November Recap - Snippets of a Real and Beautiful Life

Reflecting on a jam-packed, beautifully thankful month

Why yes, it’s almost the middle of December and I am posting a recap of November. I have been under the weather for a week and a half and today I finally feel almost entirely human again. I had a friend recently tell me she’s missed me on social media since I’ve been gone and then I hadn’t posted on Substack recently either. Toward the middle of November I was feeling a bit exhausted and overwhelmed with all the month held so I took a slight pause on sharing.

When I chose to step away from social media and commit to writing on Substack, I knew I wanted to be on here consistently but I haven’t always known how that would look. Honestly, I’m not sure if I even have a vision for that quite yet even now as I write this. Although I have writings in draft form waiting to be published, the fear of not having something to share felt real. I also knew I wanted to balance my writing with my art of photography while also sharing personal snippets of life. I wanted a space to share things I’ve discovered and loved, updates and happenings in my business, along with my personal work whether that be my writing, photography or videography. I also hoped to create a place where people could connect with me personally, so I’m trying something out of the ordinary. As I attempt to figure out how to best utilize this platform, I’ll share and we’ll see if it sticks…let me know what you think!

November, for the last 10 years, has been a month filled with reflection, gratitude and praise for the continual reminder of God’s faithfulness and kindness in my life. Looking back, I’ve seen how He has used circumstances to mold and shape my heart and dependence upon Him. How He orchestrated our family continually leaves me amazed and thankful every year as we head into the Thanksgiving and Christmas season. We celebrated 10 years of life for my incredible boy - it’s amazing how fast and slow time can feel simultaneously! - a very belated 40th birthday with my summer Bible study (we celebrated as a family while we were in Texas), and Thanksgiving on a cruise to the Caribbean. It was a full month, heading into another full month as we wrap up the year.

A Collection of Joys

This sweater has become my favorite purchase of the season. I bought the cream one (does that really surprise anyone?). I love that it’s soft, warm, loose and versatile to throw on with a number of different pairs of jeans!

Last month I finished the Ken Follet novel “The Armor of Light”. My hubby and I had read the first two books in the Kingsbridge series many years ago and this was a quick and easy read despite it’s large size.

This month I went to a local Christmas market and picked up an amazing, homemade pottery bowl from Throne Pottery. I had been looking for something beautiful that was the ideal shape (size and depth) for my lunch salads/bowls. It’s gorgeous, cream and absolute perfection. I have eaten from it nearly ever day since and it brings me so much joy!

It’s Christmastime, which means I’m listening to all my favorite Christmas songs. I have a collection of songs that always stir my heart toward the birth and gift of Jesus. If you have time, take a moment to play one or two. I’ll link a handful of my favorites that make me cry nearly every time I listen.
- Sovereign Grace Music - God Made Low - We first sang this song at Christmastime when we attended church in Texas. I fell in love with Sovereign Grace’s Christmas music immediately after that and play their albums frequently during the Christmas season. If you want to listen to more of their music, you can find a playlist here. Another one of my beloved songs of theirs is “Who Would have Dreamed”.
- Dave Barnes - Mary and Joseph - A modern version of Mary, Joseph and the story of Jesus. Dave Barnes is one of my favorite singer-songwriters (we used one of his songs for the first dance at our wedding) and this song transports me to a different space and time imagining what their life would have been like as they welcomed Jesus. As a mama I weep nearly every time thinking about the burden Mary carried. I also love his song “When Love was Born”.
- Paul & Hannah McClure - Adore Him - I actually discovered this song on Musicbed last month as I was looking for some songs to license for my videos (surprisingly I have found some of my favorite songs this way). This song exudes praise and adoration for Jesus and I have a hard time not lifting up my hands in thanksgiving as I listen - it brings me so much gratitude and joy as I let the words wash over me.
- Cageless Birds - Wonder - Local to NC, Cageless Birds have a multiple avenues of ministry (I have a couple of their devotional books - amazing! - and also have had this mug on my wishlist for years - typically sold out), but this album was recently released and I adore the feeling of this song and want this to be the anthem of how I see and experience this season - through eyes of sacred wonder.

Alright, friends. That was longer than I anticipated, but hopefully you found something lovely in here to use or share!