When Cheryl Smith, one of my friends and colleagues at TheHighCalling.org, launched her "Simplify" project, I knew it was a good fit. "Simplicity." That's me.My wardrobe is simple, my meals are simple, my decor (what little there is) is simple, my schedule is—usually—simple. Hairstyle, jewelry, nails, shoes: simple, simple, simple. Even my writing style is simple. If you … [Read more...]
Responsible for Spills
I'm not the only person to notice, as I was filling up here:This sign:Stay alert and pay close attention while at the pump, or you'll be stuck cleaning up your mess.Good advice...from someone who knows.It’s easy to subscribe to annkroeker.com updates via email or RSS feed.Visit NotSoFastBook.com to learn more about Ann’s book. … [Read more...]
Weeds Mean Work
My parents purchased their farm in the mid-1970s from Mr. Hayden, one of those wiry old farmers who was fully dressed at the crack of dawn, hoeing the garden, gathering eggs, scooping grain into the manger for the cows, and checking the fences.Fences need to be checked regularly to be sure they are intact. Like so many things in life, fencing can be broken, sagging, … [Read more...]
My Father’s Gifts
In the 1940s, someone told my dad, "If you learn to operate a Linotype*, you'll never be out of work!" That kind of job security was a dream come true for a child of the Depression. His mom, my Grandma, borrowed money to send Dad to an Ohio Linotype school for training. He came back and got a job with the Indiana University printing plant. (demonstrating his skills … [Read more...]
Let the Laugh Lines Come!
We parents joined the circle of junior high kids to pray together before sending them off on a week-long bicycle trip."Let's have a couple of people pray," the youth pastor said, "and then we'll have Scott close us, because, well, he's the oldest dad here.""Ouch!" one of the adults exclaimed. "Oh, Scott, I'm so sorry!" someone joked.Scott, by the way, is only a little bit … [Read more...]
Celebrating My Writer-Mom
My mom worked as the editor of our local newspaper, covering news all over the county. If a reporter couldn't make it to an event, Mom would grab her camera, reporter's pad, and pen—and quite often her daughter—to capture the news herself. This meant that whether I wanted to or not, I visited sporting events, live nativity scenes, church bazaars, festivals, fairs, horse … [Read more...]
Festival of Faith & Writing: Festival Fun
Some random documentation of my trip to the Festival of Faith & Writing begins with this evidence of my crossing the state line.Calvin College's campus is colorful.Ran into my friend Stacy Morgan the very first thing. I registered, slipped my name tag on, set my bag down next to a chair, flipped through the packet, looked up and saw Stacy sitting on the couch next to … [Read more...]
My Birthday 2010: A Pictorial Review
Today was my birthday, but the festivities began a couple of days before. Saturday we met my parents for a brunch at Cracker Barrel, but I'm afraid I don't have any photos to post. Still, that's when it all began.The next day, Sunday, I met some friends for lunch at a swanky restaurant that did up a fancy dessert plate for me with "Happy Birthday to You" written around the … [Read more...]
Slow Fragments
Sifting through old e-mails as a kind of virtual decluttering discipline, I came across several "slow" references, articles and resources I'd pasted into an e-mail sent to myself as an impromptu and inefficient filing system.One article was called "Slow Living: It's About Time," published in 2002 by Fred First at "Fragments From Floyd."First, who lives off a gravel road in … [Read more...]
Arriving January 2010: The Return of Mega Memory Month
Mega Memory Month Returns January 2010!As you wrap gifts and place them with anticipation under the tree, would you wrap up one more item?Because there's a gift I'd like you to give yourself: the gift of memorizing something meaningful ... something mega.When we commit something to memory—passages of Scripture, poetry, famous speeches, hymns—we give ourselves a gift ... a … [Read more...]
Food on Fridays: Crazy-Flu-Lady Potato Soup
(alternative button below)Here at the Food on Fridays carnival, any post remotely related to food is welcome. Recipes are enjoyed, but you can simply tell us your favorite post-flu nourishment. You could share with readers the comfort food you crave when you've been under-the-weather or out-and-out ill.In other words, the Food on Fridays parameters are not at all narrow. I … [Read more...]
Will You Walk with Me through the Door?
On Wednesdays you can visit me at High Calling Blogs, where I will be writing about family and parenting. I'll also be recommending posts on those topics by writers in the High Calling Blog network.Today I invite you to step with me through the door to a parent's heart.Visit High Calling Blogs: "Door to a Parent's Heart"Photo by Ann KroekerDon’t miss a word: It’s easy to … [Read more...]
Food on Fridays: Pizza Photo
(alternative button below)Here at the Food on Fridays carnival, any post remotely related to food is welcome. Recipes are enjoyed, but you can write about playing Candyland with your kids.In other words, the Food on Fridays parameters are not at all narrow. I think of it as a virtual pitch-in where everyone brings something to share; even if the content of … [Read more...]
Make-Do Mondays … on Tuesday
see below for alternative buttonAt Make-Do Mondays we discuss how we’re simplifying, downsizing, repurposing, buying used, and using what we’ve got.It’s a carnival celebrating creative problem-solving, contentment, patience and ingenuity. To participate, share your own make-do solution in the comments or write up a Make-Do Mondays post at your blog, then return here to … [Read more...]
Meet a Seeing Mentor
At NotSoFastBook.com, I've launched a short series called "Seeing Lessons."The first was entitled simply "Seeing Lessons" and talked about how art can be a starting place for those of us who want to regain our ability to slow down and focus.In the next post, I introduced readers to the inimitable Ann Voskamp of Holy Experience. That post is "Seeing Lessons: Meet a … [Read more...]
- « Previous Page
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- …
- 7
- Next Page »