Mud Season is the term used by northern New Englanders to describe the months between winter and our incredibly brief spring. And after the snowfall we’ve experienced this winter, our mud season certainly won’t disappoint. Owning the right gear to help you stay dry—and feel good doing it—can certainly help! We’ve collected a few of […]
Fun Rainy-day Clothing & Accessories Read More »
Photo Credit: Auberge Collection, Mayflower Inn and Spa This May, when our youngest graduates from The Gunnery, our rhythm of monthly trips to Washington, Connecticut will change. For the last five years, this corner of storied Litchfield County has been woven into our family’s life, and we can’t think of a more beautiful place to
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If you are in the market for a weekend-home—or dreaming of the possibility—it is helpful to keep one foot on the ground throughout the planning process so that you aren’t gobsmacked by unpleasant surprises down the road. Life in the country is an unparalleled, quiet luxury that comes at the expense of daily urban conveniences.
Before You Buy: Questions to Help Shape Your Weekend-home Dreams Read More »
Dressing for an evening out (or in) when it’s -3 degrees, can feel daunting. But upland cabin fever can set in quickly and sometimes throwing on a bit of lipstick and some beautiful clothes can make all the difference! We’re in love with these looks for their classic style and for their functionality. Plus? Now
Cozy Dress Classics Read More »
When we were living in Montana, we’d visit family in Florida during the children’s spring break each March, and stepping off the plane felt like stepping into a steam room. Not only was the heat a shock to the system, but the humid air made it feel all the more oppressively hot. It would take
Cold House? Check the Humidity Read More »
Thanks to some amazing friends, we began the tradition of making either fondue or raclette every Christmas Eve. And we cherish those nights. But it’s so much fun, why only once per year? It’s actually a very simple dinner. The only trick with fondue is determining how much of everything you need. Oh, and not
We’re beginning our series of Tapas for Two with several traditional Spanish tapas. Last night, we made Tortilla de Patatas and it became an instant favorite. This is an egg dish that is similar to a frittata in simplicity, but softer and denser due to the thinly sliced, tender potatoes and onions cooked first in
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We absolutely love wings. But I’ve admittedly grown weary of Buffalo-style sauce and am always looking for an alternative. This Peruvian Aji Verde Sauce is bright, fresh, and all of the ingredients can be easily sourced at most small, rural grocery stores—making this an easy, upland recipe. It pairs traditionally with roasted chicken, so it’s
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I have three “hair heroes” in my life: my brush, my re-styling spray, and my hairstylist, Jeff. Sadly, only two of these things are available to me on a daily basis, and I thought you may find them useful, especially those of you with mature, fine hair. I’m proud to report (in no small part
Hero Hair Products Read More »
Winter weekends in the uplands are more enjoyable when time spent outside is focused on fun, rather than how uncomfortably cold or wet you are. And while I love throwing on something more fashionable at cocktail hour? You’re most likely to find me dashing around our property or town in clothing that’s practical, washable, warm,
Upland Winterwear Essentials Read More »
It’s January and Steelhead season has finally opened in the north country. While early, it’s still possible to get your hands on a filet of this amazingly delicate and adventurous trout, and if you’re lucky enough to? Then fire up the grill and whip up a batch of this tangy vinaigrette to complement it. Steelhead
Steelhead Trout with Honey Lime Vinaigrette Read More »
Personally? I think this Jalapeño Cowboy Butter would be excellent on just about anything! But it really, truly makes venison steaks sing. We use a simple marinade with our steaks to give the compound butter the spotlight it deserves. And the lean cuts of wild game complement the butter fat in a way that isn’t
Grilled Venison Steaks & Jalapeño Cowboy Butter Read More »
In our house, we honor the tradition of cocktail hour. And fabulous hors d’ouevres are as essential as our libation of choice. On commuting nights, admittedly, fresh food can be a challenge. We have a few standard items that keep well in the pantry/freezer/fridge that are a lifesaver to have within reach when you arrive
The Easy 8: Stand-by Hors d’Oeuvres Read More »
Not much exudes upland charm more than a beautifully maintained gravel driveway. On the flipside, not much creates headaches more than beautifully maintaining a gravel driveway! If you live in an area where you experience lots of rain and snow? You may frankly prefer to simply pave the entire thing and forgo the charm altogether.
Building & Maintaining a Gravel Driveway Read More »
Think you don’t like venison? Think again! These Big Mac-style smash tacos can turn even the most reluctant venison eater into a game meat lover. In fact, I believe this particular recipe is precisely the method to use to introduce anyone to game. And it works beautifully with elk and bison as well. We stumbled
Venison “Big Mac-Style” Smash Tacos Read More »
If you’ve ever forgotten to pack—or run out of—a trusted beauty product at your country home or on a rural vacation, you know finding a stand-in at a moment’s notice isn’t always easy. The closest Target to our family’s upland home is a dreary 45-minute drive, Ulta and Sephora are each over an hour away in
Help! I forgot my…. Read More »
At our family’s upland home in Pennsylvania, destructive storms seem to be on the rise. And in an area of the country that is heavily forested, the loss of electrical power due to fallen trees, broken limbs, or even foul play by squirrels is a common occurrence. It is not unusual for the power company
Power Generators to the Rescue Read More »
Not to be confused with its notoriously funky neighbor to the south, Woodstock, Vermont exudes small-town charm and the upland lifestyle. Nestled in the heart of the Green Mountains along the banks of the Ottauqueeche River, Woodstock offers everything you could wish for from a gracious vacation, weekend, or full-time community. And at only a
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We have adapted a Wild Duck Sausage recipe that is both simple and delicious. No need for fancy meat grinder attachments or special ingredients, beyond the use of Wild Duck itself. Domestic duck is too fatty and if used in this recipe? I believe it would be far too mushy. But if you’re fortunate enough
Some nights, only a salad will do. This one is so satisfying that even our most devout carnivores request it on repeat. A mandolin makes fast work of the Brussels sprouts, and roasting them briefly in a hot oven helps bring out their nutty flavor. Kale ramps up the health value of the salad even
Fall Harvest Salad Read More »
Some nights, like most foods, are just better with bacon. Last night was one of those for us. Granting himself a rare moment of “bacon clearance”, the hubs whipped up a batch of Manhattans, and we happily spoiled our dinner in front of the fire. Make these as spicy (or not) as you like! Chipotle
Smoky Maple-bourbon Bacon Read More »
It’s mid-November as I’m writing, and it’s the start of the most wonderful time of the year in the uplands: Cheese Season! This is a 2-month extravaganza for our family, replete with fondue, fireside raclette, creamy baked bries bubbling with savory jams, and Stilton. Great Britain! Let’s not forget the Stilton. Typically, at least twice
Our family loves Big Mac-style smash tacos made outside on our skillet grill top. But it was pouring rain the night we conceived this recipe, and what you see here became a fast favorite. These little bites make the perfect coffee-table dinner on a game or movie night in front of the fire. We serve
“Mini Mac” Venison Cups Read More »
This preparation of venison loin is inspired by a recipe from the wife of my father’s longest-standing hunting buddy. These friends are lucky enough to have a game processor who is willing to French a rack of venison for them and they serve this recipe as you might lamb lolipops; it is simply spectacular. We
Herb-crusted Venison Loin Read More »
Another great recipe from our Chief Hunter and Chef—my father, Michael, or Mike, or Gacco to his adoring grandchildren. These fabulous hors d’ouevres are a perennial fall favorite and, like my father, are called by several names. Suffice to say, the most popular among close friends and family is decidedly not Bouléttes. You can use
Petites Bouléttes de Venison Read More »
There is a time and a place for gas-powered landscape equipment. But that time and place is never with me personally. I find it heavy, I hate the fumes, and it’s pretty fussy to deal with. Plus? I’m a relatively strong woman, but pulling those starter cords while simultaneously holding down the equipment? I’ll gratefully
Battery-powered Landscape Equipment Read More »
Wild duck is an absolute treat and a breeze to prepare. It is an entirely different culinary experience from domestic duck and benefits from a bit of something sweet and tangy to balance its strong flavor. Traditionally, our family serves this delicacy with a red currant sauce my father makes from currant jelly. It used
Pan-seared Wild Duck with Cranberry Wine Sauce Read More »
When I walk into an Airbnb, I don’t want it to feel as though I’m stumbling into someone else’s home. I want it to be nicely appointed, certainly, but not personalized to the property owner. It helps me forget I’m in someone else’s home and treat it as our own for the duration of our
Curated Collections Read More »
There is something soothing about making apple butter on a rainy fall day. The scent unobtrusively fills the house and is almost as yummy as the first bite spread on a thick slab of homemade bread. And this recipe is just a bit more grown-up than the apple butter of my childhood. As long as
Apple Butter with Cognac & Cardamom Read More »
If you’ve never had pheasant? You’re missing out on a real treat. Like most upland game birds, we enjoy them far more after a morning hunt with our dogs. Certainly, pheasants are farm-raised today as well, and however you procure yours, this is a fun way to enjoy a limited number of birds with friends.
I understand why countless songs have been written about dirt roads. This is ours on a sunny day in the fall, and it is undeniably one of my favorite views ever. This drive is a full sensory experience. The sound of it crunching under our tires, the scent of the air as we climb the
Maintaining a Dirt Road Read More »
I was raised in a small, upland community where Miracle Whip was as common as mayonnaise and Dijon mustard was considered posh. Today, gratefully, the culinary scene has improved a bit. Especially during the summer months, when the town’s weekly farmers market features a more creative array of fruits, vegetables, and assorted small-batch baked and
SAVORY TOMATO & JALAPEÑO MARMALADE Read More »
You may think you have few neighbors at your country house, but you would be wrong. Everyone who’s spent time living in the uplands knows, your house is often not your home alone. That said? It’s preferable to choose who and what you invite in, so we’re here to share our experiences with some of
No (Unwanted) Guests Allowed Read More »
Hunting is an important part of our upland culture. And in our family, we harvest all of the game we shoot. So gratefully, we have a freezer stocked with venison all year. We’re also fortunate to have a local meat processor who is brilliant with game and makes the best spicy venison sausage! As such,
Game Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms Read More »
This is me 8 years ago tending to my very first vegetable garden at our house in the Bitterroot Valley of Montana. I was SO dang proud of this garden and I’ve never come close to being able to reproduce anything like it in the east. Cracks me up that the “hand tool” I’m holding
Essential Garden & Lawn Hand Tools Read More »
When I arrive at my upland home after time away, I typically do two things first: I light a beautifually scented candle and then I head outside with my pruning sheers to cut branches and assorted plantlife. Few material things in life make me feel more content than a home that looks and smells fabulous.
As a family of devout (if not always prolific) upland game hunters, a day in the field with our dogs in pursuit of pheasant is the stuff memories are made of. And the game meals that follow are equally cherished–often outside with cocktails, next to a roaring fire. Pheasant poppers (or “bombs” as we affectionately
Pheasant (or freestyle) Poppers Read More »
Everyone has their favorite chili recipe; this is ours! We are lucky enough to have hunters in our household and a freezer stocked with wild, lean, ground venison. And it makes the most spectacular chili without a hint of “gamey” flavor. This recipe is very flexible as well, so simply use chicken, turkey, or ground
The Best Venison Chili Read More »
One person’s trash is a woodland creature’s treasure. Defending your food waste from opportunistic critters can feel like serious business in the uplands. And you can make a lot of mistakes until you get it right. So I’ll share some thoughts here on how we mitigate the challenges at our country house. Any number of
Looking forward to long, lazy days curled in front of the fire reading? Or nights gathered by an outdoor fire pit after a hike with friends? You’ll need wood. And lots of it! While gas fireplaces have their place, in our opinion, that place is bedroom where you can simply turn it on or off
Purchasing Firewood Read More »
One challenge we faced living in the country was learning how to purchase and store food that fits our lifestyle. We enjoy trying new recipes but often struggle to find special ingredients in our small town. And shipping to our upland home isn’t an option since delivery trucks won’t navigate our long, dirt road. So,
Perfecting Your Pantry Read More »
Mud season in the upcountry can be a bit of a slog if you are faced with continuously mopping boot prints from your interior floors. There are fabulous tools for helping family and visitors alike remove debris from their boots and shoes before entering and they can be equally pleasing to the eye as they
Boot Scrapes and Brushes Read More »
If your house is not tied into the public sewage line, you most likely have–or are planning to install–a septic treatment system. To properly manage on-site wastewater, it helps to first understand some of the fundamental mechanical components and processes. Septic systems (also known by various regional terms such as residential wastewater treatment, subsurface sewage
Septic Systems 101 Read More »
Planters are a versatile, low maintenance option to yield a quick “wow” factor to your upland home. The choices in planter styles are as diverse as the plants you select to adorn them. They come with a bit of a learning curve, so here I’ll share a few tips that have helped me over the
Big, Beautiful Planters Read More »
Years ago, I read an article in a respected food and lifestyle magazine celebrating the world’s most perfect sandwich: The Vietnamese Bahn Mi. Not only had I never heard of this marvel until the mature age of 34, I had no clue how to procure the ingredients to make one while in rural PA. So my
Vietnamese’ish Sandwiches Read More »
Our friend Amy whips up this amazing side dish to serve with her famous grilled pork loin (among other standout entrees). She’s perfected the recipe over time and loves that it should be prepared in advance, allowing her ample time to enjoy cocktail hour relaxing with her guests. She also loves it as a dish
Cold Sesame Noodles Read More »
Ahhh…not another house for miles! You’re all alone! Not so fast. You may still need fencing to keep out unwanted visitors. Not the two-legged kind, but rather the sweet, wild four-legged kind. If you have landscaping you care about, research fencing options for your property early. Because hungry critters will eat you out of house
There is no space in an upland home more vital to your quality of life—and more contributive to your sanity—than a beautifully designed, well-appointed Mud Room. Wet boots, muddy garden clogs, filthy pet paws, dripping raincoats, and soggy mittens…these are the by-products of an upland life well lived! And they’ll make a proper mess in your
If you are not able to tap into a public water source, then you likely already have—or have been told you need—a water well. Regulations regarding how and where this is done are typically strict and before purchasing a rural property it is important to understand both the rules and the capacity of your water
Water Wells & Treatment Read More »
Travel to and from your upland home should be as stress-free as possible. More so if toting children and pets along for the ride. Investing in the proper gear to make the hampster-wheel of weekend commuting easier will help you stay organized and allow you to more thoroughly enjoy every get-away. I’ve been doing this
Mastering the Weekend Commute Read More »