YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR.

Jesse and I don't make a lot of money - that might be the understatement of the year. BUT, we don't spend a lot of money either. We are lucky to grow our own food, have our own water, and live without electric bills. So when we do need to buy something, we try to buy from someone we want to support - buying our wood stove from a local store in Tompkinsville, buying extra cabbage for kraut from our friend Pavel, getting birthday presents for the Bugtussle kids from the amazing craft vendors at our farmers market. We also try to appreciate the lesson that you get what you pay for - that it is worth the extra cost to purchase quality and value, to buy something that will last.It is in this spirit that Jesse bought me my anniversary present this year. I have been carrying around dirty farmers market bags as my purse for a few years now, and had been wanting a nicer bag for a purse/tote/carry-all. I've long been a fan of the smartly curated site A Well Traveled Woman, and she recently opened up a shop. The first round of merchandise sold out quickly, but while Jesse and I were on vacation a few weeks ago (and thus in the realm of internet), she restocked her store and Jesse promptly bought me one of her beautifully crafted bags.Obviously, it cost a little more than the canvas market bags I usually carry around. But it will last. It is beautifully made by a real human being that we want to support. And the fact that it has value will hopefully remind me to take care of it and not throw it into the back of our filthy truck. I love it dearly, and think it will be in my life for years to come. And shouldn't every purchase we make be so thoughtful?- Hannah.

WHY WE BLOG.

For a couple of off-the-grid small farmers, blogging can be a bit ridiculous at times. It seems ridiculous when we are driving into town each week to check email in the public library. It seems ridiculous when I am making Jesse pose with his ax mid-swing to get the right picture. It seems ridiculous to chase our giant dog around the farm each Wednesday for his weekly appearance on the website.But the truth is, as insane as it sometimes is, this blog is incredibly important to us. We started two years ago, simply documenting our journey, using the blog as a space to share and a way to motivate us to stay creative. And over time, we started connecting with people. In small ways at first, but then in real, tangible connections that led to actual friendships.This blog literally built our cabin. You readers built our cabin. We now have friends all over the world, some we have met and some we hope to meet someday, friends that wouldn't exist without this site.So as much as we like living in the middle of nowhere, and as terrible and artificial as the internet and social media can be, there is good here. There is value. Our trip to Louisville last week was proof of this - as we stayed with some of the best human beings I know - friends we would not have if not for this here blog. We spent time gathered around their table and in their kitchen, sharing stories and meals (and donuts), and Jesse and I were motivated and inspired and uplifted and encouraged - what more can you ask of your friends?So as we continue to live a life striving to disconnect, trying to free ourselves from dependence on oil and electricity and corporations, we will never stop connecting in ways that matter - with the people we love and the mouths we feed. Thank you, Tim and Emily and Molly, for reminding us why we write this silly blog.- Hannah.

LOUISVILLE.

We are heading back to the farm today.....and we are so ready. We had a perfect vacation: plenty of relaxing, over-the-top amazing food, making lots of new friends and visiting with all our favorite people. But home. HOME. There is nothing like it. This whole trip was basically a giant food tour - from one restaurant to one coffee shop to one donut shop to the next - our poor bellies are more than ready to be back to a diet of simple veggies. We are eager to be eating our own good food again, to be physically active again, very ready to squeeze our big pup!Here are some photos from the weekend in Louisville. Once again, the city did not disappoint us. We will write some more about our time in Louisville later, but right now - we are heading south to Bugtussle.- Hannah.So many murals in this city.This shop is (and smells) incredible.Holy cow, Holy Grale - you are wonderful. Best hosts ever. Best baby ever. Best husband ever.Eiderdown continues to be perfect.  Please & Thank You boasts the best chocolate chip cookie in Louisville - I won't argue with that. An antique shop in a warehouse - we spent hours and hours getting lost.Up before the sun (per usual) on a rainy Sunday at Sunergos.Brunch of a lifetime.

SO LONG, LEX.

We are leaving Lexington today and heading to Louisville for the weekend. Louisville is one of our favorite cities, and we are excited to visit with friends (old and new!), eat lots of amazing food, hopefully trying some new places but probably ending up at our old faithfuls.But of course, before we left we had to visit Spalding's Bakery. It was literally the only thing on our list that was an absolute must. Spalding's was a tradition in my house growing up, and I happily shared  it with Jesse once we were married. Although I don't eat much of them anymore, I would consider myself a donut connoisseur - and Spalding's donuts are the best donuts. Definitively. There is nothing like them.If you live even remotely anywhere near Kentucky, it is worth your time. Seriously! Spalding's isn't a hip coffee shop selling cronuts, it is a bakery that sells only regular glazed donuts since 1929. It is perfect. OBVIOUSLY not a part of a balanced nutritious breakfast, but a very occasional treat? Yes, please. *We did NOT eat all dozen of these. We could have, but we didn't.*