When life get a little rocky, I like to spend time among rocks and trees. There's something about walking in the woods over rocks, roots, and pine needles that calms my worried, weary heart and soothes my soul. Today, as my husband and I hiked along wooded trails past waterfalls in northern Minnesota, words to hymns like "Great is Thy Faithfulness," and "This is My Father's World" repeated … [Read more...]

As I write this, our second group-tour of England is one year away (Lord willing, as I always feel compelled to say when planning anything so far out). We had such a great time with our first group, that we've decided to offer another trip next summer. And since our own Becky Wade was just in England, the timing seemed right to post this. The trip dates are June 11-20, 2019. How much fun … [Read more...]

I was recently asked to  speak to the Minnesota chapter of the Jane Austen Society of North America about "The Pleasures and Perils of Travel in Jane Austen's time." I thought I would share just a portion of that presentation with you here. Coach travel was a topic I had researched to write my new series, especially The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill. I am not an expert by any means, but I have read many … [Read more...]

A few days ago, Karen Witemeyer wrote a lovely blog post (read it here) about the spiritual aspects of a recent writers retreat we both attended, along with Inspired By Life members Jody Hedlund and Becky Wade, as well as authors Katie Ganshert and Courtney Walsh. (Sadly, Dani Pettrey and Katie Cushman were unable to join us this year.) I will just add a few things. There is something so … [Read more...]