This is me. And once upon a time, when the blog was named Granola Mom 4 God, it was me and Willow — my first “real” camera. Together, we captured the Granola Family life, one moment at a time. Sometimes we were endearing, sometimes a little annoying, but always true to who we were. These days, I mostly snap photos on my iPhone (because life is moving fast, and goats don’t wait for fancy lenses).
How It All Began
This blog actually started because my friends begged me to put all of my recipes in one place. Since I didn’t exactly enjoy keeping track of schoolwork, this space became our digital scrapbook — part recipe box, part homeschool journal, part place to remember the beautiful, the ordinary, and the ridiculous.
Somewhere in the middle of lesson plans and lattes, we stumbled onto Classical Conversations. Even though I never liked being “boxed in,” it gave us the structure we needed — and we stuck with it. Over the years, we’ve graduated two kids, with two more still in high school.
Hi.
I’m Jodi — wife, mama, homeschooler, writer, coffee-drinker, and collector of glitter, stickers, and stories. My degree is in Secondary Education, but I’ve had to unlearn most of what I thought teaching should look like. I love homemade chai, coffee shops, books (the smell, the feel, all of it), mountains, spontaneous adventures, and watching miracles unfold in my garden.
Health has shaped my story, too. I’ve overcome PCOS and Hashimoto’s, and now at 49+ I’m learning to navigate celiac while figuring out how to live with fewer kids at home and a whole new rhythm. I once lived as a missionary in India, and maybe that’s why I still can’t stop collecting stories — and discovering what God is calling me to in this new chapter.
Family Life (and Ridgebacks)
Brian — my high school blind date (well, it was only blind on his side 😉) — is still the funniest, smartest, most supportive guy I know. He retired from engineering at 39 to homeschool alongside me and run Wise House Oils with our family. After six years, he “un-retired” and is now an engineering professor.
Our family has grown, shifted, and changed — including our dogs. Our first Ridgeback, Mussoorie, passed in 2010. She was followed by Ruth, who might have been the world’s best dog. However, she crossed over the rainbow in 2022. Now we have Lucy and Aslan, littermates with larger-than-life personalities and their own Instagram, The Chronicles of Ridgebacks.
Somewhere along the way, we moved to the country. Suddenly our “crunchy ways” fit right in — even if our old-school farmer neighbors raised an eyebrow or two. We’ve learned about septic tanks, raised chickens and goats, stacked hay fields, bought a tractor, and eventually sold our camper once the bed bug fear subsided. Country life has been messy, hilarious, humbling, and exactly what we needed.
The Kids (Miracles, Grown)
Mr. Smackdown is graduating from college, getting married, and creating stunning light shows that take my breath away.
Sir Honey launched his own business called Roll Snap, gives solid advice, and still gives the best bear hugs.
Mr. Smiley runs a car detailing business, plays drums like a pro, and brings joy wherever he goes.
Boy can he cook!Sweet Pea is starting high school, prepping to launch her own bakery business, and has the greenest thumb in the family.
They’re all charting their own paths, and I couldn’t be more proud — or more curious about what my role looks like now that they’re flying on their own.
Why This Blog Exists
The purpose of Accidental Country Folk is simple: to serve as your docent in cultivating a real-life story — one full of beauty, out-of-the-box health hacks, curiosity, and relationship.
We’re a homeschool, tea-drinking, essential-oil-wearing, book-loving family who loves Jesus and believes in keeping our hearts humble and teachable. This blog is my way of sharing the journey: the simple, the crunchy, the faithful, and the fun.
So, welcome. I’m glad you’re here. Pull up a chair, pour a latte, and stay awhile. ✨