Last week the wires of my soap cutter were not going through the Cinnamon Swirl soap as easily as I had anticipated and I found myself kneeling in the air on the edge of the cutter frame, hoping I would not fall off and hoping the wires….. … You really need to click the link in my stories/Substack highlights today to find out what happened and why that darned Cinnamon Swirl soap won’t stay retired. 🙄 There’s a warming and wonderful recipe for my favorite hot cocoa mix in the post as well. Enjoy! #substack #handcraftedsoapfollies #handcraftedsoap #recipe #cinnamon #hotcocoa

Well, oops! I think I got a little carried away with chocolate chips in the granola I made for breakfast. It’s been a really productive morning… stirred up homemade granola (a riff on the fabulous granola recipe by @cookieandkate), topped up the whisky vanilla to have enough for holiday baking, made more of my vanilla-cinnamon hot cocoa mix for chilly mornings and cozy nights, and started a batch of old fashioned tapioca pudding for a custard-y lunchtime treat. All before 6:30am. Now I may need a tiny second helping of that granola-that-tastes-like-cookies. Want some? The pretty little bowl is @heatherlanepottery Can you find the reflection of the other side of the bowl? #earlymorningbaking #kitchensmellslikeabakery #centuryfarmhouse #centuryfarmhousekitchen #homemadegranola #homemade

It’s exciting to see a custom soap come together for @cedarvalleyucci Cedar Valley Retreat Center. We worked together to create the vision for this beautiful soap, and it was a delight to get really creative in choosing ingredients that reflect their property and their mission. Water and botanicals from the land are incorporated into it and the carefully chosen essential oils combination that scents Cedar Spirit Soap smells like sweet, fresh air. *Available at the @cedarvalleyucci gift shop. #handcrafted #handcraftedsoap #naturalsoap #soap #customsoap #allnatural #skincare #uniquegift #cedarvalleyretreatcenter

Lavender. In the soft morning light, each purple bud glistened with dew. Some buds were open and blooming, some still waiting their turn, but all of them created a magical space in this corner of the island. A light but heady fragrance of lavender hung in the air and the almost palpable hum of bees starting their day became an invitation to slow down and take it all in. Beautiful. Photo taken @fragrantisle_lavenderfarm on Washington Island, Wisconsin. Have you been to this amazing place? #lavender #aromaticlavender #lavenderfarm #wisconsin #doorcounty #travelwisconsin #lavenderharvest #magical #flowers

One of the perks of working at this beautiful lavender farm is to be able to access the fields at sunrise. The sky glowed with the rising sun as the light sifted through the mist above the blooming fields. So peaceful. 💜 #lavender #lavenderfarm #lavenderfields #fragrantislelavender #washingtonisland #wisconsin #travelwisconsin #doorcounty @fragrantisle_lavenderfarm

Lavender is blooming and the bees are buzzing about in such numbers that the farm is literally humming with excitement. There’s a gentle breeze and the sun is shining with promise of a beautiful day ahead. Time in the lavender makes me happy. #lavender #lavenderfarm #relaxation #bees #lavenderhoney #washingtonisland #wisconsin #travelwisconsin #fragrantisle @fragrantisle_lavenderfarm

Did you know? I have written a number of guest blog posts for @fragrantisle_lavenderfarm and a new one has just appeared on their blog. Read about bees in the lavender at the farm. One particularly sunny and beautiful day a few summers ago the farm was really buzzing with sound. How many honey bees alone did we estimate were working in the fields that day? Click on the link in our highlights to find out! @fragrantisle_lavenderfarm @centuryfarmhouse #lavender #lavenderfields #lavenderfarm #bees #honeybees #polinators #doorcounty #doorcountywi #travelwisconsin #guestblogger

Spring is springing up all over at the Farmhouse. Join me on a walk around the land, see the old apple tree that was here in my grandparents’ time, and the blossoms on a younger tree sown by the birds only a decade ago. Walk on the path in the Century Farmhouse Woods and smell the pretty violets that have taken over a corner of the lawn. I am going to press and dry a few of them for upcoming projects and I will also make candied violets for cake. This little video is also up on the website homepage, so you can see it over and over. 😉 Tag a friend who might like this! #spring #farmhouselife #mycountryhome #mycountryliving #centuryfarmhouse #awalkinthewoods #countrylife #countrylifestyle

First rhubarb of the season! Swipe for the Rhubarb Crisp recipe. This will be such a treat at supper tonight. Here’s the how: Wash and chop the rhubarb into 1/2 inch dice. Grease a 9” pie plate or similar-sized baking dish. Place rhubarb into the pie plate. In a separate bowl, mix together the dry ingredients, add 4 Tablespoons melted butter and stir, then mix well with your hands until it is a crumbly consistency and all the flour is incorporated. Cover the rhubarb with the butter-flour-sugar-oats mixture. Place in the oven and bake until the fruit is bubbly and the topping is golden. Serve warm with whipped cream or ice cream. #recipe #rhubarb #spring #springrhubarb #rhubarbcrisp #rhubarbcrumble #dessert #seasonalfruit #pie #rhubarbpie

New on Substack! Are you subscribed to The News from the Farmhouse? Celebrate Earth Day with me on Substack - Here’s a sneak peek at this month’s post: ….Last week I thought the lilac leaves were about the size of a squirrel’s ears - although I have never gotten close enough to a squirrel to actually measure them. Have you? One hundred and forty years ago when my great-grandparents lived on this farm, it was not unusual to tie the rhythms of farm life to the natural world, and my mother still uses signs of nature and weather patterns to determine planting, rainfall, and other useful knowledge for growing things.…. Read on for a recipe for Smashed Potatoes with Parmesan and Garden Chives - yum! #earthday #spring #weathersigns #garden #wildlife

The bowl of lemon sugar left over after Easter dinner last Sunday was calling to me to make something scrumptious. I couldn’t resist crafting a batch of classic 1-2-3 shortbread cookies. There was quite a lot of that sugar so it made a huge batch of subtly flavored Lemon Shortbread. I ate too many pieces of course, but I only ate broken ones and crumbs so they don’t count, right? 😉 The recipe? Use a kitchen scale and measure by weight: 1 part sugar, 2 parts butter, and 3 parts flour Mix with your hands until thoroughly combined and the dough sticks together a bit. Pat into rectangle about 3/4 inch thick on a greased pan - and score with a bench scraper into bite-sized pieces. Bake about 30 minutes at 350 degrees F. Cover with foil if the cookies start to brown on the edges. Remove from the pan to a wire rack. Break apart when cooled and store in an airtight container. They freeze well too. I used 200gm lemon sugar (sugar & lemon zest), 400gm butter, and 600gm flour. #lemonshortbread #shortbread #homemadeshortbread #homemadecookies #cookies #lemoncookies #sweettreats #lemon

Dogwood and willow wreath made with today’s gathered spring branches. #simplecountrypleasures #countrystyle #countryhome #mycountryliving #willows #dogwood #springwreath #farmhousestyle

A windy but beautiful spring day to collect pussy willows and branches. What do you think I should do with them? Can you see the Farmhouse in the distance? #spring #windinthewillows #branches #willowbranches #pussywillows #farmhouse #mycountryhome #mycountryliving #simplecountrypleasures

Baking two batches of bread today. One is plain white and the other is Cinnamon Raisin Bread using the @centuryfarmhouse No Recipe Raisin Bread directions. Recipe link in Highlights. The Farmhouse will smell so wonderful this afternoon….. Have a great weekend! #weekendbaking #baking #homemadebread #bread #raisinbread #mycountryliving #mycountryhome

February 26, 2024. Wisconsin. Spring colors are showing! Are flowers popping up where they usually would not be at this time of year? Tell us where in the world you are and what’s beginning to bloom - or what’s lingering in your late summer garden. #earlygarden #crocus #wisconsin

News from the Farmhouse is now on Substack! This first post is all about starting out and features a recipe for Springtime Cinnamon Waffles that you’ll definitely want to try. Link in Stories today. I’ll pop that into Highlights too. #maple #maplesyrup #spring #recipe #waffles

Spring has officially arrived in the Century Farmhouse Maple Woods. The maple sap is running! Nights with temperatures below freezing and warmer days just above freezing create the perfect conditions for maple syrup season. #maple #maplesyrup #maplesap #sugaringoff #spring

It’s spring, even if the calendar says it’s not. #maplewoods #maplesap #tappingtrees #maplesyrup #spring #wisconsin

Last weekend the sun was shining beautifully in our south facing kitchen windows so I took the time to snap a few product photos for the website. After more than seven years of trying, I may have finally styled the photo I think best represents Moonbeam. A lot of work went into the recipe for this soap, time and testing and then testing again in washing machines belonging to everyone I knew at the time. It’s a beautiful, naturally scented laundry soap, cleans well, and its fragrance is light and fresh as we only use our own mix of essential oils in it. I think this photo exemplifies “fresh,” don’t you? #soap #handcraftedsoap #laundry #laundrysoap #handcraftedlaundrysoap #allabouttheclean #essentialoils #naturallaundry #natural

January is just so pretty. #january #winter #wintersun

Taking time for quiet and creative practice on a cold and snowy Sunday afternoon. Listening to my favorite podcast by @lia_leendertz & @ffern.co: As the Season Turns; a beautiful backdrop to a slower lifestyle. Baking bread, candlelight, a cup of hot chocolate and my favorite watercolor paints make my Sunday special. #slowsunday #quiet #takingtime

Winter’s come a’knockin’ at the door, at the door. My boot in the lower left corner of the second photo for reference. It’s going to be a long day.😜😅 #winter #winterinwisconsin #snow #funneverends

Winter has finally arrived at the Farmhouse. Snowy steps, whispering winds, and beautiful scenery. I especially love the snow lichens in the trees. Walk with me? #winterwalk #snowywoods #winterinwisconsin #countryliving #countrylife #countryhome #snowday

Winter has finally arrived at the Farmhouse. I couldn’t wait to step outside for a look around at the enchanted world that passes as the Century Farmhouse Woods for most of the year. There will be more to come, but right now, just look up! #winter #januaryjoys #snow #trees #justlookup #wisconsin #mycountryliving #mycountrylife #countryliving

From The Farmhouse to your house and beyond, wishing you and your families a very Merry Christmas! #christmas #greetings #holiday

Last minute gift idea: Make a pretty potpourri with items you’ve gathered or have on hand! Head to our stories to see how it’s built. And check out @heatherlanepottery for that gorgeous bowl! #lastminutegifts #giftideas #gift #potpourri #natural #spices #foraging #christmas #winter

Rosemary,Orange, & Honey Soap Imagine the melding of sweet orange and rosemary essential oils and add the sweetness of a dab of honey and you’ve imagined the luscious scent of this beautiful handmade soap. I wish you could smell it now! All of our soaps make creamy, rich lather that feels like silk on your skin. Think of them as the perfect gifts! Link in our profile and in stories. Click it to find out more! #soap #naturalskincare #naturalsoaps #handcrafted #handmadesoap #handmade #artisansoap #farmhouse #christmas #giftideas

It’s so exciting! Our website has a new look and it’s not only a pretty face. We’ve tweaked it to be more user-friendly and there are new soaps too. The link is in our profile and in our stories - go check it out! Many thanks to @lisablueiris for the time, expertise, and guidance it took to get this job done. ❤️ #website #new #handcrafted #naturalsoaps

Create Beautiful Things We have a brand new Century Farmhouse Crafting Apron! Beautiful things can come from a good mess, but perhaps you'd prefer not to get the mess on your clothes. Introducing our first apron - this one is perfect for protecting your clothes when you're making a glorious mess, such as painting, paper making... soap making... or even cooking - whatever you love to do! #apron #crafts #art #makeamess #craftroom #kitchen

Lavender. We couldn’t resist creating one more lavender soap for the season! Lavender & Bergamot with Oatmeal and Honey Soap has a lively bouquet of scent that is both energizing and relaxing. It’s dotted with tiny bits of oatmeal and touched with the sweetness of honey; it feels so good on your skin. Find the link to this beautiful soap in our stories and in highlights under New. #lavender #lavendersoap #lavendersoaps #handcrafted #handmade #lavenderbergamot #naturalskincare #naturalsoaps #giftideas #holiday #gift

We have a wonderful new soap created just for the holidays! Introducing Warm Toddy Soap, a really scrumptious soap made with brandy and a touch of honey, and lightly scented with sweet orange and ginger essential oils. Its fragrance is warm and welcoming, and the bubbles it makes are rich enough to be used as a shaving soap. Don’t be fooled by the ingredients though, this bar does taste like soap! Ha! Limited Edition for the holidays. Link in our New Soaps highlights and in our profile. #soap #handcrafted #handcraftedsoap #handmade #handmadesoap #naturalsoap #brandysoap #hottoddy #hyggehome #holidays #christmas #gifts #skincare #naturalskincare

We know that you love our lavender soaps! Introducing Deep Lavender Soap, a lushly fragrant soap graced with tiny bits of lavender flowers and a rich combination of lavender and myrrh essential oils. The warm lavender scent is so soothing and its thick, soft lather feels like lotion. #centuryfarmhousesoap #handcrafted #handcraftedsoap #handmadesoap #skincare #winterskincare #lavender #lavendersoap

I’ve been making soap for more than twenty years and I would love to help you learn to make it too. Treat yourself to learning a new skill and create a beautiful batch of soap just in time for Holiday gift giving. There are still spaces open in our class on November 25 - next week! I hope you can join us. Link to sign up in our story. #soap #coldprocesssoap #handcraftedsoap #finesoap #naturalsoaps #naturalskincare #soapclass #soapmaking

Today is chilly and grey and the breeze is tumbling leaves from the trees like so much confetti. Last weekend the maple trees were gloriously golden, and the sunlight drifting through them, warm and inviting. Take a walk in the Century Farmhouse Woods, breathe deeply and relax. Days like this one are rare and beautiful. #fall #autumn #autumnlight #awalkinthewoods #goldenlight #cozy #farmhouselife #farmhousewoods #mycountrylife #mycountryliving #woodlandwalk #peaceful #beautiful

The sun is shining on the glowing trees in the Century Farmhouse Woods today, and I couldn’t resist a walk on the paths. Beautiful. #autumnwoods #wisconsin #awalkinthewoods #fall #autumn #woods #maples #nofilter

There’s an Apple Crisp in our future at the Farmhouse. I wish you could smell the aroma of the freshly cut apples with the spices. I splashed some whiskey vanilla over them too. Ooooh. It smells like sweetly spicy fall! #apple #applecrisp #appledessert #gonnabegood #almostpie #farmhousesupper #dessert #autumnapple #fall

We’ll be at the final farmers market of the season this weekend. Join us at the West Bend Farmers Market on Saturday morning! You know it’s time to stock up on our beautiful handcrafted soaps, and they are great as gifts too! Did you know that the pretty soap dish pictured above is a Century Farmhouse design? We’ll bring some to the market too. See you there! You @dwbassoc #farmersmarket #westbendwi #westbendfarmersmarket #lastoftheseason #soaps #handcraftedsoap #naturalsoaps #naturalskincare

#countrylife #mycountryliving #countryliving #awalkinthewoods

Want to learn to make soap? #soapclass #handcraftedsoap #naturalsoaps #coldprocesssoap #essentialoils #allnatural #soapmaking #soapmakingclass #wisconsin

Even though it’s quite warm today, it’s October and time to start Sunday Soup at our Farmhouse. Today’s soup: homemade minestrone with Rosemary Garlic Breadsticks. I’ve already snacked on more than a few of those sticks. Will there be any left for supper? #sundaysoup #homemade #rosemarygarlicbreadsticks #cornishware

At the West Bend Farmers Market this morning. It’s so much fun to be here again! Thanks @dwbassoc ! #soap #handcraftedsoap #handcrafted #handmade #farmersmarket #westbendwi

Sunday supper on a tray inspired by @lifeatnumberten Thank you for the inspiration Alison! Swipe left to see behind the scenes cracker-making: homemade crispy garlic, rosemary, & sea salt crackers, perfect to hold a little @uplandscheese #pleasantridgereserve #sundaysupper #cheeseandcrackers #homemadecrackers #farmhouselife #currantkuchen

My pocket rang this morning as I was gathering sap in the Century Farmhouse Maple Woods and it was fun to let my mother know where I was and what I was doing. She grew up on this farm, as her father did and as I did and as our children did too, and every generation has tapped the maples in these woods each spring. Today we finished cooking off the first of this season’s syrup and celebrated with our traditional buttermilk cinnamon waffles drizzled with fresh maple syrup for supper. Before that though, I walked up the hill to my mom’s house to gift her with the first treasured taste of spring. #maple #maplesyrup #maplesap #sugarbush #wisconsin #thiscountrylife #mycountryliving #countryliving #countryhome #spring #springtimetradition #familytradition

It might be a bit chilly outside, and you might be feeling a little cabin fever. We have a cure for that! Learn to make soap! Our first in-person cold-process soap class of the year is happening on Saturday February 25 at Cedar Valley Retreat Center in West Bend, Wisconsin. For more info head to our bio and click that link! #soap #soapmaking #soapclass #soapmakingclasses #class #handmade #homemade #handcrafted #coldprocesssoap #finecraft #learnanewskill

January at the Farmhouse. The January newsletter is out! The highlight? Our first in-person soap making class of 2023 is Saturday, February 25 at the beautiful Cedar Valley Retreat Center’s Open Wings Art Studio. Gain confidence in creating handcrafted cold process soap and spend a day in the gorgeous Wisconsin countryside. All the details and the newsletter available through the link in our bio. #soap #handcrafted #handmade #soapclass #classes #soapmaking #learnanewskill #wisconsin #cedarvalleyretreatcenter #learntomakesoap #makesoap #coldprocess #coldprocesssoapmaking

Settling in at the Farmhouse for a quiet and peaceful New Year; wishing all of you the same. Happy 2023! #happynewyear #2023 #goodwishes #hyggehome #farmhousestyle #farmhouse #logcabinhome #vintagelogcabin #countryliving #mycountryliving #countryhome #holidays #farmhouseholidays #homefortheholidays #mycountryfarmhouse #charminghome #christmas #christmasatthefarm

It’s almost Next Year in our little corner of Wisconsin and I am giving some thought to making our tiny log cabin Farmhouse cozier - something more than giving it a good clean and changing the pillow covers once in a while. It’s a tiny space. This great room (Hah Hah) measures about 14X18 feet and is our kitchen, pantry, and living room combined. When we did restoration on the house in 2002 and 2007 we kept close to the original footprint of the space, knocking down one wall and enlarging the south-facing windows to their original sizes. We exposed the ceiling joists, some of which still have the bark attached. We are pretty certain they were milled within about 3 miles of the house. This house has been in my family for more than 130 years - would you like to know more about its history? How would you make this room feel even more cozy in 2023? I probably will start by straightening the wonky pictures on the wall. #loghome #logcabin #vintagelogcabin #centuryfarm #farmhousestyle #farmhouse #logcabininwinter #hyggehome #kitchendecor

Early morning in the Farmhouse kitchen. #kitchen #christmasseason #light #earlymorning #mycountryhome #mycountrylife #mycountryliving #logcabin #winterathome #hyggehome #farmhouse #farmhousehygge

A friend who went out of his way to cut wood and help with one of my programs about Wisconsin trees is going to love having these chunky bars of Balsam Fir Soap. Don’t you think? What kind of soap would fit your personality? *soap dish: @centuryfarmhouse #soap #wisconsin #trees #handcrafted #handmadesoap #gift #grateful #balsamfir #nature #centuryfarmhouse #mycountryliving #countryliving #stilllifegallery #still_life_gallery_

It has been a day for baking. Dutch Apple Pie. Butter crust a la @katemcdermott Art of the Pie. So is the Apple filling. The streusel topping is mine. 😉 I’ve had to put a “no sneaky snitching” sign on it so we have some for Thanksgiving dinner. Are you having pie on Thanksgiving? #pie #applepie #dutchapplepie #artofthepie #dessert #homemade #homemadepie #thanksgiving #thanksgivingdinner

I haven’t made these bread sticks in a very long while, so when I decided to make some munchie crackers for tomorrow this is the recipe I chose. I have had it for more than 30 years and used to make those breadsticks often. I realized how far I have come as a baker though, when I only used this as a guide. I increased the amount of butter by a tablespoon, added three finely minced cloves of garlic, and a tablespoon of chopped fresh rosemary left from clearing out the garden in October. I changed the process of the mixing and rising, as I am letting the soft, shaggy dough rest for 30 minutes before kneading in the rest of the flour. I will probably not need most of the flour left to knead in as much of the liquid is absorbed in the first half hour. The sticks will be short in size and topped with sesame seeds, not salt this time. It’s actually a little funny to see my handwriting from so long ago.... it hasn’t gotten any neater. 🙄 #bread #breadsticks #homemade #homemadebread #homemadebreadsticks #centuryfarmhouse #farmhouse #farmhousekitchen #baking #bake

Saturday Soap: Lavender Peppermint Oooooh! A lavender soap with the sweet, fresh undertone of peppermint in its scent. It’s soothing and refreshing at the same time. Link to the shop and our Lavender Collection of soaps is in our profile. 💜 #lavender #peppermint #herbal #lavendersoap #lavendersoaps #handcrafted #artisan #handcraftedsoap #homemadesoap #farmhousesoap #gift #lavendergift #holidays #relax #soothing #refreshing #skincare #artisanskincare #nomoredryskin

Popped boots and coat over pajamas and headed out the red front door, hiking in early morning snow before the day began in earnest. Every glance out of windows saw a little more snow, and a little more snow, until this evening the trees are sugar-dusted and glorious against the grey-blue of the darkening horizon. Pretty November. ❤️ #november #novembersnow #snowfall #fall #almostwinter #countryliving #countrylife #farmhouselife

Saturday Soap: Rosemary, Oranges, & Honey Like all of the Century Farmhouse soaps, our newest bar is scented only with fine essential oils. The combination of rosemary and oranges with a touch of healing honey is irresistible. Link in our profile for more info. #Saturday #saturdaysoap #handcrafted #handcraftedsoap #soap #natural #naturalsoap #homemade #homemadesoap #madebyhand #madeinwisconsin #farmhousestyle #rosemary

Early morning in the Farmhouse kitchen. Cozy light, warm cocoa, and time to curl up with a chapter of The Living Mountain by Nan Shepherd. Pure poetry. Have a beautiful day ahead, my friends. ❤️ #earlymorning #farmhouselife #farmhousestyle #hygge #travelreading #hike #kitchen

...and here’s the finished tart. One of my favorites! #lavender #cookingwithlavender #culinary #culinarylavender #recipeinprofile #tart #dessert #holidaydessert #soeasy @fragrantisle_lavenderfarm

The Century Farmhouse Lavender’s Blue Tart is irresistible. A sweet lavender butter cookie crust is topped with a creamy cloud lightly touched with culinary English Blend lavender essential oil, and dotted with ripe blueberries that are made even better with the sweep of melted white chocolate. Truly decadent! Recipe link in our profile. Thank you @fragrantisle_lavenderfarm for producing the most luscious lavenders! 💜 #lavender #culinary #lavenderdessert #holidaydessert #homemade #soeasy #tart #lavendercookies #dessert #countryliving #farmhousestyle #myfarmhousekitchen #centuryfarmhousebakes #farmhouse

Mini Gingerbread Leaf Cookies with Orange Blossom Buttercream. Someone special is getting these this evening. ❤️ Do you want the recipe? Linen towel @boxwoodlinen #birthdaytreat #cookies #gingerbread #homemade #gift

Magical little surprises I found on my walk in the woods today. #woods #walk #mushrooms #turkeytailmushroom #fall

Getting in a little practice before my workshop next Friday @museumofwiart Bloomin’ | 10AM - Noon The crust is a crunchy lavender cookie, the billowy cloud of creamy lavender-flavored filling is topped with fresh blueberries and drizzled with melted white chocolate. Decadent! You’ll come away with your own lavender sugar, culinary lavender buds, a booklet of my lavender recipes to get you started, and the sweet and creamy taste of the Lavender’s Blue Tart upon your tongue. Raise your hand if you’ll be there! All the details are @museumofwiart Bloomin’ All the lavender is Wisconsin-grown @fragrantisle_lavenderfarm #lavender #culinarylavender #cookingwithlavender #lavendercookies #lavendertart #blueberries #entertaining #recipes #recipe #museumofwisconsinart #mowa #bloomin #mowabloomin2022 #workshop #diy #foodie #flowers

Did you know that aromatic lavenders and culinary lavenders come from two separate species of lavender plants? Learn about different kinds of lavenders and most importantly, how to use lavender in wonderfully tasty ways! I am excited to present a delicious workshop: Edible Lavender at MOWA’s Bloomin celebration next weekend @museumofwiart in West Bend, Wisconsin. (Swipe to see the Lavender’s Blue Tart you’ll learn to make). We’ll be using lavender grown in Wisconsin at the beautiful @fragrantisle_lavenderfarm on Washington Island. Check out @museumofwiart and their website: wisconsinart.org for more info and to sign up! #bloominholidays #bloomin #flowersandart #art #magicwilderness #lavender #culinarylavender #cookingwithlavender #lavender #wisconsinlavender #travelwisconsin #wisconsingrown @museumofwiart @fragrantisle_lavenderfarm

Woodland magic. It was lying across the path; I nearly tripped on this beautiful (actually quite large) log covered with patterns, colors, and textures unusually placed and not to be missed. What are the unexpected bits of magic you can’t pass by? #woodland #woodlandart #forestart #magic #woodlandmagic @art #pattern #color #fall #autumn #autumnwalks

Trying a little reel with this morning’s little video. Waking up to pretty snow so early in the season made me want to share it with you. I’m one of those lovers of snow and cold and windy days. What’s your favorite season? #snow #fall #autumn #countryliving #countrylife

Living, breathing, and dreaming in lavender. Beautiful aromatic lavenders @fragrantisle_lavenderfarm #lavender #lavenderfields #lavenderfarm #doorcounty #washingtonisland #wisconsin #lakemichigan #travelwisconsin #lavenderharvest #lavenderessentialoil

Simply enchanting. @fragrantisle_lavenderfarm #washingtonisland #wisconsin #travelwisconsin #lavender #lavenderfields #lavenderfarm

A breeze is gently blowing the lavender blossoms about; a quiet and beautiful start to this early summer day @fragrantisle_lavenderfarm on Washington Island, Wisconsin. You can almost feel the breeze and smell the fragrant sunshine. See my stories. I am so privileged to be able to work here again. #lavender #lavenderfarm #lavenderfields #washingtonisland #travelwisconsin

Collecting wood violet blossoms for a very special soap I’ll make at the Chicago Botanic Garden later this summer. @chicagobotanic #soapmaking #handcraftedsoap #handcrafted #soap #violets #violaflowers #chicagobotanicgarden #violaceae #violaherboftheyear2022

A weekend of fun includes the opportunity to create scrumptious desserts that are 100% sugar-free. Photo 1: Crispy Chocolate-Crusted French Vanilla Cheesecake with Blueberry Sauce Photo #2: Profiteroles filled with Vanilla Creme Patissiere What should I try making next? Hmmmm. #baking #dessert #birthdaytreats #party #sugarfree #cheesecake #creampuffs #profiteroles #cremepatissiere #vanilla #sugarsubstitute #splenda

Let’s talk about that Lemon Curd Tart with Lemon Peel Sugar. It started with a tart I made about a week ago using crumbs from Persian rice cookies. The hint of rose water in the cookies was a lovely foil for the tartness of lemon curd. Fast forward to a party this weekend that again featured a lemon curd tart. I made 1/2 batch of my butter cookies and crushed them finely. The fabulous @inagarten lemon curd, cooled and poured into the crust was then chilled overnight before being sprinkled with lemon peel sugar. Want the recipe for this amazing tart? It’s perfect for a springtime brunch or as dessert after Easter dinner. For an 8-9 inch diameter tart Crust: 2 cups sugar cookie crumbs, finely crushed 6 T melted butter Crush sugar cookies in a food processor to make 2 cups fine crumbs. Place them in a small mixing bowl, add the melted butter, & stir until crumbs are coated & stick together. Press into ungreased tart pan and bake at 375F for 10 minutes. Cool completely in the tart pan. Lemon Curd: Use my favorite recipe from @inagarten : https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/lemon-curd-recipe-1941910 Allow the curd to cool to room temperature & pour into the tart shell, filling it to about 1/8 from the top of the crust. Use leftover curd on your morning toast if you can refrain from eating the remaining curd & licking the bowl and spoon immediately. Lemon Peel Sugar: 1 large lemon 1 cup sugar, divided, plus a little more 1/2 cup water Finely grate the peel of one lemon, set aside. In a small saucepan, dissolve 1/2 cup sugar into the 1/2 cup water & bring to a boil. Remove from heat, stir in the grated peel, cover & let it steep for 10 minutes. Pour the steeped peel & syrup into a fine mesh strainer set over a small bowl & allow to drain, pressing the peel bits with a spoon to remove excess syrup. In a small bowl, place the remaining sugar & the squeezed peel, rubbing together to mix thoroughly. If it seems sticky, add a bit more sugar. Before serving, remove the tart from the pan, place on a pretty plate, & sprinkle with the lemon peel sugar. #tart #lemoncurd #lemonpeel #dessert #pie #party #easter

Fun in the sun on a Sunday afternoon: we tapped the maple trees today, spring is on its way! The wind was blowing hard, but the sun was shining brightly on this on warm afternoon in the middle of a few weeks of February Freeze. We tapped some of our favorite maple sap producers and then we added three trees we have not tapped before just to see how they will do. One of them is near the road that runs past the farm and the other two are along the paths on the south side of the woods - venerable old maples that might even have been tapped when I was growing up. Scroll left to see the sap just dripping away before we could even get the spile in. Of course I had to taste it! The first taste of spring is sweet. You can see how we tap the trees in a little reel we made last year reposted in our stories today and it’s also in the reels in our profile. #maple #tappingtrees #maplesap #sugarbush #maplesyrup #spring #firsttasteofspring #centuryfarmhouse #maplewoods

Sweet Valentine’s Day Treats for your Sweetie Having brilliant ideas to create cookies and decorations usually results in gifts for friends and family, and the past week leading up to Valentine’s Day has been no exception. Lavender Butter Cookies, Raspberry Linzer Hearts, mini cupcake brownies, blueberry strings, and folded paper treasures are coming together this weekend as edible valentines. What would you put into a Valentine treat box? #valentines #valentinesdaygifts #valentinesday #gift #treats #homemadevalentine #handmade #origamibox #paperfans #hearts #handcrafted #foodart #foodartblog #foodartproject #pink #whatwomencreate #foodstylist #foodstyling #cookies #countryliving #countrylivingmag #countryhome #countrykitchen

Still playing with pink today. Old Fashioned Spice Cake with Buttermilk Buttercream graced with my own Whiskey Vanilla. Topped with dried pink-fleshed apple slices. Mr. Century Farmhouse is so disappointed that this cake will be enjoyed by others that I now have to make another one. 🙄 It is Valentine-festive, don’t you think? The Spice Cake recipe is an old, handwritten one from my favorite vintage church cookbook. Here’s the recipe for the Buttermilk Buttercream with Whiskey Vanilla: 4 cups powdered (icing) sugar 3-5 Tablespoons buttermilk 1 Tablespoon Whiskey Vanilla (recipe link in my profile; you can use 2 teaspoons vanilla extract instead) 6 Tablespoons butter, softened 1. Place powdered sugar in a medium mixing bowl. 2. Add the Whiskey Vanilla and then the buttermilk 1 Tablespoon at a time, stirring until the sugar mixture is like a stiff dough. 3. Add the softened butter and stir vigorously, making sure any little lumps of butter are incorporated into the frosting. 4. Keep stirring until the frosting is really smooth. 5. Frost that cake! Or cupcakes. Or cookies. Or graham crackers. #cake #spicecake #homemade #homemadecake #buttercream #buttermilkbuttercream #whiskeyvanilla #homemadevanillaextract #driedapple #recipes #recipe #churchcookbook #vintagerecipes #valentines #valentine #dessert #centuryfarmhousebakes #farmhousekitchen

Thinking about lavender today. In my cupboard are a few lavender wands that were started last summer but still need to be finished. As long as they are woven as far as the one above, I can finish them at any time. When the rush is on to make as many as I can while the lavender is blooming, I don’t worry about finishing every one of them. At this time of year, completing the last few wands is a lovely way to bring back the scents and memories of idyllic fields of lavender waving in sunshine and breezes. Swipe for a glimpse of summer. 💜 Farm photo taken @fragrantisle_lavenderfarm Washington Island, Wisconsin when I was working there in 2019. Lavender is so enchantingly beautiful, don’t you think? #lavender #lavenderwands #lavenderweaving #lavenderfields #finecraft #weaving #lavendersachets #lavendersachet #sachet #lavenderfarm #fragrantisle #enchanting #handmade #handcrafted #womencreate #create #createeveryday

Christmas is officially over at the Farmhouse. There is a dark and empty corner in Farmhouse living room. The Christmas tree is finally down. We extinguished the window candles a few nights ago and had a discussion about the twinkling lights in the greens around the kitchen windows. It’s such a treat to come home to the welcoming glow of the tiny white lights we use to decorate and celebrate the darkest time of the year and Christmas. We miss that welcome when the lights go down. January is halfway to its finish and now it is time to move forward. So our pretty little tree is going to add interest to the outside of the Farmhouse and the window greens and twinkling lights will soon be packed away for another year. There is one tradition we’ll keep however; the artificial tabletop tree in our many-windowed breakfast nook will stay lit until the first day of spring. #farmhouse #farmhousedecor #farmhousestyle #christmas #christmastree #lights #january #hygge #winter #winterhome

January Sixth is the Twelfth Day of Christmas - the Epiphany, or Feast of the Three Kings - and in many parts of the world this final day of the Christmas season is celebrated with cake. This past weekend it occurred to me that I had an authentic German recipe for Kings Cake, given to me by my godmother Josie years ago. Josie immigrated to the States in 1952 from Germany, bringing traditions with her that she shared with pride. Her Koenigskuchen (the original spelling was Konigskuchen with an umlaut over the o) was one of the many treats she made every Christmas season, and one which I always loved to eat as we only had it once a year. Unlike the Kings Cakes that are made with yeast in the south of Germany, this cake is rich with butter and eggs and filled with dried fruits, particularly raisins and currants. It pairs perfectly with a cup of coffee or tea. If you look carefully at the photo of the cake you’ll see little crumbs... that’s because I couldn’t wait to taste it and cut it while it was still a little warm. If a single taste of something could bring back memories, that first bite tasted like Christmas at Aunt Josie’s. ❤️ Let the cake sit overnight as it will become more stiff and cut cleanly and easily into thin slices. Traditionally served with butter (more butter!) and currant jelly, I prefer simple slices and a cup of good coffee. When Aunt Josie wrote out the recipe for me, she converted it to American measurements. I converted it back for my international friends so everyone can enjoy it. ❤️ You will find the link to the downloadable recipe in my profile. Let me know how you like it! Do you have a Kings Cake tradition in your family? Send pictures! #cake #cakes #kingscake #königskuchen #baking #bakingfromscratch #centuryfarmhousebakes #nationalbakingmonth #epiphany #christmasseason #familytradition #family #familytraditions #germany #germanbaking

So I had a rather creative afternoon. My favorite kind. Gingerbread rounds tied with ribbon, Rosemary Butter Cookies with Orange Blossom Water Buttercream, Raspberry Jam-Filled Linzer Cookies, Almond-Flavored Butter Stars, Sugared Cranberries, and a handful of pistachios to nibble on. Folded paper box dividers, pine cones snapped from the trees in the field this morning, dried orange slices, rosemary stems from the garden, strings of cranberries, and a dusting of powdered sugar to make it all pretty. Special gifts for two special friends. ❤️ What did you do today? #cookies #homemade #homemadegifts #homemadegiftsarethebest #christmas #friendship #cookiebox #wherewomencook #womencreate #foodart #foodartblog #foodartproject #mycountryhome #mycountryliving #mycountrylife #homemadechristmas #food52 #art #foodisart #folk #stilllifegallery #still_life_gallery_

After Christmas is even more fun than before Christmas! Baking Day! #baking #centuryfarmhousebakes #farmhouse #farmhousekitchen #linzercookies #jammycookies #christmascookies #wherewomencook #food #foodart #foodartblog

This photo was taken yesterday evening as the light was lowering and the snow was falling. So quiet. So still. So pretty as I walked among the trees on a snowy evening. #simplecountrypleasures #mycountrylife #mycountryhome #mycountryliving #stillness #snowyevening #snowfall #wisconsin #farmlife #simplethings

Late this afternoon I stepped outside for a walk around the barnyard and the Farmhouse, out to the road to gather the mail, then back along the drive to the house again. It has been snowing, first some wet snow yesterday, then a rather constant snowfall today. It isn’t really cold so the snow melted a little during the day. I love the dusting of white on the boxwoods under the kitchen windows and the glowing and twinkling lights make the Farmhouse look so charming and inviting as I walk up to it from the road. This time of day, late afternoon, is the time I most want to feel cozy and warm. Twinkling lights, deep leather armchairs, wool plaid blankets and heavy quilts, cups of cocoa, and good books to get lost in are my favorite things during this week between Christmas and the New Year. It’s time to slow down and just be. What do you do in this week between the holidays? #slowdown #slowlife #mycountryhome #mycountrylife #mycountryliving #farmhouseliving #antiquelogcabin #logcabin #hygge #cozyvibes #farmhouse #winter #christmas #logfarmhouse #vintage #heritagefarm #farmlife #wisconsin #wisconsinfarmhouse #kettlemoraine #iceagetrail #simpleliving #simplelife

Wishing all of you a very Merry Christmas. #christmas #merrychristmas #christmastree #whitechristmas #christmasblessings #christmaswishes

A bit of Christmas cheer from the Farmhouse. #christmasdecor #christmas #christmascheer #farmhouse #centuryfarmhouse #logcabin

Our gorgeous Gingerbread Cheesecake is a celebration! This beautiful dessert is actually quite easy to make. Of course, I go the extra steps and make my favorite gingerbread cookies for the crust, but you can use any ginger cookie. Tiny bits of crystalized ginger add zing to the smooth and creamy cheesecake filling too. I decorated this one with splashes of melted white chocolate, dark chocolate truffles, sugared cranberries, cinnamon sticks, anise stars, and rosemary branches. A dusting of powdered sugar made it festive. Doesn’t it look too beautiful to eat? Recipe link in our stories and in our profile. There’s still time to make one for the Holidays ahead! Thank you to my co-worker Nia for capturing this photo of it on the treats table before everyone had a slice. It didn’t last long. 😉 #christmas #holiday #celebration #treats #holidaydessert #gingerbread #cheesecake #cake #dessert #gingerbreadcheesecake #recipe #recipes #dessertrecipe #cheesecakerecipe #foodart #christmasmagic #christmastable @wherewomencook

It’s a Rosemary Butter Cookie kind of morning. Recipe link in bio. #cookies #christmascookies #buttercookies #recipes #celebrate #family #holiday

Rosemary Butter Cookies with Orange Blossom Water Buttercream. Recipe link is on my profile. ❤️ #cookies #holidaycookies #christmas #christmascookies #buttercookies #rosemary #sandwichcookies #recipe #centuryfarmhousebakes #foodartproject @wherewomencook #stillifegallery #still_life_gallery_

Handcrafted Lavender Wands Every summer I look forward to the weeks when lavender is in bloom. I hold the most aromatic of the flowers in my hands, weaving them with narrow ribbons into beautiful sachets. Imagine a wand tucked between vintage pillowcases as a gift, or tied into a bouquet, or placed at the bedside to both decorate and soothe. Simply roll the wand gently between the palms of your hands or gently tap or squeeze it to release the fragrance of calm. Wouldn’t you love to have one? Link in our profile. 💜 #lavender #lavenderwand #gift #handmade #handcrafted #christmas #holiday #wedding #justbecause #hygge #womencreate @bbfamilyfarm @wherewomencreate

It’s Shop Small Weekend at the Farmhouse through Monday! You choose: 20% off everything in our website store or Free Shipping Worldwide. There’s more info to be found in the link in our profile. ❤️ #sale #smallbusiness #smallbusinessowner #smallbusinesssaturday #smallbusinesssunday #smallbusinessmonday #smallbusinesssupport #handcrafted #handmade #soap #lavender

Hope you had a beautiful day. #thankful #thanksgiving #family #celebrate

Roasted Beets for Sunday Supper #beets #rootvegetables #roastedvegetables #roastedbeets #fallgarden #yum

October is ending and the colors, which were long in coming this year, are starting to fade and fall around the farmhouse. I love the cozy promise of this season, don’t you? I am going to spend my day adding lamps to darker corners of the house and finding the old slatted bin to hold quilts that will be perfect to cozy under when the winds blow more chill than they will today. Scroll through to see the golden glow of the leaves around the farm from years past, and enjoy the poem, Autumn, by English poet John Clare. I love the scenes he paints with words - even though we are not in early nineteenth century England, I can almost feel the autumn winds that rustled the leaf and the branches he saw as he wrote. Have a beautiful Sunday. #sunday #autumn #fall #october #halloween #poetry #countryside #farm #farmhouse #centuryfarmhouse #autumnwalk #fallenleaves #octoberwinds #johnclare

Long shadows and autumn clouds. #fall #autumn #goldenhour #centuryfarmhouse #farm #heritagefarm

Yesterday’s adventure into making Green Tomato Mincemeat was a success! Of course I make it nearly every year that I have enough green tomatoes after clearing the gardens, but this time I made it on a wing and a prayer. I didn’t have as many oranges as I usually add, I had several extra lemons to use up, there was not a bit of brown sugar in the house, and I started off with a cup of gingerbread sugar I had made earlier this week and had to adjust the spices. My guess is there is no way to sabotage this recipe unless you pour in too much vinegar! Breakfast today: Scrumptious Green Tomato Mincemeat Kuchen with a lovely cup of tea. Shall I save you a piece? #mincepies #mincemeat #greentomatoes #garden #fall #autumn #fallbaking #pie #kuchen #centuryfarmhousebakes #greentomatomincemeat #farmhousekitchen

Botanical Candy Glass. Cross your fingers that this experiment turns out as I have envisioned it. I don’t usually have light corn syrup in the house so I used golden cane syrup, which is why this candy glass has a warm golden color. I am more concerned about how the fresh herbs and flowers hold up as the candy cools. I can tell you that the little mint and rosemary leaves smell wonderful. The candy is covered and cooling and there’s no peeking for two hours. I don’t know if I can wait that long... #sugarfun #candyglass #homemadecandy #botanicalcandy #herbs #homemade

It’s a creative day here at the Farmhouse. I am about to make some botanical glass... well, not really glass. If my brilliant idea turns out well, I’ll show you! #edible flowers #botanicals #sugarfun

It’s a great day to make green tomato mincemeat. The kitchen is going to smell like autumn. ❤️ I am thinking about making a Streusel-topped Mincemeat Kuchen with drizzled icing. Pretend you love mincemeat filling (no meat involved here!) What would you make with it? #mincemeat #mincemeatpie #pie #kuchen #fall #autumn #autumnscents #autumninmykitchen #spices #centuryfarmhousebakes #centuryfarmhouse #farmhousekitchen #kitchen #farm #autumnfruits

Yes, the currant patch desperately needs weeding. Nope! Not until this beauty moves on. #garden #wisconsin #odonata #dragonflies #beautiful #inmygarden #country #insects #mycountryliving #mycountrylife

It rained cats and dogs this past weekend. Saturday night brought four-plus inches of very needed rain to our area, and you can tell it was welcome by the enthusiastic singing of the neighborhood frogs. Their music is deafening. Can you hear the crickets? #nightsounds #frogs #crickets #farm #countrysounds #rain

Breathe. Fifteen seconds of lavender bliss @fragrantisle_lavenderfarm #lavender #lavenderfarm #wisconsin #travel #travelwisconsin #lavenderoil #relax #aromatherapy

End of successful Day One of our summer Soap Making Workshop at The Clearing Folk School in beautiful Door County Wisconsin. Scroll through to catch a glimpse of the setting and the uniquely beautiful Jens Jensen visitor center where our classes are taking place. theclearing.org #soap #handcrafted #handcraftedsoap #centuryfarmhouse #centuryfarmhousesoap #workshop #soapclass #soapmakingclass #soapmaking #folkschool #theclearingfolkschool #theclearing #jensjensen #landscapearchitecture #doorcounty #doorcountywi #doorcountywisconsin #wisconsin #travel

Early morning sounds at The Farmhouse. A beautiful wake-up call, don’t you think? #earlymorning #countrysounds #farmhouse #wisconsin

Early Morning Cacophony at the Farmhouse I was going to title this as 20 Seconds of Peaceful Morning Sounds from The Farmhouse, but just as I started recording the birdsong (bird shouts?) began. So enjoy whatever peace you can make of it. Regardless, it’s pretty wonderful to wake up to, don’t you think? That gorgeous stone fence was crafted by my grandfather, great-grandfather, and probably those who cleared the land before them. We also added a few stones to the fences around the farm as we readied land for planting every year. Beautiful in its simplicity, isn’t it? #sundaymorning #morningsounds #countrysounds #countryside #country #mycountryliving #mycountrylife #farm #farmlife #stone #stonewalls