November

I've just been making out my list of goals for this month (it's November 1 as I write this) and while I say I am not going to be sharing those goals.  I did think I'd share some of my favorite things for November.  I am not mentioning Thanksgiving on purpose.  It is a favorite, but I feel it is a stand-alone for November, sort of the gateway into the whole holiday season, so you won't find me mentioning it here.  I'm reserving those pleasures.

Here's what I'm going to be doing to make November a cozy and memorable month...

*************************************************************************

Have you ever seen the movie "Sweet November"?  I watched the original many years ago with Sandy Dennis and Anthony Newley in the lead.  The 1968 version is written more like a play than a film which is a style that we seldom see on screen these days.  

The story revolves around a young woman, Sara, who takes on a man each month to help him 'fix' what is wrong with him.  They live with her for exactly one month.  Charlie Blake (Anthony Newley) is chosen to be November's man of the month...

Inevitably the men all fall in love with Sara who someone manages to hold herself aloof.  Charlie realizes that Sara is terminally ill which makes their parting that much more bittersweet...

The movie was remade in 2001 with Keanu Reeves and Charlize Theron.  That one was filmed more like a movie.  Though I don't much care for Sandy Dennis, I do like the 1968 version of the film best.  

If you like a romantic comedy, then this one might be a good pick for this month before we get tucked in with the holiday films.

**************************************************************************

I've been drinking a maple cream coffee every morning since September came along.  It's been super simple to make, just about 1 tablespoon of maple syrup and some half & half.  I've really enjoyed having it.  

I thought for November I'd try a Gingerbread coffee each morning.  I've made a warm spice mix that includes ginger, cinnamon, brown sugar (for that hint of molasses), sugar, cloves and nutmeg and mixing in a spoonful with my half and half each morning.  I always heat my creamer on the stove and if I'm feeling fancy I'll use the frother in it.  I did something similar last year and it was really good.  

***************************************************************************

The weather is officially cooler here in Georgia and temperatures really drop along about dark (which now comes earlier).  Salads for supper will be off my menu until it warms again in the spring.  It is officially souping season. (If "souping" isn't a word don't come at me.  The autocorrect suggested it repeatedly and I kind of like it, so souping it is.)  It's this time of year that we eat soup at least once a week.  I'll even eat leftovers for lunches.  I love soup!  

This year, I plan to try some new soup recipes just to see which ones John likes best.  My goal is to keep them frugal which is one reason I really love Kitchen Sink soup, but I don't want to limit us.  I'm sure to find something else we love that is inexpensive and delicious.  John is not very fond of soup, so my goal is to keep him interested in having soup for supper once a week.

**************************************************************************

This week my winter coverlet goes on our bed.  It's a deep rich teal matelassé that is super heavy and really lovely on a cold night.  The lighter early autumn spread will be washed and packed away.  I'll also bring out the blanket that John loves and air it out this week on the clothesline before placing it on the bed.  

I also swapped all of my summer clothes out for the cooler weather clothing, sweaters, ruhanas, wraps, long sleeved blouses, etc.  It was cool enough last week that the time seemed right for it.  I looked at the 14 day forecast and I think we are safely into the cool days and cold mornings.

I've dreaded the cold this year more than usual, but I do look forward to bringing out the blankets, spread and sweaters and such.

****************************************************************************

I have purposely tried to limit myself in making sweets this autumn, but for this month, I plan to make the following items: Gingerbread.  I only hope I can remember which my favorite recipe is.  I've tried several and only one of them comes out slightly sticky on the outside and richly dark inside.  

Autumn Leaf Snickerdoodles.  I have some pretty maple leaf cookie cutters of various sizes that I use.  I sometimes have a grandchild with me when I make these and sometimes, I just share them with the children.  I need to buy some colored sugars to use, since I'm out entirely this year.  I'll run by Hobby Lobby and check out their baking items for some fun autumn colors...and pick up Christmas ones while I'm there as well.

While it isn't for this month, I want to make fruitcake this year.  I'll do that this week, so I have plenty of time to let it ripen.  For once I have all the fruit I need on hand.

**************************************************************************

Music for easy listening this month:

This lovely piece by Max Richter titled 'November'.

Guns 'N Roses, "November Rain" is digitally remastered and quite lovely.

Jake Westbrook Vintage Autumn playlist is something I play from September right through Thanksgiving.  There are four volumes of music with only a few repeats.  

**************************************************************************

If I'm very lucky, I'll be able to locate a few Winesap apples this month.  They come into season in mid October.  I plan to drive a little further north in order to find them.  They are actually the best apples for making cider, but I love them to eat fresh.  They have the sweet sticky tang of cider to them.  Usually, we find a few in Thomaston at a chain grocer that carries local products.

I also want some apple cider.  I don't drink apple juice, but each year I buy one gallon of apple cider and make hot wassail.  I also love to bake a whole chicken with apples, butternut squash, onions, and baste it all with apple cider while it cooks.  

***************************************************************************

Usually at some point this month we'll have a heavily windy day that pushes in a hard cold front.  The wind will blast the house.  I must get outdoors and walk in that wind.  I feel like it blows away the cobwebs in the brain and freshens me inside and out.

****************************************************************************

And that's my list of pre-Thanksgiving stuff to do to celebrate November.  Do you do anything special to enjoy this month?