Hi there!
If you celebrate Thanksgiving, then I'm wishing you a day that feels nourishing in every possible way.
My mom and I have a tradition of eating out on this day. It's something that we have the freedom to do, as our family unit is small. I've always enjoyed having a break from cooking.
Covid interrupted the tradition for the past two years, but today we're happily resuming it. We'll be going out to an Italian place in my mom's neighborhood.
My mom is looking forward to a plate of traditional Thanksgiving fare, and I'm looking forward to a big bowl of pasta.
For dessert, there will be leftovers of my apple pear cranberry crisp, which I made this week.
In other news, this email marks a new tradition for me, which is sending out a monthly newsletter.
I've thought and talked about doing this for...oh, maybe the past five years? Here we are, finally, with some bigger picture thoughts than what ends up in weekend reading.
November was a month of contrast.
This past summer, I moved neighborhoods, and the result of that was a lot more activity in my life.
New friends and neighbors, new culinary and wine adventures, local tourism, and an effort to go out and seek the experiences that I want, rather than waiting for them to find me.
In order to make the move and these experiences possible for myself, I've also been working harder than usual. The focus and dedication has felt good.
Yet life always moves in cycles of expansion and contraction. Midway through this month, I started to feel some overwhelm. I was called to slow down and turn inward for a pause.
That pause was given to me in no uncertain terms with another round of Covid last week. It was mild, fortunately. I caught up on sleep, read books, watched TV, and was alone with myself.
Much to my surprise, the solitude felt better than solitude has in a while.
This Thanksgiving weekend will be a continuation of the pause. I don't have much planned, aside from spending time with my mom, doing some cooking, and continuing to settle into my new space.
December promises to be busy again, in a fun way.
My intention is to fully embrace the quiet this weekend and also fully experience the festivity next month. Both are important, both feed me.
Speaking of intentions, there's always a lot of talk about intention setting as a new year begins. I like the collective energy around manifestation that marks early January.
But this year, more than ever before, I've leaned into a commitment to living in and for the present moment.
There are 38 days left in 2022. 38 days in which so much is still possible.
Here's what I'm wondering today:
- How do I want to show up for the rest of this year?
- What projects can I see through to completion?
- Are there friends and loved ones whom I'd like to connect with before the holidays?
- What delicious meals would I like to cook before 2022 is over?
No waiting. No delaying of action.
When I thought about sending out this first monthly newsletter, I of course wanted to have some elegant structure to it. Maybe I'll find that soon.
But given my tendency to delay starting new things until I think that I can do them "just right," I woke up today and decided to start right here, right now. With whatever I had to say.
I want this monthly offering to feel valuable to you. If you have thoughts on what you'd like to read about, would you consider sharing them with me?
You can do that by filling out this quick survey.
In the meantime, some random stuff before November wraps up:
- I have a great love of American comfort food classics. I expressed this love in veganizing Salisbury steak recently. The recipe is delicious and perfect for cold weather. ICYMI, you can read all about it here.
- Speaking of tempeh, I've also been trying to use my air fryer more often. I made these crispy, savory tempeh nuggets, and I've been putting them in/on everything.
- I tend to be outlandishly optimistic in what I think I'll be able to accomplish within any given time period. I'm trying to be more tempered in my expectations lately, which usually comes down to planning on doing less than I think I ca or want to. It has been an uncomfortable practice. Not surprisingly, though, I've been managing my time better.
- I originally ordered this little gratitude journal to be a 2023 thing. But in the spirit of today's post, I think I'll start it now.
Finally: one of the best things that happened when I moved apartments is that I started using the Caraway non-toxic ceramic nonstick cookware set. If you:
- Love easy cleanup
- Prefer to cook with minimal or moderate amounts of oil
- Need a cookware set that comes with storage solutions
...then I can't recommend Caraway highly enough. The set is versatile, non-toxic, and beautiful. You can read my full review here.
Caraway also just released a duo of mini cookware—frying pan and sauce pot—for small batch cooking jobs. As a solo dweller, I know I'll use the pot for morning oatmeal and the pan for warming up random odds and ends.
The cookware set happens to be 20% off, if you're in the mood to treat yourself to an early holiday gift!
Speaking of, I'm about to warm up some leftover yams, Brussels sprouts, cranberry sauce, and Tofurky roast, which together comprise the mini feast that I created just for myself this week. Then it'll be time to join my mom for more giving of thanks.
I'm very thankful for you. Today and every day.
I'll check in on Sunday!
xo
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