Dear Southern Plate Family,

When I began SouthernPlate, my kids were young and we were in a completely different season of our lives. We were helping with homework, teaching kids to ride bicycles, and going on family adventure weekends. Being able to share the fullness of my heart on Southern Plate was a natural fit and as a result, God saw fit to bless me with a family that reached around the world. Through the years I’ve met thousands of you in person and names and faces of so many more have become family to us in all the ways that matter most. The love of this community for one another has inspired, encouraged, and helped me to become who I am today: A woman with an overwhelmingly grateful heart.

As we’ve moved from season to season, and the kids grew older, Ricky and I found ourselves with time for just the two of us and we discovered that we love camping, studying our bibles together, and spending evenings in the rocking chairs on our front porch enjoying the peace of life. A little over a year ago, a thought came into my mind: What if I could work on my Bible study full time and focus on this season of our lives?  I talked to Ricky about it and immediately discovered that it was something he hoped for as well. 

And with that, I began praying and searching for the perfect person to take on the mantle of Southern Plate while I stepped back to pursue the desires of my heart in this season in our lives. God answered my prayers and then some, by sending Stacey Lynn into my life. My entire family has come to love her for her warm and sincere heart, generous spirit, and can-do attitude about every aspect of life. We started working together on SouthernPlate months ago and she dived in and hit the ground running. All of my prayers, even those I didn’t think to pray, have been answered in Stacey. I met her through her love of the Southern Plate family and so, in the process of passing the apron to her, she’s had a natural way of looking after the same things that I do, in much the same way. We share a similar heart for the Southern Plate family. 

You know, I’m always saying that Southern Plate is my virtual dinner table and everyone is welcome. When new folks come along, we just pull up another chair and bring in another place setting. And so, you may have noticed a fresh face at the table. That, my friends, is Stacey Lynn. She is the answer to a prayer and she’s going to be stepping up and making sure the tea glasses are full while I get to take a place at the table with all of you. 

Stacey Lynn isn’t changing a thing. All your favorite recipes will remain here, right where they’ve always been. She’ll continue to add new recipes from the old days as well, along with quick and easy family favorites, what we’re craving during the baking seasons, and new treats for those special holidays and occasions that we all look forward to so much. She’s also got quite a few ideas to make your lives easier, recipes more accessible, and our hearts warmer.

I’m so excited about the future of Southern Plate, even more so about getting to take part in it with all of you. As Ricky and I move on to this new season in our lives, we are both looking forward to getting to spend more time at this wonderful table with the family that God has blessed us with here. 

Gratefully, 

Christy

PS: Check out my video with Stacey Lynn below

Peanut Butter No Bake Cookie Bites

Yum