Real food. Real hobby farm. Real travel. No perfection required.

I’m Michelle Marine — Iowa hobby farmer, from-scratch cook, SATW travel writer and story teller. I’ve been growing, cooking, and exploring my way toward a life worth savoring for as long as I can remember.

From my Iowa kitchen to an adventure in Cartagena, simple living doesn’t mean staying home.

There’s always room at my table. I’m glad you’re here!

Welcome to Simplify, Live, Love!

I grew up as an Army brat in Germany, moved to Missouri in high school, lived in Japan as a military spouse, and eventually planted roots on five acres in Wilton, Iowa. For 22 years, I’ve been raising kids, chickens, and sourdough starter, while traveling as much as I can. We have a big garden, a small orchard, and enough livestock to keep things interesting.

This is where I write about food, hobby farming, and travel the way I’d tell a friend: with all the useful parts and none of the pretense. I’m a member of the Society of American Travel Writers and the author of How to Raise Chickens for Meat. Sixteen years writing this website, and always learning. Thanks for being here!