Our family holds quite a mix of ages and stages, talents and interests, opinions and points of view. But one thing we all agree on is that fall is our favorite time of year. As we step into this beautiful new season, we’ve got all our favorites on our mind. Today we want to share them with you!

We hope this list of some of our favorites spills some joy and encouragement into the life of your family, too. Happy fall, y’all!

Favorite Marriage Books

How We Love by Milan & Kay Yerkovich

This book helps you and your spouse do the difficult but life-changing work of understanding how your past has shaped your present-day relationship with each other. It opens a door to know and understand both yourself and the one you love. Break free of hurtful, unhealthy patterns and make a new way forward, together.

Cherish: The One Word That Changes Everything for Your Marriage by Gary Thomas

For many of us, we need a new heart more than simply new habits in our marriage. If you’ve been praying for transformation in your relationship, Gary Thomas offers a powerful invitation to discover what “cherish” really means.

Newlywed Couple’s Devotional by Chris & Jamie Bailey

We’d love to see this book gifted to every bride and groom before they say “I do”! It’s the perfect resource for young couples who want to put Christ in the center of their relationship from day one. Its “52 Weeks of Everyday Scripture, Reflections, and Prayers for a God-Centered Marriage” can help to build a foundation of faith and love for a lifetime.

We actually interviewed Chris and Jamie on our podcast! It was a great episode that you can find right here.

Favorite Parenting Books

Parenting: 14 Gospel Principles That Can Radically Change Your Parenting by Paul David Tripp

Whether you’re expecting your first baby or you’ve been in the trenches of parenting for years, this book “shows that we need more than the latest parenting strategy or list of techniques. Rather, we need the rescuing grace of God—grace that has the power to shape how we view everything we do as parents.” So, so good.

The Four Habits of Raising Joy-Filled Kids by Dr. Marcus Warner and Chris M. Coursey

Don’t let this small book fool you—it holds a BIG message that can change your family! In its pages, “you will discover a tool box full of skills that you can use with your children to help them grow in maturity and live with greater joy.”

We had the opportunity to interview Marcus and Chris on our podcast as well! Learn how to help your kids grow up with joy and confidence right here.

Empty Nest, Full Life by Jill Savage

At our house, our “nest” is feeling more empty all the time as our kids have grown up—or are growing up—so fast! Yet parenting doesn’t stop once our kids head off to college or rent their first apartment. Jill Savage marks a path to understanding our emotions about our young adult children, relating with them in healthy and helpful ways, and walking into an exciting new season of life.

We talked with Jill on our podcast as well about how to let go of your young adult kids. Listen here!

Favorite Podcasts

• Summit Life Broadcasts with J.D. Greear
• Live Like It’s True with Shannon Popkin
• The Dad Whisperer with Dr. Michelle Watson-Canfield
• God Hears Her with Elisa Morgan and Eryn Eddy (We just had the opportunity to be on their show, and loved it! Check out our episode here.)
• The Fierce Marriage Podcast with Ryan & Selena Frederick
• Real Mom Podcast with Jamie Finn

Favorite Family Games

• Rummikub
• Bananagrams
• Sleeping Queens
• Yahtzee
• Exploding Kittens
• Settlers of Catan
• Phase 10
• The Scrambled States of America Game
• Aggravation
• Rat-A-Tat-Cat

Favorite Fall Family Activities

• Apple picking
• Corn maze
• Hiking & nature walks
• Hay rides at the pumpkin farm
• Backyard bonfires
• Family game nights (see the above list!)
• Bowling

Our Favorite Family Fall Recipes

Pumpkin-Spiced Muffins

• 1 3/4 cups all purpose flour
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 2 eggs
• 15 ounce can pure pumpkin puree
• 1/2 cup coconut oil, melted
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ cup mini chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 375 and line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners (or oil a nonstick pan with cooking spray).

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugars, baking soda, salt, and spices.

In a medium bowl, stir the melted coconut oil into the pumpkin puree. Once mixed, stir in the eggs and vanilla extract until well-combined. 

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, along with the chocolate chips, and stir until combined. (Do not overmix)

Scoop the batter into the muffin tin and bake for 20-22 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

*adapted from Best Ever Pumpkin Muffins by lovelylittlekitchen.com

Grandma G’s Apple Crisp

Preheat oven to 350; oil a 9 x 13 baking dish.

• 7 cups of apples, peeled and sliced (a combination of macintosh and granny smith work well)
• 1/3 c sugar
• 2 tsp flour
• ¾ tsp cinnamon
• 1/3 c water

Combine the dry ingredients and stir into the sliced apples. Place in the baking dish. Pour the water evenly over all.

Combine these topping ingredients and crumble evenly over the apples:

• 2/3 c quick oats
• 2/3 c flour
• 2/3 c packed brown sugar
• 1/8 tsp baking powder
• 1/8 tsp baking soda
• ¼ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp cinnamon
• 1/3 c butter, melted
• 1/3 c chopped pecans

Bake, uncovered, for 45 minutes or until apples are tender and the topping is golden brown.

Great-Grandmother’s Hamburger Soup

• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 c chopped carrots
• 1 c chopped celery
• 8 oz fresh mushrooms, chopped
• 2 cups beef broth
• 15 oz can diced tomatoes
• ½ tsp dried basil
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/3 cup uncooked pearled barley or brown rice
• 6 c water
• 1 tsp salt
• Optional: diced zucchini, rutabaga, butternut squash

In a stock pot, brown the ground beef. Stir in the onion, garlic, carrots, and celery and saute until the onions are softened. Add all remaining ingredients and simmer for two hours. (Or, place in a crock pot on “low” for several hours.) Before serving, stir 1 Tbs cornstarch into 1/3 cup of water and mix into the soup to thicken.

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Before we close, we want you to know that connecting with you is our favorite part of what we do here at Growing Home Together. We’re always here to listen, pray, and share in the joys of your family. Reach out any time and know we’re so very thankful for your friendship.

– Rob & Joanna