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This weekend, my Granny went to Heaven. As a devou

This weekend, my Granny went to Heaven. As a devout Christian, she’s always been sure of her faith. I hope she’s there with my Pappy right now, reunited.

When I was growing up, I spent a lot of time with her and my Pappy, and their home was always a solid, soft place to land when life felt chaotic. So many of my memories are of the ordinary days, simply spending time. Pappy liked to hunt, and I would often help Granny fix him sandwiches and a thermos of coffee before he headed out with his dogs. She and I would pop popcorn or make instant pistachio pudding, and I would lay my head in her lap while we watched Golden Girls, her favorite. If I was sick, she would rub Vick’s under my nose and cover my face with a warm washcloth. She let me sleep with her, even when she was ‘bone tired.’ She taught me to always make the bed in the morning and fold the clothes right when they come out of the dryer. She taught me how to make cornbread and gravy. When I was in college and had no money, she would send me cash with instructions to buy ‘comfort food.’

Granny loved to tell stories, and as a child, I was an eager ear. Stories of moving from the city to the country, being a young bride and then a young mother. Of making do with little, but never feeling without. Of taking care of everyone with a tireless energy and efficiency and perfection. She was extraordinary. She lived her life with strict values and principles, but there was an abundance of ‘I love yous’ and hugs.

Granny loved sparkles and making things pretty. She put a great deal of thought and energy into how she looked, what she wore, how the house was decorated, that the dinner table or holiday table was festive and special. Feeding people was part of her love language. I learned so much from her about how to make people feel seen and welcome. She never seemed to run out of energy, until the end.

I am so grateful I recently went back to Kentucky to spend time with her. To listen to the same stories again, to sit in the swing and hold her hand. Now, I’m on my way back to Kentucky to celebrate her life. Her voice and her values will always live in me. Granny, I love you so much. I’ll be looking for signs of you.

When I’m shopping for home goods, I always check

When I’m shopping for home goods, I always check locally owned stores and independent makers first. @etsy has so many great shops! Here are four of my recent favorites.

@vancortlandtfarms is a sustainable farm in Washington State that makes gorgeous wreaths for every season.

Priscilla at @motifpillows has the most gorgeous selection of fabrics, and her pillows are beautifully made. They come in a variety of sizes and you can change back covers or add details like piping. They are investment pieces, but they will last forever. These pillows make me happy!

It can be hard to find beautiful, well-priced vintage rugs. I’ve purchased four from @vintagerugs34, and I love them all. And shipping from Turkey is fast!

Lastly, duvet covers! @bealinen_official makes beautiful organic linen duvet covers in custom sizes. I have three of their duvet covers, and they are all perfect. Especially if you have a king bed with a tall mattress, you need an oversized duvet to completely cover the mattress on all sides. Plus, these duvet covers wash up beautifully! I’ve had to wash ours many times.

Those are four of my favorite Etsy shops! Would you like to see another round of more favorite makers?

A couple of weekends ago, I catered a dinner for @

I put on my raincoat this morning, turned off the

I put on my raincoat this morning, turned off the news and went outside to walk and breathe and pray.

If you’re like me, you’re bookmarking recipes

If you’re like me, you’re bookmarking recipes and ideas for Thanksgiving dinner in a few weeks. Here are 10 comforting and nourishing fall dishes from Room at the Table. I always make the panzanella, but the cabbage might be my favorite. If you don’t have a copy of Room at the Table, order one now, so you have the book in time to cook. 🤍

Roasted Kabocha Squash with Pecans & Pomegranates
Slow-Roasted Delicate Squash with Fried Sage
Olive-Oil Fried Brussels Sprouts
Roasted Vegetable Panzanella
Smashed Roasted Potatoes with Crispy Shallots
Crispy Smashed Parmesan Sweet Potatoes
Whipped Cauliflower
Honey-Roasted Carrots and Parsnips with Ricotta
Roasted Cabbage with Caraway Seeds, Tomatoes & Creme Fraiche
Apple Galette

After seeing so many laundry stripping reels, I’

After seeing so many laundry stripping reels, I’ve been meaning to share this for a while!

Traditional laundry stripping (used to strip laundry of accumulated odors and oils) uses harsh detergents and Borax, which is considered toxic. When I’m using products in our home or choosing products for our bodies, I always check them on the @environmentalworkinggroup Healthy Living app. I may still choose to use a product, but at least I’m making an informed choice.

Luckily, there’s a healthier alternative that still gets all the gross build-up out of towels and workout clothes. Just add 1/2 cup of a natural laundry detergent (ones like @seventhgeneration or @ecoscleans are easy to find), 1/4 cup of @dirty_labs Laundry Booster (available on Amazon and at Whole Foods) and 1/4 cup of washing soda to a sink or tub and fill it with hot water. Then, add your laundry and stir. The Laundry Booster already has sodium carbonate in it, but I found that adding a little extra helps really pull out the grime. Let the laundry sit until the water has cooled completely, preferable overnight. Remove the laundry from the sink and wash normally with a natural detergent.

Then, instead of using a fabric softener, add 1/2 to 1 cup of baking soda to each load of laundry. It also helps your detergent work better and reduces odors in clothing.

Questions? Let me know!

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