About Us

Two sets of sisters, double cousins, trying to remember the lessons we learned, and trying to learn the ones we didn't. Our maternal grandparents were farmers on land that had been in the family for generations. In their younger days, Papaw raised bird dogs and quail, while Mamaw worked in a textile mill. In their "retirement" years, they grew gardens and grandchildren. We live in the same area today, but the city encroaches — trailers are outlawed and dogs leashed.

Gwen leaves her office job, dons her silks, and practices the "meditation in movement" of Tai Chi. That is, when she can't slip away to visit her grandsons, ages 4 and 2. Her husband, Walter, writes at North Carolina Sportsman.

Debbie's motto is "Be Prepared." She and her husband want to grow their own food, can and preserve it, heat with wood — things our grandparents already knew how to do. Not only does she want healthy, non-chemical choices, but if a natural disaster strikes or the economy goes bad (ahem), she knows there are times when you can't just run to the grocery store and buy more, and she plans to be ready.

Brenda has been an entrepreneur all her life, but she's ready for some stability. With a new job and her younger son starting college, life is full of changes! She and her husband have been leading scouts and teaching backpacking and camping for over two decades.

Beth left a high-paying engineering job in the greater D.C. area to be near family, escape the rat race, and simplify her life. The family part is going great, but simplifying has been a challenge. She has "champagne taste and a beer budget" (make that half a beer). After a long day at her bookshop or freelancing, she likes quick and easy meals that can be made in single servings. She also blogs at Travels with Books.

Awesome photo of the four us plus one grandson by future DIL Denise Dulin.