HearthKeepers Podcast

In today’s episode, Liz shares about Lifestyle and Responsive Hospitality. She’s had to learn to be casual, flexible, and ready to go when people have needs. She talks about what she keeps on hand and questions she asks, along with debriefing with her husband. From hosting in a small home, mistakes in meal choices, and going from a system to a flexible flow, this episode covers a lot of helpful ground. Show Notes:Little House in the Ozarks by Laura Ingalls WilderRembrandt is in the Wind by Russ RamseyGroupMe Daily Thanksgivings Simplified Organization: Learn to Love What Must be Done by Mystie WinklerPumpkin Spice Simmer Pot: Pin on Air of the CastleThe Three Musketeers by Alexandre DumasLife in the In-Between: Facing Anxiety and Afflictions as Christians by Samuel D. RenihanLeaving Room Series

One of our goals for this season was to share a wide variety of hospitality. Emily Ward, our guest today, tells us what it is like to work in the Hospitality Industry, to practice hospitality on a professional level. There are lots of wonderful things we can learn about how to manage our work from some of the things Emily shares. We also have some fun “worst hotel” stories. Show Notes:Rembrandt is in the Wind by Russ RamseyUnreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More than They Expect by Will GuidaraLauren Parker’s Episode

What a wonderful conversation we had with Lauren Parker! This episode is full of heartfelt advice on hosting more formal events like Book Clubs, Showers, Evening Parties, and Tea Parties. Lauren shares about working with her kids, elevating the event, and what you might need on hand. She also gives lots of advice on how to be frugal in your hospitality.Show Notes:The Nature of Autumn by Jim CrumleyWelcome Home: A Cozy Minimalist Guide to Decorating and Hosting All Year Around by Myquillyn SmithThe Wedding Dress Sewing Circle by Jennifer RyanOctober Dreams: A Celebration of Halloween edited by Richard Chizmar

Our first guest of season 5: Hospitality is Deanna Brown! She's going to share both how she thinks about Hospitality and the practical things she does. We trust this will be an encouraging and helpful episode. If you have any questions for Deanna or us, leave them in the comments, and we'll get them answered.Show Notes:The Pearl by John SteinbeckThe Grapes of Wrath by John SteinbeckA Farewell to Arms by Earnest HemingwayDavid Copperfield by Charles DickensWelcome Home: A Cozy Minimalist Guide to Decorating and Hosting All Year Round by Myquillyn SmithRembrandt is in the Wind by Russ Ramsey

Before we get to all our special guests, we're sharing this episode with practical ways to meet physical and emotional needs. This should encourage us in our work both in tending our people and welcoming others into our homes.Show Notes:Seal of Honor:Operation Red Wings and the Life of Lt. Michael P. Murphy, USN by Gary WilliamsGates of Fire by Steven PressfieldSumma Domestica: Order and Wonder in Family Life, Vol. 3 – Housekeeping by Leila LawlerRembrandt is in the Wind by Russ RamseyThe Little Book of Hygge: The Danish Way to Live Well by Meik WikingLove the Home You Have by Melissa Michels Alexander Solzhenitsyn Speaks to the West by Aleksandr SolzhenitsynThe Moon is Down by John SteinbeckThe Man Who Was Thursday by GK ChestertonHospitality: Physical NeedsHospitality: Emotional Needs

Happy Anniversary to the Podcast! Thank you, ladies, for your support! It's been really helpful to us to work on this project, and we hope it's been a blessing to all of you.In this episode, we define hospitality, set some boundaries, and share some helpful quotes. We also address the elephant in the room...The Gospel Comes with a Housekey by Rosaria Butterfield.Show Notes:Loving the Little Years: Motherhood in the Trenches by Rachel Jankovic Creative Mending: Beautiful Darning, Patching and Stitching Techniques by Hikaru Noguchi Embroidery: The Ideal Guide to Stitching, Whatever Your Level of Expertise by Lucinda GandertonRembrandt is in the Wind by Russ RamseyThe Little Book of Hygge: The Danish Way to Live Well by Meik WikingSimplified Organization: Learn to Love What Must be Done by Mystie WinklerHearthKeeper Hospitality Articles:Part 1Part 2Part 3Part 4

Oh, we crack ourselves up. Listen to the end.In this episode, we talk about how to use the cross-quarter day, Lammas. It is prudent to evaluate the needs of the coming season. Let's embrace this opportunity to think about the needs of our home and the upcoming holidays.We're also taking a few minutes to talk about our upcoming drawings and the current HK Book Club read. Thanks for being here, ladies!Show Notes:Fire Cider: Basic recipe Fire Cider: A bit more information

Join us as we wrap up this season by picking Cindy Vincent's brain about doing laundry through all the stages of life: Maid, Matron, and Crone. We think you'll find what she has to share encouraging and helpful. Show Notes:She Stoops to Conquer by Oliver GoldsmithThe Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas What It Is Like To Go To War by Karl Marlantes On Killing: The Psychological Cost of Learning to Kill in War and Society by Dave GrossmanNo Graves as Yet by Anne PerryLife in the In-Between by Samuel Renihan The Perfectly Imperfect Home: How to Decorate and Live Well by Deborah Needleman (July Book Giveaway)Love the Home You Have by Melissa Michaels (AugustBook Giveaway)Rembrandt is in the Wind by Russ Ramsey (HK Book Club Read)Your Not Forever Home: Affordable, Elevated, Temporary Decor for Renters by Katherine Ormerod

"This might be the nerdiest we've gotten on any episode." Discussing how we should approach laundry turned into a conversation about ironing, mending, and textiles. So, yes, we did get a bit nerdy. Along the way, we talked about how to expand our view of laundry, stick with the basics, and bless our people. And yes, we find it very exciting!Show Notes:The Urban WildlifeGardener: How to attract birds, bees, butterflies, and More by Emma HardyOrder and Honor in The Household by Samuel RenihanWithhold not Correction by Bruce A. RayParenting: 14 Gospel Principles that can Radically Change your Family by Paul David TrippPigmalion by George Bernard ShawLaundry Love: Finding Joy in a Common Chore by Patric RichardsonHome Comforts: The Art and Science of Keeping House by Cheryl Mendelson

Today, we're talking with Melissa Ward about some of the more hands-on elements of cleaning, especially when we're not all A-type personalities. It was especially helpful to compare all the different ways we manage our homes, what works for us, and what doesn't work for us. Join the conversation.Show Notes: The Art of Gothic Living: Dark Decor for the Modern Macabre by Paul GambinoSimplified Organization by Mystie WinklerGreat Expectations by Charles DickensRembrandt is in the Wind: Learning to Love Art through the Eyes of Faith by Russ RamseyZone Cleaning Bonus Episode

We all have to clean, but how should we look at this daily task? What is its value? Can we learn to love to clean? Is cleaning supported by the classic virtues? All this and more is covered in this episode on the Heart of Cleaning.Show Notes:Home Comforts by Cheryl Mendelson Sink Reflections (The Fly Lady) by Maria CilleyHome organization, The Complete Book of Clean: Tips and Techniques for Your Home by Toni Hammersley, A Bowl Full of LemonsThe Complete Book of Home Organization by Toni HammersleyBrenneman

This episode is all about meal planning and keeping a kitchen journal. It is a short deep dive into the practical side of cooking and kitchen management.Show Notes:Simplified Organization by Mystie WinklerOrder and Honor in the Household by Samuel RenihanMatterhorn by Karl MarlantesRembrandt is in the Wind: Learning to Love Art through the Eyes of Faith by Russ RamseyGroupMe2.3 Routine and FlexibilityThe next HearthKeeper Drawing is coming soon! Join our GroupMe to enter the drawing for either Home Management Plain and Simple by Kim Brenneman or Rembrandt is in the Wind by Russ Ramsey (July-December Book Club book).

Season 4 is a deeper dive into the Cooking, Cleaning, and Laundry with lots of guests! Our first topic is cooking, and our first guest is the great Deanna Brown. Join us as she encourages us to shift our thinking to view our cooking as an art.Show Notes:Home Management Plain and Simple by Kim BrennemanThe Complete Book of HomeOrganization by Toni HammersleySalt, Fat, Acid, Heat: Mastering the Elements of Good Cooking by Samin Nosrat Simplified Organization: Learn to Love What Must Be Done by Mystie Winckler (January-June 2025 HK Book Club book.)Rembrandt is in the Wind: Learning to Love Art through the Eyes of Faith by Russ Ramsey (July-December 2025 HK Book Club book.)

Sorry, not sorry about the amount of giggles that start this episode. We were both having a hard time keeping a straight face. We did eventually get ourselves under control. In this episode, we're going to talk about ways to prepare for summer as we get ready to move into Season 4: HouseKeeping.Show Notes:-Life in the In-Between: Facing Anxiety and Affliction as Christians by Samuel Renihan-Choosing Gratitude: Your Journey to Joy by Nancy Leigh DeMoss-Rembrandt is in the Wind: Learning to Love Art through the Eyes of Faith by Russ Ramsey

Season 3 wraps up with an episode full of practical advice on how to shore up ourselves when life just keeps on coming. Sometimes, big things knock us down, and sometimes, endless tiny chaos destroys us. It is important to think about ways we can help ourselves in these situations so that we can keep tending our people.Show Notes:Rembrandt is in the Wind: Learning to Love Art through the Eyes of Faith by Russ RamseyLife in the In-Between: Facing Anxiety and Affliction as a Christian by Samuel RenihanThe Urban Wildlife Gardener: How to attract birds, bees, butterflies, and more by Emma HardyThe Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessei van der KolkHow to Break Up with Your Phone: The 30-Day Plan to Take Back Your Life by Catherine Price