Field Notes

Not a Farm. Just a Life That Pays Attention
A quiet shift toward better living, rooted in family, health, and paying attention to what matters. Not a farm, just a different way of doing things. Read more...
What the Hive Tells You When You Just Walk By
What the Hive Tells You When You Just Walk By
I was not planning to inspect today. The storm was coming, I was leaving for vacation, and the timing was not right to open a hive. So I did the... Read more...
The Thing I Almost Missed While I Was Paying Attention to Something Else
The Thing I Almost Missed While I Was Paying Attention to Something Else
My doctor was a cardiac surgeon who decided he wanted to meet his patients before they were in crisis. He was the one who first told me about castor oil.... Read more...
The Egg Bowl
The Egg Bowl
There is a bowl that lives on my kitchen island. My family knows what it is, nobody questions it, and it has quietly become one of the most useful systems... Read more...
What I'm Actually Looking For When I Open the Hive
What I'm Actually Looking For When I Open the Hive
Last year I inspected that hive every single week and still lost every bee in it. Not because I wasn't paying attention. Because I didn't know what I was looking... Read more...
Plastic Everywhere (So I Started With My Kitchen)
Plastic Everywhere (So I Started With My Kitchen)
Reducing plastic exposure doesn’t have to mean throwing everything out. Here’s how we’ve slowly started making more practical swaps in our kitchen and home. Read more...
The Second Box: How to Know When Your Hive Is Ready to Grow
The Second Box: How to Know When Your Hive Is Ready to Grow
Adding a second brood box too soon can set your colony back. Too late and they swarm. Here is what I looked for in my weekly inspection, what I found... Read more...
Size and Space (Because Bees Care More Than You Think)
Size and Space (Because Bees Care More Than You Think)
Hive size and frame spacing aren’t just preferences, they directly impact how your bees build, store, and survive. Read more...
In Beekeeping, a Freezer Is Your Friend
In Beekeeping, a Freezer Is Your Friend
Using a freezer to manage pests in beekeeping is a simple, effective way to protect your frames and your hives without chemicals. Read more...
Breaking a Broody Hen (Before She Cooks Herself)
Breaking a Broody Hen (Before She Cooks Herself)
A simple, practical way to break a broody hen before heat and stress become a problem, especially in hot climates like Texas. Read more...
The Thing That Started It All
The Thing That Started It All
Homemade laundry detergent was the first step toward a more capable way of living. Simple, effective, and surprisingly affordable. Read more...
The Day the Bees Move In
The Day the Bees Move In
Installing a new nuc of bees doesn’t have to be complicated, but it does require preparation. Here’s a simple, real-life look at how I get my hives set up and... Read more...
Compost, Without the Fuss
Compost, Without the Fuss
Composting doesn’t have to be complicated. From tumblers to worm bins to simple leaf piles, there’s a method that works for any space and any pace. Read more...
What the Wind Dropped
What the Wind Dropped
After a windstorm dropped pomegranate flowers, I gathered them and made a simple tincture and tea. A reminder that useful things are often already right in front of you. Read more...
Let the Fresh Air In
Let the Fresh Air In
Fresh air is one of the simplest ways to support your health and your home. Open the windows, step outside, and let things breathe a little. Read more...
homemade yogurt in a jar in front of an instant pot
Your Gut’s Got More Say Than You Think
Cravings might not be coming from your brain at all. Simple, old-school foods like yogurt and sauerkraut can help bring your gut back into balance without overcomplicating it. Read more...
Build for Growth First: Rethinking My Brood Boxes
Build for Growth First: Rethinking My Brood Boxes
A hard-earned lesson on brood boxes, why foundation may matter more than “natural,” and how small setup decisions impact the strength of your entire hive. Read more...
Plant the Tree Anyway - Today!
Plant the Tree Anyway - Today!
A pomegranate bloom, three years in, and a reminder that some things take longer than we’d like but are worth it anyway. Read more...
Foundation or Not: What I Got Wrong About Wax
Foundation or Not: What I Got Wrong About Wax
Foundation or foundationless frames change how your bees spend their energy. Here is what I learned the hard way about wax, time, and honey production. Read more...
Flour Isn’t What It Used to Be
Modern flour is stripped down and rebuilt. Grinding your own wheat berries brings back the flavor, texture, and nutrition that used to come standard. Read more...
Cleavers: The Weed I Finally Stopped Fighting
Cleavers, once a backyard nuisance, turned into a useful spring staple for tea, baths, and simple daily use. Sometimes the weeds are worth a second look. Read more...
Borax: Plain Powder, Pulls Its Weight
Borax is a simple, hardworking staple for cleaning, laundry, and more. We keep it in bulk because it earns its place in just about every corner of the house. Read more...
Brazil Nuts Instead of Another Bottle
Swapping selenium supplements for a few Brazil nuts each day is a simple, food-first way to support your body without adding another pill. Read more...
Mouthwash, Without the Burn
This simple homemade mouthwash uses cinnamon, clove, and coconut oil to freshen your mouth without the harsh burn of store-bought options. Read more...
Copper Water, Plain and Steady
A simple copper pot on the counter makes it easier to drink more water and add small trace minerals without overthinking it. Read more...
Clean Enough to Work: Finding a Coop System You’ll Actually Keep Up With
Clean Enough to Work: Finding a Coop System You’ll Actually Keep Up With
A real look at the deep litter method versus sand for chicken coops, and why low maintenance systems win in the long run. Read more...
Chicks or Ready to Lay: Choosing the Start That Fits Your Life
Chicks or Ready to Lay: Choosing the Start That Fits Your Life
Raising chicks versus buying pullets comes down to time, cost, and lifestyle. Here is what to expect from both and how to choose what works best. Read more...
Built Once, Works Daily: A Chicken Setup That Carries Its Own Weight
Built Once, Works Daily: A Chicken Setup That Carries Its Own Weight
A simple, practical chicken setup that handles food, water, and safety without constant attention. Built for real life, not perfect routines. Read more...
Start With the Right Coop for You: Decisions That Save You Trouble Later
Start With the Right Coop for You: Decisions That Save You Trouble Later
Choosing the right chicken coop and run for you starts with flock size, space, and real-life use. A practical look at building a setup that works from day one. Read more...
You Don’t Need Land to Start Living This Way
Homesteading is not about land. It is about mindset. A grounded, practical look at how to start where you are, with what you have. Read more...