My morning usually starts with breakfast and a large mug of steaming, hot coffee. After breakfast, I usually try to check notifications on our social media and put out new stories on our most active social media accounts. My morning routine was in full swing today when I came across a post about the first day of November. It was a cute one, Bette Milder in her best Sanderson sister costume on the left side of the screen and on the right, Chevy Chase as Clark Griswold, of National Lampoons Christmas Vacation. The gist is that Christmas has officially begun today on November 1st.

In reality, yes, it probably has officially begun. Retailers have had all things Christmas up and in stores for a few weeks now… trees, lights, and decorations. Hallmark Christmas movies have been featured on the television for the last few weeks and I would bet some folks are ready to get onto a healthy dose of holiday spirit with Christmas lights, and trees .

So what happened to the season of Thanksgiving? It is now a holiday surrounded by a kickoff of the Christmas shopping season. I’m not debating the right or wrong way to celebrate the month of November in this blog post, but my thoughts are just reflection upon the season of Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving… a time of gratitude, grace, thanks, blessings, and giving back to our community. After all, the smallest blessing can be received even from the tiniest of things in life.

Thanksgiving is now just 23 days away. What will I do differently over the next few weeks in preparation for this important holiday of Thanksgiving besides shopping for a turkey & dressing???

I’m actively working on my November “bucket list” and I don’t think putting up my Christmas tree is high on the list right now.

Here’s my current brainstorming plan…

1. Create a Thanksgiving playlist of music. ( FYI: I have a working playlist now and will continue to update it as the month progresses.)

2. Make & bake a pumpkin spice treat, pumpkin muffins??? Thanks mom for sharing the recipe.

3. Make Hot Apple Cider – Muddled with spices

4. Fire pit and marshmallows

5. Friendsgiving fun.. it’s been a couple of years since we have done this, but going to try to do this again.

6. Try a new soup or stew recipe for a cool, “fallish” evening meal

7. Enjoy the simplicity of every day life in the season of Fall.

8. Gratitude posts… share posts that are inspiring and complete at least two a week on my personal IG page or Facebook page.

9. Watch A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, with popcorn of course!

10. Create a list of must watch Thanksgiving movies 🍿 or shows. This one will be a work in progress for 2022… so I’ll let you know what ends up on my list when it is finished.

November might actually turn out to be a nice month y’all, with more reflection about blessings, thanks, gratitude, family, friendship and slowing down to enjoy the last days of Fall.