Welcome to WildFlower: Grow Inspired!
Volume 1 issue 1 January 2025
When the calendar turns over to a new year, I often get motivated to start something new and take a risk. A year ago, in January 2024, I was inspired to increase my creative writing output. I wanted to go from having no short stories to having at least a few. So I asked a friend to be my editor/deadline/accountability person, and I created a calendar of content that would be due to her over the course of the year. I stuck with my promises and delivered a short story or collection of poetry each month. She provided feedback on my stories; but more than that, she provided me with an audience. To my great satisfaction, at the end of 2024, I had eight* short stories, one personal reflection essay, and two poetry compilations (*oops, I didn’t submit a story in August—I was out of town—but still).
Fifteen years ago, I published 30 issues of a PDF newsletter for a moms group I attended. It was simple and built on a repeating template of content, relying heavily on stock photography. People loved it! They looked forward to it, because it was appealingly designed, and it featured other women and their thoughts and ideas, as well as favorite recipes. Content was light and included helpful tips and encouragement.
With the start of 2025, I was again inspired to start something new after reading Born for This, by Chris Guillebeau. Chris recommended I make a list of everything that interests me. Then I could look for overlap and adjacencies to give direction in pursuing a venture. My list was all over the place! I’ll be vulnerable here and show you a condensed version of my list of interests:
· Writing stories (horror, humor, interviews)
· Reading
· Design
· 1990s nostalgia
· Running
· Creating roller skate costumes
· Shopping online
· Having a good marriage
· Cooking/trying new recipes
· Saving money/making money
· Finding cool clothes/styles
· Wearing comfortable shoes
· Making food/meals from scratch
· Finding new ways to be efficient
· Meeting new people, making new friends
· Organizing photos
· Being a great mom!
· Interviewing interesting people
· Discovering awesome western/boho turquoise jewelry
When I read back over my list, I thought: how could I launch some kind of endeavor that would bring together some, if not all, of these interests? That’s when I had this idea for creating a digital publication/journal for writing, inspiration, and connection with friends. A relaunch of sorts of my previous publication. I’m guessing that you, like me, enjoy finding inspiration. I’m often interested in what other women are listening to, or where they like to find bargains, or what they’ve been cooking lately. Maybe you’re interested in these types of things, too. If you’re looking for an uplifting, positive essay or story, you’re in luck, because that’s also what I’ll be including in this journal. I’m also going to feature some artwork and original photography, and I’ll be starting with my daughter’s work, because hopefully if I ask nicely, she’ll let me include it.
I wasn’t sure at first how exactly to describe this journal or into which category it should fit. I named it WildFlower, because it’s unexpected, a little rough perhaps, still a work in progress, but beautiful. I know it’s for women, and it will be positive, uplifting, and include mention of faith and spirituality in connection with how creativity is sparked and nurtured. Each month, I’ll feature an interview with another woman—starting with friends of mine. Here’s a rough plan for what each issue will include:
WildFlower: Grow Inspired, a monthly publication
· Message from the editor/publisher (me)
· Artwork
· Song/album/playlist
· Recipe
· Interview with a friend
· Short story or essay
· Poem
· Shopping round-up recommendations (shop/jewelry/patterns)
· Closing
In his book, Chris Guillebeau wrote that in starting something, one doesn’t have to produce perfection. One just needs to put something out there. There might be bumps and redirects along the way, but at least it’s being produced! Likewise, when I told my husband I wanted to do this, he encouraged me, and he said, “Whatever you do, don’t just talk about it and do nothing. Be biased toward action. Do it!”
At the end of 2025, I want to be able to look back and be proud of each issue of WildFlower. I invite you to join me. Thanks in advance for your support! Is it ambitious? Yes. Sustainable? Hopefully. Impossible? Of course not!
What about you? What are you endeavoring to accomplish in 2025?
Artwork by Blair H.
Recommended Listen: Jess Ray
Every January—after Christmas music winds up—I listen to this album by Jess Ray. It’s so encouraging, and the album is “listenable.” I can have it on in the background without the need to skip a song. Give it a try!
Recipe: Quick Weeknight Enchiladas
My go-to recipe inspiration in Allrecipes. I can usually find something to help me get a meal on the table. Recently, I tried this recipe for Weeknight Chicken Cordon Bleu. I’ve made a few times now, and my family loves it! It’s delicious. Check it out!
I also have a few standby recipes that I’ve used many times over the years. The following is so easy I have it memorized. It’s adapted from a recipe in a booklet published by Kraft Foods, Inc. in 1999.
Quick Weeknight Enchiladas
1 lb ground beef
1 16 oz jar of salsa
8 oz cheddar cheese
8 flour tortillas
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Pour 1/4 of the salsa into a 9x9” glass dish. Brown ground beef completely in a pan on the stove. Stir in half of the remaining salsa and half of the cheese. Stir to combine. Spoon 1/4 cup of beef mixture into each flour tortilla. Roll the tortillas and place them side by side, seam down, into the prepared 9x9” dish until filled. Top with remaining salsa and cheese. Bake uncovered for 20 minutes. For extra protein, you can add a can of rinsed black beans to the beef mixture prior to placing in tortillas.
Poetry Inspiration
With thanks to Erika H.
You Say Elsa Gidlow You say I am mysterious. Let me explain myself: In a land of oranges I am faithful to apples. Perseverance Marin Sorescu (translated from Romanian) I shall look at the grass Till I obtain the degree of Doctor of Grass I shall look at the clouds Till I become a Master of Clouds I shall walk beside the smoke Till out of shame The smoke returns to the flame of its beginning I shall walk beside all things Till all things Come to know me
Photo by Blair H.
Shopping: Totty Vintage
A few years ago, I discovered Poshmark. I’ve long loved to shop vintage and thrift. I’ve sold and shopped on Ebay. But Poshmark is an amazing community of sellers and shoppers! What I like about shopping second-hand or new-to-me is that many things are hardly worn at all, and it’s not only saved from eventually clogging a landfill, but it’s also deeply discounted. It feels so right!
I maintain my own Poshmark closet and have sold quite a few things. I’ve also had many pleasant transactions with other Poshers. I wanted to recommend a closet I came upon recently: Totty Vintage, @tottybucket, out of Snoqualmie, Washington. SO MUCH GOOD STUFF!
This black dress, new with tags! (I wish I could wear black!)
Check out Totty Vintage’s entire closet here!
Jewelry: Peace, love and turquoise at Nana’s
We’re almost to the end of this issue, and I know you’re asking yourself, “But Kristen, you haven’t included ANYTHING related to western-boho-chic-turquoise!”
I haven’t forgotten. Roller skating costumes and 90s nostalgia will have to wait for another issue, but I do have a recommendation for all your turquoise-boho needs. I love to browse Nana’s Jewelry. I first encountered her work over a decade ago when I purchased some running-related jewelry from her. Her creations are gorgeous. Check out this mountain jasper ring!
The end: until next time
Well, there you have it. The debut issue of WildFlower. I hope you’ve enjoyed. I plan to be back next month with a cool featured interview with someone I’d love for you to meet, as well as some original essays, writings, and inspiration.
If you’d like to submit content or ideas, please reach out!
All my best,
Kristen, WildFlower editor & publisher