Simple living, homesteading, family life, and finding peace outside the hustle.

Welcome to Notes From the Yard — a place where I share life at a slower pace, the quiet joys of working with your hands, and moments spent outside appreciating the world around us. Here you’ll find reflections on nature, thoughts on simple living, and stories from everyday life. Whether it’s gardening, hiking, biking, or just sitting in the backyard watching the sky, these pages are my little corner for slowing down, learning, and sharing what matters most.

Nature is my reset button. Whether it’s wandering through the woods, biking a local trail, fishing quietly by a river, or just sitting in my backyard watching the birds, being outside clears my head and brings perspective. I’ve always been drawn to the calm of the natural world — it reminds me that life doesn’t have to be a constant rush. These posts share moments, experiences, and reflections from spending time in the quiet spaces of the world.

Working on your home and land is its own kind of therapy. From planting garden beds, tending fruit patches, or fixing something around the house, there’s a satisfaction that comes from building and maintaining your space. Even on a small lot, doing these projects teaches patience, resourcefulness, and a connection to the work you put in. Here, I share stories, tips, and small victories from creating a life closer to the land, a life that’s hands-on, practical, and deeply rewarding.

Life is messy, busy, and unpredictable — and that’s exactly why taking time to reflect matters. In Life Notes, I write about parenting, slowing down, making intentional choices, and just observing the little things that make life rich. From quiet mornings in the backyard to lessons learned through mistakes and successes, these posts are my honest observations on living deliberately, even when the world feels fast and overwhelming.

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  40 Posts Later: Reflections From the Yard
  This site started as a place to slow down and think. Forty posts in, it’s become a quiet record of small moments, simple living, and learning to breathe again in a world that rarely stops.
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  Choosing Small, Repeatable Rituals Outside
  Simple outdoor rituals—checking the garden, stacking sticks for the fire, sitting in silence—offer calm, connection, and presence. Repeating these small acts daily or weekly builds mindfulness and grounding in the natural rhythm of life.
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  Boredom Is the Doorway
  Sitting in quiet boredom can feel uncomfortable at first, but it opens a space for reflection, clarity, and unexpected insights. This post explores how simply allowing yourself to “do nothing” can lead to creativity, mindfulness, and moments of self-discovery in everyday life.
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  Walking Without Headphones
  Walking without headphones turns a simple stroll into a chance to notice the world around you. From the sound of leaves underfoot to distant birdsong, walking mindfully helps you slow down, focus, and reconnect with your surroundings in a way that’s rare in a busy world.
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  How to Make a Sourdough Starter (And Keep It Alive)
  Creating a sourdough starter is as much about patience and observation as it is about ingredients. This guide walks you through the process, troubleshooting common issues, and shows how maintaining a living starter can become a daily ritual that rewards you with delicious bread.

These are just notes from the yard — take what’s useful and leave the rest.