This monthly favourite things email really crept up on me this time around, but I managed to pull something together. So here are some of my November favourites.
Read
I am in the middle of quite a few books at the moment so I hope to have more to say in December. In November I did read a couple of novels that I thought were okay, and Andrew and I finished this parenting book, which I really liked and plan to revisit.
I almost forgot that I also finished reading this classic aloud to the kids. I was surprised at how the chapters jumped from one story line to another and pleased by the writing style and classical allusions. If you haven’t read it, give it a try.
Eat
This fall I’ve been obsessed with this kale salad that my sister recommended. It has everything: raw and roasted vegetables, fresh and dried fruit, nuts, cheese, and a sweet and salty homemade dressing — and of course the variations are endless.
If you want an easy and pretty winter treat (as long as you don’t mind frying with hot oil) try this cookie idea I got from Martha Stewart. Buy some wanton wrappers, fold them twice diagonally, cut out shapes with scissors (like making paper snowflakes), then fry them for two minutes. Once your snowflakes cool, dust them with icing sugar. My kids had a good time testing out this recipe and we plan to make them again in a couple of weeks.
Play
Have you ever played the logic game Rush Hour? This month we borrowed two variations from the library: Rush Hour Jr. and Safari Rush Hour.
I hadn’t played Mille Bornes in years when Andrew found it at the thrift store where he volunteers. I recommend it if you’re looking for an easy, interesting card game. (There’s an updated version, but this box is the one I’m used to!)
Buy
To celebrate losing the baby weight from my last pregnancy I bought some new workout clothes from Value Village (on the day when all clothes were 50% off… yes, I’m very cheap). All my workout clothes were years old and it’s so nice to have new stuff that is fun and flattering.
Listen
Last Saturday we went to a Christmas concert by the Shoreline Chorus (the choir Andrew sang with in the summer). The music was festive and varied, plus cranberry cheesecake was served during intermission!
I still listen to my longtime favourite podcasts (Happier with Gretchen Rubin, Young House Love Has a Podcast, What Should I Read Next?) but I’ve been wanting to add something from a Christian perspective to the mix. I’ve now listened to four or five episodes of the Journeywomen podcast and am finding it convicting and encouraging. Please let me know if you check it out.
Meditate
I’m amazed by how many Bible verses my girls have memorized. Here’s one I’ve enjoyed hearing lately:
“Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’ Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”
– 1 Peter 5:5b-7