About the Author

Hi there. I’m Melissa, a pro home cook, gardener, and creator of My Homemade Roots. I started this blog back in 2017 to share the joy I find in from-scratch cooking, preserving the harvest, and embracing the simple, seasonal rhythms of homemade living. Here, you’ll find everything from old-fashioned recipes and classic favorites to garden tips and handmade touches.

I didn’t grow up on a farm, and I don’t currently live in an old farmhouse (though I wouldn’t mind a few chickens). But I’m old-fashioned at heart, and I’ve always been drawn to many of the old ways. I grew up in a time and place where cooking a homemade meal every day, growing some food, canning, and doing things with our hands were just part of daily living. We never called this homesteading or anything else, really – it was just life.

I’m Appalachian at heart, having grown up in the mountains of Pennsylvania and now calling the southern Blue Ridge home. That sense of place, heritage, and connection to the land is at the heart of everything I share here. Over the years, through practice, lots of mistakes, and a lot of love, I’ve built up a knowledge of cooking, gardening, and making a comfortable home for my family. I’ve also shared my love for homemade living as a contributor to Capper’s Farmer and Mother Earth Living.

When I’m not in the kitchen or the garden, I’m usually spending time with my husband and our two beloved dogs, working on a new DIY project, or writing here or on my Substack. I also have a soft spot for vintage cookbooks, quiet late nights, and the smell of woodsmoke in the fall.

And wherever you are on your own journey, I hope to meet you there. Whether you’re growing tomatoes on a balcony, baking your first homemade pizza, or perfecting your pie crust skills — I’m so glad you’re here. My hope is that My Homemade Roots feels like a cozy corner where we can share good food, useful ideas, and maybe even a few memories.

Thanks for stopping by. Make yourself at home.