Life Lately | November - I do deClaire

I’ll be honest, I was so focused on November and celebrating Thanksgiving, I had a panicked moment when Claire was asking about a planned Girl Scout meeting in December…which was the next day! It all worked out though and the girls had a blast. December is really shaping up to be a full month for us leading up to the holidays. We have a few out of town swim meets. I can’t believe it’s only 3 weeks until Christmas break! Here is our life lately November 2024 and what we have been up to.

Books I’ve Read

Long Range by C.J. Box– Wyoming game warden Joe Pickett investigates a sniper attack targeting a judge’s wife, uncovering a web of secrets and lies as he races to find the elusive shooter in the rugged wilderness.
Dark Sky by C.J. Box– Joe Pickett guides a Silicon Valley CEO on an elk hunting trip that turns into a deadly game of survival when they become targets in the harsh, unforgiving wilderness.
Shadows Reel by C.J. Box– Joe Pickett investigates a brutal murder linked to a poaching case, while his wife Marybeth uncovers a mysterious Nazi-era photo album that puts their family in danger. Meanwhile, their friend Nate Romanowski pursues a dangerous adversary in a subplot filled with tension and a dramatic showdown
Storm Watch by C.J. Box– Joe Pickett uncovers a professor’s mutilated body near a high-tech facility during a blizzard, drawing him into a web of political extremism, secretive federal agents, and a secessionist movement, while his friend Nate Romanowski faces his own moral dilemmas involving a militant group and cryptocurrency schemes.
Three-Inch Teeth by C.J. Box– Joe Pickett faces a dual threat: a deadly grizzly bear terrorizing the region and a vengeful former convict targeting him and his allies, weaving a tense tale of survival and retribution against the harsh wilderness backdrop. For more details, you can explore the book’s themes and action on the author’s official site or book reviews

Recipes I’ve Made

Slowcooker Beef Stroganoff– The kids gobbled this up and kept asking for the leftovers. It was ridiculously easy. I even added the noodles in towards the end of the cooking and they cooked in the slow cooker with a little extra water.
French Onion Meatballs– I loved these and so did the rest of the family. They took a bit of time to make, but the flavor was so good.
Stuffing waffles as new ways to use our asparagus casserole and stuffing.
Harvest Salad– I made this for Thanksgiving for a fresh side dish. The flavor was great and it was easy!
Chicken Pizzaiola– I’ve never had this before, but Matt had. He made it for us. I’m so glad I had fresh sourdough to dip into the sauce. It was really good!
Ground Beef and Broccoli– This was very tasty! I added some water to help cook and soften the broccoli. It ended up cooking off so it was perfect.
Butter Beer Cake– This was time intensive! There were quite a few extra little steps. It was tasty, but I think in the future I will look for a similar, quicker recipe.
Butternut Squash Ravioli with Sage Brown Butter Sauce– The sauce is so rich and buttery! Delicious! Matt doesn’t normally care for butternut squash ravioli, but he ate all the leftovers! It was pretty easy to make.
M&M Dump Cake– The girls made this with their Halloween candy. It was great with a little vanilla ice cream.
Rosemary Garlic White Bean Soup – I really liked this, but my family’s favorite part was the croutons. We made homemade croutons with sourdough bread and loved the extra flavor and texture they added. It would be good with a little bacon or ham, too.

Products I’ve Tried

Koushicare Brain Band– When I started using the Koushicare Brain Band, I was eager to see if it could help with my focus and stress management during busy days. The sleek, comfortable design made it easy to wear, and after a few sessions, I noticed a subtle improvement in my ability to concentrate, especially during work tasks. It also seemed to promote a sense of calm, which was a welcome relief during hectic moments.While the effects weren’t groundbreaking, the Brain Band felt like a helpful addition to my routine rather than a standalone solution. I found it most effective when paired with mindfulness practices like short breaks or meditation. If you’re looking for a gentle boost in productivity and relaxation, the Koushicare Brain Band might be worth exploring.
Laura Geller Jelly Balm– I love Laura Geller Jelly Balm, and recently tried all their new colors. It has quickly become a favorite in my makeup routine. The jelly-like texture is so unique—it glides on effortlessly and feels incredibly lightweight on my lips. It gives just the right amount of hydration and a glossy, sheer tint that’s perfect for everyday wear. I love how it feels moisturizing without any stickiness, which is a huge plus for me. What really stands out is how versatile it is. On days when I want a natural look, I wear it alone for a soft, polished finish. For something bolder, I layer it over my favorite lipstick for an extra glossy pop. It’s become my go-to for keeping my lips looking and feeling great throughout the day. If you’re looking for a lip product that’s both nourishing and beautiful, the Jelly Balm is definitely worth trying.

Regelica Set– I mentioned last month how thrilled I am with the Regelica Anti-Aging Skincare Set! But this month I wanted to update with before and after pictures. You don’t really realize how much can change when you see your skin every day. I was shocked at how much it helped with my discoloration! The serum and moisturizer to absorb beautifully, leaving my skin hydrated and smooth without any greasiness.

Currently

Loving- Our house is about 95% decorated (needed to add my porch greenery and candles in each window), but I’m loving the cozy, festive feel it has. I tried something new with ribbon on our tree and really love it this year, too.
Looking forward to- I really enjoy using Skinny Mixes in my protein drinks. Last year I ordered bottles during their Cyber Monday sale. This year I did it again and now I’m looking forward to trying some of the new flavors I bought.
Smelling- We added scentsicles to all our faux greenery. I love how fragrant it makes the house!
Preparing for- Now that Thanksgiving has passed, it’s all about the Christmas prep! I’ve been working on getting our gifts for others purchased.
Thankful for- We were blessed to host Thanksgiving last week for our family members. I’m so thankful we were all able to be together and share a wonderful time.
Family Update
- Me– Early in November I completed the only 1/2 marathon I did this fall. I actually had a best time! I beat my 27 year old self and placed 3rd overall with a 1:41:27. I haven’t felt this good throughout a race in a long time. Let’s hope I can maintain my endurance over winter.

- Matt– Matt crushed it with the turkey again this year. He does such a good job of brining, smoking, then air frying it. Yum! He also made infused bourbon for each of the families that came. Matt’s dad did a wonderful job of taking some family photos for us while they were visiting over Thanksgiving. They turned out so well!

- Claire- Claire has continued to have a great swimming season and keeps up running about twice a week. She ran a neighborhood 5K on Thanksgiving and did such a good job!

- Avie– Avie is now officially in her 7 year old era and was excited to have her birthday this past month. There was a Taylor Swift cover band in the area and we were able to have a double birthday party with a friend. She had a blast! She also got to go to Donuts with Dad at school with my dad since Matt was out of town.

November Goals Recap

Organize Girl Scout boxes– Done! I reduced it down to 2 boxes and now I know what supplies we have.
Kids clothing storage– Done! It’s much neater now.
Prep for Thanksgiving– Done!

December Goals

Put together a tentative plan for Girl Scout badges/meetings for both troops- I have dates for meetings, but have been planning meeting by meeting. It would help to try and plan out a little further in advance.
Read a paper book- I’ve only had time for audio books and I miss the ‘old-fashioned’ kind.

Favorite Posts

I spent a lot of time putting together affordable and unique gift ideas for everyone on your list! The best part is that most are on amazon so if you are super busy, in a few clicks you can check people off your list! I hope you find these helpful!