Welcome to Soil to Sizzle: A New Roots Adventure
Dirt, Dinner, and a Dream
Hey there, friends—new and yet-to-be-made! We’re Rich and Stephanie, a pair of empty nesters in our 50s who packed up our lives in Colorado back in 2022 and landed in Alabama with nothing but a dream, a couple of cats, and a whole lot of grit. No friends, no family—just us, our furry sidekicks, and a blank slate waiting to be turned into something delicious. This is Soil to Sizzle, where dirt meets dinner, and a dream starts sprouting.
Three years ago, we waved goodbye to the snowy Rockies and hello to a quieter life with room to grow—literally. Rich, with his horticulture know-how and a passion for all things green, couldn’t wait to dig into Alabama’s warm soil. He’s the garden guru here, coaxing heirloom tomatoes, vibrant peppers, and fragrant herbs to life with the kind of patience only a true plant whisperer has. And the man can bake—think pillowy cinnamon rolls drizzled with icing that’ll make your knees weak. Me? I’ve spent my days as a personal trainer, but lately, I’ve been cooking up a storm at a charming bed and breakfast. Turns out, I love feeding people almost as much as I love helping them lift weights. Together, we’re a team with a vision: a garden stand bursting with homegrown goodies and cooking classes where anyone can roll up their sleeves, laugh, and savor the magic of a shared meal.
This blog is our first step. It’s where we’ll spill the beans (and maybe some compost) on our journey—Rich’s triumphs with sun-ripened veggies, my latest kitchen experiments (and the occasional flop), and everything in between. Picture this: a sunny afternoon picking zucchini straight from the vine, followed by a skillet of golden cornbread or a tangy summer salad with basil so fresh it still smells like sunshine. We want Soil to Sizzle to be more than just recipes or gardening tips—it’s about building a spot where folks can try something new, feel at home, and leave with a full belly and a story to tell. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or can barely boil water, there’s a seat at our table for you.
Starting over in Alabama wasn’t easy. We left behind familiar faces, traded snowy peaks for humid summers, and faced more than a few nights wondering if we’d made the right choice. But with each handful of soil Rich turned and every pot I stirred, we found our rhythm. Our cats—Smokey, Will, Tater Tot, and Little Cat—keep us company as we tinker in the garden and tweak recipes late into the night. We’re learning as we go, and we’d love for you to come along. Expect tales of Rich’s perfect basil harvest, my quest to master shrimp and grits (a Southern must!), and maybe a few kitchen disasters we can laugh about later.
Our goal? To educate, to feed, and to welcome. One day, we see a little stand overflowing with Rich’s sweet butter lettuce and sun-gold tomatoes, jars of my homemade pepper jelly, and a cozy kitchen where strangers become friends over a bubbling pot of soup. Picture a group of locals and visitors gathered around, swapping stories while the scent of rosemary focaccia wafts through the air. For now, it’s just us, our cats, and you—breaking ground on something special.
So, grab a spade or a spatula and join us. Let’s turn dirt into dinner, one bite at a time. We can’t wait to see what grows.
Here’s to new roots,
Rich & Stephanie
