Friends, consider this post a belated Christmas gift. Kelsey is stopping by my corner of the internet for a visit and I am so. darn. excited!
I know many of you are already die-hard fans, but here’s a quick rundown for anyone who might not be familiar with my favourite candle sniffer (yes, you are reading that right).
Kelsey is an entrepreneur extraordinaire. She blogs regularly at Rising*Shining with a tagline of: honest reflections and encouragement. And that is exactly what she delivers.
She is also cohost of the delightful The Girl Next Door Podcast with her dear friend Erica. Their annual Fall Extravaganza episodes have developed a cult following (this is when the candle sniffing magic happens). Listening to their podcast is like sitting down with two friends over a cup of something delicious. They talk parenting, marriage, favourite products, and home organization systems. They talk periods! They talk bathing habits! They talk evening routines and diet culture and favourite books!
They can make any topic hilarious. I think I may have wet myself from laughter during their “Parenting Tweens episode” and I survived what would have been a very boring 12/3/30 treadmill walk by hanging on every word of their recent “Empties” episode. These are real women keeping it real. Hard topics – think politics, religion, parenting approaches – are handled with great care and consideration and they bravely tackle hard personal subjects. Erica was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and opted to speak out on their podcast in the middle of such a difficult time to encourage women to get their female wellness screenings. (One more time for the people in the back: get your mammograms and skin checks and Pap smears and colonoscopies!)
If all of the above wasn’t enough, Kelsey develops and delivers online workshops (Everyday Habits, Routines, and Rituals + Your Year to Shine: A Goals Workshop) related to planning and goal-setting. She is definitely someone you want in your corner cheering you on and her enthusiasm is contagious.
Kelsey lives in Arizona with her husband, their three kids, and a creepy zombie doll named Annabelle.
Without further ado – welcome, Kelsey!
Q. What aspect of your current life/career would most surprise 20-year-old Kelsey?
That I live in Arizona! Growing up in Austin, Texas I was convinced that I was meant to live somewhere with true seasons, most likely the northeast United States. (I remember interrogating my parents, “Why can’t we move to the northeast??” Oh that naivety of the young!) I definitely never wanted to live anywhere hot, let alone hotter than Austin. I did get my northeast dream when I was accepted to Yale for graduate school and I lived in Connecticut for two years. The falls were dazzling! But along the way I met my husband Chris, who was doing a post-doc at Yale, and he accepted a job offer at Arizona State University. I followed him when I graduated – no regrets!! – and here I am in Arizona 16 years later. Neither of us love the weather here and while the desert landscape is beautiful in its own way we miss tall trees, water, and rain. But I’m sure 20 year-year-old me would be surprised at how many things we love about living here. Honestly 41-year-old me is too!
Q. Do you have a go-to reset when you’re feeling overwhelmed or struggling to stay focused?
If I’m feeling overwhelmed: making a brain dump list of everything on my mind, and/or a brain dump conversation with Chris (he’s such a good listener and sounding board). If I’m struggling to stay focused then closing all the computer tabs except what I need to be working on, setting a timer for 15 minutes, and then focusing until the timer goes off. [I am always amazed at the resetting power of a piece of a paper, a pen, and getting every little thing bouncing around inside my head written down. Long live brain dumps!]
Q. If you could add (or subtract) one habitual behaviour in your life, what would it be?
For years (since childhood I think) I’ve struggled with picking at my cuticles. I’ve made so much progress (and have written about it on my blog) but it’s still a habit I can’t fully shake. I’d love to be rid of it forever and am considering trying hypnosis this year after hearing of someone’s positive experience with hypnosis for nail biting – if anyone has experience with that I’d love to hear!
Q. What was your favourite purchase (under $200) in 2024?
We have not had a full length mirror in our house since our oldest son (now 11!) was a baby because the mirror fell and broke. We’ve gotten along fine without one but we bought one this year (for about $50) and it’s so nice to be able to see my full outfit and figure again!
Q. If you could eat only one meal on repeat for a week, what would you choose?
Beans and rice. Such a humble meal but every time I have it I think, “This is so good!” I would make a big batch of black or pinto beans in the Instant Pot and have brown rice on hand. I would top each bowl with shredded cheese, diced avocado, plain yogurt (instead of sour cream), and chopped pickled jalapeño. Yum.
Q. What’s your biggest pet peeve?
I quizzed my husband on this and he immediately thought of several little pet peeves of mine that all add up to “anything not being in its place”. For me everything in its place includes measuring cups stacked in the drawer in ascending size, cups grouped together in the cupboard, items in their “correct” spot in the closet, bags and backpacks off the bed (eww!)… Yup, guilty as charged, and I stand by my preferences which make for an orderly and tidy home. 😉 [I think the number one reason our house looks reasonably tidy is because we have a place for everything. Are items always in their designated place? Um…no. But having a go-to home makes it so much easier to put things away and it also helps us identify extraneous objects that need to be moved to a new home.]
Q. What’s your favourite part of podcasting? Least favourite?
My favorite part of podcasting is the intentional reflection that it brings to my life, and the thoughtful conversations with my dear friend, Erica. I’m sure we would not be as close as we are, and such big influences on each other’s lives, without our podcast and its conversations together. I am so thankful for that!
My least favorite part of podcasting is probably social media. I love connecting with our listeners there but social media (Instagram) feels like a black hole that always wants more content and more of your attention.
Q. If you could write a book about one topic (fiction or non-fiction), what would it be about?
This is actually something that I’m pondering so it might – I hope! – be in my future. I’d love to write a nonfiction book combining my content from my two workshops about goals and habits. I’d also love to write a novel one day. I’m not sure I have the talent for it but if anything was possible my novel would be a mashup of The Ocean at the End of the Lane and Where the Crawdads Sing. [First, you definitely have the talent for it. Second, let me know when you’re ready for beta readers!]
Q. What international destination – that you’ve never visited – do you most want to see?
Japan! I am fascinated by the history and culture, and I love the Japanese design and style aesthetic that is minimalist with natural materials and meaning. For years I’ve had the dream to take our whole family to Japan before my oldest graduates high school. We have 6 years so stay tuned!
Q. List five things that would happen as part of your idealized “perfect day”.
A great Orange Theory workout at 5 a.m. Breakfast at my favorite place, called The Coffee Shop, with Chris. The house would be spotlessly clean (and not cleaned by me). Time to read and write OR a walk outside with book club friends, depending on what I needed that day. And finally, homemade dinner at home with my family and playing board games (with no squabbling!). I generally try to create this very day every year on my birthday! [What a great birthday tradition! This year, I’m hoping to have dessert for my birthday breakfast – an idea I am blatantly stealing from you!]
Q. Share a weird/random/true fact – any odd skills or unusual experiences?
In high school and college I was on the crew team, which was inspired by watching rowing during the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. I often rowed stroke seat, which is the rower that sets the pace and everyone follows. In college we practiced six mornings a week at 5:15 a.m. Looking back I realize how intense that was! At the time it was just my life. But by the end of my senior year I was so ready to be done. [Your love of mornings – and intense workouts – goes way back!]
Q. What is your most treasured possession?
I might say the family photo books that I’ve made, but if they were lost I could get them reprinted. Something I treasure that can’t be replaced is the Caldwell family spoon from my maternal grandmother. It’s a metal spoon with a worn wooden handle and was used by my great-grandmother, Kelsey Mai, then passed to my grandmother, Mary Ellen, and now to me. It’s in our kitchen and gets used regularly. When I use it I think of the many family meals it’s helped prepare and the women who have used it. [I love this legacy of how food – and women – bind generations together. Also, a row of gold stars for actually using the spoon. It’s a treasured heirloom, but also a functional part of your life which makes it even more special. I’m assuming you were named after your great-grandmother?]
Q. If you were on a desert island and could only bring three items, which three items would you bring?
This is so hard and I’m going to bend the rules and name three “categories” of things…my Kindle, loaded with as many books as possible, my AirPods and my phone, loaded with as many podcasts and audiobooks as possible, and my journal and pen.
Q. Did you have any pets as a child?
Yes! My mom and sister love animals. We had the sweetest tabby cat named Pinstripe (isn’t that the greatest name? My mom gets credit), a small red-brown, tailless terrier mutt named Sparky, and a cairn terrier named Hoover. I wrote my parents an impassioned letter about why we should get a second dog (Hoover), and then I quickly lost interest. They still have the letter! My parents of course had Hoover for many years after that letter including after I left home. I took note of their experience! Today I describe myself as happily pet-free and plan to stay that way. I love animals, and am a pescatarian out of concern for the ethical treatment of animals, but the care and mess of a pet is not appealing to me in the least. [While I like the idea of a furry friend who loves me unconditionally…I already have two humans dependant on me which includes making sure they are fed, groomed, have clean teeth, and all their vaccines are up to date. That feels like more than enough responsibility at this stage in life.]
Q. If you could give new parents one piece of advice, what would you say?
Parents often hear a lot of the same advice, much of it so wise and true! Something they might not hear as often: take audio recordings of your child(ren). Maybe it’s the audiophile in me but there is something so intimate and transporting about audio, even more so that video I think. Take video too! But record those little noises they make (those newborn coos!), and what a conversation with an 18 month old sounds like, and telling little stories at 3. Each recording that we have is truly a treasure. And, when they do start talking, write down the cute stuff they say immediately. Because you will instantly forget it. I make a practice of this and collect my kids’ funny quotes on our Christmas card each year. It captures my kids’ personalities better than a written update, and I love sharing a laugh along with our cards. [This is such wonderful advice, and something I haven’t done a stellar job of capturing. Your Christmas card quotes are hilarious – what a gold mine of comedic material and no doubt some of these conversations will live on within your family culture for decades to come.]
Q. What is your favourite time of day?
The very early morning, between 4 to 6 a.m., especially when it’s still dark. I love that it’s so quiet, and the hours feel like bonus time. I love this time of day so much that I routinely wake in the 4 a.m. hour to exercise or might go work at Starbucks or in our backyard studio.
Q. How and when did you meet your husband?
We met at a bar on the Yale campus that’s just for graduate and professional students (how Yale is that?). I was with a girl friend and we went to play pool but someone – Chris! – was already playing on the table, but he said we could play with him. The funny thing is I recognized Chris as “that cute guy from the gym” while Chris had no idea who I was. But luckily it all worked out! Chris still rarely remembers who people are haha.
Q. Tell us something about your personality you think might surprise readers!
Maybe that I like to be silly! That might come through on my podcast from time to time but I would guess I generally come across as measured and thoughtful, and I am. But I truly get a kick out of being off-the-wall silly. Although I can really only be that way with people I’m closest to. My family of origin can be silly so I learned it there, and love to be silly with my own family.
Q. What is the first thing you do in the morning/last thing you do at night?
In the morning: brush my teeth. I cannot face the day without a minty fresh mouth. Have you read Bossypants by Tina Fey? She has a line about this that I think of: “You can fix it as soon as you get up – you brush and you use mouthwash – but there’s something about knowing you woke up with hot-mothball mouth that makes you feel old.” So funny and also so true! You’re welcome.
Last thing at night: ideally I read until I get very sleepy, then I don my sleep mask (a game-changer for my sleep! I just use a cheap one) and go to bed. Often I also listen to an audiobook or podcast to go to sleep which is a habit I’d like to break but it’s so comforting, and surely not the worst habit in the world. [I second your vote for an eye mask! I have a white noise machine and now can’t sleep without it; that’s a problem the one time a year the power goes out and the resulting silence wakes me up, but I find it comforting and helpful and a good signal that it’s time to sleep so I have no plans to kick the habit.]
Q. If you had a warning label, what would yours say?
“Does not function well with changed plans, spontaneity, or a deficit of alone time.” Just ask my husband. 😉 [If you put this on a bumper sticker, I will buy one. This is me. Just ask my husband.]
Q. Introvert or extrovert?
Extroverted introvert. I’m quite social and love meeting new people, which makes some people guess I’m an extrovert. But ultimately I crave abundant quiet alone time and that’s how I recharge.I’ve noticed a challenge for me is that I love to connect with people and make plans, but I have to be careful not to overschedule or commit myself or else I become really drained. [I could have written this entire answer word for word. Ditto all of it. “Abundant quiet time” – yes! The quantity really matters for me. I simply can’t reset fully without an abundance of white space. Even if I’m still working or in motion, the impact of being alone is so restorative for me; it gives me oxygen!]
Q. If you could trade places with someone for a week, who would you want to switch with and why?
Honestly, maybe my husband Chris! How fascinating would that be! As well as I know him I’m curious about how he processes and thinks about things, how he feels stress, etc. I would be so interested to see what differences there were in how he sees the world as a man versus how I see it as a woman (granted this would be a sample size of one).
Q. What’s the best decision that you’ve ever made?
Deciding to have a third child. I agonized over this! Even before Chris and I had kids we talked about having three. Coming from a family with two kids, and mostly knowing families with two kids, three kids seemed fun and kind of wild-in-a-good-way to me.
But after our first two (very energetic boys close together) I was stuck for a bit wondering how our life would change and if we felt up for a “reset” back to the baby phase. Ultimately it was when someone told me, “Quit while you’re ahead,” that made me realize what I wanted to hear was, “Go for it!” That’s how I finally knew what I really wanted.
On top of that, I have always pictured myself with a daughter and for a while thought I’d never have that experience. Finding out we were having a girl – by having the ultrasound tech write it in a card that we then opened at breakfast – is among my favorite days ever, along with the births of each of my kids. [What an incredibly intimate and memorable gender reveal.]
Thank you, Kelsey. This was so much fun and I can’t think of a guest better suited to help us usher in a new year. (Can anyone believe today is actually the last day of 2024?!)
If this was your first time “meeting” Kelsey, stop what you’re doing – unless you’re driving a car, caring for an infant, saving someone’s life, operating heavy equipment, or important things of that ilk – and head over to her blog (Rising*Shining) and check out her podcast (The Girl Next Door Podcast).
Since I’m today’s host, I’m going to shamelessly butt the line and ask a random assortment of questions to get things started:
- I know your theme of “shining” comes from a saying your mom has for you and your sister – Kelsey shines and Elizabeth sparkles. How would you define the difference between shining and sparkling and how do they uniquely represent each of you? Have you come up with similar positive “labels” for each of your kids?
- Favourite podcast episode you’ve ever recorded?
- If you could meet one person (currently living) who would you want to meet and why?
- How do you take your coffee?
- Favourite colour?
- Least favourite chore?
- One household gadget you couldn’t live without?
Now it’s your turn.
- Does anyone have questions for Kelsey?
- Has anyone tried hypnosis to banish a pesky habit?
- What is your most treasured family heirloom? Is it prominently displayed and/or do you use it regularly?
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Nicole MacPherson
Wowza, talk about star power, Elisabeth!!!! I love The Girl Next Door and I was so excited to see Kelsey here. Is it terrible I didn’t even KNOW she had a blog? Well, I will go and check it out immediately. I have no questions for Kelsey, just fan girl energy. I love listening to her and Erica chat about life, their friendship is so wonderful.
Happy New Year, my friend! xoxo
Kelsey
Hi Nicole! I’m so flattered, and how lovely to see you here! Haha I am going to make a point to promote my blog on our podcast more. I love the content creation parts of my jobs but the promoting part…not so much lol. Happy New Year to you!
Elisabeth
I know you love Kelsey and you are basically the most enthusiastic podcast listener in the world so I’m so excited that you learned something new today. Yes! She has a blog. You’re welcome <3
I'm sure she's loving your "fan girl energy".
Kelsey
This was delightful, Elisabeth, thank you! I really enjoyed seeing some of our similarities! I think we’d have so much to talk about over coffee. My dream would be to do that over coffee in Nova Scotia during the summer or fall when I love to escape AZ! Oh and yes, I’m named after my great-grandmother, Kelsey Mai.
I love your follow up questions. Here are my answers…and I’ll pop in today to answer any reader questions as well. Thank you so much, everyone!
How would you define the difference between shining and sparkling and how do they uniquely represent each of you? Have you come up with similar positive “labels” for each of your kids?
As for shining vs sparkling and how my sister and I are different, that is a great question! And as I sit down to answer it’s hard to describe, but I think makes so much sense if you know us both. My sister and I are quite different but love to laugh together and love each other fiercely. I would say that Elizabeth sparkles because she lights up a room with her humor, her passion for artistic endeavors, and how in touch she is with her own heart and emotions. I shine in my warmth, friendliness, and patience.
And I do have “light” inspired descriptions for each of my kids: radiant Dashiell, sunshine Cedric, and rainbow girl Maeve. (Although I do want to share that Maeve is not a rainbow baby.) I gave them each when they were born but I think they fit!
Favourite podcast episode you’ve ever recorded?
Such a good question and so hard to choose! I really love our period episode (Let’s Talk About Our Periods!) both because we laughed a lot and I felt really proud of bringing that topic to our podcast so honestly.
If you could meet one person (currently living) who would you want to meet and why?
Ooo I’m stuck on this one! I am going to think today and come back with an answer.
How do you take your coffee?
I’m so passionate about my coffee and I love that you asked. First of all, very hot and in an insulated mug to keep it that way. Currently I take my coffee with about 1/4 cup of a combination of whole milk and Nutpods toasted marshmallow creamer. I’m sipping on it currently while writing this!
Favourite colour?
Golden yellow, with eggplant a close second, and forest green a close third.
Least favourite chore?
Taking out the compost! I love that we compost and feel passionate about it but dislike dealing with it. Chris heroically takes out the compost 95% of the time.
One household gadget you couldn’t live without?
A box cutter: it’s just the exact right tool for the job and I find myself reaching for it often.
Elisabeth
Thanks, Kelsey! This was so fun <3
Nova Scotia in the late summer/early fall is very close to perfection weather-wise!
- I love that your "labels" from birth still so accurately represent your kiddos. And what special monikers to carry with them through life.
- As someone who has talked at length about the state of my uterus, I am elated when "real" women discuss period topics. It is an underrepresented topic that can be so isolating for many women and literally happens to almost half the world's population every month.
- I knew you LOVED coffee, but had no idea how you took it. Can I admit I'm so glad it's not black. I am so impressed people can drink it black, but I can't relate. When we manage to get together in person and share a coffee, I think we'll see eye-to-eye on the creamer situation 🙂
- I have no idea how you compost (we have a municipal program so every 2 weeks they come get organic matter and it is composted at a large centre), but we can put in cardboard boxes that will break down (think cereal boxes). We store ALL our compost in a box in the freezer to prevent fruit flies and it keeps things from going icky/slimy or smelling at all. Every day or so we take that frozen box out to the compost bin and can throw it out in its entirety. I have no idea if this would work at all for your situation, but we have been doing it for a decade and it's one of my favourite household hacks.
- I have boxcutters and scissors everywhere! Why is it as an adult I am constantly cutting or opening things?
Kelsey
We do keep our compost in the fridge and that has been a game-changer! I learned this years ago from Mari Kondo. So much better than on the counter top for sure.
Haha yes – adults are always opening things!
Summer coffee date in Nova Scotia with you officially on my “hopefully someday” list! There is another lovely internet friend I have in Nova Scotia – Sherrie Graham (https://www.instagram.com/grahamsherrie/) – who I would love to meet too. Nova Scotia is calling! 🙂
Elisabeth
Maybe you and Erica can have your podcast retreat/planning session in NS one year 😉 Kill a few birds with one stone or, as my vegan friends have countered, cut a few carrots with one knife!
Kelsey
Okay, I decided on who I’d like to meet! I would choose Julia Louis-Dreyfus. I have become obsessed with her podcast Wiser Than Me in which she interviews older women and showcases their lives and wisdom. Also, she is hilarious. So I’d love to spend a day with her to see what her day to day is like, and along the way chat about how incredible older ladies are and our own thoughts about aging, and I hope we’d laugh a lot too!
Elisabeth
I have heard such great things about her podcast. She will forever be Elaine to me and I have definitely type-cast her. I should check out her podcast!
Jenny
Oh my gosh I LOVE Kelsey!!! I listen to her amazing podcast but somehow didn’t realize she has a blog (HOW did I not realize that???) I’ll be scooting over there ASAP. The “Fall Extravaganza” episodes are my favorites- I’ve listened to them all at least twice. Thank you Elisabeth for this belated Christmas gift.
Kelsey
Hi Jenny! Lovely to connect with you here! We enjoy making Fall Extravaganza so much, I love to hear that you love it so much. Cheers and happy new year!
Elisabeth
I know you LOVE the Fall Extravaganza episodes. I love how they have become so popular and beloved. It’s an annual tradition.
Alas, I couldn’t get you a Christmas card before 2025, but at least you got a gift from me, Jenny!
Lisa's Yarns
I am a long-time listener of GND and adore their podcast! They have a wonderful dynamic and are both so very real. I can relate to Kelsey’s warning label. I am also an extroverted introvert. When we went to visit my parents after Christmas, we stayed at a rental down the road from them because there wasn’t enough room for all of us at my parents. On the last night, Phil told me he hoped we never had to stay at the rental on future trips. He much preferred being at my parents. But I actually LIKED being down the road. We got to leave when we wanted to leave and I could go to bed and read without feeling guilty about missing out on time with my parents. But my husband is an extrovert – but a VERY quiet one. Everyone mistypes us and thinks I’m the extrovert since I am quite outgoing. And our feelings about being in the rental really demonstrate how differently we experience the world!!
I would not have guessed that Kelsey has a silly side to her! I am very very rarely silly but having kids has helped me lean into silliness!
Kelsey
Hi Lisa! Having my own space when I travel, physical and time-wise, feels key to enjoying my travel. So I really understand that preference! It’s tricky when you travel because you bump up against different people’s preferences. I’m glad you got to have that experience, and I hope you can meet both of your preferences on future trips. Maybe a couple of nights where you stay later, or your husband stays later!
Kids definitely bring out a silly side, one that is often neglected by adults but so fun to bring out!
Elisabeth
I’d be like you – really wanting my own space. I always feel like I have to stay quasi-dressed (i.e. not in PJs with no makeup) and stay up to a certain point of the night when we’re staying with people. I feel SO much more relaxed if the timing on things is flexible and I have some space and autonomy over bedtimes and routines.
Grateful Kae
Hi Kelsey! What a lovely post.
A few questions for you:
1) Are you still doing your mix of some really early and some quite late workouts each week? I remember there was a change in class time availability but I don’t recall how that all landed ultimately. I remember it being eye-opening to me when you shared your workout schedule once, because I tend to get stuck in thinking “every day has to look the same” (ie I should workout at 6 am daily.). Logically I know this isn’t true, but when sketching out my days and weeks, for some reason I get tripped up on this and forget that there are options!
2) What was your Yale graduate degree in? I feel like I should know this, but I can’t remember…
3) Re: your pet peeve, do you have any sort of regular decluttering or cleaning schedule that you follow, in order to help keep everything in its place? I feel like in order to, say, have every measuring cup in stacked appropriately, it probably has to NOT be in a messy, overflowing, disorganized drawer. Haha. Just curious how you prevent household disorganization from taking over, as I feel like need to “declutter” is a common thing I hear many other moms say! (myself included!)
Kelsey
Hi Kae! I’d love to answer these…
1) Sadly both of my 8 pm workout classes ended; it was really sad for me because I loved those. However I am not terribly sad about being up so late twice a week. Instead, I am experimenting with a later morning workout, so 8:30 am. I still do a 5 am and a 6 am each week, and now am trying to hit 4 workouts/week with those 8:30 classes. I don’t love the time because it cuts into my work day, but I’m going with what works “well enough” for now. Chris also works out early some mornings so we necessarily have to have different workout days. I like the rhythm it creates for the week!
2) I have a master’s degree in environmental science. I studied biology in undergrad. I looove science and understanding how the natural world works!
3) For regular decluttering, I take unneeded items to be donated regularly. I have a kind of spidey sense for what we no longer need/are using. When something no longer has a purpose: it’s outta here! I don’t have a schedule for those bigger projects like closets, etc. but just an awareness of what needs attention and then in the next few weeks (or sometimes months!) set aside time to tackle it. Chris also loves to declutter so I can often recruit him to declutter and then it feels fun. We do always do as much decluttering and organizing after Christmas as we can. It’s become a tradition we both look forward to!
Elisabeth
Hey! I have an undergrad (and Master’s degree) in Biology as well. It’s a small world.
And, like you, I feel so fortunate that my husband is equally keen to declutter. It would be so difficult if one of us like a “pack-rat” things and the other preferred to keep stuff to a minimum. We both feel the itch to do a deep declutter around the holiday season. It feels like an emotional and physical cleanse and a nice reset going in to a new year.
Kelsey
Oh wow – love our shared biology background, and knowing we can appreciate each other’s natural science “nerdness.” And same on appreciating not having a pack-rat spouse. I feel that would be so challenging for me.
Joy
Nice to meet you, Kelsey! I’m looking forward to adding a fun new podcast to my queue!
“Does not function well with changed plans, spontaneity, or a deficit of alone time.” is highly relatable, particularly the alone time! I’ve always thought of myself as an extrovert but I crave solitude to reset my brain and function well!
Kelsey
Hi Joy! So nice to connect with you. Thank you so much for checking out my podcast — I hope you like it!
Sophie
Love this post, Kelsey! Somehow I’ve not listened to Girl Next Door, will definitely add it to my queue. I also really want to visit Japan! And love the tip to record kid quotes and audio, I’d definitely like to do more of this!
Kelsey
Hi Sophie! Thanks so much for checking out my podcast — I hope you enjoy it!! And I hope you also get to visit Japan one day.
SHU
Hi Kelsey!!!! Happy new year! Love everything you do!! My question (which I’ve asked you IRL lol) is: any plans to bring back the Matrimony/finance-type content? I LOVE your transparency around budgeting, spending, etc!!
Kelsey
Hey SHU! Ooooo great question. I feel both that I’d love to bring Matrimoney back…and don’t know how we’d make the time?? But I agree there’s nothing else like it, and people seemed to really enjoy it. Thank you for asking that!
Kelsey
P.S. I just told Chris about this and he said he’d love to bring it back. Maybe we’ll do some workshopping this year to see if it would be possible…. no promises! But I’m also not saying definitely no. 😉
Heidi
Fall Extravaganza posts are so much fun!
Questions:
1) You mentioned loving some things about the desert. What are the biggest perks of living in Arizona?
2) How did you decide on your kids names? Do they have family significance…or did you just like the names!
3) Do you prefer fiction or non-fiction?
Kelsey
Hi Heidi! Oh I love that you love the FE episodes — we love to make them! I love your questions, thank you!
1) The number one perk of living in Arizona, for us, are the people and the community. Chris’s parent’s and sister and her family live here (although they are not from here! just all ended up here), and we have an incredible community on our street (we know tons of families, get together casually, and our kids are all the same age), at our school, and in other friendships, like my book club that I’ve been with for 16 years! Other perks would be all the ease of suburban life. Our area was developed more recently so the roads, stores, and amenities are all nice and new and there’s every convenience you could want. (Suburbia has drawbacks too! But there are perks and I try to appreciate them since this is the life I’m living!) And finally, our winter weather is incredible! Highs in the 60s or low 70s F and we’re living our best lives outside.
2) Oh thanks for asking! They each have their own story, but all end up being literary-inspired which I love. Dashiell (Dash-uhl) was a name I saw a blogger I really like choose for her son and I loved the nickname Dash. There’s also the connection to the writer Dashiell Hammet. Cedric’s name is one we just liked a lot, but we loved the connection to the character from Harry Potter. When I was pregnant with Maeve, but didn’t yet know if she was a girl, I started The Dutch House by Ann Patchett, also one of my favorite writers. I loved the character Maeve and from the first page her name captivated me. I tucked that away and didn’t even mention it to Chris until the morning we found out we were having a girl. But he loved it too and we never really considered anything else!
3) Hmmmm I think I would have to say I prefer a mix! I can’t imagine reading only fiction or nonfiction. I read more fiction than non but love diving into a nonfic topic I’m interested in (forever time management, goals, habits, decluttering, and sometimes a relevant parenting book) and a memoir or biography when they catch my eye. I do keep track of everything I read on Goodreads if anyone wants to connect there!
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1403054-kelsey
Elisabeth
I’m curious if it was Kelle Hampton’s son Dash that inspired you at first? That’s the only other person I know what a “Dash!” And do you mostly call your son Dash, or does he primarily go by Dashiell?
Kelsey
Oh that is so interesting, but no! I have never followed Kelle Hampton closely enough to know she has a son named Dash! The blog was called A Lovely Morning and written by a woman named Kristina who lives in Southern California. I remember she also ended up having two boys and then a girl! The name must have been in the zeitgeist in the early 2010s!
Marcia from OrganisingQueen
I wondered the same thing because that is the first Dash I “knew”.
Alexandra
Oh, I love these gust posts you sponsor, Elisabeth. And this one? What a fantastic read, and what a delight and pleasure to meet you, Kelsey. And now I have a new podcast to listen to as well as a new blog to read. Thank you both for such a wonderful read and insight into your life and for sharing it with us all.
Kelsey
Hi Alexandra! What a kind thing to say — thank you! I hope you enjoy checking out my blog and podcast. Happy New Year!
Alexandra
Indeed, thank you for sharing. And duly bookmarked so I can now follow along. Definitely looking forward to the podcasts.
Tobia | craftaliciousme
Thank you for the introduction. I have heard about the podcast but never listened to it.
I’ll check it out.
Kelsey
Hello! I hope you enjoy my podcast if you take a listen. I’ll pop over to your blog as well!
Elisabeth
I think you’ll love it, Tobia! It’s all so relatable – the range of topics feels like exactly what you’d want in a close friendship. Hard topics and then silly ones and everything in between.
Becky
Kelsey! Please share your instant pot bean recipe…. Or if you’re feeling generous recipes! I am salivating just thinking about beans and rice either way the fixings (ps. After seeing you hand your daughter Maeve I almost had another kid because I love the name so much!)
Kelsey
Hi Becky! I’d be happy to. Sometimes I just riff, but here is a recipe actually from my Uncle Bob (who grew up with the family spoon so that feels fitting). I’m vegetarian so I modify this (veggie broth, no bacon), but here’s the original recipe. And oh I love that Maeve’s name almost inspired another baby! Perhaps you’ll get a granddaughter named Maeve one day! I suggest starting the lobby now 😉
Bob’s Beans
Ingredients
1 pound dry pinto beans
6 slices bacon, diced
1 white onion, chopped
4 cups chicken broth
3 tablespoons chili powder
2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon oregano
2 tablespoons cilantro, chopped
Optional toppings: avocado, shredded cheese, plain non-fat Greek yogurt, salsa
Instructions
Soak dry beans in water overnight.
Using the sauté setting, add the bacon to cook through. Add the onion and sauté until softened, about 3- 5 minutes.
Add beans and chicken broth, followed by the spices. Stir to combine.
Set the valve to seal and use the manual pressure setting for 25 minutes.
Release the pressure and keep warm for about 20 minutes.
Mash some of the beans to thicken.
Serve over rice with your choice of toppings.
Michelle G.
This was another wonderful guest post! Thank you for introducing me to another great blogger and podcaster, Elisabeth! You are such a gifted connector. I’ll be heading over to check out Kelsey’s blog ASAP!
Kelsey
Hi Michelle! Thank you so much for checking out my blog and podcast. Cheers for lovely people on the internet finding and sharing each other 🙂
Laura
(sorry if this posts twice! Computer issues!)
So fun to read this! I too look forward to Kelsey’s book. And I know what she means about enjoying having a daughter with a houseful of boys!
Kelsey
Hi Laura! Oh I’m flattered! Okay now that I’ve said it I had better deliver — I’m feeling ready to tackle it this year. Love that we can relate on houses full of boy energy haha. Maeve certainly brings her own energy to the house haha but I can often relate to it differently than I do the boys — it’s so interesting.
Kristen | The Frugal Girl
Kelsey, I just want to say that you have SUCH a lovely smile!
And I’m gonna go check out your podcast. 🙂
Kelsey
Hey Kristen! What a sweet compliment – thank you! And I would be flattered if you listened to my podcast. 🙂 I have a much older podcast all about transparent personal finances that might be up your alley as well that my husband I made together: Matrimoney. And I enjoy reading your blog actually! I don’t know how I did not come across you earlier than the past year or so because I love frugal/intentional living content…but alas the internet is a vast space. So lovely to “connect” with you this way. Happy New Year!
iHanna
Love this entire interview, thank you for sharing! And ghen the Christmas card idea, wow, love it SO much! Endearing even if one doesn’t even know the kids. It makes me wish I’d had my own just so I could do this! 😅
Kelsey
Hi Hannah, thank you!
Marcia from OrganisingQueen
I did not know The girl next door podcast or Kelsey but this post made me go download a podcast episode as I feel we are very aligned in our purpose and mission.
I have an ice-cream scoop like Kelsey’s family spoon – it’s in the “best nine” on my instagram for @organisingqueen because I LOVE IT. It’s old and made well and is also a treasured possession.
Elisabeth
I think you’ll LOVE her podcast.
Isn’t it wonderful to have something that is so treasured AND it’s useful. Win, win.
Kelsey
Hi Marcia! I hope you’ll enjoy my podcast if you listen. And I just popped over to your IG and saw the family ice cream scoop – that is so lovely! I love the idea of imagining all the ice cream it’s scooped, and the happiness it has brought as a result!, over all the years.