​The American Dream has virtually always been:  more + bigger = better.

The fad and trend that's predominated the last many decades has been to stretch yourself to the limit in order to acquire the most impressive home possible.  This home would prove that you were successful, and obviously make you comfortable and happy.

Over many decades, that's turned into crazy-big homes which required large incomes to buy and maintain, along with massive consumption of resources to build and live in.

​Tiny is fine if that's what you really need or want, but it's pretty extreme and unsustainable by most standards. 

​A more manageable and still meaningful downsize might mean reclaiming older, smaller homes and shifting to a less consumerism mentality, while still participating in a mainstream community and lifestyle.
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​​I know the day after Thanksgiving is supposed to be all about making lists of things to give or buy.  And spending all day in line to get the best deals.  

But here at The Whiskey Porch we do the exact opposite.  Enjoying each other with gratitude for what we have and adding artful décor to our little home.  And spending time outdoors which is often gorgeous in these parts!

Here's a little peek at how we do things, Nordic style, here at Juniper Hill Cottage...

​I've always been enamored with the Craftsman Bungalow - but didn't even realize it at first. 

I remember spending time in the Pasadena California area house hunting for a possible job move decades ago and just being hypnotically drawn to the older bungalows that abound there.  I didn't know then, but it was a truly American architectural style that was also common all over San Francisco where I'd lived most of my life. 

​Looking back, the feature that always caught my eye first and drew me in, was the front porch.

So I thought I'd write a piece to explore the idea.
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Today is "Sustainable House Day" - actually, the beginning of a month-long celebration that takes place in Australia every year now since 2017.  https://sustainablehouseday.com/ 

Many things go into defining whether a home is "sustainable" or not, and it depends on who you ask.  

Of course, most of us would assume that efficient energy use, low environmental impact during the build as well as use of greener materials, products and technology would always apply.    

​The result of much of that is to also end up being budget friendly for the inhabitants of the home over time (although I'm not certain that the up-front investment in these higher end materials and technology is less of a budget drain currently than standard materials, and that's part of the hesitancy.)

Here in the U.S. (and around the world) we are still in the throws of the Tiny-House-Craze.  One of several reasons so many find it an intriguing concept is that it's assumed to be a vastly more sustainable option than your typical American home.  

​I would tend to agree with this idea theoretically, for some individuals.  

However, I would argue that when viewed from the collective perspective of making a real and ongoing impact in our larger communities, tiny homes are NOT a sustainable option.  And that there should be a wider, more vocal dialogue about small-not-tiny homes as the path to meaningful sustainability for both the environment and the larger community.

Let me explain.

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Here in Prescott’s high country, autumn brings cooler air, golden light, and a slower rhythm. Beyond pumpkins and holidays, it’s a season made for simple rituals—tea, candles, long walks, comfort food.

​I’ve shared 14 of our favorite ways to truly embrace autumn on Letters from The Whiskey Porch.
Come join me on the porch and read the full list →
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👉🏼 Savoring the Shorter Days - 14 Simple Ways to Truly Embrace the Shorter Days of Autumn — on Substack

National Simplicity Day is today, every year on the 12th of July. 

This is sort of a special "holiday" for us here at The Whiskey Porch because it's at the core of what we are all about.  After all, our tag line is "cultivating contentment & possibility in a smaller, simpler & more beautiful lifestyle."  

And, now more than ever, it just feels like we are all seeking refuge and inspiration to lift our spirits as we recover from this wild insanity of the last few years and then there's more to come with another divisive election season. 

​So it goes without saying, that finding pleasure and calm in simple ideas is something many of us are striving for now.

Just a quick post here today.  Thinking about Earth Day which comes up in a few days.

I applied organic fertilizer in my kitchen garden and landscape this weekend.  It's a tiny ... stinky.  In a good way, at least I think so.  My husband asked me if something died in the garden, haha. 

After I realized that I could still smell the soil and the "organic-ness" of my garden, even at the neighbors' house, the next couple days, it got me thinking.  

Why do some folks think it smells bad, while others (at least me) find it settling and wonderful?

I'm not sure I have the answer to that, but I really enjoyed this recent article from The New York Times about The Health Benefits of Getting in the Dirt.  And I wanted to share it with you.

​Let me know what you think!  Maybe go make a mud pie if you don't keep a garden 🤠...

Happy Earth Day!
​~Miriam

​Today is World Coffee Day. 

In Sweden, fika isn’t just about coffee — it’s about pausing, connecting, and savoring a simple ritual that shapes everyday life.

We explored this beloved tradition, its history, and how you can bring a touch of fika into your own day (including recipes), over on our Substack, Letters from The Whiskey Porch.

That’s where the conversation is happening these days, and I’d love for you to join us there:​
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I hope you'll join the conversation!

With contentment & possibility,

Our biggest motivation is always to meet and exceed the needs of our wonderful clients. 

We get almost all of our business through referrals from happy customers and colleagues, and choose to keep it that way.  And this allows us to keep our pricing more competitive without having to cover advertising overhead.

But I gotta say, getting recognition is pretty cool, especially when it's not something we pursued.  

Spring in Prescott means that we are running a few local porch features to share some inspiration and sweet sittin' spot ideas.

It's not about being perfect, or impressive or huge, but an authentic and lived-in porch that makes it feature-worthy.