November Recap

Things were bustling around here at The Gathered Home during the month of November!

I Painted…

My front door black. Like the main character in every Disney teen drama ever, my door went from boring and blah to classy and sexy with just a little elbow grease and a few show-tunes…

That 70’s credenza – white & gold. I learned that I do not have the patience for gold leaf, and I stirred up memories of childhood craft trauma. Read at the peril of kindergarten flashbacks.

I Blinged…

DIY Faux Taxidermy jewelry holder. Bryan’s caption: The deer wouldn’t be caught dead wearing that.
I Drank…

These three fabulous pumpkin cocktails – Drunken Punkin, Rumpkin Spice Latte, & Rum Pum Pum Punch (Although not all at once). They are delicious. I vote we make pumpkin a year-round acceptable beverage component.

I Gaveaway…

A Kitchenaid Mixer and House of Smith mixer decal! Thank you to all who entered! The giveaway was a resounding success, so you’d better believe there will be more in the future!

I also gave away my recipe for the world’s best chocolate chips cookies, available as a free printable recipe card. In my opinion, anyone who makes up a batch of those cookies is the real winner… Just saying.

I Decorated…

My thrifty & crafty Thanksgiving table setting using all free, thrifted, or cheap items I had on hand! (Thanksgiving = a holiday where you can pick dead stuff up out of your yard and call it decorations. Viva la Thanksgiving!)

I Shared…

Secrets of a Craigslist Addict: The 2nd Rule of Craigslist. “If you check it, they will come.”

I Spilled My Guts…

In this post, Out of Season, where I shared about my struggles to live life now and enjoy each present moment. I bare my soul every once in a while on here – enjoy.

I Reorganized…

My Furniture Archive! Now available in a handy-dandy picture gallery format with a slight fade effect when you hover (ooh, fancy!).

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The month of November was a whirlwind.

I can’t believe it’s already passed us by.

Life is crazy, you guys. Between work and general life duties (I mean, that laundry doesn’t fold itself!) and family get-togethers… Well, let’s just say we had just enough time to get in some games on our new Wii U and for Bryan to kick my butt (figuratively, of course) at every conceivable opportunity.

November was good.

My grandparents came and visited, and we were so happy they got to come see our new home!

We saw both of our families over our Thanksgiving break from teaching, and ate our nontraditional Thanksgiving dinner at a Brazilian steakhouse. I shall require that every Thanksgiving dinner incorporate lobster bisque from this point on…

We both had lazy days to spend at our respective hobbies. I’m pretty sure I spent a 48 hour stretch in pajamas. For the win.

I caved and went to an eye exam, picked out a pair of glasses, and am currently waiting for them to arrive. I am about to be Clark-Kent-ified. I only hope I look as good in them as Tina Fey…

I didn’t spend a dime on Black Friday, and, despite the fact that I didn’t have any money to spend anyway, I’m more than a little proud of myself.

Last but not least, I “borrowed” my favorite knit Santa cap from my parents’ house and am currently in elf-mode while setting up my Christmas decorations. Halloween candy = fuel for the sleigh:

December Plans:

– Christmas tree
– Christmas decorations
– Eggnog
– Building a desk for the office… (No promises! We’ll see!)
– Sharing Christmas-y crafts and/or cocktails
– Being awesome. (+1 for wearing a Santa stocking cap.)

I hope you guys enjoyed November! What are your December plans? What’s your favorite Christmas movie? (Mine’s Elf!) Extra big hugs & kisses for you all!