If you garden in the Pacific Northwest, you know the feeling. After a long, gray winter, there’s a shift. The rain feels a little warmer, the days get a little longer, and a specific kind of excitement starts to bubble up. Spring is finally, truly here. For us, the sign is when the nights are consistently staying above 40°F. It’s the green light we’ve been waiting for! This is the crucial moment to start moving […]
A Comprehensive Guide to Creating a Sourdough Starter from Scratch: The Sandor Katz Inspired Method Sourdough starter, also known as a “mother” or “levain,” is a living culture of wild yeasts and bacteria that naturally leaven and flavor bread. Creating one from scratch is a rewarding process that connects you to ancient baking traditions. Sandor Katz’s philosophy embraces the simplicity and natural magic of fermentation. The Core Principle: You are creating a hospitable environment for […]
The Pacific Northwest weather keeps teasing us lately. This morning it was 29 degrees. I have the hyacinths covered with bell jars to keep them from freezing and I mulched all of the little tender crocuses. They all thought the couple of warm days were the indicator to do their thing. Someday spring will actually arrive and then it will be non-stop gardening and preserving until October-ish. Stay tuned for updates as the busy season […]
One of the greatest joys of living on our piece of land in the Pacific Northwest is sharing it with the local wildlife. From the birds in the trees to the deer that wander through at dusk, our property often feels like a calm, welcome stop for them. But as any gardener knows, coexisting with wildlife is a delicate balance between wonder and frustration. Learning which animals are friends to the garden and which are […]
Beyond the garden beds and chicken coops, a homestead’s heart can often be found in its animals—and for us, that includes our cats. Whether they are hardworking mousers or professional sunbathers, cats bring a special kind of life and character to the farm. They are our companions during quiet moments and a constant source of amusement and affection. Here, we wanted to introduce you to some of the cats that have called our farm home. […]
There’s a popular saying that “April showers bring May flowers,” and here in the Pacific Northwest, that couldn’t be more true. After a long, damp spring, the garden suddenly explodes with color in May, making all the patience and hard work worth it. This year, the main event on our homestead is the triumphant first bloom of our bearded irises. I ordered them last year, and they arrived so late in the fall that I […]
The Ultimate Cranberry Pecan Baked Brie Every holiday season needs that one perfect appetizer. The one that’s impressive yet secretly simple, decadent, and a total crowd-pleaser. For us, this Cranberry Pecan Baked Brie is it. This recipe came about right after I made a batch of homemade Cranberry Jam. My husband loves Brie, and wrapping it in flaky puff pastry with that tart jam and crunchy pecans felt like the perfect festive treat. It immediately […]
Every year, as the holidays approach, I find myself reaching for the classic flavors of the season. This Easy Homemade Cranberry Jam started as a simple component for a baked brie recipe, but it was so delicious we knew it deserved its own spotlight. Unlike overly sweet, canned jellies, this jam is packed with a bright, tart flavor, sweetened with maple syrup, and warmed with a hint of cinnamon and vanilla. It has a wonderful […]
We have had this aloe vera plant for years, moving it from house to house, and it has always been a reliable, steady friend. But it never flowered. Until this year. All of a sudden, we noticed a tall, strange stalk emerging from the center of the plant. It’s a rare and exciting event: our aloe is blooming for the first time ever! If you’ve stumbled upon this post because you’re seeing the same thing, […]
Every summer, our Butterfly Bush (Buddleia davidii) explodes into a beautiful display of purple flowers, and just as its name promises, it becomes a magnet for butterflies. It’s an incredible sight to see them fluttering around, and it’s easy to understand why this plant is so popular. The pollinators certainly love it. However, as we’ve learned more about gardening responsibly here in the Pacific Northwest, we’ve come to understand the complicated nature of this beautiful […]
