You know how sometimes you have so much on your plate that you don’t know which way is up? Do you ever do crazy things-like add more to your plate-in moments like that? I do. I’ve been in the middle of adding new goods, classes and services to Selah Press, developing new spices and products for Red Cedar Bison, while juggling my regular life as … [Read more...]
Living Firmly Outside of the Box
Caiden was talking to another kid who lives out in the country by us. He asked, “Have you seen that house with the purple fence?” To which Caiden replied, “That is my house.” Yes, we live out in the country on 12 acres, and no we are not your typical country folks. Dennis’ favorite color has always been purple and mine has always been … [Read more...]
A Day in the Life of Riley
My cat Riley is a busy guy. He is our only outdoor cat. He manages 12 acres of property and he takes his duty seriously. He can be found at all four corners of our property hunting and protecting the family. He accompanies me on any outdoor chore I have. He loves to help in the garden just as much as he enjoys “helping” with the chickens. … [Read more...]
The Wonder of Lasagna Gardening
When Haleigh Doyle of Eternal Returns brought up the idea of lasagna gardening I had no idea what she was talking about. She was helping me pull weeds in my epically weedy garden. No matter what I have done the wild wants to take over my garden. I am not willing to use chemicals so I either needed to become a full time weed puller or find a new … [Read more...]
Chores-O-Matic System
I have been doing this parenting gig for over 23 year. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE being a mom, but I am beyond burned out from being the task-master when it comes to chores. I’m just tired of asking if something has been done, following up, all the way down to tallying chore income. I’ve always admired organized people. I admire them from … [Read more...]
How to Build an Empire, Write a Book or Follow Your Dreams
One of the most common phrases said to me is: “I do not know how you do it all.” And probably the most common question asked of me as a mom-preneur is, “How do you do it all?” Here is my quick and easy answer. I don’t do it all. I do the important things well. I make products. I write and publish books—12 of them so far! I work as a formulator … [Read more...]
What to Expect in Reality
No one tells you about the ugly side of motherhood. We all show the Pinterest-worthy and Instagram-legit photographs of smiles, glitter, holding hands and picture-perfect moments. I know I had my camera firmly in the off position last night as my emotions melted down around me at the mall. I didn’t want to be at the mall—that factored majorly into … [Read more...]
Lunch with Pat
I met my mother’s best friend, Pat, for lunch this summer when I went to Portland for a visit. Lunch with Pat for me is far more than a shared meal. Something today made me long for a lunch date with Pat. In Pat’s smile I can see decades of laughter shared with my mother. In the special glint of her eyes I can see the mischievous moments she … [Read more...]
Get Real on Social Media
Social media has broken down barriers. It has changed what we expect to know about a brand and how we communicate with a company. Maybe that is why people love seeing pictures of your kids dancing, your cat being part of your family, what you had for lunch and how your day is going. I run into past and present customers who have told me how … [Read more...]
Fibonacci Sequence Applied to Real Life
I am by no means a math nerd, but when my pastor talked about the Fibonacci sequence in his sermon he had my full and undivided attention. It was as if the Fibonacci sequence confirmed exactly how I feel when one more thing gets added to my calendar. I feel overwhelmed as if that one thing came with uninvited friends. Let me briefly explain … [Read more...]
News from My New Hometown
Please excuse my proud mom moment! My son, Keegan, has a new company called Eternal Returns. My new hometown of Nashville and one of our very own local (and family) businesses, Eternal Returns, took center stage in the July 22nd airing of America’s Most Desperate Kitchens on HGTV. The Home and Garden Network, HGTV, aired the Collectible … [Read more...]
