Stories from The River Runs Through
Coffee. Creativity. Ceremony. The land. Becoming.
And the occasional story about something I probably should have known better than to attempt.
There are stories about the things we make, the things we inherit, the things that surprise us, and the things that change us.
Come wander awhile.
Here We Are
Yesterday was busy.
And, to be honest, stopping and noticing was only momentary. Still, I did it. I stopped. I looked around. I reflected in that moment, and thought...
Here we are.
It's funny how we spend so much of our lives working toward something, wondering if we'll ever get there, and then one day we look up and realize...
Here we are.
How the River Taught Me to Listen
There was a lot of baking today. Or perhaps more accurately, there was a lot of creating pieces that will eventually become something whole. Mixing dry ingredients. Preparing fillings. Letting dough rest. None of it looked like the finished product, yet every piece mattered.
It reminded me that life has unfolded much the same way.
Before I understood psychology, before I understood trauma, before I understood healing, I was simply a little girl who paid attention.
Moon Circle Gatherings
What if, once each month, we simply paused?
Paused long enough to notice the moon overhead, the changing seasons around us, and what is quietly changing within us.
Moon Circle is a monthly gathering to reconnect—with ourselves, one another, and the natural world. Together we'll reflect, meditate, create, share (if you choose), and honor the rhythms that have guided humanity for thousands of years.
The Magic of a Quiet Day
Yesterday was wonderfully busy.
Today was wonderfully quiet.
I imagine that's how the universe keeps us humble. Just when you think you've figured things out, it hands you a quiet day and says, "Go make something."
So I baked.
I'm not entirely sure where my love of baking began. Maybe it was my Easy-Bake Oven, which somehow convinced an entire generation of children that a light bulb was a perfectly reasonable heat source.
I mostly remember what went wrong.
The frosting that somehow became marshmallow.
The cakes that could have doubled as coasters.
The pizza dough came from a box because I hadn't yet learned that yeast can't be hurried. Bread has its own schedule, and it has absolutely no interest in ours.
Come to think of it...neither does life.
The First Truly Magical Day
We've had good days at The River Runs Through.
We've had surprising days. Rainy days. "What were we thinking?" days.
Today was different.
Today was the first day that felt...magical.
Ironically, it began with our bathroom.
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.