About

Mud Mountain Madness began as a dream to sell everything and travel the US in a camper while homeschooling our child.

However, the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic forced us to change our plans and find a place to hunker down. What was initially meant to be a plot of land for occasional camper parking turned into our off-grid homestead.

After clearing the land, constructing structures, and acquiring approximately 100 animals, things took an unexpected turn, and our property became a muddy challenge. This wasn't just any mud; it was sticky, clay-like mud that even made our Jeep struggle. Despite living in a rainforest, we faced a paradoxical issue: our meadow turned into a dry desert for about three months in the summer, decimating plant life and restarting the mud cycle.

Then, there are our birds. It all began with the adoption of two Pekin hens, followed by a pair of peafowls, and eventually, a growing collection of ducks and geese; primarily from rescue missions. These feathered creatures are little destructors, devouring anything green in sight, digging up roots and bulbs with their beaks, and stomping on anything they don't eat, further contributing to the mud and debris.

Our five beloved dogs, while cherished, add to our mud woes. Their thick fur shields them from feeling the mud they accumulate but doesn't stop them from transferring it to our clothing, giving rise to what we humorously refer to as "mud butts." The only way to exit our house in clean clothes is to change in the car, a process we've endearingly named "shedding our mud layer."

After retiring from a career in house cleaning, I immersed myself in farm duties. However, my curiosity led me to explore new avenues, focusing on natural, compostable, old-fashioned, do-it-yourself (DIY), and sustainable practices. My primary goal was self-sufficiency and finding ways to thrive without leaving our mountain home.

I have a deep passion for our animals, raising them, utilizing them for food, and preserving them for various purposes, ensuring minimal waste. It was during this time that I discovered my passion for leather crafting, particularly repurposing old leather couches into stylish purses and other crafts.

One day, I asked my husband what one thing he couldn't live without if the world faced turmoil, and he said "soap." Inspired by this, I embarked on a soap-making journey, taking a class with my mother to learn the craft.

In reality, I thrive on diverse interests, often juggling multiple crafts, reading several books at once, and delving into new projects. Mud Mountain Madness was driven by my passion and a touch of eccentricity.

In our world, madness reigns supreme, and we embrace it wholeheartedly.