Happiness Unscripted

Elaine Vandiver's Journey to Sustainable Farming

• Kristin DeSouza • Season 1 • Episode 4

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Elaine Vandiver's Journey to Sustainable Farming

In this episode of Happiness Unscripted, host Kristin DeSouza concludes an insightful conversation with Elaine Vandiver, a military veteran turned full-time farmer and entrepreneur. Elaine, who operates Old Homestead Alpacas and Gholson Gardens in Walla Walla, Washington, shares her remarkable journey from working in an engaging yet technical, high-stress job to embracing the therapeutic and fulfilling life of a farmer. Elaine discusses her gradual transition into farming, the challenges and triumphs of managing her businesses, and the profound joy she finds in working with nature. The dialogue highlights the importance of following one's passion, the impact of seasonal changes on daily farm life, and the value of creating tangible, useful products.

Key Timestamps

01:36 Receptivity & Pulling on the thread

04:33 Building Gholson Gardens

28:15 The Therapy of Farming

31:53 Can't Freeze Time

35:32 Connecting with Elaine and the Farm

39:52 Looking back and Looking Forward

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Hey there friends! Just a friendly reminder that this podcast is all about sharing ideas and having fun conversations. I'm not an expert in this subject over here - jut a curious person exploring topics I find interesting. So please don't take anything said here as professional advice. When in doubt, chat with the real pros who know their stuff. Thanks for listening and hope you join us for the next episode! Now, let's dive in and get happy!

Kristin - Host:

Hello. Welcome back to the final part of our conversation with Elaine Vandiver For those just joining us, or as a refresher for everyone who was here last time, let me quickly review: Elaine is a military veteran turned first generation farmer and entrepreneur who operates two complimentary agricultural businesses, on a historic 1870s homestead in Walla Walla Washington, alongside her husband Mike. At Old Homestead Alpacas, she raises suri alpacas for their luxurious natural fiber, which she transforms into craft, yarns and professionally machine knit garments, including hats, scarves, and mittens that are 100% made in the USA. In 2018, she launched Gholson Gardens, which provides seasonal specialty cut flowers and has become a revenue stream that allows her to make farming her full-time occupation. Elaine describes the farming experience as both uplifting, and therapeutic, also providing her an opportunity to give back to the community and preserve the heritage of the historic Gholson Homestead For our final episode with Elaine, we will continue to learn about her journey from five o'clock farmer to full-time farming. We'll pick back up talking about her willingness to simply pull at the thread, as she says, to find her way into this amazing life. That's one of the things I've actually wondered about. And um, so you've got Gholson Gardens now that is your, growing all of your flowers. And we'll get a little bit more into that. But like I listen to you talk now when we're just having our social conversations and you, you know so much. You know about the soil composition. Now you can list off all of these, you know, flowers and plants and, um, what you need to do with them. And as I've watched you do this, I'm like; I've thought multiple times, I have no idea if you like had a garden if you were big into flowers growing up. So this is something that you have very, like organically learned.

Elaine - Old Homestead Alpacas:

Yeah. You know, again, I just kept pulling at the thread. It just, it really did, it came together organically and I was interested, and I think probably the biggest thing is I was just receptive

Kristin - Host:

Oh,

Elaine - Old Homestead Alpacas:

to the idea of it. Receptivity has been something that I reflect on a lot that like, I just kind of was going with things going, and it was just the next natural step of like, okay, I, I can't, I don't wanna use synthetic dyes. Oh, that's, oh, natural dyes. Oh, you can grow marigolds. Those are so easy to grow from seed. And I literally did it like we did in elementary school, a couple styrofoam cups, a little bit of attention, and it was like, oh, wow. And then the, the intense dopamine from going, I put that in the ground, it came out, there's a flower. I put that in water, created a dye, and then I took the alpacas fiber, which by the way, I also grew. It was like, wow. I just was like, I couldn't believe it was a thing. Um, yeah. And just, just continuing to pull on that thread of like, okay, what's next? Just following the passion. All the while I had, you know, like a normal nine to five job, I was very lucky. I mean, Walla Wall is quite small. I could come home for lunch. I could, within some reason, set my own schedule so I could go there super early and then be home, especially in the summertime with, with lots of daylight to do all the farm-y things. And then it was just like, okay, I'm, I'm doing some natural dyes. And then, you know, going the, the going back to work from lunch, thing started to get like, woo, this is hard because there's like 8,000 things I'd rather be doing on the farm.

Kristin - Host:

Oh, okay.

Elaine - Old Homestead Alpacas:

Yeah, it was one of those.

Kristin - Host:

Yeah, that was gonna be kind of my questions is like, you, there wasn't a point that you just instantly became a full-time farmer. Like you've, you know, you've really laid down how this was just an evolution and so, Tell me a little bit more about how you, so it was 2018, I think about that you started growing the flowers.

Elaine - Old Homestead Alpacas:

Yep.

Kristin - Host:

Okay.

Elaine - Old Homestead Alpacas:

I learned, well, I mean, it was around 2017, I started to get real interested because by that point it was, we were two full years into alpacas of the, what I was calling five o'clock farmer, you know, like afterwards, farmer. And, um, I, I was starting to get like, oh, I really, really like this. And the job was great because it was my angel investor. It was what was, you know, funnel, you know, that was what was supporting it. And so it was like, but going back, you know. A after lunch. I mean, well, that's hard for anybody. Let's be real, you know? Uh, but like when you, when you, you're able to come out in the wide open,'cause I have sweeping views here and in the, just outside and then with the animals and then having things that, that not only you want to do but need to be done,

Kristin - Host:

Mm-hmm.

Elaine - Old Homestead Alpacas:

that like, it was like a poll and I kept saying, you know, but I was doing the math, you know, like it takes alpaca a full year to grow the fibers. You only get one harvest a year, and then the better part of another year to process it, which oh, by the way, costs money. Um, you know, and it was like, okay, I did the math. You know, I'm like, I, as much as I would love this to be like my, my full-time gig, the math wasn't mathing that I could do, you know, make that a full-time gig. And I'm like, well, let me, you know, I'm like. I am already growing flowers for the dye is, is growing flowers for bouquets a thing? That was my question in 2017.

Kristin - Host:

Oh,

Elaine - Old Homestead Alpacas:

So I grew a bunch of flowers and I learned about other people that were growing flowers and I was cutting them and taking them into the office and leaving'em, you know, I had one of course at my desk. I had one by the printer. I was starting to leave some in the ladies' room and I was like, wow. Like this is the, like, I can grow, like I can grow flowers and I don't know if I can arrange'em, but like, it's a thing like growing, like,'cause I am not the type of person that would've buys herself flowers goes to the grocery, you know, like I, that's not the kind of girl I am. And so, like, I didn't know if it was a real thing or not. I was getting great feedback from folks at the office saying. This, these are pretty, like, you grew these. And I was like, right. I, I did, you know, and I was using, I was very surprised I was using the alpacas manure,

Kristin - Host:

Oh.

Elaine - Old Homestead Alpacas:

like, and I was telling people I was just, it was like a live experiment, you know? And so in 2017 I was like, man, this is a thing. And, and then I was like, well, you know,'cause we shear in the spring and then the alpacas really don't need anything from me as the farmer

Kristin - Host:

Okay.

Elaine - Old Homestead Alpacas:

for grass. So irrigating. But that's at most an hour a day

Kristin - Host:

Okay.

Elaine - Old Homestead Alpacas:

most.

Kristin - Host:

Okay.

Elaine - Old Homestead Alpacas:

Um, and the rest of the time they're growing the next batch of fiber. And the, the batch that we just cut off is at the mill. So I've got, this is like a, a gap time. I'm like, that's the summer, that's when flowers grow. I wonder, could I sell flowers and use that money to pay for the processing of the fiber?

Kristin - Host:

Okay.

Elaine - Old Homestead Alpacas:

it, you know, even using, you know, I used a fair bit of my salary to do that, but like when you start thinking in terms of like, how can this be my life forever? Then you're like, cash flow, flow becomes a real thing. And so that's, yeah. So, and it was in 2018, I took an online course all about intensive flower farming. I signed up for the farmer's market and I went that first year in, I think, early June of 2018 and started selling flowers. And it was probably halfway through 2018, not even halfway. I asked my job, I said. Is there any chance that this full-time job could be just a part-time job? And I had gotten quite good at my job. I had a good reputation. Um, and they were like, let me ask; and they said, yeah. And that was kind of like one of those things where I said to Mike, I was like, I don't know if the math is gonna math on this either, but like, I, I really want to give this a try. And he was like, you know, when you don't have children? And it's like, well, okay. You know, like I can live off of peanut butter if we need to, you know?

Kristin - Host:

yeah, yeah.

Elaine - Old Homestead Alpacas:

And so I went down to part-time in 2018 and that really allowed me to, to do the farmer's market because I could, I think I was doing, I don't even really remember. I feel like I was doing, like, I had a couple five hour days and a couple three hour days at the office. And then that freed me up to be able to do what I needed to do without like, kind of killing myself. Because it was a, it was a, it was, I could not have done it full-time. You know, it was just

Kristin - Host:

So you shifted, like, you know, you talked about that you would go in really early in the morning when you're doing it full-time, so did you continue to like go in really early and then like kinda when, whenever lunch was, whether that was five hours in or three hours in, like you just stayed home after that?

Elaine - Old Homestead Alpacas:

Nope. Actually, what I did is, so when you cut flowers for the farmers or for anybody to use to sell flowers to somebody, you want them to have it. As for as long as possible. So the ideal time, the stage of harvest is where they're nice and tight and early in the morning

Kristin - Host:

Oh, okay.

Elaine - Old Homestead Alpacas:

before it's gotten warm. Because if you go out there, like right now, it's like 95 degrees out, those flowers are already struggling in the heat. And if you're trying to cut'em, even if you're getting'em into a cooler quickly, it just reduces the base life. So what I was doing was I was, I was actually coming into work like normal people hours, like closer to nine. So I would have like those early hours before it got hot from like six to eight 30, then take a quick shower, I'd go to work from like, I don't even remember anymore, nine to one or something, and then home for the day,

Kristin - Host:

Ah,

Elaine - Old Homestead Alpacas:

so it was, I needed those mornings to really get things, catch them before flowers start opening up, um, and harvesting them in the morning before it got too hot. So,

Kristin - Host:

Okay.

Elaine - Old Homestead Alpacas:

yeah.

Kristin - Host:

Interesting. So see, you're like figuring out how to put all the pieces together and keep the, the, uh, I like that. The angel investor job going as well as getting the components around it going. Um, so there was a point that you. Switch to full-time, like you have left your civil engineering job and um, I think, I'm not sure if you post it every year on Facebook, but I know I've seen it multiple times. Your, um, I think you call it throwing your deuces, you know, peace sign, uh, picture. So there was a point that you're like, okay, I am, I'm even leaving the part-time behind and going full-time. Like, what, you know, how did that evolve and like, what were those moments about where you're like, I think I'm gonna voice this to my husband. I'm gonna voice this to my manager I'm gonna actually do that.

Elaine - Old Homestead Alpacas:

Yeah, that, that's interesting. So I think it was, I mean, you get a little taste of a part-time schedule

Kristin - Host:

Yeah.

Elaine - Old Homestead Alpacas:

after working. You know, I prob how long was I there? I was over 10 years there. And of the fluorescent lights, the cubicle life, again, it was a great job. It had, there were so many great aspects of it, but I was a contract specialist. I wrote contracts mainly for architect and engineering contracts to be performed for the Corps of Engineers.'cause they don't have enough engineers to do their own work. It was very, is that very left-brained, very technical, whatever.

Kristin - Host:

Yeah.

Elaine - Old Homestead Alpacas:

It was very, very technical. Um, very stressful. Uh, also. Very little room for error when you're doing competitive bids for government work. I mean, there were protests, not like, uh, in the street protest, but somebody protesting,

Kristin - Host:

Yeah. Yeah.

Elaine - Old Homestead Alpacas:

protesting the award that you made in like, it was very, what I felt to be a, um, error free environment like you, just because it's public dollars, it's taxpayer money. Uh, everything's publicized. So when you screw up, if you screw up, you know, like it just felt so, it was very rigid in a lot of ways. I was very good at it. But once I started to shift to building my own little business, which is very right-brained, very creative, and then I, you know, and then I was literally going between two worlds olds. And then I, I got a little taste of this freedom, you know,

Kristin - Host:

Yep.

Elaine - Old Homestead Alpacas:

I saw what it took. And like, the trade off started to get a little too hard, too. The, the cost was a little too high.

Kristin - Host:

Okay.

Elaine - Old Homestead Alpacas:

Um, just because, and I started to enjoy it less. I, I don't thrive in an environment where you can't make mistakes or, you know, you could, I definitely did, but like, you would just feel like garbage, you know? Like it just felt like the world was watching you because in some respects they were, because it was public money and it was just.

Kristin - Host:

Sounds like you're saying it took a strong mental and emotional toll every time you made that mistake and you didn't feel like there was room to allow you to be human and, you know, have that mistake and be like, okay, like here's what I've learned from it. Gonna go forward. Yeah.

Elaine - Old Homestead Alpacas:

Yep. And then you couple it with the fact that like, I am building something that's just amazing. It's not necessarily the most lucrative thing, but it's like, you know, I, I, I bought a lot of things for the government. You know, it's a lot of paper pushing. You don't really see the results other than, yay, the project's done. Here's the next one,

Kristin - Host:

Yeah.

Elaine - Old Homestead Alpacas:

do it again. Whereas here, you, I have a real thing,

Kristin - Host:

Oh,

Elaine - Old Homestead Alpacas:

I have a labor harvest, I have a bouquet, and then I eventually progressed to the garments

Kristin - Host:

Mm-hmm.

Elaine - Old Homestead Alpacas:

and it was like, I am actually making a thing. You know, not to discredit the, the work that I did because I did things, but like tangible things that like I could stand back and be like, wow. This is all the result of sunshine, some rain, some blood, sweat and tears and it's a thing

Kristin - Host:

Okay.

Elaine - Old Homestead Alpacas:

versus, you know, the, the struggle of, you know, it it was and to continue.

Kristin - Host:

hold in your hands versus what sounds like was a very abstract like, look, I have this piece of paper that says this engineer went and did this project for us, so

Elaine - Old Homestead Alpacas:

Exactly. Yeah. And like, and then you top, top it off with like, it was, it was difficult and not pleasant at times. And then it's like, oh gosh, I just don't know how much longer. And the, and the further I got into building the business, and that takes an incredible amount of head space to, to do it legally and then to do it with some version of profitability. I just, I tapped myself out at one point and then, you know, changing administrations and just political climates and all of the things, when you add it all together, it was like, you know, you get this one life right? And it was like, I could never have planned this, but I love this so much and I really don't like this, and I've got a supportive husband. It's just the two of us. And I kind of told myself, I was like, you know what? I just, I don't see myself continuing down a path that I don't love. And if that comes at a price of letting the, the paycheck and the stability, stability, letting that go and pursuing this. I kind of was like, I, this is, I only, you only get one chance at life, right? I'm like, let me, I know it sounds a little out there, but I was, you know, I was mid thirties and I was like, do I wanna be doing this in my forties? Do I wanna be doing this, you know, for the sake of having this paycheck? And I'm like, no.

Kristin - Host:

yeah.

Elaine - Old Homestead Alpacas:

The answer to that is no. Yeah.

Kristin - Host:

it's interesting. And yeah, I think there's that, I feel like thirties can be a a point that you really start to ask those questions, you know, thirties, forties, and, just whenever you do of, um, to me, I would describe it as when I am at the end of my life and looking back, what do I want to see, was that path. And, that's, that's a question I'm finding that if I need help figuring out, I'm struggling to make a decision because it's scary, um, like I, am I clinging to stability of something, but do I really want that stability? Like, that's the question I ask. Well, you know, when I look back, how am I gonna feel about this? And it's amazing to me how, quickly, that clarifies things for me. And it sounds like that's really where you were at.

Elaine - Old Homestead Alpacas:

Yeah. You know, and it's, yeah, it is just one of those things where it's like you, but you have to take the time to do that. You know what I mean? To like really think,'cause those, those can be, and were, for me, very difficult personal conversations to be like,'cause I think largely. A lot of the hesitation aside from the, you know, the financial stability of the job was perception, worrying about what others would think. I mean, and it, it, I don't wanna at, at all come across like, I've figured it out because it is still very much an ongoing discussion in my own brain about like, you know, we're cultured to get a job, you know, like go to college, do a job, provide for the family, retire, you know, like, and to, to go off the path, if you will,

Kristin - Host:

Yeah.

Elaine - Old Homestead Alpacas:

is its own thing, you know? And it's a constant, like, I think about it often where I'm like, oh my gosh, you know, like, because for instance, right now I'm in a period of growth

Kristin - Host:

Mm-hmm.

Elaine - Old Homestead Alpacas:

I. Uh, just, it's, it's a, I'm in an interesting spot. I don't even know how to categorize it, but like, I, there's, there's a lot of big questions going on right now in the, in the farm business, and I do a lot of, oh my gosh, what if I would've kept the job? Would I, you know,'cause there's a lot of, I have, I'm in a capital heavy time right now. The barn needs a lot of work. I've had a lot of unexpected costs.

Kristin - Host:

Mm-hmm.

Elaine - Old Homestead Alpacas:

And we're, I'm doing a lot of like, oh my God, I've screwed up my life and, you know,'cause I'm gotta take on some debt to take care of some things. And it, that's, that's some old culturing of like, well, if you had had the job. And, but it's like, no, I, I don't, I would never have changed this. But like, it's still, I don't know if this is making any sense, but like, it's, it's still very much a, a conversation and an ongoing lesson for me to, to realize It's like. I am, I am worried about every, what everybody else thinks, a lot of times, you know, like when the reality is, nobody's

Kristin - Host:

No one's thinking about you as much as you think

Elaine - Old Homestead Alpacas:

to see it bluntly. Nobody cares.

Kristin - Host:

they are.

Elaine - Old Homestead Alpacas:

Exactly. Exactly. And, and, and it's like everybody's worried about themselves as they should be, you know? But like when you're in your own little world, it can be very easy to kind of go, oh God, is this the right answer? But to, like you said, to take that time and go, wait a second, this is my life. And it's up to, you know, it's between me and my family

Kristin - Host:

Yeah.

Elaine - Old Homestead Alpacas:

like kind of I've just, I've spent a lot of time undoing some of the culturing to kinda make myself more comfortable where I'm at and, and figuring out this path.'cause it is absolutely still evolving.

Kristin - Host:

Yeah. Yeah. Well, and I think, uh, you know, one of the things that I feel like I'm really working on right now is kinda releasing that idea of, you know, am I presenting the version of myself that I'm presenting to the world, sort of thing. And I mean that kind more from like, oh, in my professional life, you know, am I behaving in a, a good professional way and being courtious and whatnot, and, um, coming to a realization that like, it's okay if there's some people out there that don't like me. You know, that, um, yeah, that's, that's all right. Like, we're not meant to like everyone because there's too much variety in who we are as people.

Elaine - Old Homestead Alpacas:

No, I totally agree with you. Mike just walked in the door. Say hello.

Kristin - Host:

hi Mike.

Elaine - Old Homestead Alpacas:

He is just coming back from the, from the Corps of Engineers,

Kristin - Host:

That's right. Doing his job.

Elaine - Old Homestead Alpacas:

the Salt mine.

Kristin - Host:

The salt mine.

Elaine - Old Homestead Alpacas:

That's,

Kristin - Host:

it.

Elaine - Old Homestead Alpacas:

that's the other angel investor right there.

Kristin - Host:

Yeah. Yeah. So, so I feel like one of the things that I did wanna touch on because, oh, here, you've done this amazing job of building, um, a life and a career that I think you are clearly really enjoying. Um, but think you were kind of touching on it there, in the course of doing something that you are really loving, it doesn't mean that there aren't challenges and difficult times. And so like, yeah. What is your thought process or, you know, maybe what's an example of something that's been challenging and does maybe make you question like, oh my gosh, am I like going down the right path? But then how did you find that you decided, yeah, I still like this and I still wanna keep going.

Elaine - Old Homestead Alpacas:

Yeah, so for sure, um, as I mentioned, this has been a very capital intensive year

Kristin - Host:

Mm-hmm.

Elaine - Old Homestead Alpacas:

and the, the question of money comes up in my mind regularly.

Kristin - Host:

Okay.

Elaine - Old Homestead Alpacas:

And to top it off, Mike is within five or six years of retirement. So that is very, very in the near term.

Kristin - Host:

Right.

Elaine - Old Homestead Alpacas:

we're doing a lot, I mean, we're heavily involved in looking at all the numbers and doing all the calculations and so forth. And when I look at, you know, the reality of the cost of doing business. I've for sure had moments where I have gone and said, oh my goodness what would this farm have looked like if I would have managed to at least keep the part-time, you know, stay part-time?'cause they would've kept me. Um, they, when I put in my notice, it was like, uh, they were, they were trying to see what they could do to get, to keep me. Um, and I, and so this is a very fresh, still currently involved, um, challenge, um, where I have really been reminding myself that like, well this is part of being not just a small business owner, but a small farm operator. I. You, you can't, well, I don't wanna say you can't, but like, this is the reality of it is like, is it, it's expensive, it costs money. Um, sometimes debt is required. That is for any business that, like, I could have, I could have kept that job. There's no, no way, I don't think that this farm would have lasted though in order to, to sustain both

Kristin - Host:

right,

Elaine - Old Homestead Alpacas:

was not, was not sustainable. Where I, I'm just constantly going like, well this is, this is kind of, this is part and partial to what I selected. Like, and, and really trying to embrace it. It's like, okay, Elaine, you don't, you're not the dual income that you used to be. The farm provide, you know, like the farm has to provide what it needs to continue, otherwise you have to take on debt or take on other work or something. And so it's. I, I don't even know the answer to the question'cause I'm still currently in it. But like it's, it is one of those things where like when I reflect, I go, yeah, no, I am still very happy with the decision because I have learned so much. And kind of what, to your point of like, looking back, going, I don't think I would've rather looked back and said, oh, I've had a stable paycheck when I know I could have been like, look at the things I've created, look at the life I've made, the things I've produced and sold and I'm, I am proud of. And you know, is it the most lucrative? No. Is it the most, is it the most fulfilling of the two? A hundred percent. So yeah, that'd be one of my challenges right there.

Kristin - Host:

Nice. Well, and um, as I said, I know I've. I've heard you say it, uh, through our friendship; i've also kind of seen it through some of your postings and whatnot, but you talk about, uh, farming as both uplifting and therapeutic. And so like what is it about farming on a day to day or Yeah. In that like larger reflection that, um, fills your cup in a different way than what having that job with the Corps of Engineers did for you? Because, you said you know, you really enjoyed that job for a very long time; and so it's not like you were antsy to get away from it as quickly as possible.

Elaine - Old Homestead Alpacas:

Yeah. I think, personally, I think it is, it's equal parts, like literally producing something,

Kristin - Host:

Oh, okay.

Elaine - Old Homestead Alpacas:

but it's, it's also, the immersive experience in doing that. And I think in terms of seasonality, um, and just seeing the seasons on a farm from a full-time perspective is probably my greatest life's privilege

Kristin - Host:

Nice.

Elaine - Old Homestead Alpacas:

because it, to, to, to recognize the seasonal shifts, not just in terms of like temperatures, but in terms of what's growing, where the sun rises, when it rises, where it sets and when it sets. I know it sounds very simple, but when you get to bear witness to that on a, not just a, I'm running out to the car to get into the car, to go to the job and to come back, you know, like

Kristin - Host:

Yeah.

Elaine - Old Homestead Alpacas:

when it's a part of your day because in the summer I gotta get up earlier to cut the flowers so that. They can survive and you know, like, and then shifting in the winter, then it's like, okay, it's getting darker. I have to get stuff done sooner. It do gets darker later. Just being aware to that and experiencing that now that it's, okay, so 2019, this is my sixth year. Doing it full time

Kristin - Host:

Yeah.

Elaine - Old Homestead Alpacas:

in that amount of time. And then to see the progress of the farm to top it off, the improvements that we've made, the how the garden has evolved and developed and grown. To see that over, over time and daily is so incredible because it's just like, it is a privilege to be able to do that. You know? Like

Kristin - Host:

Mm-hmm.

Elaine - Old Homestead Alpacas:

to be able to see that and experience that and then at the end of the day have something; tangible and not just tangible, useful, you know, the hats we make, the scarves we make, um, even the flowers, you know, that people enjoy to have something at the end of the season or the week is, you know, that you can exchange for something of value is, you know, it's kind of like, I mean, that's what we did as a society once upon a time. Right. You know, like, it, it's, it's pretty incredible. I don't know, I just feel, I feel immensely grateful that this, this is the life that I get to live. And I, and I, but I do have to constantly remind myself of that. Like when I'm feeling pinched financially, it's like, but this is the trade

Kristin - Host:

Mm-hmm.

Elaine - Old Homestead Alpacas:

And it's a trade I will make forever, at least for now, because to me it's a good trade. But you cannot put money, you, you really can't put money on this kind of experience and having this lifestyle, you know, like, I could have money in the bank or I could have this beautiful life and maybe one day I'll have both. Um, but you know, I'm quite, quite pleased with, with what I've got. So this is, it's been great.

Kristin - Host:

That's amazing.

Elaine - Old Homestead Alpacas:

Yeah.

Kristin - Host:

And in listening to you talk, I was kind of chuckling because, um, you're, you'll be quick to excuse yourself from like, oh, well I don't have children, so I'm not, take whatever I say with a grain of salt when, um, our group of friends is kind of talking about our kids. But, um, I just really resonate with a lot of things that you were saying about, the farm and what you get out of it. Um, that, we have just finished having any child in elementary school and we have one that is gonna be starting high school. And so yeah, that sense of seasons and change is really hitting me, you know, right now in terms of like I've been through the like little baby kid stage that needs lots of physical attention and, they're becoming more and more independent and um, you know, I'm having to get comfortable like letting go and giving them that space. And also, um, you know, sometimes it's, it's frustrating that I'm like, feel like I can't explain to a person like. I love there's aspects that I really love about what I do for, as a scientist in my full-time job. And I love being a mother, and I don't want to miss out on those stages because you can't freeze that time. Like, you know, I'm either there for it or I miss it. And, um, I just feel like you're expressing a lot of similar things there with the farm and, you know, everything that it gives to you, and also feeling like you are doing something productive. I'm like, okay, if I can get to having two well-rounded, functional adults at the end of raising them, I'll be like, all right, that, that, a really good job.

Elaine - Old Homestead Alpacas:

Right.

Kristin - Host:

Yeah.

Elaine - Old Homestead Alpacas:

Yeah. You know, and it's, it's one of those things that like, like you said, like you don't get to freeze time. I saw a quote, I shared it about, um, when you, what if you read a book and you could never turn back a page, how carefully would you read each page?

Kristin - Host:

Oh, I love

Elaine - Old Homestead Alpacas:

And that really hit for me, and it's very similar where it's like, you know, it's like, yeah, going back to like, nobody really cares. They're all focused on themselves. You know, like in the grand scheme of things, like, so, like why am I worried that like, this has been an expensive year. Because like, this is, this is the path that I want to be on. Nobody else really cares. I think that other people are thinking about me and they're not, they're worried about their own things. So, so instead of wasting that time and energy, um, use it to just continue to be, to be grateful for where you're at and actually being there.

Kristin - Host:

Yeah, present in

Elaine - Old Homestead Alpacas:

Yeah.

Kristin - Host:

Embrace it. So, I'm gonna of have a couple questions to ask you on a little bit of reflection, but before we do that, you've shared all these things about the farm, and I want to, ask you to take a minute and explain, um, what are the ways people can like, listen to this and then engage with the things that you do through, um, your social media presence and, if someone, uh, decides to find their way to Walla Walla, like share the offerings that you have to experience your farm.

Elaine - Old Homestead Alpacas:

Yeah. Thank you for that. I would love to plug the farm. Um, so I, well, I have my own website, old homestead alpacas.com. Um, I do a monthly, usually, what I call is an alpaca meet and greet, where it's a ticketed event. Um, I keep it like 25 or less and folks come out, it's about an hour long. I give'em a little overview on alpacas and then I give everybody a cup full of the alpacas snacks, if you will. And then we go out into the pasture and hand feed them. So I do those every month as a way to like allow the local community to come out and see me, um, and meet the alpacas. And then I also do private, experiences.'cause we get a lot of tourists out here in wine country, um, that aren't necessarily here when, I have those monthly meetings. And so folks can, go to the website and there's a little form on there where they can say, Hey, we're coming this time and you know, I can see if there's availability. And then we can schedule a time for folks to come out for like a private farm experience. And then I am at the farmer's market in Walla Walla almost every Saturday. Um, and that goes through September; and that's fourth and main streets, um, from nine to one. And that's where I'm typically selling my cut flower bouquets as well as like a mishmash of, uh, yarn and dryer balls and wool sponges and whatever else I've cooked up. Um, yeah, those are like the main ways. And then online, of course, everybody's on social media. Um, we do have a Facebook and an Instagram I did,'cause I didn't know any better. Um, when I named us old Homestead alpacas, I felt like that precluded me from selling flowers. So I created, Gholson Gardens, which is the original Homestead family surname. But it's all me. But I have a, I have a Facebook and an Instagram for each of those. I think one of these days I'm gonna merge and just have one. Um, but you know, so we're on the socials. I'm. Yeah. So I share things, but mainly I'm also, I do a email, I share, uh, with folks over email, like, a couple times a month. So on the website, folks can join the email list if they wanna kind of get to know the farm a little more intimately, because I share, uh, beyond the, the posts on, uh, Facebook and Instagram, a little more of the behind the scenes. And, a lot of the stuff that I've shared here with you today too. So yeah. More of the personal. Yeah.

Kristin - Host:

Yeah, well, and if you don't make it out to Walla Walla I just wanna make sure people are aware that, uh, when it'll come. I feel like it comes leading into, the holiday season, the selling of your garments. Like if you're on the email list, I believe you get a notice of when the garments go on and they're gorgeous and soft and comfy. And so, definitely, we have a little selection at our house, so can definitely recommend those. And I'm also gonna plug, because Elaine won't, uh, share this about herself. Elaine's a beautiful writer, and so joining her email list just to read her writing is, uh, can be a very enjoyable thing to show up in your inbox and enjoy. So.

Elaine - Old Homestead Alpacas:

Oh, you are too sweet. I do, I do love sharing the farm, and it's kind of like my little creative endeavor to, to, to put some words to it all.

Kristin - Host:

Yeah. So take maybe another five or 10 minutes here and, uh, have kind of two reflection questions for you. So in looking back at your journey from your college student days, and you got to tell that college version of yourself who has, you know, struggled and yearned for some of these changes in your life, what would you say to him about where you ended up today and like going through all of that

Elaine - Old Homestead Alpacas:

Oh man. Hmm. What could I tell her that she'd actually listened to? Well, I think I would probably say something to the effect of, just go with it and it's gonna work out.

Kristin - Host:

Nice.

Elaine - Old Homestead Alpacas:

Because, I mean, that's pretty much what I've done. Um, I would even classify the things that didn't work out as working out, as much as I would've loved to have a family, I would never change where I'm at right now. So, just go for whatever. Is tugging at you at the time and just know that it's gonna work out. And I really, I really think that that, that that was the case for me and, and could be the case for anybody. You just kind of play it, play, let it all play out and it it will work out.

Kristin - Host:

I like that. Let it play out. And that was a really neat thing to hear from you. I remember the first time that you shared that, you're like, no, I really like where things have ended up. Like I would've, obviously would've loved to have had the family at one point, but I am really invested and happy with where I'm at now, and I think that's a thing to share that like. You can allow the pivot to happen and get to a really amazing place. So, and then my, I think my last question for you is, so when you and I are very, very old and we're living in our tiny houses retirement community that we're gonna like make with all of our friends, um, do you believe you'll look back on this journey in achieving old homestead alpacas and Gholson gardens, and what will you, do you think you'll tell yourself then?

Elaine - Old Homestead Alpacas:

Man, what would I, gosh, I just, well, I love the idea of us all in our little tiny home enclave or whatever that is gonna be. And I, I just think, I just see us all sharing stories and I feel like I've got so many more stories that haven't happened yet on the farm. You know what I mean? Like, I just, I just keep thinking that I will be reflecting on the journey of like, what a ride that was, you know what I mean? Like, um, something to that effect because like, you know, I, I'm very much thinking in terms of, you know, with Mike approaching like actual retirement going, oh, where is the farm gonna go? And,

Kristin - Host:

Mm-hmm.

Elaine - Old Homestead Alpacas:

you know, I just, I see a lot of hilarious stories and a lot of like, more of the same, but different, like more stories of, of learning and growth and probably heartache and difficulty. Um, but also, kind of continuing to grow myself and becoming who I'm still becoming, you know, like I just think there's gonna be more stories. Um, yeah, yeah,

Kristin - Host:

I, I am down for sitting there and listening to you, uh, spin your tails there.

Elaine - Old Homestead Alpacas:

yeah. It'll

Kristin - Host:

We'll,

Elaine - Old Homestead Alpacas:

be

Kristin - Host:

yeah, we'll, we'll have, uh, our glasses of champagne and we'll have an excellent time.

Elaine - Old Homestead Alpacas:

hell. Yeah. I'm looking forward to it.

Kristin - Host:

Love it. Elaine, thank you so much for coming on and just sharing so openly with me on this and, uh, kind be willing to take this journey with me of, exploring a new aspect of life. So thank you

Elaine - Old Homestead Alpacas:

Well, thank you so much for having me. It is really an honor to be here. I love watching your journey unfold. And I am so excited for you in the podcast and I've been loving all your posts and, um, I'm just happy to be a part of it and have shared so much of life with you. You have one of my best friends and this is, I'm just so excited for you.

Kristin - Host:

Right back at you.

Kristin, Host:

Well, that's a wrap on this episode of Happiness Unscripted. I'm so grateful you chose to spend this time with me today exploring what it means to build a life we truly love. Your journey matters. The path to happiness isn't always linear, but it's always worth, walking Remember, this path isn't about perfection. It's about progress, self-compassion, and the courage to keep walking towards your goals. I want you to know that your presence here means everything to me before you go. Take a moment to think about one small thing from today's conversation that gives you joy. Where you can put into practice this week, then please share it in the common section to inspire others. If you found value in what we discussed, please share this episode with someone who might need to hear it or leave us a great review to help others find their way here too. Please follow happiness unscripted on Facebook and Instagram and subscribe so you get updates on the next episode release. I'm Kristin Deza and I can't wait to continue our journey towards happiness unscripted. Let's get happy.

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Kristin DeSouza

Host
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Elaine Vandiver

Guest