05/23/2026
I’ve avoided sharing Ember Hill for a long time because it feels a little like inviting people into my private life. I’ve always been a private person, and this place has become deeply personal to me. But so many amazing things have been happening here that I want a space to document and share the journey, almost like a living photo album of everything this property is becoming.
What I’ve learned most at Ember Hill comes down to three of my favorite words: patience, passion, and perseverance.
Patience. Easier said than done. It is easy to get excited about big visible changes, but one of my favorite things is looking through my camera roll and realizing how much the house and land have changed in a relatively short time. Small efforts really do add up.
Passion. One of my favorite quotes is, “Why else are we here if not to live with unreasonable passion for things?” My love for natural beauty, restoring this old home, building my dream garden, and creating a permaculture landscape has pushed me to learn so many things. The more I learn, the more inspired I become.
Perseverance. I’ve always been described as proactive and conscientious, and those values guide me here. I didn’t fully understand what it meant to be a good steward of land a few years ago, but I now think it means showing up consistently with care and intention. The process is part of stewardship, not just the result.
I once spoke with a permaculture expert who told me, “It’s difficult work, but it’s the right thing to do.” That has stayed with me.
This place has seen my blood, sweat, and tears. Sometimes all three in the same day. It is slowly becoming what I always envisioned, while also evolving in ways I never expected. Maybe that is the beauty of life. The unplanned parts often become the most meaningful.
And I would be remiss not to thank my entire family for their support, labor, encouragement, and love. So many people have their fingerprints on Ember Hill in one way or another.
And so the story continues here, one season and one project at a time.
Thanks for being here & sharing in my slice of Earth 🌻
- Stephanie
