Hello and happy fall, y’all!
My husband and I traipsed up to the mountains recently to look for changing aspens, and alas, we were a bit too early for them. We found a few, but most of the aspens remained closer to green than yellow.
It seems that I struggle to get the timing right on a lot of things lately. Usually, I fall on the other end of the spectrum and run late. And right now, I’m definitely running late when it comes to getting book to-do’s checked off. But I also know I’ve said that every time I’ve released a book, so there’s grace in remember that.
Since fall is much more a “new year start” to me than January’s New Year, I usually get doubly excited about bringing out a tradition or two for my family right now. You may or may not have heard me say that traditions ease transitions, which is most definitely true. These links below might just help you and yours form a few new traditions, too, or give you the supplies to move forward with one you already have.
Either way, I hope you’re able to find a few seasonal goodies that are right up your alley!
When Change Finds You: 31 Assurances to Settle Your Heart When Life Stirs You Up: This is for any season, of course, but with a release date of October 12th, I have to mention it because we’re in the final countdown. I’ll come in here next week with info on preorder goodness and another fun treat, too. In the meantime, you can preorder it from B&N or Amazon or for 40% (plus free shipping, I think) at Baker Books.
On a related note, in this post at (in)courage I talk about how I’ve had to preach to myself lately on change and just how recording the audiobook affected me.
Mary Berry’s Beef Stew Recipe: I’ve made this recipe for the past three autumns (and winters), and when I do my husband and children arise and call me blessed. A few tweaks of mine: 1. I think the ingredient she mentions, celeriac, is essentially the same as celery root. I’ve been using celery root for it, and it’s DELISH. If you’re not sure how to cut up a celery root, check this out here. Second, I serve mine in bowls over mashed potatoes. YUM.
Bri McKoy’s Soups: Bri is my Chief Fall Soup Friend, and the two recipes of hers I make the most right now are her Creamy Lemony Chicken and Potato Soup and Pumpkin Chili. The Creamy Lemony Chicken and Potato Soup has a couple of surprise ingredients that take the recipe to the NEXT LEVEL in taste and flavor. Because I’m fancy, I serve it with some Pillsbury Biscuits and voilá! Dinner.
And the Pumpkin Chili? Well. Don’t worry your pretty little head if you have people in your home or life who aren’t pumpkin people. They’ll likely never know it’s in there, BUT they’ll still love the flavor! (At least, this has been true for the “pickier eaters” in my family!) I usually just serve this with cornbread or a host of toppings like sour cream, avocado, salsa, and cilantro.
Black Taper Candle Sticks: Fall is when I bring out the candles once again. I have two of these on our dining room table, and they looks mighty fab. They drip a little (which I like) but not so much that I have to constantly scrub a bunch of wax off the dining room table. Easy and festive! Sadly, I have no scented candles to weigh in on yet. Hopefully I will next month!
American Eagle Joggers and Yoga Pants: In the past few years, I’ve ordered a couple of these for my daughter and myself, and we both really like them. My favorites are my fleece buffalo check joggers I ordered 2 years ago, but these are similar. I also ordered these yoga pants this year (from a recommend by Melanie on episode 250 of the Big Boo Cast) to replace an old pair from Nordstrom Rack I completely wore out. They are so comfy and nicely high waisted (my fave). I also really like the flare, too. I got them on sale, and if you check in every whipstitch, I think you’ll see these go on sale again, too.
Sunshine Spice: This is an essential oil from the same company that I mentioned last month, but this one smells warm and spicy and comforting–perfect for fall. It can also help ward off the cooties that come with colder weather, too.
Fall Instrumental Playlist: I almost forgot to put this together! Per the usual, my seasonal playlists are instrumental and rather mellow, good for playing in the background while you cook dinner, work on bills, or just want a little soothing music. I hope you enjoy listening to this one as much as I enjoyed making it!
IG Lives on change: For a while now, I’ve been prattling on about some aspect of change via Lives on Instagram. To find me there, hop on Instagram on Thursdays at 10:45am (ish) MST, and my profile picture will appear at the top of your feed with a colorful ring around it and the word “Live.” Tap or click my profile picture to view it. And if you miss it altogether, you can see it on IGTV, which you can find via the little television icon on my profile. Or you can tap the above link or below pic to be taken right to all the recorded Lives on IGTV. 
That’s all for today, dearhearts. May these first few days of fall treat you like the gift you are! Much love.
Kristen! It is a complete honor that I made your favorite things of autumn list! So grateful for you. I will be your Chief Fall Soup Friend forever and ever!