Faith & Calling Writing as a Calling, Not Just a Hobby My personal writing journey didn’t arrive all at once with a trumpet blast from heaven. It was gradual—so gradual, in fact, that for many years I didn’t recognize it … Continue reading →
Allon Manger: A January Tribute to Mama, Daddy, and Cajun Tradition January always makes me think about family. Not in a fresh-start, clean-slate kind of way—but in a remembering way. Remembering where we came from. Who taught us. And all … Continue reading →
If you’ve ever heard the saying “your first five pages can make or break a book,” you know there’s a little truth and a lot of pressure wrapped up in it. Those first pages are where readers, agents, and editors … Continue reading →
Finding Your Voice in Fiction (Without Forcing It)One of the questions writers ask most often is, “How do I find my voice?” It sounds mysterious, almost as if it’s either something you either have or you don’t. As if one … Continue reading →
Basting is the process of spooning or brushing liquid over your turkey as it cooks. That liquid might be pan drippings, butter, broth, or — in my case — a simple homemade basting sauce. If you’ve ever pulled a turkey … Continue reading →
Every family seems to have that one recipe that comes out only at Christmas — the one everyone looks forward to and the one that disappears the second it’s spotted. For us, that recipe was my grandmother’s Date Loaf Candy. … Continue reading →
Mrs. Hollub – The Teacher Who Wrapped Us in Kindness When I look back over all my school years, one name still shines brighter than the rest: Mrs. Hollub. She taught in the 1940s, 50s, and 60s, and to this … Continue reading →
This 24-hour custard fruit salad recipe is a vintage family one made with a homemade egg custard folded over fruit and chilled overnight for rich, nostalgic flavor. Some recipes travel through generations, not just in handwritten notes, but in stories, … Continue reading →
I thought I’d share one of my earliest memories of falling in love with stories. I was blessed with two wonderful grandmothers—both strong in their faith, both best friends for life. One inspired my love for cooking, and the other … Continue reading →
I wrote this poem back in 2011, but every year around this time, it still tugs at my heart. There’s something about the story of that first Christmas — the quiet, the light, the promise — that never fades. The … Continue reading →
