I am so excited that tomorrow it will be November (oh, and Happy Halloween). By the mere fact that Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, it’s highly possible that November is my favorite month. I’m expecting lower temperatures here in SoCal, and look forward to needing a sweater and long pants– not just one or the other! And more importantly, I’m planning to perfect a few more Thanksgiving recipes before helping with both brunch and dinner with our families up in San Francisco. I’ll be sure to share anything successful on SR!
A letter written in the early 1900s. They bought 8 gallons of hot chocolate at $1 per gallon.
I bought some hot chocolate for myself at my favorite coffee shop.
This time last year…Â
I was in Cambridge, MA continuing history research in drafty cold libraries, where it would get dark by 4PM. The handwritten letter pictured above was one of my favorite archival materials! We fueled ourselves with so many hot beverages around this time last year; the cold dark weather is what made hot chocolate oh-so-delicious. And the view of the Charles River out of my 10th-floor window (pictured above) offered a dramatic sunset every day. I miss it so much!
For Thanksgiving last year, my husband (then fiance) and I threw a dinner for friends who stayed at college instead of going home. We cooked a feast with their help, played games, watched “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving,” and forgot to take very many photos. What a great time it was!
Setting the table for last year’s Thanksgiving gathering.
This year, the month of October flew by— and I know I’m not the only one to say this. But, I did accomplish some of my goals, while I’m still hoping to accomplish the others. Here they are:
- Make pumpkin-flavored macarons. And possibly salted-caramel too!
- Keep up with the reading in my courses on family systems and therapy interventions.
- Find my favorite sushi spot in Pasadena.
Journal. And pray.Start and finish this online course about generosity and philanthropy with Laura Arrillaga-Andreessen.- Actually exercise regularly (I’m serious).
Spend quality time with new classmates and neighbors.Be creative with my fall wardrobe.Laugh a lot at random things, take deep breaths when I’m stressed, and let go of control.Meet more blogging friends and enjoy their lovely blogs (**comment below if you want me to check out yours**).
Sadly, I have no pumpkin macarons to show for this month, but I’ll be working on them in the next few weeks! And I keep telling myself that I really do intend to exercise… that would be a great habit to build before the joyful indulgence that is Thanksgiving!
November Goals
- Build strong and nurturing relationships with the students I’m tutoring.
- Make those pumpkin macarons!
- Read for pleasure— when was the last time I did that?
- Finish thank-you notes from our June wedding so they don’t arrive right before our Christmas letter.
- Make our first couple’s Christmas letter! I’ve gone back and forth about this, but have decided that it’s a great way to wish people well who are otherwise hard to reach.
- Exercise. Even just a few times– better than nothing.
- Continue to grow my blog and make the most of my November sponsorships.
- Complete my application to Aspire Teacher Residency, where I hope to earn my credentials and learn to be an excellent Special Ed teacher next year!
- Start creating the list of gifts to send to friends in December.
- Joyfully finish my current courses in family therapy!
Did you accomplish your October goals? What are your goals for the next month? I’d love to hear about them! Have a great weekend, friends!
Yes! Let’s do!
Thank you so much Nissi!
Ooh that sounds fascinating! Wouldn’t it be funny if we did a history senior thesis blog linkup?! I think it would just be you and me……
Nice Pics!
http://www.nissimendes.ch
My senior thesis was on the rise of Black Feminism in the 70s and it was the hardest thing I’ve ever done lol. Luckily my advisor was one of the greatest, most brilliant professors I’ve ever had, so she guided me along the way.
I know what you mean about wanting to share. I love talking about historical people and events but everyone’s eyes just kind of glaze over. That’s why I get really excited when I meet someone else who loves it 🙂
Aw thanks Erin for reading 🙂 You’re a teacher too?! That’s incredible– so glad we have that in common. I’d love to hear more about the kids you teach some time, girl! Hope you’ve had a lovely weekend:)
Aw yay! Thanksgiving is awesome. Good luck Christmas shopping– and yes, the key to giving gifts is getting them there on time! 😉
I love this time of year too! The cooler weather, the amazing foods, and the many occasions spent with family and friends. So neat that you hosted your school friends last Thanksgiving! Pumpkin macaroons for this Thanksgiving sounds pretty darn exciting too! 🙂 How awesome that you are going to be a special ed teacher. Teaching is seriously the most feel good job. I absolutely love making a difference in the lives of my students. So glad to see we have another common interest! 🙂 Happy weekend babe!
xo Erin
http://www.winkandatwirl.com
Ooh that hot cocoa stuff you bought sounds delicious!! And yes, making macarons is a huge production and sometimes you end up with macaWRONGS. But I love them so much that it’s still worth it for me 🙂
Haha it really is going to be a bit busy. Thanks so much for stopping by 🙂
Thank you so much Gina!:) Sounds like we have some similar goals, let’s keep each other accountable. Hope you’re having a great weekend, friend!
Haha thanks Ellie! Macarons are difficult– I’ve made them about 5 times now and they do turn out a little differently each time. Goal setting is so fun and I find that it does help me be a bit more productive 🙂 Thanks so much for stopping by!
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday too! My main goal for this month is Christmas shopping. I want to have it all done so I can send them out prior to Christmas since we won’t be going home!
I will try very hard to make good pumpkin macarons 😉 Oh yes, summer is always a good time to work out– quick payoff 😉 And that’s AWESOME that you’re writing a novel, Rachel! I’d love to hear more about it.
Hah thanks Leelee 🙂 I enjoyed it– it was for my bachelor’s degree in history!
I know right?! It was the first time I’d ever seen latte art in chocolate. Thanks Sienna!!
Thanks so much Judith! Oh, NY is so beautiful in the fall as well– my husband (then boyfriend) was in Manhattan for college and I was able to visit him a lot. What a great place to live… I’m enjoying the CA sunshine now, though!
Thanks girl! Oh yes, it’s definitely sort of an American thing, but my favorite thing is being able to gather together for a good feast– whether it’s a holiday or not! 🙂 Thanks for reading, Corinne!
Thanks so much, Rachel! 🙂 I’ll definitely share about the pumpkin macarons (whether they go well or not– haha!). Let me know what you’re reading this month 😉 And yes, some Thanksgiving food should definitely be made in advance… there’s too much for the actual day of. Lots of stuff should work though– you could even assemble an apple pie and then bake it on location 🙂
Oooh that sounds perfect! I love page turners– haven’t read one since I picked up Harry Potter many years ago. Thanks for the suggestion, girl!
Thanks so much Sandra! Oh yes, I’ll be sharing the pumpkin macaron recipe in the next couple weeks 😉
Oh did you?! That’s so cool, a fellow ex-Bostonian 😉 Well Prague sounds incredible– I’m certainly hoping you put some lovely photos up on your blog, girl! Thank you so much, Emily!
How exciting!! Hope you have some super fun plans ahead:)
Thanks Joanna! Oh I would love to hear what your favorite books are 🙂 And I’m so excited for the holidays!!! Hope you’re having a great weekend, friend!
Thank you so much Mandy! Yes, I’m going to figure out those pumpkin macaroons! It really is a challenge so I usually prefer to start with plain ones:) And I’m glad you’re planning to make the most of your sponsorships too! There’s a bit of work that goes into it!
Oh that’s great! Let me know what your goals are, Hannah:) And no worries, I love reading about what you’re up to!
Haha yes it most certainly is! Actually it was for a neighborhood gathering at a Boston settlement house (kind of like a community center), and they gave away free hot chocolate! 🙂
haha yes!! let’s exchange Christmas letters?! I’d love to read more about your year, Amy! And yes, I love having a fresh start… and this is going to be a great month.
Ooh nice! Can’t wait to read your first review 🙂 And thank you. I don’t even know what NaNoWriMo is… I’m going to look that up right now! Did you decide??
I have so many suggestions through my head that my mind is going blank.. is that possible? lol. I wrote a book review on my blog not long ago, which is obviously the books I’m going to suggest to you haha they are too good. Child 44 is really freaking blow your mind good. It’s based in Russia during one of the wars. It’s a mystery about kids ‘accidentally’ dying. I’m telling you, you start the book, you won’t put it down till you’re done! And if you are looking for a series, then go for the Women’s Murder Clubs (by James Patterson) It’s addictive like hell!
Thanks Deniz!! Time really does fly, especially because oftentimes are goals are in addition to the work we already have to do! I try to make my goals reasonable though, so I can feel accomplished at the end of the month!
Thanks so much Bree! That’s such a good point about reading and exercise– I haven’t even thought of them as stress reducers but you are so right about that! Oh, and I was writing my senior thesis on the Social Gospel in Boston; I got a degree in history too! And your focus sounds fascinating. Did you write a thesis? 🙂 I sometimes want to share more on the blog about my historical adventures but I don’t think I’ll get very far before people fall asleep 😉
Haha I try to keep my list of goals reasonable so i can feel a sense of accomplishment 😉 It’s so tough to start Christmas shopping when it doesn’t feel like Christmas season!! For me it’s also about starting the cards… sometimes those take even longer!
Things really have changed a lot lately– it’s been a big year for me. Thanks for your sweet words and encouragement, Kiki!
Thank you so much Jess! I really appreciate you stopping by 🙂
Thanks so much Charity! Oh, you’re an inspiration when it comes to exercise– have you written any tips about it? (If so let me know!) And I’m hoping to try making some macarons with my friend next week 🙂 Hope you’re having a lovely weekend!
Thanks Maggie! I’d love some good book suggestions– what do you like to read?? And yes, when I set goals I feel some degree of pressure to accomplish them 🙂
Aw you are so sweet Miriam! Thanksgiving is a great holiday to celebrate, but gathering friends together for a good meal is something you can do any other day of the year 😉 I strongly encourage it! And I’d love some suggestions!!! I’ve been really into nonfiction lately, but anything with drama and good writing are usually a win for me. Any thoughts? I’d love to hear about your favs!
Haha, I was just thinking of making some hot chocolate! I bought some amazing cocoa powder stuff specifically for hot chocolate when I was in Argentina, and it’s just SO GOOD. Mmm… going to go make some this afternoon!
A+ for the goal of making pumpkin macarons. I love macarons but making them is a ton of work!
NICE POST!
FOR YOU A VERY BUSY NOVEMBER!
Have a great november
http://www.agoprime.it
Oh I love this post and hearing about all of your goals!! It looks like your November is off to a great start and I can’t wait to see how going about all your goals comes along 🙂 I love how you are so organized with this! I’m also hoping to start the gift giving planning and get in a little bit of exercise too! I hope you have a fabulous weekend, Daisy!!
Yes to pumpkin macarons! I’ve heard macarons are hard to make so I’m curious what the process is like.
I love that you make goals for each month to motivate yourself! I need to try to exercise a bit too! Thanks for sharing your goals with us!
Ellie | wunderstar
Pleaseee make pumpkin macarooons- yum!! My goals are to exercise more (its summer here so I need to work on my bikini bod) and to write a good chunk of my novel 🙂
Rachel xx
http://www.thedailyluxe.blogspot.com
That is so cool that you spent so much time reading historical documents.
I love that design they put in your hot chocolate, and good luck on your november goals!
http://www.rosecolorglass.com
I lived in NY during undergrad and am now back in California. I lived on the Hudson across from the Tappan Zee bridge. I miss New England in the fall. Happy November and good luck on getting your goals accomplished next month!
Good luck with your November goals! We don’t have thanksgiving in the UK but I always love reading about it on American blogs 🙂
Corinne x
http://www.skinnedcartree.com
Wonderful goals! I’m looking forward to reading about your pumpkin macarons, once you make them. Love the reading goal! I absolutely love books, and hope to get my reading up this next month as well. Another goal I have is to plan food for Thanksgiving that can be made in advance and then travel for six hours. I only have one dish planned so far, my rocky road mallow bars.
Great post, Daisy! Thanks for sharing!
great goals. Curious about the pumpkin macarons 😀
http://www.morestylethanfashion.com
I love that you lived in MA! I did too & miss the Charles river too. But I do not miss how early the cold would come! This Thanksgiving I will be in Prague- so crazy to think! I love your goals & obviously your blog. I hope you have a great weekend Daisy!
Oh, I love November too! It’s my birthday month. 😀
That old letter is so cool! If you need suggestions for books to read, just let me know 🙂 I love November and Thanksgiving too, such a happy time spent with family and friends, but Christmas is definitely my favorite time!! xx
lovejoanna.com
I love your goals! I’ve never made macaroons before but if I ever attempt to I think that pumpkin ones would be amazing! And one of my goals right now is to start making the most of sponsorships so I really liked seeing that on your list.
I didn’t really make goals for October, but I am planning to make some for November! All of these photos are gorgeous btw. And THANK YOU for taking the time to stop by my blog every so often and leave comments. I appreciate it so much 🙂
dance a real
I love that old letter! 8 gallons of hot chocolate?! That’s a lot of hot chocolate ;).
Tamara
http://www.trulytamara.com
Oh yes! Thanks for the reminder about a Christmas letter! Our first year as a married couple, I really want to do that also! 🙂
I hope your November is excellent Daisy! Don’t you just love fresh new starts?
I just joined Blogging for Books so I’m excited to have NEW things to read for pleasure – so thanks again for telling me about that 🙂 Good luck with the application! I think this month I’m going to try to learn more design stuff. . .and maybe I’ll even do NaNoWriMo. Must decide today!
So cool that you make lists – I often feel like time flies by before I achieve most of the things I have in mind. Setting concrete goals may encourage me follow them through – great idea.
– Deniz
http://www.dressedupdeniz.com
I like your new list of goals! Reading for pleasure more and exercising regularly have been goals of mine in the past and I can tell you that it’s really helped my stress management. I still love watching reality television and zoning out, but reading helps me do something with my mind and exercising gets my aggression out.
Also, what were you doing history research on? My Bachelor’s degree is in History (mostly post-colonial Latin American and late 20th century American), so I’m a huge nerd when it comes to that subject haha.
Living in NYC with Bree
http://breebiancahill.com
You are much more productive than I. Every single year I tell myself I’ll start Christmas shopping in July… Every year I start in late November. I have no concept of time what so ever.
Your life has changed so much in just a short time. Very happy for you! Love the sunset photo. (:
Have a great weekend Daisy!
http://accordingtokiki123.blogspot.com/
Amazing pictures and goals! =)
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xoxo,
Jess
Way to accomplish your goals this month Daisy! I do exercise at least 5 times a week and it makes such a difference in my energy levels. I’m looking forward to November and setting a goal of running 100 miles this month 😉 Looking forward to your macaroons! Happy Halloween…
charity
lifeafterbaseball.net
I love that you make monthly goals for yourself. It is such a great way to grow personally and professionally. It is a very teacher thing to do! 🙂 I have tons of good book suggestions if you want any! and I am now tempted to try some pumpkin macaroons!
Maggie
http://www.PolishedClosets.com
I’ve never celebrated Thanksgiving but now I wish I did. You make it sound so good, I’m jealous. First of all that hot chocolate looks to die for. Second of all, you and your then fiancee throwing a Thanksgiving dinner for you and your friends and playing games sounds so homey and cute, and third of all keep up your blog posts! They are super entertaining and a great read. On that note you should definitely get back into reading for pleasure! 🙂 Is there any specific genre you like? Because I have a tonne of recommendations lol
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