Kristin Hill Taylor

Seeking God as the Author of Every Story

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Oh, the places we go … {Murray edition}

April 27, 2014 by Kristin Leave a Comment

This weekend was gorgeous! Sure, there are storms predicted the next few days, but they’ll pass. And you’ll want to get out again.

My daughter is counting down until the end of school. I’m hearing people talk about what they want to do this summer and where they want to go. So, western Kentucky folks, I decided to share some places around here we’ve loved lately in case you’re looking for something to do or somewhere to eat.

 
Discovery Park of America
Union City, Tennessee

It seems awfully random this children’s museum is in the middle of west Tennessee, but I’m glad it is. Only an hour from Murray, we enjoyed this place the first weekend of April. The outdoor exhibits are fantastic and my recommendation that the indoors ones are too is based on my 4-year-old boy’s assessment. Greg, Cate and I arrived later than the rest of our group because of her soccer game, but we enjoyed the time we were there. And even after five hours, Ben wasn’t ready to go either!

Discovery Park of America is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Admission is $13.95 for people 13 and older and $10.95 for kids 4 to 12 years old. Children younger than 4 are free. You can also become a member, which includes an annual pass that pays for itself after four visits as well as other perks.

__________


The Gathering Place
Kentucky Lake in Murray, Kentucky

Yes, this is our own lake house, but I really do love it out there. Even though the clean sheets and household maintenance are my responsibility, being out there is still a getaway. Our family likes to swim, fish, skip rocks, eat on the back porch, play games, hang out with friends, and catch frogs out there.

The three-bedroom, three-bathroom house is available for vacation rentals of at least two nights throughout the year. The summer calendar is filling up, but there are still some vacancies.

The Gathering Place rents for $350/night or $1,800/week from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Off-season rates are $250/night or $1,200/week. The house is stocked with linens, eating and cooking utensils, and WiFi. 

__________


Wild Mountain Bakery & Cafe
412 Main St., Murray, Kentucky

This new bakery has freshly baked cinnamon rolls. Need I say more? I hear the bagels and bread are good too.

Wild Mountain Bakery & Cafe is open from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. 

__________

Land Between the Lakes
A National Recreation Area between Murray and Cadiz, Kentucky

Honestly, we don’t use Land Between the Lakes as much as we should. It’s lovely out there. Just earlier this week, Cate’s class took a field trip to the Nature Station, where they learned about trees and animals. Then we did a small hike on a trail near the Golden Pond Visitor’s Center. Last spring, the school took a field trip to Hematite Lake that the kids and I really enjoyed.

Land Between the Lakes offers hiking, biking, picnicking, camping, boating, fishing, hunting, site-seeing, and wildlife viewing. Check its website for locations and schedules. 

__________


Duncan’s Market & Deli
6159 State Route 94 E, Murray, Kentucky

This recently reopened and now serves Belew’s burgers, for those of you locals who like the burgers and milkshakes in Aurora. Yes, obviously, there are corn dogs Ben enjoys. We like that Duncan’s is close to The Gathering Place and accepts credit cards, unlike Belew’s.

The grill is open daily from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.

__________

The Berry Farm
Fulton, Kentucky

Picking strawberries here has become a seasonal favorite for us. We’ve been the past three years, sometimes multiple times. {See visits from May 2011, April 2012, May 2012, and May 2013.} We haven’t been yet this year because it just opened this weekend. I’m eagerly waiting to get this outing on my calendar!

The Berry Farm offers already-picked berries as well as you-pick patches. You pay per pound, but it looks like the 2013 rates haven’t been posted. Either way, our experiences have been these berries are worth picking and eating! Follow The Berry Farm on Facebook or call 270-468-0110.

Local friends, have you gone anywhere worth recommending lately?

________

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Filed Under: family, food, spring, summer

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About Me

Telling stories is my therapy and I love sharing them with friends on my porch.

The main characters in my stories are my entrepreneur husband, our ninth-grade girl who never forgets, our have-no-fear sixth-grade boy, and our joy-filled kindergarten girl. As we live out our stories, we seek God as the author of them all.

Learn more about my story here.

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Honestly, I probably wouldn’t have picked up thi Honestly, I probably wouldn’t have picked up this book had a dear friend who always comes in clutch with book recommendations let me borrow it. My mind has been swirling this week. Just lots of life happening all around me. 

I picked up this book while Ben was at his counseling appointment and read most of that hour, then again that evening, and then again the next day. This book could be read slowly because the words are lyrical and lovely, but I couldn’t put it down. The scripture, stories, and songs were balm for my soul right when I needed it. 

“Send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling!” — Psalm 43:3

This book is about that invitation from God. Songwriter @sandramccracken  tells us how she’s accepted the invitation, lived in the light, and brought others with her. 

I started taking notes on the very first page, but I will leave you with this, for now:

“There will be a full telling of our stories, a reckoning of every injustice, and a mending of every broken system. This is the good news, the promise of peace, working backward from that future reality, bringing that healing light-filled promise to bear on our lives, to shine on our present sorrow and on our yet-unanswered questions. He is with us. It will be all right in the end. If it’s not okay, then it’s not the end.”

#KHTreads #bookstagram #recommendedreads #livingfaithfully #reallife #choosingJOY #storiesmatter
“Darkness does not define us. It attends to us, “Darkness does not define us. It attends to us, surrounds us in regular intervals, but it does not have the last word. God limits the darkness. He has authority over it and is not bound by it.” 

— @sandramccracken in “Send Out Your Light”

#KHTreads #countryliving #livingfaithfully
What is saving my life … My home is a refuge an What is saving my life …

My home is a refuge and shelter from the loud, crazy world. I love being here. I’m thankful for a break from the routine and busyness. I like a chance to have slow mornings and not much of a plan for the day. I’m also grateful for the chance to host others in our home. 

And, of course, books. I love reading and seeing those around me reading too. Stories are also such a refuge for me. 

#OneDayMay #maydays #reallife #88daysofsummer #choosingJOY #KHTreads #momlife
“Between stimulus and response there is a space. “Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and freedom.” - @brenebrown attributes this quote to Viktor Frankl

Months ago, I made a counseling appointment for today. And it certainly came at the exact right now. 

Honestly, the transition into my favorite season has been rocky — and I’m not totally sure why. I know some circumstances that are contributing to that, and I also know my responses haven’t been what I want them to be. But I’m not entirely sure what to do about it. 

Slowing down, listening to my body and mind, setting boundaries, being honest, and counting the wins and gifts should help. At least those are the things my counselor and I discussed when I talked for every minute of our session. Sometimes I go not knowing what we will dive into. Today I knew. She said these were good conversations. She reminded me of what I know to be true, that what I’m doing matters. Intentional parenting matters every single day even though there are no results to quantify. 

Many things are stimuli in my life. Yours too, I’m sure. I don’t leave even space between the chatter, lies, responsibilities, burdens, gifts, and routines to respond kindly and gracefully. I’m quick to be angry and anxious. I want to slow down my brain and give myself more space to truly live. I’m pretty sure that’s the space where God grows pretty things. 

📷: Cate Taylor, 15

#OneDayMay #maydays #livingfaithfully #choosingJOY #reallife #momlife #flowerphotography #summerisbest #88daysofsummer
@emilyhenrywrites is really good at writing romanc @emilyhenrywrites is really good at writing romance novels that go deeper than a cheesy love story. Her characters navigate grief and disappointment that comes with real life. In the cleverly titled “Book Lovers,” Nora and Charlie work through a lot as people and a couple to discover what they’re happy ending looks like. Plus it’s set in a Hallmark-movie-like town that works well for this story for people who love books and lovers. 

#KHTreads #bookstagram #recommendedreads #favoritethings #amreading #Kindlebooks #kindlepaperwhite
Oh, Monday. It’s the first actual week of #88day Oh, Monday. It’s the first actual week of #88daysofsummer and it feels like fall out. That would be lovely, except my people and I were ready for pool time. 

One kid got up way too early and was having all the feels. I subsequently got up way too early and came out of my bedroom ready to implement morning habits and conquer boredom. Nobody else was very excited about my strategy. 

By 10 o’clock this morning, I suggested one kid take a nap and retreated to my own room with my phone, my Kindle, and lots of thoughts. I had a small revelation that helped me better see my kids as the individuals they are. 

I made plans to walk with a friend and later dragged all my kids along. Yep, even the one in a boot and on crutches for at least a few more days. You see, that injured kid also started Summer Break with his third strep diagnosis since February. He certainly needed fresh air after a couple of days stuck inside the house. 

We all needed fresh air, fresh perspectives, and a fresh start to the day. Today the walk outside is what helped. Another day there may be a different strategy, but I’m thankful I found way through all the feelings and disappointments this morning and can feel a little sunshine in my day, even if it’s only the figurative kind of sunshine. 

#momlife #maydays #reallife #kentuckyweather #kyweather #confusedweather #summerisbest #poolpeople #choosingJOY #thirdchild #monday #mondaymood #momconfessions #PorchStories
I miss … … a few particular friends from whom I miss …

… a few particular friends from whom I’m separated by circumstances, logistics, and distances. 

When I make a friend, I intend to stay friends forever. Of course, life doesn’t always work out that way. 

I don’t miss my kids being young, but I miss the ease of socializing with my friends during that season. It was easy then to meet at the park or go somewhere for lunch. Now there are so many schedules to work around. 

Scheduling time to lunch or get together is still my love language, it just takes a little more work, patience, and persistence now. And sometimes that’s exhausting. But it’s always worth it. 

#OneDayMay #maydays #bettertogether #livingfaithfully #reallife
School’s out FOR THE SUMMER! #88daysofsummer #mo School’s out FOR THE SUMMER! #88daysofsummer #momlife #siblinglove #summerisbest #maydays
I’m proud of myself for … … surviving and t I’m proud of myself for …

… surviving and thriving this school year. I resist change almost all of the time, and the past nine months have been full of so many transitions for our whole family. I know, that’s life, but these changes seem like the kind that will mark us forever. 

My kids navigated new beginnings in kindergarten, middle school, and high school. As a mom, sometimes I’m too close to see the growth, but this year it happened in each of them right before my eyes. They navigated friendship hurdles, embraced new friends, and settled a little more into who God created them to be. Middle school isn’t for the faint of heart, but I feel like I’ve come out of this year closer to my son, so I will take it. 

I’m proud of myself for leaning into where God has me. I’ve grown deeper friendships, invested in my kids’ school as a board member and business manager, and seen God work in our ordinary days. 

Y’all know I’m a summer girl, so I’m proud of myself through getting through the winter and coming into summer stronger and braver. 

#OneDayMay #maydays #livingfaithfully #choosingJOY #momlife #summerisbest #bettertogether
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