The Root of Sustainable Hearth

If you were to ask me my favorite hobbies, I'd probably include different answers, based on my mood. But a common denominator will always be my family and food, specifically food storage. 

I love to eat. I love looking at food. But I don't just love to eat it, either. I love seeing my efforts up in beautiful mason jars above my kitchen cupboards. I love being able to pull our dehydrated tomatoes from my storage and putting it on my pizzas in the winter months. I love to store food for times of need. Canning, dehydrating, growing a garden, and more. I love being able to walk outside and see big, vibrant red tomatoes growing in my garden. I love the smell of basil picked from my herb containers. I love digging up recently harvested potatoes and knowing we can use them for our future meals. 

And knowing that I have the skillset to store food that I grew for my family brings me peace. I have anxiety about food! I think it's part of our ancestors daily dilemmas built into our genetic make up. Not knowing where your next meal would come from, if you will come across fresh access to water, and how to store anything for times of need. Worries like that don't bother to me to the same extent, but I think you get the idea.  

I'm not nomadic by any means. I have just moved to my forever home, which comes equipt with running water. I have a few ponds and a river nearby. 

I also live two hours from Seattle, close to a very busy interstate, and a mostly decommissioned nuclear production complex. I'm not necessarily worried about doomsday, but I want to make sure I can help our family and perhaps those in need if you-know-what hits the fan.

So, that's the sustainable aspect. I have a pong way to go, but I want to be sustainable.

As far as hearth, there are two definitions. One of which means a fire place. The other means home. And I want this project of mine to essentially mean both. 

Everyone has a place called home. Our family of five just moved to our forever home. Yours might be in a different location than where you currently reside. When you think of it, generally in brings comfort, security, and peace to your mind and heart. 

Mankind has traveled great lengths to find a safe place to call home. And for us, we finally found ours. The thought of it brings a warmth to my heart, and makes me feel safe. 

So, Sustainable Heart is me. And I am Katie.