There are some meals that fill your stomach, and then there are meals that fill your soul. Juneteenth has always been about gathering. It’s about family, community, remembering where we’ve come from, and celebrating the freedom and resilience of those who came before us. And around here, celebrations usually happen around the table. This year’sContinueContinue reading “Juneteenth Harvest Plate: A Meal Worth Gathering Around”
Author Archives: Shawana Caldwell
Celebrating Juneteenth on the Homestead: Freedom, Family, and Growing Our Own
Juneteenth has always been about more than a date on the calendar. It’s a celebration of freedom, resilience, and the generations who came before us, people who knew how to make something out of nothing, grow food from the ground, and build community around the table. Honestly, that sounds a lot like homesteading. Here atContinueContinue reading “Celebrating Juneteenth on the Homestead: Freedom, Family, and Growing Our Own”
A Taste of Bikini Bottom
Around here, every part of the homestead seems to end up with a nickname. Some make perfect sense, and some only make sense to us. But that’s part of what makes this place feel like home. Our pineapple patch is affectionately known as Bikini Bottom. Why? Because our oldest son loves SpongeBob SquarePants, and honestly,ContinueContinue reading “A Taste of Bikini Bottom”
A Harvest Worth Celebrating
There’s something special about standing on the deck at the end of a harvest and looking at the baskets overflowing with food. Not because it’s perfect. Not because every seed germinated or every plant produced exactly what we hoped for. But because every item in those baskets represents a little faith, a little patience, andContinueContinue reading “A Harvest Worth Celebrating”
When Mother Nature Says “Sit Down Somewhere”
There are a lot of things we can control on the homestead. We can plan garden layouts. We can start seeds. We can build beds, amend soil, clip chicken wings, harvest herbs, and convince ourselves we absolutely needed another plant (because obviously we did). But one thing a homestead will do every single time isContinueContinue reading “When Mother Nature Says “Sit Down Somewhere””
Purple, Peppers, and a Little Bit of Favoritism: Meet the Blue Christmas Pepper
Listen… I know, as homesteaders, we’re supposed to love all the plants equally. We nurture them, water them, cheer them on, and act like we don’t have favorites. But let me go ahead and tell the truth today. The Blue Christmas Pepper has been out here, making it real hard not to play favorites. BecauseContinueContinue reading “Purple, Peppers, and a Little Bit of Favoritism: Meet the Blue Christmas Pepper”
🌞 Morning Harvest Magic at 1737
There’s just something about early mornings on the homestead that hits different. Before the world gets loud… before the emails, the calls, the to-do lists… it’s just me, the garden, and whatever goodness is ready to be picked that day. And baby—this morning did not disappoint. I stepped outside, not expecting much (because let’s beContinueContinue reading “🌞 Morning Harvest Magic at 1737”
One Last Class… For Now 🐓✨
Hey y’all, If you’ve been watching what we’ve been building over here at 1737, then you already know… these chicken processing classes have been more than just classes. They’ve been experiencing. They’ve been community. They’ve been real, hands-on, “this is how you feed your family” kind of moments. And whew… what a ride it’s been.ContinueContinue reading “One Last Class… For Now 🐓✨”
Like Christmas in the Garden: Blackberry Season at the Homestead
Hey Loves, Y’all know I love every season on the homestead… but this one right here? This one hits different. This time of year feels like Christmas to me. Not the kind with wrapping paper and gifts under a tree, but the kind where you wake up knowing something good is waiting on you outside.ContinueContinue reading “Like Christmas in the Garden: Blackberry Season at the Homestead”
Second Class, Same Energy… Maybe Even Better 🐔✨
Hey Loves, Let me tell you… this second chicken processing class? Whew. It did exactly what it was supposed to do—and then some. Not only was it a success… it was FULLY interactive in a way that just made my heart smile. Watching It Come Full Circle One of my favorite parts? The students fromContinueContinue reading “Second Class, Same Energy… Maybe Even Better 🐔✨”