The Stories in the Recipe Box
I don’t know about your family, but ours has never owned an ordinary recipe box. Oh, it may have looked ordinary sitting there on the kitchen counter, but if you opened it, you quickly discovered it was holding much more than recipes. There were recipe cards written in three different handwritings. Newspaper clippings that had…
The Apron on the Hook
I’ve noticed something about kitchens over the years. The nicest ones always seem to have something hanging on a hook. Sometimes it’s a well-used dish towel. Sometimes it’s an old cast iron skillet waiting for supper. And every now and then, it’s an apron that looks like it has seen just about everything – and…
The Best Stories Start with “Remember When…”
I’ve often wondered if every family has a secret collection of stories tucked away somewhere. Not in a scrapbook or a photo album, but in the memories everyone carries around until the right moment comes along. The funny thing is, those stories never seem to begin with, “Did I ever tell you…” They almost always…
Books & Porches
Welcome to Books & Porches Books & Porches is a simple online shop where I’ve gathered some of the things I’ve created. You’ll find books and practical resources, things for readers and things for home, and perhaps a few things that are simply fun. So come on in, take your time, and have a look…
The Search for a Simple Life
There are seasons in life when we suddenly realize we’ve been running faster than we ever intended. The days become fuller, the schedules become busier, and before long we find ourselves wondering when life started feeling so complicated. Sometimes it’s brought on by circumstances we can’t control. Other times, it simply happens one small step…
Be Someone’s Hero
There are moments in life when someone does something so small that they may never remember it again. A kind word. An encouraging note. A helping hand when the road suddenly becomes difficult. Most of the time, those moments never make the news. They aren’t celebrated with awards or applause. Yet years later, the person…
How to Cook a Possum
I have to admit, this book has probably started more conversations than any other I’ve written. The title alone is enough to make people stop, laugh, and ask, “Wait…is that a real book?” Yes, it is. And yes, there really is a possum recipe at the end. No, I haven’t tried it. The title may…
Faith & a Simple Life
There was a time when I thought living a simple life would naturally leave more room for faith. In some ways, it does. When life slows down, we often have more opportunities to notice God’s blessings, spend time in His Word, and appreciate the beauty He’s placed all around us. But I also discovered something…
The Farm Wife: Living a Simple Life on the Farm
There are some books that begin with an outline. Others begin with a deadline. This one began with everyday life. Long before there was a website called The Farm Wife, there was simply a woman learning that some of life’s richest blessings are often found in ordinary moments. They were tucked between farm chores, gathered…
Share the Load Basket
Every now and then, someone will share something with us that catches us completely off guard. Like when a friend quietly mentions that her husband lost his job, or a neighbor tells us they’re caring for an aging parent. Sometimes, when we’re at church, we hear about someone who’s recovering from surgery, or we find…
The Heart of Hospitality
If you’ve ever spent much time on a porch, you’ve probably noticed something. People don’t remember whether the rocking chairs matched. They don’t remember if the flowerpots were full or if the porch rail needed another coat of paint. What they remember is how they felt while they were there. They remember the heart of…
The Funny Thing About Porches
There’s a funny thing about porches. Today, most people think they’re just an outside extension of the house. A place to put a couple of rocking chairs, maybe a fern or two if you’re feeling ambitious, and somewhere to wipe your muddy boots before coming inside. But it wasn’t so long ago that porches were…