Monthly Roundup: November Books & Favorites
Let’s set the scene: I’m writing this while under a blanket on the couch watching a football game and enjoying the magic of our Christmas tree and lights. It’s the last night of November and somehow, we’re entering the last month of 2023 tomorrow.
How did we get here? Yet it feels like it’s been years since October. What a month November turned out to be. Let’s get into it.
{ONE} The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
I mentioned this in last' week’s post, 10+ Things On My Mind This Week, but my brother Josh and I saw The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes in theatres. It was the first time I’ve seen a movie in theatres since… a long time. And it was SO good. It followed the book, the casting was great and it’s worth seeing if you’re a fan of The Hunger Games series.
{TWO} Starbucks holiday drinks
Starbucks holiday drinks are back, baby! It’s officially the most wonderful time of the year when a peppermint mocha is in my hands. I also snagged a free reusable Starbucks cup, so it was a good day.
{THREE} Thanksgiving
This year was such a fun Thanksgiving, especially since it was Vienna’s first! She loved trying all the foods, and especially enjoyed mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, and pumpkin pie. On Thanksgiving morning, I introduced Vienna to the Macy’s parade on TV and she was into it for a little bit before returning her focus to trying to take ornaments off the tree.
{FOUR} Christmas prep
November also was a month of Christmas prep. We put up our trees and Vienna LOVES them. She waves at the trees every morning, stares at the lights and ornaments, and wants to be near them at all times.
I’m also thrilled because we took our Christmas card photo on Thanksgiving and will be sending them out this year! We didn’t splurge on a professional photoshoot by any means, but my brother did take a pretty good pic that was considered card-worthy. Thanks, Josh!
{FIVE} Books I Read in November
I’m going to loop the books I read in November into this blog post. Before this post, I didn’t think I’d read that many books this month, but looking back, I actually read 5! Here are the books I read:
I Am Restored: How I Lost My Religion but Found My Faith — Lecrae Moore (4/5)
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets — J.K. Rowling (5/5)
Gay Girl, Good God: The Story of Who I was and Who God Has Always Been — Jackie Hill Perry (4.5/5 stars)
The Beautiful Ones — Prince (2/5 stars)
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban — J.K. Rowling (4/5 stars)
{SIX} Vienna Milestones
This year feels like the longest and shortest year wrapped up in one. Vienna turned 11 months in November and suddenly, my baby looks and acts like a toddler. She’s taking steps, crawling everywhere, laughing, making animal sounds, babbling, and growing into the sweetest little human. She has loads of energy and I’m definitely getting my steps in chasing after her!