• Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube

Simply Bloom Co.

Where Passion & Purpose Collide

  • About
    • FAQ
    • Media & Interviews
    • Blog
      • Everyday Blooms
      • Marriage
      • Motherhood
      • Recipes
        • Breakfasts & Snack Foods
        • Lunches & Main Meals
        • Desserts & Sweet Treats
  • Speaking
    • Topics
    • Schedule
    • Conferences
    • Enneagram
    • Reviews
    • Podcast
      • Episodes
    • Booking
  • Podcast
  • Books
    • SOZO Book
    • Penduka Book
      • Penduka Shop
    • XES Book
      • Book Reviews
      • Interviews & Podcasts
    • R:EVOLVE Journal
  • Design
    • Client Reviews
    • Investment
    • Book in Bloom
      • Book in Bloom Bundles
  • Shop

Ramblings & Us {Through the Ledford Lens}

I’ve had a deliciously full week; opportunities to connect with girlfriends I don’t get to see even remotely often enough, dinner with a wonderful friend I haven’t seen in over 7 years, an out-of-town conference with my hubby {which boasted paradigm-shift-inducing teaching by Carl Medearis…he rocked our world}, and was sprinkled with precious family time {my favorite type of “busy”}.

In the mean time, I have an old friend from high school {that I haven’t seen in over 15 years} who was so inspired by my juicy RRHM post that they decided it needed to be in book form.  How cool is that?!?  I’m so excited to get my hands on it and still can’t believe someone else is doing all the tough stuff for me.  So blessed, friend!

Speaking of anticipation and paper…I’m itching to get my 2012 Woman’s {life} Planner!  I got to design the cover and assist with other little details inside, and am just giddy to see it in print and start planning the new year.  I’ve looked and looked for the ‘perfect planner’ to organize my days and my month at a glance – along with all the other wild and hairy details of life – and this planner is a dream come true!

On the news front…we got a new van!  It’s what we’ve had a crush on for many years now, and were finally able to get our hands on (only because the incredible store owner sold it to us for half of what it’s worth)!  It’s a Honda Odyssey.  And I am so ridiculously in love with it {swoon}.  Who knew vans could be so sexy?

I have been bitten by the new year’s resolution bug, disguised as the spring cleaning fairy.  I’m in mega purge mode right now and want to declutter every square inch of my home.  At least today, I do.  My kids are a little afraid.  And my husband should be {I’ve been giving some old sweaters of his the eyeball of doom lately}.  I feel like we’re in bondage to too much frivolous, unnecessary stuff, and I want to reclaim open, uncluttered space.  Arrgh!!  {I am woman on mission…here me roar!}

My hubby is currently sitting in a tree with a gun in woods far, far away.  When we first got married, I really struggled with his “hunter” status.  After years of enjoying the benefits of a freezer overflowing with cheap, healthy meat, I have embraced his ability to put fresh meat on the table while satisfying a deep, manly need to dress like a tree and hide in the woods for a few days with a deadly weapon. 

I have discovered a new obsession with homemade kettle-corn.  Coconut oil + popcorn kernels + a sprinkle of sugar and salt = the most amazing, home popped goodness imaginable!

And while I’m rambling about things I love…I love the concept of bartering.  It just makes sense to this budget-minded girl.

So when the lovely Liz approached me about trading family photos for design work, the answer was a resounding “yes and amen!”.  And considering it had been almost 2 years since we last had family photos taken…it was most certainly about time, eh?

So here we be…in all our unrefined, apple-chewing madness….

fam kids collkids coll 1boys coll  kids apples coll  kids coll 2 Mom and Ali coll

_mg_0848

“Rejoice with your family in the beautiful land of life!”  Albert Einstein

Related posts:

  1. Ramblings of a Sappy Mom
  2. A Daddy’s Lens & Some {Killer} Photography Tips
  3. Excuses, Updates and an ATW Guest Post
  4. At The Well: Guest Post {The Ultimate Plan Review}
«
»

Complete nonsense, Daily Life, Family, Home

Don’t miss a thing! Sign up for the monthly newsletter…

Simply Bloom exists to empower women to embrace their stories, live out their passion with purpose, and leave a legacy of love.
 photo Joy.jpg

Hello there! I'm Joy. Speaker, designer, author & coach, and creator of the #weROARproject. Welcome to Simply Bloom Co., where passion & purpose collide.

Subscribe for Updates

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
Instagram post 17935123059257469 Instagram post 17935123059257469
It took me 6 months to walk into the gym… and 6 ye It took me 6 months to walk into the gym…
and 6 years to realize how much God would use it to shape me.

This episode isn’t about fitness,
it’s about formation.

🎧 Episode 024 | Stronger Than I Thought
  What God Is Teaching Me Through CrossFit

Listen wherever you find your podcast!

#OhGoodGrief #SimplyBloomCo
Using ONE WORD, let us know how we can be praying Using ONE WORD, let us know how
we can be praying for you today.

He knows the details, we don't have to.

And if you pray for someone else here,
would you give them a 'thumbs-up' to
let them know you prayed for them?

/ / /

"Then you will call upon me
and come and pray to me,
and I will hear you."
:: Jeremiah 29:12
What do you do when you know God can… but you don’ What do you do when you know God can…
but you don’t know if He will?

This week on Oh, Good Grief, Monica Kaczynski shares her journey through cancer, surrender, and learning to trust God in the unknown.

This conversation is honest, tender, and deeply grounding.
Episode 023: Even If | Surrender, Hope + the Unfinished Story
Instagram post 18199828711358670 Instagram post 18199828711358670
In this deeply personal episode, Joy sits down wit In this deeply personal episode, Joy sits down with Monica Kaczynski as she shares her journey through pancreatic cancer with raw honesty and steady faith.

From years of infertility and surrender, to the unexpected joy of motherhood, to a life-changing diagnosis just months before her son’s wedding, this is a story of courage in the middle of it all.

🎧 Episode 023 of Oh, Good Grief is out today:
 Even If | Surrender, Hope + the Unfinished Story

Listen in wherever you get your podcasts.

#ohgoodgriefpodcast #simplybloomco
Using ONE WORD, let us know how we can be praying Using ONE WORD, let us know how
we can be praying for you today.

He knows the details, we don't have to.

And if you pray for someone else here,
would you give them a 'thumbs-up' to
let them know you prayed for them?

/ / /

"Then you will call upon me
and come and pray to me,
and I will hear you."
:: Jeremiah 29:12
The enemy tempts us. Then shame convinces us to hi The enemy tempts us.
Then shame convinces us to hide.

But God’s first response to human failure wasn’t condemnation.
It was a question: "Where are you?"
Not because He didn’t know.
But because healing requires that we name where we are,
and freedom comes as we choose to bravely step out of hiding.

🎧  Where Are You? | An Invitation to Come Out of Hiding now streaming.

#OhGoodGriefPodcast #SimplyBloomCo
Instagram post 18062295662456563 Instagram post 18062295662456563
Follow @SimplyBloomJoy

Copyright © 2026 · Designed by Simply Bloom · Theme from Restored 316

Copyright © 2026 · Darling Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Unfortunately it does not contain chocolate chips, you cannot eat it and there is no special hidden jar.