The Heart Behind It: From Our Cottage to Yours
-by Christina Miller-Roberts
Wife, homemaker of our little cottage, and founder and owner of Cottage Kitchen and Market
Maintaining and sharing many of the traditions and old fashioned skills I value from my heritage
From the quiet backroads of Ohio and Kentucky, to a one-room log schoolhouse nestled in Montana’s rugged mountains, to the warm shores and bustling streets of Sarasota, Florida—I was raised in a culture that may seem 'quaint' to outsiders, but one that instilled in me a deep appreciation for homemaking, entrepreneurship, and community.
Community, Faith, and Everyday Hospitality: In community, I’ve learned to share life with others—to host, serve, encourage, teach, support others’ small businesses, and help build and grow, all to enrich the lives of those I meet. Whether inviting women in for a cup of tea or coffee or welcoming friends for a simple meal, these everyday moments of hospitality are where connection and care come to life.
When you step into our little cottage home, my prayer and hope is that you feel as though you’ve walked into your grandma’s house—a place where time slows down and you can catch your breath before returning to the busyness of the world. Chances are, you’ll be welcomed by the comforting smells of something baking or coffee brewing—maybe fresh bread, muffins, or something simmering on the stove. There’s something about that peaceful, unhurried space that invites you to rest, share stories, and enjoy simple moments of connection.
Faith is the foundation of my life, guiding every step I take. I’m continually amazed at how God is opening doors for me to connect with both my local community and people from different backgrounds. As I navigate the blend of my Amish heritage and present-day life, I’ve been given meaningful opportunities to serve—through speaking, volunteering at our church, and cooking and baking with women in the Renew Women’s Discipleship Ministry. These shared experiences in the kitchen are one of my favorite ways of walking alongside others, offering a space to talk about faith, life, and the lessons learned along the way.
Some of the most treasured moments happen when we gather—moments that feel almost sacred—often in the living room, food in hand, hearts open. Whether it’s a cup of tea, a bowl of soup, or something sweet from the oven, it’s in these shared moments that stories unfold, friendships grow, and faith quietly deepens. True hospitality isn’t about perfection or having everything in its place—it’s about creating a warm, peaceful atmosphere where people feel welcomed, seen, and safe to open their hearts.
One of the sweetest blessings has been working with a young girl, Miya, who joins me once a week as my apprentice. Whether she’s helping with office work, processing orders, photographing products, cleaning, gardening, or working beside me in the kitchen, I’ve taken her under my wing to teach her both the old-fashioned skills I was raised with and the heart behind them. As we work side by side, we talk about life, faith, and what it means to follow Jesus. These moments remind me that discipleship often happens in the quiet rhythm of everyday life—when we slow down, listen well, and share what matters most.
Gifts of Community
Miya, my apprentice
About the Market: It all started in 2021, when I accepted my brother-in-law and sister's invitation to team up with their family-owned business, Cedar Ridge Furniture, to help expand their online sales—on Wayfair, social media, Amazon and Etsy. Their Amish hand-crafted Western Red Cedar outdoor furniture is beautiful, timeless, and shipped all across the United States.
They live in a small, remote Amish community nestled in the West Kootenai Valley of Rexford, Montana, with breathtaking views of the Whitefish and Canadian Rocky Mountain ranges. (It’s the same community I once lived in and where I taught in a one-room log schoolhouse—the very school my nephew now attends!)
Later, our offerings naturally began to grow into a series of Amish heritage collections, inspired by the simple, purposeful lifestyle I was raised in. It began quietly—with a few of my favorite things: a hand-picked selection of Amish and Mennonite cookbooks, essential oils and trusted natural health resources—reflecting my passion for simple, natural living—along with a comforting mix of coffee and tea. These were pieces of home, gathered with care.
Over time, these collections have expanded to include handcrafted wooden toys, heritage-style handmade doll clothes, traditional foods like Amish maple syrup and popcorn, and other meaningful items made by members of my family and new community. With more family-made collections in the works, each item reflects a deep respect for tradition, quality, and the beauty of slow, intentional living.
Whether it’s our cedar furniture or something from one of our heritage collections, everything we offer is chosen or created to celebrate the art of making, the value of old-fashioned skills, and the lasting comfort of home—meant to be used, loved, and passed down.
Cottage Kitchen: Since moving to Chattanooga, Tennessee in 2015, I’ve seen a real hunger among women to reclaim the homemaking skills I grew up with—skills that once came naturally but are now being rediscovered with fresh purpose. There’s a deep desire to learn how to provide for one’s family without depending on what may or may not be on the grocery store shelves.
I grew up learning to grow, butcher, and put up enough food for a season. We cooked with ingredients we kept on hand, made our meals from scratch, and sewed our own clothes. Some of my fondest memories are of working in the kitchen alongside my Amish grandma, around the same oak table I still use today. Depending on the season, we cooked on a kerosene or wood stove and filled the kitchen with the smell of cookies, cakes, and pies with the flakiest crusts you can imagine.
Inspired by my grandma Alma’s legacy and the traditions passed down through the women in my family and community, I launched a new part of the business—introducing in-person classes out our little cottage kitchen, with plans for online options in the future. We gather to step back in time, to cook, can, freeze, and bake together. I teach from my mom’s and grandma’s handwritten recipes, as well as from a growing collection of old and new recipes steeped in tradition, heritage, and simple, natural living.
In a world that can feel overwhelming, I often ask myself, “What would my perspective be if I were still Amish—without the noise of news or social media?” The answer is always simple: I’d continue doing what I know—how to live without electricity and relying on old-fashioned heating and lighting methods, growing, butchering, preserving food, and sewing. These skills take care of humanity’s basic physical needs of shelter, food, and clothing, and provide a sense of security and purpose.
That’s the heart behind Cottage Kitchen—to pass on these timeless, old-fashioned skills while building confidence, community, and connection, one loaf, jar, or pie crust at a time. We connect over the joy of creating in the kitchen—just as I did growing up.
Teaching: My journey as a teacher has taken many forms—starting in a two-room parochial school in Kentucky, then to a one-room log schoolhouse tucked in Montana’s remote West Kootenai Valley. I’ve taught English to foreign-speaking friends in our local community, and German/Pennsylvania Dutch to those eager to connect with that heritage. Now, I find joy in passing down the kitchen and homekeeping traditions I grew up with. No matter the setting, I’ve come to deeply enjoy helping others learn and watching their confidence grow.
Cottage Homemaking: As women and wives, we are called to be the gatekeepers of our homes and to look well to the ways of our household. With this principle in mind, I’m passionate about homemaking—an endeavor that naturally complements my love for gardening, organizing, volunteering, hospitality, community, sewing, preserving food, cooking, and baking. I’ve come to deeply appreciate what some may call a simpler lifestyle—living old-fashioned on purpose.
Since becoming a wife in June 2019, Proverbs 31 and Titus 2 have become two of my favorite chapters in the Bible. These scriptures are rich with wisdom, inspiration, and even business principles. They challenge me to become the kind of virtuous woman whose worth is far above rubies—not idle or aimless, but full of purpose and joy. She is kind, wise, business savvy, hardworking, and enjoys the fruit of her labor. Strength and honor are her clothing, and she shall rejoice in time to come. The Titus 2 woman teaches others what life has taught her—she is busy at home, self-controlled and pure, kind, and loves her husband and family.
It is my desire that everything I do flows from these God-breathed words that continue to guide and shape me.
Who Am I, O Lord?
“Then King David went in and sat before the Lord; and he said: ‘Who am I, O Lord God? And what is my house, that You have brought me this far?’”
— 1 Chronicles 17:16
This reflects my heart—that I get to live this life and do this work. Like David, I often find myself pausing in quiet gratitude, asking, “Who am I, Lord, that You have brought me this far?” From a quiet little Amish girl, to a woman living out her dreams in ways I never imagined possible.
This isn’t just a story—it’s a testimony of His faithfulness. A reflection of family roots, the values I was raised with, and the journey of reclaiming those gifts in a modern world that often forgets them. It’s about stepping back in time, on purpose. Living slowly, with intention. And welcoming others into a life that makes room for beauty, peace, and purpose.
“Here am I. ” ~Isaiah 6:8
“For such a time as this.” ~Esther 4:14
“She also rises while it is yet night, and provides food for her household, and a portion for her maidservants. She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard. She dresses herself with strength, and strengthens her arms. She perceives that her merchandise is good, and her lamp does not go out by night. She watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.” ~Proverbs 31:10-31
The Titus 2 woman: “She is a teacher of good things, homemaker…” ~Titus 2:3-5
- These scriptures are the foundation of our mission as they exemplify the Proverbs 31 woman and the Titus 2 woman, coupled with the willingness of Isaiah, and the courage of Esther.
Yours truly, the cottage homemaker,
Christina Miller-Roberts
Come Be Part of the Journey: We invite you to journey through the heartland of Amish culture and tradition—right from the comfort of your own home. Inspired by my rich heritage, we continue curating a thoughtful collection of items for your home that celebrate the timeless values of simplicity, craftsmanship, and community.
Here you'll find authentic Amish furniture, Amish and Mennonite cookbooks and true stories, natural health resources, essential oils, traditional foods, coffee and tea, hands-on classes, and more.
Connect with Cottage Kitchen and Market online and experience the warmth and hospitality of Amish tradition. Let us be your guide to a simpler, more meaningful way of living.
Shop the Market
Explore our curated collection of handcrafted goods that bring the essence of Amish tradition into your home.
Join the Newsletter
Be the first to know about new collections, upcoming classes, and old-fashioned recipes from the Cottage Kitchen.
Drop Us a Line
We'd love to hear from you! Reach out with any questions, stories, or just to say hello.
“Life flies by, and it's easy to get lost in the blur. In adolescence, it's 'How do I fit in?' In your 20s, it's 'What do I want to do?' In your 30s, 'Is this what I'm meant to do?' I think the trick is living the questions. Not worrying so much about what's ahead but rather sitting in the grey area - being OK with where you are.” -Chris Pine
This photo captured from our wedding reminds me how I sometimes find myself feeling as I reflect and attempt to see myself on both sides of the lifestyles and differences as if I'm trying to see myself in the past through a blurry window.
“The lines blur sometimes.” Me from birth to November 2014. It's me and will always be part of who I am.
“A little of me is coming into the character.” But on this side of that blurry glass, the image, me now, my purpose, is coming into focus. Sharp. Clear. Brokenly beautiful. Jesus is helping me to rewrite my story. “I'm ok with sitting in the grey area."
Over time, the lines blur sometimes. A little of you comes into the character. -Sean Murray