Faith, Food, Family, & The Great Outdoors
About Me
Hey, I’m Susan. Pull up a chair – I’m so glad you’re here. I’m a dreamer, a Jesus lover, and someone who has walked through enough hard things to know that God doesn’t waste any of it. I’ve been the strong one. The one who kept showing up, held it together, and quietly wondered if there was more to faith than just enduring.
Spoiler: there is so much more!
Flannels & Pearls is the place I built for women like me – women who are ready to go deeper in the Word, to actually abide instead of just survive, and to find the kind of community where you don’t have to have it all together to belong.
I lead retreats, write about the hard and holy things, and show up for women who are ready to stop white-knuckling their faith and start actually living it. You’ll also find me in the kitchen – sharing recipes and gathering people around the table is just part of how I love to love!
I believe God meets us in the middle of our real stories. Not when we’ve cleaned them up. Right in the middle.
So wherever you are in yours – welcome. You’re in the right place.
Latest Blog Posts
E-COOKBOOK
Let's Gather Together
Let’s Gather Together is all about hardy, wholesome recipes for autumn and winter seasons. This e-cookbook – now in its Second Edition – is 81 pages of my favorite autumn soups, breads and desserts that are sure to become a staple at your dinner table.
Scottish Oat Scones
February 4, 2025
Whether you’re hosting a formal tea party or making breakfast with your kids, Scottish oat scones are a quick and easy menu option. I’ve done both and everything in between! Plus, I always have the ingredients in my pantry, which saves me an extra trip to the store. For breakfast, my kids and I eat
Banana Bread
January 20, 2025
North Dakota has been in the deep freeze this weekend. I’m talking -50 “real feel” temps. During the weekend, my nest just had one little bird in it. He has been my baker in the past, but lately sports, activities, and video games have lessened his baking activities. Since neither one of us was going
Harvest Chili
December 2, 2024
Every fall, I enjoy getting out into the great outdoors during deer hunting season. I trudge through cattails that are well over my head (you’ve never had a hip workout this intense), walk shelter belts in sometimes knee-deep snow, or post at the end of a tree row in the bitter cold. If I’m close
Gluten Free Pecan Pie Cookies
November 27, 2024
One of the things I enjoy making most is cookies. I also really like pecan pie. So, why not marry the 2 together? Pecan pie cookies are nutty, buttery, and slightly addicting. If you don’t eat the entire batch, you could get a jump start on Christmas baking, as pecan pie cookies freeze really well.
Acorn Squash Breakfast Bowl
November 22, 2024
On this quest to eat healthier, less processed foods, I sometimes tire of eating eggs or plain yogurt for breakfast. After perusing the web for healthy breakfast options, I found the idea of using an acorn squash as a breakfast bowl! This is a fun option to throw into the breakfast line-up, especially for the
Whiskey Cocktail Meatballs
October 7, 2024
Whiskey cocktail meatballs are a quick and easy appetizer. Whip up a batch of whiskey cocktail meatballs for game days and casual get togethers. And, they are scrumptious enough to serve at life’s special events. Related posts: Chipotle Bacon Corn Dip Reuben Rolls
Rhubarb Upside Down Cake
September 30, 2024
Rhubarb upside down cake – I know this is a bit late. It is now fall and most, if not all, of the rhubarb has been picked. BUT!!! Many of us, North Dakotans, have frozen rhubarb in our freezers! So, if that’s the case, you can enjoy rhubarb desserts year-round. If not, you’ll have to
Gluten Free Sugar Cookie Bars
September 16, 2024
Related posts: Gingerbread Men Sugar Cookie Marshmallows Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies
Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies
September 12, 2024
Ah yes. The classic chocolate chip cookie. It took me a couple of years to settle on a favorite recipe. There are so many! This, my friends, is a keeper. It very well may be your last chocolate chip cookie recipe. In fact, I’ve tossed the others out. Because my boys have some nut sensitivities,
BBQ Meatloaf
January 19, 2021
Meatloaf. Great band and a perfect, no frills, rib sticking meal. I’m sure most of you already have a favorite meatloaf recipe. I had a solid one from my mom, which is the bones of this recipe. However, one day several years ago, I did not have the traditional tomato sauce/paste the recipe called for,
Scottish Oat Scones
February 4, 2025
Whether you’re hosting a formal tea party or making breakfast with your kids, Scottish oat scones are a quick and easy menu option. I’ve done both and everything in between! Plus, I always have the ingredients in my pantry, which saves me an extra trip to the store. For breakfast, my kids and I eat
Banana Bread
January 20, 2025
North Dakota has been in the deep freeze this weekend. I’m talking -50 “real feel” temps. During the weekend, my nest just had one little bird in it. He has been my baker in the past, but lately sports, activities, and video games have lessened his baking activities. Since neither one of us was going
Harvest Chili
December 2, 2024
Every fall, I enjoy getting out into the great outdoors during deer hunting season. I trudge through cattails that are well over my head (you’ve never had a hip workout this intense), walk shelter belts in sometimes knee-deep snow, or post at the end of a tree row in the bitter cold. If I’m close
Gluten Free Pecan Pie Cookies
November 27, 2024
One of the things I enjoy making most is cookies. I also really like pecan pie. So, why not marry the 2 together? Pecan pie cookies are nutty, buttery, and slightly addicting. If you don’t eat the entire batch, you could get a jump start on Christmas baking, as pecan pie cookies freeze really well.
Acorn Squash Breakfast Bowl
November 22, 2024
On this quest to eat healthier, less processed foods, I sometimes tire of eating eggs or plain yogurt for breakfast. After perusing the web for healthy breakfast options, I found the idea of using an acorn squash as a breakfast bowl! This is a fun option to throw into the breakfast line-up, especially for the
Whiskey Cocktail Meatballs
October 7, 2024
Whiskey cocktail meatballs are a quick and easy appetizer. Whip up a batch of whiskey cocktail meatballs for game days and casual get togethers. And, they are scrumptious enough to serve at life’s special events. Related posts: Chipotle Bacon Corn Dip Reuben Rolls
Rhubarb Upside Down Cake
September 30, 2024
Rhubarb upside down cake – I know this is a bit late. It is now fall and most, if not all, of the rhubarb has been picked. BUT!!! Many of us, North Dakotans, have frozen rhubarb in our freezers! So, if that’s the case, you can enjoy rhubarb desserts year-round. If not, you’ll have to
Gluten Free Sugar Cookie Bars
September 16, 2024
Related posts: Gingerbread Men Sugar Cookie Marshmallows Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies
Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies
September 12, 2024
Ah yes. The classic chocolate chip cookie. It took me a couple of years to settle on a favorite recipe. There are so many! This, my friends, is a keeper. It very well may be your last chocolate chip cookie recipe. In fact, I’ve tossed the others out. Because my boys have some nut sensitivities,
BBQ Meatloaf
January 19, 2021
Meatloaf. Great band and a perfect, no frills, rib sticking meal. I’m sure most of you already have a favorite meatloaf recipe. I had a solid one from my mom, which is the bones of this recipe. However, one day several years ago, I did not have the traditional tomato sauce/paste the recipe called for,