by Kimberly | Oct 5, 2018 | Uncategorized
So, I live in the South. And it is totally not Fall yet in the deep South. I love the cooler temps of the high 60s but that’s not really fall, just maybe early summer.
I did drive by a tree today that was changing colors. But, I remember last year late November when all the trees in main drive of our neighborhood were yellow and red and orange. That’s Fall.
But, I just wanted to take a few moments to help get you in the Fall mood – like a Fall mood board.
After taking a look at this list – tell me what your go-to Fall loves are?
This candle is my favorite – maybe for all year, but definitely in the Fall and Winter. I’ve had it for years and totally need a new one.
This Pottery Barn throw in gray – or in the light blue color. For the nights sitting on the couch reading a book after the boys go to bed.
Loving these books right now: Oxford, Family, SkinnyTaste (comes in the mail soon), Half Baked Harvest, The Hobbit,
These cupcakes which I made today – but I just tasted and sent the rest to a catering event.
This new to me website. If only I were that creative. Need to step up my game a little bit! For all the inspiration. What sites give you inspiration for all you do?
My dream of going to this place. Just a little out of our price range, but a girl can dream right?
These soups and writing from my friend. Her inspiration in the kitchen inspires mine. And we feed each other goodies throughout any given week. Be on the look out from something new from her too!
This whole outfit from my friends up at High Cotton.
by Kimberly | Oct 4, 2018 | Uncategorized
Some times it is really easy to build community over food and pretty things.
Some times you need a project. My friends over at A Hosting Home built a barn door for our Master bedroom and I will be doing another post on that soon to show it off – in love is a short statement!
But, my mister may be talented in many things, but when it comes to an “expert” home project, he’d rather bring some one in.
So I mentioned it to my friend Ivey yesterday and her and her expert husband in the home projects department – came over today. How fast! And we had fun, they worked, and had another mini food styling shoot with the new Best of Augusta magazine. I saw my first photo in an ad in the magazine – here’s to more, right?
And we had pumpkin muffins. And I painted. Always paint, right? And that is a great way to build community: projects, food, coffee, and pretty things. All while wearing yoga pants and I hadn’t even showered after exercising. It was ok.
And I’m ready to giveaway this Bible – perfect for the girl in grade school in your life. Ok, I say girl because it is yellow and sparkly on the cover. But, I mean, whatever.
Tommy Nelson sends some great things my way. This is the International Children’s Bible edition. Topics that kids may want to know more about are bolded within the text. Beautiful full color illustrations portray different Bible stories. It would be a great hardcover, durable Bible for your little girl.
How to win: just leave a DIY project you are working on – or would be a dream to work on.
And if you are curious, my mister loves the pumpkin muffins at Panera. These muffins are a copycat recipe.
This post was sponsored by Tommy Nelson. All opinions are my own.
by Kimberly | Oct 3, 2018 | Uncategorized
Food is such a part of my story, that I love sharing it with others.
I remember the meal my husband cooked for me during my “year of vegetarian” when we met, dated, got engaged, and got married – he cooked the meal before he asked me to marry him.
There are food stories I have that bring a smile to my face and ones that bring me to tears – either because they bring sadness or deep hurt.
Weight has always been a part of my story as I have been heavy most of my life. I wasn’t even the skinny ballerina during my one year of ballet in Kindergarten, and I probably had a plus size tutu for clogging in 4th grade. I loved clogging. And I still remember some of the steps. And it still is a part of my story. I remember specific life events and the weight I was when those events happened. I’ve lost weight and gained weight so many times I’ve lost count.
But today, I got to share my love of food with new friends. Being in the creative industry gives us a common ground, being mamas is another line of commonality, but today, we also got to enjoy loving food together. And I enjoyed putting it all together.
One of my favorite things to do is be in the kitchen together with friends. So, today, I still had to put this quiche together (go run by leeks and make this tonight for dinner). And my friend jumped right in and helped. We talked, photographed food, and made food together. Food is one of the only things in life that every human has in common. We all have food.
So, food is a wonderful joiner. Hopefully. Today, we joined over conversation about our motherhood journeys, food, creative business, weddings, travel, and community.
Having some friends over for brunch should not be hard. And we through in a toddler too! I just picked a few things to make – a quiche, fruit and cheese tray, and cookies. I made the cookies yesterday. The board is super easy with just some fresh fruit, cheese, and little danishes from the Publix bakery.
The quiche was made during the preparation this morning and my friend helped. Don’t be afraid of help. Allow friends (and family, including littles) to join you in the kitchen. And y’all, even though I know how to make a crust, I always use Pillsbury rolled doughs. So easy and yummy.
And the cookies, I just made them yesterday as I was home and the recipe said they would be better the next day. Reading recipes is super important. And I didn’t have dirty dishes from baking this morning.
And here’s a little hint: my floor hadn’t been swept, but for the most part my home was picked up. Two things: having people over regularly keeps your home clean. And if you pick up a little every day and have a husband and kids that help – it makes cleaning easier. And you know what, your friends shouldn’t care if your home is super clean or not. But, I think it is good stewardship of your home to keep it tidy.
The Fall – perfect time to bring people in, hear their stories, share yours, enjoy good food, and live life with other people. And Hannah Anderson, who launched a new book yesterday, also wrote a piece today in CT about doing community with broken people (hint: we are all broken). Go read it!
by Kimberly | Oct 1, 2018 | Uncategorized
September…it was a month of trying out some new podcasts, but for the most part I came back to the tried and faithful ones.
October is now here, but before we get too far into Fall, I wanted to share with you my favorite listens from the past 30 days.
Collaborate. This one was a tough listen for me. I’m all for collaborating. I think it hurts though (yes, I’m 41 and rejection still hurts, blame it on my Enneagram 3w4 heart) when others reject your ideas for collaboration. But, we move on.
Russ Moore on Cultivated. So, these two people are in my top 5 right now. So, when they team up for a podcast, that’s gotta be a winner, right? So good. And no matter the topic either of these men speak on – just listen to it – you’ll get something from it.
Sarah and Sally and Tolkien. So this one got me reading The Hobbit. For the first time. I’m enjoying it. We’ll see how long it takes me to finish though.
Shame. TGC putting out a talk from Mary Willson on shame. Can I tell you how good this is? Just go listen to it. Probably my favorite this month.
Health and Leadership. Really, health for anyone…he brings up a lot of good points. And I would say this whether the host was a friend or not!
Autumn is Here. Another one by Sally. Good reminders as we head into a new season.
And if you head on over to Sarah’s podcast, you can get a free download designed by me!
by Kimberly | Aug 29, 2018 | Books, Uncategorized
Partnering with Audra Jennings to bring you a review of Homespun.
I’ve really liked some Amish fiction over the years, probably ever since college when I toured the Indiana Amish country during a friend’s wedding. Simplicity and faith and order and quiet. Those were pretty intriguing to a 20 year old.
Homespun is a book filled with hospitality, family, friendship, community, faith, and a host of other topics. All written by women who are in the Amish or Mennonite communities. These are not fiction, which I love.
I really felt like I was sitting down with many of these authors and having coffee or swinging on a porch swing in the Autumn air. Just chatting, hearing their hearts – and much of their heart is the same things that find their root in my heart.
If you love memoir type books or biographical essays – I think you’ll really enjoy this book.
by Kimberly | Aug 7, 2018 | Uncategorized
Now that summer vacation ends tomorrow, thought I would share with you some of my favorite recipes from this summer. What did you cook this summer that you would love to share?
Everything in this cookbook (so far)
This roast chicken
Lemon Cake – double the lemon curd!
Berry Mascarpone Cake
These for easy summer breakfasts
