Are you afraid to call yourself a runner? Maybe you put in the miles but still think you're not enough. As a woman, own your power as a mother runner. You are strong despite what society tells you. Get out and go get 'em you mother runner!
I grew up on the Atlantic Ocean on the Africa side in a small but important country called Liberia. This land became independent in 1847, run by freed people of color and former slaves. A small but fiercely independent country, Liberia is a mix of the New World transplants and indigenous people. I lived in … Continue reading The Atlantic Ocean
Do you have a favorite Christmas cookie or candy? It's that holy grail recipe you bring out each year right? Perhaps it's not a favorite with your kids but YOU know that it's special. As a child we'd make the most unique cookie every Christmas. My childhood was spent in Africa born in Nigeria. My … Continue reading The Most Unique Christmas Cookie
Frangipani flower (Plumeria alba) My first clear memories of loving the outdoors were at age 5. We were living in Monrovia, Liberia (West Africa). Our home was surrounded by tropical fruit trees including a huge almond tree and Frangipani trees. Ever the early morning riser, I'd be outside climbing and playing princess in those trees. … Continue reading My lifelong outdoors journey
I worked throughout my first pregnancy. I found myself writhing with chronic nausea, McDonald's burgers and licorice the only food that I could keep down for much of those 9 months. So uncomfortable the last month of my pregnancy (and no wonder with the 70+lbs I gained), I quit my job 3 weeks before the … Continue reading Pregnant Waiting
Six years ago I was given Ann VosKamp's "The Greatest Gift" Christmas Advent devotional. It stayed on a shelf for an entire year. I'd done Advent for years and years. I wasn't too keen on another book to read in the midst of such a busy season. Five years ago I opened her book and … Continue reading The Greatest Gift
What is your favorite Christmas song? I saw a friend's recent Facebook post asking favorites. Everything from Bing Crosby's White Christmas to you guessed it, Mariah Carey's All I Want for Christmas Is You. My grandmother Pat LOVED Dean Martin's Let it Snow and Matt is partial to O Holy Night. My kids are fans … Continue reading What’s Your Favorite Christmas Song?
Do you feel like we are in a science fiction movie? Perhaps it's just a really bad comedy? 2020 has been the longest, shortest year of my adult life. The twists and turns of these months are like a Disney roller coaster; whipping me around bends that I didn't see coming. Did you know that … Continue reading No Filter Advent
Every year Shutterfly gifts me with a free calendar. I hold my breath waiting for the online coupon to arrive in the mail. When my kids were little, I was a faithful scrapbooker. In fact, I'd go on weekend retreats with other moms to scrapbook. We'd spend copious amounts of time cutting, decorating and creating … Continue reading Three Reasons to make a 2021 Calendar from your family’s best photos
Several weeks ago we started a basement remodel. I know, I know. Adding this huge project in the midst of a pandemic seemed a bit crazy. But we are crazy like that; what's one more thing right? The excitement was real as I trekked up and down the wood stairs, hauling box after box of … Continue reading Living with Stacks of Stuff: 2020’s lessons
No Filter Nomad 