They say to "Love what you do and do what you love!"

They also say, “do what you love and you’ll never have to work a day in your life!”.

Who is this “they” and how did THEY get it all figured out?

I don’t know. But I do know that when I’m out talking to a farmer whose eyes are lit up as they talk about this new tomato or that new litter pigs … when I’m taking photos that will help tell a story … when I’m interviewing someone for the podcast to gain understanding on their perspective on local food … when I’m sitting at my computer trying to find the right words to convey why it’s important to know the person who cared for the chickens that laid the eggs that you eat … none of that feels like work to me.

I am doing what I love and I do love what I’m doing! I hope that love and passion comes through.

I'm a Country Girl

I'm a Country Girl

I always felt like I was part city girl, part country girl … a foot in each world - never fully at home, never completely out of place. One foot in each world.

I struggled to choose which I would prefer.

Museums, sidewalk cafes, being completely alone on a crowded street. Public transportation, street performances, a cityscape against a pale blue sky.

Dirt roads, freshly plowed fields and the smell of rich earth on a cool breeze. Face to the sun, hands outstretched, bare feet in warm grass, serenaded by crickets and bullfrogs.


An Innovative Approach to Advertising

An Innovative Approach to Advertising

Our audience and community built around Southern Soil very much consists of the conscious consumer. So, our approach to advertising is a new and innovative method. We are curating a select group of businesses and organizations to be a part of our community and to have an opportunity to develop trust and loyalty through transparency and open communication with our audience.

Community in 2022!

Community in 2022!

I gave up on resolutions a long time ago. But I like to choose a word that encapsulates an idea or a concept... a way to help me grow personally and to help me grow my business as well. This year, my word is COMMUNITY. On the surface that might not seem like a word that's meant to be a catalyst for change.

What if we change the whole system?

What if we change the whole system?

It’s just a thought … but really … what if we just changed the whole damn thing? What amazing things could happen in our communities, in our State, in this country and around the world if we, as consumers, just quit buying from companies that want to pay the cheapest rates, cut corners, hurt the environment and don’t care about their employees? What if, instead, we started iNSISTING on paying MORE for things? Buying from companies that charge prices that cover things like employee benefits, fair wages, fair trade, social justice and environmental safeguards? What if??? What could our world look like in 10 years?

Get in Your Kitchen!

I had never heard of a Dutch Baby Pancake until recently (watching Food Network, of course).

As soon as I heard it described as part pancake, part crepe and easy to make - I knew I had to try making one! So, I did. (Here’s the link to the recipe that I used).

This post isn’t necessarily about making Dutch Baby Pancakes, but more about getting out of a rut!

How often do you find yourself making the meals over and over or hitting up the same restaurants? What I want to do today is just encourage you to try something new this week!

And if you don’t already make a habit of cooking regularly for yourself - get in the kitchen!  There is something so very satisfying about getting in the kitchen and taking ingredients and turning them into a beautiful, delicious, satisfying meal!

Always remember in the kitchen - there are NO mistakes! So, don’t be afraid to get in there and have some fun. If your omelet doesn’t work… turn it into scrambled eggs. (Or if only one of your poached eggs turned out perfectly, leave the other one off the plate until you put the camera away, then eat that soft boiled egg!)

Go with the flow. Start with good ingredients and let them work for you!

I’m terrible with recipes. Combine ADD with mild dyslexia and perhaps a dash of natural aversion for following the rules and what you get is a recipe for Plan B.

This recipe, for instance, calls for 2 Tbs of sugar, but I somehow had thought that it called for 1/2 cup.  Oooops. But, no worries!  I scooped some of the sugar out and added a little extra flour. The pancake was slightly flatter than it should have been, but the extra sweetness made up for it! ;) 

Being creative is one of the best parts of being in the kitchen (for me). For my dad, the obsessive rule-follower, cooking from a recipe is his jam. Whatever your style, the kitchen needs to be your favorite room in the house! 

To round out my brunch. I made a potato and bacon hash - don’t forget the onion! I used the “bacon ends and pieces” from Savannah River Farms. It’s a tasty and inexpensive way to incorporate pastured meats into a meal. I topped it with a poached egg that was given to me by a friend who keeps chickens. 

One of my favorite things to use in the kitchen is fresh herbs from my own garden. In this dish, I topped with fresh dill and chives. 

I encourage you to get in the kitchen this week and cook up something fabulous!

Brunch, anyone? Dutch Baby Pancake cooked in skillet and topped with blueberry compote. Bacon and potato hash with poached egg and topped with garden-fresh herbs. Refreshing beverage of orange juice, ginger ale and a squeeze of lime.

Brunch, anyone? Dutch Baby Pancake cooked in skillet and topped with blueberry compote. Bacon and potato hash with poached egg and topped with garden-fresh herbs. Refreshing beverage of orange juice, ginger ale and a squeeze of lime.

Nest Boxes: Inviting Birds to Your Yard

Nest Boxes: Inviting Birds to Your Yard

One of my favorite things about my home is the abundance of wildlife I get to enjoy without even stepping outside. I love that I can see birds from literally every window in my house. And late spring and early summer are when things get really lively around here.

Several years ago, my dad built a bluebird house for me and to say that it changed my world might be an overstatement, but it has definitely made my little part of the world much more interesting.