This is the story of a packet of grass seeds and a pitcher of water. What started out as the smallest, most unexpected parts of our ordinary lives have become the very best bits we couldn’t imagine life without.

Welcome to Out of the Ordinary! We’re delighted you’re joining our conversation. As always it was recorded on the third floor of Christie’s old farmhouse, Maplehurst, and today we sat down to unpack the idea that everything big starts small.

Looking to start your own podcast? I recommend The Podcast Launch Coach!

Out of the Ordinary

The podcast for anyone who’s ever felt the nagging frustration of wondering if her life is too small, too boring or too ordinary to make a difference. Lisa-Jo Baker and Christie Purifoy, longtime friends and bestselling authors, explore the surprising ways that cultivating ordinary life leads to extraordinary stories.

Visit our official podcast page!

Christie Purifoy

Christie Purifoy

Co-Host

A writer and gardener, her favorite ordinary things include strawberry jam, homegrown flowers, and old books with someone else’s notes in them.

Find Christie’s books here.

Lisa-Jo Baker

Lisa-Jo Baker

Co-Host

A reader and writer, her favorite ordinary things include hot tea with milk and sugar, a good movie, her mom’s hand-me-down books and Sunday afternoon naps.

Find Lisa-Jo’s books here.

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  To name my favorite rose varieties is a bit like being asked to name my favorite children. All of them! I want to say. But when you have one spot for a rose and thousands to choose among, a "Favorites" post is a very helpful thing. Of course, it is only a...

#outoftheordinarypodcast is on Instagram!

It can be good to let this season reveal itself … slowly. #adventatmaplehurst
Happy Thanksgiving Eve, US friends. When I was growing up, we always decorated for Christmas the day after Thanksgiving, but then we took everything down by Jan 1. Since my kids were little, we have observed the traditional 12 days of Christmastide (Dec 25-Jan 5), which has meant decorating slowly over Advent and taking everything (except my big paper star!) down on Epiphany (Jan 6). I appreciate how calendars allow us to live out stories in time, and I love the story of expectation / fulfillment / revelation that Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany embody. ✨ Advent doesn’t begin until December 3 this year, and I still haven’t decided if I’ll do any decorating this weekend. Eventually, I’ll clear this table for our tabletop Christmas tree. I’ll miss a good spot for piles of books (I have so many piles!), but twinkly lights and piled presents really are preferred by everyone else in this house. 😉 🎄
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#weareplacemakers #autumnatmaplehurst
Savoring the last autumn days over here ✨🍁✨
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#autumnatmaplehurst
Today I went for a walk and ended up in a painting.
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#wyethcountry #longwoodgardens #autumnatmaplehurst
The key to happiness in these darker months? Embrace the cozy. Welcome hibernation. 🔥🕯️✨
Some people chase beauty all over the world. I prefer to watch and wait and let it come to me 🍁❄️🌷🌻
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#autumnatmaplehurst #savourtheseasonalshift
Have you reserved your copy? 🌺🍎🦋
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#seedtimeandharvest #wearegardenmakers
All Hallows’ Eve at Maplehurst 🍁🎃🌺 Not pictured: 🍫🍬🍭
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#weareplacemakers
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