Ask Auntie Pine Is It Too Late to Try Something New?

Dear Auntie Pine,

My kids have officially flown the nest, and while I’m incredibly proud of them, I have to admit… I’m a little lost.

For years, my identity revolved around being “Mom.” I was the chauffeur, the chef, the homework helper, the keeper of everyone’s schedules, and somehow I always knew where the missing phone charger was. Now the house is quiet, the laundry pile is suspiciously small, and I’m standing in my kitchen wondering…

Who am I when nobody needs me every minute of the day?

I can’t even remember what I used to enjoy before life became all about everyone else. I want to try something new, but honestly, it feels awkward starting over at this stage in life.

How do I rediscover myself without feeling like the oldest beginner in the room?

Signed,
Empty Nest… Now What?

Dear Empty Nest… Now What?,

First of all…

You are definitely not the oldest beginner in the room.

One of the biggest myths about midlife is that we’re supposed to have everything figured out by now. I don’t buy it.

I think this chapter is actually an invitation.

An invitation to learn something new.

To meet new people.

To laugh at yourself a little.

To discover that life still has plenty of wonderful surprises waiting for you.

That’s why I wanted to introduce you to someone I think you’ll love—Amanda Jakl, co-owner of Purple Thistle Kitchen & Co. in historic downtown Aberdeen.

Amanda and her business partner, Greg, purchased Purple Thistle in 2019 and have grown it into far more than a specialty kitchen store. Today, it’s a welcoming place where people gather to cook, learn, laugh, and connect through hands-on workshops, tastings, and one of their most popular experiences—Bread Club.

Bread Club isn’t really about making the perfect loaf.

It’s about gathering around a table.

Learning something you’ve always been curious about.

Meeting people you might never have crossed paths with otherwise.

And realizing that trying something new doesn’t have an expiration date.

Amanda told me that Bread Club welcomes everyone—beginners, experienced bakers, couples, friends, men, women, young adults, retirees… anyone who’s curious enough to walk through the door and say, “I’ve never done this before.”

I asked Amanda what Bread Club means to her, and she summed it up in four simple words:

Gather. Learn. Rise Together.

Isn’t that beautiful?

I also asked what the smell of fresh bread reminds her of, and her answer stopped me in my tracks.

She shared that her father was a baker in the Marine Corps. On cold winter mornings in Wisconsin, he’d occasionally bake bread at home, and she’d wake up to the smell of fresh bread filling the house while snow covered the world outside.

She told me,

“Even now, one whiff takes me right back to those mornings. It’s amazing how something as simple as baking bread can become a memory that stays with you for a lifetime.”

Isn’t that what we’re really searching for?

Not just another hobby…

But moments that become memories.

I couldn’t resist asking Amanda what one kitchen tool everyone should own.

Without hesitation she said, a really good chef’s knife.

Her philosophy made me smile.

“You don’t need a drawer full of gadgets to cook well. A sharp, comfortable chef’s knife makes just about every recipe easier and more enjoyable. I’d rather help someone find one knife they’ll love for years than a dozen gadgets that collect dust.”

And then she said something I think applies to far more than kitchens:

“The best kitchen isn’t the one with the most tools—it’s the one that’s used the most.”

Maybe that’s true about life, too.

The best life isn’t the busiest one.

Or the most impressive one.

It’s the one we actually use.

The one where we say yes to learning.

Yes to community.

Yes to being beginners again.

So if you’ve been waiting for a sign to take a class, meet new people, or discover a hobby that’s equal parts fun and meaningful…

Maybe this is it.

You may leave Bread Club with a beautiful loaf of bread.

You may leave with a new favorite recipe.

You may even leave with a few new friends.

But my guess is you’ll leave with something even better…

The reminder that it’s never too late to begin again.

💗 Life’s too short for uncomfortable shoes, bad coffee, and wondering “What if?” Gather. Learn. Rise Together.

See you around The Pines!

— Auntie Pine

Amanda Jakl

Amanda Jakl is the co-owner of Purple Thistle. She is on the Board for Pinehurst Business Partners and has helped many community events and local non-prfofits on various boards.

About Purple Thistle Kitchen & Co.

Purple Thistle Kitchen & Co. is an independent specialty kitchen and gourmet food boutique in the heart of historic Aberdeen, North Carolina. The shop offers a thoughtfully curated collection of gourmet pantry staples, artisan foods, cocktail equipment and barware, entertaining essentials, home décor, and unique gifts that inspire people to gather, cook, mix, and celebrate around the table.

More than a retail store, Purple Thistle is a community gathering place, hosting hands-on workshops, Bread Club, tastings, and educational events designed to help people build confidence in the kitchen while connecting with others. Whether you’re an experienced home cook, an aspiring home bartender, or just beginning your culinary journey, Purple Thistle believes great food, good drinks, and meaningful conversations have the power to bring people together and create lasting memories.