Nestled Podcast

20/04/2020

Anyone feel like they have spent the last month on a cleaning hamster wheel? 😅 Being a homeschooling mom of 5 I am always trying to keep up with constant mess-making, but never leaving our house seems to have amped it up a bit.
—
Today I tried a couple of life hacks that worked, so I thought I’d share...
1) COWHIDE RUG EDGES. If you have a cowhide and a hundred kids your edges are probably rolled up like mine were. A little internet research had me try ironing them with steam and a damp cloth on top and bottom of the edges—worked like a charm!
2) LEMON 🍋 4 STICKY STUFF. I’m embarrassed how long I let a couple of pieces of furniture have sticker residue on them (curse you, dirt cheap, using those stupid ultra sticky tags!) However, I got it right off with lemon essential oil today. Years y’all. I’ve avoided trying that for years.
—
Anyway, one room is cleaned, so maybe I’ll fold some laundry, or maybe I will play outside.. it is yet tbd.

@ MidtownMobile

25/03/2020

For years we have desired to encourage you in your journey of making your homes a soft place to land. Now more than ever, we hope you are seeing the benefits of that practice and reaping its sweet rewards. This time we are living in can be scary and full of uncertainty. Our hearts are broken for those facing the worst of its impact. Yet still, I hope our families will look back and say that through it all they felt seen and heard and known.

20/03/2020

When they look back, I hope our kids don’t remember fear or panic.
Instead, may they remember:
-the pride of finishing a 1000 piece puzzle
-delivering supplies to the doorstep of neighbors who can’t get out
-the countless hours of coloring and painting and LEGO building
-picnics outside for all our meals
-the sound of Daddy’s guitar morning, noon, and night

I hope they learn that sometimes sacrificing their comforts for the greater good isn’t so bad after all.

Hang in there Mamas. There’s a lot we can’t control right now, but in so many ways we are still steering the ship of the attitude in our homes. Things don’t have to be (won’t be) perfect, but praying patience and grace over each of you today. ❤️

01/11/2019

Have y’all missed us? 😅
We have missed you all so much!
We have mentioned before that if you don’t hear from us it’s usually because we are riding the struggle bus—no change there! We are working behind the scenes trying to figure out a manageable schedule for the podcast.
🎙
In the mean time, we’ve been busy homeschooling our precious kids (truly we do feel that way...most days!), while still trying to be decent neighbors, love Jesus and our church, and stay somewhat sane. 🤪 This season of life is beautiful! And we do want to share it with all our Nestled neighbors!!
🏠 🏠
Tell us how you’ve been loving on your neighbors! We are always encouraged to hear what you all are up to!
🔥
Here is a photo from last night at a little costume party with some friends at April’s house. Nothing brings friends old and new together like a chilly night and a fire! ❤️ (I will try to blog about my inner struggle before this shindig next week—just know that hospitality isn’t always natural, but it is always worth it!!)

24/09/2019

Today, hospitality looked like 4 ladies from different backgrounds, some from different nations, squeezed around a small table at Starbucks planning a baby shower for a neighbor who is new to our country. I have learned so much from these ladies about loving people without abandon—Opening heart and home to people who speak another language, but all know the language of love and laughter. I saw Christ today through giggles and selfless gifts of time and talent and resource.

28/08/2019

Today on the you’ll hear from Ashley Newell
We discuss:
🍋 Stand for Orphans- how it began and how you can get involved
🍋 Lifeline Children’s Services & the many ways they serve vulnerable children & their families
🍋 The importance of raising children with a global perspective
—
Ashley, along with her husband and three children, started Stand For Orphans over four years ago. She and her husband Herbie have a heart for reaching the vulnerable, the outcast, and the orphan. While in college at Samford University majoring in Human Development and Family Studies, Ashley started working at a local pregnancy resource center and thoroughly enjoyed ministering to women in unplanned pregnancies. She retired early to stay home with their first child and soon had two more children. Meanwhile, her husband Herbie was called to be the Executive Director of Lifeline Children’s Services, a holistic orphan care ministry headquartered in Birmingham, AL. Ashley loves supporting her husband and the ministry of Lifeline in any way she can. On any given day, you can find Ashley at home teaching her kids, which is something she never thought she would do but now can’t imagine it any other way.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nestled-podcast/id1294794250 =822f24cd7ef24a439d16a882bb08130a

23/08/2019

This week our podcast guest shared a bread recipe with us! We have both desired for a while to be able to make good home made bread, and we can’t wait to give this recipe a try. Hoping to perfect it just in time for fall soups!
—
Kendall’s Bread Recipe:

¼ tsp instant yeast
¼ cup spelt flour
¼ cup whole wheat flour
1 + ⅔ cup water, warm to the touch
3 cups white flour
1 tsp salt

1. Mix together yeast, spelt, whole wheat, and ⅔ cup water. Let rest for 15-30 minutes.
2. Stir in 1 cup water, then mix in white flour and salt. Mix together until all of the flour is moistened—it will be a fairly wet dough. Let rest 30 minutes.
3. Stretch and fold the mass six times (like kneading the dough inside the bowl—it’s too wet to knead on the counter!) then cover and let sit 8-12 hours, or overnight. It will grow about 3 times in size, so make sure it’s got room!
4. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Flour the counter and pour out dough. Gently shape into a round and place on a baking tray. Bake for 30 minutes. (If you typically bake bread in a pre-heated Dutch oven, you can follow your usual steps here instead. It will work beautifully!)
5. Let cool then enjoy!

21/08/2019

SURPRISE, we are here to kick off Season 3! We didn’t intend to take the summer off, but sometimes life can get in the way of our plans. We are back, and so excited about the content we have headed your way in the coming weeks!
—
To kick things off, you’ll hear from Kendall Vanderslice. We chat about her new book, the concept of dinner churches, and the important role of singles in the community of the church. She was a delight to chat with, and we hope you enjoy!
—
is a writer and baker who studies the intersection of food and theology. She is a graduate of Wheaton College (BA Anthropology), Boston University (MLA Gastronomy), and Duke Divinity School (Master of Theological Studies). Formed through her experiences in a range of denominations, Kendall longs to foster dialogue seeking unity of the Church. She is convinced that Christ offered a meal specifically for its power to unite and to heal. In her first book, We Will Feast: Rethinking Dinner, Worship, and the Community of God, Kendall offers a way forward for those hungry for intimate community, those aching over congregational decline, and those wounded by divisions in the Church. She writes regularly for Christianity Today, Faith & Leadership, and Christ and Pop Culture and lives in Durham, North Carolina with her big-eared beagle named Strudel.

05/08/2019

We are so honored that Mobile Bay Magazine shared Bayleigh’s family and some of our story! The issue is on stands now, and you can find the article here: https://mobilebaymag.com/meet-the-malones/

30/07/2019

Transforming our expectations (placed by ourselves and others) is crucial to becoming hospitable rather than a great hostesses! Growing up in the south, my understanding of hospitality was pretty grandiose, and that ideal crippled me for years with fear. I couldn’t have people into my home unless it was sparkling clean and the meal spectacular-which meant our house was closed off most days!
—
This week we sat around my crum-covered table with friends and a simple, average meal (one typical of any night in our home.) We talked about the expectations of hosting that keeps us from inviting certain people over. I have since pondered the tragedy in that lie. We need to set the example of “ordinary hospitality” while inviting people into our mundane, not just the grandiose.
—
This kitchen has prepared a lot of meals in the last 9 months, none of which have been magazine-worthy! But many people have gathered and felt loved, and that has to be enough! Will you all join me in RESHAPING EXPECTATIONS by including people in your ordinary?! It just might be there at your crummy table eating baked chicken that they see Christ!
—
**p.s. swipe left for a before photo** @ MidtownMobile

04/07/2019

“All great change in America begins at the dinner table.”
-Ronald Reagan
We hope to all be part of seeing change in our homes, neighborhoods, and communities around the dinner table! We are so thankful for the freedoms we enjoy! Happy Independence Day, neighbors!
🇺🇸
My little kitchen helpers are BIG fans of this cream cheese pie. I feel bad calling it a pie because it is so simple, and shouldn’t pie be a labor?! However, it is in a crust, so “PIE” it shall be called!
🥧
Cream Cheese Pie
*1 block of cream cheese
*8 ounce whipped cream
*1 cup powdered sugar
*1 graham cracker crust
*top with your favorite fruit
🍓
Mix cream cheese and powdered sugar with hand mixer until smooth. Add whipped cream. Put mixture into crust and refrigerate until ready to serve. Add fruit and enjoy 😊 @ Mobile, Alabama

26/06/2019

“Our tendency has been to follow those “why?” questions with word vomit, spewing out all the various and seemingly in-cohesive reasons that we feel this is right for each of our children. But here is the thing- that isn’t fair to our kids. Should we be telling an acquaintance the very personal struggles of our babies, just so that we walk away feeling justified with our choice?”
-
Lots of changes happening in our homes as we head toward the fall. Our first homeschool related post is live on our blog today, clickable link in comments. We will post most of our homeschool content on our new page for that purpose, !

21/06/2019

“Your steadfast love, O LORD, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds.”
Psalms 36:5
🌈 ☁️
I am thankful for this reminder in the clouds today of the steadfast love and faithfulness of our God. He is true to his word and fulfills his promises! I had never seen a rainbow cloud like this!
❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

14/06/2019

We met a friend who is new to our city. We learned that she and Titus shared their birthday last week! We also learned that she didn’t have a party because she only knew 1 person here. So tonight Titus is so excited to share his birthday dinner with our new neighbor! Throughout the years we have had the privilege to celebrate many birthdays in our home. It’s one of our family’s favorite ways to love on people in our life-particularly those without family nearby. We hope that our prayer of seen, heard, known, and loved is experienced in this home tonight!
—
&known @ MidtownMobile

07/06/2019

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to , the calm to my chaos! April is a consistent open door, genuine smile, and grounding force. She is a gracious sounding board and the wisdom she’s poured into me in my hardest moments is so appreciated.
—
You do so much for so many, and today we celebrate YOU!

03/06/2019

It’s been a while since we have made time for a quick DIY! After this entertainment center makeover for our friend’s condo, we are tempted to wallpaper everything in our houses we don’t love. 😂😍 Seriously though, by taking off the doors and adding wallpaper, this piece looked like it was always meant to be in this Lilly Pulitzer inspired space!
—
Who else has a piece in need of a little reimagining? 🙋🏻‍♀️

25/05/2019

Using a throwback picture for ! This was our very first podcast photo, during Bayleigh’s maternity leave that also birthed . The podcast has taken some slight pivots over the last (almost) 2 years, but our heart for encouraging women to love their home and and invite others in has remained the same. We firmly believe that one of the best places to share the love of Christ is through the threshold of your home. Starting next week, we will be doing a Summer series encouraging you with practical advice for loving your neighbors. We hope that you will join us! 🏠 ❤️ 🏠

22/05/2019

Y’all these babies had their big show last week and finish up Kindergarten this week. These little years are flying by so quickly! 😭
—
Earlier this week Anniston, who declared her intentions to be an obstetrician early in life, admitted that she may be having a change of heart. “Is it ok if I want to be an author instead?”
—
Of course! Yes! You’re 6! Already, she was worried about meeting her own expectations... as well as what she perceives to be ours. I know this sounds silly when we are talking about a kindergartener, but so many of us get in that kind of thinking and stay stuck there.
—
So what about you? Do you have a secret desire to pivot? Are you frozen by fear? Sister, make you a plan. Live out those gifts that God placed inside of you! And for fun, what did you want to be when you grew up?

21/05/2019

We are all about some practical decorating! My tiny entryway got this fabulous shiplap makeover, and I didn’t want to cover it all!

So my useful list was:
1)Somewhere for my kids to dump the mail, that otherwise lands on every surface in the living room. ✉️
2) A mirror to check before I present myself to the world. I have forgotten to even check the reflection of my face a few times during this season of motherhood. 😅
3) Hooks. I feel like it goes without saying that a hook is always useful! 💼 🧥
4) I really wanted a shelf to catch any keys, phones, wallets, etc. of neighbors as they enter. I just so happened to find this mirror that doubles as a shelf. 🔑 📱
—

18/05/2019

We have about wrapped our playhouse up-cycle. Lance added a sand box this morning, and it has been the highlight of the day!
—
Decluttering tip:
Make some of your kids toys “outside only!” Find an easy way to contain them, and voila! Less mess in your house!
—
P.S. I read that adding cinnamon to the sand will help keep bugs 🐜 🕷 and cats 🐈 out, so I’ll keep you posted on that! But it does smell like a snickerdoodle 🍪 out here, so I’m not mad at it! (We do still plan to cover it to avoid any 💩)
—

11/05/2019

You guys! We are 2 days away from the premiere. It’s no secret that these crazies squeeze into my little living room each Monday to watch this silly show. Week to week the group looks a little different, and it’s literally one of my favorite things. If you have your own Bach group, or if you watch on your own, join our league! Last season we were the top 2 winners so we didn’t have to buy anyone a prize. 😂 This is the easiest league we have found, as its week to week and not the full season up front.

Join my league "Bachelor Nesties" with password "nestled" on The Rose League!
iOS: https://appsto.re/us/FrUvkb.i
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.theroseleague

—
If you have a bach night this week, tag us using ! And if you’re in midtown looking for friends, hit us up. 💁🏻‍♀️🌹
**If the bachelor franchise isn’t for you (we get it) you could do a weekly viewing of any show you choose! It’s a great way to easily get together with your neighbors.**

09/05/2019

We are super honored to be guests on the Home and Hearth Podcast, with Hargraves Home and Hearth - Encouraging Women in their Everyday Life! Our next series is all about preparing your home for summer, and this conversation would be a great place to start. ❤️
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-home-and-hearth-podcast/id1229374997?i=1000437553470

‎Show The Home and Hearth Podcast, Ep 063: Minimalism, Decorating, and the Gospel with April and Bayleigh of the Nestled Podcast - May 8, 2019

07/05/2019

Anyone else’s house have a weekend hangover? I try to regroup on Mondays, because our house looks like 7 tornadoes 🌪 came through over the weekend. I was gone yesterday and didn’t get it done.
—
But, y’all, my husband gave me such a gift—he got home a little early yesterday and led the charge in tidying up. It took us no time to get things back in less-than-chaotic shape.
—
I snapped this picture right before I sat by that sunny window to read & pray & study. It’s a reminder of how much easier it is to rest my mind when my house is tidy.
—
Also, we took a much needed break from social media, but we are coming back! We miss you all!! ♥️
—
**Are you guys gearing up for summer break?**
**What things do you have planned while the kids are out of school?**
—
Stay tuned for our preparations for summer break. (This might be a hint for our next podcast series 🤭😬🤗)
—

16/04/2019

Looking to add some great books to your list for reading this Summer? We have compiled an Amazon list featuring books from many of our guests on Nestled Podcast! If you have heard someone mention a book on the show, but forgot to search it out, we hope this will help you. We have also added Mahon Taylor's new book "Happy Hand Lettering," available for Pre-order now!

https://www.amazon.com/shop/nestledpodcast?listId=1GK5AG4KMI12H&ref=idea_share_inf

Shop recommended products from Nestled Podcast on Amazon.com. Learn more about Nestled Podcast's favorite products.

09/04/2019

It’s easy to overlook the tiny nooks in our homes, but no space is too small to add a little charm! This is the threshold of April’s home, and it’s where all guests are greeted and walked out. We would love to see one of your favorite corners in YOUR home by using ! @ MidtownMobile

06/04/2019

Saturday can be the best day to tackle home projects! April got her curtains hung in her bedroom. Bayleigh is tackling a mountain of laundry. 😂 What are you working on today?

05/04/2019

I shared this photo last Summer, but I’m doing it again because it’s my favorite photo with ALL our babies. Also pictured is the little guy that they share as a cousin. (Did you know our kids had a cousin in common? Just a fun fact! 😂)
—
This week on the we discussed listener struggles when it comes to comparison and families. We are so thankful to those who were vulnerable enough to reach out to us, and we hope we offered you all some encouragement! You can listen via link in comments, or on your favorite podcast app. 🎧
—
Next week we will be sharing more about our hearts on comparison and family. We hope you’ll continue to join us as we only have 2 weeks left of the series!
—
Now I’m going back to day dreaming about Summer days at the swim club. What are you most looking forward to when the warmer weather arrives?

02/04/2019

I can’t help but feel a twinge of sadness this morning as I look into the empty space that was once the bustling “Purple Coffee Cafe.” I don’t consider myself so much a “new” Mom anymore, but this bittersweet dance still catches me off guard- being so excited about the people my kids are growing into, and also sad about how quickly these little years have just flown by.
—
This I do know- I don’t regret a single time I was a patron at their cafe. No Instagram post I could have scrolled past was more important than the business of ordering strawberry pancakes and a mug of purple coffee. I hope I’ll always remember Anniston’s high pitched voice and Maisy’s broken English that often floated from this space.
—
Our days of pretend play aren’t totally behind us- we still have the baby, and the girls still cook up a storm in their playhouse! But they would rather help me cook real food these days, and I don’t want to miss that either. And this little area? We have plans for it, and I have a feeling we will have plenty of sweet family memories in it still to come.
—
Mamas, may we all be reminded to be present in the day-to-day. Knowing you spent your time intentionally with your babies can help the “sweet” of their growth outweigh the “bitter.” 💜
—

30/03/2019

Speaking of friends, these buddies and their Moms sure had a blast on their kindergarten field trip to the New Orleans Zoo. ❤️

28/03/2019

Today on the Nestled Podcast we are talking about Comparison and Friendships! This is an area that we feel pretty passionate about when encouraging other women. We are so grateful for the friendships in our lives. We also have been very hurt in relationships.
—
We tried to cover a wide range of topics under the friendship umbrella- jealousy, un-met expectations, finding friends in close proximity, desiring the “cool crowd,” and building your own table to develop REAL relationships.
—
If you have a true stand the test of time girlfriend, tag her below and call out what you appreciate about her! You can also use the hashtag to post on your page for others to see.
Haven’t found your people yet? Post about your take-aways from today’s episode and let everyone know you are ready to be the kind of friend to others that you want for yourself.
—
As always, we hope you are encouraged to ditch the comparison and guilt in this area, accept the grace that Christ is throwing at you, and allow yourself to love and pursue the people around you.
—

21/03/2019

This week on the Nestled Podcast we talked about comparison and our bodies/beauty. We were a bit uncomfortable discussing this one, but we tried to be encouraging and vulnerable.
—
We are hoping that anyone who listens takes time to really consider where they are placing their thoughts, time, and resources. We want all of you to feel EMPOWERED to live bold lives for Christ, and to do that we have to keep our eyes on Him. He created you, and He sees the beauty in you! It’s time you did too. ❤️
—
Our challenge for this week? Share how you want to spend your life. How do you want to be remembered? Let’s intentionally think on this, write it down, and try to live it out! —
@ Midtown Historic District

13/03/2019

Do you ever see a photo of your kid and marvel at how comfortable they are in their own skin? I hope that never changes! Tomorrow we will record our episode on comparison and our BODIES. What’s your biggest struggle in this area?
—

12/03/2019

Y’all we are back from our cruise and I got so spoiled by not having to cook. 😭 What’s for dinner at your house tonight? Inspire me!

07/03/2019

Can I be honest? Often “Passions and Dreams” can get really self-centered and worldly if our hearts aren’t totally . We have mentioned before that we regularly have to filter our thoughts through “if it’s not true for a mom in a mud hut in Africa, it’s not true for me!” So, how do we figure out the balance of having a job we love, and the reality that this world and the things it offers are not where our treasures lie?
—
I think that our motivation plays a huge role in that balance. If our motivation for a certain career is for our satisfaction and/or reputation then our priorities are off. I have found that as I walk more closely with the Lord, His passions become mine, and then my desires start to look more like living out that call.
—
A DREAM of mine was always to have a design business. I am so thankful that I was able to see that dream become reality.
—
BUT my PASSION is to see people live intentionally-to live out the call of Christ to do everyday things with gospel intentionality.
—
That PASSION is something that has been there through years of different jobs (dream ones or otherwise)-from church ministry, homeschooling, SAHM, WAHM,etc.-you name a job and my passion can be lived out in the midst of it.
—
The merging of that PASSION into this most recent DREAM is where the was born. Knowing yourself and your gifts is a great jumping off point, but knowing Jesus and his purposes are where we find true fulfillment!
—
I think that encouraging people to live their everyday lives with Christ-centrality is true for me AND my sisters on the other side of the world!
—
My encouragement to you is to check your motivation and seek Kingdom-minded PASSIONS, because those are solid ground on which we can stand.
—
SHARE with us your passions and dreams! We can’t wait to cheer you on!!
—
(Side-note: how amazing is this tile at Murphy High School?!)
—
@ MidtownMobile

06/03/2019

This week we tackle another common area where people tend to struggle with jealousy and comparison- careers.
Whether you are a college student, work full time, or are a stay-at-home mom, we hope we are able to encourage you this week to pursue the specific path God has for you!
—
Swipe left for this week's challenge: to post your passions and your dreams. Be sure to use the hashtag so we can cheer you on! @ Mobile, Alabama