I’m Danielle, an introverted wife to my endlessly patient husband, the creator here at Our Gathered Roots, and a homeschooling mom to six hilarious kids, including the scared-looking baby in this photo. I have four girls and two boys. My oldest son is now 18 and I find that such a wild thing to say. Time is such a thief.

I was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona. I didn’t grow up on a farm or a homestead and didn’t want to be anywhere there were bugs or dirt. Boy, how things have changed.

After graduating high school, I became a nursing assistant and worked with a friend who introduced me to my husband. He was a country boy who relocated from Pennsylvania to attend motorcycle mechanic school. Within weeks we were living together and a year later, we married and were expecting our first child.

Since then, we’ve lived in Pennsylvania, Arizona again, Oregon, and New Jersey. Along the way, we welcomed five more children, learned homesteading and gardening skills even in the desert, and have been living a jam-packed full life of laughter and learning.

A Few of My Favorite Things

I love natural remedies, tea blends, essential oils, my chickens, cooking from scratch, preserving food, and growing a huge garden full of vegetables, herbs, and let’s not forget, flowers! My garden will always have zinnias, and I am obsessed with lilacs and hydrangeas. I’m passionate about growing homesteads and self-sufficiency, food storage, food from scratch, and caring for my home. You can find me with a stack of books to learn more about any topic my mind wanders to.

Over the years, I have been obsessed with health and learning what is truly healthy (hint, it’s not canola oil). Health is so multifaceted, and I’ve learned that the hard way. I’m constantly researching, growing, and changing my mind.

As you can see, we’ve lived in many places and have family in Arizona, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Wisconsin, Washington, and Montana. This is where Our Gathered Roots came from. Our roots are not all in one place but are all important and have shaped us into who we are now.

Some Fun Facts About Me

I used to dance and loved ballet. You can still find me pirouetting in my kitchen.

I had two c-sections, two VBACs, and then two more c-sections. I’d have ten kids if I could.

I despise shoes and jackets, probably from living in Arizona most of my life.

I love a good bloody Mary that also doubles as a meal.

You never know what you will find on my music playlist, I love it all.

I’ve been to the redwoods several times and it’s just as magical every single time.

I’ve traveled all over the country but have never been in the southeast United States.

I didn’t grow up camping, but I’d do it every chance I get now.

I love a good conspiracy theory. Some really make you think and some are hilarious.

We have no shortage of dreams and goals, and our lives are always busy, so of course, I figured it was the perfect time to chase my blog dream here at Our Gathered Roots. Because now is now and tomorrow isn’t promised.

Thank you so much for spending some time on my little piece of the internet, a virtual extension of our homestead!

Follow along for our favorite recipes, garden tips, homesteading how-tos, natural remedies, and our magical life on an acre in New Jersey.