The Kindred Life: Stories and Recipes to Cultivate a Life of Organic Connection

Written by Christine Marie Bailey

Narrated by Christine Bailey

Read by the author.

Even though technology makes us more "connected" than ever, we still hunger for authentic relationships--with the natural world, our creator, and one another. But how do we find them, especially when we’ve lost touch with many of the foundational rhythms that draw us together?

The Kindred Life is a rallying cry for real connection in a time when we need to re­capture what's been lost. In this collection of stories, photos, and recipes from her home on Kindred Farm in Santa Fe, Tennessee, sustainable farmer Christine Bailey shares both the beautiful and gritty moments as she grew from a hopeful urban gardener to co-owner of a farm full of produce, bees, chickens, and flowers that provides meaningful experiences for friends, family, and hundreds of guests each year.

Kindred means "tribe" or "family," and at the center of The Kindred Life is an invita­tion to pursue the experiences that unite us, like spending time in the dirt, slowing down, and joining in a simple meal under the stars. We were all created with the ability to carve out a life of connection, and it's worth every bit of sweat it takes to get there. We can slow down. We can step forward in bravery to do hard things well. And we can be intentional about gathering with and investing in others.

Discover the beauty of community, the magic of coming together around the table, and the lessons the land can teach you as you unearth your very own Kindred Life--right where you are.

Recipes and reflection questions are included in the audiobook companion PDF download.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Harper Celebrate
• Release date: May 17, 2022
• ISBN: 9780785241119

Christine Marie Bailey

Christine Marie Bailey is a grateful farmer, writer, and dreamer. A former music industry gal turned social entrepreneur turned sustainable produce and flower farmer, Christine is growing deep roots with her chef husband on their seventeen-acre Kindred Farm in Santa Fe, Tennessee. Christine grew up an Italian-American Jersey girl before leaving the northeast for college. She attended Belmont University in Nashville and worked in the Christian music industry for several years on tour promotions, new album releases, and films. After marrying Steven and moving to Dallas, she helped found an Africa relief non-profit called Mocha Club where she worked for five years as Membership Director. In 2009, she and Steven started Urban Acres, an organic produce co-op, market, and urban farm in Dallas. In 2015, she moved back to Tennessee with her family to start Kindred Farm, where they raise sustainable produce and gather the community around long tables under the stars several times a year at unique farm-to-table events called Kindred Dinners. Christine is passionate about homeschooling her two wild and free daughters and will always say yes to waterfall-chasing, campfire-sitting, and eating ice cream on the roof under a country sky. She shares adventures and inspiration on her website, ChristineMarieBailey.com.