Dec 16

Dec 16 The Joy of Giving

Gwen Smith

Christmas, Mindful Kitchen

This guest post, by Rachel Schelb, explores the joy we invite into our lives when we intentionally give to others.

Part of the Special Holiday Series: Repeat the Sounding Joy

Dec 11

Dec 11 The Joy of Gathering

Gwen Smith

Christmas, Mindful Kitchen, Hosting

This guest post, by Pamela Henkelman, examines how to invite your grown children into the kitchen during the holiday season so that you can enjoy cooking, eating, and gathering together.

Part of the Special Holiday Series: Repeat the Sounding Joy

Dec 4

Dec 4 The Joy of the Holidays

Gwen Smith

Christmas, Mindful Kitchen

This guest post, by Tiffany J Marie, explores the joy we can find during the holidays as adults who choose to live a childfree life.

Part of the Special Holiday Series: Repeat the Sounding Joy

Nov 27

Nov 27 The Joy of Presence

Gwen Smith

Christmas, Thanksgiving, Mindful Kitchen

This guest post, by Joy Marker, challenges us to set realistic expectations as we head into the holidays to keep disappointment from stealing our joy.

Part of the Special Holiday Series: Repeat the Sounding Joy

Nov 20

Distractions and busyness can be barriers to experiencing joy. And the holidays are full of both distractions and busy schedules. In this week’s post, Julie Lefebure encourages us to live joyfully and less distracted lives during the holidays, offering some proactive tips on how to achieve the joy of being present in the holiday moment.

Guest post by Julie Lefebure, author and host of the Encouragement for Real Life podcast.

Part of the Special Holiday Series: Repeat the Sounding Joy.

Nov 13

Nov 13 The Joy of Mystery

Gwen Smith

Mindful Kitchen, Thanksgiving, Christmas

In this guest post, Alyssa Stadtlander encourages us to reflect on the magic and mystery of the holiday season and challenges us to not lose our childlike wonder of the holidays.

Part of the Special Holiday Series: Repeat the Sounding Joy.

Nov 6

Nov 6 Repeat the Sounding Joy

Gwen Smith

Mindful Kitchen, Thanksgiving, Christmas

This week we’re kicking of the holiday season with a series about joy. Not to be confused with happiness, joy is a deep and true state of being. It contains so much and we expect the holidays to be full of joy. In this series, I and the guests I’ve gathered to the Hearthside will explore this concept and what it means for us the holiday season.

Part of the Special Holiday Series: Repeat the Sounding Joy.

Dec 18

Dec 18 Cherished At the Table

Gwen Smith

Mindful Kitchen, Christmas

Guest post by Alyssa Stadtlander reflects on how family grow and change over the years and yet the simple traditions like making sugar cookies can continually reunite us to reconsider and continually cherish and accept the individuals of our families. Part of the Special Holiday Series: At The Table.

Dec 11

Dec 11 Childfree At the Table

Gwen Smith

Mindful Kitchen, Christmas

Guest post by Tiffany Marie, author of articles on being happily Childfree, encourages those of us who are single or “just two” to lean into your stage of life and create meaningful traditions that fulfill your unique needs during the holidays. Part of the Special Holiday Series: At The Table.

Dec 4

Dec 4 Serving At the Table

Gwen Smith

Mindful Kitchen, Christmas

Guest post by Jenny Vanderberg shares how serving family at the holidays can bring joy and peace to a packed holiday season. Part of the Special Holiday Series: At The Table.

Nov 27

Nov 27 Mindful At the Table

Gwen Smith

Mindful Kitchen, Thanksgiving, Christmas

Guest post by Brooke Turbyfill challenges us to take a beat and offers strategies to be mindful during the whirlwind of the holidays. Part of the Special Holiday Series: At The Table.

Nov 21

Nov 21 Grieving At the Table

Gwen Smith

Thanksgiving, Mindful Kitchen

Guest post by Rachel Schelb, author and host of the Love Well on Purpose podcast, shares strategies to help you navigate the holidays when you are grieving. Part of the Special Holiday Series: At The Table.