myBackyardHomestead is tucked away in the high-altitude pines of Colorado, our little slice of heaven that we lovingly call Cheesecake Bear Ranch is more than a home — it’s a living story. A place where creativity, resilience, and nature intertwine. Over the years, this little mountain haven has grown from a simple garden into a full expression of intentional living — art, sustainability, and heart all stitched together beneath the wide Western sky.

I often say I’m a modern mix between Ruth Stout and Martha Stewart — one known for her no-nonsense wisdom and deep connection to the soil, the other for her love of beauty, order, and craft. And our slice of heaven, Cheesecake Bear Ranch lives somewhere between those two worlds. It’s the place where practicality and artistry shake hands. Where compost meets candlelight. Where you can plant garlic by the moon, then head inside to edit a video, write a reflection, or bake something with too much butter and love every second of it.

The Mission

At its core, Cheesecake Bear Ranch is about living with intention — nurturing what we have, creating what we can, and finding joy in both the process and the imperfections along the way.

We focus on three guiding values:

Sustainability and Stewardship
Growing food at this altitude is not easy. Between unpredictable weather and curious wildlife, every harvest feels like a small miracle. But it’s worth it. The food forest here — with its plums, currants, grapes, strawberries, and rhubarb — is a daily reminder that abundance is possible even in rugged places.

Creativity and Craft
Whether it’s art, design, gardening, or writing, Cheesecake Bear Ranch is a creative studio disguised as a homestead. Every season inspires new projects — from deck makeovers and garden experiments to digital art collections and mindful journaling tools.

Community and Connection
This ranch isn’t just for me. It’s for everyone who believes that slowing down, growing something with your hands, and creating beauty from what you already have still matters. Through my websites, videos, and writing, I share not only how I live — but why. To remind others that joy can be cultivated, even in difficult seasons.

Who I Am

I’m an artist, designer, and writer who has spent over 20 years blending technology, creativity, and storytelling. But here, at Cheesecake Bear Ranch, I’ve returned to something simpler — something older. I live surrounded by mountains, gardens, dogs, and memories, carrying forward the spirit of what Tim and I built together.

This land has taught me patience. It’s taught me things don’t have to be perfect to be meaningful. Every project — whether it’s repainting the deck, planting berries, or creating a new digital tool — is another step toward a life lived fully and authentically.

I’ve built a network of sites and projects under the Vlane.ART lifestyle brand — each one a different expression of this philosophy. From art and AI to gardening and wellness, they all connect back to one idea: living with purpose and creativity in the modern world.

A Work in Progress

Cheesecake Bear Ranch is not a finished picture. It’s a living, breathing experiment in mindful living — sometimes messy, always meaningful. Things break, weeds grow, dogs dig where they shouldn’t. But somehow, it all fits into the story.

If you’re new here, welcome. Wander through the gardens, explore the stories, and follow along as I keep building this little piece of heaven — one project, one plant, one idea at a time.

Because life, like a garden, doesn’t need to be perfect to be beautiful.