Porch Journal: At Home

Behind-the-scenes glimpses from home and studio at Juniper Hill Cottage

Hello my lovely readers, come on in.

Welcome to the ‘Porch Journal’, a short-letter series where I share small reflections and behind-the-scenes thoughts on living a smaller, simpler, more beautiful life. These are quick, easy reads, about a minute or two - just enough for a mid-morning coffee break.

In today’s Porch Journal I’ve got a few behind-the-scenes glimpses from life here at Juniper Hill Cottage - a 1924 craftsman bungalow located in the high-country of Northern Arizona. It’s a small house - where life is well-lived.

Morning tea, candles lit, and a little winter hygge mixed in.
A calm, cozy Friday at Juniper Hill Cottage, in the dining room - yes, we use it. Every. Single. Day.

Tucked behind the main house, on the back of the property, sits the Carriage House - home to my Creative Studio.

It’s a very small space, but it holds a lot. I work in glass, metal, wood, seeds. Flameworking, silversmithing, wood turning, and seed starting all happen here, often side by side.

I’m deeply grateful for a place where I can play, make, and explore without rushing.

Just around the corner from the studio entrance is my husband’s domain - his shop and home office when he’s not traveling.

Mountain bikes line the walls, race medals and trail memories everywhere. Marks of a life well lived on single-track trails in Arizona’s high country. A man-cave, in the very best sense of the word.

Two small spaces. Very different energy. Both well used.

These little “bumblebee cottages” - made in my studio when I have time - tiny garden homes made slowly, each turned by hand and paired with my own glass.

I like the idea of small homes meant for small visitors, each with its own quiet personality. Nothing hurried. Nothing identical. Just enough.

And while these are definitely tiny, I like to refer to our house as small-not-tiny.

For a little more on what Smaller, Simpler, More Beautiful means, a recent letter I wrote:

Smaller, Simpler, More Beautiful

I enjoy sharing these in-between moments - bits of life. And our spaces that we call home. It feels right to begin sharing a few of these snippets here in these Porch Journals. Let me know what you think.

Thank you for spending a little porch time with me today!

With contentment & possibility,

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