Our boys returned to school after labor day. Our eldest son is a junior in high school this year, and our youngest son a freshman.
The weekend before, we drove down to Illinois to celebrate the marriage of my youngest cousin and her groom. How wonderful to spend time with my brother, sister-in-law, and nieces as well as aunts, uncles, and cousins we rarely see. And what fun to dance together—there’s nothing quite like a big family wedding to bring the generations together!
It was also the first time my teenaged sons have worn suits. And I have to say, I thought they looked very handsome. The weekend away was a great last hurrah to our summer.
Other summer’s end highlights included:
- Finishing the final galleys for my next book, The Secret of Pembrooke Park (December 2014 release)
- Saying goodbye to my summer intern, Anna, as she spends this semester in Ireland (I miss her already)
- Getting a good start on my 2015 release
- And signing a new contract for four more books with Bethany House Publishers. Another reason to celebrate. (Now I just need to write them!)
It’s a good thing summer is over and the regular routine of fall is upon us—because I need to get to work!
Hope your autumn is off to a great start as well. How’s it going so far?
Latest posts by Julie Klassen (see all)
- The Power of Suggestion | Guest Post by T. Elizabeth Renich - May 13, 2025
- How I Picked The Setting For My New Novel - April 22, 2025
- New Books For Your TBR Pile! - April 8, 2025
Hi Julie! Yes, your boys look very handsome! My son is only fifteen months, but we mothers can go weak in the knees for our boys, correct? (Never knew how much I’d love having a boy!) Can’t wait for your next book to come out! As far as fall goes, the weather is slooooowly starting to get a little bit cooler in these parts. My husband is a teacher, and he’s back to work, and that’s been hard on our boy after having his daddy around for two whole months. Lord willing, we’ll all adjust!
Thanks, Courtney. Glad you’re enjoying being a Mom of Boys. So do I–usually! 🙂 Hope both you and your son adjust to having hubby gone more. I’m sure you both miss him.
So happy that I ran across this blog and Julie Klassen’s writing. I recently read The Tudors Daughter and look forward to reading more of Klassen’s books. But I also am glad to learn of these other writers. I am an avid reader and just finished writing my first book, which won two EVVY awards. Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected although not published by a Christian publisher is a book which does spread the word about the power of faith in our lives.
Glad to hear you enjoyed The Tutor’s Daughter, Sue. Hope you will enjoy the others as well. And all the best with your own book! Thanks for stopping by.
Oh I’m thrilled to read about your news for four more books! Congratulations, how terribly exciting! As your summer comes to a close, ours is just around the corner here in Australia. I’m coming over to the US in November and I’m looking forward to seeing the sights! Hope you’ve had a lovely summer and can’t wait to read more of your books!
Ohhhh! Hope you have a great time here when you come, Susannah. May I ask where in the US you’ll be visiting?
My sister in law lives in New York so we’re using that as a base and visiting Pittsburgh, Washington DC, Boston and Philadelphia. We’re also doing a cruise through the Caribbean! I’m so excited! We’re coming in November/December so hopefully it isn’t too chilly for us, we live in Queensland where it gets up to 50 degrees Celsius (not entirely sure what that is in Fahrenheit but it’s extremely hot). 🙂
I have no idea what time it is there right now but have a wonderful day! ♡
Thanks for sharing your travel plans, Susannah. And, no, I’m sure it won’t be too chilly in New York in December….cough, cough. 🙂
Sounds like you’ve had a wonderful end of summer, Julie! 🙂
Yes, your boys look very handsome in their suits—I know you are proud of them.
CONGRATULATIONS on another Bethany House contract—YAY!!! 🙂
Looking forward to adding more Julie Klassen books to my keeper shelf.
Our end of summer is always busy, because that’s when our “family birthday season” begins, LOL.
It’s one birthday after another until after the first week of October—then we’re almost into the Christmas season! 😉
Hugs, Patti Jo
Hi Patti Jo! Thanks. Yes, proud Mom here. Enjoy all those family birthdays!
Hi Julie! Looking forward to your December release( it should reach us by about March if we’re lucky, depending on the shipping!)
Lovely pics of your very handsome boys! What fun you must have all had at the wedding .There’s nothing like having a Family” Get Together”(no matter what the occasion) for a good old Catch Up! 🙂
I’m sure you will miss Anna but what a fabulous opportunity for her. I hope she enjoys Ireland as much as I do..the scenery is breathtaking and the Irish Universities are first class.:)
It’s 2 months today (to be exact) since we arrived home but I’m already looking forward to our next trip!
As Susannah has mentioned, we are almost into Summer..(except one wouldn’t think that was possible after our wild weather for the last couple of days LOL). A tornado in Perth and thunder storms in Adelaide.Ah well..Spring is four seasons rolled into one!
@ Susannah! I hope you have a great trip to the US in Nov. We were there last year and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves..Great to see another fellow Aussie contribute to this Blog too!:)
Oh hi Rosie! Wonderful to see another Aussie on here! I live in Brisbane but work FIFO to NW Queensland. About to fly out to site this morning. Where are you based? 🙂
We have the same trouble, so many birthdays! May is the only month we have a reprieve in the year.
Thank you! We also took a quick trip there last year for my 30th birthday and we had such a great time. I’m also heading over for a girls trip to Hawaii in March. So many wonderful things to look forward to 🙂
LOL Susannah! I live in SA ( just on the fringe of the Mt Lofty Ranges) but 40minutes travelling to Adelaide CBD. Our temps get pretty warm too! BTW 50 degrees C. is =122F. and as for the time in NY it is currently 5:44PM (yesterday) but currently7:45 AM(today) for you Queenslanders:) so maybe work the time out using those times as a guide!
We have friends in Washington State at Mason Lake… absolutely STUNNING area!
Have a great time away? When do you return to Aus?
Cheers
Rosie
Thanks, Rosie. Hubby and I hope to visit Ireland one of these days ourselves. You’ll have to give us travel advice! In the meantime, I hope the weather improves and you enjoy a lovely spring and summer.
Woo hoo!! Congratulations on the contract for 4 more novels with Bethany, Julie. Wonderful news!
Thanks, Becky! I’m happy about it.
Julie your books are so good. I have enjoyed all of them so much. I have already pre-ordered your new book.
That’s great to hear, Deborah. Thanks so much!