Ruby of Thyme On Our Hands standing against pantry butcher block counter. White shiplap and DIY pantry shelving behind her
Ruby of Thyme On Our Hands tying apron

Hello, I’m Ruby. It’s so lovely to have you here!


Thyme On Our Hands is a space for simple food, practical homemaking, and intentional living — created for women who want a home that feels calm, functional, and beautiful without the overwhelm.

I’m a stay-at-home mom to two little ones — a toddler girl and a baby boy. We live on a single income, so most of what I share comes from finding simple, affordable ways to make everyday life work well.

I was born in England but grew up in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. I somehow kept my Yorkshire accent, which always gets comments here in the South. Before becoming a mum, I worked in branding, design, and event planning. I left my corporate career when I became a mother, but I’d already spent years building systems to help us live well on a single income — something that naturally shaped how I approach home and daily life now.

I started this space as a creative outlet that could fit into real life, and a place to share what I’m learning as I build a more intentional home and rhythm. Here you’ll find simple recipes, DIY projects, and practical ideas for creating a home and life that feel true to you.

I’m a recovering perfectionist, and motherhood has made that impossible to ignore. I’ve learned that meals don’t have to be complicated, homes can be lived in, and life doesn’t need to be constantly optimized to be meaningful.

My hope is simple: that this space helps you feel like a calm, functional, intentional home is possible in your real, everyday life.

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If you’re new, these are a few of my favorites:

  • Tools in My From-Scratch Kitchen

    When I first started cooking from scratch, I thought I needed every kitchen gadget to make good meals. But over time, I learned that the opposite is true. The tools I use most are simple, reliable basics that make everyday cooking easier — and make serving meals feel a bit more special, too. This is…

  • My Simple Weekly Meal Planning System

    As a mum, I make most of the food decisions for our family — and every week, I’m trying to balance a lot of priorities. I want meals that are nourishing, budget-friendly, low-waste, and realistic for busy weeks. But as someone who loves to cook, I also want to experiment with new recipes, eat fresh,…

  • A Week of Summer Dinners

    In the summer, I try to keep my meal plan really simple: easy meals, fresh seasonal ingredients, and flexible for last-minute changes. Instead of cooking something completely different every night, I like to build a week of dinners around a few core ingredients that can stretch across multiple meals. It keeps grocery shopping manageable, helps…

  • My Third Trimester Wardrobe

    If you’re trying to figure out what to wear in the third trimester, especially at home with a toddler, I’ve found the easiest outfits are built around breathable fabrics, elastic waist bottoms, and simple layering. Think linen shorts or pants, midi skirts, fitted tanks, and lightweight button-downs you can throw on without thinking. Before I…

  • Banana Bread Baked Oatmeal

    If you need a breakfast you can lean on during busy mornings, this banana bread baked oatmeal is my favorite. It takes under 10 minutes to prepare, bakes quickly, and keeps in the fridge for easy grab-and-go breakfasts all week. It tastes like banana bread, is high in fiber, and you can add protein powder…

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    Salmon Cakes

    If you’re looking for a quick, healthy meal your toddler will actually eat, these salmon cakes are a favorite in our house. They use simple, affordable ingredients like canned salmon and potatoes, are naturally gluten-free, and take just 25 minutes to make. They’re perfect for busy moms who want something fast and nourishing. These healthy salmon…