It’s been two months on the ranch now and we’re settling well in to West County life. It’s hard to believe we’ve only been here for 9 weeks - it feels like it has been a far longer stretch of time. We’ve unpacked, we’ve adventured, we’ve consumed lots of good food and wine, we’ve hosted visiting family & friends, and we’ve started home projects. We’re still getting to know the area and exploring the different corners - some that we thought we already covered, only to find new ones. The four of us are relishing in this honeymoon state of being, surrounded by lots of serendipitous magic. There hasn’t been an iota of regret in the decision to move. We’re here and soulfully expanding into this new life.

Roark is loving his new preschool. His teacher is something from a storybook tale. As a parent, there is no safer feeling than surrendering your little person to someone else to care for during the day, and to hear the little words “mama, is there school today?” followed by a, “yay!”. He also loves his after-school nanny, family hikes, “Dagny” beach, The Barlow and running around the 4 foot tall Rose Quartz crystal there, his new home; and most importantly, he is proudly assuming his role as a farmer in training.

*Roark, Occidental Arts & Ecology Center*

Taylor has been very busy! He’s been finishing out some pieces that he started back in LA and managing timelines of new ones as he restructures his business. To finish out started projects, he optimized our dilapidated 50 year-old horse barn into a temporary work space. It’s crudely renovated, but it works! The most fascinating part is that he used recycled materials from our property to revamp it. The floor is made from old concrete slabs that he jackhammered into smaller, organically shaped pieces. He then hauled them one-by-one, leveled each piece and mixed Greencore mortar with harvested rainwater from the recent storms. I’m hoping he posts about the process under Fieldnotes soon, but for now you can see progress photos on his Instagram. Taylor has also started redesigning and building our driveway, is managing the construction of the 3,000 sqft garage that’s coming in 2022, as well as other phase 1 property renovations. Never a dull moment for Taylor!

As for me, I’ve been balancing my career, motherhood and finding my cozy in this new space. I’ve enjoyed cooking, writing, exploring and hosting visitors, as well as taking part in our house projects. I’m still finding my way with meeting new people on my own, which doesn’t always come easy. I’ve set intentions of openness, but I’m one who spends far too much time in my head - this has been my greatest hurdle. As an introvert, I love a good bubble! Often, I feel my heart is open but my mind resists. If you don’t already know me, outside of the work setting, I struggle with social angst and hermit tendencies. To share candidly, there was an Introduction to Wheel pottery class in Occidental that I was eager to join, but I was nervous about committing to a 6-week program full of strangers. The class eventually sold out, but I’m conjuring up the courage to try again in the spring. I’m hoping anyone reading this will help hold me accountable with that! In the meantime, I did go to a New Moon sound healing and cacao ceremony last weekend with twenty other people which was new territory for me. My mind tried to find every reason not to go, but I did and thoroughly enjoyed it. I’m accepting the challenge to get out of my comfort zone a bit, and this new, beautiful place feels like the perfect arena to practice.

It seems only fitting to give a Dagny update as well. This little country girl is loving life. She’s had more encounters with ticks than we’d like, but we’re sorting through that and some-what accepting this part of country living (although I’m not sure I will ever fully accept it). Dagny’s enjoyed trips to off-leash dog beaches, learning that ocean water is not drinkable, forest hikes, lots of car rides and the freedom to roam on her new 5 acre land. As she approaches her 2nd birthday, she’s become more attune with Roark and watches his every move. Their growing bond is a beautiful thing. And unlike me, Dagny has made many friends since living here - Nico, Dingo and Sandy to name a few - and we sometimes joke that we’re just living at Dagny’s dog park now. She’s an Instagram account short of becoming a true Sonoma socialite.

As we nestle into the holiday season, we look forward to more cozy moments, continuing exploring the beautiful gifts that Northern California has to offer us. From the countryside to old redwood forests, and the endless ocean to star gazing - the grounding nature of it all has yet to grow old, and I hope it never will. We’ll also be using the winter months to prepare our garden for the spring and plan to continue living healthy, well and with full hearts.

sixty days

basil pesto

apple coffee cake