Seasonal rhythms are to be celebrated suggests Darien Rozell, a local media talent popularizing country life through her wistful Instagram account @pantry.hill, where home-making is elevated to an art form. 

Her carefully curated image of rural living harkens back to the time of her great-great-grandmother, a Swedish immigrant who, more than 100 years ago, managed her working farm in Cambridge, NY while watching over a household of 10 children.

“Telling the Pantry Hill story is very much sharing that legacy,” said Darien. 

In 2020, after just six months of launching Pantry Hill on social media, the lifestyle brand attracted 10,000 followers and found a captive audience of people seeking respite in the simple life during the pandemic. 

Today, interest in this “farm-fluencer” has continued to grow, with the number of Pantry Hill followers swelling to more than 45,000. 

Nostalgia Baked-In

In every curated “Pantry Hill moment” taken with her Sony A7C mirrorless 35mm camera, Darien romanticizes the beauty and hard work of homemaking while raising three boys; Beau, 6, Hap Wilder, 4, and Finn Hawkins, 1.

Paired with these images of bucolic bliss are well-crafted captions illustrating the rhythms of life in the kitchen and garden during the changing seasons. 

“It feels like writing a letter to an old friend,” said Darien about these nostalgic depictions. Her goal? Connection - and creating an engaging story with substance.

Humble Homemade Happiness

Throughout their 17 years together, Darien, and her South Glens Falls High School sweetheart, Eric, have bonded through their love of food and food culture. Exploring their interest while living in Seattle and Boston, they returned to the Saratoga area in 2016. 

After falling in love with a farmhouse just minutes from Darien’s parents’ home, they recruited Eric’s dad to “de-modernize” the home by adding classic custom detailing and woodwork. 

More than just a pretty picture, this utilitarian space is where vegetables, herbs, and flowers are prepared and preserved from the French kitchen garden just footsteps away.

Not Trading on Tradition

Darien’s skill at building a home for her family while growing the Pantry Hill social media account comes from both her background in education as well as her career in magazine publishing, as the managing digital editor of several bridal, lifestyle, and business titles. 

By trading city living for a cozy “Cottagecore” aesthetic resplendent with dreamy florals and a dash of controlled chaos, Darien has garnered an active audience but hasn’t yet monetized her account (foregoing brand partnerships, affiliate links, and sponsored content) and works hard to ensure her following is not only legitimate, but highly invested in her story.

Sharing a Slice

For a connection that is less fleeting, during the past year, Darien has also invited her followers to a handful of seasonal pie-making workshops held at her home. Together with her mother and sisters, Darien teaches small groups (of less than 12) her great-grandmother’s recipes. 

“Making pies is not necessarily an exact science, which makes it fun to teach,” said Darien, adding, “It’s not as difficult as people think.”

Joined by pairings recommended by local chef, Hamlet & Ghost’s Alex Lampa, and wines suggested by expert Ann-Marie Guglielmo, the table is set for a memorable day. 

Home for the Holidays

As Christmas approaches, the Pantry Hill home is decked in garlands of evergreen sprigs, pinecones, and fruit slices. 

The whole year has been preparation for this joyous season, where the smell of chocolate chip cookies baked on stones mingles with the lingering cinnamon hazelnut scent of Hungarian butter horns dusted in powdered sugar. 

Carefully prepared handmade gifts of vanilla, honey, salted caramels, preserves, candles, and other pantry delights await as a fourth generation gathers for a full day of making handmade pasta from scratch. 

Like most other days, the holidays at Pantry Hill revolve around the kitchen.