it's not about perfection + two simple recipes
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Hi friend, This week, I’ve been thinking a lot lately about where our food comes from and how radical it can be to step just an inch outside the “normal” system. Not like in an all-or-nothing way, but in small, steady shifts toward more sustainability, connection, and resilience. I bought my eggs this week from a new friend/neighbor/community member and have enjoyed getting to know her and her farm. Growing herbs in a pot on the deck is another small step toward addressing consumption and waste in our culture. I recently learned how to save whey from my yogurt-making and turn it into something sweet, rather than pouring it down the drain. It’s slower. Sometimes less convenient. Very much imperfect. But it feels more connected, intentional, and alive. That’s part of what led to the recipes I posted this week — whey caramel and simple syrup. They’re simple, yes, but they come from a deeper place: wanting to use what we have, waste less, and participate more fully in our own kitchens. None of it looks very polished over here. Things get overcooked. Edges aren’t straight. I forget things. G made a key lime pie for the first time this week. The taste turned out fantastic, but the texture or appearance wasn't exactly photo-worthy. So we learn and try again. Which brings me to a reflection I wrote over on Substack this week about how growth is better than perfection. If we wait until we’re doing it perfectly, we’ll never begin. Growth looks like:
If that resonates with you, I’d love for you to read the full piece over on Substack. It’s a little more personal, a little more reflective, and the “why” behind all of this. If you’re here more for the practical side of things, you can find these new recipes on the blog: (And if you're not a cheese or yogurt maker, but want the caramel sauce, here is a recipe for that!) Both are small ways to stretch what you already have, make something beautiful, and learn a new skill. I hope you have a great weekend! Happy Friday, Jodie |
Green Tree Homestead
Hi friends! Fall in Michigan has been kind of magical lately. Cool nights and mornings, days in the 60s and 70s, plenty of sunshine, and all the autumn color you could ask for. I've been spending a few hours each week reclaiming some overgrown garden plots in one of our community spaces. The plots sit alongside a fence surrounded by thick brush, which provides privacy from the houses beyond. Unfortunately, it's also the perfect place for seeds to take over. I've been making it my mission to...
Hi friend! As you may know, sourdough is one of my loves. The baking process brings me pure joy (not to mention the warm bread that results!). I often hear people say that they think sourdough is too much of a time investment, or that it’s too complicated. But I have to say, neither of those things has to be true. There is a learning curve, of course. But once you get the hang of it, sourdough is actually pretty easy to incorporate into your rhythm. Over the years, I’ve learned that a big...
Hi Friends! It's been a busy month over here as we have expanded the garden and are working hard on all the outdoor projects before the summer heat comes in full swing. We are building a sustainable, permaculture-style design that makes the most of our tiny space. This year, we acquired jostaberries, wild strawberries, rhubarb, Jerusalem artichokes, ground nuts, gooseberries, walking onions, and an elderberry tree. Sprinkled in are some perennial flowers and fruiting shrubs like blueberry,...