Hi Friend!

Isn't fall a wonderful time of year? Not only does it bring cooler temps and a cozy vibe, but it's officially PSL season! While true fall hasn't officially hit us here in South Texas yet, the temps are less blazing hot than normal and the mornings have a cool edge to them that promises some autumn-like days to come!

If you haven't followed my Instagram yet, you can check out the preview in this newsletter. There's plenty of coffee, book, and writing content.

I've heard from moms recently who are dealing with a very quiet house after one (or more) of their kids left for college or career this fall. Whether you're a stay-at-home mom, homeschool mom, or working mom, this can be a hard transition. I wrote about it some years back when I was right in the middle of the stage of kids leaving the nest. If you're navigating that right now, then I hope there are some tips and encouragement there for you. (So be sure to read the full post!)

I've also included another book rec and a recipe that's perfect for cozy fall dinners. Oh, and don't forget to take the poll! I'm always anxious to see my readers' answers.

What Does a Stay-at-Home Mom Do When Her Kids Grow Up?

I thought I was prepared.

But what I wasn’t prepared for was the feeling that my heart was being stepped on. That I would feel like I was looking at this battered thing, my heart, as if it were outside my body. (And if this sounds silly or overly emotional to you, you’re probably not a parent, so feel free to skip on past this entry!).

Many of my peers–myself included–have poured our lives into staying home and raising our children. Some of us have been stay-at-home moms for decades. Lots of us also chose to homeschool our kids. We believe it was worthwhile and viewed it as an absolute blessing to be the ones with our children each day. Many of us left lucrative careers to do so. I feel very lucky in that I’ve had a work-from-home job as a writer and editor for the past few years. I have something to step into for that next phase of life that looms before me.

I think it’s wise to prepare for what you know is inevitable. The children will grow up and leave (well, they should!). They will forge lives of their own. This is what we want!

But suddenly, your identity as teacher/counselor/mom is simply over once your last child leaves.

Read the Full Post Here

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Milspouse Matters

You Are Not Alone

Book Rec: The Thursday Murder Club

Four residents of a quiet retirement village have made a hobby out of puzzling out old unsolved crimes. They didn't expect to find themselves in the middle of an active murder investigation! Will they help catch the killer in time?

The film adaptation of this book is now available on Netflix, and whether or not you've watched the movie, you don't want to miss the book! If you're looking to start reading a series, then you're in luck, because there are currently five books in the Thursday Murder Club Mysteries series featuring this delightful cast of characters.

Purchase The Thursday Murder Club

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From My Recipe Box: Easy Alfredo Sauce

I can’t believe I ever used to buy bottled Alfredo sauce! Once I realized how easy it is to make your own, I’ve never bought another jar of it. If you haven’t tried this yet yourself, I hope you will once you see how easy it is to put this together.

Easy Alfredo Sauce

1 stick butter
1 cup heavy cream
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Melt butter in saucepan over medium heat. Add cream and whisk together. Heat, but don’t allow mixture to boil. Throw in a handful of Parmesan and continue stirring while cheese melts. Add salt and pepper to taste. Taste and add more Parmesan if desired. The sauce will seem thin, but will thicken when you toss it with your favorite pasta and it cools a little. We love this with fettuccine noodles and grilled chicken!

Notes: While freshly grated Parmesan is best, if all you have is good ol’ Kraft grated Parmesan in a green canister, that works too! And will still taste SO much better than bottled Alfredo sauce.

Add-ins: chopped basil, sauteed mushrooms and onions, wilted spinach, or roasted veggies.

Thank you for spending a bit of time with me this month. I hope that you enjoy my newsletters, and I'd love to hear back from you regarding you favorite part or what you'd like to see more of.

In the meantime, be sure to enjoy some cozy fall vibes with a good book and your beverage of choice.

See you next time!

Blessings,