Add in some funky new style jewelry and you have found The Happy Hippie! Hello,
My name is Elaine Koonce Dawson and I am the founder of Happy Hippie Products.I grew up in the country in southwest Louisiana, the grand-daughter of a rice and cattle farmer and daughter of parents who today would be called “Homesteaders”.We always had a garden and what wasn’t eaten right away in a family of six was
frozen or preserved for later use so as not to waste a bit of the bounty God provided. My family had dairy cows for milk and butter, beehives/bees for honey, rabbits for meat, ducks for eggs or meat and a pond stocked with fish that we could catch, clean and cook. As kids we were expected to assist with the chores and I learned early how to garden and then create meals from that bounty. When we weren’t in the garden or kitchen I could be found behind a sewing machine making most of my clothing during high school. I continue to love to sew today and enjoy finding ideas and creating various useful items for the household including gathering aprons for bringing in the garden harvest, bib aprons for cooking and bandanas for our three Westies-Finn, Brody and Mackenzie-they wait in line with tails wagging when it is time to change out the one they are wearing for a new or clean one. Luckily I found a husband and have a grown daughter who share my love of gardening and putting away the harvest. We have a small plot of land compared to the acres I grew up on, but we have planted multiple fruit trees over the years and always have some sort of vegetable garden. The last few years I have developed more of an interest in herbs and am still expanding that area of my garden. I am happiest in my Birkenstocks and bluejeans in my garden working the dirt. I have always said that my garden is my “therapist”. As a registered nurse with over 35 years experience, I am very concerned about correct hygiene especially in regards to any product leaving my kitchen. I follow very strict hand hygiene practices and all recommendations for processing equipment and foods. I am so thankful for the heritage from my family that allowed me to learn and love to tend the land and prepare delicious foods from what is harvested. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention my mother who always had time to teach me what she knew with a smile.
