Hello, darlings! I’m so glad you’re here! This is a place where I can post about all of my favorite things–and he list is long! I love to create, organize, make my home warm and inviting, enjoy the holidays to the fullest, do fun things with my kids, make old things new again, and add simple touches that make all the difference.
I’m a wife and mom to six kids, including two sets of twins! Our home is busy and lively, as you can well imagine, and working on projects is my way to spend some downtime and relax! My husband is a talented woodworker, and I’m not bad with a chopsaw. :) Together we have built almost every piece of furniture in our home, and I love looking at it and knowing that we made it.
A few tidbits about me…
-I’m a runner, and in the two years since I’ve started long distance running, have completed three half marathons and a full marathon. I love it, and can’t wait to do more! My goal is to do a half Ironman, along with my husband.
-I’ve played the piano since I was 4 years old, have taught lessons for years, and love music in all forms.
-I could read all day if I had the time. I’ve been an avid reader since I was small, and the classics are my favorite. The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas is in my top three! Many of Jane Austen’s works are also up there!
-Sports have always been a part of my life, and volleyball has been my favorite for them past 10 years. I’ve played on a league almost that long–I love the competition and the game!
-If I was going to watch a movie, it would be Pride & Prejudice, Persuasion, North & South, or the Bourne Identity series.
-I have a major sweet tooth. I’m pretty much always craving sugar! My favorites include Red Vines, anything lemon, English Toffee, and sugar cookies with LOTS of frosting.
-I like cooking, but I LOVE baking! It’s probably that darn sweet tooth, lol.
I hope you’ll stop by often and say hi–I’d love to have you!
{kierste}
great intro to your family….wow six kids…what a blessing and a busy household!
Thank you so much for stopping by!! Definitely a blessing, and definitely busy. :) xoxo
So glad I found your blog! I cannot wait to read more! And your kids are absolutely beautiful!
Stephanie @ meetwithasmile.blogspot.com
Thank you so much!!!! I’m so glad you stopped by and said hello!!!
I just want to say how much I enjoy your blog! You are such an inspiration! I am a former political reporter, turned stay at home mom, and I have been meaning to start a blog of my own for about two years. I think it will finally be ready to go this week and I have had an overwhelming urge to say thank you. Every time I read one of your entries, or try one of your projects, my drive to get my own little project going is renewed. Keep up the great work!
Nicolle
Nicolle, I am so thrilled for you! A new blog is so exciting, and I wish you the very best. You’ll have to send me the link! Thank you for your kind words–I so appreciate them! xoxo
Just found your blog via some friends on facebook. Now I know why they’re addicted to your wonderful ideas! Thanks for sharing with all of us, and best to you and your wonderful family!
Thank you so much!!! I’m so glad you found me, and stopped by to say hello! So happy you’re here!!! xoxo
Super love the website you manufactured, and your family, your six kids are god’s best gift to you.
Thank you!
Your cinnamon ornaments are adorable – and the recipe I will use for our first time making these (2 kiddos, 10 & 8). Thanks for posting! Inspired blog, can’t wait to read more. Well done!
Hello there! I’m so glad you found me, and I’m excited for you to try these ornaments! They are a favorite!!! You’ll have to stop by and let me know how they turned out! Merry Christmas!
I am so excited I found your blog! Lots of great info!! I can not wait to try some of your crafts! I just started blogging three months ago and if you have any great advice I would be so grateful! I have a large family too! We have seven kids, aren’t big families so wonderful!! Have a great day!
Hello Lara! Yes, big families are wonderful!! How old are your children? Congrats on the new blog…I’d be happy to help answer any questions you have! Just e-mail me [email protected]. Thanks for stopping by!! I’m so glad you found me! xoxo
Just discovered your blog and I’m so inspired to see a mom of SIX be able to keep up with running and work and lots of DIY projects. I’ve got (just one!) 10 month old and it’s a whirlwind. You’re a role model!
Jenn, I’m so glad you found me!! When I had a 10 month old, it was a whirlwind for me too. All the running and projects just keep me sane. ☺ Hope to see you around, thanks for dropping by!! xo
Kierste……
I have a sincere question for you…..As I age, I’m finding it harder to keep those extra pounds off. I’ve always envied people that find joy in running….bc I never have. My lungs burn and I literally feel like I’m going to die!….lol Do you have any tips for someone that would love to be able to say that I find joy in running and would some day love to accomplish a small race…..like a 5k. What is the best way to “become” a runner? (May be a silly question but to this point I have been unsuccessful.) Thanks for your time and your lovely site.
Sincerely, Lisa
I actually HATED running for a long time, lol. I’ve played sports my whole life, and thought it was so pointless to run without a ball. :) After my second set of twins were born, I really needed a way to keep in shape that I could do from home, that wasn’t expensive, and that would be a good workout. So…I started running. It helped that I had friends that also started running, and we did our Saturday runs together, which made it fun. Start slow—start with a mile, do that for a couple of weeks, then slowly add on after that–a mile at a time. You body will get used to it, and so will your lungs, I promise!!! I also really started enjoying running after I hit 4-5 miles. My body got into a groove, and I felt like I could just keep going. Still today, the hardest part of my run is the first mile or two. Look up at couch to 5k program online–there are quite a few out there–and they are really great for getting into a schedule, and knowing what to do, and how to do it. I say go for it! I know you can do it! When I started, I could run about 3 miles, and within 3 months I ran a half marathon, and within 9 months I had run a full marathon. It’s totally possible, and it’s really made a difference in my life. GOOD LUCK!!!!!
Gorgeous family!!!
Thank you so much, Ruth!!! xoxo
Kierste,
THANK YOU for this blog and for all the printables. I’m also a busy mom of 9 and live in upstate NY. I had a check list much like this one a number of years ago (it was actually a whole program) and lent it to a friend and never got it back. I can’t wait to get going and get back to a lovely clean and organized house!! I too love lists, my problem is getting them done or the lack thereof and becoming frustrated that it didn’t happen. Thanks again for the simplicity, this is one mom who is very grateful!
Oh my goodness, you are so welcome!! We also live in upstate New York (just moved here last month!), and love it. So glad you found me, and are going to start this cleaning schedule. Let me know how it goes!! xoxo
Kierste Mommy, im learn so much from your web about design, family, and handcraft. Everyday i come to see your page, really like.
OH MY GOD so lucky me to find this. Im just a student in a University, not yet married. But i see you child i wanna go married soon. So charming and cute, really im not lying. I wanna be a mom like you, so inspiring. and the point i wanna have cute and photogenic child like your have. So thankyou and succes for you. Thankyou so much
I’ve enjoyed checking out your website!
Thank you, Sarah! So glad you’re here! xoxo
Just discovered your website after seeing a post on facebook. As a grandmother I am always looking for new ideas and you have so many great ones. Thank you so much.
I’m so glad you found me! Thank you so much for stopping by–hope to see you again soon!! xoxo
Hi there! found your website from the “how to have a clean house everyday” post on fb- SO happy to have found this site! I don’t know how you do what you do, but you sure are inspiring and i can’t wait to read more and put some of your tips into practice :-) thanks for the free downloads, too!!
many blessings to you and your family :-)
Carole, thank you so much! I’m so glad you found me, and I appreciate your kind words. I hope to “see” you again!!! xoxo
hi!
I just have to say hi when I “meet” someone like you! I also have 6 kids and just one set of twins! And I also love Pride and prejudice and the Bourne series, which I thought to be a unique combination of favorites!!! What a fun site you have. ;) love it ;)
Hello! Yes, we certainly do have a lot in common! I love that you love both P&P and the Bourne series too–I haven’t met too many people that favorite combination of movies. :) So glad you found me, and that you took the time to say hello!! xoxo
Hi Kierste!! I love everything about your blog!! The baking, snacks & all the DIY stuff! It’s great! I’ve made some of things you’ve posted! My question is have you put on a fireman themed party or do you have any ideas? Thanks!!
Hi Kierste! You surely have a beautiful family. I am really interested in the Apron you made with the hand prints. When I had a cottage I used to bring my two granddaughters with us all the time. Jayde was born on March 6 and Kassandra on March 28th of the same year. When we were at the cottage I used to trace their hands and feet on a piece of bristol board every year to check on their growth. I was wondering if you could tell me the best way to use those cutouts to transfer as paintings to the apron. I think this would make a great Christmas gift to both of them as they are now going on 20 years old. Thank you.
Hmmmm…I’m not sure how to transfer it. Maybe take a picture of them? There are lots of places (like Walmart) that will add photos to different things. I’ll keep thinking!
I love your site…but I’ve been seeing some less than savory ads here…like Russian Senior Dating for Men…join at russiawomendate.com?? And the picture is of 4 bimbos with some eye-popping cleavage? I didn’t know how else to contact you, but I know that this doesn’t represent your values…just wanted to make you aware of it as you may have not seen it. Best Wishes, Tiffany
Thank you again for letting me know about this. I spoke with my ad network, and though they are a family-friendly network (as am I), sometimes some will sneak through. If you see it again, will you take a screenshot of it and send to me? They can block it from that point. Again, I’m so sorry!!!
Hi there…I made the pumpkins and they turned out ADORABLE! I couldn’t believe how easy it was. When I first did them they weren’t that cute…drippy paint, too bright..and then I touched everything up and started sanding to give an aged look. They are perfect! I put a finishing wax on them after and I LOVE THEM!!!!! Keep the cute ideas coming!
Hi, Becky! I’m so glad you made them and love them!!! I agree–everything is always cuter when you distress it. :) I always like it SO much better when I do! Happy Fall! Thanks for reading!! xoxo
Persuasion! One of my favorites :) I love Pride & Prejudice, too, but Persuasion has it beat by just a bit. And I’m with you on baking over cooking. It’s so satisfying to pull off a delicious cheesecake :)
I’m totally with you! How about Persuasion WITH a cheesecake? :) Sounds like we have a lot in common! Thanks so much for stopping by!! xoxo
Thank you for sharing your skills with us.
Congratulations for the beautiful family and for the example of simple living, which, makes a big difference in our daily and busy lives.
Thank you so much for your kind words, and for reading!!! xoxo
Thank you so much for all of your great ideas and great insight on things! Very helpful! Love your sight <3
Thank you so much, Kim!!! xoxo
Hey Kierste!
This is going to sound like an odd question, but what font do you use on the logo for your website?
It’s True North: the top is the script style, the bottom is the plain style!
Please stop these emails.
Thank you,
Ellen Moore
I’m sorry you’d like to discontinue receiving emails, but all you need to do is scroll down to the very bottom of the email, and there is an unsubscribe button. Click on it, and follow the directions, and the emails will stop. Have a great day!!! xoxo
May I first say God bless you and your family! You are very talented and I wish you all a very Merry Christmas! Thank you for sharing all your special ideas with us. Please continue to do so as we really enjoy it!
Charlotte, thank you so much for your very kind words–I really appreciate it! A very Merry Christmas to you and your family!!! xoxo
Hi Kierste! I just found your blog via your Instagram via another blog! There are a million “home” blogs out there, but yours has truly touched me for a number of reasons: 1)It is beautiful and yet simple 2)You are cost conscious and simple 3)Your comments on doing things best for your family needs (like having a smaller Master Bath) just speaks to me instead of doing what is most showy. We are in the process of moving from NM back home to MN and will be building our own home. Your site will definitely be an inspiration! Thank you!
Laurie, thank you so much! I think that’s the nicest compliment I’ve ever gotten. Seriously. You totally made my day! Good luck with your move and home building…I’m so excited for you!!! xoxo