Philosophies

My ‘philosophies’ have been with me for so long. Raised in a home where we went to antique shops after church on Sundays. Raised on Princess Diana and spectator pumps and summers on my Grandparents’ farm, it is not too difficult to see how I could become rather set in my ways.
I have to imagine that’s rather refreshing in a world that is constantly bending to the latest rage; I’ll simply be over here in my garden, with my red lips-ripping out some perfectly good part of my home so I can replace it with something old-drooling over a new gorgeous pair of shoes whilst cleaning the garden dirt out from under my fingernails. That’s pretty much a snapshot. Beautiful Old World design. Keeping it feminine. Loving motherhood and constantly growing something.
Select the Philosophy of your choice and for a collection of articles on Design, Gardening, Femininity, and Motherhood.
Does Mirror Paint Work | OLD SALVAGED DOORS | Antique Mirror DIY | The Side of My Office Never Shown
Here's the latest video on Youtube! In Old World Tradition I'm sharing an antique mirror DIY with you today and we'll find out... does mirror paint work? I've found some old salvaged French doors and they are perfect for the side of my office never shown! (Because it...
Flowers for Christmas
It's that time. I've got plaid on the brain. Thoughts of Shiny Brites and cookie decorating and of course, a house brightened with hundred of Paperwhites and plenty of Amaryllis. The year has been long and draining, like you, I'm tired. The wonderful things, the...
How to Make Lavender Infused Honey | Lavender Honey Latte Recipe
August gardens mean lavender, lavender, and MORE lavender. My "Phenomenal" lavender (talked about here) is bring SUCH beauty to the every day and I knew it was time to share my tips for a gorgeous lavender honey latté. (But be kind:). My Nikon is headed out for...
Wildflower Remedies
I look for excuses to use my flowers in, on, and for just about everything. I never have to look very far. My cousin came to visit last week for my birthday and made me a most delicious cake and like a true friend, she let me decorate it with black pansy, wild...
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...