Hello and happy week before Thanksgiving, friends! Like some of you I’ll be stirring up all kinds of goodness around the kitchen in the next week. So, I had food on my mind as I put together this edition of “These Are a Few of My Favorite Things.” And while some of us may be doing more eating than cooking, we’re also likely to want to take advantage of some Black Friday sales, too. (On that note, has it been a Black Friday saturated month for you, too? I mean, I’m overwhelmed from all the CAN’T MISS DEALS language.) Forgive me if I’m adding to the noise as my monthly list is coming out at this part of the month.

It is what it is, I suppose.

At any rate, here is my latest edition of “These Are a Few of My Favorite Things,” largely comprised of goodies to gobble and place under your tree.As I write this, most of the items I share are on sale. Enjoy, dearheart!

Maple Chai Latte Cookies: Oooooohhhhh these are divine. I sent some of these in care packages to my kids, too! 

Guinness Chocolate Cookies: These are my husband’s favorite cookies. Since his birthday was this month, I made these for him. Rich, fudgy, and delicious!

Barefoot Contessa’s Red Wine-Braised Short Ribs: A perfect late fall or winter meal! I didn’t have the Guinness that this recipe calls for. (I’d used all we had left for the above cookie recipe!) So, I substituted the Guinness with a pumpkin ale I found in our pantry. Honestly, I think any beer would do. My husband and I ladled our roast over a sweet potato, and we loved it. I do want to try it again with a Guinness though! 

Baby Kale Salad with Acorn Squash: I made this for our Halloween night dinner with friends, and we all loved it!! (I substituted feta for the goat cheese cuz I don’t like goat cheese.)

Harney & Sons Hot Cinnamon Tea and Vanilla Comoro Tea: I saw Amy Hannon pair these two teas on Instagram, so I tried it myself. I didn’t add the lavender simple syrup she uses. Instead, I added my trusty Silk Vanilla Almond Milk Creamer. The tea combo is delicious, and I think both teas would make a great gift! (You can find the Hot Cinnamon Tea in Decaf, too!)

Rotating Puzzle Board: I first heard of this from the Deal Queen Jessica Turner, and I bought this for my husband–the biggest puzzle lover I know–and he LOVED it. I mean, he loved it so much he made a Facebook post about it, and he posts on Facebook about once every three years. This handy item allows him to better look at the puzzle from all angles!

Sharpie Gel Pens: These are going in my kids’ stockings. They aren’t on sale (today), but they are the BEST pens (thanks for mine, Pattie!!) 

Lodge Enamel Cast Iron Dutch Oven: Gosh, I love this and use it all the time! It’s so pretty and functional! (And a kid of mine may be getting one for Christmas…shhhhhhh.) 

Expandable Suitcase: My suitcase recently bit the dust, so I bought this as a replacement. I love it! It’s sturdy and rolls like a dream, and it costs less than a lot of brands. 

On Writing (and Writers) by C. S. Lewis: As the writing of C.S. Lewis became more known, he would receive letters on any topic you can imagine, including the art of writing. He’d spend up to 14 hours a day answering those letters! Part of this book is essentially a collection of some of his responses. From the book’s jacket: “With over a hundred excerpts drawn from his letters, essays, and books, this delightful collection will inspire and guide any prospective writer with sage advice on topics such as writing fiction, poetry, and science fiction; Christian writing; writing for children; and writing persuasively. It also features a section on Lewis’s comments on other writers.” This is such a fun book for the writer in your life! 

Praying Through Loneliness by yours truly: If you (or someone you know) is in a very lonely season that finds you isolated and struggling to make friends, I’m so sorry. Perhaps the personal stories shared in this book, stories from a diverse group of over forty women, can be of help and comfort to you. You’re not alone in your loneliness! 

Eye Gel Cooling Pads: These feel so good, and one package could be divided up for multiple stocking stuffers!

Bluetooth Speaker: I’ve bought this JBL brand of bluetooth speaker for my kids and nieces/nephews before. However, this one with the integrated carabiner would be extra handy!

I’m sure thankful that you stopped by my online home here. May you have a wonderful Thanksgiving with you and yours!

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