My husband almost spit out his espresso (just almost though because the man doesn't dare waste good espresso) when I told him the price of our Lacanche range. In my mind it was simple. I would be buying a stove instead of a car.
Sure, a car is helpful when you need to go places, haul groceries, or… ya know… get to the emergency room or something. But I have a car already. It isn't fancy – it's a bare bones Suburban that's doubled as a farm truck for many moons. It's seen cars seats, toddlers, baby animals, and hay bales. It's a bit rough around the edges, the engine eats oil, and the body is a bit damaged from a few farm run-ins.
She ain't polished.
But still – when it came down to it, I decided to keep the ‘ol girl. She'll serve our family until she can no longer trudge down the road.
I'd made up my mind.
That was three years ago now. I had to work hard and save up so we could pay cash for the big purchase – but we did it. And after six months of waiting for the build of our custom range, and paying an astronomical amount to get the propane piped into the kitchen, Madame Lacanche was finally settled into the kitchen in all her glory.
(Diclaimer: A baller stove won't make you a baller homecook, but it sure doesn't hurt. The tool is only as good as the craftsman but dang if having the right tool doesn't really help.)
We don't live too far out from town – just about 20 minutes. But whenever we need to run errands, eat tacos, pickup feed, or meet friends we call it “going to town”. These errands, dates, and weekly church usually means we “go to town” about four times a week.
Do you know how many times I use my stove a week? 261.
No, stop, I can hear what you're saying. I'm not being dramatic. Between the bread baking, the broth boiling, and vegetable roasting, the bacon frying, the soup simmering, the doughnut frying, and the pasta boiling my Lacanche range is used all day – every day.
Since I began posting photographs of Madame online, I've received quite a few emails from readers. “Must be nice…” they murmur in their emails – as if I'm a rich aristocrat who can't possibly understand how the peasants live.
Here's the truth: I made the trade. You don't have to. But I did.
I bought a stove instead of a car.
But it doesn't stop there: I buy real maple syrup instead of cable television. I buy fresh olive oil instead of getting my nails done. I buy real Parmesan in a large chunk (yes, it's expensive) instead of going to the movies. We live in a modest-sized house that we've built up with sweat equity so that I have wiggle room in the budget for pomegranates and saffron.
With every purchase, every way we chose to spend the money we've worked for, we make a trade: this instead of that. I prioritize food – the food I love to eat. Foraged mushrooms. Oysters. Sea salt. Artichokes. Dried fruits. Whole grains. Cultured butter. Speciality olives. Meat. All the cheese. Dry Farm wine.
You may prioritize something else: sports, travel, fashion, home decor, shopping, what-ev. (Honestly, I had a hard time even coming up with that list. What DO people spend their time and money on besides food? I'm so confused. Maybe I don't actually know how the other half lives…).
So, yes, it is nice. It's nice to live in a country where we can grow our business by doing something we love (teaching other people how to cook, eat, and celebrate from-scratch food!), use that money on what we choose to prioritize, and enjoy the fruits of our labor.
It's also nice to be clear and unapologetic about who we are: we are farmers and homecooks who love to eat.
And apparently I just love to eat way more than I love to drive a fancy car.
That's a trade I'm happy to make.
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I have been making the same trade since the 70’s. I’ve been all about organic, Whole Foods before it was a thing. It’s a lot easier now.
I don’t have a farm but I make my own sourdough, I shop at the farmer’s market and am lucky enough to live near an organic farm that sells meat. We have always prioritized our food and done without other things. No regrets and I love to cook with the best!
Blessed; Heaven on Earth.
My biggest bill is my food bill…and that is with us raising about half of our food on our little farm. When we were traveling it was $1500 a month. I totally get it.
And your health thanks you. A car can only run so long, but if we’re healthy we definitely can out live a shinny car.
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I love this! I too have my eye on a Lacanche range. It will still be a while for me but I want what I want and I won’t apologize for it!
I love to drool over the pictures of your beautiful stove. If I had a dependable car, I’d save up for her, too!
Oh my gosh, I love this post! Thank you for sharing and ENJOY that range!!!
I love your priorities…
People will always find the time and money for the things which they value.
PREACH!! Everyone prioritizes things differently and it is so wrong to shame someone about it. My husband prioritizes TV because he’s a football superfan. Would that extra $100 a month be nice for something else? Sure would. We have many home repairs we could put it towards. But he works hard to provide for us and it’s the only thing he asks for in return. Keeping up with the Joneses is a nasty little habit that keeps us from appreciating what we have and resenting what we prioritize. Your blog has helped me overcome some of that myself. I try hard to find the beauty daily in my crusty little farmhouse. ❤
Also worth mentioning, we have no idea the finan
I love your priorities to family and food! I totally get the trade offs,they are so worth it in the end.
Love and peace💜
PREACH!! Everyone prioritizes things differently and it is so wrong to shame someone about it. My husband prioritizes TV because he’s a football superfan. Would that extra $100 a month be nice for something else? Sure would. We have many home repairs we could put it towards. But he works hard to provide for us and it’s the only thing he asks for in return. Keeping up with the Joneses is a nasty little habit that keeps us from appreciating what we have and resenting what we prioritize. Your blog has helped me overcome some of that myself. I try hard to find the beauty daily in my crusty little farmhouse. ❤
Also, we often have no idea the financial story behind someones purchase. We have no idea of the sacrifices someone made to afford the thing they’re proud of. We have no idea if they saved for years or if they buried themselves in debt to get it. (I’ll admit I looked at the starting prices of your stove quite a while ago and nearly fainted 😂 but I would certainly drop that kind of money on a number of other things that you probably wouldn’t!)
Amen sister! I am right there with ya! Enjoy every moment with that gorgeous range!
This post really resonates with me! I just hosted some family members for the weekend and fed them a great deal of top-quality food, much of it locally sourced. In these situations, people inevitably wonder out loud how much my husband and I spend on groceries, and I do my best to suppress the *slight* twinge of embarrassment I still feel when I confirm that yes, it is a lot, and much more than most people choose to spend on their food. My parents think it’s crazy that we feed our dog a homemade raw diet using ingredients of the same quality that we eat ourselves, which amounts to about $5 a day–basically the same amount that my father chooses to spend on his daily Starbucks latte. We all have different priorities in life, and I refuse to feel any shame about prioritizing something as important as what I put into my body. And while I do not judge others for prioritizing other things, I am proud that my choices prioritize my health (and the health of my husband and dog) as well as support my local food producers who I so greatly appreciate.
Right on sista! We are retired. Collect Social Security and have a modest amount of invested savings to help make ends meet. But our biggest purchase is food and wine. We buy the best olive oil we can from a specialty shop, and do a lot of our own cooking and baking. I will admit to using some convenience foods occasionally because cooking for two gets old sometimes, and I just want to nuke a Stouffers. But for the most part we drink good coffee every morning, and buy free range eggs. We used to have our own chickens, but we’ve moved and it’s not possible now. I admire you and your family so much for living the life we would have loved if we could have done it when we were younger. I know that took a lot of courage on your part. I do have envy for that stove. Unfortunately, I’m stuck with an electric stove I hate, but life is good otherwise. Take care.
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I love this and your choice on your home and whatever is placed there.
Many good memories will come with that stove. Lessons learned. And comfort to those who enjoy a beautiful meal there.
I’m a grandmother now and the years help you see what your family remembers. Due to my husband having a heart attack and issues and owning a business we lost our house years ago. I couldn’t see through the tears then ..but God placed us in our home now where I get to be around our grands 24 seven. It’s a home..not a house. And memories are being made. Because of your blog I bring out the good dishes. The cloth napkins.. the candles..thank you
Yes to every thing that you said! You are so right. Your stove is an investment for now and for future generations all wrapped up in classy style! Cook on!
Agree! 100%
We are what we eat. It should be the most important purchase in life. I wholeheartedly believe that. Thanks for being you.
I bought a bottom of the line Amana range because I looked at your Lacanche and thought how glorious that it has no nasty oven window. I had a choice, I could take out a loan and get a glorious window free Lacanche or pay cash for my low end range. My pocketbook won. I don’t have a window and I love it. I love your range too. I will admire Mme’s beauty in your photos and be thankful for what I have. Bon appetit!
We are in our 13th year of marriage, with 6 children under 12, in our early 40’s. Currently living in town, against our will, so that we can rebuild our finances.
Listening to the financial gurus drone on about how they do it by sacrificing healthy food on the alter of their budget; I just can’t. I’d rather go without other luxuries before I’d sacrifice our health and happiness.
I’m so thankful for this post, it gives me the encouragement to stay the course I’ve been on, while still rebuilding….
You’ll not get any judgement from me about what you choose to spend your money on. I will say though, that not everyone does have a choice. It’s not that everyone can choose an oven over a car. Some people struggle with bus fare or just having enough to make it through the week. So, while I think it’s a great option for you to buy an expensive oven, and I applaud your ability to save and grow your business, it doesn’t exclude privilege. Not all blessings look the same, and many people are privileged in ways that aren’t financial, with time or talent for example, so I’m not judging having privilege either, but I do think it goes well to mention that you are fortunate to have some flexibility in your spending.
I think it would go equally well that you should acknowledge, Bethany, that they have that choice because of hard work. If you have read this blog for long, you’ll remember that the Elliotts also had days in their early marriage when they were in the same place of choosing between bus fare and feeding their baby. There was no privilege back then—only hard work. Those whom you speak of have the same opportunity to choose to do the hard work to lift themselves out of misfortune.
Yes and yes! If you want to know someone’s priorities, just look at where their money is going. We’ve had people think we were crazy and yes, we’ve thought that about others as well. But this is a good reminder that priorities vary and to not be so quick to judge. Thank you!
Shaye, I absolutely LOVE your LaCanche Range and I think it is so great that you bought it instead of a vehicle. I completely agree with that decision. 🙂 My husband and I were shopping a couple months ago for appliances for our new home build and the place we went to had a LaCanche Range. I believe it was light blue and absolutely beautiful. I couldn’t stop looking at it. You deserve to have whatever you wish. I love watching your videos and I am inspired by the loving relationship you and Stuart have. You two are a great team. Thanks for sharing your life with all of us. I can’t get enough of the amazing views from your home.
Wow this is perfection! I too have been saving for my Jewelry of the Kitchen. My LaCanche Range in Amour. Will be placing the order soon. We too do without a lot of things to save for what matters most to us.
Cooking and Baking is pure relaxation to me and good wholesome food is my passion.
Congrats on your beautiful Range!
I am totally on team Shaye! You definitely have your priorities straight in my book. Cars will come and go but the meals and memories made on that beautiful stove will live on forever.
It is sad that healthy food is the expensive food. We would be a much healthier nation if we could flip the prices on refined white sugar and organic grass fed beef. If white sugar was used like it was used when Laura Ingalls was a little girl it would only be beneficial. And Shaye, how in the world did you decide what color of La Canche to get? I have all the brochures and I build my day dream stove about once a year. Ha. And the color options about do me in.
I love my canary yellow Macon Lacanche…..
I once heard someone say “don’t ever be jealous of or covet what someone else has. You NEVER know what is going on in their home to get it.”
Shaye – I was around when you shared the first photo of that b-e-a-uiful stove. I immediately found it on their website, got a quote and determined in my heart to one day have one.
There are many great benefits to technology and social media, but I have found that the ability to give your opinion on ALL matters has brought to light the darkness of many hearts.
I commend you and your family for sharing your lives. I have been here for a large part of the blog journey. You all know who you are in the Lord. I have seen Him working and moving and blessing and inspiring and loving you all along the way. Continue to do what He has called you to do. The “persecution” along the way can be considered all joy.
Your stove is beautiful! I can imagine how much joy I would feel using it every day, and being reminded of what hard work, patience and saving can get!
I found your YouTube channel and I am in love with your content! I am excited to plant herbs and preserve them like I just watched you do on one of your videos.