A young woman standing on grassy riverbank near trees, wearing a blue hoodie, beige pants, and patterned boots, smiling at the camera.

Paris Cornelison- Soot & Cedar

Hi, I’m the one behind the feed buckets and muddy boots. I spend my days chasing chickens, bribing pigs with snacks, and getting outsmarted by Carl on a regular basis. It’s chaotic, messy, and the best life I could ever ask for.

And yes… the honorary helper boy makes an appearance too!

Close up of Carl the donkey standing in a grassy field at Soot & Cedar.

Carl- Soot & Cedar

Carl is the favorite — and only — donkey on the farm. He keeps a watchful eye over everyone, making sure the whole crew stays safe, but never forgets to demand his daily treat and enjoy a good roll in his designated dust spot.

Honey, the young highland cow standing in a grassy field at Soot & Cedar during sunset.

Honey- Soot & Cedar

Honey was my very first heifer — a perfect mix of 75% Highland and 25% Belted Galloway. She’s sweet as can be, but still figuring out this whole “teenage” thing (complete with all the mood swings). She’s best buds with Carl, and you can often catch them sneaking nose-to-nose kisses.

A small brown Highland calf standing on dirt and straw in a barn with unfinished plywood walls.

Ginger Snap- Soot & Cedar

Mocha is pure Highland, pure fluff, and pure sweetness. Wrapped in a gorgeous dark-chocolate coat and topped with the softest personality, she’s pretty much a fluffy, snacking dream brought to life.

Calf drinking milk from a bottle in a barn surrounded by straw.

Tux- Halcyon Hollow Farm

Tux is a Highpark bull calf, we’ve got the extremely lucky job of raising him. He’s hands-down the cutest calf around and easily the sweetest little guy on the farm!

Mocha- Halcyon Hollow Farm

Mocha is pure Highland, pure fluff, and pure sweetness. Wrapped in a gorgeous dark-chocolate coat and topped with the softest personality, she’s pretty much a fluffy, snacking dream brought to life.

Tootsie- Halcyon Hollow Farm

Tootsie is our older, chocolate-coated Highland gal with a soft soul and a whole lot of fluff. We think she’s got a little bun in the oven—baby Roll! She’s shaping up to be the sweetest mama moo you ever did meet.

Two pigs lying in grass behind a wire fence, with a yellow building, a tarp-covered object, and trees in the background.

Abby and Addison- Soot & Cedar

Abby and Addison are five-year-old Kune Kune pigs who’ve been inseparable since day one — where you find one, the other is never far behind. They’re full of personality, packed with sass, and always up to something together.

A piglet with a brindle coat and pink snout lying among green grass and plants, with a wooden fence and trees in the background.

Charlotte- Soot & Cedar

Charlotte is the youngest of all the pigs, but she was the very first one I brought home. She’s the sweetest little thing — and she knows it. If you’re not planning to pet a pig, don’t get too close… she’s the baby, and she gets what she wants.

Two piglets resting in grass, one black and white, and one brown, near white flowers and green foliage.

Copper- Soot & Cedar

Copper is the only boy in the bunch and about the same age as Charlotte. He’s usually found following her around or snuggled up beside her during nap time. Don’t tell the girls… but he’s definitely the sweetest (and the least moody) of them all!

A large, hairy ostrich resting on the ground inside a wooden enclosure with unfinished walls.

Dennis- Soot & Cedar

I acquired Dennis in a pretty unexpected way, but he’s finding his place and coming out of his shell more each day. I’m so happy to have the chance to work with such a unique character — even if some of the noises he makes still give me a good scare now and then!

A collage of two photos: the left photo shows a horse eating from a white bucket in a wooden stable with a small black and white kitten on a ledge nearby; the right photo shows two cats, one with tabby markings and the other black with white paws and face, stalking through dirt and grass outdoors.

Cleo and Calypso- Soot & Cedar

Cleo and Calypso are the official barn cats, often found cuddling up with Carl or Charlotte. Cleo is the hopeless romantic, always ready for some love, while Calypso occasionally surprises you by curling up in your lap. They’re absolutely purr-fect!

Several chickens gathered around a blue plastic water trough, pecking at green vegetables held in a person's hand. The chickens are in an outdoor enclosure with a wire fence and green foliage in the background.

The Flock- Soot & Cedar

Chickens, turkeys, ducks — whatever it is, if it clucks, quacks, or gobbles, I’ll love it just the same.

A small black and white rabbit with pointed ears and dark eyes hiding among green grass and foliage near a wire fence.

The Bunny- Soot & Cedar

Surprisingly, the bunny still doesn’t have a name — but that hasn’t stopped him from being a total trickster. He’s full of mischief and definitely keeps me on my toes!

A cute dog with a scruffy coat and large ears, wearing a colorful bandana, is in a home kitchen looking up at the camera while being offered a piece of food. In the second part of the photo, the same dog is sitting in a vehicle, with its tongue slightly sticking out, near a bag of dog treats and a vehicle's dashboard.

Cash & Conway- Soot & Cedar

Cash and Conway run the roost around here. Cash, the oldest of the dogs, is 100% the boss — and everyone knows it. Conway is the little brother, and let’s just say… it shows!

A black dog wearing a pink llama costume, sitting on a wooden deck with a fence and trees in the background, during daytime.

Capone- Soot & Cedar

Capone may be over 100 pounds heavier than his dog brothers, but he’s fully convinced he’s a lap dog too. He’s a total mama’s boy at heart, but when it comes to protecting us, he steps up just like Carl guarding the barn. Big, loyal, and full of love — that’s Capone.