Welcome!
Hi! My name is Emily, and welcome to my Simply Witchy Homestead!
When I think of homesteading, one of the first words that come to mind is magic. To me, homesteading and witchcraft go hand in hand. They have many overlapping values – self sufficiency, connection with nature, observing and working with the seasons, as well as practicing many different skills to further one’s craft.
I could talk endlessly about homesteading, witchcraft, and the beauty of simple, mindful living. But before we get into that, let me tell you a little about myself.
A Few Things About Me
I grew up in rural Northeast Connecticut. My mother homeschooled me and my brothers all the way through high school, and part of our education included learning some self sufficiency. We learned to plan, plant, and keep a vegetable garden as well as how to grow and use herbs. We kept ducks and chickens, and raised our Thanksgiving turkeys.
In my high school years, I divided my time between working at a local horse farm and participating in community theater. After completing my homeschool journey, I attended Eastern Connecticut State University and received a B.A. in Theatre for Acting and Directing.
Now, I live in Connecticut with my partner and best friend, and all our animals. Inside the home, we have two spoiled cats, three ferrets, a bearded dragon, and a few button quail. I work as a Secretary four days a week, and spend the rest of my time homemaking, homesteading, walking the woods, and working on my small art business.
Our Homestead
In December 2022, my partner and I bought my grandparent’s house. Since then, we have been working on tending to my grandmother’s old gardens, fixing up the house and workshop, and setting up our small homestead. Each year we call this place our home, we are making more improvements and taking more steps toward self sufficiency!
Coming from a rural home, it was an adjustment for me to move to a more suburban neighborhood. Although we dream about eventually moving back to a rural place and having more land to expand our homesteading activities, we have found that we can still accomplish quite a bit with the land we’ve got!
What we aren’t able to do for ourselves, we supplement by supporting our local farms and small businesses. We find that this is a wonderful solution for us while we aren’t yet able to grow all of our own food, or have many animals beyond some backyard chickens.
Our philosophy is to work with what you have, and to not wait for the ‘perfect’ conditions. Whether you have 1/4 acre or 20, whether you own a farm or are living in an apartment, there are steps you can take, towards self sufficiency and sustainability, no matter how small!
About My Practice
I am a pagan witch. I was taught growing up about the seasons and the wheel of the year. I learned about the cycle of the moon and the tides. I learned about the living things around me, about the forests and fields and wetlands, and about what creatures lived in them. I was taught to keep an herb garden and learned the unique healing and magical properties each of my herbs held.
Living off of and in communion with the land, as well as the plants and animals we share it with, fills me with a profound sense of wonder on a daily basis.
Much of my practice surrounds the home and hearth. As you will see from the recipes and tutorials I share, I strive to make everything, from a simple meal, to our holiday decor, with intention. I look at my blog as a collection of spells – each handcrafted with care to maintain a magical home and assist in leading an enchanting life.
Connect with Me
I am so happy you’ve found my blog, and I would love to connect with you! You can find me on Facebook and Instagram under Simply Witchy Homestead.