Easy Pumpkin Paleo Muffins

In college, I was one of the lucky ones. Everyone wanted to live in the same dorm as Dagny Syversen. Well to be more precise, everyone wanted to be on her Sunday brunch invite list, and her "I made extra cookies so I'm dropping off a few in your room" list, and "I thought I'd …

Free (or Really Cheap) Ways I Boost My Family’s Immune Systems

First I have to share a Halloween picture because Grace was Belle and had three brave protectors and...I just do. Hope your family had a wonderful Halloween and All Saints and All Souls this week! Apart from the dress up and feasting fun, October was a doozy at our house. It's been years since my …

A (Doable) Morning Self-Care Routine

A long time ago I saw a quote online, I think it was from Olympian Rebecca Dussault of Fit Catholic Mom, and it said: MORNING CHECKLIST:  Something Physical Something Mental Something Spiritual Something Nourishing  This short list is a recipe for so many positive things in a woman's mind, heart, body and spirit. I so …

My Elderberry Syrup Recipe

  We're finally on the mend after two weeks of a bad cold traveling through our family. I feel like the minute the first boots and sweater weather arrives all of North Carolina school children catch something awful. I'm grateful for all my mama friends who've taught me home remedies and mentored me through a …

Pottery Barn Decorating on a Walmart Budget

[Alternate Title: Free (or Really Cheap) Fall Decorating Ideas] Happy weekend! We're in our second to last weekend of baseball season, so we'll be at the field times three on Saturday, and then hoping to get some yard work, football watching, and chili eating in afterwards. Yesterday was the first unofficial day of fall here …

My Deepest Wound and a Story of Healing

"In my deepest wound I saw your glory and it astounded me." - Saint Augustine This is hard for me to write. I feel uncomfortably vulnerable, but I also feel compelled to tell my story and witness to what God has done for me. Six Octobers ago on this day, I shared the story of …

Mommy I Do Not Love You Anymore

Kids say the darnedest things, but there's not a mother on Earth who wants to hear her son or daughter profess they've fallen out of love with the one who gave them life. It's not a good feeling y'all. I know, because my son said these words to me. If you know me in real …

Monday Food Prep

Confession: I'm horrible at meal planning. Sitting down to plan a week or two of meals just kicks my butt every time. My sister Catherine just sent me some awesome-looking meal planning sheets she got at the Container Store, so I hope I can discipline myself to use them and build a new habit. In …

3 Culprits that Steal a Mom’s Joy

First, FYI about a free Mom event for all of us, and then a video from the archives of my motherhood... Every year for the past several years my friend Tami Kiser, author of the book Smart Martha's Guide for Busy Moms, puts on a virtual (usually free!) conference for women. It's really a fantastic …

The Little Way to a Beautiful Home

I first heard about the little French girl who taught the world a "little way" they could love God, love people, and pursue holiness, when I was ten. I was raised a Presbyterian pastor's kid, and when I was nine my whole family converted to Catholicism. Up to that point, things like sacraments, the Rosary, …