The Story Behind Anchored Homestead

In August of 2020, we moved into our new home in Newtown, CT, whose rich agricultural history dates back to 1708.  By 1710, the initial proprietors were farmers being second and third generation immigrants from Britain who moved to the interior of the state where land was more plentiful and larger farms could be built.  The homes were typically a saltbox or a one and a half story cottage. In back of their dwelling, a barn and other small outbuildings such as privies, were soon erected, and small gardens were laid out for growing vegetables and herbs. Further back, an orchard was planted.*

Our new home was built on  pastureland & abundant to say the least were the prospects of things to come!  But like innumerable other people during that ill-fated year, I found myself working from home.​  While this was a complete disruption to my usual routine, I was able to spend more time outdoors, tending to my garden, flowers and home.

I've always had a love for baking & making sourdough bread had long been on my list of culinary endeavors, but I was too intimidated by the process.  Despite the countless hours of researching, having all the encouragement to try & possibly fail, a whole year went by. By pure happenstance, I came across a post from a local baker in town offering a sourdough baking class & so I joined.  I learned about "Holly", who was born from a 104 year old mother.  She provided all the information I needed, answered my 101 questions but more importantly, she gave me the confidence that I can in fact bake a loaf of sourdough.

I went home, not only with my own starter who was later named "Charlotte" but with excitement and an eagerness to bake my first loaf.  My first sourdough boule was baked on October 6 & despite my best efforts, it was unimpressive, homely & dense, but it tasted insanely delicious! I was proud, and more importantly, I was hooked and down the rabbit hole I went.

I began to researching & well, stalking several influential sourdough bakers online, bought & read several books, scoured the Internet for answers to my never ending questions. I continued to experiment, failed & tried again & again.  Determined to continuously learn & better my skills, I would gift a lot of bread to family, friends, neighbors as I was baking more than we could eat. 

Eventually, my skills and knowledge gave me the idea & confidence to become a Cottage Food Operator (CFO), allowing me to bake from home with certain requirements and sell directly to consumers from my home (or at roadside stands, farmers' markets, farm stands and special events). My homesteading journey took on a whole new life with this new knowledge.

Anchored Homestead was born on January 7, 2025.  I am currently enrolled in the Certified Food Protection Manager Course in order to become licensed and insured to bake from my home.

Welcome to Anchored Homestead I'm so glad you're here & I hope you'll enjoy this adventure with me!

*Source: Newtown Historical Society