Baby Steps

Something that I feel we have forgotten over recent generations is patience. Change does not happen over night, nor is it ever smooth. Our forebearers understood that crops take time to grow, animals take time to mature, bread needs time to rise, each season has a purpose, and God moves on His schedule, not ours. They also understood that failure is simply a part of learning. Somehow we have forgotten these lessons, in a world of instant gratification. Same day shipping, instant meals, a complete disconnect between the average person and the source of their goods.

Ok, why are we talking about this? Because it is on my mind after this past winter. I let this website slip into obscurity, got caught up in my fulltime job, and caught myself quietly giving up after 6 months of 0 progress. Unsure of how to move forward, I nearly gave up because I am impatient and easily distracted. I am one of those people who tends to give up if a project is not instantly successful. Foolishness like that leads to stagnation of ideas and progress.

With the onset of Spring, I have decided to refresh and try again. This time taking baby steps and patiently learning as I go. Not giving up! I see the light at the end of the tunnel. As I plan to get the homestead going in the next 2 years, now is not the time to give up. One step, one decision at a time, one day at a time. This is a short blog but maybe someone needs to see this. Take a break if you need to, seek a different perspective, but do NOT give up if you have a goal. No matter how big or small. Getting caught in a rut is very easy to do, believe me. But to get out, all you need to do is have the courage take a step and never let anyone tell you that you can’t.

This Is Me

Welcome to TapRoot Cottage! Thank you so much for visiting and joining me on this journey. It starts with soap and salves today, but I do hope it grows into so much more! Will you go with me and see where this leads?

First, if you are visiting because you bought from me in the past at the farmer’s market, welcome back! If you just found me, my name is Carrie. I am a 31 year old midwestener who grew up surrounded by cornfields and woodland. My parents instilled a love of gardening, cooking, fishing, and hunting in me from the time I could walk. I have never lost my wonder at the absolute beauty of nature. I seek my peace there, among the sighing leaves and gentle wild flowers. That is where I want to be and where I am working to be. I want to be in my garden, with chickens, and ducks, and bees. I want to improve the land and my local economy. I want to provide clean food and clean products for my family and neighbors. I want to be as Free as I can be this side of Heaven.

And it starts here…so why soap? Well, it’s simple enough to make in bulk and it’s fun too! I get to mess with different scents and ingredients to make something unique and pleasing to the senses. I started making it because my skin reacts to the chemicals that you find in store-bought soaps. I got tired of my skin feeling itchy and dry, so I decided to make my own soap. My first batch turned out great and I shared it with my husband and my mom. They enjoyed it and my husband encouraged me to make more and sell it. I started selling it at work, then at the farmer’s market and to friends, and now here we are! My own website! This is a step I never thought I could take. I am so nervous and yet so hopeful.

The other reason I am doing soap is because, for now, it’s all I can do. I live in a suburb in central Indiana, with a small yard and an HOA. The garden, chickens, ducks, and the rest of the homesteading dream will have to wait a little longer. But, while I wait, I work fulltime and I research and I learn everything that I can. And I make soap. I intend to use this blog to document that journey as it unfolds, so you can follow along if you like.

What else will we talk about? Well I have plenty to say. Perhaps there will be blog posts for food, health, gardening, Faith, farming, prepping, or anything that is on my mind that week. Please, feel free to engage and comment! (Just remember to be respectful of everyone else)

I won’t make this first post too long. I just wanted to introduce myself and say “Welcome!”. I am so glad you’re here.