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...

Old Spring House "1836", Parkesburg, PA When I began writing The Philadelphia Matriarch , I knew it couldn’t just be a story on paper—it...

Hidden Stream Farm, Brubaker Valley Road, Lititz, PA There is something about returning to Lancaster County that awakens every sense. The...

Happy Heavenly Birthday, Mom! Today, I have the privilege of honoring you in the most fitting way I can imagine—by releasing The...

Market Street from 8th. Philadelphia, PA circa 1910s The Philadelphia Matriarch When I first began writing The Philadelphia Matriarch , I...

My fondness for flowers and generally anything in the natural world often lends itself to my writing, especially poetry. While out and...

Do you ever wish you could have listened better to the stories an older friend or relative shared with you? We have all been busy with...

A glimpse into the character, Florence, from the historical fiction novel, The Philadelphia Matriarch.