Do you think of yourself as a lapsed reader? Maybe you look back longingly to the days when you were always tied up in a book (or three) and wonder where all your former reading time goes. Here are some words that may reassure you: if you love books, you’re still a reader! It may just take some time to get back to thinking of yourself that way. In the thick of early motherhood I lost touch with my readerly self, but as my kids have gotten older I’ve found new ways to re-incorporate time with books into my life.

In this episode I share three habits, rituals, and mindsets that have helped me re-establish a strong reading practice. I also share a conversation with Amy Clark of the Mom Advice Book Club about why it’s never too late to get back to reading, how to motivate yourself and keep going, and the power of reading communities.

About The Guest:

Amy Clark is the host of the Mom Advice Book Club and the Book Gang Podcast. Follow @MomAdvice on Instagram for the latest!

Featured Tea: Harney & Sons White Christmas Tea

This delicate, yet flavorful white blend features strong cardamom plus hints of almond and vanilla for a festive holiday favorite. I let water come to a boil then cool for about a minute; steep for 2-3 minutes, and serve it straight up.

Join A Super-Slow Book Club @ The Tea Circle!

My private community, The Tea Circle, will be hosting a year-long book club starting the first week of winter. We’ll be reading The Comfort of Crows: A Backyard Year by Margaret Renkl, a week-by-week essay collection with themes of nature and the seasons. Join now to access the book club plus weekly co-create circles, monthly chats, goal-setting workshops and much more.

Featured Sponsor: Vionic

With unbelievable support and stability, to-the-minute style, and an unbeatable 30-day wear test, Vionic footwear is like self-care for your feet. The Regan Ankle Bootie is my new date-night fave. Use code TEASMADE at checkout for 15% off your first order when you log into your account!

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/mother-of-reinvention-with-meagan-francis/donations

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

If you’ve ever made a statement that starts with “I’m not the kind of person who can…” – this episode is for you. Opting out of things that stress us out can be great, but learning new skills is good for us – and it can be especially freeing to re-try things we don’t think we’re “good at”, just for the fun of it. In this episode you’ll hear some of my thoughts about why new stages of life are a great time to try things you thought you “couldn’t” do, and how to set yourself up for success…whatever that looks like. You’ll also learn the secret to making a light, flaky pie crust – something I have been saying for years that I “can’t” do.

In This Episode:

Featured Tea: Smith Tea No. 25

Morning Light

Available in loose leaf or in sachets (tea bags)

Did you love hearing Kirsetin explain how to make a light, flaky pie crust?

Paid subscribers of my Substack can get access to a 23-minute long video showing Kirsetin making the pie (double-crust apple), plus her recipe and supply list, while members of The Tea Circle community get the recipe and supply list plus access to the entire 45-minute video, including a Q&A with community members, and an additional tutorial on how to make a yummy dessert from the pie-crust scraps. You’ll also be able to attend regular live events like this one in the future, and connect deeply with a group of creative, thoughtful, smart women in a social-media-free space.

Join my private community for women, The Tea Circle!

Featured Partner:

Vionic shoes keep my feet snug, stable, and supported, no matter the season. Get 15% off your first order at Vionic.com after you log into your account, with code TEASMADE!

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/mother-of-reinvention-with-meagan-francis/donations

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

What does it take to be a good host? If Instagram has you convinced hospitality requires lots of money to spend on decor and the guest accommodation level of a four-star hotel, it's time for a reframe. What if true hospitality – the kind that makes people feel welcome and comfortable – didn’t have to cost a lot of money or require a ton of space or skill? In this episode of The Tea’s Made, we’re going to be talking about real hospitality – the art of welcoming people in and making them feel loved, accepted, and at home, whether it’s for a few hours, a few days, or even for several weeks. I share some of my tips for showing up just as you are as a host and how to make your guest’s stay more comfortable, plus a few crowd-pleasing recipes. I also share some ideas for taking care of yourself as a host – so important, and often overlooked! It’s all in this episode of The Tea’s Made.

In This Episode:

Featured Tea: Tazo Turmeric Bliss

Join my private community for women, The Tea Circle!

Featured Partner:

Vionic shoes keep my feet snug, stable, and supported, no matter the season. Get 15% off your first order at Vionic.com after you log into your account, with code TEASMADE!

Some of my favorite festive non-alcoholic beverages:

TOST Sparkling – a tea-based (yay!), fizzy, refreshing and dry bevvy reminiscent of a sparkling wine. Completely alcohol-free and delicious, would be great for a NYE toast! Comes in both a white ginger and rose flavor – I love the convenient mini-bottles as well!

FRE Sparkling Brut – a great base for a non-alcoholic mimosa: dry and crisp.

Fever Tree Grapefruit Soda – I have these in my pantry at all times! Make a great mixer for a n/a mimosa and are yummy on their own – light, refreshing, a bit tart and not overly sweet.

Apple Cider Punch Recipe

• 2 parts apple cider to 1 part cranberry juice or orange juice
• 1 part soda water (or prosecco for an alcoholic version) 
• 1 part ginger beer or ginger ale (can leave soda water out if using ginger ale) 
• Rum or bourbon mix well too 
• Can add star anise or cinnamon sticks

Creamy, Garlicky Potatoes Au Gratin Recipe

Note: I found this recipe online on a blog, Mrs. Happy Homemaker, over a decade ago and have been making it ever since.

Ingredients: 

• 3 lbs. red potatoes washed and sliced super thin (can use a mandolin or a really sharp knife)
• Block of gouda cheese (7-8 oz.) shredded and divided in half, I have also used gruyere
• ½ stick of butter
• 8-10 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 ½ cups of heavy cream
• Salt
• Pepper

Instructions:

• Butter or grease a 9 x 13 baking dish
• Preheat oven to 325 degrees
• Melt butter over medium-low heat and and saute the garlic in it until fragrant (be sure to remove garlic from heat before it gets too brown)
• Layer half of the potatoes in the bottom of the dish, sprinkle half the gouda cheese on top, top with the other half of the potatoes, pour the butter and garlic mixture on top,
• Sprinkle the rest of the gouda or gruyere on top

Bake for 1 hour and 20 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and brown.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/mother-of-reinvention-with-meagan-francis/donations

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

From big life changes like divorce, remarriage, career transition or moving, to more everyday changes like kids getting older, holiday celebrations are always evolving. In this episode I share how my family's holiday traditions have evolved in the seven years since I divorced and I talk with author Kelle Hampton about she and her kids' first holiday season in a brand-new home with a whole new life. Kelle and I also share what lights us up during the holidays, our favorite traditions, and how allowing ourselves to be vulnerable and ask for help has changed everything.

In This Episode:

Special Guest:

Kelle Hampton is the author of the NYTimes best-selling book Bloom: Finding Beauty In the Unexpected. You can find her on Instagram at @ETST.

Featured Tea:

Gorge Sunrise by Good Medicine Tea – get 15% off your first order with code TEASMADE.

Join The Tea Circle:

Join my private community of women for in-depth conversation and real connection in a safe, social-media-free space. Check it out!

Featured Partner:

The Hazal is my go-to fall boot – the slight wedge dresses up jeans or leggings while Vio-Motion technology keeps my feet snug, stable, and supported. Get 15% off your first order at Vionic.com after you log into your account, with code TEASMADE!

Featured Tea:

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/mother-of-reinvention-with-meagan-francis/donations

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Welcome to my brand-new podcast, The Tea's Made - a place for women to step out of the busy-ness of day-to-day life with cozy conversations about wellness, creativity, nurturing routines and more. Pour yourself a cup and pull up a comfy chair...the tea's made and I'm glad you're here.

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/mother-of-reinvention-with-meagan-francis/donations

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy