Jeane'
Jeane` once spent her days conducting interviews in her Human Resources role, directing drama and conducting personality training seminars. In her late twenties, she married a good man, gained a stepson as a bonus and left the corporate world, looking forward to growing their family. After a miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy and stillbirth of their daughter, Hope, the plans for a growing family were uncertain. That is, until God surprised them with four pregnancies in under three years, yielding five thriving children (including a set of twins). Long since retiring her savvy business suits, she now works to employ a good sense of humor in the interest of sanity, directs her attention away from Pinterest and Play Dates (for the same reason) and uses the "voice" of her words that relay what many think but rarely say aloud at The Coffee Cottage. Jeane` welcomes you through her open door, into her imperfect domestic "bliss" and hopes you'll feel right at home.
Heather
With varying layers of humor and introspection, Heather shares an honest perspective on all things family: growing up with mental illness in the family, emerging whole from a broken home, lessons in step-parenting and simply surviving the ordinary. Heather received her (oh-so-ubiquitous) BA in English from the University of Florida and has a career background in PR and Marketing jobs spanning NYC, Boston and Central PA. Currently, she works with For More, a non-profit she co-founded and also does freelance writing and consulting work for an advertising agency. And as a relaxing side job, she raises four boys.
Honey in the Water.
Honey in the Water.
Kristen
A lover of all things earthy and inspired to live simply in order to live more fully, Kristen seeks to find tangible ways to be authentic - and you can count on her to always tell it like it is. Kristen spent her early years abroad as a Missionary Kid, and is now involved in her own mission closer to home. She is trying to figure out practical ways to serve her neighbors living in poverty just next door and still keep it real {and peaceful} with her husband and two little boys. Kristen is a classically-trained musician who passionately leads people in worship as a part of her church’s band. A [sometimes reluctant] working mom, Kristen owns The Brain Gym where she enjoys solving learning, reading and attention issues for kids and adults.
Janelle
As an experienced event planner and previous wedding coordinator, Janelle has a talent for bringing the nostalgia and traditions of old to life, (think high tea on the lawn under a gazebo). Her events, and her writing style, tap into the deepest layers of the soul - reflecting a longing for beauty, bounty and cozy living. Perhaps it’s her decade-long experience as a licensed massage therapist that gives her such a grasp on what touches the human spirit. Janelle’s words paint a picture of a life we all long for, and more importantly, ways we can make it our own, knowing that home is truly where your story begins.
Jennifer
If you were to peek inside Jen’s recipe box, you would not find any one type of dish or style of food. Pulling from her eclectic family heritage (Italian, Norwegian, Syrian), and her "potluck supper" type of hometown, makes for a diverse bill of fare in her household. However, the common threads weaving these recipes together are simple, crowd pleasing, and delicious. Like most home cooks, Jen has made her share of dishes that have fallen short. Enticed by tantalizing food-styled pictures from cookbooks, magazines & blogs, the end result often disappoints. Jen delights in testing new recipes out (her picky 2 and 4 year olds are not always so thrilled), and sharing the ones that are truly worthwhile. Witnessing the saying “Food is Love” come to life by many of the cooks in her family and community growing up, Jen now strives to love her family and friends through the food she serves and shares.
Terri
Having grown up dreaming of being a wife and mother, Terri writes from the experience of having had all those things, only to find herself suddenly single and raising three small children alone. God's hand of Grace and Provision have been a covering over her household. With heartfelt honesty she writes, bringing a message of Hope…and even Life that comes after a deep loss of a dream. Terri draws her Strength from the LORD and tells her story, knowing it is really God's story. A story of finding unexpected Life when what life throws at you is totally unexpected. Terri blogs over at Consume me.
Jessica
Inspired by all things beautiful, Jessica loves MAC makeup, strong coffee (in her favorite Anthropologie mug), a great read, and a wicked good pair of stilettos. As a professional Makeup Artist and Esthetician, she is inspired by working with color, style and design in all it's forms and a great sale speaks her language enabling her to recreate looks she loves for less. It's the inner workings of a woman's soul and the beauty found there that most inspire Jessica both personally and professionally . As a woman who's lived through broken expectations and a mother of a child with unique needs Jessica clings to grace and looks for joy and beauty found in everyday moments. She writes from a real and authentic place, where her words will not only invite us to look inward but will inspire us to cultivate the beauty found there.
Carla
Even with hot flashes and hearing loss as part of her present vernacular, Carla is loving this stage of life. With age comes the intangible gift of experience and the wisdom it yields. Having raised an emotionally wounded child, she's discovered the blessings that come through trial by fire. She's slowly finding contentment in the things that really matter and freedom in letting go of the stuff that doesn't. She writes openly from her heart about the view further on down the road.
Michelle
Michelle is a Lancaster, PA-based photographer who is a lover of Jesus, her husband of 14 years, all things Italian, pretty things, Anthropologie, AFAR Magazine, travel, super strong espresso, watching TV, and a few more things she's embarrassed to admit! As a photographer, she has been recognized by the New York Photo Awards as a finalist and has won several Honorable Mentions in the Int'l Photo Awards. A number of her photos have been seen on various blogs and in books. She shares her photos at italianlane.com
Nicole
Nicole has her Masters of Science in Nutrition, Physical Activity and Public Health from the University of Bristol, England. She is certified through AFAA as a Personal Trainer. She is also certified in SPINNING and BODYPUMP. She enjoys cycling, jumping rope and practicing yoga. She lives in spandex and wouldn’t have it any other way.
www.bighiplittlehips.com
www.bighiplittlehips.com
Melissa
Melissa is Texas girl and a former social worker who 'retired' to be a stay-at-home mama to three little girls. She's married to the man of her dreams and loves Jesus, butter, bacon, remodeling, decorating, and laughing a lot, and blogs about all of her favorite things at www.thebluehouseblog.com.
