Blog
Thoughts from Crystal
A New Aura Spray Has Been Born
A new Aura Spray has been born.
If you're wondering, "What exactly is an Aura Spray?" don't worry—you've joined the club.
Before I stepped into the world of shamanism, I'd never even heard of one. Smudging? Sure. Burning herbs and smoke, I understood. But a spray?
Then someone mentioned Florida Water.
That didn't help at all.
A Website with a Big Job
Our website has a ridiculously big job.
It's home to our coffee shop, farmhouse store, professional counseling practice, workshops, retreats, weddings, shamanic gatherings...and soon, a couple of cabins and yurts. Frankly, we're asking a lot of one website.
It's where you'll find our fair-trade coffee, thoughtfully sourced from small farmers around the world, vegan baked goods, handmade gifts from artisans near and far, and many of the things I make myself—from skincare and aura sprays to artwork, drums, and rattles.
It's also where you'll learn about my work as a Licensed Professional Counselor. Over the past 25 years, my practice has grown from traditional cognitive therapies to mind-body approaches and eventually into shamanic practices. Turns out, learning never really ends.
The River Runs Through is more than a coffee shop.
Growing One Row At A Time
"Slow and steady wins the race."
I don't know who first said it, but I know Rob says it at least once a day. Usually right after we've taken one step forward and what appears to be a step and a half back.
The thing is, I don't think they're really steps backward.
Building anything worthwhile takes time.
What I learned about Oscar the Grouch and his Pet Worm
Oscar the Grouch had a pet worm.
Not having watched Sesame Street in decades, I can't say whether that worm is still around, but despite Oscar's famously grumpy disposition, he treated his worm well.
I met many, many worms today.
Rob dug up the garden row where I wanted to plant my heirloom tomatoes. Dug up is the operative part of that sentence. He then looked at me and casually said, "...you may have to do a little weeding."
A little.
What's New This Week at The River Runs Through
We're so glad to share a few new things unfolding here at the farm and coffee shop with you.
Online ordering is now available! You can place your order anytime—even when we're closed. Simply order online and pick up weekdays between 7–9 a.m. or during our weekend hours, 9–2 pm. It’s an easy way to have your coffee and baked goods ready when you arrive.
New pre-order bakery items!
Happy Summer Solstice!
Summer has officially arrived, it's Father's Day here in the U.S., and we've just completed our third weekend as The River Runs Through Farmhouse Store & Coffee Shop.
The season has certainly started with plenty of rain. That's not entirely foreign to those of us in Maine, though it does seem the sun prefers to come out on days we're closed. Fortunately, we've also been blessed with some beautiful, temperate days in between.
New Offering: Shamanic Land Healing & Blessing
One of the things I've learned through studying shamanism is that relationship matters.
Not just our relationship with ourselves and other people, but our relationship with the land.
Most of us intuitively know this.
We can walk onto a piece of property and immediately feel at home. We can also arrive somewhere and sense that something feels unsettled, depleted, or somehow "off," even if we can't explain why.
Just as people experience periods of disruption, loss, trauma, transition, and renewal, so too can the land.
A property may have experienced development, environmental disturbance, neglect, conflict, or significant change. Sometimes the effects are visible. Sometimes they aren't. Yet many people report feeling them nonetheless.
Because of this, I am excited to begin offering Shamanic Land Healing & Blessing through The River Runs Through.
A Menu, A Few More Signs, and a Whole Lot of Gratitude
Well, we finally have a menu.
We've added a few more signs too—though if you've been following along, you know our relationship with signs has been complicated from the start.
We've also adjusted our hours slightly, although much like many things in the summertime, we may end up being more weather-contingent than clock-contingent. Around here, sunshine, gardens, and unexpected conversations occasionally influence the schedule.
This past weekend was full.
One of the greatest joys was meeting so many people from Monroe that we hadn't yet met. It's funny how you can live somewhere and still discover neighbors you've never crossed paths with before.
We're learning a lot too.
For example, cold brew is popular.
Very popular.
The Little Store That Could
"I think I can. I think I can. I think I can..."
That's a bit how The River Runs Through Farmhouse Store & Coffee Shop has felt these past few weeks.
Building shelves. Learning coffee machines. Baking bread. Making signs. Moving signs. Rearranging displays. Moving displays back. Wondering if anyone would actually stop.
And then it happened.
A car pulled in.
Opening Day
Today was our official opening day.
Rob and I straggled out of bed this morning to have our own coffee, accompanied by treats for the kitties. Kitty waits all night for this ritual. Cora enjoys the treats too, but with considerably more dignity and significantly less obsession.
Coffee in hand, we settled in with our New York Times puzzles. No, we do not do the crossword. We have limits.
Thankfully, we had a bit of practice from last week's soft opening and our subsequent "flexible hours" experiment. We learned a lot about the espresso machine, the flow of traffic, the visibility of our signs, and whether a menu is actually necessary.
(The answer appears to be yes.)
As a result, this morning felt a little less like opening a business and a little more like showing up for work.
Almost.
Signs, Signs, Everywhere There's Signs...week 2
There's an old song that laments the oppressive nature of signs.
Perhaps that's why we didn't put ours out until the day we opened.
After all the planning, building, baking, stocking, painting, planting, and rearranging, it turns out that letting people know you exist is actually an important step in running a business.
Who knew?
We had our soft opening on Saturday and, despite being "officially closed" until tomorrow, we've already felt the love from so many people stopping in. Some of you came intentionally. Some of you were curious. A few of you may have made a wrong turn. Regardless, we're glad you found us.
Hours of Operation (Sort Of)
I remember the first time I saw a business with hours posted that included the phrase "by chance."
I laughed.
Then I wondered, How on earth does anyone know when to come?
My entire life has been governed by schedules. I can still hear my mother calling out, "Hurry up, you don't want to be late!" as we piled into the car. Then came school buses, classroom clocks, work schedules, appointments, deadlines, calendars, reminders, alarms...
Time.
We've all spent a lot of it chasing time.
Now, as we open The River Runs Through Farmhouse Store & Coffee Shop, I find myself thinking about time again.
Only this time, it feels different.
Maybe it's because we live in the farmhouse attached to the store. Maybe it's because stepping outside to check the garden, watch the clouds, or admire the rhubarb somehow feels just as important as answering emails. Maybe it's because after years of dreaming about this place, being here matters more than watching the clock.
Whatever the reason, time has never felt more elusive—or less important.
Which brings me to our business hours.
We have them.
Sort of.
Our First Day as Coffee Shop Owners
Well… we did it.
After months, maybe years of dreaming, planning, building, and occasionally wondering if we were completely out of our minds, The River Runs Through Farmhouse Store & Coffee Shop officially opened its door (yup, one single door).
We woke early, added more to our stocked the shelves, fired up the espresso machine, and felt reasonably prepared for our grand debut.
Then we had our first realization of the day:
There were no customers.
After a while of waiting for the rush that never came, Rob decided to use the time productively and went to mow the lawn. Because nothing says “we own a coffee shop now” like your barista disappearing on a tractor.
Another Full Day at The River Runs Through Farmhouse Store
And what a day it was.
Rob and I spent the day surrounded by the store and coffee shop we have worked so hard to create, and we are truly humbled by what has taken shape. This journey has been years in the making, filled with unexpected turns, hard work, lessons learned, and dreams that refused to fade.
As we stand here now, it feels as though we are moving from the past into the present—honoring what came before while creating something new. Our hope is that this store and coffee shop will become more than a business; that it will be a gathering place, a place of connection, conversation, comfort, and community that endures well into the future.
With that in mind, we've decided to give ourselves a little more time. We aren't quite ready to open our doors just yet, so our soft opening will be moved once again to Saturday, June 6th.
We appreciate your patience as we put the finishing touches on this special place. We want your first visit to reflect the care, intention, and heart that have gone into creating it.
Of course, we're having a little fun along the way, too.
Why Vegan Food Is Good for You—and the Planet
At The River Runs Through Farmhouse Store & Coffee Shop, you'll notice that our baked goods are vegan. For some people, that's exciting news. For others, it may spark a little curiosity.
So why vegan?
The simple answer is that it's one of the many ways we try to care for both people and the planet.
Good for Your Body
Plant-based foods are naturally rich in fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. When made with wholesome ingredients, vegan baked goods can provide nourishment while still satisfying your desire for something sweet and comforting.
Many people also find that plant-based foods are easier to digest and leave them feeling energized rather than weighed down.
Of course, a cookie is still a cookie and a muffin is still a muffin—but we believe delicious food can also be thoughtfully made.
Good for the Planet
Every food choice has an environmental footprint. Producing plant-based foods generally requires less land, less water, and fewer resources than producing animal-based foods.
By choosing more plant-based options, we can help reduce pressure on forests, waterways, and ecosystems while supporting a healthier relationship with the Earth that sustains us all.
It's not about perfection. It's about making choices that move us in a positive direction.
Soft Opening This Thursday!
The wait is almost over!
The River Runs Through Farmhouse Store & Coffee Shop will be opening its doors for a Soft Opening on Thursday, June 4th, and we'd love for you to be part of it.
What exactly is a soft opening?
It means we're still working out the kinks, learning our flow, and figuring out the day-to-day operations of running a coffee shop. In other words, we're inviting you behind the scenes as we learn, grow, and settle into this new adventure.
To make things a little more fun, the first customer to order each type of coffee drink gets it FREE!
Creating the Living Manifestation of a Dream
There are dreams that stay tucked away in notebooks and conversations… and then there are dreams that slowly begin to take shape with your own hands.
This little coffee shop has become that for us — a living manifestation of a dream.
A place built with heart. A place rooted in the belief that our planet is alive and worthy of care. A place where the choices we make matter — from what we serve, to what we display, to the kind of experience we hope people carry home with them.
We imagined a space where good coffee creates connection. Where art unlocks joy and reminds us to play, wonder, and see beauty in unexpected places. Where handmade goods from around the globe tell stories of real people — artisans whose work supports their families, preserves traditions, and strengthens communities.
Trusting the Timing - Opening Postponed until June 4th!
Trusting the Timing
Sometimes the universe whispers.
Sometimes it redirects.
And sometimes it asks us to slow down long enough to truly listen.
Over the last week, it has become clear our grand opening wants more time to unfold naturally. While part of us wanted to rush, another deeper part knows this space deserves to open with intention, grounding, and beauty.
So we are postponing our grand opening to June 4, 2026.
Honoring the New Moon — A Ritual for Reflection, Intention & Renewal
The New Moon is upon us. Saturday night when you look to the sky there will be darkness. There is something sacred about the dark sky of a new moon.
Unlike the brightness of the full moon, the new moon invites stillness. It is the quiet beginning. A pause. A reset. A moment to return inward before the next cycle of growth begins.
For centuries, cultures around the world have honored lunar cycles as a way of reconnecting to nature, intuition, and the rhythms of life itself. The new moon, in particular, represents rebirth, possibility, and intention. It is the fertile soil before the seed breaks open.
In a world that constantly asks us to move faster, produce more, and stay outwardly focused, honoring the new moon offers something radically healing: space to listen.
How Is It Possible to Feel Better After Only 6–12 Sessions of The Threshold Process?
One of the most common questions people ask about The Threshold Process is:
“How can something shift so deeply in only 6–12 sessions?”
Especially in a culture where healing is often seen as long, endless, or dependent on years of processing, the idea of meaningful transformation in a relatively short period of time can feel surprising.
But healing is not always about the amount of time spent.
Often, it’s about the depth of presence, intention, safety, and embodiment within that time.
The Threshold Process was created to be focused, intentional, and transformational — not something designed to keep you dependent on the process indefinitely.
Healing Happens When We Feel Safe Enough to Change
Many people are not struggling because they “don’t know enough” about themselves. Often, they already understand their patterns intellectually.
The Threshold Process works on multiple levels at once — mind, body, nervous system, energy, and spirit. Because of this integrative approach, shifts can happen more quickly than talk therapy alone.
Rather than endlessly analyzing the wound, the work focuses on creating conditions where transformation can actually occur.