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About

Hi! Welcome to Home in the Finger Lakes!

This is a blog for women who want to get back to basics and live a simpler life. You’ll find recipes, how-to guides, and tips to help you make the most out of life in the country. Whether you’re looking to raise chickens in your backyard, bake bread, or preserve the harvest from your garden, I want to help you live a simpler country life.

At the heart of Home in the Finger Lakes is a belief that you can embrace country living, and live a meaningful, productive, and fulfilling life wherever you call home. You don’t have to live on a dirt road, work hundreds of acres, or drive a tractor. It’s about the joy found in simplicity & getting back to basics.

It’s not about what we have or what we do – but how we feel when doing it.

That good things come from small moments of kindness and connection with others.

And that every day has the potential for something new, beautiful, interesting, or important…. no matter where you live.


About Jennifer

Jennifer Morrisey is the founder of Home in the Finger Lakes, a blog that focuses on slow living and embracing a simple country lifestyle full of home cooked meals, raising small livestock, and canning & preserving the garden harvest.

Jen lives with her husband and three children on a small family farm in the Finger Lakes region, where she enjoys her backyard chicken flock, experimenting with Upstate New York regional recipes, and serving on the board for Historic Palmyra- which is located just outside of Rochester NY.

About the Farm

For the Morrisey family, farming is in their blood, and they are committed to continuing the farming legacy and maintaining the family farm. Together with my husband on our 275-acre farm in Ontario County, we tend a herd of black Angus beef cows while cultivating crops like sweet corn, which has been well known for generations as some of the best around. You can find the homegrown produce on the roadside stand on the farm, local farmer’s markets, and it is also delivered daily to local grocery stores just outside of Rochester, NY.


FAQs

Q: Where do you get recipe ideas from? Are all of the recipes on this site yours?

I get inspiration in a lot of different places. I love to re-create Upstate New York’s signature dishes in my own kitchen, and often look for authentic recipes from restaurants. I source many of my recipes from local cookbooks, online forums, and old newspaper clippings. I make a conscious effort to always include credit where credit is due.

Q: I am Interested in Touring The Willard Asylum, Do you have any Information ?

First, I would like to point out I have no affiliation with the Willard Tour, or it’s organizers, nor am I a spokesperson for the event. 2015 was the seventh and final year of the Willard tour, normally a couple hundred people show up for the tour, but word spread on social media and organizers estimated more than 2,500 people tried to gain admittance. Crowds completely overwhelmed the fundraiser and chaos ensued, the roads to Willard had to be shut down by state troopers, and the tour was canceled. The organizers did their best to accommodate as many people as they could, but simply were not prepared.

No plans for future tours have been announced, it is unclear if they will ever be offered again.

Q: Can you tell me the nutritional information for your recipes?

As far as nutritional information goes, I try to supply that when appropriate. While I do care about healthy recipes, Home in the Finger Lakes focuses primarily comfort foods, and is not a nutrition blog. I have found that including the nutritional information on indulgent treats, not only takes up a great deal of time on my end, but it also leads to a lot of angry emails about salt, fat, or sugar content.

Q: What is your policy on working with brands?

Home in the Finger Lakes does not participate in sponsored posts or paid content.

Q: What is your policy on working with local businesses, groups, and events ?

I am incredibly supportive of local ventures and events. If you represent a business, travel destination, adventure or cultural experience, musical act, festival or community event and are looking for press or media coverage, please email me [email protected]

Pam

Sunday 27th of March 2022

So glad to have found you! Grew up in Central NY (Sherburne) and college at Brockport. Been in Fresno CA for 30 + years but retain my love of great homemade food from my childhood.

Kara

Sunday 7th of November 2021

I grew up in Victor and my grandparents had a house on Keuka Lake. I've been in the Navy for the last 20 years and my family has left New York, but most of my best memories growing up are on or around the finger lakes. I'm currently stationed on the tropical island of Guam raising chickens! Thanks for sharing!

Gloria Pilgrim

Friday 15th of October 2021

I lived in Geneva, New York for many years......loved it. Excited to find your web page.

Julie Smith

Monday 11th of October 2021

Hi I am from upstate NY. Seneca Falls to be exact. I was reading your recipe for half moon cookies as I was sure we could make some. All of a sudden the page disappeared and I have not Been able to find it. I so use NY. Thought it might bring back a little part of it to Cincinnati. Can you send me the recipe?. Thank you. Julie

Mike Schaertl

Sunday 20th of October 2019

Nice to meet you this morning in Shortsville while I was walking my boys. If you ever want to come out to our little hobby farm and take some pictures of the reindeer, you are always invited.

-Mike