Caran Jantzen Writes
finding beauty in the everyday
Grow. Cook. Eat. Share: A Memoir
The Jantzen family’s homesteading journey has proved equal parts headache, humour and heartache—confesses Caran in her honest memoir.
Devotionals
Please visit my author page at ‘The Life’ to read my published Devotionals.
Podcast With Mennonite Girls in a Modern World
Recently I had the opportunity to chat with Maria of the podcast, Mennonite Girls in a Modern World. Being a guest on the podcast to share about my book, Grow. Cook. Eat. Share. A Memoir was…
About The Author
Caran Jantzen
Caran Jantzen, her husband and their four kids live on a small homestead in Southwestern British Columbia. When not working around their homestead or on her laptop, Caran can be found relaxing with a good book, or entertaining family and friends with her husband while serving up their homegrown food.
Grow. Cook. Eat. Share: A Memoir
Our story begins five years ago, when my husband and I, and our four little sprouts, move from suburbia to an acreage on the outskirts of town. By fall, we have secured forty chickens; by the following spring we have added a couple of bacon makers and a few adorable miniature goats, to which our oldest sprout replies, “now that we have three kinds of animals, we’re a real farm!” Our story continues as we welcome the birth of our first goat kids, taste fresh tomatoes, blueberries and carrots from our garden, purchase a peacock, and gather blue, brown, white and green coloured eggs from our pastured laying hens.
It’s idyllic, but it’s hasn’t been without its challenges. We’ve experienced the loss of chickens, cats, and even goats to coyotes. We’ve struggled to find the time to care for our small scale farm while my husband works off-site full time, and I care for our four young sprouts. We have certainly asked ourselves “why?” as many of our friends and family ask us as well.
As difficult as these challenges have been, we are deeply connected to our homestead and the lifestyle we have created for ourselves and our sprouts. We have learned to value the land and animals God created in a more meaningful way, as we work the soil and tend to the animals which will one day nourish our family and community; and we have learned lessons in patience, perseverance, and contentment as we have slowed our pace and stretched out our roots into this plot of land we are blessed to call home.
“Homesteading is not for the faint of heart, although I have felt faint of heart often since homesteading. It is physically, mentally, and emotionally taxing. Although falling into bed after a long day of outdoor labouring or indoor jam making has its appeal, to do this daily requires more than an acreage and a yearning for the country life. It demands equal parts grit and romance–seeing through both the sweat of my brow and through rose-colored glasses. I am still trying to decide if I have what it takes.”
Where To Find Grow. Cook. Eat. Share.
Grow. Cook. Eat. Share: A Memoir is conveniently available for purchase at House of James, Homestead Press, The Happy Homesteader, and Amazon.
House Of James
In-store pickup and shipping options.
The Happy Homesteader
Available in store in Mission, BC, Canada.
Homestead Press
Purchase online for shipping to your door!
Amazon.com
Purchase online for shipping to your door!