I started sophistimom in July of 2008. I was married then, and thought I would just start a little mommy blog and write about my goal to have a refined household—you know, the kind where the kids all have excellent manners, they get scholarships and attend private schools, the mom keeps her silver in the kitchen drawer and uses it for every meal, and the father is a perfect gentleman. No one ever yells, and the house is always clean. Ah, such a nice dream . . .

I wasn’t a fool, and thought I’d at least blog about my attempts to create such a home and family. Then last fall, I was suddenly staring at the prospect of a divorce.

In the months that have followed, I have focused more on recipes (the well-fed category) and sadly neglected the well-read and well-bred categories (books and culture), seeing as it’s always easier to make and eat a loaf of zucchini bread when you’re in emotional ruin, than it is to photograph the kids looking cute while you teach them about keeping their elbows off the table.

Strangely enough, though my life is being reshaped completely, I find my goals and ideals for my family have not changed. In fact, I can see the vision I have for my children even clearer than I did before.

Last week, I stumbled across a speech given by Douglas Callister at Brigham Young University. The ideas he shared were almost everything I’ve been trying to embrace in my own life and share with my readers on sophistimom. Click here, if you’ like to read it.

In case you’re wondering, I don’t fancy myself sophisticated in any way. This whole website is really just me, sharing with anyone who cares, my interests in beautiful things, good books, and great food. My kids are probably pickier eaters than yours are, my house is most certainly messier than yours is, and it would seem that lately, I start at least three books for every one I finish reading.

Here’s just a few more things about me:

I would much rather diet than exercise.

I was a Martha Stewart Junkie for years, and still pore over her magazines whenever I can.

My favorite classic book is War and Peace. My favorite contemporary novel is Breaking Dawn (Yeah, yeah, say what you want, but I started liking the books back when no one had heard of them).

I cry when I sing Christmas carols (a new development since having children).

I haven’t had a manicure since I was twelve-years old. I plan on changing that soon.

I have a BA in design from Brigham Young University.

I miss New England like crazy.

I wish I could live in England every summer.

If I could go back to college, I would want to study literature.

All photographs and recipes are my original work unless I state otherwise.  If you would like to use them for personal use, feel free to do so, but please cite me as the photographer/writer.  Thanks.  (While we’re on the subject, my nine-year-old took that picture of me.)

If you need to reach me, email me at jaimeemormann @ yahoo . com (just leave out the spaces, of course.)