Ministry of Mothering

We recently took a little getaway to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and it was such a sweet multigenerational trip! I traveled with my   mom, my sister, my grandma, and two of my little girls —and while not every moment was Pinterest-perfect, we made some beautiful memories and discovered several spots worth sharing with other moms planning a family adventure. So here’s a real mom’s review of Baton Rouge—complete with the highs, the so-so’s, and everything in between: (links for everything are included at the end of the post) Where We Stayed: Hampton Inn & Suites College Drive We usually love staying at Hilton properties, but this particular hotel was... meh. It’s in  dire need of a remodel  and didn’t have the usual Hilton polish we’re used to. That said, the location was super convenient for getting around Baton Rouge, which made exploring the city with little ones and older family members much easier. Where We Ate Curbside Burgers This spot had rave reviews from other blo...

Discovering the Stories Behind Beloved Hymns: Then Sings My Soul by Robert J. Morgan I recently came across a treasure on Amazon that I just had to share— Then Sings My Soul: 150 of the World’s Greatest Hymn Stories by Robert J. Morgan. With over one million copies sold, this book offers something truly special: the incredible stories behind some of the most beloved traditional hymns of the Christian faith. Growing up, the music pastor at my church would often share the rich history behind the hymns we sang. Those stories brought the songs to life in a way that helped me connect more deeply with the words and the worship. But nowadays, I’ve noticed that many of these classic hymns aren’t sung as often in church services. I didn’t want my children to miss out on this beautiful heritage of faith, so I decided to take it upon myself to teach these hymns to my kids at home. If I don’t already know a hymn, I either play it on the piano for them or find a performance on YouTube to share...

Keep Your Food Deliciously Hot with This Amazing Warming Mat! If you’ve ever hosted a party, baby shower, or buffet-style meal, you know the struggle of keeping food warm without drying it out or having to constantly reheat. That’s why I’m so excited to share about this new warming mat I picked up from Amazon — and let me tell you, it’s been a total game-changer! The product is called the Warming Mat for Food — a portable, fast, and even-heating thickened silicone mat that acts as a roll-up electric warming tray or hot plate. It’s super versatile and perfect for home use, parties, buffets, and even travel. I originally bought this warming mat to keep some delicious quiches warm during a baby shower I was helping to host. Honestly, I was just looking for a good excuse to get one after I saw a friend using it, and now I’m so glad I did! It’s easy to roll up and store, heats evenly so no more cold spots, and keeps food at just the right temperature for hours. Whether you’re serving a...

  🌞 Summer Read-Aloud Checklist: Charlotte Mason Living Books ✅ Nature & Adventure ☐ The Burgess Animal Book for Children – Thornton W. Burgess (Grades 1–4) ☐ Swallows and Amazons – Arthur Ransome (Grades 4–8) ☐ The Railway Children – Edith Nesbit (Grades 3–7) ☐ Paddle-to-the-Sea – Holling C. Holling (Grades 2–6) ✅ Historical & Noble Themes ☐ Children of the New Forest – Frederick Marryat (Grades 5–8) ☐ Carry On, Mr. Bowditch – Jean Lee Latham (Grades 5–9) ☐ The Bronze Bow – Elizabeth George Speare (Grades 6–9) ☐ Amos Fortune, Free Man – Elizabeth Yates (Grades 5–8) ✅ Wholesome Family Stories ☐ Understood Betsy – Dorothy Canfield Fisher (Grades 3–6) ☐ All-of-a-Kind Family – Sydney Taylor (Grades 2–5) ☐ The Family Under the Bridge – Natalie Savage Carlson (Grades 3–6) ☐ Miracles on Maple Hill – Virginia Sorensen (Grades 4–7) ✅ Imaginative & Moral-Rich ☐ The Princess and the Goblin – George MacDonald (Grades 3–6) ☐ At the Back of the Nor...

If there’s one thing I never leave behind during our busy summer days—park meetups, co-op outings, road trips, and field days—it’s my trusty Stanley Adventure 2 Gallon Fast Flow Water Jug . I have it in the prettiest shade of Rose Quartz , and let me tell you, it is not just cute—it’s a total game changer . I first bought this jug because I was tired of constantly refilling small water bottles for my crew. With four thirsty kids (and a husband who drinks like a camel), I needed something that could keep up with us. The Stanley delivers. It's insulated , easy to carry , and the fast-flow spigot is a dream—no drips, no waiting, just cold water on demand. This thing is a summer mom’s dream. It holds 2 gallons of ice water and keeps it cold for hours on even the hottest Texas days. The foam-insulated lid latches tight (no spills in the van!), and the wide mouth makes it easy to fill and clean. I set it up in the back of the van or at our picnic table, and everyone refills their ...

  A delicious way to use up garden zucchini and sourdough starter—without wasting a thing! If you're like me, summer means an explosion of zucchini from the garden or farmers market. And if you're also baking with sourdough, there's probably a jar of discard sitting in your fridge, waiting for a purpose. These  extra moist zucchini muffins  are the perfect solution! They're lightly spiced, naturally sweetened with coconut sugar, and get a boost of flavor and tenderness from the sourdough discard. I made a batch using  four whole zucchinis  and you’d never know it—the muffins turned out fluffy, moist, and full of warm cinnamon flavor. Plus, they freeze beautifully and make a great grab-and-go breakfast or snack. 🥒 Ingredients: 4 medium zucchinis (3.5–4 cups shredded and squeezed dry) 3 large eggs 7/8 cup oil (vegetable or melted coconut oil) 1 3/4 cups coconut sugar 2 tsp vanilla extract 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 cup sourdough discard (unfed is fine) 1 1/2 ...