We thought we were setting up a simple wildlife watering hole—but it turned into a front-row seat to a full-blown bobcat romance. From awkward courtship to a quiet breakup, the trail cam caught it all.

What started as a trip from the Cascade Mountains to the Smoky Mountains—and a long-awaited visit to Dollywood—became something more: a small but mighty act of reclaiming joy.

In this post, Kevin shares a close-up look at bear families in the Smokies and what they teach us about respectful coexistence. It’s a timely reminder that being a good neighbor to wildlife starts with simple, mindful choices.

Science and our own intuition tell us that nature can bring us peace and calm. Here are 3 simple practices that can help you cultivate connections with yourself and the more-than-human world.

Not every mistake is the end of the story—sometimes, it’s the beginning of a lesson. A botched photo of a coyote pup reminded me that second chances don’t always come easy, but they’re often worth the effort.

Welcome back to Wild Notes. In this series, take a walk on the wild side with Kevin to see the natural world through the eyes of a seasoned naturalist. In this edition, witness the early signs of spring, including a pregnant otter, territorial herons, and eagles preparing for the season ahead.

Can sustainable living save the world? Julie updates you on her health, the homestead, and makes a big announcement.

Join Julie in the forested wetland of our homestead for a cancer update and conversation about the metaphor of a quest through the dark enchanted forest might help us all.

Recurrence is the worst fear of nearly every cancer survivor I know. That fear has come true for us. Julie's cancer has returned.

When the weight of humanity feels too heavy to bear, it usually helps to spend time surrounded by nature. Join us for a quick trip off the homestead to the Skagit Valley for some winter birding.

This week we talk about Barry Lopez’s book of essays, “Embrace Fearlessly this Burning World”, and how to help each other find the way home.

Come for the tactical tips and stay for encouragement. In the vlog this week Julie shares her tips on selecting vegetable garden seeds. She also shares more about her week and how sustainable living is a non-linear journey.

Here’s a hint: It involves both accountability and encouragement. Julie follows up with you on the New Year's conversation and shares plans for the spring garden. Did you do the one-small-thing challenge?

A new year provides an opportunity to reflect on what worked and what didn't over the last 12 months, and then set some intentions for the coming seasons. Join Julie as she invites you to take a deeper look at your dreams and shares some exciting news about what to expect from us in 2023.

Making your own cleaning products saves money, reduces waste, and can improve indoor air quality. These 3 recipes can be made with things you probably have around the house. The best part? They actually work!

A simple and easy recipe for garlic goat cheese spread from Alexia Allen of Hawthorn Farm!

Join us for a visit to Hawthorn Farm, an 8-acre community teaching farm. Alexia shares with us how they are transforming suburbia into a permaculture paradise. Beware: lots of goat and pony footage!

On a recent trip to the mountains we tested our bodies after passing some health milestones. We also received a reminder that sometimes the smallest of things can have the biggest impact.

This is a simple recipe that’s not too sweet and celebrates the flavor of rhubarb. It’s great on meat, fish, tofu, and even as a dipping sauce!

Have you ever wondered if it’s possible to live sustainably long term? Or what it’s like to homestead after retirement? We talk about these things and much more on our field trip to the homestead of our good friends Peter and Mary.

Is your garden not thriving? Do you fear you may have accidentally poisoned it? There is hope! Here's the story of how we accidentally destroyed - and then healed - our garden soil. This video and article are filled with practical tips to repair or remediate damaged soil as well as advice on how to avoid this experience all together.

A recording of our LIVE Homestead Hangout in July. We talked about our journey with sustainable living, recent and upcoming projects, plus answered questions from neighbors like you.

Kevin and Julie join their friend Nick, a wildlife professional, to build a predator prevention fence. This fencing style is cost effective and manageable without fancy equipment. We walk you through the build and special features. Then we go into detail about why this design has proven to be the best for keeping your crops and livestock safe from wildlife such as bears, cougars, bobcats, raccoons, and coyotes.

This simple salad dressing recipe is incredibly versatile. It’s tasty as written or can be used as a base for endless variations. Perfect for your local greens in any season.