WELCOME
I’m Andrea,
just an old-fashioned girl!
Also, the creator and author here at Simply Old-Fashioned. I’ve been an educator for 20+ years and over the last decade, I’ve become a historical foodie, community herbalist, and traditional skills enthusiast!
Here at Simply Old-Fashioned you’ll find seasonal living topics on culinary/herb gardening, foraging wild edibles, cooking with whole foods, utilizing herbs to support wellness, and a whole lot more!
Fun Facts About Me
I’d rather be
taking care of my bees
sipping on
coffee
visiting
colonial williamsburg
baking
a sweet treat
my weekends
in a used bookstore
Favorite Cookbook
Fannie farmer, 1st ed. 1896
Where this all began
While teaching US history, specifically Virginia State History, I became fascinated with how people lived seasonally during different centuries. I was intrigued by all aspects of daily life from growing, preparing, and preserving food to taking care of the home and one’s health.
My curiosity then lead me to learn about hearth cooking, foraging wild edibles, planting a kitchen garden, growing mushrooms, using natural home remedies, keeping bees, planting natives for pollinators, plus a whole lot more.
With new skills came a new perspective, which is best summed up in this quote:
“Live in each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influence of the Earth.“
– Henry David Thoreau (1854)
Seasonal Living
used to be a way of life
Grow, Gather, Cook, nourish
& return to your roots!
My mission is to help others live in tune with each season, discover nature’s bounty, and return to a simpler way of life. Discover simple recipes, tips, & know-how to help nurture your home, hearth, and homestead.
It’s time to get back in touch with nature’s rhythms!
Return to your roots!
Be a part of the
Simply Old-Fashioned community!
Receive simple recipes, tips, & know-how focused on seasonal living for your home, hearth, & homestead.
Bringing Old-Fashioned Ways Back
Currently, I’m a member in or have studied at many organizations that embrace seasonal living and try to keep traditional skills alive and well. Simply Old-Fashioned is my place to share that knowledge with you!
- Westin A. Price Foundation, Marshall Chapter
- Institute for Applied Biodynamics, JPI
- Culinary Historians of DC, CHoW
- Historic Foodways Society of the Delaware Valley, HFSDV
- Hearth Cook / Louisa County Historical Society, LCHS
- Prince William Regional Beekeepers Association, PWRBA
- Mycological Association of Washington, DC, MAW DC
- Studied Herbalism at Forrest Green Farm & The Herbal Academy
- Currently pursuing Va. Master Naturalist certification, MFVMN
- Volunteered for the Homesteader’s of America conference, 2021
- Studied Women of the 18th Century at Mount Vernon’s Summer Teacher Institute, 2019
- Learned historical interpretation skills at Jamestown/Yorktown Summer Teacher Institute, 2013
Return to natural wisdom…
“Biodynamics as such, starts with the soil by offering a way to help restore to the exhausted earth qualities that have been depleted by centuries of agricultural extraction.” – Stewart Lundy (Creative Director of the Josephine Porter Institute)