Did you try anything new this week?


This week on the holmestead

It was quite eventful over here. We had a few friends join and spent the holiday making some maple syrup. You need about 40 gallons of sap water to produce 1 gallon of maple syrup. From start to finish it's a 4 hour process. The reward of delicious golden syrup is worth the slow waiting as water boils.

I posted my first full length youtube video and Dave and I attended a pottery class. Trying new things comes with a lot more questions than answers, but it also helps you exercise your ability to let go of your comforts.

How did you spend your weekend?

Making Sourdough

I love the process of sourdough because it encourages me to be intentional with how I utilize time as a resource. Though it doesn't require much hands on time, you have to plan your day around the different steps. It's truly amazing what turns out when you are consistent with the mixing, shaping and rest periods.

If you're local to me, I'm teaching a beginner sourdough class on March 22. You can sign up for that here! I'm also putting together a few resources to help support your sourdough journey, wherever you are located. More on this soon. 🥖

🌱Tip of the week!

When you're looking for an alternative to single use sealable bags, consider these:

P.S. I have a super quick question for you…

If you could only get one thing from reading my weekly emails, what would it be?

It’ll take you less than 30 seconds.

Just hit 'reply' to this email real quick to let me know. It can be one word, one sentence, or essay-length. Your choice—but any reply will help me serve you better!

Not interested in receiving emails from me anymore? No problem! Unsubscribe here.

The Holmestead Series

I help busy women who crave a self-sufficient, sustainable life through modern homesteading—without a huge farm. Here we discuss things we're learning, growing in the garden and baking in the kitchen. This is the Holmestead Series!

Read more from The Holmestead Series

I've got some tough love. so many pumpkin plants. want one?! I hear people say this all the time, "I'm too busy!" Have you ever considered saying no, Reader? You get to decide what you commit to. We all have seasons of busyness but if you're constantly running from thing to thing, every day of the week, 52 weeks a year, when do you stop and rest? When do you allow yourself to just be a human being, not only a human doing? This morning I wanted to go and volunteer at a public garden. The group...

Let's rip off the bandaid! If I were on a mission to be more sustainable, I would start by refusing free stuff. Wait, but isn't it a goal of yours to thrift everything? Yes. Now, hear me out. Free stuff is the best! BUT! Only accept what you will actually use.💚If you already have a plastic-free toothbrush, tell the dentist no thanks when they offer one with their company business name on it.💚If the restaurant offers you a promotional cup with purchase, ask if they can reuse the cup.💚Buy...

10 new baby chicks!

We bought a zoo! We've been waiting and hoping to buy more chickens for months. It seems everyone is in the same boat because it has been a challenge to finding any. Patience pays off, Reader, because on Saturday we purchased 10 3-week old chicks from Wolf Hill Farm. We'll have to wait 5 to 6 months until they start giving us any eggs but we're excited to have some new friends at The Holmestead. Jury's out with how Millie is managing. (I caught her walking along the top of their a-frame coop...