I'm not stranger to dealing with poisoned and tainted soil in my garden. I wish that I could say that tainted and damaged garden soil has only happened to me once, but it's actually happened multiple times... --> The first time was when we accidentally bought contaminated non-organic hay for our Deep Mulch garden method (read more about that story here). --> The next time was when we accidentally tainted our compost pile ...Continue Reading
You’re Not Alone
I recently spent two days at the Homestead Festival in Columbia, TN. It was glorious. Events like these feel like coming home. I experience a deep sense of relief when I get to to hang out with people just like me. They don’t raise an eyebrow when I mention milking a cow. They commiserate when I talk about animals dying or the struggle of balancing it all. They share knowing laughs when I tell of my husband ...Continue Reading
What I’ve Been Reading Lately…
Last week the ground was covered in a blanket of white. This week, it’s 70+ degrees and my kids are “swimming” in the buffalo wallow. A tinge of green is appearing across the prairie that’s been brown for an eternity. It’s coming. I'm looking forward to sun, soil, and long evenings spent outside. Although... a part of me will miss the peaceful nights curled next to the fire with a good book. But I know that time will come ...Continue Reading
What Happens When We Dig In
“NO ONE would ever choose to live here on purpose.” His declaration hung in the air as we locked eyes over the soda fountain counter. I cleared my throat before replying. “Well… I live here on purpose….” He stared at me in disbelief. Our conversation ended on a light-hearted note as he walked out the door, but his words stayed with me for the rest of the day. I know it doesn’t make sense at first glance. Why ...Continue Reading
Celebrating Mediocrity
Everyone has a soap box these days. Some scream HUSTLE HARDER! While others yell at us to stop striving... to chill out... to quit trying so hard. Who's right? Well, both of them, I think. The older I get, the more I realize the answer to most of life's questions is: It depends. Life is less about formulas, and more about feel. There's a time to run hard and there's a time to breathe and ...Continue Reading