Favourite Things: November Edition

Winter is on its way! We have snow on the ground and I’ve been collecting recipes for soups and stews. It seems like a good time to curl up inside. I’m on the verge of finishing my novel revisions, so I’m hoping to spend lots more time reading novels in the next month.

Read on to find out what I’ve been into in November.

Food

Gingerbread Spice Dutch Baby and Pancetta, White Bean & Swiss Chard Pot Pies from The Smitten Kitchen Cookbook.

Music

Songza’s “Classical for Studying” playlist is getting me through my revisions.

Kids Chapter Book

Chasing Redbird by Sharon Creech. When 13-year-old Zinnia Taylor discovers an overgrown 20-mile trail that begins by her Kentucky farm, she decides to clear it all single-handedly. During the process she gets away from her big, noisy family and has plenty of time to think about her aunt’s death. The chapters are short and funny, full of quirky characters and expressions. Sharon Creech excels at getting into the mind of a young teen.
I love this book!

Picture Books

Such a Little Mouse features pleasant repetition, the rhythm of the seasons, and adorable pictures of a mouse’s daily activities.

I love the style of the illustrations of Badger’s New House and it tells a nice story too.

My sister got Something From Nothing for Christmas way back when she was in preschool and I recently got it out of the library for my kids. A must read about a little Jewish boy whose grandfather can always fix his worn blanket by turning it into something new.

Activities

  • Reading in bed before lights out
  • Spotting Christmas lights while driving home in the evening
  • Working on my novel in a café
  • Talking on the phone to a friend who just got engaged
  • Ordering birthday presents from Amazon
  • Watching my husband pull our two-year-old around the yard on her saucer
  • Scouring my recipe binder and Pinterest board to make a mouth-watering menu plan for December
  • Putting letters and cards in the mailbox
  • Buying enough groceries to get a free box of Lindt chocolates
  • Picking up all the books I’ve ordered from the library
  • Snuggling under a blanket while reading picture books aloud on the couch
  • Making and painting salt dough ornaments

Bible verses

I’d like to share some Proverbs I’ve read this month. They are chock full of wisdom and practical advice. (Thank you for your forgiveness, Lord, because I can never do it all perfectly!)

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
Proverbs 3:5 

Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
when it is in your power to do it.
Proverbs 3:27

He dies for lack of discipline,
and because of his great folly he is led astray.
Proverbs 5:23 

When words are many, transgression is not lacking,
but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.
Proverbs 10:19

Whoever trusts in his riches will fall,
but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf.
Proverbs 11:28

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,
but a wise man listens to advice.
The vexation of a fool is known at once,
but the prudent ignores an insult.
Proverbs 12:15-16 

Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down,
but a good word makes him glad.
Proverbs 12:25

Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life;
he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.
Proverbs 13:3

Whoever spares the rod hates his son,
but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.
Proverbs 13:24

Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding,
but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.
A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh,
but envy makes the bones rot.
Proverbs 14:29-30

A gentle tongue is a tree of life,
but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
Proverbs 15:4

The heart of man plans his way,
but the Lord establishes his steps.
Proverbs 16:9

Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty,
and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.
Proverbs 16:32

I hope you’ll share your favourite things from the past month!

Once again I’m linking up with Leigh Kramer on her monthly “What I’m Into” post. You can check out some other blogs there.

10 thoughts on “Favourite Things: November Edition

  1. Emily says:

    Here are some of my favourite things in November… mostly food.

    Eggs baked with spinach + cream cheese + smoked salmon (still really good if you don’t have the salmon):
    http://rosannaskitchen.com/index.php/saturday-kitchen-eggs-with-spinach-and-salmon/

    Sweet + salty fall harvest salad:
    http://www.smells-like-home.com/2013/10/sweet-and-salty-fall-harvest-salad/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+SmellsLikeHome+(Smells+Like+Home)

    Lemon, chicken, spinach, and orzo soup:
    http://www.cookingclassy.com/2015/10/lemon-chicken-and-spinach-orzo-soup/

    Creamy chicken + mushroom soup:
    http://damndelicious.net/2015/01/10/creamy-chicken-mushroom-soup/

    This plaid blanket scarf I bought in downtown Richmond:
    http://loulouboutiques.com/products/jade-scarf

    And, last but not least, the discovery that hydrogen peroxide cleans paint splatters and other deep stains out of hardwood floors. Just put some on a rag and scrub that stain. (I also cleaned our dining room floor with a mixture of white vinegar and canola oil, as per a pinterest recommendation, and realized while I was applying it: “this is salad dressing.”)

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