Below is a hands-on classroom simulation game where students create clay replicas of Aztec or Pre-Columbian market items and then participate in a marketplace using either bartering or chili peppers as currency. This game can be adapted for middle or high school classes focusing on Mesoamerican history, economics, or art. Overview Grade Level: Middle/High SchoolSubjects: Social Studies (Mesoamerican History), Economics, ArtDuration: 1–2 class periods (plus any preparation tim

Last year, my fellowship journey began in South America, where I explored the birthplace of the chili pepper. Traveling through Peru and Bolivia transformed the way I think about agriculture. Chili peppers are far more than a crop. They tell a story of migration, trade, colonization, adaptation, and cultural exchange. They connect ancient civilizations in the Americas with kitchens, markets, and farms around the globe. This summer, I continue that journey. Rather than tracing

Beginning the Second Leg of the Journey: From Chili Peppers to the Global Spice Routes #Fundsforteachers #FFAlivingtoserve #FFAgrantsforgrowing #Legacygrants #Wholekidsgrant From classroom walls to global routes, our herb and spice study began as a living curriculum students could see, touch, grow, research, and explain. Last summer, my fellowship journey began in South America, the birthplace of the chili pepper. I traveled through Peru and Bolivia studying the agricultural,

Callaway Gardens Butterfly House Over the years, I have tried to visit gardens in nearly every place my travels take me. Long before I understood the planning required to design a beautiful landscape or the ecological value each plant contributes, I was drawn to the way gardens made me feel. Something about walking through a thoughtfully designed landscape slows the pace of the day, sharpens observation, and invites curiosity. That feeling is what first led me to seek out gar

Gardening in Alabama is as much an art as it is a science. With its warm, humid summers and mild winters, the state offers a long growing season that can be both a blessing and a challenge. One of the most effective—and eco-friendly—ways to manage these challenges is by inviting beneficial insects into your garden. These tiny allies can help with pest management , improve soil health , and even boost the flavor of your homegrown produce. In this post, we’ll explore how to wo

There’s a photograph I keep returning to—Tom and Marina (wife) side by side, leaning together the way only partners who’ve logged thousands of miles can. Together they traveled to 46 of the 50 U.S. states, collecting a license plate from each one as proof of the adventure. Those plates now line the walls of his office back in the Netherlands, inside a house that dates to the 17th century, a room blending the new and old worlds - both worlds of trade, travel, and adventure. Ma

Wildflowers, River Rafting & The Road to Dance This morning began quietly—coffee, birdsong, and a bit of solitude while catching up on...

This morning began slow and rainy in our covered wagon in Amarillo—the kind of start where no one wanted to move too quickly. The girls...

Morning at Miss Molly’s We started the second morning at Miss Molly’s, waking up to the sound of the girls trading dreams from the night...

✨ Day 1 of Our Road Trip to Santa Fe It’s finally here—the much-anticipated road trip to Santa Fe with my sister Alice, her daughter...

Cooking in Bolivia After an incredible stretch through Peru, I crossed into Bolivia, where my journey continued along the legendary...

Last Stop in Peru - Lake Titicaca: Highest Navigable Lake on Earth I woke up early at my hotel in Cusco, sipping warm muña tea, which had...

Our journey to Arequipa began with a jolt—literally. As we waited at the airport for our flight, the ground gave a sudden, unmistakable...

Before you can find chili pepper vessels in ancient museums, you have to survive packing for three countries in one duffle bag—and in my...

When Mardi Gras season rolled around this year, I chose to swap the chaos for something quieter, colder, and undeniably Colorado. This...

Selecting Your Spring & Summer Seeds: A Gardener’s Guide to Seed Saving, Garden Cooking, and Chili Pepper Passion Spring and summer are...

I spent the majority of this weekend cleaning up all of the plants after the extremely cold weather we had a few weeks ago. It was discouraging to say the least. However most of my salvia and other native plants seem to have survived and just needed some cutting back. Learning to landscape with native plants has been a challenge for me but one that has proven to be extremely rewarding. There’s something truly special about stepping into your own yard and feeling like you’re i

So I got my final itinerary just as the snow started to fall here in Alabama. I spent all week planning, reading, cooking spicy meals and...

Have you ever wondered how a single plant family could become such a global culinary sensation? I certainly have. That’s why I’ve...

One of the greatest joys in life is seeing your grandchildren run around, laugh, and explore the world with bright-eyed curiosity. Here on the river, I’m fortunate to have a home that easily transforms into a wonderland for little ones—complete with chickens, gardens, baby pools, and endless adventures in nature. If there’s one place that captures the perfect blend of relaxation and excitement, it’s right in my own backyard. 1. Riverside Magic There’s something undeniably spe