Peace, Be Still... My inspiration comes from the natural world—along quiet trails and canopied pathways that gently lead toward the sea. I wander through mature maritime forest, crossing ancient dune ridges where massive live oaks stretch wide, their limbs draped in Spanish moss. Loblolly pines rise skyward beside sweet magnolias, while palmetto, holly, and cedar form a dense, living undergrowth. The trail grows sparser, sandier. The air shifts. Soon, the distant roar of wave

My Loyal Guards, Louise & Thelma Enjoying a Stunning Sunrise (after 4 hours of writing in the wee, dark hours)! In the quiet hours before dawn, when the world is still asleep and only the soft sounds of morning stir, I find myself most connected to story. Those hours have always belonged to me—sacred, uninterrupted, and full of possibility. This January, they will once again become my writing hours. I’m thrilled to share that I am officially beginning research and writing on

Edinburgh, Scotland's Hogmanay Celebration - Eric carrying the torch with blogger mom in background Every family trip seems to have one unforgettable story—the kind that begins in awe and ends in laughter. For us, it happened at the turn of a new decade, when a quick week in London and Scotland took a few twists worthy of their own travel diary. A quick week in London and Scotland proved to be as eventful as it was memorable. Another whirlwind family escape from school and wo

St Paul's Cathedral Christmas Morning - Our jet-lagged son, Eric A Light in London Our family leaped at every chance to travel together, gathering school breaks like precious coins. That Christmas, London called—a weeklong adventure made possible by the points saved from a consultant’s life on the road. We chose Mayfair, beside Hyde Park, where old-world charm met the hum of holiday bustle. We arrived sleep-deprived but determined to stay awake, to push through the fog of an

"Books serve to show a man that those original thoughts of his aren't very new after all." — Abraham Lincoln  As the year winds down, I’m closing the cover on my final three reads: The Secret Life of Sunflowers — a tender blend of art, history, and the quiet resilience of women. Hello Beautiful — a tapestry of family, forgiveness, and love that lingers long after the last page. The Twelve Dogs of Christmas — a lighthearted reminder of joy, loyalty, and the simple gifts of

Midnight & The Wicked, The Vault: The Gilded Secrets of a 1920s Jazz Lounge & Speakeasy There is something extraordinary about returning to Philadelphia—the city that cradled The Philadelphia Matriarch  and continues to whisper inspiration for its sequel, The Matriarch’s Legacy (expected 2026). This trip was a magical blend of nostalgia, research, and rediscovery, as if Florence and William were guiding us through their old haunts and urging us to look a little deeper. We

Still Smiling 40 Years Later! Life has a way of moving us forward with such momentum that we scarcely notice the pieces of ourselves we set down along the way. You leave, you move, you learn. Schooling carries you into adulthood; marriage, work, children, and family carve new chapters; responsibilities reshape your days and sharpen your focus. Each season asks you to release a bit of who you once were so you can grow into who you are becoming. And yet, no matter how far we tr

Cummer Museum Gardens, Jacksonville, FL - 450 year old Live Oak When you stand before a 450-year-old tree, you can almost feel time slow down. Its roots run deeper than any human memory, threading through centuries of change. Beneath its sprawling limbs, the world has turned over and over again — empires rose, revolutions rumbled, and generations were born and gone — yet this tree still stands, serene and steadfast. It sprouted around 1575 , when the world was full of discove

Royal Palm Turkeys at Bru's Acres As Thanksgiving approaches, my heart fills with gratitude for my greatest blessings—my family. Scott, Eric, and Stephanie bring so much joy and meaning to my days, and I’m especially thankful for the times when we can all come together under one roof again. There’s something sacred about gathering around the table, breaking bread, and sharing laughter that stretches late into the evening. Through the years, we’ve built traditions that have be

"My Stephen," Scott Brubaker with our son, Eric When my book club recently discovered that  Stephen Masters  was a made-up character in  The Philadelphia Matriarch , I saw a flicker of disappointment cross a few faces. It made sense — readers often fall for characters who feel  real . I went home that evening thinking about how to respond and decided to sleep on it. By morning, my heart had its answer. Stephen may be fictional, but he was born from fragments of truth — from t

Lt Commander Scott Brubaker Retirement Ceremony, Pearl Harbor at USS Arizona Memorial, 1997 This Veterans Day, my heart swells with pride and gratitude as I honor my husband, Lieutenant Commander Scott Brubaker, whose 23 years of faithful service to the United States Navy shaped not only his career but our family’s journey as well. His story is one of leadership, sacrifice, and unwavering devotion to country and calling — a life charted by the stars, the sea, and the steadfas

Beth's first published book...a memoir that led to debut novel, The Philadelphia Matriarch. The seven years on the farm became more than a chapter of life — they became a wellspring of stories, poetry, and inspiration. From sunrise chores to twilight walks through the fields, every season offered lessons in gratitude and grace. I’m so thankful for the ability to capture it all — in words, in photographs, and now, in this video that traces the journey from beginning to end. Wh

Mini Shoofly Pie Tartlets - Made for my recent book club presentation Recipes That Tell Our Story Every family has its secret recipes—the ones not just written on cards, but carried in hearts. For mine, those recipes stretch back through the generations, simmering in kitchens from Philadelphia row houses to Lancaster County farmsteads. Long before “farm to table” became a trend, my ancestors were living it—kneading bread by lantern light, canning peaches in August heat, and g

Sistine Chapel Family Visit, May 2011 Halloween and All Saints’ Day have always felt like two sides of the same coin—one playful and earthly, the other reverent and eternal. Together they remind me that light and shadow are both part of life’s tapestry, and that even as the world grows darker and colder, there is always a glimmer of something sacred shining through. As a child, I loved Halloween’s laughter and the rustle of leaves beneath our feet. We paraded through the neig

Morning Sunrise on The Atlantic - 26 October 2025 Frothy cappuccino waves served up a fabulously delicious sunrise this morning — the sea wildly stirred, the air alive with salt and promise. It was a beautiful beginning to the day, a sanctuary by the seashore. A symphony to the senses that stir the soul. Rolling, thunderous waves washed away the night’s tension, while the sky surrendered itself to splendid cotton-candy hues — pinks, corals, and soft lavender spilling like wat

Valley Forge Soldier's Arch to Lake Tahoe's Emerald Bay, 1993. Scott & Beth Celebrating 32 Years Today! With a couple of hours to spare...

A New Day Begins! Writing The Philadelphia Matriarch  has been the fulfillment of a lifelong dream. For decades, the story lived quietly...

Travels with the Children Traveling brings out the research geek in me. My personal preference is always the countryside—driving through...

Step Back in Time with Estella & Florence Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, PA Some stories don’t stay bound by their covers. Have you...

Spoonbill Pond at Big Talbot Island We have paid a price for every move—for the boxes packed, the roots pulled up, the long drives toward...