About Me
Welcome to Hopewell Heights. I’m Steph, the homemaker and creator behind this homesteading and heritage American cooking blog.
I live on my husband’s 5th generation farm and homestead where I homeschool our 5 children, milk our dairy cattle, raise chickens, hogs, and a big vegetable garden. Mostly, I spend my time making sure I have a healthy, hearty, from scratch meal on the table 3 times a day for my family.
Family Heritage
My husband’s grandmother (GG) was one of the best cooks and bakers I have ever met. She didn’t mess with fancy stuff or trends. She stuck to the classics, meals and dishes that could be prepared with staple pantry ingredients and would be loved and raved about by all.
She cooked from her garden and larder and told stories of her mothers keeping a big bowl of “yeast” for breadmaking, and sharing with friends – which is what we now call sourdough starter.
I tried to get her to share her recipes with me many times over the years. And while she was more than willing to share her knowledge, there was one problem – she didn’t have any recipes! Like a true heritage American grandma, she baked and cooked from memory and never wrote anything down or measured too much.
I was never able to get her exact recipes for that reason, but I watched and asked enough questions that I’m able to recreate her best dishes, and most importantly, emulate her style for my family.
And in true GG style, I find myself telling people “oh, I don’t know, just a little bit of this and that” when they ask me for my recipes.
That’s how this blog was born. I want to pass family recipes down to my children, and that means I have to write them down. This blog is just the motivation I needed to put pen to paper and do just that.
About Hopewell Heights
So, this started as a passion project and hobby for me. It’s grown and reached many over the years, and I love hearing when someone was able to master sourdough or impress their family with one of my recipes. It’s just as satisfying as sharing something I made in my own kitchen with friends and family!
While the bulk of what you’ll find on this blog is food and recipe related, I have a lot to share about other things as well, like homesteading, natural living, homeschooling, motherhood, home birthing, etc. I share about these things on YouTube, Instagram, and sometimes here on the blog as well.
Training & Experience
In my younger years, I worked a registered nurse and lactation consultant, so I have an insiders perspective on health, especially as it relates to mother and baby. This inspires a lot of my content.
And really, what I learned in my years working is that health and happiness start at home. Often, it starts in the kitchen with the meals we prepare and serve our families.
I may not have envisioned myself using my education in mother baby health in the way I do now – by creating homemaking content online, but it’s a perfect fit and something I really enjoy. I’m so glad you’re here, and hope you find something you can take away to make your home happier and healthier too!