Monday Musings
November is a challenging month for me. In two more days, the day before Thanksgiving this year, it will be the eighth anniversary of my mother’s passing.
Ironically, 76 years ago today, her mother (my grandmother) died. And I have an older sister I never met, who passed away at just six weeks old, also in November.
So strange.
My daughter and my sweetheart’s birthdays are also this month. As is my little sister’s. So, November is a pivotal time of year for me.
I’ve been thinking about spirituality more the last few weeks than I have in quite a while. I don’t know if there’s any connection to this time of year or not. This is, after all, a month for giving thanks and expressing gratitude.
And I am so thankful for my many blessings. For good health, abundance, prosperity, freedom, and living in such a beautiful place.
And for loving family and friends.
AND FOOD!
Because of our move from Oregon to Texas in late February of 2021, we missed out on celebrating the holidays with family or friends for the last two years. So we are SUPER HAPPY to have my daughter, her husband, and their three kids…our grandkids…here close to us now! We will be feasting with them on Thanksgiving day. Woo hoo!
I’ll be shunning any special dietary exemptions this year and cooking traditional family favorites the same way my mother always made them. We’re splitting the cooking duties, so I’ll be making Sausage Stuffing, Candied Yams, and both Lemon Meringue and Chocolate Cream pies. My daughter is hosting at their house, so she offered to bake the turkey and make mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, pumpkin, and pecan pies. I’ll also be baking a small turkey so that we have leftovers at home. Jeff LOVES my traditional After-Thanksgiving Casserole, so there’s no way I’m not baking a turkey.
What are you making?
What do I Recommend This Week?
WINTER WINE WONDERLAND - 6-bottle case - SAVE 38%
Here’s a great selection of six winter wines - both red and white. Perfect for gift-giving or just to have on hand for upcoming holiday parties! And right now, you can save a whopping 38% PLUS FREE SHIPPING when you buy the case!
Ring in the Winter weather with the perfect wine pack for the cold and snow. This case offers a selection of 6 bottles of premium wine handpicked as the best wines to enjoy during Winter. Cozy up by the fire under your warm blanket, or bring a few bottles on your Winter vacation.
Packs may include the most popular grape varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Malbec, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, Rose, and more.
High-rated 750 ml wines from countries such as Spain, Italy, Chile, Argentina, France, California, Australia, etc.
CITRINE IS NOVEMBER’S BIRTHSTONE
A cousin of amethyst, citrine is also part of the quartz family. Citrine is predominantly associated with healing and happiness. Whether you're having a stomach ache, suffering from insomnia, or just feeling stressed about family gatherings, citrines are thought to bring relief.
As a handcrafted jewelry designer, I’m a little surprised that I don’t have any pieces composed of this beautiful stone. But it couldn’t hurt to add one to my collection.
This Remover of Obstacles Bracelet looks like a great choice and will fit almost any wrist!
Made with Smoky Quartz, Citrine, and Rudraksha Seeds, the Remover of Obstacles bracelet gives you the tools needed to clear the way so that you stay true to the person you are meant to be. Wear the Remover of Obstacles Bracelet when you need help moving forward. If something is standing in your way, this bracelet can offer the energy necessary to help obliterate any obstacles in your path so you can move ahead in the right direction.
And if you’re already looking for great Christmas baking ideas, why not grab a subscription to Bake From Scratch?
Bake from Scratch is an artisan food and cooking magazine that celebrates the world of baking. It features stunning photography, easy-to-follow recipes, techniques, and endless inspiration for the budding at-home baker to the expert chef. Get a taste of the culinary lifestyle with recipes of essential menu staples, mouthwatering desserts, delectable savory dishes, seasonal meals, regional favorites, and more.
When you use my link, you’ll save 61% OFF the cover price!
And Last But Not Least
If you’re looking for a GREAT audiobook to listen to while you’re cooking your Thanksgiving feast, how about downloading one of THE FIRST THREE BOOKS in my Jack and the Magic Hat Maker fantasy series?
They’re available for immediate download, so you can start listening right away!
Readers Love 12-Year-Old Jack Mac Paidin and his buddy Bart Flanagan!
I’m Hooked! - This is a must-read for young readers! This is one of those books that is so well written and tells such a refreshing story that you will have a hard time not finishing it in one sitting. I will definitely be sharing my copy and recommending it to others!
Best Children’s Book Ever!!! - Reading this super fun book provided vivid and creative imagery, truly relatable characters, and such an enjoyable adventure! What a wondrous ride! I highly recommend this book. And not just for children! I'm in my 50s and I adored every sentence, paragraph, page, and chapter!! Very highly recommended. You'll love it!!
Transported Magic - Ms. Johnson takes us for a magical ride with a host of characters that come alive from the pages. Her ability to capture our imagination transports us along in these incredible adventures. The books (one and two) were purchased for my grandchildren but I couldn't help myself when thumbing through them and ended up reading both books before passing them along. I'm now anxiously awaiting book 3.
Stop by my website for more about my books, pyrography, and other adventures! www.tracypartridgejohnson.com
