Spring Chickens As we were finally getting somewhat settled into our new home in the redwoods, we decided it was time to get a new flock of chickens so we could enjoy farm-fresh eggs again. We were no strangers to this experience, having had a few flocks at our previous home. Our new place already […]
Yearly Archives: 2024
#65 Gestational Diabetes & Slow Cooker Carnitas
The Diagnosis When I was pregnant with my second daughter, Karissa, I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes. I wasn’t much of a snacker, even as a child, and I was more into savory foods than sweet foods. I tried to eat healthy (for the most part) and portion my meals properly. So, I was somewhat […]
#64 Learning the Ropes
I recently got to help my cousin gather some cows on her friend’s expansive ranch about an hour’s haul from my house. Here’s Kaylee all saddled up and ready to find the cows, with lunch and water in my saddlebags. It has been many years (decades, if I’m being honest) since I last joined a […]
#63 A Sneak Peak into the Red Quill Office
If you’ve ever been curious exactly where I tuck away to work on your manuscripts, now’s your chance to take an insider’s tour of my new editorial office. While we still have some things to move, organize, or finish, my new office is mostly completed and I have been able to work in it for […]
#62 A Very Special Visit
When I worked on Dave “Letterfly” Knoderer‘s first book back in 2022, we quickly realized a mutual passion for adventures on horseback. Dave is a natural storyteller with a fascinating history with the circus, traveling all over, and painting custom murals on RVs. Back in the ’70s, he owned several ponies that he used in […]
#61 New in Town, part e (final)
Little Piece of History There’s been a few cool finds in our remodeling process. In addition to some old handmade nails (I forgot to take a photo!), Lane found this gem tucked into the upstairs floor when he was cutting the hole for our dining room light. Yep, you’re seeing that right—it’s a newspaper clipping […]
#60 New In Town, part d
Laundry/Pantry Room Off the kitchen of our new-to-us old farmhouse, there used to be a tiny dining room and a separate closet-sized laundry room. With no pantry and a massive farmhouse table I desperately wanted to keep, we decided to knock out the wall between the laundry room and dining room and add a wall […]
#59 New In Town, part c
My Kingdom for a Garage With Lane’s toolboxes residing in what would become our living room, it became clear that one of the major things this property was lacking was a garage. There’s extensive space in the attic, and the house itself is bigger than we really wanted, but everyone needs outside storage for things […]
#58 New In Town, part b
Acquiring Our New Old Home The farmhouse was built in 1892, and was one of the original homesteads when this town was first being populated by lumbermen and their families. While the original two-story home remains, it also has newer additions to make room for bathrooms and a kitchen—remember, this home was built in the […]
