Things I Have Liked/Loved This Month - November

So in a valiant effort to get this my blogging into some kind of regular schedule, I've decided to join a few linkys.  One of the favourites so far is the "Things I have liked/loved this month" linky hosted by A Cornish Mum.  Each month, as the month draws to a close, I'll pick a few favourite highlights to share - a good reminder of the successes, when it's easy to get bogged down by the failures or challenges.  As November is also Thanksgiving month, and we're a dual nationality family, this seems like the perfect month to join in.  I didn't quite make it to ten this month as I hadn't been keeping note of some of the "little things" - but I will for future months.

Our First Hosted Sleepover
This is happening this weekend but C is so excited.  Our visitor is his best friend from nursery - although they went off to different primary schools and don't see each other very often, those bonds they formed when they first met at age 2 have stayed so strong.  They so enjoy each other's company and I just know Friday night will be full of giggles, memories, 6 year old humour and not a lot of sleep!

School Photos
The return of this year's school photo - I can really see how much he's grown in just 1 year and that toothless smile is just too adorable for words!

Food

I love the flavours of Autumn and with the mild start to the season we didn't really get into casseroles and hot pots until this last week or so.  Apples, Plums, Harvest Bake, Liver & Bacon, Curry, Cajun Chicken, Pork Carnitas, Fish Pie, Ginger Cake and Baked Rice Pudding have all featured on our menu this month.

Seasonal Coffee

I'm afraid I was definitely one of those that bought into the whole hype around Pumpkin Spice Lattes when we lived in the states.  As we lived in the Arizona desert it was hard to tell when the seasons changed (4 seasons - Nice, Hot, Hotter, Too Darned Hot!) so the arrival of the PSL at Starbucks was a significant annual event.  Now Pumpkin Spice is not particularly relevant over here, as we don't do the whole Pumpkin pie thing for the most part.  I've been happily adding a bit of Gingerbread seasoning to my Tassimo coffees until Costa outdid themselves and introduced Tiramisu Latte!!!  Heavenly...I hope they keep it year round as Tiramisu is not just for Christmas!  They do also have Sticky Toffee, Salted Caramel and Gingerbread and Cream on the menu for the season, along with Black Forest and Caramel Fudge Hot Chocolates. No, they are not good for you, but at this time of year what is?  Even the birds are eating fat to keep warm...

Note-  I am in no way affiliated with or sponsored by any coffee company - but I'm open to offers! 

Becoming a Rugby Mummy

As much as I thought I wouldn't like HAVING to get up early on a Sunday morning, and standing on a cold sideline, we are all really enjoying C's love affair with Rugby.  From a young age it was the only sport he wanted to play, so as all his friends headed off to football, swimming, martial arts he patiently waited to be old enough.  This September he joined the fabulous minis team at the Ely Tigers club - the coaches are awesome and he has taken to it like the proverbial duck to water.  He's already had player of the week/man of the match awards 3 times.  The pure excitement that radiates from him keeps us all warm and enthusiastic.  I hope he continues with the sport as Rugby really focuses on teamwork, good sportsmanship and having fun.  As you can see, he has no fear, when the tiger is surrounded by a pack of zebras - he carefully considers his next move...

 and then leaves them standing..,

The start of the Christmas hype

I LOVE Christmas.  I see so many people who boast about having all their presents bought and wrapped in August but, to me, that's no fun.  I love the hustle and bustle of the markets and malls when Christmas music is playing, lights are glowing and people are in a panic over what to buy Auntie Marge who has everything.  All other times of the year I avoid crowds whenever possible, but for 3-4 weeks at the end of the year I make an exception.  As soon as Halloween is all ticked and treated out, I start to feel Christmassy.  The TV ads appear as if by magic by 10pm on Halloween night and the magic begins.  Our tree will go up this weekend (another link to our US past where we always did the tree on Thanksgiving weekend), our Elf on the Shelf will send a North Pole Breakfast for Saturday morning to get C and his sleepover buddy in the Christmas mood and the Christmas mix is well and truly on shuffle and repeat on my mobile devices.  November is my planning time and then December is the call to action.  Menus are planned, present lists are planned, Christmas activities are planned and on the calendar, random acts of kindness are planned and I, for one, can't wait to open the first door on my advent calendar next week!

Crisp Autumn Days

The colours this Autumn have been fantastic - with the trees holding onto their coats for a little longer than usual we really saw that transition of colours through the entire Autmnal spectrum. Wrapping up for a winter walk on a sunny but cold day is one of my favourite family activities.  We collected a lot of leaves, twigs and cones for Autumn crafts.

Hope you've all had a fantastic November, and are looking forward to a very happy end to the year, regardless of whether or not this is a time for celebrations at your house. xx