Three years ago, my husband lost his job two weeks before Thanksgiving. The parting was unexpected and traumatic and it forced me to re-examine many things about our lives. Most importantly, it forced me to re-examine my favorite time of the year, the holiday season.

That year I celebrated Christmas without consuming and I learned that fancy Christmas cards, a giant Christmas tree, or big holiday parties are not essential to a happy holiday.

The next year we were in a better financial position and consuming again entered into the equation. However, the consciousness I experienced that special year led me to celebrate with a newfound intention. Last year, I took all the lessons I learned about what does and does not make a special holiday season and joined forces with my dear friend Nurtured Mama to offer a very special e-course on achieving peace during a chaotic time of year.

21 Days to a Peaceful Holiday consists of 21 days of emails beginning December 1st and running through Winter Solstice on December 21, as well as membership in our 21 Days to a Peaceful Holiday Facebook group.

This course is basically like an online holiday season life coach and support group.

Imagine starting your day with a dear friend who just wants the happiest holiday season for you. Or how would you like to share your morning coffee with a friend who gently asks "Are you taking good care of yourself?" or has conveniently scoured the Internet for quick and easy Advent ideas to make you feel like a Christmas queen with minimal effort?

That's us!

Nurtured Mama and I have written gentle reminders and inspirational ideas on how to decide what holiday memories are important to YOU, how to capture those Christmas moments that come and go so quickly, how to keep the consumption and indulging to a healthy minimal, how to simplify gift giving, and much, much more!

We tackle everything from the emotional, like how to deal with difficult people during an already stressful time and how to embrace the romance of the season, to the practical, like simple gift DIYs and easy traditions to start tomorrow.

Nothing is required. You can give as little or as much energy to our suggestions as you want. What WE want is to make this holiday season brighter, easier, and yes more peaceful!

To register for the class, please click here!

My Kentucky is the land of my ancestors - generations of people who have inhabited the same hills and streams and towns I call home.

My Kentucky is the place of my birth. It is my roots. It is my past. It is the start of my story.

My Kentucky is the centerpiece of my childhood where every 4th of July was spent on Kentucky Lake and every Christmas downtown at my great-grandmother's house on Jefferson Street.

My Kentucky is the place I couldn't wait to escape from as a teenager when every familiar place and friendly face seemed like a prison.

My Kentucky offered up a new life to me in college, when I drove east along the Western Kentucky Parkway singing Wide Open Spaces at the top of my lungs.

My Kentucky was independence and "big" city living in Lexington as I crossed North Broadway a thousand times and learned who I was during my time at Transy.

My Kentucky wasn't home for five years. Five years spent defending her to anyone who dare insult her good name.

My Kentucky waited patiently for me to return - secretly knowing all along that the only thing my children could or would ever be were Kentuckians.

My Kentucky has opened up a whole new life for me. A life I never dreamed possible.

My Kentucky is the promised land - rolling hills of green and dirt roads and wide open sky that fills you up and make you whole.

My Kentucky is one of the great loves of my life. There always. Supporting me. Loving me. Inspiring me.