In 45 B.C., Julius Caesar ordered a new calendar, adding two months to the old ten. When this happened, it also moved the beginning of the year from March 1 to January 1. That was a loooong time ago, and yet we’re still stuck calling calendar pages by their old 10-month monikers: September (7), October (8), and our current month, November (9). There had to be a better way to go about this, dont’cha think?!

No matter the numerical inaccuracy of the name, November is indeed here! We know this by enough signs that there’s no need to consult a calendar; the leaves are piled hither and yon, our days darker and shorter, and the “frost is on the pumpkin” in most parts of the country. (Yes, I’m givin' you the stink-eye Southern Cal and Florida!) ;)

Winter is near, holidays are approaching, and I find myself with a big mug of steaming tea in my hand more often than not.

I enjoy fall so much! It’s a time of industry, of building excitement, and of plotting and planning Christmas surprises for all the kids and grand kids. It’s one of my Top 4 Favorite Seasons to be sure!

I hope you too are allowing yourself the pleasure of being happy and joyful, and practicing the art of seeking out (a minimum) of one thing each day that is bright and beautiful.

November Book Club | Live Life Deliciously by Tara Teaspoon

BUY “Live life Deliciously”

Hello November, and hello new book club selection, Live Life Deliciously by Tara Teaspoon, a big beautiful hardcover cookbook full of “Recipes For Busy Weekdays & Leisurely Weekends.” It’s full of kitchen secrets, pantry staples, cupboard and cooking essentials, and recipes recipes recipes galore!

Arriving just in time to provide much needed new takes on appetizers, sides, and sumptuous main courses for the upcoming holidays, Live Life Deliciously has all the inspiration necessary to get you excited about stirring up something delicious!

Our holiday gatherings may be smaller this year than in the past, but that could provide us with an opportunity to try something new that just might become the next great tradition.

It’s been an age since I got excited about a new cookbook, but I’m pretty giddy over this one! There’s more information to be found at my Book Club blog page - click on over!

Order “Live Life Deliciously” HERE.

November comes

And November goes,

With the last red berries

And the first white snows.

With night coming early,

And dawn coming late,

And ice in the bucket

And frost by the gate.

The fires burn

And the kettles sing,

And earth sinks to rest

Until next spring.

~ Clyde Watson

New Recipe | Garlic and Sumac Roasted Broccoli with Sweet Dates

From the Live Life Deliciously cookbook, by Tara Teaspoon - My November book club pick - comes this tasty selection perfect as a Thanksgiving - or weeknight - dinner side; Garlic and Sumac Roasted Broccoli with Sweet Dates.

My little grand-nephew, Wyatt, who absolutely loves his veggies (and, surprisingly, dates!) - will gobble this up! As will most kids and adults alike.

My sis is always the one to bring a big roasting pan of veggies to our holiday gatherings, and though we won’t be having one of those this year, perhaps I’ll do her proud by tossing this together and serving it up alongside that beautiful bird.

Click over to my Food Blog to find this recipe, and to my Book Club for more info on Live Life Deliciously and the order link!

Deck the Halls with Balsam Hill

Shop Balsam Hill

I can’t think of a year I’ve been more eager for Christmas. Since the first frost arrived, I’ve been ladling out mugs of hot cocoa for the kids, humming Christmas carols, and dreaming about all our favorite holiday traditions (and of course, holiday food!). Yes, yes, Thanksgiving comes first, but I’m thinking of Turkey Day more as “Christmas Junior” this year!

My friends at Balsam Hill are making it very easy for me to indulge myself and encouraging me to embrace the Christmas spirit.

They sent me their gorgeous new BH Fraser Fir tree, a click-together, pre-lit beauty, as well as a stunning array of decorating pieces to set it up in style - and I did!

This tree dazzles with sugared berry picks, gorgeous red swirl globes, the Alpine Grove collection of blown glass pinecones, acorns, and little woodland creatures all aglitter, each reflecting my nature-loving personality perfectly! I love the lush lodge faux-fur tree skirt that ties the whole look together!

Twinkling merrily in a corner of my barn, I enjoy it coming and going throughout the day. The kids get excited every time they pass by and it inspires conversations of Christmas - this year’s and those in the past.

If you’re looking for Christmas decor inspiration, there’s no better place than Balsam Hill to find it!

Podcasts | Carrie Underwood & Kathie Lee Gifford

Two terrific episodes of LOVE SOMEONE with Delilah have dropped since my newsletter went out in October. I hope you’ve all subscribed to my podcast and are enjoying the episodes regularly! If you’ve missed a few, let me bring you up to speed:

Carrie Underwood was my first guest in October. She has a brand new Christmas album, My Gift, that is a first for her, and is just as beautiful and full of spirit as Carrie herself! We talk about the album, her recent Entertainer of the Year award from the Academy of Country Music, kids, life, and the magical appeal of her Tupperware drawer. Join us!

Listen to Carrie Underwood on LOVE SOMEONE with Delilah

Kathie Lee Gifford joined me for a long chit-chat about her new movie, Then Came You, which she not only wrote the screenplay for, but also but starred in and directed! Kathy Lee is always bubbling over with enthusiasm for whatever she’s involved in, and this is no exception. She’s understandably proud of the movie, which co-stars Craig Ferguson and Elizabeth Hurley, and full of optimism for the future. Don’t miss this uplifting episode!

Listen to Kathie Lee Gifford on LOVE SOMEONE with Delilah

Pssst - Some very special guests join me this month, the iconic Ms. Dolly Parton, and the two brother’s from the Christian-Pop duo, for King & Country, Joel and Luke Smallbone! Be watching for these to drop on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month! They are going to be phenomenal!!!

I’m not sure what the remaining weeks of the year have in store for us, but I suspect not all of them will be smooth. There will undoubtedly be some fall-out after the elections, regardless of the results, possibly taking the form of protests, riots, or the plain old garden variety social media nonsense...

What I ask of you, dear friends, is this; when you feel like reacting, pause. Take a deep breath, THINK, and before acting, speaking, or posting, ask yourself these questions: Is it True? Is it Helpful? Is it Inspiring? Is it Necessary? Is it Kind?

Let’s spend the next few months of 2020 engaged in the acts of thankfulness, decency, and love. Welcome November, I am thankful for all you bring, and all I am doubly thankful for all of YOU!

-Delilah

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