The sunshine is pouring through the skylight (YAY-winter sun in the PNW is not taken for granted!) so l'm heading out to take a walk in a bit and see what birds have stuck around and what berries they are finding. Hawthorn I've discovered already. Meanwhile, taking inventory of herbs and preparations that need to be made. Starting off with a children's glycerite, sealed and simmered to maintain the volatile oils. I have a lot of satisfying work ahead this wintry day and pray the same is true for you all.

A Good Day to be Content

On chasing sunshine and desirable abodes

Sometimes, (a lot of times, especially in the last few years), I dream of moving south.

Feels SO GOOD to be home. Watched the latest Highwire on the plane and it just hit me hard, the whole indoctrination going on 😞 It feels like a war. I think it really is one.

Common Questions regarding Cell Phone Safety

Cell Phone FAQs

Drat. Like I'm not weird enough. Do I keep the thing that's hurting me? 🤔

I am SO looking forward to get my seeds started for spring. I'm going to remove a piece of furniture from my dining room and make way instead for a shelving unit there bc that's where the best lighting is. Plus, I dunno....maybe the vibe of seeds + place of eating together will lead to more growth (for all involved) 🌱 While visiting extended family, I quietly became even more committed to my own food values and life values. I felt like such a foreigner about God, food, health, entertainment, politics, etc ad nauseum. I couldn't wait to get back home to my husband and children and to inventory my seed bank and make a whole lot more herbal medicines. Onwards. #grownostr #growagarden #growstronger

Good morning! I hope you all are staying well and cozy this winter. We've gotten a few bits of snow already. Puzzles are definitely out, as are board games and books. As much as I love warmer weather, I do appreciate a season of rest (even--or especially--when I don't want it!). I'm also decluttering more which always feels good, though it's harder to do that with so many people living in the house.

"This time of year I find myself slungshot quite a bit between heady inspiration and debilitating depression..." Trying to figure out how to live a quieter, more simple lifestyle while I still have seven children at home (don't laugh!). Plus the dark this time of year challenges me. Plus I'm 50something and not as energetic as I used to be. Some ransom thoughts.

My daughter made some signs for our property. My favorite one is for where we buried our livestock dog. I still miss him and the goats and flocks he protected. Maybe someday my family will want to do that again; I sure do. I'm just trying to keep my head down and write in between all of the home care and children right now. Plus trying to figure out where in the house I can get seeds going; the greenhouse that came with the property is cute, but too cold to get anything going in it. I'm not opposed to turning half of my dining room into a jungle in order to get the headstart in my garden later this spring.

GM. Early start here as usual, trying to get half a day's work finished before the kids are up and my work *really* gets going. Today I've got a sourdough flatbread going, mixed with wild ramp powder, garlic, thyme and black sesame. I'm going to have to come up with a good soup to go with it, maybe tomato based, I dunno. I need to make a coffee. So I can get two minutes in to enjoy it before the rush. Just wanted to stop in and say hiya and hope you all have a good day wherever you are 👋

Servants of Grace

The Benefits and Strategies of Homeschooling with Keri Mae Lamar

Dave talks with Keri Mae Lamar about her new book, Slow Schooling: A Return to Learning as an Enjoyable Lifestyle.

I did another interview regarding homeschooling. I hope you enjoy and find something useful! #grownostr #homeschooling

Broth and soup for the day. Broth included chaga, onion, astragalus, jujube, green and yellow onion, carrot, celery, fennel, chanterelle, turnip, and parsley. Soup from it is a parsnip-fennel. One of the best parts of winter is all of the nourishing soups 🍵 What's cooking at your house? #grownostr #foodstr