Welcome Home

If we haven’t met yet, I’m Karen.

When I'm not working - you’ll usually find me with flour on my shirt, herbs drying somewhere in the house, sourdough rising on the counter, and a cup of coffee that’s been reheated more times than I’d like to admit.

I believe some of the most important things in life happen quietly.

A loaf of bread shared with a neighbor.

A meal made from whatever was left in the refrigerator.

A handful of wildflowers in a mason jar.

A prayer whispered while blending essential oils.

Those ordinary moments are where I’ve found God most often.

Twisted Compass grew from a simple desire to slow down enough to notice those moments, no matter how small.

The name came from a truth I’ve learned over and over again: life doesn’t always travel in a straight line. Sometimes our compass gets bumped by disappointment, illness, grief, joy, unexpected opportunities, or answered prayers. The goal isn’t to never lose our way—it’s to remain willing to let the Master Compass Maker gently adjust our bearing whenever we drift.

That’s the kind of life I’m chasing.

Here you’ll find recipes inspired by kitchens around the world but made practical for your kitchen and mine. You’ll find soups that tell stories, bread that teaches patience, homemade pantry staples, herbal remedies, handcrafted gifts, jewelry made one piece at a time, and reflections from a woman still learning that grace is often found in ordinary Tuesday afternoons.

I love the history behind food—the way cultures collide and create something beautiful. I believe leftovers deserve a second chance, a makeover if you will...sometimes better the second time around. I think homemade doesn’t have to be complicated, and I don’t mind if the recipe gets a little sauce-stained along the way.

My faith is woven into everything I make, but you’ll rarely find it shouted. I hope you notice it the way you notice the smell of bread baking in another room—gentle, welcoming, and impossible to ignore once you recognize it.

When I’m not in the kitchen, you’ll probably find me on the water, wandering a beach looking for shells, working with herbs in the apothecary, creating something with my hands, or spending time with the people God has entrusted me with.

Around here, we celebrate progress instead of perfection.

We believe a simple meal can become a feast when shared.

We believe beauty hides in ordinary places.

We believe everyone has a story worth telling.

Most of all, we believe home isn’t just a place.

It’s a way of living.

So whether you came looking for a recipe, a sourdough lesson, a handmade gift, a natural remedy, or simply a little encouragement for your own journey…

I’m really glad you’re here.

There will always be room at this table.

Welcome home.

~ Karen