Rooted & Rising

It’s funny sometimes how everything hits you at once, seems more often these days… maybe the pregnancy hormones? 🤷‍♀️

Yesterday we chased bills, held back tears and made sure we had enough in the account for groceries and could pay our property taxes and struggled to make it all make sense; threats of selling cows to make it work and everything in between.

Today, I let the kids sleep in, made a big breakfast while hearing our hounds bay in the distance of our fields, three healthy kids surround me and work that can wait- I feel like the richest woman alive.

Hi all! It’s been a MINUTE! But I’m feeling super grateful, and wanted to send out a huge thank you. As some of you have been here long before parenting era started, the jump from one to two and the surprise of our third, our farm trials and tribulations and everything in between- I stumble to find the words, but more often than I’d like, I send out texts or calls asking to change appointments for various reasons (often our kids sporting/farm events), and I cringe every. single. time. I often wonder, will this be the time my clients get fed up, will they feel I take their time for granted, will I be able to pull it all off, can I make it work, etc. but truly, almost always, I am met with all sorts of yes, no problems, and we make it work, and very often I hear the response, “family first!” Texts like the one below touch my heart. And so many of you have no idea what that means to me. I am able to be “mom” first. For many of you who are mothers and parents, you know the rat race, trying to be in ten places as once, keep track of everyone schedules and all, and for those of you who aren’t parents but still just give me so much grace, I cannot thank you enough! Thank you for being my clients and friends and supporting me in so many ways, I appreciate you more than I could ever say.

Creating content is not my forte, if you haven’t caught on to that. But lately I’ve been soaking in some pretty big grateful moments with my little family. Our farm is really taking shape, and what used to be such a burden trying to rush through everything just to get things done, we do as a family and find so much enjoyment in that. When our two year old is fighting for a shovel to clean out a sheep pen I think we’ve somehow made it fun- now that’s success! And today, getting to start my day with this view and opening a new book with a hot cup of coffee and three happy, healthy babies, an amazing husband and so much more; I’ve struck gold 💛 (Embracing the corny!)

🍪What I love so much about baking — it’s both science and creativity. Tiny changes in temperature, timing, pan choice, or chill time can transform the final result without changing the recipe at all.

It’s a reminder that recipes are not meant to be rigid rules. They’re starting points. Part of the joy is learning what you love most and making it your own. And I’m famous for measuring with my heart!

Sharing recipes has become one of my favorite ways to connect with others, because baking is more than just food — it’s comfort, experimenting and memories all mixed into one! 💗

Little Emery update! 🙌🏼 After our third trip back down to Florida to see Doctor Dobbs and his team, Emery has his casts off! We made a mad dash to the beach before our flight home and he absolutely loved playing in the sand and water; it was almost impossible to get him to leave! He now has braces to wear for daytime and another set for nighttime and some stretches, but he’s handling it all like the true champion he is- cracking jokes and growling his way through it all! We will head back down to Florida in June for a physical therapy program, but for now we are enjoying seeing him catch up on all the things- and watching those cute little feet get muddy this season!

As always, I cannot thank everyone enough for the support and well wishes! 😅 My communication with clients has really taken a backseat lately, and I appreciate everyone’s understanding as I get back on track! ✂️

Update! ✨After over two weeks away, we are headed home! For those of you who don’t know, our youngest son was born with bilateral clubfeet. At just two weeks old we started weekly castings, a surgical procedure, brace fittings, four different braces and several physical therapy appointments we were coming up short. Our instincts, and a whole lot of research, told us we needed help. After searching high and low we landed on Dr. Dobbs in West Palm Beach, Florida- the clubfoot guru and an absolute gem of a human. Our casting experience was so different and tolerated so well by Emery. Yesterday Emery had a surgical procedure to, hopefully, correct both of his feet for good! He handled it like a champ, and we’ve discovered there’s not much he can’t get through without the help of some fishing and dirt bike stories! We couldn’t be more proud of Emery, as he has been such a trooper throughout this entire process, as well as his big brother and sister who have tagged along to every single appointment and been so patient and helpful every step of the way, always offering endless entertainment, hugs and laughs.

We have been truly humbled by all of the support we have received, from flexibility with hair appointments, check ins and well wishes to farm and financial help. We cannot thank you all enough! Our guy is on the mend, and we are anxious to get back to our Maine life- though the sunshine was pretty sweet! ❤️

All, I would be lying if I said I wasn’t struggling with what to share lately. I’ve been wanting to share positive stories and happenings but my newsfeed is FLOODING with arguments, pushed narratives, and so much ill intent. It’s discouraging, disheartening and overwhelming and I’ve really made an effort not to be a part of it. Stop the scroll for a bit. We all know, it’s been a heavy time, we’re all living it. I can’t, in good conscience, spew about it too… it’s not doing any good, and that is just letting evil win. So I’ll share a snippet from the current book I’m reading; it’s called Signs, by Laura Lynne Jackson.

About 10 years ago I sat in a class with a successful salon owner and stylist, he was incredibly talented and so much fun- however one thing that he always said was, “stay professional. Your client is in your chair for hair, nothing else, do the hair, talk about the hair.” And quite frankly, I couldn’t disagree more. The reason I enjoy my career is the connection. Yes, I enjoy cutting, styling, coloring and changing up your hair, but more than anything else I enjoy hearing about your life and sharing pieces of my own! I want to hear your stories; cheer with you over your wins and support you during your losses. I want you to feel like I’m your biggest cheerleader, because I promise you, when I get in my car at the end of the day, you’re on my mind. Your appointment may only be 45 minutes to 2 hours or so, but you stick with me for so much longer than that. So please, send me the ridiculous texts about your new skills, let’s laugh about it, teach me while I cut your hair so you can tell your college aged daughter how cool you are 😆 but really, I’m here for it all. I love chatting with you about life, all aspects or none at all- you choose. And guess what, I feel like that’s as professional as I can be… because it’s not just hair.

It’s the Sunday scaries. As I look around and see the mess, feel the to do list growing in my head, but continue to hold our tiny man just a minute longer. It’s barn chores, meal prep, birthday party cleanup, homeschool planning and printing, weekly appointment checks, sports schedules, etc., its easy to show you the pretty things- but the rat race behind the screen becomes less of what we want to show… however that’s what I’m dedicated to, and that’s what I’m so proud and passionate about. So here I sit, planning my point of attack and reminding myself that operating from a standpoint of shame only leads to laying in bed at night wishing I had done the day differently, so today, I’m letting my kids sleep in- letting the baby sleep here in my arms, taking it one step at a time. We will make time for all the chores, but today I won’t forget to take it all in, to include each of our three kids, to let them be little and give myself some much needed grace amongst the rat race. I hope you can do the same!