Meet one of our most hardworking team members.

This is Hoochie, my wheat flour and fresh-milled rye starter. Hoochie, or Hooch for short, has been with me for twelve years now. I am almost embarrassed to admit that she has had many close calls in that time—neglected for days when life got chaotic, once even left behind for more than a week. Oh, she gets hangry. She gets stinking mad. She goes flat and sulks. But then she gets fed and tended to and babied, and she comes back to her bubbly self, full of life and goodness.

Thank You, Lord, for all Your many, many blessings.

In the days, weeks, and, God willing, even the years to come, I hope to share the lovely and healthy things Hooch and I have made. Expect to read of our epic fails too—on my account, of course, since Hooch bears no blame. It is comforting to know and accept that failure is part of learning and growth.

You can look forward to recipes and tips if you are at a point in your sourdough journey where you still need them. If baking your own bread is not something you are interested in or ready for yet, our basic loaves will also be on sale locally, so expect to hear more about that. We have also launched The Weekly Rise, a bread-order program where you can send in your order and pick up your loaves in town. “Hoochie Babies” will also be available if you are ready to jump into this wonderful, crazy thing that is sourdough bread making.

I leave you with this “Word from our Sponsor” (a borrowed term from a fellow homesteader):

 “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” 

–1 Corinthians 10:31

May you be richly blessed.

Nen Kirkendoll, August 31, 2026