Welcome to Lydia McCauley's Garden of Simples Blog

The highest reward for a person's toil is not what they get from it, but what they become by it. - John Ruskin



Lydia McCauley and Kurt Scherer are owners of STONEHOUSE ARTIFACTS, offering Treasures from Colonial India. Online Here.

Our shop is located in Bellingham, Washington. We welcome you to come and visit our small estate, enjoy the grounds and share a cup of Chai.



Monday, April 28, 2014

STONEHOUSE ARTIFACTS
Treasures from Colonial India
Opening Summer 2014!

We are opening a New Shop!  StoneHouse Artifacts, Treasures from Colonial India, is set to open this summer in Bellingham, Washington.

Kurt and I have been traveling to India for the last decade.  We have journeyed north and south, east and west over the Indian sub-continent.   Last year we made the decision to open our own shop, filled with artifacts and beautiful pieces from our travels abroad.

What an adventure it is!  Even though we open in a few months, I want to share some of the smaller items that have already arrived.

You can follow our journey on Facebook here:  www.facebook.com/stonehouseartifacts














Garden of Simples Shop will remain open!

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Easter Day Visit to Marietta Shetland Farm, Bellingham, WA

Loved seeing the little lambs

Inspired by John's thirty year old bonsai trees










Thursday, April 17, 2014




Treasure Hunting in India for StoneHouse Artifacts
French, British, and Dutch Colonial 

New Shop Opening Summer 2014
in Bellingham, Washington











Follow our journey here: https://www.facebook.com/StoneHouseArtifacts



Monday, April 14, 2014

Garden of Simples Hand Poured Soap

Available again - Finally!  It's been a few years since I've made a batch of soap.




LAVENDER
I combine three different lavender essential oils for this bar - Hungarian lavender oil, 
Lavendin oil that I bought in Provence at a market, and a few drops of some 
wondrous lavender oil from The Bay Area.  It's powerful aromatherapy!
The bars are wrapped in parchment.



WHITE ROSE
This rose scent comes from a Hill Town in India.  I love this oil more than most things on earth.
I put a few drops of clove oil in the batch to add the tiniest bit of spice.  We grow white roses
here at Stonehouse.  No matter what variety, they are my favorite.  



Like the Garden of Simples Facebook Page and get a COUPON FOR A FREE BAR OF SOAP when you spend $50.00 or more at the Shop.


Clean and Happy!





Wednesday, April 9, 2014


nature is a painter.

found a few mushrooms on a walk through our meadow.

looks like they were spray painted bronze.

don't know what kind they are (not going to eat them).










~~~ go for a walk in the countryside ~~~


Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Modern Rustic.  StoneHouse in Bellingham, Washington.  
Designed and built by Kurt Scherer.

Updated Country Life.  Clean, simple designs that are beautifully constructed.  
Neutral palette.  Sense of Tradition.  Handmade.





Rosewood Pillars and Doors, Granite Fireplace and Pillars from STONEHOUSE ARTIFACTS (Opening Summer 2014)
Follow StoneHouse Artifacts 





Friday, April 4, 2014


Beautiful Rustic Simplicity. 
So impressed and delighted am I to come across this blog.  
Visit their website and enjoy.





Tuesday, April 1, 2014



All Silver Plate items are 20% off!
Starts today at Noon.  Ends April 15.
Silver Plate Only!

Tea pots
Creamer and Sugar sets
Trays
Bowls