My name is Mary Shrader and I’d like to welcome you to my nest. I’m a wife, mother, home cook, and defender of dogs. These days I live in the Texas Hill Country but I used to live in New York City, and then Washington, DC, where I worked as an attorney, and spent way more time than anyone should ever have to, on Capital Hill. It was there that I truly came to understand the old adage … “There are two things you never want to see being made – sausage and the law.”
In search of a mid-life adventure, I quit my job, sold my house, put my furniture in storage, and headed west. Eventually, at the airport in Austin, Texas, I met a man 10 years my junior, married him, had a baby at 40, and settled into full-time domestic life in the Texas Hill Country.
I have bachelor’s degree in psychology from Boston College, an MBA from the George Washington University School of Business, and a law degree from the Columbus School of Law at The Catholic University of America. Contrary to the popular belief of the local parish priest who married us, and the neonatal nurse at the woman’s hospital where I gave birth, all three degrees left me completely unqualified for marriage and motherhood. It’s been a bumpy transition from law to love but I couldn’t have asked for more. After all these years, I still love every minute of this new life (well, maybe not the wash) and have never looked back.
When I first started blogging I thought I would write about the Nourishing Traditions Cookbook and the Weston A Price Foundation, then I thought I would just write about food in general, and then I thought I would write about my family and life in the Texas Hill Country, and then…well, you get the idea. This blog has basically taken on a life of its own which suits me just fine. I delight in chronically the absolute joy I find in immersing myself in the “magic of ordinary days.”
If you’d like to contact me, you can email me at mary@marysnest.com
Our Home Sweet Home
And if you would like to learn more about my sweet son, you can visit his blog here. I think he’s pretty terrific.
Our Sweet Son Ben
Obi (Short for Obi-Wan Kenobi…’nuff said)
Thanks for visiting.
Love,
Mary
Hi Mary,
I just fond your blog through The Reluctant Entertainer and I love your writing. Our lives are very similar. I got married to a younger man and had my son at 42. Life has never been better. I signed up for emails and can’t wait to follow along.
Anita.
Hi Anita!
So nice to “meet” you. How wonderful we share older motherhood in common! And glad to hear you found yourself a younger man!
I’m with you…life has never been better. 
Many Thanks!
Love,
Mary
Hi Mary,
Rhonda from ABQ – started reading the rest of your blog— haha — my husband is 4 years younger than me – I was 38 when my oldest son was born and 45 when my youngest was born. I’m a “young” 49 year old mom now!!! I would fit right in in California!
Hi Rhonda,
Too funny! Wish you were here in the Texas Hill Country!
Love,
Mary
Hi Mary,
I’m from Sydney Down Under and love your blog. I too had my son at 40 but a different storyon how I got there. I found you by accident but really nothing is by accident as I too would love to write a blog. I am also following your son, you must be proud what a gem!
Looking forward to reading your posts.
Margaret
Hi Margaret,
Thank you so much for visiting my blog…and my son’s too!
Writing a blog is fun but I’m not so regular about it as my son is. It’s time consuming!
Yes – our son is such a joy. I am so happy to see him having such great success with his blog and just life in general. Dyslexia has presented some challenges for him but I am so proud to see him focus on his strengths!
Stay in touch.
Love,
Mary
Hi Mary,
I am so fascinated by your story. I am going to be married soon (I’m 37). I have a two year old son with my soon-to-be-husband, and in many ways I feel so much like I can relate. I am looking forward to following your posts, and I have a feeling I can learn a thing or two here! I love the positivity in your message!
Hi Jenne,
Thank you so much for your sweet words.
You are generous to say that you might learn a thing or two from me.
I do my best…but the big thing I have learned after 15 years of marriage and raising a child…doing things with love makes all the difference in the world. I like to think that once my family steps through the door of our home they are enveloped in a safe haven where they will be loved and nurtured…and a bit pampered too! 
Thanks for visiting!
Love,
Mary