Upland Weekends is rooted in the kind of country living I grew up with — days spent exploring the woods, long tables filled with family and friends, and parents who believed in rolling up their sleeves even when help was just a phone call away. My father is an avid upland bird hunter and my mother—who sometimes joined us in the fields—always makes gatherings feel warm and effortless. Those rhythms shaped how I see home, nature, and the deep connection between the two.

I’m an upland bird hunter myself now and keep our family’s weekend home in the mountains. Our whole family — including our now college‑age children — shares a deep attachment to that familiar place and its pace of life. The landscapes, the seasons, the peacefulness, the understated elegance of a life well‑lived. “Upland” means higher ground, but for me it also means a way of living that’s grounded, unfussy, and connected to a place and its people. This site is—in many ways—an homage to my parents: their love of nature, their generosity in hosting, and their belief that a home becomes meaningful through the care you put into it and the laughter that fills its rooms.

Here, I share the projects, family meals, home‑maintenance tips, and small rituals that make up real weekend‑home life — interiors shaped slowly, practical homekeeping, cooking that’s both festive and comforting, and the ongoing work of maintaining an older house. Everything I write comes from lived experience in rural settings where the pace is quieter and the work of making a home feels both practical and deeply satisfying.

My approach is simple: a home doesn’t need to be perfect to be beautiful. It just needs attention, intention, and a willingness to keep shaping it over time. If you’re drawn to country‑house living, outdoor traditions, and a home that feels warm and well‑used, I’m glad you’re here.

—Emily