Ep. 24 – A Gift For The Listeners We Love

Ep. 24 – A Gift For The Listeners We Love

This is a story about placemaking around the table.

This is Chapter Ten of Placemaker in Christie’s own voice (can you hear a hint of Texas drawl?).

Our favorite thing about podcasting is sharing stories with you in our own voices. With Christie’s new book landing in reader’s hands in less than one week, this audio “sneak peek” is our gift to you.  

So, put your feet up, pour the tea (or coffee!), settle in with a blanket or a small child (or both!) and listen to “Norway Maple: Placemaking Around the Table.”

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.

RECENT PODCASTS

#outoftheordinarypodcast is on Instagram!

I always think of early winter as a dreary time of year, but there is nothing dreary about this light, these clouds, and the last few golden leaves. The present moment often gives us beauty and goodness we did not anticipate.
.
So many things in the world and in the news make me sad, and I feel helpless to do anything about them. But I have been given steady ground beneath my feet and people to love. I have dishes to wash and soup to prepare. I have a book to finish writing. A few bulbs still to plant. It’s more than enough to be getting on with.
.
#autumnatmaplehurst #weareplacemakers
Had to leave my computer (and a big unfinished project!) in order to buy Brussels sprouts and cranberries at the farm and market near my house. So now this is me not waiting till Thursday to give thanks.
.
If you celebrate this week, tell me what you can’t wait to cook  and / or eat!
Everything is terrible but everything is beautiful. I’m talking about … Teenagers. So sweet and funny until I check his grades. Marriage. So much love, so why are we bickering? The clouds that finally brought not-quite-enough rain after months of drought. The state of my current book project. But let’s not talk about that. My kitchen! So full of good food. So full of messy crumbs and half-melted lettuce and something that might be a radish or maybe a beet.
.
What is beautiful and terrible and too much and also a gift in your life these days?
Long summer days are glorious, but I’m grateful for this annual invitation to rest.
.
#autumnatmaplehurst
Today, reading the election results, some Christians say “God has heard our prayers!” Others, reading the election results, cry “God, why did you not hear us?” The critic might say that both have shot their prayers toward an empty heaven where no one listens. The cynic might tell us God doesn’t care who is President and aren’t both sides awful? The wise one might say that prayer is not about asking and receiving but a reaching out for the hand of God.  And the ordinary Christian? The one who doesn’t feel wise and worries about the state of the world? I think she might tell us, just keep praying. When we pray, something might shift out there in the world, but—even more likely— something might shift inside of us.
.
Lord, help me to do justice. To love kindness. And to walk humbly with my God.
All Hallows’ Eve at Maplehurst. Sweet, spooky fun with family, friends, and neighbors. 🧡
This is the real world. Can you believe it?
.
#autumnatmaplehurst #autumninpennsylvania
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Ep. 23 – All Our Nosy Listener Questions Answered

Ep. 23 – All Our Nosy Listener Questions Answered

This is a story about our nosy listeners whom we love!

So many of you have had so many questions for us over the past few months. Here are all your answers! 

Christie and Lisa-Jo put their feet up, pour the tea, settle in with some chocolate and offer up the realest, un-edited live responses to some of their listeners most common questions.

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.

RECENT PODCASTS

#outoftheordinarypodcast is on Instagram!

I always think of early winter as a dreary time of year, but there is nothing dreary about this light, these clouds, and the last few golden leaves. The present moment often gives us beauty and goodness we did not anticipate.
.
So many things in the world and in the news make me sad, and I feel helpless to do anything about them. But I have been given steady ground beneath my feet and people to love. I have dishes to wash and soup to prepare. I have a book to finish writing. A few bulbs still to plant. It’s more than enough to be getting on with.
.
#autumnatmaplehurst #weareplacemakers
Had to leave my computer (and a big unfinished project!) in order to buy Brussels sprouts and cranberries at the farm and market near my house. So now this is me not waiting till Thursday to give thanks.
.
If you celebrate this week, tell me what you can’t wait to cook  and / or eat!
Everything is terrible but everything is beautiful. I’m talking about … Teenagers. So sweet and funny until I check his grades. Marriage. So much love, so why are we bickering? The clouds that finally brought not-quite-enough rain after months of drought. The state of my current book project. But let’s not talk about that. My kitchen! So full of good food. So full of messy crumbs and half-melted lettuce and something that might be a radish or maybe a beet.
.
What is beautiful and terrible and too much and also a gift in your life these days?
Long summer days are glorious, but I’m grateful for this annual invitation to rest.
.
#autumnatmaplehurst
Today, reading the election results, some Christians say “God has heard our prayers!” Others, reading the election results, cry “God, why did you not hear us?” The critic might say that both have shot their prayers toward an empty heaven where no one listens. The cynic might tell us God doesn’t care who is President and aren’t both sides awful? The wise one might say that prayer is not about asking and receiving but a reaching out for the hand of God.  And the ordinary Christian? The one who doesn’t feel wise and worries about the state of the world? I think she might tell us, just keep praying. When we pray, something might shift out there in the world, but—even more likely— something might shift inside of us.
.
Lord, help me to do justice. To love kindness. And to walk humbly with my God.
All Hallows’ Eve at Maplehurst. Sweet, spooky fun with family, friends, and neighbors. 🧡
This is the real world. Can you believe it?
.
#autumnatmaplehurst #autumninpennsylvania
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Ep. 22 – An Easy Way To Reset Your Day

Ep. 22 – An Easy Way To Reset Your Day

This is a collection of love stories about the old fashioned cuppa tea.

It’s no secret that Lisa-Jo and Christie love a good cup of tea.  Hot, cold, dark, red, or herbal tea is a hot trend these days. But Lisa-Jo’s love for the sweet beverage was born even before she was. And Christie was an early adapter

Between them they invite you to put your feet up, pour a cuppa and listen in as Lisa-Jo shares about her surprising tea discovery while working at the Pretoria News newspaper in South Africa, Christie takes us to Comanche, Texas and memories of iced tea, and between them they invite you into the sacred and completely ordinary rhythm of a day paused by a tray of tea and the people who gather to drink it.

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.

RECENT PODCASTS

#outoftheordinarypodcast is on Instagram!

I always think of early winter as a dreary time of year, but there is nothing dreary about this light, these clouds, and the last few golden leaves. The present moment often gives us beauty and goodness we did not anticipate.
.
So many things in the world and in the news make me sad, and I feel helpless to do anything about them. But I have been given steady ground beneath my feet and people to love. I have dishes to wash and soup to prepare. I have a book to finish writing. A few bulbs still to plant. It’s more than enough to be getting on with.
.
#autumnatmaplehurst #weareplacemakers
Had to leave my computer (and a big unfinished project!) in order to buy Brussels sprouts and cranberries at the farm and market near my house. So now this is me not waiting till Thursday to give thanks.
.
If you celebrate this week, tell me what you can’t wait to cook  and / or eat!
Everything is terrible but everything is beautiful. I’m talking about … Teenagers. So sweet and funny until I check his grades. Marriage. So much love, so why are we bickering? The clouds that finally brought not-quite-enough rain after months of drought. The state of my current book project. But let’s not talk about that. My kitchen! So full of good food. So full of messy crumbs and half-melted lettuce and something that might be a radish or maybe a beet.
.
What is beautiful and terrible and too much and also a gift in your life these days?
Long summer days are glorious, but I’m grateful for this annual invitation to rest.
.
#autumnatmaplehurst
Today, reading the election results, some Christians say “God has heard our prayers!” Others, reading the election results, cry “God, why did you not hear us?” The critic might say that both have shot their prayers toward an empty heaven where no one listens. The cynic might tell us God doesn’t care who is President and aren’t both sides awful? The wise one might say that prayer is not about asking and receiving but a reaching out for the hand of God.  And the ordinary Christian? The one who doesn’t feel wise and worries about the state of the world? I think she might tell us, just keep praying. When we pray, something might shift out there in the world, but—even more likely— something might shift inside of us.
.
Lord, help me to do justice. To love kindness. And to walk humbly with my God.
All Hallows’ Eve at Maplehurst. Sweet, spooky fun with family, friends, and neighbors. 🧡
This is the real world. Can you believe it?
.
#autumnatmaplehurst #autumninpennsylvania
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Ep. 21 – How Not To Fear Grief

Ep. 21 – How Not To Fear Grief

These are the stories of friends who showed up like beacons.

If Episode 20 was all about the foreign country of grief, these stories will give you the courage and the advice you need to journey to that intimidating place without fear.

Perhaps life has already brought you to that hard place. Perhaps a friend has recently crossed over, and you are wondering how to help her.

Lisa-Jo and Christie have grieved and grieved with others, and they trade stories of what helped and why. Does suffering frighten you? Do you worry you’ll say or do the wrong thing? Then this episode will encourage you and equip you.

Because these stories are not really stories about the storm.

They are stories about the lighthouse that welcomes the storm-tossed home.

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.

RECENT PODCASTS

#outoftheordinarypodcast is on Instagram!

I always think of early winter as a dreary time of year, but there is nothing dreary about this light, these clouds, and the last few golden leaves. The present moment often gives us beauty and goodness we did not anticipate.
.
So many things in the world and in the news make me sad, and I feel helpless to do anything about them. But I have been given steady ground beneath my feet and people to love. I have dishes to wash and soup to prepare. I have a book to finish writing. A few bulbs still to plant. It’s more than enough to be getting on with.
.
#autumnatmaplehurst #weareplacemakers
Had to leave my computer (and a big unfinished project!) in order to buy Brussels sprouts and cranberries at the farm and market near my house. So now this is me not waiting till Thursday to give thanks.
.
If you celebrate this week, tell me what you can’t wait to cook  and / or eat!
Everything is terrible but everything is beautiful. I’m talking about … Teenagers. So sweet and funny until I check his grades. Marriage. So much love, so why are we bickering? The clouds that finally brought not-quite-enough rain after months of drought. The state of my current book project. But let’s not talk about that. My kitchen! So full of good food. So full of messy crumbs and half-melted lettuce and something that might be a radish or maybe a beet.
.
What is beautiful and terrible and too much and also a gift in your life these days?
Long summer days are glorious, but I’m grateful for this annual invitation to rest.
.
#autumnatmaplehurst
Today, reading the election results, some Christians say “God has heard our prayers!” Others, reading the election results, cry “God, why did you not hear us?” The critic might say that both have shot their prayers toward an empty heaven where no one listens. The cynic might tell us God doesn’t care who is President and aren’t both sides awful? The wise one might say that prayer is not about asking and receiving but a reaching out for the hand of God.  And the ordinary Christian? The one who doesn’t feel wise and worries about the state of the world? I think she might tell us, just keep praying. When we pray, something might shift out there in the world, but—even more likely— something might shift inside of us.
.
Lord, help me to do justice. To love kindness. And to walk humbly with my God.
All Hallows’ Eve at Maplehurst. Sweet, spooky fun with family, friends, and neighbors. 🧡
This is the real world. Can you believe it?
.
#autumnatmaplehurst #autumninpennsylvania
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Error: There are no business accounts connected.

Ep. 20 – Why It Might Be Time To Claim A New Name

Ep. 20 – Why It Might Be Time To Claim A New Name

This is the story of a man who chose his own name.
And this is the story of a name handed down from mother to daughter to son.

If Episode 19 was all about letting go of hurtful labels, this episode is about the importance of claiming a name.

Christie and Lisa-Jo return to their conversation in Episode 11 (When Life Feels Like a Series of Interruptions) to share more about the tragic loss of Christie’s brother-in-law three years ago, and the legacy he left for his wife and young children. Lisa-Jo shares more about the loss of her mother, and the legacy of her name “Jo.”

What’s in a name? This conversation invites you to consider what a good gift a name can be and why it could be time for you to claim yours.

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.

RECENT PODCASTS

#outoftheordinarypodcast is on Instagram!

I always think of early winter as a dreary time of year, but there is nothing dreary about this light, these clouds, and the last few golden leaves. The present moment often gives us beauty and goodness we did not anticipate.
.
So many things in the world and in the news make me sad, and I feel helpless to do anything about them. But I have been given steady ground beneath my feet and people to love. I have dishes to wash and soup to prepare. I have a book to finish writing. A few bulbs still to plant. It’s more than enough to be getting on with.
.
#autumnatmaplehurst #weareplacemakers
Had to leave my computer (and a big unfinished project!) in order to buy Brussels sprouts and cranberries at the farm and market near my house. So now this is me not waiting till Thursday to give thanks.
.
If you celebrate this week, tell me what you can’t wait to cook  and / or eat!
Everything is terrible but everything is beautiful. I’m talking about … Teenagers. So sweet and funny until I check his grades. Marriage. So much love, so why are we bickering? The clouds that finally brought not-quite-enough rain after months of drought. The state of my current book project. But let’s not talk about that. My kitchen! So full of good food. So full of messy crumbs and half-melted lettuce and something that might be a radish or maybe a beet.
.
What is beautiful and terrible and too much and also a gift in your life these days?
Long summer days are glorious, but I’m grateful for this annual invitation to rest.
.
#autumnatmaplehurst
Today, reading the election results, some Christians say “God has heard our prayers!” Others, reading the election results, cry “God, why did you not hear us?” The critic might say that both have shot their prayers toward an empty heaven where no one listens. The cynic might tell us God doesn’t care who is President and aren’t both sides awful? The wise one might say that prayer is not about asking and receiving but a reaching out for the hand of God.  And the ordinary Christian? The one who doesn’t feel wise and worries about the state of the world? I think she might tell us, just keep praying. When we pray, something might shift out there in the world, but—even more likely— something might shift inside of us.
.
Lord, help me to do justice. To love kindness. And to walk humbly with my God.
All Hallows’ Eve at Maplehurst. Sweet, spooky fun with family, friends, and neighbors. 🧡
This is the real world. Can you believe it?
.
#autumnatmaplehurst #autumninpennsylvania
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Error: There are no business accounts connected.

Ep. 19 – You Called Me WHAT Now?

Ep. 19 – You Called Me WHAT Now?

This is the story of the labels people pin to us – to our bodies or our lives, or our families or our homes – and that we sometimes start to believe must be true.

This is the story of starting to say that we will not be accepting those labels today, thank you very much. 

Today Christie and Lisa-Jo each share stories about labels they had unknowingly accepted about themselves since they were teenagers. As if they were a shameful secret. As if they should apologize for who they are. Do you know what we mean? Do you have a memory, a throwaway sentence, an insult, a note, a casual, cutting observation that you tucked into your soul and allowed to grow up alongside you as if it was always part of you? So that now that lie is grafted into your DNA and you can’t tell the difference between the label and the reality of you?

Today is the day to toss that label in the trash, friends!

Join us as we speak truth and laughter and reality to the labels that have embarrassed us in the past. That we choose instead to name our lives and our homes and ourselves with the words spoken on the sixth day, “very good” (Genesis 1:31).

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.

RECENT PODCASTS

#outoftheordinarypodcast is on Instagram!

I always think of early winter as a dreary time of year, but there is nothing dreary about this light, these clouds, and the last few golden leaves. The present moment often gives us beauty and goodness we did not anticipate.
.
So many things in the world and in the news make me sad, and I feel helpless to do anything about them. But I have been given steady ground beneath my feet and people to love. I have dishes to wash and soup to prepare. I have a book to finish writing. A few bulbs still to plant. It’s more than enough to be getting on with.
.
#autumnatmaplehurst #weareplacemakers
Had to leave my computer (and a big unfinished project!) in order to buy Brussels sprouts and cranberries at the farm and market near my house. So now this is me not waiting till Thursday to give thanks.
.
If you celebrate this week, tell me what you can’t wait to cook  and / or eat!
Everything is terrible but everything is beautiful. I’m talking about … Teenagers. So sweet and funny until I check his grades. Marriage. So much love, so why are we bickering? The clouds that finally brought not-quite-enough rain after months of drought. The state of my current book project. But let’s not talk about that. My kitchen! So full of good food. So full of messy crumbs and half-melted lettuce and something that might be a radish or maybe a beet.
.
What is beautiful and terrible and too much and also a gift in your life these days?
Long summer days are glorious, but I’m grateful for this annual invitation to rest.
.
#autumnatmaplehurst
Today, reading the election results, some Christians say “God has heard our prayers!” Others, reading the election results, cry “God, why did you not hear us?” The critic might say that both have shot their prayers toward an empty heaven where no one listens. The cynic might tell us God doesn’t care who is President and aren’t both sides awful? The wise one might say that prayer is not about asking and receiving but a reaching out for the hand of God.  And the ordinary Christian? The one who doesn’t feel wise and worries about the state of the world? I think she might tell us, just keep praying. When we pray, something might shift out there in the world, but—even more likely— something might shift inside of us.
.
Lord, help me to do justice. To love kindness. And to walk humbly with my God.
All Hallows’ Eve at Maplehurst. Sweet, spooky fun with family, friends, and neighbors. 🧡
This is the real world. Can you believe it?
.
#autumnatmaplehurst #autumninpennsylvania
This error message is only visible to WordPress admins
Error: There are no business accounts connected.

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