Why We Fall in Love with This Place (Again and Again)
From golf cart tours and waterfalls to hydrosols and hidden studios—this week, I saw Serenbe with fresh eyes. + this week’s events
Re-remembering Why I Fell in Love with This Place
This week, something unexpected happened—I remembered.
Remembered the magic. The reason I moved here. The awe that used to bubble up just driving past the stables or standing beneath the trees.
It started with a golf cart tour for my friend’s grandmother, who was visiting Serenbe for the first time. I hadn’t done one in ages. Most of my people have already visited. But seeing this place through her eyes—the questions, the delight in the smallest things—lit something up in me.

Later, a family of six came to visit. We wandered to the waterfall (first time in six months for me!), skipped rocks, and did that thing kids are so good at: fully playing.
And somewhere between the giggles and the wet socks, I felt more present than I have in a while.
What in your life have you stopped noticing?
Where could you fall back in love with the everyday?
In today’s issue:
📷 A Calm, Creative Escape—This Hidden Serenbe Studio Is Made for Creators
🌿 What’s a Hydrosol? Ask Sydney.
📍 For the Locals – Events this week + “In Case You Missed It”
📷 A Calm, Creative Escape: This Hidden Serenbe Studio Is Made for Makers

There’s a space tucked above the bike shop in Crossroads you might not know about yet.
I hadn’t either—until I stumbled across a photo and did a double take.
Soft, creamy walls. Light-soaked corners. A dreamy, minimal aesthetic that looks like it was plucked from the pages of a magazine, but made to be used. Not precious. Just peaceful.
It’s called Oakhouse Studios, and it’s the creation of Pamela Bearden—a wedding photographer, creative, and mom who lives just outside Serenbe with her daughter.
The studio was originally designed for photographers—beautiful light, clean lines, thoughtful textures—but it’s quickly becoming something more: a hidden gem for creators of all kinds.
Whether you’re a brand founder needing content, a small team craving a change of scenery, or just someone looking for a calm space to think and make—this place is worth knowing about.
You can book it by the hour, for the day, or even overnight for a 24-hour Creator’s Retreat (yes, there’s a bedroom and kitchen).
📸 Pricing starts at $90/hour, with overnights at $500.
Special for locals: If it’s your first time booking and the studio isn’t already reserved, Pamela offers it for just $150/day (9AM–3PM). She posts openings every Sunday at 7PM over at @oakhousestudios.
Even if you never set foot inside, there’s something lovely about knowing places like this exist—where someone carved out calm and said, “Here—come make something.”
We need more of that.
And more people like Pamela who say, “Why not?”—and then build it.
🌿 What’s a Hydrosol? Ask Sydney.
If you’ve ever used rose water or witch hazel, you’ve already met a hydrosol—even if you didn’t know it.
Hydrosols (aka floral waters) are the gentle, aromatic waters left behind after steam-distilling plants. They’ve been used for thousands of years—by ancient Egyptians for medicine and in Traditional Chinese Medicine as daily tonics known as “medicinal waters.” They're calming, grounding, and surprisingly versatile.
Here in Serenbe, Sydney Cannon-Luckett is quietly our resident hydrosol whisperer.
She lives in a cozy home with her husband and three kids (soon to be four!) and has built her family’s lifestyle around plant-based healing. She practices aromatherapy and herbalism not as a business, but as a calling. A way of supporting her family’s health—and now, helping others do the same.
What started as a deep dive into herbs after her first daughter was born has grown into a quiet passion for education. Her work blends both science and the sacred—focused on herbs you can grow in your yard, pick up at a market stand, or find in your kitchen.
She’s especially passionate about sharing with women and moms who want healing tools that are simple, affordable, and accessible.
“When I was younger, I wanted to be a doctor and an artist,” she told me. “Herbalism lets me be both.”
Sydney isn’t selling products—she’s offering perspective. She sees the beauty in slow, sustainable practices and wants more families to feel empowered to use what’s already growing around them.
If you see her at the Serenbe Farmers Market, stop by. Say hi. Ask her anything. You’ll learn something. And you might just leave with a new ritual for your own daily rhythm.
Our noses, after all, are primal. Sometimes the softest healing starts with a breath.
Curious to learn more?
Sydney’s hosting a hands-on workshop on Saturday, May 3 from 2–3PM at Serenbe Farms. You’ll watch her make lemon balm hydrosol and take a bottle home.
Save your spot here →
📍 For the Locals
EVENTS THIS WEEK: April 18–27 | Serenbe + Chatt Hills
FRIDAY, APRIL 18
BLUNCH with Garnish & Gather | 9:30 – 11:30am | Birdhouse Market
Farmhouse Fridays | 5:30–8:30pm | Live porch music every Friday evening
SATURDAY, APRIL 19
Serenbe Social Committee Easter Egg Hunt | 10am-2pm | RSVP & drop of drop off pre-filled eggs | Athletic Fields at Serenbe
Chatt Hills Community Easter Egg Hunt | 2pm | The Brett’s Pasture, 6301 Campbellton-Redwine Rd
Sober(ish) Wine Tasting | 12–4pm | Soberish
Wine Flights | 1:30 & 3:30pm | The Wine Shop at Serenbe
Soul Barn Sounds: Cozy Concert | 6:30–9pm | Soul Barn
The Music Farm: PRINTEMPS | 7pm | Live music featuring Forever 78’ and Sienna Jade | Music Farm
Jazz Night | 9pm | Live music, Caleb Hesinger “The Human DJ” | Austin’s
SUNDAY, APRIL 20
Sorella Cycling: Women’s Gravel Bike Ride | 10am – 12:30pm | Halsa
Sober(ish) x FLYERS Tasting | 12–4pm | Infused craft cocktails | Soberish
TUESDAY, APRIL 22
Film Screening: My Garden of a Thousand Bees | 7pm | Lakeside Pavilion at Serenbe
THURSDAY, APRIL 24
Open Mic Night | 6:30–8pm | Halsa
FRIDAY, APRIL 25
Acorn to Oak Health – Office Open House | 10am–7pm | Lite bites & beverages | One Mado, 3rd Floor, Ste 320
Jazz Night with Sounds of April and Randall | 7:30pm | 10950 Hutchesons Ferry Rd, Chattahoochee Hills, GA 30268
SATURDAY, APRIL 26
Plant Sale | 9am–1pm | Serenbe Farm
Flowers & Feathers Spring Festival (+ Native Plant Sale) | 11am–4pm | Bear Creek Nature Center
Serenbe Farmers Market | 9am–1pm | Grange Green
PBC Car Show | 10am–2pm | Palmetto Baptist Church
Mother/Daughter Tea | 12:30–2pm | Providence Baptist Church
Sound Healing Above the Horses | 1:15–2:30pm | Soul Barn
Tough Mudder Atlanta | Bouckaert Farm
Terra School Fête | 5:30pm | Lakeside Pavilion at Serenbe
Gather Round | 6 –7pm | Live music with Rusty Zarse | Birdhouse Market
SUNDAY, APRIL 27
Women's Network Discussion On Your Financial Wellbeing | 3-5pm | Serenbe Home
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:
Start In Your Own Backyard – Coming Oct 7 | Serenbe founder Steve Nygren’s new book shares how one local act grew into a movement. Part memoir, part guide to building better communities. Pre-order now to support the launch.
Serenbe Sharks Are Back in the Water | Swim team season is here for kids ages 6–18—no club membership required (though members get a discount). Practices are Mondays + Wednesdays, split by age group. New coach, new website, and all the team spirit. Details + registration here
Georgia Renaissance Festival is Back (Yes, really.) | It's that time of year when turkey legs, chainmail, and questionable British accents return in full force. The Georgia RenFest just kicked off its 40th season and runs weekends through June 1 — just 15 minutes from Serenbe. More info + tickets
Brushes in the Breeze: Outdoor Painting Series | Wednesdays 4/23-5/14, 5–7PM | CENTER, 6401 Campbellton Redwine Rd | A 4-week painting class led by local artist Thomas Swanston. Slow down, connect with nature, and paint what you see. All levels welcome. Sign up here
New Battery + Cardboard Recycling Spots | You can now drop off used batteries at Allchemy, Amplify Your Ride, and Pro Bike Repair. Cardboard composting is also up and running at select spots around town—huge thanks to Amy P for making it happen.
Serenbe Farms Welcomes 300,000 Honey Bees | Small Town Honey Co. just brought thousands of honey bees to Serenbe Farms to support pollination and local produce. Want to meet the colony? Join a Saturday farm tour.
Terra School Fête | Friday, April 26 | 6:30PM–Late | The Inn at Serenbe | Get dressed up and celebrate Serenbe’s neighborhood school with drinks, dinner, dancing to Grateful to ‘Be’ (with special guests Casey Hooper and Whitney Price), and an epic silent + live auction. Tickets must be purchased in advance—no sales at the door. Purchase tickets here
Indie Bookstore Day at Hills & Hamlets | Saturday, April 26 | All Day | Celebrate Indie Bookstore Day with giveaways, sales, and one very shiny surprise. Spend $50+ and get a free Jane Austen tote (while supplies last). And if you’re lucky, you just might find the hidden Golden Ticket—good for a year’s supply of audiobooks from Libro.fm.
Charm Recycling Drop-Off: April 29 | Tamara Schwartz is heading to Charm Atlanta again on Tuesday, April 29. Great for harder-to-recycle items like styrofoam, electronics, and more. Want to send something with her or help organize future trips? Reach out via email. Full list of accepted items here.
South Fulton Spring Plant Sale | Saturday, May 3, 2–6PM | Fairburn Festival, 320 NW Broad St | Grab garden-ready plants from local master gardeners. A quick trip into Fairburn and worth it for the plant lovers.
Collier Animal Hospital Has News | Dr. Jenny Traczewitz joins the team on May 9—stop in and say hi! She brings 20 years of experience and a calming presence for anxious pets. Also starting in May, they’re expanding hours: open Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, 9–5. Book online at www.collierah.com
See you around town,
—Gina xx
P.S.
If this made you laugh, nod in agreement, or immediately think of someone who needs to read it, go ahead and tap that little heart—it helps more people (including the lurkers) find this. For more Serenbe takes and semi-useful life insights, come hang out on Instagram: @ginakawalek
Hey Gina! Sam here. Been in serenbe just under a year and I’m loving your Substack!
my grandma was so happy on your golf cart tour and loved it all so much! your serenbe wisdom and enthusiasm and generosity will be a memory we keep together forever. thank you friend!