Welcome to Substack

Loves! Welcome to our new online home! This is something to celebrate, isn’t it? Since we’re celebrating, there should be flowers and ribbon, don’t you think? Specifically, wildflowers (and the last few peonies from my garden), hand-tied, with satin ribbon trailing and blowing in the breeze. Yes. And cake. There should be cake. I’ve already foraged the wildflowers and made the bouquet, so we’re good there.

Now I’ll give you my grandmother’s recipe for the best chocolate cake you may have ever had. You can whip it up in no time. And don’t even worry about frosting it (we never do). Serve yourself a slice, settle in. Let’s celebrate!*

---

Grandma’s Chocolate Wacky Cake

3 cups all purpose flour

2 cups granulated sugar

1/2 cup baking cocoa

1 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons baking soda

2 tablespoons distilled white vinegar

1 cup neutral oil (canola, sunflower, etc)

2 cups cold water

Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, stir together the first five ingredients. Add the remaining ingredients, then beat (or stir briskly with a whisk or wooden spoon) until well blended, approximately 3 minutes with an electric mixer or 5 minutes by hand. Pour into an ungreased 9x11 rectangle cake pan, or two 9” rounds (fitted on the bottom with a circle of parchment if you’ll be turning them out). Bake 45 minutes or until a toothpick poked into the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack. If you’ll be turning it out onto a cake plate, run a knife around the edge to loosen it first.

---

Now, let’s talk about our new space. From the main page, you’ll find everything you might be looking for, including the featured current post and a list of past posts. I’m happy to say, there are no ads here. There is no algorithm. There’s simply us, in our beautiful, quiet, online space sharing and supporting one another. When you click on a Subscribe button, you’ll get to choose the level of access that’s right for you. Free subscribers will receive a weekly post. For those interested in more, a paid subscription will open the door. You’ll have access to all additional posts, virtual events, participation in our community, and (future) audio and video content. There are options to pay monthly, or you could save 20% and pay yearly. For those of you outside the US, Substack handily calculates the exchange rate for you. 

The future months will be brimming with good things, and, because I know the amount of time and effort it takes to produce ongoing, meaningful content, I must make sure to care for myself as well. Because creativity needs room to rest, beginning in 2024, I’ll be taking scheduled time away from my online work twice yearly, for the months of January and July. But, don’t worry, I’ve got good things planned for you in those months as well. 

I’ve been filled with gratitude innumerable times over the years by your comments, emails, and messages saying how much you appreciate what you experience here in my online world. What a gift you are. Your faithful reading and support enable me to do this work for you that I so love. I am ever grateful. 

So, welcome, loves. Welcome to the place where tasteful design and simple living meet. The place where house becomes home, where life is lived, where beauty is found in broken places. There is room for you here. I’m thrilled to continue our journey together.

*Also, I asked my husband if he wanted to marry me, since I had a bouquet all made up and ready. 

He said yes.

So it’s a good thing you’re making cake because there’s gonna be a wedding, too.