’d share with you seven ways...
Fan Girls and Faux Finishes: Laura Ingalls Wedding Cake Recipe
“That afternoon the finished black cashmere was carefully pressed, and then Ma made a big, white cake. Laura helped her by beating the egg whites on a platter with a fork, until Ma said they were stiff enough. “My arm is stiffer,” Laura ruefully laughed, rubbing her...
Fresh Perspective
Joy in the Mundane. Happy New Year. Better late than never, I suppose. The Christmas décor is cleaned, organized and tubbed away for next year. And I'm thrilled to say there is no company on the horizon for at least two weeks. I do love to entertain but by the fifth...