Hello friend,

Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve given eleven livestreamed interviews and three or four (or was it five?) podcast interviews. I’ve been on TV twice, done two in-person signing events and have two more coming this weekend. And my book has only been out for nine days. A launch is an exercise in stamina, and this one is hitting me pretty differently at 47 than it did when I wrote my last book as a wee lass of 34.

Other things have changed since then, too; namely, how much I find myself leaning on the generosity of other writers and creators to help me get the word out.

Between 2007-2011, when I wrote my other books, publicity looked pretty different. It was more about trying to hit up the big outlets and hoping you landed appearances on the Today show or Good Morning America; maybe an op-ed in the New York Times. Today, in the age of social media, podcasts, and Substack, publishers expect authors to lean much more heavily on our personal networks to spread the word.

It’s wonderful that so many of my friends have bona fide mini-media-empires of their own, but it’s also a little wearying to have to work my way around my circle of friends, friendlies, and not-exactly-friends-but-we-met-at-a-conference-one-time acquaintances, hoping they’ll have interest in my book and time to read and share it.

But over and over again, I’ve been blown away by the generosity I’ve encountered. Starting with Gretchen Rubin, KJ Dell'Antonia, Mary Laura Philpott, Ashlee Gadd and Sarah Powers, who all agreed to “blurb” (provide advance praise) for my book, even though four of the five of them do not also own a business with me (in fact, Mary Laura didn’t know me at all.) Christine Koh and Laura Vanderkam were among the first to offer to interview me for their podcasts. Fellow West Michigan author (and Jenna’s-Book-Club novelist) Bonnie Jo Campbell sent me the most gracious and encouraging email offering to connect me to bookstore owners in her area. And eleven Substackers agreed to interview me LIVE on release day (all the recordings are linked up in this post.)

When I say that these acts were generous, I don’t only mean the generosity of another creator offering me access to their audience or knowledge. Of course that is generous, but that’s also the way this business works - we swap promo for content and contact for contact; in many ways these exchanges are reciprocal.

But in this experience, the generosity ran deeper than the simple exchange of value. I’ve come away with the feeling that people really showed up for me and this book - not just by doing the expected I’ll-scratch-your-back-you-scratch-mine stuff, but by putting all their attention into our live conversations (not a single phoned-in interview in the lot), by cheering my launch on social and at in-person events, by reading my words with a generosity of spirit, and by continuing to go above and beyond in sharing it after our scheduled interviews were over (I mean, just look at the display of writerly generosity in this lovely post by Asha Dornfest:)

I’ve had a lot of conversations recently with other friends (both writers and non-writers) that seem to always, in some way, circle back around to generosity: how good it feels to be generous, and yet how difficult it can feel to make space for generosity when we all feel busy and overstretched in a world where there is both so much need and so much distraction. How hard it is sometimes to tell the difference between genuine generosity, the kind that pours out of the overflow, and the kind of giving where we just drain ourselves dry in order to feel more worthy or “good.”

After feeling so inspired by the outpouring of generosity I’ve received, I have been reflecting on this for the last few days. A few ideas have come to mind:

1. It helps to make time and space for generosity.

I like to think of myself as a generous person, but my best intentions can get the best of me. When I feel too busy or strapped for time, those generous acts I really want to make time for tend to slip through my fingers.

I think somewhere in my subconscious I’ve held on to a belief that if generosity is scheduled or planned, that it somehow doesn’t “count” - that “true” generosity bubbles up spontaneously when a need arises. But for me, that kind of attitude just leaves a lot of good intentions unfulfilled, because when the urge strikes me to be generous, I am not always in a position to act on that urge. And by the time I can do something for the person I want to help, I’ve often gotten caught up in the next thing on my list, or I’ve literally forgotten.

So the other day I thought: I wonder what it would look like if I actually set aside a chunk of time each week specifically to do things for others? Whether a small, simple thing, like sharing my writer friends’ work online - or something more resource-consuming, like volunteering time or donating money to a local nonprofit, what if I had a specific “container” for generous activity set aside on my calendar?

I still won’t ever be able to do all the generous things I wish I could do, and I’ll probably miss opportunities here and there. But by approaching a block of time with that singularity of purpose, I am much more likely to not only actually remember to get those things done but to approach requests with a spirit of abundance, rather than the “I’d like to help, but where will I find the time?” feeling I’m prone to getting right now when faced with a need. Because I’ll already have time set aside, so it’ll just be a matter of filling it up.

I’m thinking I’m going to make Wednesday afternoons that block of time for myself. Generous Wednesday has a nice ring to it, yes?

2. It can actually be generous to say “no.”

Over the past few months I’ve done a lot - I mean, a lot - of outreach for my book, and as part of that, I’ve asked for a lot of favors: for blurbs, for reviews, for shares, for introductions, for access. And while I know that emails do slip through the cracks and certainly don’t blame anyone for a non-response (I know I’ve done this to others plenty of times myself) I have to say that I have a certain appreciation for a quick and definitive, “I’m sorry, but I just can’t.”

Yes, the initial moment of rejection stings a bit, especially if it’s a person I really hoped would be interested in my book, but it’s better than following up into the void or vague suggestions of interest that never go anywhere…or worse big promises that disappear in a puff of smoke, as Amie McNee describes in this recent post:

Everyone is telling everyone else how supportive they are of each other. Thy’re going to connect you, platform you, promote you, hire you. 99% of it never materialises.

I have to admit that I felt both taken aback and extremely fortunate while reading her post, because while I’m not going to say I’ve never been let down, I have not experienced this en masse. It’s made me so grateful for the generosity folks have shown me, for the most part, in honestly summing up their own capacity and declining (or even just backing out with notice) when they can’t do something.

I’m not sure I’m always as honest with myself and clear with others in this regard as I could be, so it’s also strengthened my resolve to show the same kind of generosity to others…even when that means saying “I’m so sorry, but I can’t.”

3. We can’t be generous to everyone at all times.

These days we are so connected, aware of so much need, and often trying to please so many people at once (my personal Kryptonite.) I am so guilty of tying myself in knots to try to “be generous”, often offering more and more to people who aren’t even all that interested in what I have to give.

But there will always, always be more demands on our time and attention than we can deliver on; there will always, always be more people we could give of ourselves to. So how do I balance my desire to give with my capacity, both as a human being and as a creative?

I think the answer begins with simply trying to do less, but do it better. We live in a growth-oriented culture that glorifies “scale” and “optimization”, but reaching more and more people doesn’t actually do more good if it means spreading ourselves too thinly in the interim, running out of steam or burning out entirely.

This is something I will be continuing to think about as I process my book launch experience, but in the meantime, I’d love to hear from you: What are some ways you’ve experienced generosity lately? What are ways you aim to show generosity to others?

Speaking of generosity: I’ve been so grateful to those of you who’ve generously supported my work as paid subscribers, even as I’ve been so head-down in book writing and promotion that I haven’t offered you much value in return.

In the spirit of reciprocity, I’m working on ways to right that imbalance now. My first step will be putting these monthly Journal episodes and posts behind the Substack paywall starting on June 1, as a special way to acknowledge paid subscribers.

If you aren’t currently a paid member of The Kettle and enjoy these monthly reflections, you’ll want to upgrade your subscription now. I’m offering a deep discount through June 5: annual memberships are just $30/year, less than $3/mo!

And if you'd like to hear some more of my reflections on generosity and how I intend to use this space to give back to my audience, listen to the podcast episode linked in this newsletter. In it, I share some specific ways I’ll be narrowing my focus so that I can create a better experience here for the people who’ve so generously supported my work with their dollars, as well as those who would like to going forward. If you’re interested a deeper connection with my content and the community we’re building here, now is a great time to upgrade your subscription. And if you cannot swing the cost to upgrade but are an invested reader/listener, email me at Meagan at meaganfrancis dot com and I’ll happily comp your subscription.

And speaking of giving back - my publisher is giving me TEN copies of The Last Parenting Book You’ll Ever Read: How We Let Our Kids Go And Embrace What’s Next to give away! Just fill out this quick & easy form by 11:59 PM on May 16 to be entered to win.

Until next time, friends - I’m grateful for you.

Warmly,

Meagan

How might the experience of forming and raising a family change if we felt more able to share honestly and openly about our struggles, joys, and everything in between? Today I’m talking with Rebecca N. Thompson, MD, a family physician and public health physician who specializes in women’s and children’s health—and the author of the new book Held Together: A Shared Memoir of Motherhood, Medicine, and Imperfect Love.

In this episode, Rebecca shares the process of writing her book, in which she tells the stories of twenty-one mothers whose lives and experiences intersect with hers and one another’s. We discuss Rebecca’s experiences of navigating three complicated, life-threatening pregnancies and losses as a medical professional, how her bumpy path to creating a family inspired this collaborative storytelling project, and how the meanings of motherhood can evolve and change for each of us through the many seasons of our lives.

episode links

* Rebecca N. Thompson’s author website, which includes links to upcoming events

* Held Together: A Shared Memoir of Motherhood, Medicine, and Imperfect Love by Rebecca N. Thompson

Reminder: my book The Last Parenting Book You’ll Ever Read: How We Let Our Kids Go And Embrace What’s Next is out May 6, and I’m offering free signed book plates for every pre-order! Email the receipt/confirmation with “Book Plate” in the subject line to [email protected], and be sure to include your mailing address and any special directions (like if you want it made out to a specific person besides yourself.) I’ll be accepting those receipts until May 15 and mailing out the book plates later this month.

And keep an eye out for an email on May 5 with my Virtual Book Tour lineup!

When you think of your children growing up, do you view their leaving as the end of an era - or the beginning of something new? In this episode, renowned happiness expert, author, and podcaster Gretchen Rubin joins me to discuss her “open-door” approach to parenting young adults, her brand-new, instant-NYTimes-bestselling book Secrets of Adulthood, our midlife lady hobbies, the way we remember (and don’t remember) our kids’ childhoods, and even the possibility of new puppies.

Episode links:

Gretchen’s new book: Secrets of Adulthood: Simple Truths For Our Complex Lives

HAPPIER with Gretchen Rubin - Gretchen’s podcast

"Abandon the Empty Nest. Instead, Try the Open Door." Gretchen’s article in The Atlantic that inspired this conversation

I’ll be featured in Gretchen’s “Five Things” newsletter on May 9. Sign up now so you don’t miss it!

Pssst - my book release date is right around the corner, May 6! Pre-orders mean a lot to authors - I’d love if you’d order your copy today.

This spring a lot of figurative “seeds” that I planted long ago, like my upcoming book launch and an expansion of my brick-and-mortar business, are starting to bear fruit - just at the time I am also hoping to literally put seeds in the ground.

Sometimes, a bounty of good (but energy-consuming) things comes at the same time we’re also trying to invest in the next thing, and we can’t always plan on a steady rhythm of planting and harvesting.

In this episode of The Kettle podcast I share more of my thoughts about how to lean into busy seasons, whether they’re times of harvest, times of planting - or sometimes, both at once.

related links

Bevy, my tea + creative supplies shop, has a newsletter! If you love tea, are tea-curious, or just want a behind-the-scenes peek at what it’s like to own a brick-and-mortar shop, subscribe for free here.

My book, The Last Parenting Book You’ll Ever Read: How We Let Our Kids Go And Embrace What’s Next, is available for pre-order now!

For most of us, getting groceries automatically equals “going to the supermarket.” But does that brightly-lit jumble of logos, packaging, and confusing nutrition labels have to be the only - or even the primary - way we fill our fridges and pantries?

For the past few years, as I’ve been committed to sourcing more and more of my food locally and seasonally, it’s automatically led to me relying less and less on the supermarket - and I’ve learned a lot along the way.

In this episode of The Kettle, I share some alternate ways I’m sourcing everything from fruits, veggies, grains, and beans to meat and dairy - as well as the surprising mindset shifts that have made this process easier.

episode links:

* Country Life Foods - this is where I buy bulk beans, grains, sweeteners, oils and more. Free delivery with minimum purchase size. Save 10% with my link!

* Thrive Market - good for smaller portions of whole foods, supplements, cleaning supplies and more. I’ve bought everything from Safe Catch tuna and salmon to chia seeds from Thrive. My link gets you a free gift when you sign up.

* The Guide to Getting Out of Supermarkets - an inspiring episode of The Ancestral Kitchen Podcast

* Find a CSA (community-supported agriculture) near you

* Loved this post by Sarah Cook: Biggest Grocery Store Scams

* I’m currently reading The Secret Life of Groceries by Benjamin Lorr, and it’s blowing my mind.

related links:

My book, The Last Parenting Book You’ll Ever Read: How We Let Our Kids Go And Embrace What’s Next, is available for pre-order now!

Have you ever heard the phrase “March is the hungry month”? In this month’s Journal episode, I discuss how scarcity can actually help us more deeply appreciate abundance, thoughts about how 24/7 supermarket shopping skews our perception of food’s value, and why there’s nothing as satisfying as a simple meal produced at home.

Be sure to scroll down as there are a lot of details in this post that I hinted at in the episode, like a list of featured teas, a picture of my new tea shop, a granola recipe and a question for you about “alternative economies.”

the granola recipe I wish I’d found 27 years ago:

My belated foray into granola-making was inspired by the “Choose-Your-Own-Adventure” granola recipe from The Hands-On Home by Erica Strauss. While I heavily adapted Strauss’s recipe to suit my own preferences, it helped me realize is that the only “secret” to making granola is to mix together what you like and bake the whole mess on low heat so you don’t have to stir. Strauss’s suggestion to add oat flour to create a clumpier mix is a nice touch - but if you don’t have it, don’t sweat it; it’ll still taste great.

Ingredients:

* 4 cups dry rolled oats

* 1 cup chopped pecans

* 1 cup chopped almonds

* 1/2 cup oat flour (this helps the pieces stick together for a clumpy texture; I’ve also used ground flax. You can also skip this step if you don’t have either one.)

* 1/2 cup avocado oil (or any neutral-flavored oil)

* 1 cup maple syrup (the original recipe called for 1/2 c maple syrup and 1/2 c brown sugar but I never seem to have brown sugar on hand so I often sub in maple syrup or honey)

* 1 teaspoon cinnamon

* 1 teaspoon sea salt

* 2 cups dried fruit - I usually just use raisins but you can also use dried cranberries, cherries or a mix

Directions:

* Preheat oven to 300 degrees F, line a sheet pan with parchment paper

* Combine the oats, nuts, seeds, and flour in a large bowl and stir together

* In a smaller bowl, whisk together the oil, maple syrup, cinnamon and salt

* Pour the wet mixture over the dry mixture and stir until it’s fully coated

* Spread granola mixture onto the parchment-paper-covered sheet pan, using oiled hands to press down into a single, packed layer of granola.

* Bake on the center oven rack until the granola is uniformly golden brown. This takes about 35 minutes in my oven but can quickly overcook if I don’t watch it. You don’t need to stir the granola, but turning the pan halfway through cooking is a good idea.

* Once the granola is golden brown, remove from the oven and let cool completely.

* When the granola has fully cooled, break it up into clumpy pieces, and add the dried fruit (and chocolate chips or coconut if you want to use them.)

Store in an airtight container and enjoy! I love this granola with fruit and a drizzle of honey over yogurt - especially the homemade yogurt I have been making with this recipe. So simple, wholesome, and yummy.

Featured Teas:

I can’t wait until I have fresh flowers to add to my tea - but while I wait, I’m consoling myself with these favorite floral-forward teas:

* Right as Rain from Light of Day Organics. A mix of nourishing organic herbs including raspberry leaf, nettle, dandelion, alfalfa, yarrow and milk thistle combine in a soothing early-spring tonic.

* Peaceful Spirit from Flying Bird Botanicals - Lovely lemon balm, soothing oat straw and St. John’s Wort and Hawthorn flowers combine in an uplifting blend.

* Flower Power Detox from Good Medicine Tea - The sweet, light floral flavors of clover, chrysanthemum, violet and honeysuckle are complemented by earthier notes of fennel and ginger. I offered tastings of this at opening day of my new tea shop, and it nearly sold out!

Update: my new tea shop opened today!

Today was the soft opening of my new location of Bevy, my brick-and-mortar shop. There was so much excitement, and I was thrilled to get to share my love of tea - and creativity - with my brand-new customers. I can’t wait to share more about this new adventure as it unfolds.

Upcoming Events at The Kettle:

Tuesday, March 4: Tune in for a live conversation with myself and Christine Koh at 11 AM EST/8 AM PT! We’ll be continuing the conversation from our recent podcast conversation: I’ll be sharing some in-progress herbal remedies and we’ll both discuss our gardening, foraging, and medicine-making plans for Spring. The livestream will be free and available to all here on Substack, and the recorded conversation will be available after the livestream for paid members. Put it on your calendar and keep an eye on your email or my Substack to join in!

Wednesday, March 5: Join a supportive group of members of The Kettle at 9 AM EST for a live Co-Create Circle, where you can work on a creative project of your choice in quiet community with others.

Upgrade your membership now to join us - I can’t wait to see you there.

Question of the week:

I’m curious: are you exploring any “alternative” economies like barter/trade or buying direct from makers/farmers/producers, for food or other goods? I’d love to hear about it - comment below!

Other links mentioned in the episode:

(If you’re viewing this in your podcast app, the links below this point may not format correctly. Click through to The Kettle on Substack to see & engage with this episode!)

Are you even a midlife lady if you don’t suddenly drop everything and start a garden? In today’s episode, I talk with Christine Koh about our shared adult-onset passion for herbal medicine and our attempts - with varying degrees of success - at growing things. Christine shares how her adventures in gardening and herbalism - part of what she jokingly calls her #gloriouswitch transformation - were a force for healing as she came out of a stressful stage of life, and now provide her with a grounded, embodied way to connect her with the physical world, community, and tradition.

We also discuss some of the specific herbal remedies both Christine and I have experimented with, some gardening successes (and a failure or two) from last year, and what we’re hoping to do in our gardens and kitchens this spring and summer.

It’s the perfect cozy late-winter chat to get you thinking about working with your hands, growing green things, and making healing remedies for your family and friends.

NOTE: Christine and I are planning a LIVE broadcast for later this week! We’ll be sharing more about our garden plans for spring, plus doing a show-and-tell of some of our herbal medicine projects. More details coming - make sure you’re subscribed to my Substack so you don’t miss it.

Links from this episode:

Alchemy of Herbs by Rosalee de la Foret

Medicinal Herbs by Rosemary Gladstar

Christine’s Wellness Brew

My Journey to Becoming a Glorious Witch - Edit Your Life

Better Homes & Gardens garden planner

Morality, Politics, and How to Find Common Ground (with Dr. Kurt Gray) - Edit Your Life

162 Things To Do Instead Of Doomscrolling - There’s Always A Story (Christine’s Substack)

My private subscriber chat has been busy lately, with conversations about college-aged kids, creative goals, and more. Join us!

We’re also kicking off a weekly co-create circle on February 25 which will only be available to paid subscribers. Join The Kettle now to RSVP.

It’s February, and that means…we made it through January! In this episode I share my thoughts on the grounding joys of giving care. I also explore two beekeeping saints, teas with rose petals, new adventures in sourdough, some cozy reads and PBS shows to watch, and what it means to feel spring in your bones - even before you see it reflected in the temperatures, and read one of my latest essays aloud. Listen on for my February journal episode, and scroll down for links to the books, shows, teas and more!

Featured Teas

This month’s featured teas all contain rose, which is associated with love - and also, heart health. Drink up!

* Love Tea by Mountain Rose Herbals - hearty, earthy rooibos and delicate rose petals complement one another, while cacao nibs add a touch of sweetness.

* Milady Grey by Tealyra - a bright citrus take on Earl Grey, with rose petals to add a bit of delicacy to lemongrass and orange flavors.

* Vanilla Rose Ceylon by Flying Bird Botanicals - sweet vanilla and complex rose in a black ceylon blend.

* Tulsi Sweet Rose by Organic India. Tulsi is one of my absolute favorite herbs for tea, and combined with rose petals and chamomile, it’s just divine.

Reading:

* The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series by Alexander McCall Smith. Note: These books (there are at least 26 of them!) are seriously binge-able, but I’ve been able to find most of them through my local library via the Libby app. Some of the covers are so pretty, I had to own a hard copy!

* Dr Sharon Blackie also has an excellent article about female February saints, where you can learn more about Saints Brigid and Gobnait, in her latest Substack (this one is behind a paywall, but I find the subscription well worthwhile!)

Watching:

* Royal Palace Secrets, Royal Myths & Secrets, and Lucy Worsley Investigates, all hosted by Lucy Worsley. (And a big plug for a PBS Passport membership; as I’m slashing most of my streaming services I’m finding that this one is more than worth the low price.)

Read-Aloud Essay:

Continue the conversation

Join paid subscribers in the private chat to share what you’re making, reading, watching, and sipping this month!

About me:

Hi! I’m Meagan, an author, podcaster, and midlife mom of five (mostly grown) kids. Here at The Kettle, I share my thoughts on how to live wisely and well in a manic modern world, and I look forward to hearing yours. If you want to connect more deeply, the private chat is open to paid members. I’m looking forward to getting to know you!

More and more, people are talking about leaving social media for good. But how? It’s easy to feel trapped by these networks that have become so intertwined in every aspect of our lives, from shopping to socializing. In this episode of The Kettle, I catch up with my good friend and business partner Sarah Powers to discuss her decision to walk away from Instagram over a year ago, and how the exit impacted her: both the positive effects (a return to writing without self-consciousness; more engagement in her physical world) and more negative effects (turns out, she struggles with information FOMO.) We also discuss my new in-real-life tea business, and whether it’s necessary for small businesses to have a social media presence to thrive today.

Episode Links:

* Sarah's Substack, Home Again, and her series A Year Without Instagram: Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3

* This is Where You Belong: Finding Home Wherever You Are by Melody Warnick

* If You Could Live Anywhere: The Surprising Importance of Place In A Work-From-Anywhere World by Melody Warnick

* The One Parenting Decision That Really Matters, by Seth Stephens-Davidowitz for The Atlantic

* A past podcast interview: Cozy, Creative Spaces with Sarah Powers

* Sarah’s and my other podcast, The Mom Hour

* Join The Kettle community to access a private chat with other members, including a new conversation based on this topic.

* My most recent Substack post: What If Things Don’t Get Better?

Deep breath, friend: you don’t have to come into the New Year raring to go on January 1. In the first episode of the newly-named and slightly-refocused podcast, The Kettle (formerly The Tea’s Made) I take a different, slower approach. I reflect on my holiday celebrations, offer an alternative to the idea of ambitious (or restrictive) New Year’s resolutions and goals, reflect on the impact of small, embodied rituals and rhythms for keeping us grounded and rooted in what’s real, and also read one of my Christmas motherhood essays out loud. And, of course, you’ll get some tea recommendations (we’re exploring rooibos this month; links below.)

Enjoy getting to know the newly ad-free podcast The Kettle in this January Journal episode, and also please consider supporting both the podcast and my writing here with a paid subscription. I appreciate you and I’m glad you’re here!

All new essays and episodes at The Kettle are free. Consider joining the paid community to delve deeper and support my work.

Episode Links:

(many links are affiliates; buying using my link helps support the podcast!)

Christmas gifts I talked about

* Segretto Cast Iron Enameled Bread Pan - while my old Dutch oven worked just fine for baking bread, I’ve done a few loaves in this one already and it’s definitely a step up. Highly recommend if you are ready to elevate your bread game, or just want to take a new hobby more seriously.

* Bread Scoring Tool - another very-nice-to-have tool; scoring is an important step in sourdough bread baking and while a sharp knife works fine, having a dedicated (and super-sharp) bread lame is a great way to achieve more precise and lovely cuts.

Featured Teas

I’ve been loving rooibos tisanes lately - teas made from this African bush are robust, hearty, and caffeine-free, making them perfect for a cold winter’s evening. Here are four I love:

* Simpson & Vail White Chocolate Peppermint Rooibos. Rooibos pairs really well with both white chocolate and mint, and this blend isn’t too strong - so it’s a beginner-friendly option for the wary rooibos novice.

* Vahdam Chocolate Vanilla Rooibos. Rich chocolate, cocoa, cinnamon and vanilla combine to create a decadent tea fit for dessert. If you like a spiked hot chocolate or cider, try reaching for this instead.

* Mrs. Rooiboson from Flowerhead Teas -

Sarah Powers sent me this tea from California for Christmas and it.is.delightful. The mint and citrus are a fabulous foil for the red rooibos. Plus, look at that cute packaging. Highly recommend!

* Lemongrass Rooibos from Terravita - Sarah also sent me a Swiss lemongrass rooibos after her family’s trip to Europe last winter (she’s like my international tea fairy!) The combination of flavors was such an unexpected pleasure and really helped kick off my deep dive into Rooibos. I can’t find the exact tea Sarah sent me (probably because it wasn’t written in English!) but this blend is a close approximation.

Essays and more

* In this episode I read a recent essay out loud - you can read it here, and I’ve also put together all the posts I wrote about holiday mothering with older kids.

* And, I shared my New Year’s resolution from last year - to eat more beans! - and how it’s influenced a similar mini-challenge I’m embarking on this year; to drink a new-to-me tea every day in January. Here are some of my thoughts on the power of playful, non-restrictive New Year’s goals:

Thanks for coming along on this journey as I transition my podcast and newsletter to The Kettle, friends! I am so excited to continue gathering with you here in 2025 and beyond.