Laughing Tree Cove

10/23/2026

🍎 Last Sunday, the Gathering Room was filled with the delicious smell of cooking spiced apples and the sound of laughter, and I couldn't be happier with how our first workshop at Laughing Tree Cove unfolded!

Even though it was COLD outside, 🥶 we were toasty warm by the woodstove, sipping tea, nibbling snacks, and picking out our favorite aprons before rolling up our sleeves to make apple butter from scratch.

The afternoon light streamed through the big windows, showing off the fall foliage, bright blue skies, and Mt. Pisgah nearby. What a magical place to spend an afternoon learning something new!

A huge thank-you to Ashley English (of Small Measure), celebrated local author and teacher of Appalachian foodways, for sharing her wisdom and experience in such a fun, hands-on way. We chopped and prepped local apples, stirred the bubbling pots of apple butter, and learned the ins and outs of safe water-bath canning, with Ashley right there to demonstrate, answer questions, and help us troubleshoot as we went.

Everyone had their own little AHA! moment along the way. Mine? I had no idea you don't fully tighten the lids before putting the jars in the water bath! The air needs to escape, and the actual seal forms as the jars cool on the counter. Then comes that soft little POP! that tells you the jar has sealed. Mind blown.

By the end of the afternoon, everyone had a jar of homemade apple butter to take home, along with class notes to help them remember what they'd learned. We also shared homemade kimchi and a bountiful potato harvest brought by folks in the Skillshare, because that's part of the magic here. 💖

I'm over the moon about how beautifully the cozy kitchen and big, open Gathering Room worked together as a space for hands-on learning. There was room to spread out, work side by side, ask questions, laugh, make mistakes, and figure things out together. The kitchen feels homey and the whole space held us so well.

This is what I have been dreaming of at Laughing Tree Cove: a place where we build practical skills and the social fabric of community.

Where you learn by doing, get to know the people around you, and find yourself welcomed by kindred spirits who remember your name and bring something delicious to share.

And we're just getting started! 🌿

November 15th, we'll gather in the same cozy kitchen to make elderberry syrup together as part of the Community Skillshare. I can't wait!

10/12/2026

Autumn is the perfect time to spend a cozy afternoon practicing the art of making apple butter and canning it so you can enjoy it all winter long.

Savor the smell of the apples and spices cooking, sip a warming tea, and spend the afternoon laughing with new friends as you learn a new skill.

We invite you to come learn hands-on with celebrated local author and Appalachian foodways teacher, Ashley English! She's a kind, patient, and humorous teacher that makes learning fun.

You'll spend the afternoon in a hands-on class making and canning apple butter from scratch -- and you will go home with your own jar of apple butter to enjoy! 🍎

If you've ever wanted to learn how to preserve your food safely and the delicious art of making apple butter, then this is the kind of experience you'll enjoy (you'll also get notes to take home too to help you remember how to do it on your own).

The Setting: Laughing Tree Cove is gorgeous place for learning nestled in the forest near the Blue Ridge Parkway in Candler, and our cozy Gathering Room hosts classes in a space that creates connection and invites you to feel at home.

The leaves are already falling here so come enjoy the stunning views of Mt. Pisgah and the trees as they gear up for their full Autumn glory. 🍁

Space is limited and all supplies are included: $65.

Save your spot here: https://luma.com/ygi0gzic

Appalachian Apple Butter Canning Experience w/ Ashley English

📅: Sunday, October 18th, 1-4p
Where: Laughing Tree Cove, in Candler, NC (20min SW of Asheville*
*The exact address is provided after tickets are purchased since the location is a private residence.

10/05/2026

Welcome to Laughing Tree Cove: Land that welcomes you with arms wide open. 🌳

We are a forested gathering and learning place nestled beneath Mt. Pisgah, 20 minutes southwest of Asheville in Candler, NC, and we are just getting started.

16 acres of Appalachian mountain forest, a fire circle, wooded trails, space for community meals in any weather, and a small guest cabin for the work that asks for more time and immersion.

Here, the Land is one of the teachers.

We gather for hands-on practical skills, nature connection, Appalachian folkways, arts and crafts, seasonal community gatherings, and regenerative leadership retreats.

Come for a class, stay for the community we build here together.

Our next events are coming up:

🌿 Dirt Church @ Laughing Tree Cove- (Sunday, October 11th, 9-10:30a):
A monthly nature connection gathering using simple somatic practices and our senses to deepen relationship with the Land, ourselves, and one another. October 11th (9-10:30a):

🍎 Appalachian Apple Butter Canning Experience w/ Ashley English - (Sunday, October 18th, 1-4p)
A hands-on afternoon learning the old-fashioned art of making and preserving apple butter with celebrated author and Appalachian foodways teacher Ashley English. You'll leave with your own jar, class notes, and the knowledge to make it at home. Space is limited and advance tickets are required.

Come explore what we're building here. The new website is live (in comments below)!

10/02/2026

Excited that our upcoming Appalachian Apple Butter Canning Experience w/ Ashley English is featured in Be Well Asheville’s awesome event guide for October! Check it out to find all the magic happening in our area this month.

09/16/2026

When it rains here, the trees laugh.
Welcome to Laughing Tree Cove. 🌳🌲

My first meal here was outside in the rain, and that's when the Land shared its name with me. This 16 acres of Appalachian mountain forest in western North Carolina is becoming the new home for all of my work starting this October.

There's a fire circle, wooded trails, space for community meals in any weather, and a small guest cabin for the work that asks for more time and immersion. I've been here getting settled, dreaming with the Land, and lining up teachers and friends to help bring it to life.

The first gathering is already on the calendar: October 18th, a hands-on apple butter preserving experience with Ashley Adams English. Dirt Church and the Community Skillshare series will both find their home here too.

And for the leaders in my world, if you've been curious about working with me more deeply, this land is where that work will live. Private retreats and intensives for embodied, regenerative leadership. More on that soon.

I'm so grateful for the year at The Ruby Ranch NC and excited to keep growing that collaboration as we both expand in Hominy Valley. And I cannot wait to share this new Land with you.

Send me a note if you'd like to be on my list for upcoming events. ✨

07/31/2026

Want to make new friends and remember how easy it is to connect with nature? 🌎🦋

Then come experience the “Dirt Church” I host at The Ruby Ranch NC! Beautiful land, kindred spirits, good tea, and no actual church vibes. 😉

See you Sunday, August 2nd (9-10:30a)!

05/30/2026

Whew-weee, you can tell it's summer at The Ruby Ranch NC! 🌻 Are you ready for lots of ways to connect with community and the Land, because we have you covered!

Our next Skillshare class for members is next Sunday (June 7th @ 11am) and we'll be learning about creating native habitat to nurture garden helpers and pollinators. 🐝🦋

Come early for Dirt Church at 9am by the creek.

And we have some NEW gatherings open to the public too:

🎬Family Movie Night (June 13th)
☀️⛺️Summer Solstice Campout & Festivities (June 20/21)
🧺 Make&Take Kudzu Basketweaving w/ Nancy Basket (June 27)
😎NEW 4th Sunday monthly gathering and market (June 28)

Check out the poster below, then head to the Ranch website to grab your tickets! Let me know if you have any questions. 😉

See you there!

05/15/2026

05/08/2026

Are you ready to feel connected, capable, and grounded in these chaotic times? Then I invite you to check out the Community Supported Skill-share Membership and the Heart-full Community events I'll be hosting at The Ruby Ranch NC! Come learn earth skills on a working horse ranch and permaculture teaching farm while being in community with like-hearted folks.

Join as a Founding Member this week to come to our first class on May 17th! 🌱
My next Dirt Church is included in the membership and is June 7th!

05/02/2026

Tomorrow is the day!! We’ll have hot drinks, a food truck, and a fire to help you stay cozy, then Spring time fun as the weather warms!

Come enjoy the Spring energy at the Ranch - I’ll start us off with Dirt Church at 11a and then I will be selling beaded jewelry from a Maasai women’s collective stewarded by my friend in Kenya.

I’ll also be taking sign ups for Founding Members for the NEW Community Supported Skill-share membership I’ll be tending at Ruby Ranch this year. Come say hello and ask questions!

More info about it below!