Anyone else adore cookbooks? It’s no secret that I love books in general but there’s something nostalgic and friendly about a good cookbook. It’s like someone pulling up a chair at the kitchen table and saying, “Here, check out these delicious recipes. They’ll warm your heart and soothe your soul.” But what if, like me, you’ve been put on a highly inconvenient diet that puts a damper on much of the deliciousness? That’s where my HEALTHY cookbook stack comes in. Allow me to pull up a chair at the kitchen table for YOU…

How is the start of your New Year shaping up, friend? Personally, I find it helpful to lean into the great unknown of the coming months by focusing on one word. Just one little word to consider, reflect upon, pray over, and claim as my own for the year.  To be honest, I was hoping for a lovely, kind, warm word this year like JOY, PEACE, or DELIGHT. But apparently, my “one word” for 2022 is SURRENDER…

How has your reading life been in 2021, friend? If you’ve been around here for half a minute, you’ll know books are my constant companions and this year has brought a delightful plethora of new books across my lap. And so, as per my tradition, I have selected six sweet reads to share with you from the cream of my literary crop… let’s see if any of them are your cup of tea: 

It’s no secret that I adore Advent. And as we navigate the final month of 2021, I’m dreaming of a LIGHT Christmas. Maybe a white one, too, but as my “one word” for this year is LIGHT, it seems fitting to peer through the shiny distractions of the season and focus on Jesus, the Light of the World!

Am I the only one who thinks books make the very best gifts for all ages? I think not! And with Christmas fast approaching, if you have some littles on your list and would like to add to their mini-library with some meaningful titles, I have done the groundwork (it was no hardship whatsoever for one who adores all things picture books!) and have created a delightful PICTURE BOOK GIFT GUIDE just for you…

Where are my fellow homebodies? It’s that glorious time of year when we bring out the cozy throws and light the pumpkin candles—and my husband and I are celebrating living in our current house for exactly TWENTY years this month. I know. Craziness. As adventurers who emigrated from the UK to Canada with itchy feet, I never thought we would be those people who set their roots down deep. Perhaps we just found our perfect place—but I can’t help wondering, what makes a house a home?

It’s so easy to take familiar comforts for granted, don’t you think? Especially if we’ve always had them at our disposal. Clean water to drink, warm home in winter, coffee in the morning, a closet full of clothes—all the things. And then there’s the Bible. We can own one in every color, translation, language, device, size, or font that our hearts desire. But how easily it is shelved, saved for later, dismissed due to distractions. And then when our lives are shaken and we need hope more than air, we forget where to find it. But it’s sitting there waiting in the Word on our bookshelf, nightstand, device app, brimming with all the hope we will ever need…

Every so often I’m reminded of the power of the spoken word. Either by building up or tearing down—what we say has a lasting effect. And whether on the school playground, office water cooler, or church pew, our words are received. The question is, how do we ensure we heal rather than hurt? Compliment rather than crush? Encourage rather than extinguish? How on earth do we speak with grace?

In light of our recent local heatwave which has us thinking about water, water, and more water, I’ve pulled together six beach reads (plus a giveaway!) based on oceans and beaches with all the summery feels! So, if you’re hankering for a fabulous book to slip into your beach bag, take onto your patio, or even read in the cool of an air-conditioned room while you simply dream of being beside the ocean, these are for you…

What springs to mind when you hear the term “empty nesters?” For me, it used to conjure up images of a somewhat sad, middle-aged, saggy-baggy couple pining at home for the next visit from their kids. I know, that’s awful. But now I’m actually there, I have good news: this is, in fact, an exciting new chapter of life that need not be dreaded at all! And marriage in the empty nest? Well, with some intentionality, it can be the icing on the wedding cake…