A Few of My Favorite Things (November 2024)

November 2024 is here — which means in just a few weeks, I will officially be the mother of a teenager!

Time flies!

I know many of you can remember when Nora was born… and also, when I started sharing my Favorite Things (when Nora was a baby).

Here we are all these years later with even more Favorites.

Enjoy (and remember to share some of your favorites in the comments too!)

Favorite Moment = Playing After Dark

When our kids were younger, I dreaded the time change… but with older kids, I look forward to the time change because I actually get an extra hour of sleep! Plus, I love the darker evenings with all the cozy lights on inside.

Our kids think it’s so great to play outside after dinner because now it’s dark already but the weather isn’t too cold (we actually just set a record high for unseasonably warm November weather here in Michigan!)

Thankfully, we have a handful of neighbors who also eat dinner fairly early, and then the kids all play outside with headlamps, flashlights, and LED lights on their bikes and scooters.

NOTE: These are our favorite rechargeable headlamps (we’ve had them for years).

Favorite Routine = Morning Regroup

Every morning after getting the kids on the bus, I take about an hour to “regroup” and get ready for the day.

First, Buster and I go for a 20-30-minute walk. He loves waiting with the kids at the end of our driveway until the bus comes, an when they leave, he’s ready for his walk.

When we get home, I pick up the mudroom after the frenzy to get out the door, clean up the kitchen and dining area after breakfast, open all the curtains, and do a quick walk-through of the house to make sure lights and fans are off, no one forgot anything important, and nothing is too out-of-place.

If it’s a laundry day, I’ll start a couple of loads. Otherwise, I quickly prep a few things for dinner, look over my to-do list, and finish getting ready.

This all takes me about an hour from the time the kids get on the bus, and I usually enjoy listening to a book or podcast (my favorite way to multi-task!)

I’m out the door by 8:30 three or four days each week to volunteer at school or church, so my “morning regroup” is the perfect physical, mental, and emotional transition after a busy morning of getting the kids off to school.

RELATED READING: My Morning + Daily Routines

Past Favorite = Mini Spatulas

I have a specific spatula that I use every single day (multiple times per day) and even take on vacation with me.

It’s this set of Mini Spatulas (and yes, it’s totally a knock off of a classic Pampered Chef style.)

I also have the “matching” mini nylon spatula.

I literally had to pull all 3 of these spatulas from the dishwasher to get a picture for you (and I do honestly take them on vacation with me!)

They are perfect for everything (in my opinion) and the best spatulas for cooking with cast iron as they really scrape up all the little bits of food.

If you’re looking for a small but mighty tool to add to your kitchen arsenal (or to pair with a gift of baked goods this Christmas) this spatula is it!

I know you will love it too!

Favorite Media = The Office Ladies

For many years, Dave and I looked forward to watching The Office together with our college friends (I can still remember where we were when we watched the very first pilot episode).

It was a weekly thing we did together throughout much of the time we were dating… and into our early marriage (we didn’t have TV so it was a great opportunity to hang out with friends and watch).

I know some will judge this… but for me, The Office is simply a light-hearted comedy that brings me back to a fun time in Dave and my early relationship, and also a time when I was actually working in a similarly small office for my first job.

I gave Dave Season 1 for Christmas back in the day, we rewatched many episodes when they were on Netflix a few years ago, and we still quote several phrases and laugh at many of the same jokes almost 20 years later!

“I’m not superstitious… but I’m a little stitious.” (Michael Scott) This is my sense of humor! 😂

So… 5 years ago, when The Office Ladies podcast aired, you bet I was all about it!

I’ve listened faithfully and laughed along with Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey each Wednesday as they recapped every episode from all 9 seasons, going into deep dives on various topics and sharing some of their personal lives as BFFs along the way.

Last Wednesday was the final episode and it honestly felt a little bittersweet. 🥰

Thankfully, they plan to continue the podcast by replaying their entire 9-season recap on Mondays and adding new content on Wednesdays.

Favorite Snack = Honeycrisp Apples

We have 2 orchards very close to our house and they both sell “seconds” — slightly less-than-perfect apples — at a deeply discounted price.

This time of year, I stock up on Honeycrisp “seconds” (I can get a bushel for right around $20 and we keep them in our extra fridge).

It’s our go-to snack this time of year, we don’t even need caramel or peanut butter, they are just SO juicy and sweet. I let the kids eat as many as they want!

Here’s “baby Clara” enjoying a Honeycrisp that’s almost as big as she is!

Also, Honeycrisp apples are one of the best varieties to slice for kids’ lunches because they stay very crispy and don’t turn brown (not even when I pack their lunches the night before)!

RELATED READING: my easy recipe for Dutch Apple Pie

FAVORITE RECIPE = Sausage Stuffing

This is an old recipe (from my dad, and probably from his mom) that we’ve enjoyed every year on Thanksgiving for as long as I can remember.

It’s the best stuffing — seriously, the ground sausage adds so much flavor!

If you’re looking for a stuffing recipe this year, give my dad’s sausage stuffing a try.

TRY THE RECIPE: Sausage Stuffing.

That’s all for this month. 😆

If you’re interested, you may scroll through all my Favorite Things posts HERE!