Kristin Hill Taylor

Seeking God as the Author of Every Story

May days! Stories from the porch

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Oh, May, you’re my favorite, and I’m always so sad you happen quicker than I wish. This month was like one big celebration of life, so I’m hoping to carry to joy with me into June.

Highlights

The highlights in this month are easy: I turned 39 and my oldest turned 11. We let our birthdays linger into Mother’s Day and then into her party two weeks later, conveniently scheduled the day after my kids’ last day of school. We also got to double date to an escape room and Red Lobster with our best friends for my birthday.

We officially kicked off summer at Kentucky Lake with my siblings, their families, and my parents this past {long} weekend. Spending Memorial Day weekend there together has become a tradition I love. We ate well, played games, went out on the boat, and enjoyed being together for the first time in many months. There also was plenty of swimming, fishing, and kayaking, depending on who wanted to do what.

Hey, the more celebrations the better. That was pretty much our unspoken motto in May.

Plus I got to meet one of my favorite authors! Be sure to read about that experience, if you haven’t already!

Oh, and our pool water is already into the mid-80s and the air temperature has been higher than that most days, so we’ve been swimming often. We’ve started inviting people over to join on the porch and around the pool too. Y’all know that’s my favorite.

Favorite things

In addition to the pool and people being here, cookbooks are topping my favorites list. Oh, let’s be honest, it’s the food I’ve made from the recipes and the stories that go along with them that I really love. I got “Magnolia Table” by Joanna Gaines and “The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Come and Get It!: Simple, Scrumptious Recipes for Crazy Busy Lives” by Ree Drummond for my birthday and Mother’s Day. They’re both beautiful and include stories about the recipes and the people for whom they cook. And they both provided much-needed inspiration for me to get in the habit of cooking again.

I shared four things I’m loving in a post earlier this month, so those things (a summer planner, a clamp that holds my Kindle, new kids’ music, and a devotional book) could certainly be added here.

From the bookshelf

“Dead Drift” by Dani Pettrey – This is the fourth (and final) book in the Chesapeake Valor Series that I’ve loved. I love the group of friends whose stories are developed throughout their suspenseful adventures together. It officially releases July 3, but you can preorder it now. And if you haven’t read the earlier books in the series, I recommend those too.

“Tell Me Three Things” by Julie Buxbaum – This may be a young adult novel, but I seriously loved it. It reminded me a teenage version of “You’ve Got Mail” (which I adore) and did a good job navigating grief.

“Speak Now or Forever Hold Your Peace” by Becky Monson – This one was just okay. It was good enough that I wanted to find out what happened and enjoyed some funny parts. But the main character’s indecisiveness got on my nerves.

“Witness in Hiding” by Lisa Phillips – I read this book in one day, which tells you how into the story I was! I really liked the suspense of why Zoe was hiding being woven throughout the plot of the story. Zoe and Jude are likable and I definitely found myself rooting for them, professionally and personally.

“The Way Life Should Be” by Christina Baker Kline – This was no “Orphan Train,” but I still enjoyed it. I have been to the area of Maine in which the story is set, so that was a fun factor.

“I Am Watching You” by Teresa Driscoll – I don’t remember where I heard about this one, but I really enjoyed it. I liked how the perspectives of the plot switched among different people, including the father, the friend, and the witness.

I keep a running list of book recommendations (including some of these!) on Amazon.

On the screen

Well, most of my shows are on summer break, but I’m looking forward to “The Resident,” “Blue Bloods,” and “Madam Secretary” returning. They each had good finale episodes. I’m hanging onto “Black List” too, but I’m ready for the story to really wrap up at this point.

Three of the four finalists on “The Voice” were my favorites. I would have traded Kaleb for Kyla, but it was an enjoyable first experience with that show. Brynn for the win!

What kind of celebrating did you do in May?
It’s time for #PorchStories!

{Tweet that.}

*****

Kristin Hill Taylor - Porch Stories
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Seven Things I Learned in December

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This year has been good and bad and hard and quick. It’s certainly been full of adventures! In a year that had me learning (more) about being more flexible, it’s only appropriate I had to adjust (or, rather, mostly sit out) some holiday plans while I had the flu, which was, thankfully, fairly short lived.

As I think about the new year and what that may look like here, I’m thinking I may change these end-of-the-month posts. I like them, but I need to breathe some new life into them. I don’t know what that looks like yet, but, if you have any ideas of what you’d like to read, let me know!

Until then, here are Seven Things I Learned in December …

1. Having the flu the week of Christmas stinks.

I was feeling like I was getting another ear infection and was coughing so much my back hurt. So I went to an immediate care center while we were in Louisville for a few days of Christmas there. Turns out I had the flu.

So I missed all my extended relatives and most of my family gatherings. I did get to see one high school friend with her kids as well as my sister and her family. But the time I knew I had the flu, I’d already exposed them.

Even though the nurse practitioner wanted to send me on my way with an antibiotic for an ear infection, I persuaded him to explore further because I knew I didn’t usually feel that bad with my previous ear infections. Thankfully, Tamiflu seemed to help.

We came home earlier than expected, which prompted my first use of Kroger’s Click List and Panera’s online ordering app. Both were quite helpful and will likely be used again soon!

I’d still like a Christmas do-over with my family!

Thankfully, I was able to get off the couch and enjoy Christmas Day with my family of five and then spend the afternoon with family and a friend we brought along to Greg’s Nana’s house. I was pretty worn out, but I was happy not to miss out on that gathering.

2. I don’t like to watch most movies more than once …

… although there are a few worth repeating for Christmas.

I like to watch “The Holiday” and “Love Actually” each year, although I also end up watching “Elf,” “A Christmas Story” and “Christmas Vacation” because I’m not the only one who lives in this house.

On the holiday movie note, I accidentally made my oldest into a Hallmark movie fan. That’s what happens when momma is sick and wants to do nothing more than lay on the couch and watch the Hallmark movies she’s recorded. At least they’re all rated G.

3. I only like dark chocolate in a York Peppermint Patty.

I know that’s weird. And I don’t know what to tell you, except you can keep all the other dark chocolate.

4. Needtobreathe’s acoustic show helped me process the year.

Plus it was my first experience at The Ryman, which was wonderful. Of course, I already wrote a post inspired by this, so I won’t repeat myself.

5. Talking out loud about counseling helps others.

I’m pretty much an open book, but I got a little nervous when I told some people I’d started going to counseling. But nobody has reacted negatively. It’s been a good conversation starter more than one and allowed others to share with me pieces of their story they might not have otherwise been so willing.

I wrote a fairly raw post about counseling as I reflected on the year recently.

6. “Wonder” is a wonderful book and movie.

I read the book during our Thanksgiving trip and then took the oldest two kids to watch the movie earlier this month. Cate (who is a fifth-grader) also read and loved the book. I’d say the book is best, but the movie is well worth your time too.

Speaking of books, here’s the list of everything I read this year as well as my favorites, if you’re needing recommendations.

7. Somehow I have a child with braces on her teeth.

I was just telling a friend who it’s weird to be in a season of parenting a child old enough to be experiencing things I remember so clearly experiencing myself. I remember later elementary school so clearly – the teachers, the classrooms, the friends, some moments – and now I have a girl walking through some similar journeys.

Of course, I had to have my last baby tooth pulled in high school so I could get braces and here Cate is with one baby tooth remaining and braces on most of her top teeth. She has an appointment in a few weeks to get braces on her bottom teeth.

*****

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Seven Things I Learned in September

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Ah, September, you were over days ago, but it’s still the first week of October, so I’m proceeding with Things I Learned in September.

The fact I’m just getting around to writing and publishing this post goes to show you just how chaotic my September, especially the last couple weeks, was. But we survived and had fun in the process. In the last two weeks of the month, I hosted two parties in one weekend, released my book, went to my grandpa’s visitation and funeral services and then my cousin’s rehearsal dinner and wedding in the same week … all in the midst of everyday life still happening.

October started with Fall Break for my oldest kids so we’ve been playing catch up around the house and taking some deep breaths. Obviously, the kids were also thrilled I dragged them all the grocery because our fridge was bare. But we all have enjoyed some slower mornings.

1. Free bagels daily from Panera is a good reward.

Y’all, somehow I got this reward from Panera, which, honestly, I hadn’t been to in a while. Some days I went through the drive-thru just to get a free cinnamon crunch or asiago cheese bagel. Other days I got a Diet Pepsi or other food too.

Well played, Panera.

2. “Jane the Virgin” is a good show.

Typically, I choose drama over comedy, but this has both. It’s quirky, funny, and keeps me wanting to know what’s going to happen. I just finished Season 3 so I’ll be ready when Season 4 starts up soon.

3. I have mutual friends with someone on “Survivor.”

Greg and I have been long-time fans of “Survivor,” so it’s especially fun to have some insight from our friends on one of this season’s players. Plus, even though we don’t personally know her, we have some rooting interest. Jessica is on the Healers tribe, which is my initial favorite anyway.

4. Self-publishing a book is hard but exciting work.

Like so many things in life, it truly takes a village to self-publish a book. Some close friends and my husband read rough drafts. Mary Carver edited it. FistBump Media helped with the interior formatting and has a great e-course on self-publishing. Makenize Shrewcraft took the cover photo. Angie Wyatt with Farmhouse 31 Designs designed the cover and social media images. Authors Holley Gerth, Jennifer Dukes Lee, and Mary Carver along with singer/songwriter Randall Goodgame endorsed the book.

I know I still have much to learn in this area, but this first-time self-published author is enjoying herself!

Thank you to everyone who has texted, emailed, and told me in person how much they’ve enjoyed “Peace in the Process.” I really appreciate the kind words and encouragement. If you’ve read my book, I’d really appreciate you leaving a review on Amazon because doing so is a gift to authors.

5. Poppy’s legacy is a valuable one.

My grandpa passed away on Sept. 20, 2017, at 92 years old. I shared in a post earlier this week that I gave the eulogy. Being with my family for his visitation and funeral was good. Despite our loss, we were reminded of his legacy that’s certainly worth honoring and remembering.

6. Somehow I have a two-year-old girl.

I know, they grow up. And I even like that they grow up. We just got here – to the full-blown, into-everything toddler years – much quicker than I expected. Rachel is full of joy and life, and I blogged about her on her birthday.

7. Comedy books may be best suited as audio books.

While we’ve been in the car so much the last couple of weeks, Greg started listening to “Food: A Love Story” by Jim Gaffigan and I was quickly drawn in. I’m not sure the book would be as funny if I was reading it silently in my head, but I was laughing out loud listening to him read his own observations on food.

How was your September? Is your October off to a good start?

*****

The other thing from September is all the good books that I read, thanks to launch teams I got to be one. I compiled a list of all the excellent books, if you need recommendations.