Quiet stories, slow mornings

My little Jemma is such a fruity — a fruit eater, that is. 😂 She absolutely loves peaches, and I think they might officially be her new favorite fruit. Now I’m just wondering when blueberries will make their comeback. It makes me so happy watching her enjoy all the good, healthy foods.

So this weekend, I tried making a honey peach puff pastry rose, and it was sooo good! Definitely one I’ll be making again.

We also got to go on a family walk-jog together. I had a lot on my mind and needed some time to process a few things, and a good jog always helps. It felt really good for all of us to be outside, moving, and taking care of ourselves together.

We even squeezed in a little swimming at the local YMCA. A couple of weeks ago, I jumped off the spring diving board fully intending to do a sophisticated front dive. Instead, it somehow turned into a sloppy front flip… and my bottoms came off. 😂 Thankfully, no one could see, and I pulled those things up SO fast. It still makes me laugh every time I think about it.

I also recently purchased a daily devotional called A Coffee with God, and I’m loving it so far. It’s simple, reflective, and honestly feels a little therapeutic too. God is my rock, and having that quiet time to reflect, pray, and reconnect has been such a meaningful part of my days.

I’m so happy with where this little hobby of mine is going. It gives me something creative to pour into and lifts me up when other circumstances bring me down.

Thank you for following along and sharing these little moments with me. I hope this gives you a little piece of sunshine, too. ☀️🤍

Being so close to the end of summer makes me want to squeeze in every last bit of summertime fun before the season slips away. I’m not ready for summer to end, but I’m so happy when I think about everything this season has brought us.

I launched Passiflora Planners over Fourth of July weekend, and somehow we’re already at 400 followers. Today, I completed my very first cooking video. I’m definitely not a pro—yet—but I have a feeling it’s only going to get better from here.

My daughter has her kitchen helper stool now, and she absolutely loves it. She had the best time shucking the fresh corn we picked out for this recipe—or at least her version of shucking corn. She ripped the husks right off and threw them straight onto the floor. 😂 Thankfully, we have plenty to share with her granddad’s sheep.

My fiancé joined in, too, helping me chop the onions and squeeze the lemon, and of course, he got the very first taste of our fresh Summertime Garden Pasta Salad.

Tonight, we’re pairing it with oven-baked lemon pepper chicken from Publix and leftover corn on the cob.

It was one of those ordinary summer days that somehow becomes a memory you know you’ll want to keep.

Summer never tasted this good. 🤍

This recipe tastes like summer. The sweet blueberries pair perfectly with the bright, tangy lemon, and I was so excited to try it because this was a first for me. We are definitely making these again.

I can’t believe we’re already nearing the end of summer. This past month since launching Passiflora Planners has been so rewarding for me in ways I didn’t expect. I’ve been exploring new creative outlets, slowing down enough to notice the little magical moments in everyday life, and finding so much joy in documenting them. I’m soaking it all in and feeling incredibly grateful.

My little one is going to be such a great helper in the kitchen one day. She is already so curious about everything we’re doing, and I love watching her take it all in. I bought her a kitchen stool, and it should arrive just in time for our next kitchen adventure.

This last month of summer is going to taste so sweet.

Thank you for following along and sharing in these little moments with me. ♡

This recipe was another first for me! As much as I love tacos, you might be surprised to learn that I’d never had a beef burrito before. Shocking, right?

My fiancé, Alec, absolutely loves them and decided it was time to change that. He took over the kitchen for Sunday dinner and shared his favorite recipe with me. I wasn’t about to argue with that! This recipe is brought to you with compliments of my fiancé. Thanks, babe!

We had such a productive weekend from start to finish. Between catching up on car maintenance and tackling projects around the house, it felt good to check so many things off our list. Alec installed heavy-duty shelves in the garage, and once everything was organized, he couldn’t wait to point out just how many shoe bins I own. In my defense…four bins really isn’t that bad, right? I suppose my next project is donating a few pairs. I can do it!

Sunday morning was especially sweet because my aunt and uncle came over for breakfast. Their young niece is currently playing in the Little League Softball World Series, so we gathered around the television to cheer her team on as they absolutely crushed the competition. Watching the game brought back so many memories of my own softball days.

As we watched, I couldn’t help but think about Jemma. I don’t want her to grow up too fast, but I already find myself looking forward to the day she’s old enough to play. I can already picture myself out on the field coaching her and cheering her on every step of the way. She’s already throwing just about everything she picks up, so maybe she’s inherited a little softball potential after all.

Today was the sweetest Sunday, and I felt all the feels.

We made it to church—on time—and I felt a little spark of excitement watching Jemma get more accustomed to the children's nursery. It's still so new for her, but she's settling in. I made it through the entire service only checking my phone twice, which feels like a small victory.

I also found myself realizing that I'm going to marry one of the good ones. As I watched my fiancé faithfully give his tithe this week, just as he does every week we've attended, my heart was full. Thank You, Jesus.

Today's recipe was originally meant for lunch, but time slipped away, so we turned it into a cozy Sunday dinner with Grandma and Grandad as our special guests.

During our weekly grocery trip to Publix, Jemma gave us one of those little moments I'll never forget. As we walked out of the store, she happily waved and loudly told everyone, 'Bye-bye!' It made us laugh and melted my heart. She's growing up so fast.

This week, my fiancé joined me in the kitchen and took over dicing the chicken while I put everything else together. It made the recipe feel even more special because we created it together.

The Cranberry Walnut Chicken Salad turned out even better than we hoped. It honestly reminded us of Panera, and we both agreed this will definitely become a repeat recipe in our home. Next time, I think I'll pair it with a warm bowl of broccoli cheddar soup.

These are the moments I want to remember—the ordinary Sundays that quietly become some of life's sweetest memories.

I’m excited to bring back one of my favorite recipes—one I haven’t made in years. It’s funny how certain dishes can instantly transport you back to a different season of life. As I gathered the ingredients, I found myself reminiscing about the memories, friendships, and kitchen adventures that first introduced me to this recipe.

About… cough… 20 years ago or so, I was introduced to Pampered Chef. I was invited to my first party and instantly fell in love with the experience. Before long, I was hosting parties of my own, collecting kitchen tools, and making recipes just like this one.

I still have my original Pampered Chef pizza stone. As you can see in the photos, it’s completely black now—and that’s something I’m oddly proud of. It didn’t start that way. Years of homemade pizzas, appetizers, and family meals gave it the well-seasoned finish it has today. We use it for so much more than pizza, and if you’ve ever considered getting one, I highly recommend adding a Pampered Chef stone to your kitchen. It’s one of those pieces that only gets better with time.

I love reminiscing about the season of life when I was learning how to cook. Every recipe reminds me of someone, somewhere, or a special moment, and this one brings back so many wonderful memories.

This weekend, I brought back this old favorite for my fiancé’s annual company family picnic. Our assignment was to bring one side dish, and I was more than happy to volunteer. It was the perfect excuse to revisit a recipe I hadn’t thought about in years.

This time, though, the kitchen looked a little different.

Country music was blaring through the house, and little Jemma was determined to be part of the action. She spent most of the morning dancing, giggling, and trying to climb up to the stove so she could see what I was making. I think it’s officially time for a kitchen helper stool! Watching her little dance moves may have been my favorite part of the morning.

As I gathered the ingredients, I reached for one of my most treasured kitchen pieces—a well-loved white ceramic bowl from my dad’s kitchen. It’s one of those multi-use bowls that seems to have done a little bit of everything over the years. It’s chipped around the edges, but to me, those imperfections tell its story. Every time I use it, I think of him and hope he’s watching over us.

Maybe one day Jemma will mix recipes in this same bowl and remember our mornings together in the kitchen… assuming she doesn’t toss it across the room first like she did my coffee mug! 😂 I might need to say a little prayer of protection over this bowl right now.

As the Florentine Chicken Ring baked in the oven, the kitchen was filled with music, laughter, and the aroma of a recipe that had been waiting patiently to be made again. In that moment, I realized it wasn’t just about the food. It was about slowing down, enjoying the little moments, and making memories with the people I love.

One of my fiancé’s coworkers tried the Florentine Chicken Ring and asked me for the recipe. I have to admit, that made me smile. It’s always a wonderful compliment when someone enjoys something you’ve made enough to want the recipe for themselves.

The fresh lemon zest on the counter, country music filling the house, Jemma’s little dance moves, and tiny fingerprints left behind were all reminders that sometimes the best memories are made in the middle of the mess.

I’m so glad I dusted off this old favorite. Some recipes are simply worth making again—not just because they’re delicious, but because they remind us where we’ve been and inspire us to create new memories with the people gathered around our table.

I hope this recipe finds its way into your kitchen and becomes a favorite in your home, too.

There are mornings when everything feels rushed, and then there are mornings you wish you could bottle up forever.

Today was one of those mornings.

I was so excited to make this Sunday Morning Cinnamon Roll French Toast Bake that I actually skipped my usual morning jog—and even my coffee! If you know me, you know that’s saying something.

The recipe was incredibly easy to make, and before long, the kitchen was filled with the warm aroma of cinnamon and vanilla. It reminded me that some of the best recipes aren’t just about the food—they’re about the memories made while preparing it.

One of my favorite moments this morning had nothing to do with breakfast. From our kitchen, I can see straight into our bedroom, and while I was mixing ingredients, I looked up to see my fiancé gently brushing our daughter’s hair. It was such a simple, quiet moment, but it stopped me in my tracks. Watching him care for her while I prepared breakfast filled my heart in a way that’s hard to describe.

It wasn’t a grand gesture or a perfectly planned family moment. It was just real life—and sometimes those ordinary moments become the most extraordinary memories.

That’s exactly why I created Passiflora Recipe Cards. They’re more than recipes. They’re an invitation to slow down, gather around the table, and make memories worth keeping.

I hope this recipe fills your home with warmth, laughter, and maybe even a memory you’ll never want to forget.