In last week’s No Fat Talk Tuesday, I talked about voicing and writing down the things that do not define us. Lies we believe about ourselves, our bodies, our abilities and our value. When I really meditate on it, there are a lot of lies I believe and a lot of things I think would bring me happiness, only to find out that those things don’t bring lasting fulfillment of any kind. For the longest time, I, like many women, … Read More

Friends, I’m so sorry for the past couple weeks. If you’ve noticed that I’ve been a bit distracted and posting less than usual, it’s because things have been a bit crazy over in the Hofmeyer house. But not to fear, I’m hoping that things return to normal in the weeks to come. Thank you for sticking with me through it all. This past weekend, Joe and I had a real treat when my dad came to visit us in Grinnell. … Read More

Last fall over Labor Day weekend, Joe and I went to visit my dad, step mom and little sisters in Idaho. They had just moved to Boise a month before our wedding, and it was the first time we got to go and see their new town and house. On one of the days there, we made the 2-hour drive through the mountains from Boise to McCall, an adorable little town tucked up away from Idaho’s capitol. Since we stopped … Read More

Over the last few weeks, Joe and I have both been talking a lot about what defines us as individuals. It’s been an interesting, and sometimes uncomfortable, journey as we dig into the deepest parts of our hearts and examine what’s inside. During this difficult time of self discovery, I put together a list in my head of things that do not define me. I heard someone tell me recently that in order to know who we are and what … Read More

  Joe and I just returned back from Kansas City after spending a weekend celebrating Joe’s brother, Jason, as he married his new wife, Ali! It was such a beautiful long weekend celebrating a truly amazing couple. I couldn’t imagine a couple better suited for one another, and being able to be a part of their special day was an honor. Ali had the fun idea to let all the bridesmaids pick their own dresses, as long as the were … Read More

Joe and I took a little bit of time tonight to try something special and off the beaten path for dinner. Well, that’s not quite true. We eat pizza all the time, but this was the first time we made pizza on the grill. And man, it was amazing. The crispy, charred crust was better than anything we’ve ever made in the oven, and it went a lot faster than cooking it in the oven, too. Here’s our step-by-step guide … Read More

Over the past couple weeks, life has gotten the best of me. A series of difficult events have compounded on one another and drained me of my creative and emotional juices as of late. The sun is starting to shine a little brighter around these parts over the past few days, but I’m five steps behind and trying desperately to catch back up. Do you ever experience times like these? So today, No Fat Talk Tuesday will have to wait. … Read More

Whew! What a fun-filled weekend we had. For the past couple months, Joe has had plans for a big guys weekend with all his college buddies. There was a Warrior Dash going on this weekend near Des Moines, so all 7 of the guys spent the weekend in Grinnell. Since our apartment is pretty small, and my mom was in town for the weekend to hang out together for her birthday, we rented a nearby apartment for the guys. I … Read More

If you’ve spent any time on blogs over the past year or so, chances are you’ve heard of Shabby Apple. This clothing company sells adorable skirts, dresses and swimwear at affordable prices. So when Shabby Apple contacted me, asking if I was interesting in hosting a giveaway I was thrilled. I know some of you have said you like the occasional fashion post on Espresso and Cream, so I’m guessing you like free clothes, too, right? Here’s what you need … Read More

On the weekends or during the weekdays when I work from home, I try to put just a bit more effort into what I eat for lunch. Although lunch isn’t my favorite meal of the day, it’s most certainly the best time to pack a bunch of vegetables at one sitting. Since I’m 100% obsessed with kale these days (along with everyone else in the food world), we always have plenty on hand. Somewhere along the line, I convinced Joe … Read More

Today’s No Fat Talk Tuesday post comes to us from Melissa. Melissa is a fellow ISU grad and I feel like I’ve gotten to know her through the e-mails we have exchanged over the last handful of months. Melissa’s story is incredibly touching and personal and I’m so happy to have her share with everyone today. Thank you, Melissa! – Madison I’ve wanted to share my story for a long time, yet part of me holds back. How do I … Read More