Oh friends, it’s finally SEPTEMBER!
I love September.
It’s my favorite month of the whole year 🙂 .
Amen.
Today, it’s #allthefall over here, and to celebrate, I’m hosting a giveaway! Four lucky winners will get to pick from one of these …
…either our slow cooker, our instant pot or our air fryer!
I always just feel like fall kicks off the season of really being in the kitchen, so maybe a new gadget will inspire you 🙂 . Complete the Rafflecopter below for your chance to win and pick one of these three products.
Don’t forget, if you really want to get into the fall spirit, make sure you check out one of my Pinterest boards below…
Want to know what else I’m loving?
Fall books!
Last year, I shared this Fall Reading List with you…
…awe! I love all of those books so much!!
So many of you told me your read from this list, so I thought I’d do a new one for this year too. If you’re looking for a cozy fall read to try this season, here you go…
I really love every book on this list and would read them all again. They would go perfectly with a cup of coffee, a cozy sweater and of course, FALL!
Don’t forget to enter the Rafflecopter below for your chance to win either a slow cooker, instant pot or air fryer! More fall giveaways this season 🙂 . Stay tuned, friends!!
Okay, I’m off to enjoy September today. Actually, I’m off to drop off my last kiddo at school. Friends, this will be the first time in 11 years that I don’t have a kiddo home with me during the week. Miss Madeley starts Pre-K today and it’s Monday through Friday. Here’s the thing…it went by too quickly. For eleven years, I’ve been a mom with some sort of baby/preschooler at home during the day and now, I’m not. I’m not great with transitions and this one, it’s hitting me pretty hard. It just seems like yesterday that I had two under two. Anyway, that’s me today.
Sending you lots of September love. xo
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says
Oh my gosh, wish I could enter this giveaway! I want an airfryer so bad! And I seriously can’t believe it’s September already… as much as I’m looking forward to holiday season, I’m also already missing summer…
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Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Erika Slaughter says
EEEK!!!! What a FUN way to kickoff this short week?!!
Narci says
What a fun giveaway!! And I always love your lists of books to read!
Susan Jeffries says
I have followed you for years – since the two littles were still a prayer for your family(: I understand the difficulty of a transition phase. We recently took our only child to college and my husband and I are still tearful daily. We just miss her so much. But she is happy and I am certain that God has already paved the way for us during this new phase in life. Enjoy this time with your kiddos. It goes so fast once they start school. On a side note, my hubby has been wanting an instant so thanks for this give away!!
Kathryn Hayes says
This slow cooker!!!! As a teacher I would love it, as a wife it would be a game changer! So looking forward to fall ????
Ahna @ Hammers N Hugs says
Prayers for a smooth and peaceful transition for you this morning! My fall candles are already burning, so this post now makes me want to bake a pumpkin pie. Or maybe just eat one. Happy Fall!
Beth Knecht says
Aw! Thinking of you as you drop off your last baby! What a transition to go from 4 kids home in the summer to none in the fall! Take care!
Mother of 3 says
One Day in December was a cute little story; not my favorite but definitely cute. I don’t think I’ve read any of the others on the updated book list so thanks for the suggestions! Pinned.
Nicole says
I feel you mama! Is Pre-K all day?
Mix and Match Mama says
9 to 2! You know how it is, by the time you leave to take her and get home, it’s the whole day. xo
Sheaffer Sims says
You’ll be great! I mean, you might miss her a bit, but you’ll be fine! Remember me at the first Back To School breakfast? I was GIDDY not cutting up anything for any little person with me. 🙂
jennimc says
Oh Shay, I feel for you today. Such a tough time for sure. I remember that crushing feeling so well. My two are in 5th and 9th grades and I still wish I could go back to those days when I had one or both home with me. Those were the best days for sure. Sending love and happy thoughts to you today. Madeley will have a great time, I’m sure ?.
Jill says
Thanks SO much! I thought you didn’t see my comment when I asked about last year’s reading list. Now I have a ton of books to read with my PSLs!
Mix and Match Mama says
I saw it, Jill!! Happy reading! xo
Sally Hepworth says
Oh Shay! ???saying goodbye to those babies all week? It’s the reason I went and had another baby just before my youngest started school. Clemmie will be at school before I know it too. Crawl into bed with a cup of tea and read all day – it will make you feel better ?
Elizabeth says
We are expecting our first little one at the end of October, and everyone going straight into fall mode is sending me into a panic! I am totally not prepared. I love love love your blog when it comes to all things fall though, so I’m excited to see and hear what you guys have planned this season! Best of luck today as you send Madeley off to pre-k! I’m sure it is quite a transition for everyone!
Elspeth says
Ahhh Im sorry for letting your last baby go! I love all these reading suggestions! Swear on this life was one of my favorites of this summer! Good luck on your first solo day!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Melissa Terry says
Hugs today…that is a tough one. It happened to me 2 years ago after 12 years of having a baby/preschooler home with me and it took a little bit to adjust. We’re hoping to have our baby girl home this fall so I get to start all over, but I can empathize with how you feel today.
Angela Ellingson says
Hugs Mama!! This post is so happy and cozy! What is your favorite thing to make with an air fryer?
Mix and Match Mama says
Andrew uses it every day (I can hear it going right now) for chicken, but I like to pull it out for sides like vegetables and that cauliflower gnocchi from Trader Joe’s!
Kelly Davis says
OK, I would love an air fryer post:-) We recently purchased one and love it for “frying ” things like fries (instead of baking them and taking forever in the oven! and reheating take out. But I would love ideas on how Andrew prepares chicken in it, and anything else you could share:-)
Amanda Wilson says
? Today is our first day of school!! My littles think of 5 starts kindergarten….I have had a little home for 14 years….I am in a bad space this morning. Trying to be happy for them ad as they are all excited for school. My oldest starts high school today!!! ?
Melissa says
1st day of hs for us here? is the giveaway available for Canada?
Nicole says
Once you get in the groove of your new routine without kiddos home, will you share?! I have one home left with me!! The years are way too short!!
Beth Valenta says
Hang in there! So many cuties walked into my school today so happy and in wonder. On anther note…I love a slow cooker in fall about as much as anything. Soups are on rotation at this point.
Holley@BeeSimplyOrganized.com says
Aw, Shay this makes me cry thinking of sweet Madeley going to school and you not having anyone at home. I’m in the thick/beginning of it all. I’m so excited for this giveaway! What a great one!
Julie says
I understand how you feel today! My middle child (only daughter) had her first day at MIDDLE school today and for some reason it really got to me! It really does go by so very quickly :(. My poor dog is getting a little more attention than he probably wants today as he’s the only “kid” home with me as well! Hang in there. I hope Madely loves school!
ColleenB.-Tx. says
Thank You 4 this wonderful giveaway opportunity
Becky says
Hugs mama! It’s tough. My kids are slightly ahead of yours and I hear myself saying this at every stage, “I love this age.” So yes it stinks being home alone, but I think kiddos get even more fun the older they get. 🙂
Carrie Ramsey says
My oldest daughter was born in August eleven years ago and I dropped off pumpkin #3 at kindergarten last week. It’s also my first time to have all my pumpkins in school (we do part time private and part time homeschool so they’re only gone 2.5 days each week). It’s so bittersweet!! They are loving it and I’m loving it, but today Facebook reminded me of a video taken ten years ago of my oldest taking her first steps ? It’s strange how time can move so slow and fast at the same time.
Lisa Richardson says
Ooooo, what an awesome way to kick off fall. My slow cooker is dying a slow death. LOL
VANESSA L. ROBERTS says
What a great giveaway! I would absolutely love an air fryer! And I’m sure sweet Madeley is going to rock this year!
Patty Anderson says
Instead of feeling such melancholy, try to focus on how well you prepared your littles to fly! It would be so much worse if they went to school kicking and screaming. But if they’re excited, you’ve done well! And really, you’ll be amazed at how quickly you’ll adapt even though you miss them terribly.
I’ve been seriously considering an air fryer since you told us how much Andrew uses one. My husband travels a lot and it’s so hard to get motivated to cook for one. I’m thinking this just might be the answer!
Tiffany Litchfield says
what fun! Thanks for the giveaway.
Debbra Weber says
Happy Fall!! I’m going through change with my first and oldest leaving for college a few weeks ago so I get the void and sadness. Prayers for you, sweet momma, as you adjust to this change. Madeley will rock PreK!!
Elaine Smith says
I would choose the air fryer.
Danna says
It’s so hard when there’s changes. Our oldest is in college and our youngest a senior….lots of tears! I have had to keep myself busy with projects around the house or schedule lots of lunches with friends to distract me. Hang in there sweet momma!
Kathy says
I bet Madeley is so excited! That smile on her face says it all. I imagine your house will be on the quieter side. I hope this transition time isn’t too difficult for you. Thanks for this great Fall giveaway! Your slow cookers sounds so much better than ours, which cooks too hot and much too quickly. Really like the Fall Reading List too!
Kim says
Thinking of you today! I had one or more kids at home with me for eleven years as well. It is a hard transition when they are all gone everyday. But I am on year four of it now, and we have all adjusted, and life is still good 🙂 Hoping you all have a good day, and it’s nice that it is a short week to ease into it a bit.
Kim Hayes says
Shay, my guess is Miss Madeley will be the teacher’s assistant by Friday and yet will be completely exhausted every afternoon and need extra love and snuggles. My heart is with you as you establish a new normal. The brain get’s there much sooner than the heart! This mama has 27 and 25 year old boys, both married with the oldest in another state. My heart advice is feel the feelings, stroll down memory lane and allow yourself to grieve. Then make a list of things that bring you joy that you haven’t been able to do lately. Do something creative, something social, something spiritual, something personal, something physical, something romantic, etc. and try not to focus on your work as the place to fill your time. It will always be there but do things that add the most value and meaning to your life each day/week. You won’t regret it!
It will be fun for all of us readers to see what you’ve been up to and maybe we’ll be inspired to try something new ourselves! Be well! ?
Tamra says
I have your pumpkin muffins in the oven. Now it smells like fall. Yum! I used white chocolate chips and sprinkled demerara sugar on the tops.
Valeriekw says
My oldest (still have one at home) started college – he was gone for a week, then managed to convince us to come home for the long weekend. He took one look around the house and accused me of “Sad Cleaning” since he had left! LOL!! I DID deep clean his room, cleaned out the pantry and tackled the hallway…. I told him I’d give him my “Sad Cleaning” his room, but the other areas just needed it!! I’d never heard of Sad Cleaning…but if the shoe fits…. May you find a good project to Sad Clean this week! 😉
Meghan C says
Oh my heart goes out to you! I dropped off my last baby this morning and it was rough!- well for me not her:) At least I saved the tears for after I walked out the building and could put my sunglasses on. I told my husband we need one more…..
Dana says
Sending off your last little tugs at my heart strings for you! Give yourself time to adjust and feel all the feels! It is ok to do that! Soon enough you will see how happy and thriving she is at Pre K and all will be well! I love Fall too just wish our Fall in Texas brought cooler temps NOW instead of waiting til November!! Thanks for the great giveaway!!
Kasi Adams says
I know exactly how you are feeling! My oldest was born at the beginning of 2003, my middle at the end of 2006 and my youngest is your oldest’s age. She started kindergarten in 2014 so I had a kid home with me for eleven years too! It is hard to let them go!!
Ralinn says
I love fall…bring on the Pumpkin Spice. I was sad when my last one started school. This is a fantastic giveaway! Thank you.
Paula R. says
Hi Shay… Thank you for the incredibly generous giveaway. I would love the insta pot. I’ve been on the fence about it… but your review of it and your comment section is causing me to want to make the leap to use one. Thanks for your awesome book review! I love fall the most and can’t wait for all your fun, fall posts. I’ve been following you since before Ashby joined your family and enjoy reading your blog daily with my coffee.
Anna says
I’m still struggling with moving from the infant room to the ones class at daycare – I don’t know how I’ll manage when it’s into pre-school and kindergarten!
I’m one of your few instant pot lovers! mornings are a struggle for us, so I love being able to cook from frozen when I need to and find the instant pot manages the texture of meat better for our meals. I’ve never tried the air fryer, but people at work keep telling me it’s the best!