The Ardent Homesteader Inc.

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The Ardent Homesteader Inc.

Welcome to the home of Cara-Sel salted caramel sauce. Five ingredients. No preservatives. Insanely delicious. Celebrate the every day wins with Cara-Sel.

Handcrafted in small batches in the Hudson Valley with just five all-natural ingredients: organic sugar, cream, butter, sea salt, and vanilla. We believe in hard-work, the strength of families, and ice cream sundaes at the end of a hot summer day. Natural ingredients are a must, and quality will always prevail over quantity. Our all-natural caramel sauce is made in small batches here in New York's Hudson Valley so that you can have the perfect topping for your next family gathering, big or small.

10/22/2026

A little something dark and delicious for this weekend’s Lyndhurst Gothic Market. 🖤

My Black Garlic Caramel Brownies and Roasted Garlic Caramel Blondies may not be particularly vampire-friendly, but they’re right at home at a market filled with oddities, curated antiques, gothic jewelry, and witchy wares. 🦇

I’ll have all my usual caramel-y treats and plenty of Cara-Sel, too. Come find me in the Harvest Tasting Room at Lyndhurst Mansion & Gardens this Saturday and Sunday!

🏰 Lyndhurst Gothic Market
🗓️ Oct 24 & 25
⏰ 9am - 5pm
📍 Lyndhurst Mansion & Gardens Tarrytown, NY

10/16/2026

I can’t wait to see my fiber-loving friends this weekend at ! I’ll be back in my usual spot in Building E, where the parade of handmade sweaters and other beautiful creations passing by my table is always one of the highlights of my weekend. 🧶

I’ll have all my usual caramel-y treats and snacks, so come on by, say hi, and grab something delicious! 🤗

🐑 NYsheepwool
🗓️ Oct 17 & 18
⏰ Sat 9-5, Sun 9-4
📍 Rhinebeck, NY

10/15/2026

A beautiful October day to visit the not-so-little-anymore chicks.

10/07/2026

I’m bringing a special version of my Caramel Tahini Popcorn to Field + Supply Fall MRKT this weekend.

It has the same sweet, salty, sesame-forward deliciousness as the original, but with a subtly spicy warmth that builds as you crunch. It’s made with BjornQorn Sun-Popped Popcorn Cloudy Popcorn, Seed + Mill | Tahini and Halva Spicy Tahini, and , of course. It is very, very hard to stop eating. You should definitely come try it. 😉

Between the incredible makers, live music, and gorgeous views, Field + Supply is always such a fun weekend. Come spend a day by the Hudson and be sure to stop by and say hi. I’ll have plenty of Cara-Sel, this incredibly addictive caramel popcorn, and all the usual snacks and treats with me! 🤗

🍂 FIELD + SUPPLY FallMRKT
🗓️ Oct 9 - 11
⏰ 10am - 6pm
📍 Hutton Brickyards Riverfront Hotel + Venue Kingston, NY

10/02/2026

The cows and goats have been close to the house lately, and I’ve been loving the extra visits. They never fail to lift my mood. Hope they give you a little boost, too. 😊

09/30/2026

Every year, once the nuts begin to fall from our pignut hickory, the pigs move underneath it and become what Dave affectionately calls the Nussvakuums—German for “nut vacuums.” It’s hard to think of a more accurate job description.

They LOVE it under this tree, snuffling through the grass and crunching their way through the hickory nuts. The shells are incredibly hard, and yet somehow those snouts and jaws make quick work of them. It brings me such joy to watch them do exactly what pigs do best.

These photos are from a foggy morning last week. On Monday, we took the pigs to the processor. That part is always bittersweet. We raise our pigs on pasture, give them room to forage and root and play, and do our best to be good stewards of them while they’re in our care. And then, eventually, comes the goodbye.

We’ll miss Misha, Galina, Margot, Gelsey, and Isadora, but know it is a privilege to care for the animals that will eventually feed us. We’re grateful for the food they’ll provide for our family and for the friends and neighbors we’re able to share it with.

Thank you, . 🩷

09/24/2026

Garlic belongs in brownies. Well, these brownies, at least: Black Garlic Caramel Brownies and Roasted Garlic Caramel Blondies are both headed to the Hudson Valley Garlic Festival this weekend, along with Snack Fix—which, fun fact, I originally created specifically for this festival. So this is something of a homecoming. 🧄

I’ll have plenty of Cara-Sel, too, plus a few other goodies. And! I’m in a brand-new spot this year: find me at booth B105 on the midway, near the north entrance. I added the map so you know exactly where to hunt me down. 👀

And whatever Mother Nature has in store for us this weekend, the festival is rain or shine. I’ll be there under my tent, and I’d love to see you there. 🤗

🧄 Hudson Valley Garlic Festival
🗓️ Sept 26 & 27
⏰ Sat 10-6, Sun 10-5
📍 Saugerties, NY

09/18/2026

The Sharon Springs Harvest Festival committee said it so nicely in their vendor spotlight, I figured I’d let them do the talking about what you’ll find on Saturday and Sunday: “Her signature salted caramel sauce, Cara-Sel, is handcrafted with just five simple ingredients in tiny one gallon batches for a rich, toasted flavor. Look for it by the jar alongside decadent treats like her Carmelitas and sweet and spicy Snack Fix.”

I’ll be bringing all of the above (and more!) to Sharon Springs this weekend—I hope to see you there! 🤗

🍂 Sharon Springs Harvest Festival
🗓️ Sept 19 & 20
⏰ Sat 10-5, Sun 10-4
📍 Sharon Springs, NY

first photo 📸: Sharon Springs Harvest Festival

09/16/2026

That moment when the Garlic King steps behind your booth to award you Best in Show. 😭

Huge thanks to the Mohawk Valley Garlic & Herb Festival committee for bestowing this honor on me. I am completely blown away. 🧄 💛

📸: Mohawk Valley Garlic & Herb Festival

Address

467 Broadway
Kingston, NY
12401

Website

http://www.ardenthomesteader.com/

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