November Highlights: A Glimpse into Our Out-of-the-Kitchen Adventures
We’re thrilled to be back with another edition of our “Out of the Kitchen” series, where we share a more personal look into our lives beyond the recipes and projects. November was a month filled with heartwarming reunions, creative endeavors, holiday preparations, and plenty of laughs. Join us as we recount all the adventures and everyday moments that made this past month truly special!
Reconnecting with Roots: An Illinois Reunion
The very beginning of November kicked off with a heartwarming trip back to Illinois, a place that holds a very special spot in my heart. My husband Ryan and I called Illinois home for five wonderful years before embarking on our new chapter in Michigan in May of 2017. Returning for a weekend visit felt incredibly surreal; it was as if no time had passed at all. The moment I stepped back, I was enveloped in the comforting familiarity of the place and the wonderful company of cherished friends. Reconnecting with them was an absolute joy, filled with laughter, shared stories, and rekindled memories. These are the friendships that truly stand the test of time and distance, reminding us of the strong bonds we forged and the importance of nurturing them, no matter how far apart we might be. The warmth of familiar faces and places instantly transports you back, making every conversation feel like picking up right where you left off.
During my stay, I had the immense pleasure of staying with my dearest friend, Ashley, and soaking up quality time with her and her adorable daughter. Watching them together, and being part of their everyday moments, truly warmed my soul. Ashley has been an incredible constant in my life, a true confidante and supporter, and her daughter is just as sweet and vibrant, full of infectious energy. Their presence is so dear to me, making every visit a precious experience that I always look forward to. These personal connections and moments of shared joy truly enrich our lives, offering a much-needed dose of comfort and happiness amidst our busy schedules. It’s these relationships that truly remind us of what truly matters in life.
Home Sweet Home: Pet Antics & Everyday Mishaps
Life at home in November was, as always, full of the delightful unpredictability that comes with having a beloved feline companion. Our mischievous cat, Salsa, has a knack for inserting himself into every aspect of our daily routine, often in the most endearing and amusing ways. One of his favorite spots, particularly when I’m trying to concentrate, is directly behind my computer. This creates a rather cozy (and sometimes challenging) workspace. While it’s incredibly cute to have his warm, purring presence there, it does tend to make getting work done a tad more difficult. He often nudges my computer closer to me, leaving me with practically no space to maneuver my mouse! It’s a small, daily negotiation, but ultimately, a small price to pay for such a comforting and entertaining companion.
Amidst the charming chaos and everyday routines, there are always those minor household mishaps that remind us of life’s imperfect beauty. This month, I had a rather clumsy moment while attempting to multitask in the kitchen, a classic scenario for many home cooks. In a display of questionable dexterity, I ambitiously tried to pick up four clean plates with a single hand. Unsurprisingly, one of our beloved Fiesta ware bowls slipped from my grasp and, with a disheartening clatter, cracked on the floor. It was a definite “boo” moment, a small bummer in an otherwise lovely day. The initial feeling of frustration quickly gave way to the understanding that accidents happen. But, as anyone who’s spent time in the kitchen knows, a dropped dish is a common occurrence. It’s a gentle reminder to slow down, be present, and perhaps, to use two hands next time!
Crafting & Creativity: A DIY Pumpkin Pie Banner
November is synonymous with vibrant fall colors and cozy crafts, and this year I dove into a particularly delightful DIY project: a super cute pumpkin pie felt banner. Crafting is such a rewarding experience, allowing me to add a personal and unique touch to our home decor, especially as the seasons transition and we prepare for the holidays. The satisfaction of seeing a project come to life from simple materials, transforming felt squares into charming pumpkin pie slices, is truly unmatched. I was so pleased with how it turned out that I even put together a detailed DIY post, complete with step-by-step instructions, hoping to inspire others to create their own festive garlands. It’s a wonderful, accessible way to bring warmth, personality, and a homemade feel to any space, making it perfect for fall and Thanksgiving decorations.
Funnily enough, just a few days after proudly displaying my handmade banner across our fireplace mantle, I visited Target for some errands and spotted something remarkably similar: a pre-made pumpkin pie garland! It was an amusing coincidence that truly made me smile. While it’s always interesting to see what the stores are offering in terms of seasonal decor, I couldn’t help but feel that my DIY version had a unique charm and character that the store-bought one lacked. There’s something inherently special about the effort, love, and personal touch poured into a handmade item that a mass-produced one simply can’t replicate. So, yes, I still firmly believe my DIY version is undeniably cuter! It’s a testament to the unique satisfaction and pride that comes from creating something beautiful and meaningful with your own hands, and a gentle reminder that sometimes, the best decor comes from within your own creativity.
Behind the Scenes: Amazon Fashion Haul Adventures
This month, I also shared another exciting Amazon Try-On post, showcasing some of my latest fashion finds and cozy essentials for the colder weather. Creating these posts is always an adventure in itself, especially when attempting to photograph and film all the items by myself. The first photo below offers a candid glimpse into my office setup on a typical try-on video day. It’s a rather complicated and often comical process, frequently involving creative solutions for equipment placement. I distinctly remember one tripod precariously balancing between my desk and a wooden bucket perched on my desk chair – definitely a sight to behold and a testament to the lengths one goes to for content creation! The whole room looked like a professional studio, albeit a very makeshift one, just for one person.
After navigating the solo-shoot challenges for a while, I quickly realized that the process would be significantly easier (and far less acrobatic) with a helping hand. So, I wisely enlisted Ryan to assist me with taking pictures of me wearing the items. This decision proved to be not only more efficient but also incredibly entertaining for both of us. The second photo captures a moment when Ryan was enthusiastically photographing a pair of shoes I had recently received from Amazon. He had me absolutely cracking up because some of the angles he was choosing were, to put it mildly, quite ridiculous! The laughter was contagious, and it reminded us that even content creation can be a source of fun, silliness, and unexpected humor. You can see exactly what I mean by his unique photographic perspective in the following image!
See what I mean? The moment he showed me that particular shot – a view primarily of our feet and the floor – all I could say was, “Oh dear, Ryan! That’s quite an artistic choice!” It’s these candid, behind-the-scenes moments that often make the final content all the more relatable and authentic, showcasing the genuine fun (and occasional absurdity) that goes into creating. We truly had a good laugh about it, adding another memorable and heartwarming anecdote to our content creation journey, proving that sometimes the best moments are the unplanned, silly ones.
Small Joys: Pet Love & Thoughtful Gestures
Salsa continues to be a central and beloved character in our daily narrative, a furry family member who truly knows how to make himself at home – sometimes quite literally becoming part of the decor! His playful nature, curious antics, and quirky habits constantly bring smiles to our faces and add a unique charm to our household. Beyond the usual pet shenanigans, November also brought a particularly sweet and thoughtful gesture from Ryan that brightened a quiet morning and made me feel incredibly cherished. There’s nothing quite like the luxury of waking up to a delicious meal, and Ryan surprised me with breakfast in bed!
This is truly my ideal breakfast: a perfectly brewed cup of coffee, something warm and comforting like pancakes or toast, all enjoyed from the absolute comfort and coziness of my bed. It’s these small, spontaneous acts of kindness and consideration that make such a profound difference in our daily lives, transforming an ordinary morning into a moment of pure bliss and deep appreciation. It’s a wonderful reminder of the love, care, and thoughtfulness that permeates our home, making even the simplest moments feel extraordinary and deeply cherished. These gestures are the fabric of a strong, loving relationship.
Celebrating Thanksgiving: Friends, Feasts, and Fun
Thanksgiving is a time for deep gratitude, warm gatherings, and creating cherished memories. This year, we were incredibly fortunate to spend the holiday with some truly dear friends. It can often be challenging to navigate holidays when your immediate family isn’t in town, and so their generous invitation meant the world to us, filling our holiday with warmth and companionship. Sharing a festive meal, complete with all the traditional fixings, and creating new memories with them was a beautiful reminder of the profound importance of chosen family and the comforting embrace of community. We are so genuinely grateful for their friendship and hospitality, which made our Thanksgiving truly special, joyous, and memorable.
But the Thanksgiving celebrations didn’t stop there! The very next day, on Black Friday, Ryan and I decided to host our very own, intimate Thanksgiving dinner for just the two of us. It was a delightful way to extend the holiday cheer and enjoy another delicious feast, perhaps even with some creative use of leftovers from the previous day, or a special dish we didn’t get to try on Thursday. It’s always fun to create our own unique traditions and make holidays personal and meaningful. This cozy Black Friday dinner was the perfect capstone to our grateful celebrations, allowing us to reflect on the blessings in our lives in a relaxed and intimate setting, surrounded by good food and each other’s company.
Our Inaugural Household Olympics
Black Friday wasn’t just for feasting and relaxation this year; it also marked the highly anticipated (by us, at least!) debut of our first-ever Household Olympics! While it was just the two of us competing, the spirit of friendly rivalry and enthusiastic participation was incredibly high. We ingeniously devised about five or six unique “events,” all of which involved a deceptively simple premise: throwing socks into a basket. However, the twist was in the execution: for each round, the basket was strategically placed in increasingly tricky and amusing locations around the house, testing our aim, creativity, and sometimes, our flexibility. From behind the couch to across the hallway, and even blindfolded attempts, the challenges kept us on our toes and in stitches with laughter.
After a fierce (but thoroughly enjoyable) competition that involved more flying socks than one might imagine, I’m thrilled to report that I emerged victorious! The second photo proudly displays me with my well-deserved, handcrafted paper trophy, a tangible symbol of my athletic (or at least, sock-throwing) prowess. It was a fantastic and unexpected way to spend the afternoon, proving that you don’t need a crowd or elaborate equipment to have a blast and create truly memorable moments. These silly, spontaneous traditions are often the most cherished, adding an extra layer of fun, bonding, and unique memories to our daily lives. Who knew a simple game of sock-throwing could be so competitive and incredibly entertaining?
Holiday Preparations & Learning Curves
As November drew to a close, our home naturally began to transform with the festive spirit of the upcoming Christmas season. We embarked on a classic holiday adventure: picking out our first real Christmas tree from a local tree farm! The entire experience was truly magical – wandering through rows of fragrant pines, the crisp air filled with the scent of evergreen, searching for that perfect specimen that would proudly grace our living room. It was a joyous quest, filled with the anticipation of decorating and the promise of festive cheer. Getting it to stand perfectly straight in its stand, however, proved to be a whole other challenge, requiring some teamwork, a good dose of patience, and perhaps a bit of creative maneuvering!
Amidst the holiday cheer and anticipation, I also encountered a rather frustrating (and ultimately humorous) learning curve with my sewing machine. For what felt like an eternity – a solid 45 minutes of troubleshooting – I simply could not get the machine to pick up the bobbin thread. I consulted the manual, watched countless YouTube tutorials, tried every trick I knew, but nothing seemed to work. It was one of those moments where you feel completely defeated by a seemingly simple mechanical task. Finally, in a moment of exasperation, I asked Ryan for help. It took him about 25 minutes of puzzling over it before we had our collective “aha!” moment: we were turning the knob on the machine in the wrong direction the entire time! It ended up being an incredibly easy fix, but the time and frustration it caused felt endless. I can almost guarantee I won’t ever make that mistake again – a hard-earned lesson learned just in time for some serious holiday crafting!
Festive Felines & Creative Chaos
Our holiday decorating continued with a beautiful, real wreath gracing our front door. It added a lovely touch of nature and festive cheer, instantly making our home feel more welcoming and seasonal. However, it also introduced a new source of endless fascination (and delightful mischief) for Salsa. He quickly became convinced that the bow flapping gently on the wreath was, in fact, a bird! One particular crisp morning, I found him perched intently in front of the door, utterly mesmerized by the “bird’s” every tiny movement. Seeing his intense focus and genuine curiosity, I kindly pulled a chair over for him, allowing him to continue his vigilant watch in comfort. It’s moments like these that highlight the endless entertainment and unique perspectives our beloved pets bring to our lives, making even simple decorations come alive.
Later in the month, my creative pursuits led to a letter board shoot that involved some very tempting props: fluffy marshmallows and festive candy canes. As expected, Salsa, with his keen sense of curiosity and love for play, was all over that! He saw the festive treats as an open invitation to his own game. He was batting the marshmallows off the table with gusto, chasing them playfully, and gleefully swatting at the candy canes hanging on the string, trying to pull them down. Despite his naughty but utterly adorable interference, it was really cute to watch his playful engagement with the props. Capturing content with a curious cat around certainly adds an unpredictable element of joyful chaos, making the entire process all the more memorable and, frankly, hilarious!
Instagram Letter Board Highlights
Speaking of letter boards, they were a popular and engaging feature on my Instagram throughout November! Here’s a quick look at some of the fun, humorous, and thought-provoking posts I shared this month. Letter boards are such a fantastic and creative way to express humor, share seasonal messages, or capture inspiring quotes, adding a touch of personality and relatable content to our social media feed. They’re a simple yet effective tool for communication and connection, often sparking conversations and smiles among our followers.
Dive Deeper: More Content to Explore!
Curious to see more of our fashion finds or delve into more creative ideas and behind-the-scenes content? Don’t miss out on these related posts that offer even more inspiration and personal glimpses:
For an in-depth look at all the cozy clothes, stylish accessories, and longer tunic shirts perfect for pairing with leggings as the weather gets colder, make sure to see our entire Amazon Try-On Haul post here! It’s packed with outfit inspiration, practical fashion tips, and honest reviews designed to help you refresh your wardrobe for the colder months with ease and confidence.
And if you loved this personal update and want to catch up on even more of our life’s adventures, reflections, and everyday happenings, you can always browse the rest of our “Out of the Kitchen” posts. We love sharing these regular glimpses into our everyday experiences, hoping to connect with you beyond the usual content and foster a community built on shared life moments and authentic stories. Thank you for joining us on this journey!