Jessica Leona

Saving my own seeds tastes like freedom 🌱 Collards, broccoli, kale — growing stronger every year. Just listed some on Seed Savers Exchange: https://tinyurl.com/ThreadAndSoil-Seeds #SeedSaving #HeirloomSeeds #FoodSovereignty #SlowLiving

Busy week 🌿 strung dried oranges, made a few dry mixes for the pantry, baked berry crumble w/ whipped cream, squeezed in meal prep, and even shared my yoga journal with the world. Something about this break in the heat gets me motivated! #SlowLiving #SimpleJoys #HomemadeGoodness #SeasonalLiving

I made this yoga + self-care journal for myself when nothing else fit — apps + notebook + Ashtanga book to log it all felt scattered. Designed just for me, but now it feels stingy not to share. 🌿
Link: https://amzn.to/3UyUTZt

#YogaJournal #MindfulPractice

When life gives you cherry tomatoes
...PLUS onions, garlic, and jalapeños…
You make salsa!

Seventeen jars of it.

 #GrowWhatYouEat #CanningSeason #GardenSky

Just a few jars so far.
But each one says:
“I grew this myself.”

This is what resistance looks like in a mason jar.

#GrowWhatYouEat #SlowLiving #FoodSovereignty

It was never just a consumer problem.

Upstream: brands overproduce with cheap plastic materials.
Consumers: buy what’s available, wear and donate.
Downstream: the leftovers are dumped!?!

tinyurl.com/greenfashionghana

#SlowFashion #OverproductionCrisis #FastFashionKills

I’ve wanted to make this little porch bling for ages. Lettuce turnip the beet! 🎶

#Gardening #GardenHumor #DadJokes #Handmade

They say self-care looks different for everyone. Mine just happens to involve weeds and dirt before sunrise. Not glamorous. Just peaceful.

#SlowLiving #GrowWhatYouEat #MomLife #GardenSky

My dad always said “dig the second hole first.” So with the chicken coop 75% done, I built a mud kitchen. Naturally.

See the full build on YouTube https://youtu.be/7K0SGWQY1Mg

#MomsWhoBuild #DIY #MudKitchen #ParentingHumor #DadJokes #SlowLiving #IndependentPlay

Nice, we are about the same then we are on the edge of 7 / 8 and really just finally getting into the rhythm of growing here (through trial and error) after 4 years 😅

What growing zone are you in?

Only a week into strawberry season and we’ve already picked 4x more than all of last year. 🍓
The secret? A little TLC and a lot of patience.
Hardest part is not eating them all before we get to the kitchen.

#GrowWhatYouEat #Homegrown #SlowLiving #gardensky

Plastic Is Everywhere. Now What? Our sustainability editor breaks down what the science says (so far) about the plastic in our environments and how to start making thoughtful decisions about your consumption. Plus: one tip you can do today to reduce microplastic shedding.

So tired of articles that focus on how consumers need to change.

It’s not just about what we buy—it’s about what’s being made, marketed, and pushed on us. This is a whole-system issue. Full stop.

We need more accountability upstream.

https://tinyurl.com/3r7fsa35

#PlasticCrisis #Sustainability

The most important cookies in the universe.
After an hour of pretend play, the toddler begged to bake.
I wanted a break… but I knew I had to say yes.
These are the moments that make childhood magical.

#CookiesAndChaos #SlowLiving #FamilyMemories #FoodSky

Even a 'lazy' dinner does double duty:
Rotisserie chicken = dinner today + soup stock tomorrow. 
Low effort, zero waste. I love my crockpot.

#ChickenBroth #NoWaste #SlowLiving

Go barefoot. Pick flowers. Celebrate spring!
#SpringFlowers #SlowLiving

Last fall we tucked a zillion babies under compost & a blanket of oak leaves.
Pulled the leaves back & BAM! Flowers, little berries, and… you guessed it volunteer tomatoes.
Because they take the "Volunteer State" motto seriously.

#GardenSky #Homegrown #TheVolunteerState #GrowWhatYouEat

Mid-April planting before the rain—already so lush! So grateful for Tennessee’s loooong growing season.

Baby lettuce, all volunteers from last year & Cherry Tomatoes popping up like weeds!

The plants take the "Volunteer State" motto seriously.

#GardenSky #GrowWhatYouEat #TheVolunteerState

Surprised my lil’ bunny on Easter with this Animal Bonnet—she hopped around in it for hours.
Quick, beginner-friendly sew. Free pattern here: tinyurl.com/ThreadAndSoi...
100% cotton, of course.

Now to tackle my own wardrobe—bras or tanks first?

#Handmade #SewingTutorial #FreePattern #SewSky

After all the thought and (greatly appreciated) discussion, my toddler discovered the snaps and was beyond excited to choose colors and use them. Glad to make her happy and use what's on hand, but definitely plan to replace them with metal ones in the future.

This is what REAL sewist's hands look like.

The secret to perfect corners. Every time.

#Handmade #SewingTutorial #SewingHack

Felt so good to finally get moving on a new project after being sick! Sunshine, sawdust… and then the saw battery died. Classic.

You’ll have to check back to see what I’m building—this one’s gonna be a good one.

#SlowLiving #IntentionalProjects #HomesteadVibes #NotJustSewing

Beautiful!

Love it!

Perhaps I can make some wooden toggles?

This discussion is so helpful!
I've been thinking that if I donate they'll still get used (or disposed of) and degrade in our environment if not by me, then by someone else. But since the main goal is to get plastic off my daughter's body I think I shouldn't use them.

My biggest concern about our clothing is the chemical makeup of all those synthetic fibers and plastics. Skin is our biggest organ yet we are dressed from head to toe in synthetic fabrics literally made of chemical cocktails. So I'm making a conscious push to change that.

That's kind of me all the time.

Just made another top for my little one’s all-cotton wardrobe. I'm committed to ditching plastic—but my stash of snaps is all plastic.

What would you do? Use them up? Donate and go metal?

#SlowFashion #NaturalFibers #PlasticFreeSewing #Handmade #Sewing #ReducePlastic #GarmentSewists