Feathers and Brine

08/31/2026

What. A. Summer. Won't be sorry to see it go, but grateful for the chance to slow down and actually rest for the first time in a very long time. Wishing "getting back into the swing of things" actually felt like being on a swing set and less like being run over by a train. Hence, crab rangoons. Not pictured: a homegrown jalapeno from my garden in the filling. 4/10 no zing but brought a fresh flavor. Pictured: wonton wrappers that were knocking around my freezer because I was too preoccupied with perfection to use them. Moral: do the thing! You might end up with something great! And even if you don't, you've learned something, so there is no such thing as losing. (I think a recently deceased southern lady said something like that once.)

07/24/2026

Get the thrift find if you love it, even if you're not sure what life it might take on with you. You have my permission. Found this frame at a bin sale- it was dusty and looked a little sad and weathered there in the pile, but it's so beautiful and is made of solid wood, which we all know we'd be hard pressed to find these days. Its next stop was most definitely the landfill, so in my bag it went. Last week, I found the perfect print to put in the frame while on a thrift trip with my sister. I had the scrapbook paper already in my stash...et voila! A little Windex, a little scotch tape, and I've got myself a truly one of a kind piece of art to display in my living room.

07/21/2026

It was supposed to be a deluge, so I'm very grateful this slow, steady, cooling rain is what we're getting right now.

I know I've been quiet on social media, but that doesn't mean I haven't been busy. I've just decided that documenting my every move for Ol' Zuck just isn't something I'm interested in.

The garden is coming along, and I've even been able to harvest a few things here and there. The next month is when the action really starts, and garden hauls will become a daily thing soon enough. My chicken littles are also coming along, and are not so little anymore. I expect that my four Gold Laced Wyandottes will start laying within the next two weeks, at which point we will be drowning in eggs and looking to share the wealth! If you're looking to buy local and think you might like a weekly egg delivery, please reach out. Keep an eye out for more information before the end of the month!

06/15/2026

Peek 🫣

Anyone else having issues with store bought sandwich bread? In our house, it either molds before we can use half the loaf or it never molds or goes stale, which is a little unsettling. I got sick of it, so today I'm making sandwich bread. A good way to take advantage of this cooler weather, I think! The dough has already doubled in size, so shortly I will be shaping it and baking it. Fingers crossed it turns out good!

06/13/2026

Plant sale this weekend!

All plants $1!

Tomatoes- Kellogg Breakfast and Beefsteak
Jalapenos
Kale

Message for pickup information

06/11/2026

See that string holding up my peas? That used to be a sweater 😁

06/10/2026

Garden party 🌱

Stayed tuned for info about my plant sale this weekend!

06/09/2026

05/31/2026

Turning my empty seed packets into art 🎨

05/12/2026

I'd say I'm behind (because I am) but with the weather being so chilly lately, maybe I'm right on track. Finally potting up the rest of my seedlings today and reflecting on the lessons I've already learned this year.

1. Coconut coir alone is not a good medium for seed starting. Yes, it's very affordable. It's compact until you're ready to use it. It is also just fiber and void of nutrients, so once your seedling has used up the energy in the seed germ, growth will stop. So I ended up with plants who could stay alive but couldn't muster enough energy to make more than one set of true leaves, if that.

2. My garden wishlist now includes a tumbling composter drum...or whatever it's called. This is the first year I'm actually pulling compost from my bin and let's just say mistakes were made. But it's free and it's working!

3. You can never have enough grow lights.

4. The paper seed pots are awesome. Never buying individual seed cells again!

5. Remember that every year involves some trial and error. Give yourself ALL the grace and keep in mind that learning is part of the fun! Now I just have to figure out where I'm going to put all the seedlings that still remain...