November brings with it a wonderful time of chilly weather and thankful hearts. School comes to a close for the holiday and Thanksgiving brings in family from all over the world. Here are 30 things to be grateful for in November.
Fall Colors:
In the early November days, the yellow, brown, orange, and green colors that October opened up to are still around as leaves fall from the trees. Fall colors abound.
Time with loved ones:
When the family gathers together, food is shared., conversations take place, and time is spent in gratefulness. Thanksgiving ushers in the holidays where time with loved ones is upon us.
All things pumpkin:
This too begins in October. It is, however, prominent in November. In the pumpkin bread starters, the pumpkin bread dessert with cream cheese frosting, and, of course, the pumpkin pie shared after Thanksgiving dinner. The holidays just would not be the same without all things pumpkin.
Hot and Cold Cider:
The biggest beverage of the November season is that of apple cider. It can be enjoyed hot or cold. indoors or outside, in the snow looking for that perfect Christmas tree, or by the fireplace reading. It is all about the Cider in November.
Fireplaces:
Speaking of Cider by the fire. The weather outside brings about a chill inside that calls for a fire. Fireplaces are lit up starting in the month of November.
Fuzzy blankets and socks:
The lighting of the fireplaces always brings about the fuzzy sox and blankets all indoor fire people tend to wear. There is nothing better than sitting by a beautiful fire in your fuzzy festive socks, drinking your cold cider, while wrapped in your fuzzy blanket.
Candles:
In addition to the fire, the cider, the socks, and the blanket, for best ambiance, candles instead of indoor lighting is always best this time of year. If the candles smell like pumpkin, vanilla, or cider, it just adds to the experience.
The foods of the month of November:
The next 6 things to be grateful for in November all happen to be the foods of the month. Turkey, ham, corn, gords/squash/pumpkins, sweet potatoes, soups and stews. Turkey and ham always find their way to the Thanksgiving table with the corn and sweet potatoes. The soups and stews tend to play their way through the month. And it is always the gords, squash, and pumpkins that decorate our table for the holiday.
Strong friendships:
What a wonderful thing to hold immense gratefulness for, strong friendships. It is these that keep amazing people in your life, especially during the holidays when stress is sometimes at its highest and we need someone to help keep us grounded. These are the types of relationships that have weathered the storms of life and are all the stronger for it.
Hay
It is the decoration of the season. It can be used for sitting on, placing food on, and it can be strategically placed around the yard as festive decor.
Scarecrows:
Speaking of Thanksgiving decor, the scarecrow seems to be used for all sorts of decoration around the house, in plays at school, and in businesses for the season.
New Jackets:
October ends in fall. November seems to begin the winter months and new jackets become a must. It is always fun to go shopping and choose this year’s new jacket. Will it have fur? How many pockets are needed? Will it go well with my scarf, hat, and gloves?
Children:
Children are always a blessing. It is always wonderful to have them out of school on break, visiting with everyone, and contributing to conversations with loved ones. There are always games to be played and songs to be sung when children are around in November.
Baking
One of my favorite things to do is bake. I love to create cakes and cookies for my family to enjoy. This time of year always brings with it my baking energy. Cookies are a favorite with the kids too.
Tradition:
Every family has traditions that they hold dear. Whether it is baking for the holidays, creating special dishes for that Thanksgiving Day, spending time with loved ones, or putting up your Christmas tree early, tradition is sacred.
Trees:
When I mention that trees are items to be grateful for, it can mean many different things. For some, it might be the Christmas tree you put up during the Thanksgiving holiday. For others, it might be the color changes the trees in your neighborhood go through at this time of year.
Leaves:
Speaking of trees, the leaves that adorn them make them what they are at this time of year. The colors that are changing belong to these beautiful leaves.
Things that fall:
This season brings about the falling of leaves. The falling of rain. Eventually, the falling of snow. November is full of things that fall.
The first snow:
November seems to usher in the falling of snow. Sometimes there is a flurry. Other times there is a full on falling of glorious snow.
Bonfires:
The fire to end all fires is the bonfire. Sitting around, singing songs, holding conversation, and cuddling are all the joys bonfires bring us.
Good Music:
The holiday season always comes with good music. Whether it is family singing around a piano, a couple dancing at a party to a good band, or friends sitting around a bonfire with guitars and voices, good music is a must.
Scarfs and Sweaters:
Ever heard of sweater weather? Well, this is it. November is a time to be grateful for those warm scarfs and comfortable swaeters.
Crisp Air:
Some may not enjoy the crisp air of the season. I believe it to be a great blessing. It often causes your cheeks to blush. That with a good sweater is a beautiful site.
Warm hugs:
One of my favorite things about November is that plenty of warm hugs make their way into your life. Moms and dads hugging their children. Grandparents, aunts, and uncles visiting for the holiday always come with plenty of warm hugs to go around. It is something to be grateful for.
Hot Chocolate:
We talked about the ciders of the season, but there is nothing that compares to all the things that can go with a good hot chocolate. November is the start of hot chocolate with marshmallows, with cool whip, with whip cream, with ice cream, etc.
Conclusion to 30 things to be grateful for in November:
November brings with it a wonderful time of chilly weather and thankful hearts. There is so much to be grateful for in this time of year. This was just 30 things to be grateful for in November.