The Elliott Homestead

The Elliott Homestead Cultivating the beautiful life. www.theelliotthomestead.com My hope is to encourage others to thrive in their own homes.

Life is full of opportunities to celebrate and a Tuesday lunch can be just as exciting as a Saturday supper. Here on our small farm, we find ways to celebrate each other, our quiver of children, gardens full of flowers, ironed linens, and life on the farm. We live on two acres in Washington State and on that land, we raise our dairy cow Cece, a flock of laying hens, ducks, hogs, sheep, geese, and

a variety of produce in our large, organic gardens. From this ground, we're able to grow food and celebrate the tastes, flavors, and motions of life. The table is always open to visitors, strangers and friends alike. The plates are full, the music is loud, the fellowship is rich, and the wine glasses are rarely empty. The laundry hanging on the line may cause some to think we’re old fashioned – and maybe that’s true. But whether we're pulling weeds, smoking ham, reading to the children, or milking the cow, you're always welcome to join in.

This is an ordinary day for us here at the cottage. To some, it may seem boring. I sleep with the same man, over and ove...
06/16/2026

This is an ordinary day for us here at the cottage. To some, it may seem boring. I sleep with the same man, over and over. I correct and love my children, over and over. I consistently show up to work not because it gives me some grand fulfillment, but because it is good, honest work that blesses us and provides for us. I wash the dishes and sweep the floors. But God has been so faithful in providing for our needs. We have food. We have one another. We have peace in our souls. More, in perhaps my favorite piece I’ve written and free to read in our newsletter: https://open.substack.com/pub/shaye/p/sleeping-with-the-same-man-washing?r=b9cac&utm_medium=ios

My home feels more beautiful to me this year, not because it is (though we did finally fix the broken attic door), but b...
06/10/2026

My home feels more beautiful to me this year, not because it is (though we did finally fix the broken attic door), but because whether or not the schedule allows… I think I’m just taking more time to see and appreciate all it does for us. It’s small and old and we put it through the wringer. We run a school out of it. A business that sustains our family out of it. We love in every inch and after days like today, when my kitchen was both for The Cooking Community and the family, I sometimes say out loud to it: ‘Thank you for your service, ma’am.’ Just in case you feel similar, I’m writing a series on our newsletter this summer focused on helping us fall in love with the place we lay our head… regardless of where that is… and whether or not it’s perfect or show ready. Today I wrote about exposing ugly emotional pockets of our home. Next week, who knows! There’s a lifetime of work AND joy in the home to be found.

I’ve lost my hustle and instead found myself deeply entrenched in community, experience, taste, and living our dreams. L...
06/03/2026

I’ve lost my hustle and instead found myself deeply entrenched in community, experience, taste, and living our dreams. Life is getting even sweeter without feeling like there’s some promotion, some metric, some arrival that I’m waiting for. Do I have my daily bread? Have I worked for the glory of God? Good enough for me. Meanwhile, the less I strive the better every piece becomes, from our Cooking Community to our upcoming Che Vita Italian Retreat, it feels more beautiful and blessed than ever. At the end of the day, I’m just a homecook with a deep affection for beautiful food, writing my tales, a thriving home, a calm heart, and some life changing trips to Italy thrown in. Lord, let that be sufficient.

05/05/2026

Stepping away reminds us that the mundane, normal days are beautiful and we are equipped for the good work ahead.

04/30/2026

Here’s what happened… would you say yes? #40

04/23/2026

In case your environment is driving you crazy…

12/06/2025

I don’t know why our family says this… but when we’re really happy and excited about something… we say ‘Yeah Billy!!!’. Morning fires cut through the cold and grey and make me want to shout just that. Happy Saturday, my friends! Yeah Billy!

Only 4,000 more miles to go ☺️ I love coming home. I see each piece in a new way, with extra peace and appreciation. Wha...
10/15/2025

Only 4,000 more miles to go ☺️ I love coming home. I see each piece in a new way, with extra peace and appreciation. What could you do to add more peace in your home? After a season spent outdoors, I’m thinking cleaning through stale corners and moving along stuff that no longer serves us may be in my near future. Tidy, simple spaces serve us well. What serves you?

We did it!!!!!!!!!! Che Vita Getaway not only celebrated 15 years of The Elliott Homestead in a BIG way, but was a roari...
10/14/2025

We did it!!!!!!!!!! Che Vita Getaway not only celebrated 15 years of The Elliott Homestead in a BIG way, but was a roaring success. It paved the way for a new face-to-face experiences in the future, in our second-home, and we feel so grateful. I could positively explode!

We greeted our barista by name. Ran into our driver at supper. Met up with old friends for dinner.Italy is always specia...
10/08/2025

We greeted our barista by name. Ran into our driver at supper. Met up with old friends for dinner.

Italy is always special, but Italy when you’re known, loved, and welcomed in the community… it’s a beautiful thing.

Sharing much more in my daily Italian Diary series while I’m here.

Comment DIARY below to get today’s entry and catch up on yesterday’s.

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PO Box 369
Malaga, WA
98828

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