Hi, my name is Ashley, and welcome to Down by the Ash Tree where I can live up to my name as a “dweller by the ash tree meadow.” I hope to “branch out” on many topics that leave you with inspiration whether you are looking for a recipe or ideas for home improvement.
I am a wife and a mother of two little girls. While that alone keeps me busy enough, I still like to dabble in gardening, decorating, sewing, and especially cooking. Over the years, I have moved towards a more natural and whole foods diet, as I faced some health issues years back that lead me to find answers outside of medicine and its side effects. I truly believe that God gave us much of what we need in nature to heal our bodies naturally, whether it’s for digestive issues, diabetes, or allergies.
While I see good food as good medicine, I’m still okay with having a “treat” every now and then, and always looking for ways to improve those treats to make them healthier. I love experimenting with food, and I love picking up new recipes, especially international ones. I love meeting people from different countries, and experiencing a little bit of their culture through the food.
When I’m not in the kitchen or garden, my husband and I like to work on improving things around the house. He used to flip houses a while back, and can do everything from electrical to plumbing to flooring to woodworking. He’s amazing. It sure saves a lot of money doing it yourself, and in the end feels more rewarding. I’m always pondering what we can do next and how to decorate a space that’s lacking life, but do it on a budget.
What else do I like to do? I like to write. Not just blog, but write books. Someday I hope to finish one of the many novels floating around in my head. I also volunteer as an ESL teacher at my church, and have started homeschooling my oldest daughter.
We stay busy around here, but I hope to share what we do and what we learn along the way. I hope you are blessed with something at Down by the Ash Tree. Thanks for stopping by!
~ Ashley
Down by the Ash Tree 