Hey, all! Please take a moment to check out my new Podcast series, Take it or Leave it on Apple Podcasts, Anchor on Spotify, and Google podcasts! https://anchor.fm/ashley-lauren-simpson/episodes/Take-It-or-Leave-it-Pilot-e1h6t2j Click here to listen!
The BEST Chicken and Broccoli Rice
Guys- my son and I just threw this together tonight and OMG it was amazing and so easy! Here’s what we did. What you’ll need.. One pack boneless, skinless chicken thighs (6-8 thighs) One family size can of Cream of Chicken soup One regular size can of Cream of Mushroom soup Half a regular size… Continue reading The BEST Chicken and Broccoli Rice
Charity and Sylvia: An “Open Secret” in Nineteenth-Century America
In honor of Pride month, I decided to post a few book reviews for those interested in LGBTQ history. In my first semester of graduate school, I took a gender theory class which changed my perspective on so many aspects of queer history and gender studies. By sharing these book reviews and some analysis, my… Continue reading Charity and Sylvia: An “Open Secret” in Nineteenth-Century America
A Victorian-Era Gem with a Chilling History: Ghosts, Secret Tunnels, and Bootleg Liquor in Eureka Springs, Arkansas- A Weekend Getaway Guide
Tucked away in the Ozark Mountains rests one of my absolute favorite cities. Not only is the city rich in history, but virtually every building in the historic district has been restored and bask in their Victorian-era elegance. There is no place that I feel so at home, so at peace, or so incredibly happy… Continue reading A Victorian-Era Gem with a Chilling History: Ghosts, Secret Tunnels, and Bootleg Liquor in Eureka Springs, Arkansas- A Weekend Getaway Guide
Philadelphia, PA: A Day Trip Quick Guide
By far, one of the prettiest places I have ever been during the fall was Philadelphia, PA. Not only are the Philly cheesesteaks an incentive to go in themselves, but the history, like all of the places featured in this blog, is endless. My boyfriend, Ben and I took a trip to Philly while on a research trip in Washington D.C. last year. Some of our incentives were to visit Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, and Eastern State Penitentiary, which minoring in Criminology at Drury University at the time, prisons were of interest to me, and arguably, still are.
Little Dive Bar
Life is so funny. All my life mom has told me the story of how when she was a new grad Occupational Therapist working at the University of Kansas Hospital, her and her coworkers would always go across the street to a little dive bar to dance and have a few drinks after work. On… Continue reading Little Dive Bar
Cheryl’s Cancer and Travel Fund
As some of you know, my sweet mom has been diagnosed with cancer in her jaw bone. Sarcomas are very rare as only around 3,000 people are diagnosed with the disease per year. After a chest X-ray today, it seems that her lungs are worse and we are trying to remain hopeful that the cancer… Continue reading Cheryl’s Cancer and Travel Fund
Living Through Trauma: You’re not crazy, you’re just grieving.
I will always share my story and posts like this. I think it is so important to realize that PTSD is not just a product of military service but civilians suffer from it, too. Including me. You’re not alone, you’re not crazy, and it does get better. ⚠️⚠️ I want to warn you, this is… Continue reading Living Through Trauma: You’re not crazy, you’re just grieving.
Humbling Experience #2 for the year
⚠️ I had another humbling experience I thought I’d share... I was feeling defeated today. This week, actually. All the sudden my long term plans seem so out of focus and the near future feels extremely overwhelming- to the point that I was questioning in a big way, what I was doing and if this… Continue reading Humbling Experience #2 for the year
Flashback to Richmond:Appreciating the Chimborazo hospital site.
I wrote the below post one year ago during a research trip to Washington D.C. and Richmond, VA studying Civil War medicine. This memory popped up today on my Facebook memories and I figured it was worth the share. I am so passionate about what I do. God has truly blessed me with the best… Continue reading Flashback to Richmond:Appreciating the Chimborazo hospital site.
Today, I had a humbling Experience…
Today, I had a very humbling experience that I thought I would share... This weekend my family and I went to the opening of a restaurant in which the owner- who happened to be a celebrity- was present. People lined up around the block to get wrist bands to meet her, see the ribbon cutting,… Continue reading Today, I had a humbling Experience…
“Follow your heart, follow HIS signs- everything else is noise.”
Four years ago, I stood in front of this fireplace. I stood in awe of the brickwork that had remained intact since 1733, the musty smell, the history of the family who had lived there that I left feeling like I knew, the goosebumps, the energy. It was majestic. Today, scrolling through Instagram, seeing that… Continue reading “Follow your heart, follow HIS signs- everything else is noise.”
#bepreparednotscared
Our shoes. That’s what I thought about before we walked out the door this morning. Not “do they match my outfit?” “Did he pick out ones that matched his shirt?” Or “Did he tie them?” Today it was “I can't run in these.” And if I can’t run, I can’t protect my son. At least… Continue reading #bepreparednotscared
Webster's World 