Cold Brew in a Stolen Cup: How to Pamper Yourself Without Leaving the Dirt Road

This morning, I mulched the garden beds with oat straw from a local farmer, did yoga in the orchard, and sipped cold brew my husband Chris made using beans we picked up from LoFi—roasted in Austin by Palomino Coffee. Not to brag, but it was served in a bougie glass I “borrowed” from my dear friend Krissy. (It’s not theft if there’s mutual love and a group chat, right?)

If you’re wondering how I balance this semi-feral, bootstrapped lifestyle with running a full-time consulting firm—well, I don’t. I just weave the glam into the grit.

Here at Rock Bottom Ranch, we’re rebuilding the flock, revitalizing the land, and growing everything from cucumbers to peppers to tomatoes that are clearly on their own timeline. I do this alongside my husband Chris, our 14-year-old daughter Ella (who already rivals me in wit), and our closest friends and co-homesteaders, Krissy and Austin. It’s a team effort with dirt, laughter, chaos, and sometimes spreadsheets.

This weekend, the four of us took Ella to Blue Hole to swim, and then we cleaned up like civilized people and hit Encantada for a bougie brunch. My idea of luxury? A perfect espresso and churro waffles, surrounded by my favorite humans.

And somewhere in all this—the dirt, the client calls, the never-ending “to do” list—I realized: this is pampering. This is the soft life, our way.

How I Pamper Myself on a Working Homestead:

• Cold Brew, Farmhouse Edition. Purchased at LoFi, roasted in Austin by Palomino Coffee, brewed by Chris, and served in a cup I stole from Krissy. Topped with oat milk cold cream and a healthy dose of main character energy.

• Yoga in the Orchard. The ground isn’t level, the chickens heckle me, and I wouldn’t trade it for any studio on earth.

• Shanty Chandelier Vibes. Yes, I hung chandeliers in the farmhouse. No, it doesn’t make sense. Yes, it brings me joy every single day.

• This is Real Wealth. I homestead with Chris, Krissy, and Austin. We build things together, feed each other, remind one another to rest, and occasionally buy farm gear that matches. This is real wealth.

• Make the Moment Matter. I don’t need a silent retreat to find peace. I need five uninterrupted minutes with a hot drink. A moment in the orchard. A Saturday where my phone stays inside and I remember why I chose this life.

Reminder for the Overcommitted and Slightly Overcaffeinated:

You don’t need to escape your life to enjoy it.

You can pamper yourself in the middle of the mess. You can be covered in straw mulch and still romanticize the moment. You can run a business, raise a teenager, and still feel like you’re living the dream—if you redefine what the dream looks like.

So make the coffee. Steal the cup. Hang the chandelier. Be both: grounded and glam, rooted and radiant, productive and completely, unapologetically yours.

And if you're a fellow multi-hyphenate building a business, navigating big transitions, or just trying to find your next step with clarity—I'm here for that too. Check out KJ Consulting for career coaching, brand strategy, and operational support that’s just as practical as it is personal. You don’t have to do it alone—and you don’t have to give up who you are to do it well.