Katie's Rustic Rise

03/24/2026

Hey my sourdough family

I wanted to give a little update after my first post-op appointment.

Right now, I’m still non weight-bearing. The next step is starting conversations around physical therapy, and at my next appointment in about 4 weeks, we’ll hopefully be able to talk about beginning to put weight on it.

I’ll be honest… this part has been really hard. I’m still working through a lot of pain, and mentally it’s a lot to carry knowing that once I get through this side, I’ll be walking into the same surgery all over again on the other side.

But I am holding onto something really special in the middle of all of this — my hope is that once I’m weight bearing and have made it through that part of rehab, I might be able to sneak in a few good bake days before going into the next surgery ❤️

Some days feel really heavy… but I’m holding onto the hope of what’s on the other side of all of this — not just being pain free, which is something I’ve longed for for so long, but being able to truly show up for my kids in the ways they deserve. To run with them, to play with them, to be present in all the little moments that have had to be put on hold for far too long because my body was failing me.

I miss baking for you all more than I can even put into words. Every loaf, every conversation, every moment of connection… I carry that with me right now.

Here is a little before & after from surgery 🤍

Thank you for sticking with me through this season. Your support, your messages, your prayers… they mean more than I could ever explain.

— Katie 🤍

03/15/2026

Hi my sourdough family ❤️

I’m sorry to share this again, but I wanted to post it here for anyone who may have missed it. As many of you know, I’m currently going through a series of surgeries that are necessary to preserve my ability to walk and live without the chronic pain I’ve been dealing with.

Because of the recovery, I won’t be able to bake or contribute to our household income for quite some time. With rehab ahead, another surgery still coming, and insurance premiums to keep up with, things have gotten pretty overwhelming for our family. On top of that, we’re trying to stay caught up on our mortgage while navigating this season of life.

Some amazing people helped us set up a Fresh Start fundraiser to help bridge the gap while I recover. Sharing this has honestly been really hard for me because I’m much better at giving than I am at receiving. But right now we truly need the help.

If you’re able to donate, we are incredibly grateful. But if donating isn’t possible, a simple share would honestly mean more to me than I can even begin to express. If you’re willing to share it in community groups or with friends who might want to support, it would mean the world to our family.

This is a really scary season for us, and I’m just leaning on the people who know my heart.

Thank you all for the love, prayers, and support you’ve shown our family already. I miss baking more than you know, and I cannot wait until the day I’m back in the kitchen making bread for all of you again.

Love you all so much. ❤️

👇 general funding to support our family through this time with medical bills

https://freshstartcard.com/campaign/katies-road-to-recovery-one-surgery-at-a-time

👇 Meal Train to help take the stress off of Dad well managing our three little kids

https://www.giveinkind.com/inkinds/N5L7O5V

VENMO

03/12/2026

I really can't wait to get back in the kitchen and start baking again 😭

02/22/2026

Over the past month, I’ve learned a lot about what’s actually been going on with my health, and I feel like it’s time to share.

For years I’ve lived in chronic hip pain. The last five have been especially hard. Some days walking isn’t even an option. I’ve pushed through it to be a mom, a wife, and to keep serving our community — but recently my body started pushing back.

My legs have been giving out without warning. I’ve learned that when you force your body to function through instability for too long, your nervous system can hit overload and basically shut things down to protect you. That’s what’s been happening.

After a long search for answers, I was diagnosed with:

• Torn cartilage in both hips
• Hip impingement on both sides
• Thigh bones rotated incorrectly
• Shallow hip sockets
• Structural bone deformities

What we thought was “just” a torn labrum turned into discovering major structural issues.

Now I’m preparing for a very complex reconstructive surgery that will last over six hours. They will cut and rotate my pelvic bone to reposition my hip socket, adjust and reshape the femoral head, repair the torn cartilage, and cut and rotate my thigh bone into the correct alignment. A permanent rod will be placed up my femur to hold everything stable long-term.

I’ll be on crutches with no weight on that side for at least six weeks. Bone healing will take about three months, and full recovery could be 6–12 months. Once one side heals, we’ll eventually do the other.

If I don’t do this, it will continue to deteriorate and lead to early arthritis and long-term disability. The goal is to fix it now so I can stay strong long term.

This season will look different. I don’t usually share this much personally, but so many have asked, and I want to be honest.

I’m still me. I’m still fighting. Just doing it a little differently right now.

If you pray, please pray that doors open for insurance coverage so this surgery can move forward.

Thank you for walking with me.

01/15/2026

Thank you to everyone for the birthday wishes. You guys are all truly such a blessing to my life and you guys are all so dear to me!!

01/15/2026

AWE WHAT A GREAT BIRTHDAY!!! I CAN'T BELIEVE WE ARE AT 1K FOLLOWERS 😱♥️🎉😊🥹

01/09/2026

I miss you more than I can put into words. Not being able to bake right now has been so hard on my heart.

My injury has made it hard to carry heavy dough bins up and down the stairs or safely access my ovens on the lower level — and baking is truly something I love with my heart and soul.

But even in this season, God keeps reminding me that there is still so much purpose in slowing down.

One thing I can still do is sit down with my daughter and love on our community. With the help of sweet Miss Ruby, we were able to put together 50 meal & snack bags for our unhoused neighbors. 🥹

There is something so special about being able to do this with my child — teaching her the importance of compassion, of caring for others, and of making people feel seen, loved, and valued.

This injury has taken me out of the kitchen for now and brought us into a season of uncertainty… but it has also reminded me that there are so many who are struggling far more than we are.

Every single bag we made came from the kindness of others and their heartfelt donations, and I am overwhelmed with gratitude.
I may not be baking loaves today — but love is still being poured out. And that means everything to me. 🤍

Here is our wishlist that made this all possible👇

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/28SECYXSX1N0J?ref_=wl_share

01/06/2026

My sweet sourdough family,

I just wanted to reach out and share an update. Because of my injury, I’m not able to give a specific date for my return. Lifting heavy dough bins and going up and down the stairs — both necessary to access my ovens on the lower level — has become very painful and unsafe for me right now.

During this time, I humbly ask for your prayers. As not being able to work after my husband lost his job all while Navigating an injury in the middle of all of this has been scary and challenging for our family. If you could lift us up in prayer for healing and stability, it would mean so much to us.

You are all so much more than customers to me — you are family. Baking for you isn’t just a job, it’s what I absolutely love to do, so stepping back even temporarily is emotional and difficult. Thank you for always understanding and supporting my business.

For those who placed orders last week that I wasn’t able to fulfill, I will be reaching out to you personally, so please keep an eye out for a message.

I love you all so much and truly couldn’t ask for a better community of people. 🤍

01/03/2026

IMPORTANT REMINDER – NO PICK-UP TODAY 🚨

Due to my injury, I am unfortunately not able to do pick-ups today. All current orders will automatically be moved to next week.

I will also be reposting the menu for anyone who may have missed it so you can still get your orders in.

Thank you so much for your patience, kindness, and continued support while I recover. It truly means more than you know. 🤍

— Katie
Katie’s Rustic Rise 🍞

01/01/2026

💛 Important Update – This Weekend’s Orders 💛
Friends,
Yesterday I was involved in an accident and was kept overnight at the hospital. I am now being transferred to another hospital for continued care. Because I am not at home and physically unable to prep or bake, I sadly will not be able to fulfill this weekend’s big bake day.
This absolutely breaks my heart because I never want to let anyone down — but my health has to come first so I can continue serving you all long-term.
Here are your options:

• I can issue a full refund immediately, or

• I can push your order to next week with no changes needed.

Please comment below or message me your preference.
Thank you so much for your understanding, grace, and continued support. Your prayers and kind words mean more than I can express right now. 💛

12/30/2025

Don't forget to place your pre-orders before the Pre orders close!!

About Me – Katie’s Rustic Rise Winter Season Hi there! I’m Katie — the heart (and hands) behind Katie’s Rustic Rise. Now that the farm stand season has come to a close, we’ve officially rolled into the Bread Shed for the winter! ❄️ If you’re new here, I’m so happy you found us! A...