What I Learned in November

And just like that, we've come to the LAST MONTH of 2020. Crazy! Last night, Ryan and I watched our 1-second-per-day video for all of 2020, and it was insane to see how dramatically everything about the year changed: for us and for the world at large. Crazy!! But for today we'll just talk about November. I learned a few things this month! 

1. You can purchase nut crusts for pies. 

I was looking for a premade pie shell in the baking aisle this month...you know, the graham cracker kind? That was when I discovered you can also purchase nut crusts! I had no clue. Did you? 

2. Looking at old scrapbooks is a good use of time.

We didn't do it every single night this month, but many of the evenings, we pulled out one of our old travel scrapbooks to relive the fun we've had on adventures. We have missed getting to travel this year, and it was extra fun to relive our memories. I spend a lot of time working hard on those books and always like going back to look through them!

3. Always overexpect the number of spare Christmas lights you'll need.

They don't make 'em like they used to. Strands that I know were brand new last year were dead entirely this year. And I hadn't bought enough spares at the end of the season. I had one tree delayed by a day because I had to go buy more lights!

4. It's Christmas when the Hershey Kiss handbell commercial plays. 

I love the new twist they've put on it this year. I love it that it starts with the original and then includes the newer part. It makes me happy. And hungry. :) 

5. Ryan likes pistachios.

I had absolutely no idea. He bought a bag of them at the store one night and said he normally doesn't buy them because they're pretty expensive. I actually don't like them, so he doesn't have to share with me! (Fortunately, Braeya leaves them alone too, though she does enjoy looking at them.)

6. There are 100 calorie Snicker bars.

We saw these in line at the store one night. They're like a long, skinny fun-size Snickers. Have you seen these? (Also shout out to the days of yore when I ate a FULL SIZE SNICKERS and drank a cremosa every single morning for my breakfast. That might explain some pounds.)

7. Ryan painted 196 coats of paint on doors for Abby.

It was a lot of paint. He was glad he waited until the very end to do the math. He's also glad that project is DONE.

And also...I met my goals for November! Here's an update!

1. Make significant headway on painting the cabinets in Abby the RV.

DONE!!! How's that for significant headway! In less than a month, we worked together to prime and paint all the cabinet frames AND walls in the RV, and then Ryan did all the cabinets in his spare time. She looks so cute these days - even though she still has a ways to go before she's finished. Can't wait to show you an update soon! Meanwhile, here's a peek at the cabinets installed.

2. Write Christmas letter and design Christmas cards.

Done and done! The letter is all done and printed so we can stuff and mail the cards. The cards are designed, ordered, and here! Ryan created and printed all the labels, and I'll probably work on it all while we are on our anniversary getaway. 

3. Plan anniversary getaway.

Speaking of...we got it done! I planned it all out and put the finishing touches on it just a couple of days ago. We may have to roll with a few punches as we go, if places aren't open like their websites say they are, but for the most part, we're all set. And you guyssssssss!!! The Airbnb we found is so cute I just cannot even stand it!

4. Decorate for Christmas.

Done!! Oh how we are loving it every day! Lights everywhere, trees everywhere...joy everywhere!

5. Complete 21 Day Prayer Challenge

Done! I enjoyed reading the emails that came to my inbox each day and praying creatively! It was a good thing for my November.