Ravensduke Cottage

06/04/2026

Thrifted Thursday: This collection of hand thrown decorative ancient Mediterranean Reproduction Pottery Vessels. Yard Sale Find:$35.00 for all.

05/28/2026

From Sour To Sunshine Lemonade And Marmalade

05/27/2026

Went ‘shrooming today. Photographs not psychedelics. Hope you enjoy this unique shingled hedgehog mushroom!

05/27/2026

Welcome to Ravensduke Cottage!

I’m so happy you’re here.

This little corner of the internet was created to share the beauty of slow living and the everyday magic tucked inside ordinary days. Here you’ll find cozy baking, cottage garden moments, chickens with dramatic personalities, French Bulldogs, seasonal recipes, flowers, herbs, homestead adventures, and creative inspiration gathered along the way.

Some days will be flour-covered and productive.
Some will be muddy, windswept, and beautifully imperfect.
Most will include coffee, growing things, and a bit of organized chaos.

Whether you’re here for cottagecore inspiration, gardening tips, baking adventures, vintage charm, or simply a peaceful place to land for a moment, welcome to the cottage. Pull up a chair and stay awhile. 🕯️🥖🐓
❤️ Ravensduke Cottage
Rooted in warmth and wildflowers

05/27/2026

05/15/2026

A splendid day in the kitchen at Ravensduke Cottage! First, I had a left over rotisserie chicken, an onion, a potato, and a couple of jalapeños to use. No Food Waste me had to use them so I created (on the fly) Jalapeno Chicken Soup With Pink Peppercorns and Pepper Jack Cheese.
Then, I had six bags of mini sweet peppers (yeah 6) so I made Pickled Sweet Pepper Rings with Pink Peppercorns. Just 3 quarts of them! And since I was feeling the heat, I just had to use the few habaneros I had in the produce drawer. I am on the hot honey bandwagon so thought I’d try to make some. Well honey infused with habaneros is definitely gonna sizzle your tongue but what if I added Lavender? Mmmmm. I’m loving it.
Hot Habanero Honey With Lavender.
Well I’m not finished with my kitchen marathon yet.. what does one do with 20 lemons? You guessed it… make lemonade. So I juiced 20 lemons but what to do with all the rinds? How about lemon marmalade. Well damn I’m outta canning jars cause I just canned 5 jars of strawberry jam from strawberry picking with Townes. So I made the marmalade base and will finish canning when I get some more jars. Let me see, that’s soup, pickled peppers, hot honey, lemonade, lemon marmalade, and strawberry jam… what am I forgetting. Oh sh*t, the sourdough. We were outta bread so I needed to make some more. But…I had a lot of starter and I really hate that discard thing (it’s that no food waste mentality) so I made three sourdough loaves. One plain boule, and two loaves of Rosemary and Rosepetal. I’m tired but am grateful for this day in the kitchen at Ravensduke Cottage

05/15/2026

Thrifted Thursday: This is one of my favorite thrifted finds.
This portrait was likely painted in the late 16th or early 17th century. Of course the painting is portrait of Queen Elizabeth I w≥ho ruled from 1558 to 1603. The inscription reads: Elizabeth Queen Of England, France and Ireland. This is likely a state portrait commissioned as a symbol of authority and majesty. The painting I affectionately refer to a “Queenie” is consistent with Elizabeth’s Coronation or State Portrait representations used in official copies for loyal supporters, nobles and foreign embassies.
This painting is thought to be a Tudor School Painting influenced by Nicholas Hilliard and the English School of Portraiture.
Now, as to how she (the painting) came to reside at Ravensduke Cottage… Queenie was spied at a Goodwill store by a relative who alerted me of her need for a new home. Although I was 1,000 miles away and it took almost a miracle, I managed to purchase her. I paid $250.00 for this wonderful painting. She hangs aristocratically above the baby grand and her majesty’s presence adds an aire of nobility to the cottage. Isn’t she lovely?

05/09/2026

Earl Grey Macarons With Lavender Buttercream
I am new (3 batches) to making macarons but I am pleased with these.

05/07/2026

Havin’ my coffee watchin’ the storm roll in.

05/01/2026

Happy May Day!