The Kettle with Meagan Francis

Hello friends,The temps are dropping, and so are Vitamin D levels. Just a reminder if, like me, you benefit from supplementation and extra attention to diet this time of year! This month’s Journal episode is a mishmash of topics, from my novel draft to yoga teacher training, my upcoming free Winter Tea Haven retreat and more. I also share a little more about the future of paid subscriptions (currently paused) on this Substack. This episode is free for everyone - listen to hear more about my upcoming tea retreat and my plans for the future!episode links* Midlife Lady Leisure Pursuits will be back from break Tuesday with a brand-new episode, all about baking sourdough.* I’ve been playing around on Instagram again, mostly making tea content. I’m trying not to take any of it too seriously - it’s “just” Instagram, after all, and every time I forget that and start trying to play Meta’s game, I get fed up and want to burn it all down. For now, I’m still having fun. We’ll see how long it lasts!And speaking of tea, I have a feature in the current issue of Tea Time magazine! I love this publication and had so much fun writing about my experience becoming a Certified Tea Sommelier. Check out my new tea website, Wise Kettle, and sign up for the free Winter Tea Haven retreat coming up December 28-30.community linksFor links to our Discord server, weekly Zoom calls and other resources for paying subscribers, check out October’s Journal episode. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit meaganfrancis.substack.com

Each month I create these Journal episodes and posts exclusively for paying members of The Kettle Community. They’re like little care packages full of seasonal observations, reflections, and resources. Enjoy, and thank you for supporting my work!Between recalls, droughts, a fertilizer shortage and ever-creeping grocery costs, the cracks are showing in our fragile food system. With every headline, it feels more necessary to me that we learn to diversify our food sources and prepare our pantries.Over a year ago, I shared that I was working on reducing my dependence on the supermarket. In this Journal episode, which I’ve made free for everyone, I talk about how that project has been going, including my actual grocery spending over the past year and how I’ve continued to diversify my food sources by leaning more on local and organic produce, milk, meat, and eggs, as well as saving money with Flashfood, an app that makes it possible to buy heavily-discounted groceries that otherwise would be tossed out. episode linksLast year’s September Journal episode and post included canning recipes, preservation tips and more. FlashfoodI use the Flashfood app to buy heavily-discounted produce boxes at my local Meijer - especially convenient for baking, canning, or freezing food for later! Use my link to sign up, and enter the code MEAG3ZKXC at checkout for $5 off $15 or more. Country Life FoodsBuying beans, herbs, spices, nuts, grains, oils, sweeteners and other pantry staples in bulk has revolutionized the way I buy and think about food. Use code KETTLE at Country Life Foods (affiliate link) for 10% off your order. A note that Country Life Foods caters to vegan diets, so you won’t find dairy or meat products. I source those locally when possible.Frozen eggsBeating eggs and freezing in ice cube trays has been a great way to preserve the abundant “harvest” my generous hens laid for me over the spring summer. I now have enough frozen eggs to last for baking, quiche, and scrambling during the low-production winter months. (If you live in or near a rural area, look for roadside signs advertising backyard eggs! I see signs for $3/ or $4/dozen daily.) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit meaganfrancis.substack.com

From ‘you only have 18 summers with your kids, enjoy every moment!’ to a sunk-cost mentality about how we used our time in our younger years, midlife can be full of hangups about time: how we save it, how we spend it, how we value it. I was thrilled to have a chance to chat with my longtime writer friend Laura Vanderkam about her newest book, Big Time: A Simple Path to Time Abundance, and how the ideas and concepts in it can apply to everything from motherhood and midlife to creativity and ambition. Watch the video to see a practical, encouraging, and funny chat with Laura!video links* Grab Laura’s new book* Laura’s book 168 Hours: You Have More Time Than You Think* Laura’s novella, Juliet’s School of Possibilities* The Frugal Girl * Midlife Lady Leisure Pursuits episode about big ideas* My book The Last Parenting Book You’ll Ever Read: How We Let Our Kids Go And Embrace What’s Next came out a year ago today! My last chapter was entirely about time - how we spend it, and how we perceive it, especially as our kids create independent lives and we move into the next steps of ours. (p.s. - I usually use Bookshop links, but for some reason my book is super cheap on Amazon right now - so if you are wanting to buy a couple of copies as gifts, this is a great time.)Because even though we all, in the throes of early motherhood, knew in our hearts that “it goes so fast” and “babies don’t keep”, we were also caught up in the forward thrust of Real Life happening all around us. Our own ambitions, whether they be career-focused or personal, mattered to us; our families’ needs for food, shelter, clothing, and a reasonably functional and clean home might take precedence over rocking said baby. There was no fairy mothering godmother to tell us exactly how to slow down, let things go, prioritize; we made decisions in the moment and probably we could sometimes have made better ones. - The Last Parenting Book You’ll Ever Read: How We Let Our Kids Go And Embrace What’s Next This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit meaganfrancis.substack.com

There’s nothing like being taken out with a bad cold in the first week of December to humble and hobble one’s best-laid holiday plans, is there? And even before I started getting the sniffles on December 1, I had the nagging feeling I was already behind. But…behind on what? What if the problem isn’t that the season (or the year!) is too short, but that I’m crowding it by trying to do too much - not only in my holiday mothering but in my career, my creative life, and elsewhere - and just overwhelming both myself and the intended recipients of my work in the effort? In this episode, my last of 2025, I share about my complicated history with “producing”, and how this simple statement - “I don’t have to do so much” - has been acting like a mantra for me, helping me make more clear-eyed decisions about what I can let go of (or simply the fact that I can let go of anything at all.) I talk about how “overproduction” can overwhelm both the producer and those who are trying to enjoy the fruits of her efforts (I compare it to throwing a dinner party where, eager to impress and delight, the host loads the table with dishes and everyone winds up too stuffed to really enjoy themselves), how this tends to show up in my creative life and the content I create, and the ways I push gently back against those tendencies to create space for a slower, more satisfying type of productivity.If you prefer, you can also watch this episode as a video: While this will be the final regular episode of The Kettle podcast, my monthly Journal episodes and newsletters will live on for paying subscribers! These are the slow, seasonal, resource-rich episodes and accompanying newsletters that come out on the first of each month. The Monthly Journals are in a private feed and get emailed to paying subscribers each month. If you’re a paying subscriber and aren’t sure how to access the Journal episodes, just respond to this email and I’ll help you out.We’ve also got some great seasonal conversations going on in our private Discord chat: I shared my “holiday fatalism” - the belief that if everything isn’t done by December 20 I may as well just give up until next year; member Katie shares that she actually tends to be an “under-doer” at the holiday and how she’s gently expanding her participation this year, plus lots of holiday baking ideas and inspiration. It’s all in the private chat for paying subscribers.A note that I have decided to continue to offer annual memberships at a deeply-discounted rate indefinitely, while raising the price on monthly memberships. I know people upgrade to paid for all kinds of reasons: to access our community offerings, to read and listen to a specific piece or two of exclusive content, to have access to all the exclusive content whenever they want it, or sometimes just to support my work. Offering different subscription options allows people to decide what works best for them, and then I don’t have to do that thing where I stress out wondering if I’m giving everyone what they need. (Enneagram 2 over here!)That’s all for this final pre-holiday check-in. I hope you are well, and your holiday is shaping up to be exactly what you need it to be. Merry Christmas, and I’ll talk to you soon, friends. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit meaganfrancis.substack.com

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit meaganfrancis.substack.comIt's finally December, and my hands are itchy to make things. How about you? Today, I’m settling in with a cozy journal episode all about making (which includes, of course, baking)—the creative, connected kind that feels especially grounding this time of year. I recorded this on the last day of November, after a snowy, white-knuckled drive to drop Owen off at his roommate’s house so the two could make their way back to campus together. I came home ready to curl up with tea, knitting, and a stack of holiday magazines, and that sense of relaxed creative energy became the starting point for today’s conversation.In this episode, I share the story of returning to knitting after more than three decades. With the help of my neighbor Sue and a beginner-friendly washcloth pattern, I’ve been slowly rebuilding my knitting “muscle memory,” making mistakes, unraveling whole evenings’ worth of work, learning tension and shaping, and loving the meditative rhythm of it all. I’m not quite ready for knitted holiday gifts this year, but I’m excited to explore simple, festive projects—maybe ornaments, garlands, or anything that makes use of this new hobby without the pressure to perform.And of course, no holiday-season conversation about making would be complete without a conversation about baking. Last year I baked a lot; but not a lot of different things. Instead, I leaned into a small rotation of beloved recipes (cranberry-orange everything), making them again and again until they felt like (tasty) old friends. This year, I want to expand on that same idea, leaning into a few baking themes instead of trying to make every Christmas cookie in the book. Think tea-based baked goods, pastries, and maybe a recipe pulled from the history books. I’ll be using our upcoming community Holiday Baking Bee to establish this year’s treat lineup, and in the episode I talk through the recipes I want to revisit, where I’m looking for inspiration, and even the practicalities of keeping my feet, shoulders, and neck happy during long baking sessions.I also share details about the Baking Bee happening December 5–7, how you can participate, and a few reminders about where to find member links, resources, and event info. Our monthly episodes are a benefit for paying members of The Kettle Community. To hear the full episode and find those helpful links, as well as links to community events like our weekly Co-Create sessions on Zoom, our private Discord chat, and more.Click below to listen to the full episode and join our peaceful, creative little haven! Annual memberships are 60% off through December 7, so this is a great time to join.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit meaganfrancis.substack.comThis time of year brings with it a certain tension: we want to soak up every last moment of the waning warmer weather, while also preparing to turn inward for the colder, shorter days, and longer, cozy nights ahead. How can we ease that inner conflict to get what we need out of this liminal season while readying ourselves for the long, dark winter ahead?In this month’s Journal - exclusively for paying members of The Kettle - I’m reflecting on the tasks and treats that are helping me feel more prepared for the colder months ahead so I’ll be happy to retreat when it’s really time. From a sampling of cozy books and warming recipes to establishing indoor movement practices, this episode is all about readying our spaces and routines for a slower, quieter winter’s pace.Upgrade your subscription now to hear the full episode and find those helpful links, as well as links to community events like our weekly Co-Create sessions on Zoom, our private Discord chat, and more.Click below to listen to the full episode and join our peaceful, creative little haven!episode links:* Holiday Baking & Books episode with CJ | A Well-Read Tart* Vera Wong’s Guide To Snooping (On A Dead Man) by Jesse Sutanto. Laugh-out-loud funny, poignant and a little bit tense! Definitely read the first one, too.* The Dove Pond series by Karen Hawkins. I recommend starting with The Book Charmer, but I first read (and loved) A Cup of Silver Linings.* The Proper Place by O. Douglas. Published in 1926 and set in early 20th century Scotland, this book features class tension, cozy village scenes and characters, and a cast of lovable, spunky, and quirky characters. It somehow manages to remind me of Jane Austen’s books, Little Women, and Anne of Green Gables all at once.* The Herbal Year by Christina Hart-Davies. More than a simple reference guide, this book’s lovely illustrations, season-by-season structure, and storytelling offer an accessible and inspiring entry point into the world of herbal medicine. This would be a lovely gift for someone who’s interested in herbs, folklore, and the natural world.* The carrot cake I made for Will’s birthday (as I shared in the episode, I’ve upgraded my baking game over the years - but my cake-decorating skills are still stuck in 1998.)* The warm grain salad recipe Sarah Powers turned me on to. (And, everyone, please do share your favorite warm salad/grain bowl recipes for an upcoming episode of Midlife Lady Leisure Pursuits!)* My YouTube channel (new videos every Tuesday - the next video will be all about creating a meditative tea ritual, wherever you are.)interested in a custom tea blend + virtual tasting workshop?Fill out this sign-up questionnaire and I’ll be in touch. (If you want to give this as a gift or set up a group session, just email me for details.)community events and links:* Mark your calendars! We’ve got something in the works for December 5-7: a weekend-long community baking bee. Get ahead of your holiday baking, try out some new recipes, or just enjoy a cozy weekend in the kitchen, in the company of other members of The Kettle. This will be a lightly-guided, interactive, choose-your-own adventure experience that you can shape to suit your own goals and schedule. Keep an eye out for more information soon.* Join The Kettle community for our weekly Co-Create Sessions on Wednesdays from 9 AM - 10:15 EST. Work on your creative project of choice in a supportive, encouraging environment! We regularly have members working on projects as diverse as scrapbooking, writing, art journaling, needlework, organizing photos, baking - but sitting and waiting for an idea to come is A-okay, too. The Zoom link is always the same, so get it on your calendar now.* And don’t forget to check out the new Discord server, where we’re talking about upping our sourdough game, delicious N/A beverages, getting into genealogy, and more. Join us there!Wondering how to access these exclusive Journal episodes in your favorite podcast app? Your private RSS feed is here. If you aren’t sure what to do with it, this tutorial should help. Feel free to reach out with questions!

The history and tradition of tea is so much richer than indicated by that little row of boxes on the supermarket shelf. In this episode I’m taking you behind the scenes of the process I’m undergoing to become a Certified Tea Sommelier: what the program is like, what I’m learning, and how I hope to use my newfound knowledge as I dive more deeply into this fascinating world. episode linksLast year’s free November journal episode is a good way to get a sense of what these monthly Journal episodes (now for paying subscribers only) are like. I’m pursuing my Tea Sommelier certification through the Tea and Herbal Association of CanadaHere’s my new kettle, plus the poll from 2023 that helped me decide (more than a year later)!Recent podcast episodes about tea: The magic of good tea with Henrietta Lovell, the Rare Tea Lady, and 20th century tea rooms and the path to becoming a citizen historian with Jan WhitakerBespoke tea blends from Bevy - here’s how to work with me to create a customized tea blend, made just for you!Email me to reserve your BevyBox. A BevyBox is a curated, customized gift box for people who love tea and tea-adjacent things including journals, teaware, and craft supplies, completely customized starting at $75. Email me at [email protected] with your budget range plus your preferences: tea types and flavors, whether you want to include craft supplies, a journal, stationery, teaware, etc, and anything else you want to tell me about the recipient (which can, of course, be YOU!) I’ll respond with questions and we’ll create the box together. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit meaganfrancis.substack.com

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit meaganfrancis.substack.comAfter spending nearly three weeks living in our RV in the Upper Peninsula, I’m back home and settling in, and in this month’s Journal - exclusively for paying members of The Kettle - I’m reflecting on my routines and priorities and how they evolve with the season. From baking bread in an RV kitchen, to stepping away from social platforms, to simply claiming more screen-free time for long river rambles and reading printed books, I’ve been noticing how change, big and small, can shine a light on old habits and patterns and open up space for new ways of being. In this episode, I share my sourdough routine at home and on the road and a fish chowder recipe I made from the huge salmon Eric caught up north, and I talk about my decision to deactivate my Instagram and Facebook account. I also share the final post I wrote before logging off. (You can hear me voice it on the episode and also read the text in the post below.)October always feels like an especially transformational month to me, and I’m glad to be able to explore the changes happening in my life with you here. Upgrade your subscription now to hear the full episode and find those helpful links, as well as links to community events like our weekly Co-Create sessions on Zoom, our private chat area, and more. Click below to listen, as well as join our peaceful, creative little haven!

Have you ever wondered about the different paths available to becoming a historian - and how historians choose the topic areas that fuel their passions? In this episode I chat with author and consumer historian Jan Whitaker to explore a fascinating corner of American history: the rise of rural tea rooms in the early 20th century. These small, often women-run businesses offered a rare space for independence, entrepreneurship, and community during a time of rapid social change. We also take a closer look at what it takes to be a a “citizen historian”. Whether you’re curious about consumer culture, women’s history, or finding your own way into historical storytelling, this episode offers plenty to inspire. Sit down with a cup of tea and enjoy!episode links:* Jan’s book: Tea At The Blue Lantern Inn: A Social History of the Tea Room Craze In America* Jan's blog and websitenews:My book, The Last Parenting Book You’ll Ever Read: How We Let Our Kids Go And Embrace What’s Next releases in audiobook on September 23!Most of my posts here are free, but behind the paywall you’ll find exclusive content and community events like our weekly Co-Create sessions on Zoom, our private chat area, and more. Click below to listen as well as join our peaceful, creative little haven! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit meaganfrancis.substack.com

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit meaganfrancis.substack.comThe idea of “prepping” often elicits eye-rolls. But you don’t have to be awaiting the apocalypse to find value in stocking your shelves. The truth is, a little pantry planning and preserving can help us ride out price spikes, lean times, and supply-chain issues so we can live (and eat!) well even when life is bumpy - not to mention, ensure that we have …