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Ah, the joys of fermenting. One day you’re admir Ah, the joys of fermenting.
One day you’re admiring your perfect jar of tangy red onions, and the next… you’re wondering if you just accidentally created a new life form on your counter.

Here’s your friendly reminder:
šŸ’” Fermenting is part art, part science, and part humility.
Sometimes things go beautifully. Sometimes they get a little… hairy.
And that’s okay. That’s part of learning a slow, from-scratch life.

Whether you're a fermenting newbie or a seasoned briner, trust the process. Every ā€œfailedā€ jar is still a step forward. šŸ‘£

šŸ’¬ Tell me—what's the weirdest or most wonderful ferment you've made?
A weedy, wild work in progress—but it’s mine. A weedy, wild work in progress—but it’s mine. 🌿

This is Year 4 of slowly building my Potager garden. After many seasons of failure, trial, and learning by doing & I’m finally seeing progress.

It’s not finished.
It needs weeding, mulching, and planting.
The stones aren’t all laid, and the paths are uneven.

But oh, the joy it brings.

There’s symbolism from traditional Potagers tucked in here: like the 4 Eden-inspired paths with circle at the center where lemon balm, phlox, and salvia grow around an old bird bath.
There are sweet peas climbing a rustic A-frame trellis, lettuce and kale ready to harvest, and tiny seedlings full of promise.

It’s chaotic. It’s imperfect. It’s beautiful.
And it’s growing—just like me.

šŸ’¬ Tell me: what’s growing in your garden this season (literally or metaphorically)?
It’s a Beatrix Potter Summer! 🐭🌿 We’re It’s a Beatrix Potter Summer! 🐭🌿

We’re shifting into a slower homeschool rhythm for the summer—less structure, more stories, and plenty of time to savor simple moments together.

Today’s cozy table included:
šŸæ Popcorn
šŸ Fresh pineapple
ā˜• Coffee for mama
šŸ“– The Tailor of Gloucester by Beatrix Potter

We’ve officially decided to begin First Grade with Ambleside Online this fall, and we’re spending these quiet summer days soaking up some of the Year 0 booklist—rich with stories, imagination, and gentle beauty.

Beatrix Potter’s world is full of whimsy, wisdom, and wonder, and it feels like the perfect place to pause and breathe before we step into Year One.

šŸ’¬ Are you easing into a slower summer rhythm too? What’s on your family’s book list this season?
She’s got crayons in her hands, a story in her e She’s got crayons in her hands, a story in her ears, and no desk in sight—
But guess what? She’s learning.

Because sometimes homeschool looks like spelling tests and worksheets…
And sometimes it looks like coloring while Kirsten learns a lesson and mama tackles Mount Laundry.

We're not aiming for Pinterest-perfect—we're aiming for present, peaceful, and full of wonder.
Tell me you’re a mom without telling me you’re Tell me you’re a mom without telling me you’re a mom…
Some days, the biggest accomplishment is making the bed just to have a clean spot to tackle laundry.
Homemaking isn’t glamorous, but it’s real, it’s needed, and it’s love in action.
#SahmLife #LaundryDays #MomLifeUnfiltered
🌱 How to Start Seeds Indoors for a Thriving Spr 🌱 How to Start Seeds Indoors for a Thriving Spring Garden! (Zone 6b Edition) 🌱

It may still be cold, but now’s the perfect time to start planning your dream garden! šŸ”āœØ Starting seeds indoors gives your plants a head start, leading to a stronger, more productive garden.

Swipe through for a step-by-step guide, and don’t forget to check out my latest blog post for my top tips, favorite seeds to start, and a seed-starting schedule!

🌿 What are YOU growing this year? Drop your garden plans below! ā¬‡ļø

#gardeningtips #homesteadinglife #seedstarting #springgarden #zone6b #homesteadgardening
✨ Browned Butter Caramel Rice Krispie Treats = N ✨ Browned Butter Caramel Rice Krispie Treats = Next-Level Nostalgia! ✨

You think you know Rice Krispie treats… but then you add browned butter and homemade caramel and suddenly, they’re rich, gooey, and completely irresistible. 🤤

This recipe is:
āœ” Buttery and caramelized in the best way
āœ” Ooey, gooey, rich & decadent 
āœ” A fun twist on a nostalgic classic

šŸ”„ Save this for later and let me know—are you a classic Rice Krispie treat person, or do you love a good upgrade? šŸ‘‡šŸ‘‡

šŸ“Œ Full recipe is on the blog! Link in bio.

#brownedbutter #caramel #ricekrispietreats #homesteadkitchen #fromscratchbaking #simplehomemade #easybakingrecipes
The wind is rushing through the trees and the open The wind is rushing through the trees and the open windows, the rain is falling softly, and the coffee is warming.
Living for peaceful Saturdays with some of my favorite people šŸ’•
Also, I'm pretty sure this is the first time in about 5 years or so that I've had my nails painted šŸ˜‚
If you're wondering about a sourdough update - I didn't abandon it! My starter has taken literally forever to get active, but I'm attempting my first loaves this weekend. I'll post an update on the starter soon and get an update about the bread out after! 
I've started half a dozen starters in the past few years, so I'm not really sure why this one has taken so long. My only guess is that I've never started one in the Winter/early spring, so it's just needed a little more help?
But sourdough content will pick up again soon & I'm hoping to have some gardening content coming your way soon, too šŸ˜
We celebrated Josie's first birthday last month, a We celebrated Josie's first birthday last month, and I just got it posted on the blog. Here are a few pictures from the sweet & simple Charlotte's Web themed birthday party šŸ˜

#firstbirthdayparty #charlottesweb #kidsparty #homemadebirthdaycake #diybirthdaycake #diybirthdaydecor

The Sleepy Hollow Homestead

Homesteading, Homemaking, Homemade: The pursuit of good simple living.

Parenting

Creativity in the Cracks: Prioritizing Beauty as a Busy Mom

June 3, 2025      Leave a Comment

There’s this moment—right after the baby drifts off during a contact nap, when the house is (almost kinda) quiet except for the big kids playing or watching Wild Krats—and I pull out my phone or notebook and write another sentence of my novel. Not a whole chapter. Not even a full paragraph sometimes. Just a…

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10 Unique First Birthday Themes & How to Decorate for Them

March 16, 2025

10 Unique First Birthday Themes & How to Decorate for Them (Simple & Low-Key Ideas!) Planning your little one’s first birthday party is so special—but it doesn’t have to be over-the-top or expensive to be beautiful and memorable! If you’re looking for unique first birthday themes that feel thoughtful, charming, and easy to pull off,…

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Charlotte’s Web Themed First Birthday Party: A Sweet & Simple Celebration

March 5, 2025

When our little Josephine turned one, I wanted to create a sweet, low-key birthday celebration that was fun, colorful, and had a touch of vintage charm. Since she’s our little farm girl, a Charlotte’s Web themed First Birthday felt like the perfect fit! I pulled inspiration from the State Fair portion of the story, incorporating…

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Cloth Diapers for Beginners: How to Get Started

February 3, 2025

Cloth diapers can feel a bit overwhelming at first. With so many options, terms, and routines, it’s easy to wonder, ā€œWhere do I even start?ā€ But here’s the good news: cloth diapering isn’t as complicated as it seems, and once you get the hang of it, it can easily slip into your normal routine (and…

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My Natural Birth after Rectovaginal Fistula: a Redemptive Birth

May 22, 2024

I was in awe. That was such a calm, controlled, and miraculous delivery. It made me fall in love with birth all over again. My natural birth after rectovaginal fistula was the most beautiful redemption of my previous experience, and my husband and I just stared at each other wide eyed as this sweet little baby snuggled on my chest.

Progress Over Perfection: A Journey to Wellness through Homesteading

May 18, 2024

In a world that often glorifies perfection, while at the same time pushing us to embrace our ā€œhot messinessā€, simply embracing progress and the pursuit of such can seem like a revolutionary act. Especially for stay-at-home moms. We’re constantly navigating the challenging terrain of homemaking and wellness. As a beginner homesteader on a quest for…

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Welcome to The Sleepy Hollow Homestead : a home centered lifestyle blog

Welcome to The Sleepy Hollow Homestead : a home centered lifestyle blog

I'm Heather - a wife and stay at home mama of 3. I'm on a journey to thrive at home & cultivate a home-centered life. Join our young homesteading family of four as we start a Zone 6 garden in Indiana, turn our aging 80 acre farm into a sustainable homestead using permaculture and regenerative agricultural practices, and DIY our 1865 Colonial revival Farmhouse into the home of our dreams. Along the way we're going to DIY, garden, cook from scratch, learn to be frugal, homeschool, thrift, eat healthier, and learn to really enjoy this thing called life.
I'm thriving after a rectovaginal fistula and am passionate about physiological childbirth.
Grab a cup of coffee or tea, and get cozy: I'm so glad you're here! Thanks for visiting!

Recent Posts

  • Creativity in the Cracks: Prioritizing Beauty as a Busy Mom
  • What Garden Lessons (and a Broken Incubator) Taught Me About Starting Over
  • When Your Home Feels Overwhelming: Simple Steps to Regain Control
  • How to Make Tallow in a Crockpot (Wet Rendering Method)
  • How to Start Seeds Indoors for a Thriving Spring Garden (Zone 6b Edition)

Recent Comments

  1. theheatherski on Harvesting and Creating Stunning DIY Floral Arrangements from your Garden
  2. Kristy on Harvesting and Creating Stunning DIY Floral Arrangements from your Garden
  3. Our first Carrot Harvest! Harvest carrots with us - The Sleepy Hollow Homestead on Super Simple Ginger Fermented Carrots Recipe

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