a life full of living

My background is a little varied, which is probably one of the reasons A Life Full of Living covers so many different parts of life!

I currently work as a registered dental hygienist, but food has always been a major part of my life. In the past, I owned and operated a café. I also spent time catering. That experience gave me a hands-on culinary background that continues to influence the way I cook, develop recipes, entertain, and think about food today.

I also have degrees in science, psychology, and business, which probably explains why I tend to approach things from several different angles. I like to understand the “why” behind what I am doing, whether that means experimenting with a recipe, figuring out why a fruit tree is not producing, propagating plants, planning a garden, or learning an entirely new skill.

Building This Place From the Ground Up

I bought my land when I was 23. At the time, it was bare land with no established home, orchard, or garden. I then designed the home, built it, and moved into the house at 25. It was just me and my then 5-year-old daughter.

My daughter and I have planted the trees, developed the gardens, built out the growing areas, and shaped the property one project at a time. Every fruit tree, berry patch, planting bed, pathway, and rock has become part of that process.

The property continues to change as I learn, experiment, add new plants, rethink old spaces, and take on projects I never imagined when I first bought the land.

What started as a piece of bare ground has gradually become an orchard, garden, home, and place where we grow food, raise animals, make things, gather with family, and continue learning how to do more for ourselves.

Growing, Making & Learning

My version of homesteading continues to evolve. Along with the orchard, berries, vegetables, herbs, flowers, chickens, bees, and other projects around our property, I recently started a small willow farm.

The willow was planted with a long-term goal of learning traditional willow crafts, beginning with baskets and eventually moving into larger pieces and other handmade items. It is still very much a work in progress, which is part of the fun.

There will be much more to come as the willow matures, I begin harvesting it, and I learn how to turn something grown here into something useful and beautiful.

Food, Travel & the Places That Inspire Me

I also travel quite a bit, and if I am being completely truthful, food is often one of the main reasons I choose where to go.

Some people plan a trip around museums or sightseeing. I am just as likely to plan one around a restaurant reservation, a bakery I’ve wanted to visit, a great café, a farmers’ market, or a dish I have been thinking about trying.

That is why you will also find posts here about cafés, restaurants, hotels, wineries, bakeries, and places I discover while traveling. I love finding memorable food and beautiful places, to share.

A meal I have while traveling always inspires a recipe I make later in my own kitchen. A beautiful garden, orchard, market, or café may spark an idea for something I want to grow, cook, or create at home.

For me, food, travel, gardening, and home life are not really separate interests. They all overlap, and that is a big part of what A Life Full of Living is about.

Work With Me

I also offer a few things locally through A Life Full of Living.

Fruit Sales
Seasonal fruit may be available from our property depending on the year, harvest, and variety. Availability will vary throughout the growing season.

Cooking Classes
I occasionally offer private cooking classes. Cooking classes are currently available by referral only.

Classes may focus on scratch cooking, baking, specific recipes, or techniques depending on the interests of the group.

Questions & Inquiries
For fruit availability, cooking class inquiries, collaborations, or other questions, please email me at: alifefullofliving@gmail.com

Because fruit and class availability are limited, submitting an inquiry does not guarantee availability.