As the kids sleep in this last morning of November, I am taking the opportunity to sit for a bit and tap out some things I learned this month. I am also taking the opportunity to sneak a piece of pecan pie for breakfast. So as I munch on pie and sip my eggnog chai latte, here it goes.
In November, I learned:
1. Deep fried turkey obliterates all turkey-prep competition. Our darling neighbors spent Thanksgiving with us, and they brought over some of this tender, juicy deliciousness. I never had deep fried turkey before, and now that I have, I don’t know if I can have any other kind. If you’ve never tried it, let me tell you: it is magical. The white meat is as flavorful as the dark! It’s like an early Christmas miracle.
2. Nashville’s Sam Palladio (Gunnar) is British and Clare Bowen (Scarlett) is Australian. Stop the world.
3. These Christmas ornaments given to us by my friend Lisa Leonard may be my favorite ornaments ever. Each year, we give our kids an ornament, and for now the kids hang them on their Christmas trees in their rooms. But later when they leave the nest, our cherubs will each have a collection of ornaments to take with them. These initial ornaments are what they are receiving this year. The ornaments are beautiful, meaningful, and reasonably priced. Shipping is FREE, and you can use the code “verymerry15” for 15% off!
4. I don’t usually like chocolate pie, but I made this salted carmel-chocolate pecan pie for Thanksgiving, and it changed my mind. Insanely delicious.
5. Gymnastic meets have a lot of parallels to friendship.
6. I always thought having a post go truly viral would be fun. Truth is that being close to anything viral can make you sick, too. I got my first ugly mail/comments ever in regards to this post (okay, not my first, but my first large quantity of them), and for the first time I became a bit afraid of my inbox. I don’t enjoy it when people don’t understand my heart, but sometimes there’s no getting around that. Just the same, I don’t regret writing this post one bit and will sing the praises of my military readers forever. And I don’t regret the bit of thicker skin I have now, too.
7. The delete button is a beautiful, freeing thing (see number 6 above). So is being the boss of your own blog.
8. Starting a new phase of life is scary, but it’s also exciting. More to come on that very soon.
9. I am eager as all get out to give y’all a special surprise soon. Think of it as an early (and free!) Christmas gift from me to you.
10. My disappointment is really God’s divine appointment with something better. To bring this point home, I’m reciting this verse these days, “I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” ~ Psalm 27:13-14.
Amen.
Linking up with Emily today! So tell me, what did you learn in November?
I’m excited to hear about the new things coming here. You are such an encouragement on this big ‘ole internet. Keep doing what you’re doing.
Thank you, Kristin.
amen to that verse. boo to the ugly mail. yum to the pie!
And yes to everything you said. Muah.
I have heard deep fried turkey is wonderful, but anytime I’ve been around some it is gone by the time I get through the lime! As for negative comments, I am sorry you had to endure them. I love your heart and your writing. Those that know you know that you are only trying to encourage and include, not discourage and exclude. Hugs~
I have been reading your blog for a while now, and am always touched. I cannot believe the ugly mail responses to your post on military wives and families. I grew up as an Army brat (and proud of it!) back in the 60s & 70s when the military members were shown very little respect. My husband retired from the Navy in the 80s and my brother is retired from the Air Force. The families of our military adjust to more changes and difficulties on a daily basis than most others would understand. God bless you as a current military wife, and as you continue your writing!
I can’t imagine anyone who knows you for ten seconds would send you an ugly email. They obviously don’t know your heart. Loved your list and that pie sounds amazing, along with the coffee you were sipping.
Number 10, I really learned number 10 in November. But I didn’t have that verse, which will now be my memory verse! I’m grateful to cling to God’s big and little gifts (like a key on a chain to remind me of Bunyan’s key of promise which unlocks any door in the giant Despair’s castle of Doubt) and seek his perspective through all the circumstances.
Number 2, I have no idea about! Am I out of it, or what?
As my dad would say, “Don’t let the b———-s get you down.” Well maybe that’s not appropriate for a Christian blog…but you know what I mean. You keep telling it like it is, girl! Love you and your writing and am looking forward to what you have up your sleeve!
((Hugs)),
Bev
I’ll never understand why people need to post ugly comments. I may not agree with everything you say but when I don’t, I think God is trying to teach me something, too. Making those negative comments just stands in my way of learning what that is. Keep writing, Girl! We need your voice.
#2 blew my mind, too!
I find your posts encouraging and enjoyable to read. I love Psalm 27 and have been working on memorizing it myself. I especially like your posts about military life. My brother is in the Navy and has been married for just over a year. I know this has been hard for my sister-in-law who is away from family for the first time. Your posts illuminate the life of a military spouse for those of us who don’t have that privilege. The first post that I read was about friendship. This post was wonderful and it is the reason that started following your blog. Thanks for all you share about your life and your family.