Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Jumping Back In: Big News!

Puppies.
Homeschool.
YouTube.
Cookbooks.

After a whopping six months of silence, where does one start?  Moving back to our home after it grew (and after being gypsies for almost a year), took more energy out of me than I thought it would.  I think when we all let down from survival mode, the settling in had a bit of a falling-apart affect on our bodies and emotions after muscling through for so long.  As soon as life felt more put into order, school began.  Homeschool.  Homeschool done well, with four students and a toddler took every bit of energy out of me for the first seven weeks.  The choice to return home felt good and right, and I don't regret it for a second, but I am happy to finally be in a routine and have more headspace for other areas of life.  I'm excited about sharing more about this pocket of life in another entry, coming very soon.

Also?  There's this puppy.  Heidi joined our family only a couple of weeks ago.  Heidi is big, and will only get so much bigger.  We all love her dearly.  Desiring to raise this very trainable puppy properly, she has become a homeschool project for our ten and twelve-year-olds.  They will be taking her to obedience school soon, and now spend their reading hour each day immersed in one of four books they agreed to consume if we were to bring Heidi home.  They are learning so much and in turn, present their knew knowledge to the rest of us.  I can't recommend these books enough, if ever you find yourselves in the market for a puppy -- particularly a Livestock Protection Dog (LPD):


  • The Art of Raising A Puppy: A must-have if getting any kind of puppy is in your future (or even thinking about getting one), written by the legendary Monks of New Skeet.
  • How To Be Your Dog's Best Friend: The Classic Training Manual for Dog Owners: Also written be the aforementioned monks, this book carries you through training beyond the puppy days.
  • Livestock Protection Dogs: Selection, Care, and Training: If you have some land and livestock (or are dreaming about the day that you do), this is a very inspirationally helpful read.
  • Sheep Dogs of Anatolia: This isn't a training manual, but more of a history on our specific, rare breed that dates back thousands of years to ancient Anatolia (now Turkey).  This book gave new perspective to the world outside our western culture (it was written by a Turk and only recently translated to english) and was brought to life through interacting with our puppy and realizing her heritage.

Then there's this YouTube situation.  Why start a channel?  Well, I explain it in this video.  It's exciting.  It feels awkward.  But it also feels right.


A cook book?  Why not?  It's in the very beginning planning phase, and I have a title and release-date dream churning in my head, but need to materialize it a bit more before sharing any further for now.

So much love to you all, and I can't wait to hear from you and re-establish connection.  I'm incredibly thankful for this creative outlet and have felt a massive void while it was neglected over this past half-year.  There's lots of excitement stirring in me for things to come, and I very much look forward to sharing them with you.  Blessings!

54 comments:

  1. Kerry McKinley Bergus PayneOctober 15, 2014 at 7:22 AM

    Yay!!! You're back :) I am so glad!

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  2. Beyond excited that you're back! There is such a real ness to you that I've always loved! cant wait to see what's next!

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  3. Yay!! So happy you're back and can't wait to see more videos! I want to learn everything you mentioned about!! Looking forward to it!!

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  4. I'm so excited you're writing again! Also, definitely checking out those books as we daydream about our own future LPD =) xoxo

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  5. So exciting! Can't wait to read along :)



    Sending hugs from Minnesota!!!

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  6. Loved the video, and I love how you are willing to do the hard work of transforming culture. I pray your efforts, in your family, home and land are richly blessed.

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  7. Go for it riddlelove- this is (as the welsh would say) LUSH!!

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  8. So I watch the youtube video and it was so inspiring. Vulnerability is always inspiring :) this vlog is very exciting to me because it seems like it will open up another layer of your life and I guess that's just exciting to be a part of that. So thank you for being brave and saying yes to doing this. I'm watching from idaho as a stay at home mom, so just know that your words and life are inspiring and effecting so many in all different places.

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  9. such an amazing first video!! I LOVE how genuine you are. You have so much to offer the world through your writing and videos!! xx

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  10. You have so very much to offer and I am looking forward to seeing and hearing it! Thank you so much for your integrity, humility and vulnerability. I am very excited for you! Thank you for sharing!

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  11. I never comment in these things but I just wanted to say thanks and well done as well for putting yourself out there and adding the video element to your blog. It's so easy to feel inadequate reading blogs and looking at photos on Instagram of people we respect, and although the insecurities that drive that inadequacy are ours to deal with, I don't think everyone helps by presenting an often perfect looking life and not throwing in much reality along with it. So, thank you for doing your bit to dispel the myth and helping us mums (and others) to feel more connected (and less intimidated) as you share a little bit of your life with us! I'll be following from England (where 90degree Octobers sound like heaven!!) xx :)

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  12. I like it! I'd love to hear more about your home. When you say you moved back home does that mean to a different location or were you temporarily out of the house that you were building? I remember reading with interest your trailer life as you sought to be debt free.

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  13. or I can just take a look at the link you already posted! :)

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  14. Thank you so much for being vulnerable and sharing from the heart. That, more than anything, draws me in. Looking forward to hearing and seeing more! Bless you!

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  15. I'd love to hear about how you balance family and church/ministry! A huge area, especially for those of us who serve at church, have kids and who's husband's job is also church related. Some thought on that would be great!

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  16. So very happy that you are back, and that you posted the video out of pure honesty and vulnerability. How refreshing, since a lot of the bloggers (as you mentioned) set it (and themselves) up to look all put together, and maybe some people do live like that, but that just isn't life for a lot of us, and so it's refreshing to plug in to a blogger that's willing to step outside of that and show her real self. Thank you! Looking forward to more!

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  17. I've missed your blog entries and I'm so glad you are back! But I totally understand why you had to step back, and respect you for doing it. I loved you video and look forward to seeing more. Blessings on you and your family.

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  18. What kind of puppy is that? My twin 12 year old boys are asking for a dog for their birthday. I love the idea of having them read books about training too (:

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  19. Yay, Katie!!!! I love Riddle Love, and got so excited when I saw your post on Instagram about the new entry. Thank you for being so open and willing to share your life!

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  20. Great job Katie! Very well done. Thank you for sharing. I am so proud of you and excited too! -Simona

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  21. Thank you! Lush, I like that word! :)

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  22. Thank you! It feels good to be back. :)

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  23. Your words bring such encouragement. :)

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  24. She's an Anatolian Shepherd! We LOVE her and chose her breed because of how smart and loving they are. I call them protective golden retrievers. ;)

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  25. This is so helpful, thank you! I have lots of thoughts on this and look forward to sharing them. :)

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  26. Haha! Yes we moved into our current house when it was 950 square-feet. We lived in it for 3 years, saved up, and expanded it over last year. :)

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  27. Your words mean so much. Thank you! I can't lie, I'd LOVE to trade countries with you for a while. ;)

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  28. This is amazing to read. Thank you so much!

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  29. Thank you so much! I receive it! :)

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  30. Yes yes! I'm so excited about your LPD and all that it entails!

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  31. This is so helpful, thank you! I have lots of thoughts on this and look forward to sharing them. :)

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  32. So excited to see you back! This is my first comment on your blog but I feel we've had a soul tie ever since I first watched you at the Bethel health conference a couple of years ago. I then looked up your website and devoured your "year in a camper" journey until 2 am! Your story inspired me so much that I asked God for the same. Unfortunately, He heard me, lol. And 2 years later, after living in a million dollar home, God is calling us into a camper!!! And today, we said yes!!! I just know that if I never read your story, I would probably never say yes to this. But God knew and He kept prepping me all this time.

    The journey we're about to embark on is very much like yours- living in a camper , homeschooling my girls and growing organic veggies in a greenhouse. Learning simplicity and sustainability as well as eating healthy are my motivators. Living in fancy homes but indoors is not the life I want for my family so God is giving us an opportunity to make that change. It may be uncomfortable for a bit, but if you can do it, I can do it!

    We have never visited Bethel but hope to do so next year and would LOVE to actually meet you and your family (and maybe your homestead!)!

    I can't thank you enough for putting yourself out there for the rest of us to be inspired. I'll be blogging my journey too, but may not go public until I feel confident, lol.

    Much love!

    ~Alla

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  33. I totally stalk your blog...so I 'm SOOOO glad to see you back doing more posts! Love the dog...we're looking for a LPD too! Excited for your new endeavors Katie! keep it coming...you're truly gifted. xo

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  34. I wanna hit LIKE on your video.. but this isn't Instagram. :) YAY!! This was so good!! I'm a single 30's gal and really am so inspired by your transparency and desire to encourage others. This is some good stuff lady. I'll be lookin out for the next one.

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  35. This is such great news!!! Cheering you on and volunteering for any sort of taste testing, recipe proofing, and sous cheffing. 😁

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  36. So excited! Love your recipes and planning! This is such a random question, but where did you get your shoes that are in that one picture? I love them!!

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  37. Katie,
    You don't know me from atom, but I just want to encourage you to keep it real and honest. I have always found your blog to be inspirational and encouraging though I totally understand your comments about inadequacy and I think the root of that has to do with setting up idols in our hearts. Your words on this topic reminded me of a book I read recently and would recommend to ANYONE called The Search for Significance by Robert McGee (actually I did the workbook version) because he talks about how we often look to other's approval in order to measure our self worth. BTW I'm not paid by anyone to recommend this...haha... I wish cause that would be nice. I think people's approval can even become an idol if we are seeking it more that Jesus himself. Didn't intend to comment all this, but that is what happens sometimes when you can't sleep and your hubby is away, right? Haha.


    All the ideas you have already for your Vlog are awesome and I'm excited to see each and every one! Since you asked for suggestions, though, I personally am hoping for raw honesty about your spiritual journey through all these activities and daily life things. Good and bad. Simply because that is one thing that I see so many Christians neglect being honest about and instead hide behind a "my relationship with God is perfect" facade. Not saying you have or will ever do that.... again I don't know you. But it's just more of something I hope for I suppose :o)


    Most of all, with all you have going on, NEVER feel bad if it doesn't turn out how you hope. Know that you have at least 1 other mama in Pennsylvania on your side rooting (and praying) for you!

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  38. you are the cutest! LOVE LOVE LOVE you and your blog, and now your videos. I can’t wait for more. I can totally see you doing a cookbook. Have missed seeing you for a few months and it was such a treat to read this tonight. BLess, bless, bless you!!!

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  39. So glad you are back to the blog and vlogging now!! We came from overseas to do BSSM with our kiddies a couple of years ago!! Such fond memories, loved everything about Redding and Bethel... We have just bought land (after looking for 8 years) and starting towards a more self sufficient lifestyle. I am very much about cooking everything from scratch and have enjoyed some of your recipes!! I also considered homeschooling, however my first child is so social, he was absolutely busting to get to school and so I guess I didn't consider it any more with the others either. I totally admire your patience. I love my children to bits but we all struggle to be in a small space with each other, there is such an opposite mix of strong personalities!!! I would love to hear some parenting tips - you mention your kids know how to get along with one another, this is something we very much struggle with and our 4 are all 8 years and younger! Also how to really teach them to be responsible - they cannot even do simple tasks without constant supervision and encouragement which I don't always have time for!! Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us - I know even doing that takes a lot of time, effort and commitment which is amazing :)

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  40. So glad you're back! I have a question, what does your day look like homeschooling? I've wondered how to plan out days. Thank you!

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  41. Thank you! If feels good to be back. :) I will definitely be posting on what our homeschool day looks like in a series I am working on now. :)

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  42. You are seriously my inspiration as a mom. Everything you do is what I want to eventually do with my family and it is encouraging to see that it is possible. Thanks for walking in Gods calling and being an inspiration to us all.

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  43. Thanks so much! It's good to be back. :)

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