Hey there friends! What memories do you want to curate for your family about your time in a particular place? It’s not unusual for me to say to a friend or family member “Remember when....?” or “Do you remember that time…?” But this week, I’ve found myself saying that quite a few times. And each time, that question has been because we were talking about shared experiences in a place. Not the place we are currently living in, but one that we shared in the past. I’ve realized this week the...
8 days ago • 3 min read
Hey there friends! Well, hello October. 🍂 I’m so ready to fully embrace all things autumn that I made some pumpkin butter for the first time over the weekend. It's so good on toast! Farewell horrible dry hot spell. Welcome rainy, cooler days. I’ve just started work on a couple of booklets for my dear Presbyterian church client in Tennessee, so I’ve haven’t had much time this week to rustle up family story-gathering ideas. What I have been thinking about, though, is how the houses and...
15 days ago • 3 min read
Hey there friends! Just a quick note this morning. 😀 I hope your week is going well. For me, I’m ecstatic that Hellaugtember in the Ozarks has finally run its course after tormenting us through most of August and the first few weeks of September. We are now enjoying some mornings in the high 50s and afternoons topping out nicely below 90 degrees. Now, let’s get to the business of gathering family stories. I have one last family story thread for you to pull. I have a treasured memory of one of...
22 days ago • 1 min read
Hey there friends! I’ve got a question for all of you. Where do you or the cook in your home stash collected recipes? I’m talking recipes clipped from magazines or newspapers plus recipe cards you have filled in or were given to you, etc. And then there are those that you may have printed from somewhere online on printer paper. I have a bunch of mine stuffed in an old accordion file-type recipe holder with different sections like Desserts, Poultry, and so forth. I’ve also put a bunch into a...
29 days ago • 3 min read
Hey there friends! Hello on this somber day of remembrance for our nation. I was going to write about something else today, but with this being the 25th (!) anniversary of a horrible day for our nation, I decided to remind you once again how important it is to write down your own memories and personal reflections. My son asked me the other day if I realized that he had started college 25 years ago this month. I’m still processing that, because even though he’s a grown father of 2 in his 40s,...
about 1 month ago • 3 min read
Hey there friends! Happy September. 🌻 Here in NWA we are still in the thick of a bizarre heat wave as I’m sure some of the rest of you are as well. Looks like at least 1 more week before a possible return to normal September temps. 🙏 I’ve got another family story thread pulling idea for you today. You might think it’s a bit of a reach, but you might just find some gems about your family there. Scroll on down to read more. In other news, I have entered into a whole new realm of story gathering...
about 1 month ago • 3 min read
Hey there friends! Whelp, it’s still super hot in NW Arkansas. 🔥 But life goes on and I know this won’t last forever. Next thing we know, it will be a beautiful, crisp autumn day. I’ve got another fun “thread puller” for you this week. I’ve talked before here about my intentions to scan the pages from my high school and college yearbooks to preserve special memories. After that, if my family wants to chunk them in the trash after I’m gone they are welcome to! You might even have one or two of...
about 2 months ago • 4 min read
Hey there friends! Lord have mercy - we are living through the Air Fryer Summer. 🥵 Please Lord, just give us a high temperature below 100 for a change. I hope wherever you live, you aren’t in the midst of this stubborn cycle of dry, brutal heat. I’ve also noticed that not too far north of where I live, people are having another challenging weather cycle of relentless, flooding rain. If that is your situation, I’m sorry for you, too. Now that I’ve gotten my complaining out of the way, let’s...
about 2 months ago • 4 min read
Hey there friends! Well, first things first. Today I’m celebrating another blessed year of life. 🎉 Last year proved to be so eventful with me first adopting Bobby the pup and then my son and his family moving to town. I can’t wait to see what this year brings. 🩷 In many places, including right here in my town, the new school year has begun (even though it’s still hot as Hades outside). I don’t know about you, but the first day of school always brought me equal parts of excitement, joy and...
2 months ago • 3 min read