Happy Wednesday, friends!
Yesterday, Andrew and I hunkered down, got focused, and put up all of our Christmas decorations.
In full transparency, this day is an emotional rollercoaster for me.
I wake up SO excited with a huge pep in my step.
I turn on the Michael Buble Holiday Radio channel on Pandora, light a cinnamon candle, and get to work.
By 10:00, I’m questioning why I own so many holiday decorations.
By noon, Andrew and I have snapped at each other at least twice.
By two, I’ve either contemplated crying or opening a bottle of wine.
By four, I see the light at the end of the tunnel.
By six, I’m finished and exhausted.
By eight, I’ve had my shower and am fondly looking at my tree.
It’s similar to childbirth. It’s a terrible experience but you quickly forget and want to do it again.
Today though, we are not going to chat about Christmas.
Today, I’m blogging all about…
…SAVORING NOVEMBER!
You know how I love to slow down and S-A-V-O-R things that I enjoy and well, I thought November was the perfect month to really stop, slow down, and savor.
Even though I’m one of those people who likes to flip right from Halloween to Holidays, there are so many reasons this “month in between” should be savored.
Today, I am sharing 10 THINGS/WAYS I SAVOR ABOUT NOVEMBER and then I hope you share your list too!
Here we go…
IT’S THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS
You know how happy my heart gets when it sees a pumpkin. And when it sees a Christmas tree. And November is a wonderful month because we get to see BOTH at the same time. It’s double the JOY for me.
As you know, I love running into my local grocery store each day for coffee and fresh items and right now, when I pop in, there are still pumpkins out front and also Christmas decorations galore. It’s twice as nice. On Monday, I grabbed my coffee and a cinnamon spice scented candle and enjoyed the stroll back out to my car just taking it all in. With the Halloween decor now removed, you could really see the cozy fall and Christmas combined.
PUMPKIN, PECAN, CRANBERRIES, OH MY!
November is the month with the best seasonal flavors.
Hands down.
I love the Halloween-y foods of October and the candy cane bites in December, but this month is a collision of pumpkin, pecan, cranberries, sweet potatoes, butterscotch, cinnamon, and oh my gosh, it makes my heart (and kitchen!) so happy!
If I had to pick one month with the very best menu, I would pick November. The flavors just sing all month long.
IT’S DARKER EARLIER
I am diggin’ the darker evenings.
After a lot of sunshine and later evenings when you feel obliged to “be active, be busy”, bring on the early dark days of November.
Call me crazy but on Sunday night, it just felt like the Earth exhaled and all at once, things got still and quiet and cozy inside my house. It was dark when we ate dinner which made everything feel extra warm and inviting. I love it.
EVERYTHING SEEMS TO SLOW DOWN
I am savoring this in between time. The days leading up to Halloween were fun and festive and…busy. The whole month of December feels like one big party. Right now though? Everything has slowed way down.
I looked at my week ahead, and my calendar is more sparse than it was at the end of October. I love that!
IT’S THE SEASON OF LAYERS
I am a tank top, shorts, and sandals girl through and through…but goodness, I love me a layer this time of year.
Give me all the sweaters, cardigans, and jackets right now.
I even love layering the blankets on my couches and beds too.
November feels much more layered to me than October.
I’m savoring every cozy bit of it.
LEAVES PLEASE!
The leaves in North Texas don’t begin to change until November and you better believe that I savor every minute of it.
The trees behind my house are just starting to change to the gorgeous yellows and all over McKinney, you can see how they’re on the cusp of bursting into the beautiful oranges and reds that we all love so much. Give me all the gorgeous foliage this month. All of it.
EVERYTHING GETS FESTIVE…WITHOUT THE PRESSURE.
Right now, everything is getting festive. Shop windows are trimmed with Christmas lights, they’re hanging wreaths around town, my house is decorated…it’s all sparkly and beautiful and very Christmas-y…but I personally don’t feel the “holiday pressure” right now to buy gifts, get my cards sent out, wrap presents, etc. I just get to enjoy the moment without the added stress that comes with December.
IT’S A GREAT TIME TO TRAVEL
November has turned into one of my favorite months to travel. I’ve found that you still can locate some foliage in November but also some festive holiday “things” too but without the hustle and bustle of December crowds.
Over the years, I would say some of my very favorite trips have happened in this month. I’ve been to Walt Disney World several times, to Europe many times, New England, New York City…it’s just a great time to go without the added craziness of the holiday rush.
FOOTBALL
In Texas, regular season football winds down in November and playoffs begin. College football games are more fun to watch on TV in November as ranked teams get upset by the underdogs and everyone in the stands looks bundled up and living their best (or worst) football lives. And by November, we all can exhale realizing that once again, there is no hope for the Dallas Cowboys as long as Jerry Jones is in charge.
Add in Thanksgiving Day football and halftime shows and well, it’s a really great time of year to savor this sport.
THANKSGIVING
I love this holiday! It’s all about food and family and football and togetherness and none of the added stress of gift giving. Thanksgiving Day is great from start to finish too. We get the parade in the morning, football all day long, and a HUGE meal to boot.
And those are just 10 OF THE THINGS/WAYS I’M SAVORING NOVEMBER!
Since we’re embracing all things November today, I am re-sharing my delicious (and easy!) MINI PUMPKIN PIES WITH A SUGAR COOKIE CRUST too! Make sure you pop over and check that recipe out.
Wishing you a wonderful November filled with many things to savor.
I’ll see you tomorrow. xx
Emilee says
Yes, yes, yes! November is filled with festiveness but not the pressure of December and I love that, too. I also love the darker evenings. I’m finding it’s so much easier to get my kids to bed earlier (and me to bed earlier, too!) and everything seems so much cozier.
Elspeth Mizner says
I love that November is the perfect calm before the chaos. You can get stuff done and be productive without the busyness yet. Happy Wednesday!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Shannon says
Big lover of all things fall here! But after living in SoCal my whole life and moving to MT for 3 years, I became scarred by the extreme colds and grew to despise winter.
Now living in TX, even though it’s not as extreme here, I still found myself bristling at the oncoming winter once the time changed.
Your blog is changing that! Thank you for this perspective. I’ve been working on my thoughts and approach to winter and you have helped me learn to savor it and appreciate this time of year!
This was a great post and has added to my list of reasons why I should savor and enjoy this time of year. Thank you!
Mix and Match Mama says
Well welcome to Texas! We love any sort of EXTREME including our weather 😉 . Thank YOU for being a part of this online community! I’m so grateful for it!
Mary says
I was getting nervous that I didn’t see Thanksgiving on your list! 🙂 I think it’s a great way to celebrate friends and family without the pressure of gifts. We will also be celebrating Veterans Day in honor of our relatives and neighbors.
Krista says
What an inspirational post! So much to be grateful for in November! I love it ♥️
Lorraine says
You are so good at seeing joy in your days, which brings me joy every morning! I agree November is just lovely and your post made me grateful to step into it’s loveliness today.
Sheaffer says
It’s 50 degrees outside right now. It’s November’s time to SHINE!
Grace says
Reading “And by November, we all can exhale, realizing that once again, there is no hope for the Dallas Cowboys as long as Jerry Jones is in charge.” I am just laughing so hard right now!
Mix and Match Mama says
No truer words have been written here…
SS says
Shay,
Our weather this November has been beautiful!!! Most of our leaves are gone…there are some still clinging. We have one little pumpkin up outside that grew in our garden! Planted our mums and getting ready for fall. I am a lights person… I love lights outside in tht dark we bought some that can change colors…so right now we have orange ones. It is makes it feel even more cozy. We found a new little place close to us and she makes beeswax candles…they smell so delightful and fall! We have lotion from there as well!!
Laci Murray says
November is a wonderful month, I totally agree!
Elizabeth B says
You are one of the first people I’ve heard say they like the dark early and I appreciate your perspective this morning! You always find a way to put a positive spin on everything and it’s truly so refreshing. I’m cracking up at the Christmas decorating progression and as a Falcons fan, I can relate to your football sentiments although we don’t usually make it to November before we realize there’s no hope. Sigh.
Mix and Match Mama says
Ohhhhh I love when it gets dark early. When it’s light outside, I feel like I need to be “doing”. When it’s dark, I can get my cozy clothes on, turn on a Hallmark movie and chill.
Patty says
November will be extra special for us this year. We sold a home in August super fast which meant hotel living, a cruise, and visits to family for about 9 weeks. Next week we get to close on the house we’re building and FINALLY move in! It’s just in time, too, since our winter clothes are in storage (house was expected to be done early in October), and it’s getting COLD in Wyoming! Now, if only an unpacking fairy would come and help us out so we can find Christmas decorations before the end of December 😉
Mix and Match Mama says
Wow! You have AMAZING things in your future! GOOD FOR YOU!! I hope you enjoy every single minute of it!