Live Deliberately

07/29/2026

Fulfilling, and busy day canning some lovely tomatoes, and making Cowboy Candy with some jalapeños from Eaton Beef & Produce! If you haven’t visited them, you NEED to pop on over!

07/29/2026

Next time you pinch a stem off your basil, drop it into a pretty little jar. I always tend to take more than I need when I get out into the garden…and now I can pop this little girl into some soil to keep growing! Live deliberately!

07/12/2026

Give John a call! Also, fence row tree delimbing, right of way bushhogging, brushcutting, mulching. Reasonable rates!

07/07/2026

Did you know you can eat radish tops? I use radishes as a “spacer” when I plant my carrots. They mature quickly, giving space for the long carrots to have free reign after harvesting them. But, I don’t waste a thing! Wash and freeze those tops to add a spicy zest to soups!

There’s something grounding about eating with the seasons.

Not rushing ahead. Not forcing what isn’t ready. Just receiving what the land is offering right now.

When we choose to eat seasonally, we begin to live deliberately in a way that feels almost forgotten. We slow down. We notice. We appreciate the first ripe tomato, the crisp snap of fresh green beans, the sweetness that only comes when fruit is allowed to fully mature under the sun.

It’s not just about food—it’s about alignment.

Seasonal eating connects us back to the rhythm of creation. It reminds us that there is a time for everything, including rest, growth, abundance, and even scarcity. And when we honor that rhythm on our plates, it has a way of settling into the rest of our lives too.

The truth is, food tastes better when it hasn’t traveled thousands of miles or been forced out of season. It nourishes more deeply. And it carries a story—of soil, sunshine, rain, and patient tending.

This is your gentle reminder to pause, look around, and ask: what is in season right here, right now?

Maybe it’s as simple as a handful of berries, a garden cucumber, or something from a local farmer you trust.

Whatever it is—receive it with gratitude.

Live deliberately. Eat deliberately.

07/05/2026

There’s something quietly powerful about stepping into the garden early in the morning—the hum of wings, the soft landing of a bee on a bloom, the sense that life is moving all around you in ways we often overlook.

If we choose to live deliberately, we start to notice these small, essential moments. Pollinators—especially our local honeybees—aren’t just visitors in the garden. They are partners. Every tomato, cucumber, squash, and berry we hope to harvest depends, in part, on their steady, faithful work.

That’s why I’ve made the choice not to spray pesticides here. Even products labeled “safe” can disrupt or harm the very creatures we rely on most. When we spray, we don’t just target the pest—we risk the balance.

Instead, I’m learning to work with nature rather than against it.

A few simple, pollinator-safe ways to manage pests:
• Invite beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings—they’ll happily take care of aphids and other troublemakers.
• Use gentle solutions like neem oil or a mild soap spray in the early evening, when pollinators are less active.
• Plant a diversity of flowers and herbs to create a balanced ecosystem where no single pest can take over.

It’s not about having a perfect garden. It’s about having a living one.

When we slow down and live deliberately, we realize the goal isn’t control—it’s connection. And in that connection, everything begins to thrive. 🐝🌿

Thank you to our neighbors at Beemushima Farm for providing their beautiful bees! We promise to be good stewards as we “borrow them” during the day in our gardens!

07/05/2026

I am in love with this sentence

01/09/2026

05/15/2025

These are ALL found around us here in Southeast/South Central Missouri! I would like to add a couple notes: Begin looking for these in the beginning of April and into May. By mid-May, many are past their prime in our area.
Also, Multiflora rose, honeysuckle, and blackberry flowers/leaves are wonderful additions to this list :)

05/13/2025

If you contact this plant, the reaction can be severe—think poison ivy multiplied by 100.

With our extremely wet spring, Poison Hemlock is thriving everywhere. In the next few weeks, you'll notice fields covered with white flowers - but be careful.

Not all white-flowering plants are dangerous, so here's how to identify the toxic ones:

The key identifier: Look for purple splotches on the stems. If you see these purple markings, it's Poison Hemlock and should be avoided!