A smiling woman with blonde hair and freckles, decorated with a daisies and colorful flower illustrations, posing for a selfie.

there’s room in the van

The image displays the phrase 'Hop in!' written in a playful, cursive font.

I grew up on mountain road trips in a unicorn-decorated van, tagging along as my parents visited artists and practiced mindfulness in Unitarian retreats. Those beginnings shaped this space.

A Hippie Chick is a home for quiet reflections on nature, creativity, family, and thoughtful living—where everyday moments, honest stories, and gentle ideas bring us together.

Cute yellow chick with pink flowers on its head, standing on a black background with a red banner at the bottom.

Stacy Jo 1/31/26 Stacy Jo 1/31/26

Chocolate in the Snow

It was a beautiful snowy day for me, since I got to stay inside and watch the fun. Oliver ran around in circles as usual, but this time he was also eating ice along the way. Greg, thank you for keeping an eye on everyone out there in the freezing wind.

Stacy Jo 1/23/26 Stacy Jo 1/23/26

Be Our Guest! What guests really want.

I’m grateful guests find staying here comfortable. Recently, I’ve been thinking about guest room details beyond the basics. What do guests really want in their rooms?

Stacy Jo 12/4/25 Stacy Jo 12/4/25

I used to think peace came from slowing down

I used to think peace was about slowing down, but lately…

Stacy Jo 12/2/25 Stacy Jo 12/2/25

Grayson’s Kindness and Contagious Smile

Our nephew, Grayson, tragically passed away in a car accident. He truly embodied the values of respect, humility, and kindness. Grayson was very close to his family and always greeted everyone with a warm smile.

Stacy Jo 10/17/25 Stacy Jo 10/17/25

Two Years Strong: We Can Do Hard Things

October marks two years since I started working out at The Y. Three days a week—Monday, Wednesday, and Friday—Rain or shine, hot or cold, I show up. It’s become part of my rhythm now.

Stacy Jo 10/16/25 Stacy Jo 10/16/25

A Birthday Full of Happiness

My birthday celebration is overflowing with happiness—I’m excited to introduce our new chocolate lab puppy, Oliver!

Stacy Jo 10/14/25 Stacy Jo 10/14/25

Dear RSS subscribers, thank you!

Thank you so much for taking the time to read a Hippie Chick’s blog! I’m excited to catch up on some posts, and you’ll soon see a burst of updates in your feed.

Stacy Jo 10/4/25 Stacy Jo 10/4/25

I know…I know.

Am I hearing this or saying it? Or both?

Stacy Jo 8/10/25 Stacy Jo 8/10/25

Paddle, Hike, Cache, Repeat.

We are a one-bar family. We mostly hike, kayak, canoe, and go off-road in our Jeep. The picture above shows me celebrating with Greg after canoeing 9 miles down the Etowah River. And we're still married!