Rachel Fenton
Orthodox | Mother | Maker
My name is Rachel Fenton, and I’m an Orthodox Christian mother dedicated to family and community. I’m a writer and a teacher, an amateur knitter and seamstress, and a budding homesteader. I pursue goodness, truth, and beauty in the small, mundane corners of life, and document them here.
photo: courtesy of Mellas Media
about us
five acres
We’re a small farmstead in California with chickens and bees and small gardens. We have plans for a larger community garden, and are working on constructing a prayer chapel
four generations
My husband, son and I live on the same property as my parents and grandparents. In 2021, my husband Jake and I made the decision to build a house on the same property, to continue the family community and be available to help as family members age.
three homes
The property’s original 1908 farmhouse is my parents’ house and my childhood home. They call it Pennet Melangell, named after the Irish saint whose monastery was a refuge to all in need, human or animal.
On the back, my grandparents built what we fondly call The Grand House.
In the middle of the acreage, Jake and I placed our manufactured cottage, which we’ve named Caedmon’s Cottage, after the first known English poet and hymnographer. He was a humble farmhand who could not sing or write until the angel of the Lord visited him one night and inspired him to write his famous hymn.
too many chickens
But really, can one have TOO many chickens? We have a little flock of egg layers that we love dearly, and who come running for mealworm treats every time we come near their coop.
one faith
Our faith is an integral part of the community we’ve built on this small property. My parents, husband, son and I are Orthodox Christians, and are slowly working on building a small prayer chapel on the land. We also have big dreams of creating a community garden connected to our local parishes and food closets. Another big dream is to open an Orthodox classical academy. But one small step at a time.
five acres four generations 