About Us

We have been together since 2011 and were married in 2015. Over the years, friends and colleagues have often asked us to share our experiences or offer advice about things we’ve learned through both our professional work and our everyday lives—whether it’s plants and gardening, bartending and cocktails, fitness and wellness, or the many other interests that keep us curious and busy.

Somewhere along the way we realized that people also seemed to enjoy the small stories we would tell about our backyard chickens, our garden, the meals we cook, and the adventures we find ourselves on while traveling. Those conversations eventually became the inspiration for The Hues of Green.

We started this space to share a little more about the things that bring us joy and balance in a busy world. We feel incredibly fortunate to have the life we have today, and it hasn’t always been that way. Through our experiences, we’ve learned that happiness often comes from paying closer attention to the things already around us.

Sometimes that means noticing a tree you’ve walked past a hundred times. Other times it’s cooking a great meal, making cocktails for friends, spending time outdoors, tending a garden, or planning the next place you want to explore.

Through The Hues of Green, we hope to share what we’re learning and encourage others to slow down, appreciate what they have, and dive a little deeper into the things that bring them joy.

Micheal Huesman

First things first: I didn’t spell my name wrong.

Well… technically it is spelled wrong, but that’s how my mother wrote it on my birth certificate. So I’ve spent most of my life explaining that story to people. For years I let it slide when someone spelled it “Michael,” but it turns out having your name spelled differently on official documents like a driver’s license, W-2, and Social Security card can cause real problems. These days I just make sure people spell it correctly and move on.

That little story probably explains me better than anything else.

I’m an introvert. That’s not all I am, but whether I like it or not it’s a defining part of my personality. I’m not someone who naturally enjoys being the center of attention, big groups of strangers, or situations where I don’t quite know the rules.

For a long time I thought that was a flaw. It took years for me to realize that it’s actually just the way my brain works. Being an introvert means I tend to spend a lot of time observing, thinking, and paying attention to details that other people might miss.

That trait turns out to be incredibly useful when it comes to plants.

My fascination with trees and woody plants started in college and never really stopped. What began as coursework slowly turned into a lifelong habit of noticing the subtle clues plants give you—needle patterns, cones, growth habits, bark textures, and shapes.

Most people see a green tree.
I see a pine, a spruce, a fir, or something entirely different.

Through The Hues of Green, I share what I’ve learned over the years about plants, trees, and the natural world. My goal isn’t to lecture anyone or turn people into botanists—it’s simply to help people notice a little more about the landscapes around them.

Because once you start paying attention, the world of plants gets a lot more interesting.

Liz Greenlee

If Michael is the one quietly studying trees in the backyard, I’m usually the one inviting people over to sit on the porch and enjoy it.

I’ve spent most of my career working in the fitness and wellness industry, helping people build healthier lives and stronger communities. For more than 18 years I’ve worked in roles ranging from fitness coordinator and university instructor to marketing consultant and speaker.

Today I work as a Sales Executive with a fitness company, where I help universities and recreation centers make strength training more approachable and engaging for their communities. The role also keeps me traveling frequently, which has given me plenty of opportunities to explore new places, discover great restaurants, and learn a few lessons along the way about traveling well.

I’ve also spent nearly twenty years working in the service industry, starting at age fifteen. Along the way I worked as a server and bartender, including behind the bar at a craft cocktail restaurant. That experience probably explains my love of hosting and mixing drinks for friends.

I’m also a self-declared foodie. I love discovering great restaurants, cooking something delicious at home, and experimenting with new cocktail recipes.

At home you’ll usually find me tending the garden, taking care of our chickens and two cats, rearranging the house for the tenth time, or planning the next trip. I practice yoga and meditation regularly, enjoy fishing trips, cappuccinos, scary movies, good books, and traveling to new places.

I know approximately two things about sports, have a questionable history with overnight camping, hunting, and snow activities.

Through The Hues of Green, I share the things that bring balance and joy to a busy life: good food, meaningful travel, wellness, and the small everyday moments that make a house feel alive.

In the end…

Whether you’re here because you love plants, good food, travel, or simply the idea of living a little more intentionally, we’re glad you found your way here. The Hues of Green is our space to share what we’re learning, noticing, and enjoying along the way, and we hope it inspires you to slow down, look a little closer, and find a few more moments of joy in your own everyday life.

Follow along as we share what we’re learning about backyard living, great food, meaningful travel, and living well in a busy world.