It’s worse than that first essay of the new school year. You know? The one about what you did that summer? How does one savor 10 weeks of sun-kissed fruits, dog-eared books, and delighted toes that are dug deep in cool grass and then successfully sum it up in 200 words?

How does one stare at a harshly white screen and sum up herself? Impossible.

But it turns out that publishers actually require you to sum yourself up in a one-paragraph bio. As painful as it was, I put this together…

Michelle is a homesteader in rural New England. In their 220-year-old farmhouse and on their 14 tree-filled acres, her family makes an effort to live life a little more simply by growing some of their own food, raising a few farm animals, making their own all-natural maple sugar, and milling their own flour. Michelle’s been featured in Fox News, Whole Foods Magazine, Capper’s Farmer, Hobby Farms, Where Women Create Work, and Mother Earth News. Michelle’s award-winning website, http://SoulyRested.com , her popular podcast, Simple Doesn’t Mean Easy, and her print book, Sweet Maple, tell the story of her family’s connection to the past on their small farm. Michelle has been a guest chef at Northeastern’s Xhibition Kitchen, and she has offered presentations across the country about the inherent value of real food.

So that’s the gist, cause my publisher made me do it. Feel free to check out my book here and keep scrolling if you’d like to know anything else.

Who I Am

I’m a wife to my high school sweetheart and mom to four girls who make sure there is never a dull moment in my days. I’m also blessed to have 3 sons who have married into our family and some amazing grandchildren.

I’m a published author and photographer (this little video tells you all about Sweet Maple), a big fan of all-things-maple, freelance editor, professional storyteller, dog lover, and robotics coach who doesn’t know how to program.

I’m a sugarmaker, side-by-side with my hubby here in our little sugarbush. If you would like to know more about that wonderful process, and how we use that wonderful all-natural syrup in our kitchen (including how we substitute maple syrup for sugar), pick up a copy of Sweet Maple at your local bookstore and follow along here.

I write about kombucha, fresh flour, dehydrating, chicken, dairy, gardening, beekeeping, making real food, and living in an old farmhouse, among other things.

And I host of the Simple Doesn’t Mean Easy podcast. I’d love for you to join me over there, where a new episode drops every Monday.

Where I Live

I’m a relocated New Englander, living in a home that was built in 1800 and situated by a mountain lake that bubbles into a sun-kissed river that flows along our 14 wooded acres. Before you get all dreamy eyed and think that’s romantic, I’ll assure you that the land is littered with rocks (cool rocks, but hazards to a garden or a cow’s field none the less) and the house is in constant need of repair. Did I mention that repairs are constant?

Why I’m Satisfied

The barn roof sags. The lights and water are not always guaranteed to work (at least the way we want them to). The floorboards creak. The land is rocky and filled with work to be done. And the nearest thriving town is an 18-mile backroad trek.

But it is the home God has drawn our family to, and we could not be more satisfied in Him than here, where He has placed us for this season of our lives.

So welcome.

Let’s chat

If you’d like to sit down and get to know each other, download a few of my podcast episodes (even better, I’d love it if you follow along on your favorite podcast player!).

What “SoulyRested” Means

One of many verses that I recently took to heart, long before I fully knew the meaning the words would imprint on my heart, sums up my recent days:

“Stand at the crossroads and look, ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Jeremiah 6:16)

Thus, the title of my blog. I am working on being “Souly Rested.” But I am well aware of the impossibility of that if I am not also solely relying on Christ.

I also dubbed our new homestead (cause, you know, all homesteads need a name) Restful Falls Farm… to remind myself that here I need to REST. Not rest in the typical sense. Heck no. There’s always plenty to do around here. But in the midst of the hard work, I can rest in my soul.

Plus, living in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire leads to some pretty beautiful views, when I have time to get off of the farm.

What “Homeschool” Means to Me

I’m a retired homeschool mom of 4 successfully thriving daughters who love the Lord. Please reread that. Notice I did NOT say I was a successful homeschool mom. I failed at the impossible, joy-filled roller coaster ride of homeschooling miserably, in some way, every year… every subject… every day. For 2 decades. But in spite of my limitations and incapabilities, God blessed my meager efforts. My daughters are successful, and they love the Lord through the everyday way they live their lives.

I’ve written a little about homeschooling here. I also have a passion for helping children and young adults develop an entrepreneurial bent centered around their talents and passions. Read more about that here.

But there are other, separate pages to be written about the definition of success. For now, it’s enough to explain my definition of homeschool success as this: instilling a life-long love of learning.

Thanks to my fine example of insufficiency, they know they can live a prosperous life and honor Him and give Him glory even in the midst of–sometimes because of–their own limitations and incapabilities.

If You’d Like To Know More

Here I write about our farmhouse that has been around for more than 2 centuries. (Or check out my Farmhouse board on Pinterest.)

I write a whole lot about all-natural Maple Syrup as a fantastic sweetener and how we make our own and even save lots of money doing it… In fact that link right there is my most viewed, most shared, most popular post of all.

You can also follow my Maple Board on Pinterest if you’re into maple like I am.

I divulged some secrets legit homesteaders might not tell you. (Pin the secrets by clicking here.)

I love milling our own flour. If you want to know more about that, dive into my FREE resources about fresh flour here.

Brand New here? Start Here.

Here’s an assortment of topics. I bet there’s at least a few here you’ll love:

How to Save Money and Make Your Own Syrup

How to Bake with Lard (& why you should!)

How I Make Sourdough Bread (without discard)

5 Reasons I Don’t Buy Meat at the Grocery Store

3 Secrets Old Farmhouse Owners Might Never Tell You

12 Questions to Ask if You Want to Own a Farm

How to Train Your Dog to be Friendly with Your Chicken

Everything you Need to Know About Duck Eggs

How to bake with maple syrup

How I make money blogging

 

How You Can Contact Me

If you’d like to contact me, please do so on facebook, instagram, or via email at soulyrested (at) outlook (dot) com.

And if you have any interest in the life of a rural New England author who is still learning how to be a good wife to her high school sweetheart; raise more food on her land and get better at hearth-fire cooking; renovate an old home while learning its stories and maintaining its charm; all while simplifying her life, then you just may like to join me on my journey.

I hope you do.

Where Else You’ll Find Me

Please take a second to connect with me on any or all of your favorite social media options . . . Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram. Follow my YouTube channel. And join me every Monday in a new episode of the Simple Doesn’t Mean Easy podcast.

 

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Disclosure:

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

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Thanks for joining me on this journey!

Here’s hoping everything’s great in your neck of the woods today, and I hope you’re staying SOULy rested,